Perth Children’s Hospital Communications System

The Brief

When Schneider sought a new contractor to support their work during construction of the Perth Children’s Hospital, it provided ENGIE Services with the opportunity to take on a very large and complex project. Working closely with Schneider, John Holland and WA Health, ENGIE was appointed in the middle of the construction period.

The project consisted of a range of communications, BMS, security and fire services and was delivered in a two-and-a-half-year period over 200,000 man hours.

The Solution

The solution consisted of a blown fibre and Category 6A structured cabling system throughout the entire hospital, including 2 main data centres, 42 field communications rooms, 168 APC communications cabinets feeding a horizontal network of over 20,000 copper category 6A information outlets, voice and security systems. This new infrastructure system provides a complete redundant network between all communications rooms / cabinets.

A unique feature is the 18 screen, interactive AV wall in the foyer, which displays graphics and pictures drawn by children, which move in sync with people captured by the installed camera.

The Benefit

The project presented a unique challenge, due to being engaged at a late stage. ENGIE had to quickly evaluate the status of the project and its components, establishing what works have been completed and what was still to be done. With Schneider facing liquidated damages of $180k per day, the ENGIE team worked day and night to bring this project back on track. ENGIE employed up to 130 qualified communications technicians at the peak of the project.

Thanks to good teamwork and planning, the first Computer Room CCR1 was completed within a tight 3-month deadline.