Introduction and Background
After completion of a generator installation for N G Bailey on Phase 1 of a new development in Hardman Street, Manchester, YorPower was approached by the clients’ consultant with a request for an ‘end to end’ solution for a standby power system on the adjacent site. To provide back-up power in the event of a mains failure, the new Bank required 2 No. 1800kVA MTU based Diesel Generators, in containers, synchronised in parallel in N+1 mode, to be mounted on a roof. Each generator weighed 14 tonnes.

Procurement
From the time we got the green light from the client and after procurement of major components, assembly and build, we were ready to deliver in 18 weeks.

Logistics and Installation
A huge operation was required at ground level in order to lift and crane each diesel generator set into position. The project required both 14 tonne generators to be lifted up 150 feet and installed on top of a 15-storey office block. The crane, at 200 tonnes and with a 30m reach, ably guided by a banksman and a team of fantastic ground staff (and a man from the Bank) manoeuvred each diesel generator into position. Due to the scale of operation at ground level, permission was required and granted by the Council to close off the road from Friday afternoon to Monday morning. It took the whole of Friday night to build and erect the crane to be ready to go into action by morning. The installation and lift took place over a winter weekend. Originally scheduled for completion on Saturday, wind levels were too high to allow the lift to take place on that day. Ainscough (crane hire specialists) was employed to manage the project on a full ‘contract lift’ basis and the Company’s good relationship with NATS was an added bonus. It transpired that the only window available when the wind speed would be down to an acceptable level for the lift to go ahead would be between 4.00 a.m. and 6.00 a.m. on the Sunday morning.