Spelsberg supplies tough junction boxes for pre-cast construction at new HMP Grampian

HMP Grampian is a new prison which is being built in Peterhead to replace the existing facility there as well as the aging HMP Craiginches in Aberdeen. Branded as a ‘super-jail’ the new facility will house 500 inmates in total, both male and female. The construction company that has been contracted to complete the build has opted to use pre-cast concrete panels to build the prison to keep the project within budget and to meet the planned completion date of 2014.

Pre-Cast Concrete Structures Ltd., a leading UK specialist in the design, manufacture and erection of offsite modular building techniques, has been contracted to produce and install the concrete panels. Because of the nature of the building it was instructed that all materials and components used for the project had to pass strict quality control tests.

Graham Paddock, MD of Pre-Cast Concrete Structures Ltd., comments: “While all building projects need to be completed to a very high standard, there are obviously some extra considerations to be made when building a prison. In the past we have used metal junction boxes as part of our pre-cast panel design; but we have found that these can allow concrete ingress, which results in expensive repairs on project completion.

“This prison is a large project and it was vital that the boxes were sealed and true, so we decided to adopt Spelsberg boxes which are specifically designed to work with a concrete installation using magnets internally to achieve a secure fastening to the bed. We also had to be sure that the components couldn’t be deliberately vandalised or easily removed given the designed environment.”
Having used the products extensively in other projects, Pre-Cast Concrete Structures Ltd. knew that Spelsberg’s IBT range of junction boxes would provide an ideal solution. The range is one of the few solutions which are specifically designed for use with pre-cast concrete, and facilitates quick installation once the panels are on-site. The housings are fixed to the metal formwork and the required conduits are connected prior to the concreting process. Once the concrete is set all the housings and conduits are in place, ready for the cabling and components to be installed.

As strong as the concrete itself, IBT System enclosures are made from halogen-free, high temperature resistant material, with products available in a massive range of sizes that can be simply assembled to fit nearly all requirements. Good sealing is assured thanks to a patented diaphragm system without special grommets which prevents any concrete from seeping in. The faces of the housings can be secured to the metal formwork using magnets, or can be glued in place, with a large flat face area ensuring good contact for secure, reliable positioning.

Graham Paddock continues: “Once we were introduced to the IBT range from Spelsberg we knew that they would provide an excellent solution for wiring on-site. We presented the products to the construction company running the project and the Scottish Prison Services to test their toughness. The testing concluded that the range is would be acceptable to use in replacement of the standard steel boxes.”

The range of products within the IBT System portfolio includes universal boxes, junction boxes, installation boxes, wall and ceiling transfers, special boxes, and a full range of accessories – from sealing plugs, caps, blank bases, cleats and support bars to a variety of punch tools.