Paddington, London W2
Group Metropolitan was appointed by our client to deliver a full intrusive annual HV and LV maintenance programme at Paddington, London. The works took place across two days and involved a full inspection and maintenance across the building’s primary electrical distribution infrastructure.
Having previously worked on the building, Group Metropolitan was familiar with the mixed-use commercial development located opposite Paddington Station. The building provides approximately 350,000 sq ft of Grade-A office space across 14 floors and around 75,000–80,000 sq ft of retail and dining space. As a multi-let commercial property with major corporate occupancy and active retail units, the building relies heavily on resilient electrical infrastructure to support tenant operations.
During a planned shutdown period, Group Metropolitan was tasked with delivering the annual intrusive maintenance with multiple teams rotating in and out. Prior to the maintenance programme, the building had experienced reported power interruptions, and the scope therefore included a review of protection settings and the configuration of an undervoltage relay on one incomer.
The shutdown strategy was carefully planned and structured across three controlled isolation stages:
Isolation 1
- MV A
- LV1A
- LV2A
Isolation 2
- MV B
- LV1B
- LV2B
Isolation 3
- TX3 (Life Safety Transformer)
- LV3 (Life Safety Switchboard)
With a stringent programme in place, planned schedules with HV Authorised Person oversight were implemented, permit to work issued by the client’s SAP, and prove-dead and point-of-work risk assessment (POWRA) completed prior to switching.
The scope of works included intrusive maintenance of the building’s 11kV infrastructure, including switchgear maintenance, busbar inspection and torque verification, inspection and cleaning of VT compartments, and mechanical servicing of vacuum circuit breakers. Protection relays were tested using secondary injections, the transformers were inspected and cleaned, and battery tripping systems and switch disconnectors tested.
Low voltage systems were also within the maintenance programme, including mechanical servicing of ACBs, IR and ductor testing, and full protection testing of ACBs and MCCBs. Additional inspections were undertaken on UV coils, ATS units, battery systems, life safety switchboard and smoke ventilation panels.
All works were undertaken in accordance with approved risk assessments and method statements. The permit to work system was strictly enforced throughout the shutdown period, with arc flash PPE worn during relevant operations. DNO isolations were managed where required and emergency procedures were clearly defined prior to works beginning.
The project was delivered with close coordination between Group Metropolitan, the managing agent, on-site building services teams and DNO personnel operating under coordinated supervision. The successful delivery of this programme demonstrated Group Metropolitan’s ability to safely manage complex electrical shutdowns within critical commercial environments and achieve the project’s objective of zero unplanned outages.
