FP McCann Precast Concrete Structural Frame System Installed on Scottish Learning Campus

Project: Dunfermline Learning Campus. Fife, Scotland

Client: Fife Council

Main Contractor: BAM Construction

Precast Frame Supply/Install: FP McCann

Products Supplied: Internal/External Precast Walls; Columns; Stair Flights/Landings; Hollowcore Flooring

FP McCann structural precast division has worked in collaboration with BAM Construction on the £115 million contract to build the new Dunfermline Learning Campus on behalf of Fife Council. The flagship scheme opened to students for the start of the new term, is equipped with innovative internal spaces and has over 26,500m2 of Passivhaus treated floor area (TFA). Architect on the project AHR designed the 2,700 student campus covering the 55 acre site, with AECOM appointed as the structural engineers.

Working closely alongside BAM Construction and their designers, FP McCann’s engineers, manufacturing facilities and install teams were able to satisfy the requirement for the design and build project, embracing the operational carbon targets of the building by employing Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). With airtightness a key element of the embodied carbon targets set in line with the Net Zero Carbon Public Sector Building Standard, FP McCann’s structural precast concrete frame is integral to the building achieving these goals.

In total, the Company has supplied and fixed some 1,500 individual precast concrete units including some 18,000m2 of hollowcore flooring. The off-site manufactured precast structural frame system delivered from Byley, Grantham and Uddingston, is comprised of 180 columns, 177 internal walls and 600 external wall panels. In addition to this, 38 stair flights and 28 stair landings have been installed. The hollowcore planks forming the flooring of the upper levels of the campus are generally 200mm deep topped with a 75mm non-structural screed. Individual planks range from 7000mm long to 9000mm long.

The precast structural frame helped to significantly reduce the construction time compared to that of a traditional build together with other benefits associated with MMC, such as safe operating practice, reduced wastage and all-weather working.

Commenting on the build, Martin Cooper Construction Director of BAM Construction says, “We adopted the FP McCann off-site precast concrete structural building system for passivhaus requirements and our construction programme as we recognise it is a well tried and tested off-site methodology that brings enhanced quality and delivery confidence to such groundbreaking and innovative projects. The partnership with FP McCann has enabled us to hand over to Fife Council an energy efficient and sustainable learning facility to support and enhance student development at Dunfermline.”