Model workplace

Stormwater run-off has been put to good use on the Fisher & Paykel Healthcare building site. Dempsey and Wood Civil Contractors created a man-made lake where water levels are maintained to provide an attractive landscaping feature.

Mike Prime, senior project manager, says the lake, which is a catchment for water run-off from the roading and the 20,000m² roof, was just one aspect of the work carried out by Dempsey and Wood. The company was contracted to undertake all the earthworks, floor slab preparation, sewerage and stormwater drainage works, and provide underground services and roading work.

"Despite two months of wet weather, we were able to complete the slab preparation two weeks ahead of schedule," says Prime. "To hasten this process, we used a fill-drying procedure with lime and cement for soil stabilisation."

Prime says a further challenge was building the substantial paved carparking areas, which include 7500m² of heavy-duty truck access, and 10,000m² of car parking. In the truck dock the company cast in situ concrete walls, similar to the 1.8m-high feature wall in front of the main entrance.

Other work included machine-laid kerbs and specialist concrete finishes on accessways and footpaths. Prime says many kilometres of a chambered and ducted system lie beneath the road, accommodating security systems, street lights, water reticulation and irrigation systems. There is also a specialised trench carrying 11kV power cables to the neighbouring industrial subdivision of Highbrooke.

For more details, contact Dempsey and Wood Civil Contractors, PO Box 24-484, Royal Oak, Auckland 1030, phone (09) 571 2050, mobile 021 773 900, fax (09) 571 2051.

Story by: Trendsideas