back to listings SME Profile: The Hampden Consultancy

The Hampden Consultancy
41 High Street
Prestwood
Great Missenden
Buckinghamshire
HP16 9EJ
Tel: 01494 868868
E-mail: enquiries@thehampdenconsultancy.com
Web: www.thehampdenconsultancy.com

The Hampden Consultancy 

Consulting Engineers - Expert Witness - Mechanical & Electrical Services

The Hampden Consultancy, established in 1993, is the trading name of THC Consulting Engineers Limited and specialises in assisting clients in resolving technical and contractual problems with respect to mechanical & electrical engineering services that can (and often do!) occur on many construction projects, whether during the pre-contract or construction phases, or indeed post-contract.

Although ‘trouble-shooting’ and ‘problem-solving’ forms a core activity of The Hampden Consultancy, it is nonetheless our working knowledge of the total building design and construction process, including the contractual elements of building and engineering services contracts, that enables us to provide truly-independent technical advice and support to our clients, often working alongside both client-appointed design teams and on-site project teams.

In addition, by carrying out activities such as design audits both before and during the construction phases, we have ensured that projects are handed over in accordance with both individual client requirements and relevant design standards.

Indeed, our expertise has also enabled us to provide clients with credible and cost-effective solutions to problems such as:

  • Development on restricted sites
  • Phasing works whilst existing buildings and/or engineering services installations remained in use
  • Complex building layouts requiring unusual or innovative technical solutions
  • Listed buildings requiring ‘sympathetic’ treatment
  • Difficulties caused by geographical locations

In addition, by carrying out activities such as design audits both before and during the construction phases, we have ensured that projects are handed over in accordance with both individual client requirements and relevant design standards.

Whilst our expertise is in respect to healthcare engineering services working on many hospitals both in the UK and overseas, we nonetheless have a good track record of assisting clients in other industry sectors, including defence, government, commercial, retail, sheltered accommodation, private healthcare and nursing homes.

We also undertake expert witness work in respect to mechanical & electrical engineering services, being retained either directly by the instructing client or by their legal representatives. Further details can be found on the 'Expert Witness' page of our website.

Expert Witness Activities

As mentioned earlier, we also undertake expert witness work in respect to building engineering services, i.e. mechanical & electrical engineering services.

For a list of Recent Cases click here.

In undertaking the expert witness role, The Hampden Consultancy has been retained either directly by the instructing client or by their legal representatives in respect to disputes between building owners/end-users & contractors or between contractors & sub-contractors concerning technical and/or contractual aspects related to mechanical & electrical engineering services, including issues concerning the maintenance of such installations. As such they have worked with many of the UK’s leading legal practitioners, including:

  • Atkin Chambers
  • Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP
  • Clyde & Co. LLP
  • Coleman Ctts Solicitors
  • Devonshires Solicitors
  • Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP
  • DLA Piper UK LLP
  • EA Law - East Anglian Chambers
  • Farrer & Co.
  • Fishburns
  • Four New Square Chambers
  • Gateley Solicitors
  • Harrison Clark Rickerbys
  • ISS Legal
  • Kennedys
  • Kitsons LLP
  • Lee Crowder Solicitors
  • Lyons Davidson
  • Marshall Hatchick Solicitors
  • Mayer Brown International LLP
  • Meade King LLP
  • M Reale Solicitors
  • Olswang Solicitors
  • PDT Solicitors
  • Pinsent Masons LLP
  • St. John's Chambers

Particular specialisms for which Bob Swayne can undertake the expert advisor or expert witness roles are:

  • Air-conditioning installations
  • Calculation of thermal transmittance ('U') values
  • Chilled water & condenser water services
  • CHP (combined heat & power) installations
  • Commissioning of mechanical engineering services
  • Design audits of mechanical engineering services
  • Design standards for mechanical & electrical engineering services drawings
  • Expert determination
  • Facilities management (in respect to mechanical & electrical engineering services)
  • Gas and oil-fired boiler plant installations
  • Heating installations (LTHW, LPHW, MTHW or MPHW)
  • Heat pump installations
  • Hot & cold water services
  • Hydrotherapy pools
  • Kitchen ventilation systems
  • Laboratory ventilation (in healthcare premises)
  • Local extract ventilation systems
  • Maintenance audits of mechanical & electrical engineering services
  • Maintenance of mechanical & electrical engineering services
  • Mechanical engineering services for healthcare facilities
  • Medical gas installations
  • Mixed-mode ventilation systems
  • Mechanical ventilation systems for sufferers of Multiple chemical sensitivity
  • NHS technical compliance in respect to mechanical engineering services
  • Operating theatre suite ventilation systems
  • Operation & maintenance manuals (including the preparation of ‘As Installed’, ‘As Built’ or ‘Record’ drawings)
  • Pipework installations
  • Positive and/or negative ventilation systems for isolation rooms
  • Preparation and application of contracts and sub-contracts, both in respect to the installation of mechanical engineering services and the maintenance thereof
  • Preparation of specifications in respect to the design and/or installation of mechanical engineering services and the maintenance thereof
  • Professional negligence claims in respect to M&E consulting engineers
  • Programming of M&E works
  • Specialised mechanical ventilation systems for healthcare premises
  • Steam & condensate installations
  • Supply and extract ventilation systems
  • Thermal insulation (its selection & application in respect to mechanical engineering services)
  • Testing of mechanical engineering services
  • Whole life-cycle costings in respect to mechanical & electrical engineering services

Bob Swayne can act as an independent party-appointed expert for either the claimant or the defendant in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules and he has also given oral evidence in court, both in the Technology & Construction Court as well as at arbitration and adjudication hearings. 

Similarly, Bob Swayne can act as a party-appointed expert for either the claimant or the defendant in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Rules.

Where required, either as a result of an agreement between the parties in a dispute, or at the direction of a Court under rule 35.7 of the Civil Procedure Rules, Bob Swayne is able to act as a Single Joint Expert.

In addition, Bob Swayne can act as an expert advisor, preparing reports for clients considering litigation/arbitration/adjudication proceedings or mediation.

Bob Swayne, where required, can also act as an expert assessor under rule 35.15 of the Civil Procedure Rules.

Other specialisms which can be undertaken by The Hampden Consultancy as part of the expert adviser or expert witness roles are:

  • Central clock installations
  • Central telephone systems
  • Central TV & radio reception systems
  • Design audits of electrical engineering services
  • Data centres
  • Electric generation plant & systems
  • Electrical engineering services for healthcare facilities
  • Electric sub-stations & switchgear
  • Emergency lighting installations
  • Fire detection & alarm systems
  • Floodlighting systems
  • HV & LV power distribution systems
  • Intruder surveillance detection & alarm systems
  • Maintenance of electrical engineering services
  • NHS technical compliance in respect to electrical engineering services
  • Preparation and application of contracts and sub-contracts, both in respect to the installation of electrical engineering services and the maintenance thereof
  • Preparation of specifications in respect to the design and/or installation of electrical engineering services and the maintenance thereof
  • Public address, personnel location & call systems
  • Security & access systems
  • Small power & lighting installations
  • Testing & commissioning of electrical engineering services
  • Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems

We can undertake the preparation of Scott Schedules in respect to mechanical & electrical engineering services for use in any litigation/arbitration/adjudication proceedings or mediation.

We are also able to prepare fee estimates for expert witness activities in accordance with the Precedent H guidelines and would welcome early involvement in any claims in order to assist a client's legal team in developing their cost budget where we are (or will be) appointed to act as expert witnesses. 

For further details of our capabilities please contact Bob Swayne at The Hampden Consultancy on expert@thehampdenconsultancy.com for an initial consultation.

Clients

Project Locations

The Hampden Consultancy has undertaken commissions in the following locations:

Healthcare

  • Ashford Hospital [Procure 21 Project]
  • BUPA Cromwell Hospital, London
  • The Churchill Clinic, London
  • Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi Hospital
  • Fairmile Hospital, Berkshire
  • Grand Union Village Healthcare Centre (LIFT Project)
  • Great Western Hospital, Swindon, Wiltshire [PFI Project]
  • The Hammersmith Hospital, London
  • Hereford County Hospital, Herefordshire [PFI Project]
  • Independent diagnostic & treatment centres in London, Home Counties, South East England & East Anglia (PFI Projects)
  • Jubilee Gardens Health Centre (LIFT Project)
  • Kent & Canterbury Hospital [Procure 21 Project]
  • Maidstone Hospital [Procure 21 Project]
  • Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary [PFI Project]
  • Peterborough Hospitals [PFI Project]
  • Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich [PFI Project]
  • Radcliffe Infirmary Relocation Project at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford [PFI Project]
  • South Derbyshire Hospital [PFI Project]
  • South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen, Northern Ireland [PFI Project]
  • Waldron Health Centre, London [LIFT Project]
  • Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry [PFI Project]
  • Wokingham Hospital, Berkshire

Defence

  • GCHQ Co-Location Project, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
  • Joint HQ, Northwood, Middlesex [PFI Project]
  • Royal Marines Seaton Barracks, Crownhill, Plymouth
  • Royal Naval College, Dartmouth

Government

  • The Fire Service, Horseferry House, London
  • The Home Office, Queen Anne´s Gate, London
  • HM Prison Service, Abell House, London
  • HM Prison Service, Cleland House, London
  • Thurleigh Immigration Detention Centre, Clapham, Bedfordshire

Transport & Infrastructure

  • Cleaning Facilities, Northumberland Park Depot, London Underground
  • New Terminal, London Luton Airport, Bedfordshire

Sports & Leisure Facilities

  • Hanley Cultural Quarter, Stoke-on-Trent
  • Marlow Rugby Union Football Club, Marlow, Buckinghamshire
  • Shadi Danin Medi Spa, Hove, East Sussex
  • Willow Wood Studios, Amersham, Buckinghamshire

Call Centres/Data Centres

  • Call Centre, Camelot Group, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire
  • Los Angeles Suite, ATOS Data Centre, Andover, Hampshire

Banking Facilities

  • Chesham Building Society, Chesham, Buckinghamshire
  • Morgan Stanley Corporate Services, London Docklands

Commercial & Industrial Facilities

  • Bankside 123 Development, Southwark Street, London
  • Gooch & Housego PLC, Dowlish Ford, Ilminster, Somerset
  • King Charles House, Oxford
  • Magna Park Industrial Estate, Lutterworth, Leicestershire
  • Shire & Milton House, Silk Street, London
  • Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire

Education

  • Arts Educational School, Chiswick, London
  • Lewisham Schools, London [PFI Project]

Laboratories & Research Facilities

  • Arjo Wiggins, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
  • Institute of Food Research, Reading, Berkshire

Retail & Restaurants

  • Café Le Raj, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire

Sheltered Accommodation, Care Homes & Nursing Homes

  • 113-118 Cedars Lodge, London
  • Flowers House, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire
  • Moore Place Care Home, Esher, Surrey
  • PPP Beaumont Nursing Home, Prestbury, Lancashire
  • Sandiford House, Caterham, Surrey
  • Skinners Court, Palmers Green, London
  • Kingshill Collection, Saunderton, Buckinghamshire
  • Mackenzies Café Bar, Swindon, Wiltshire
  • The Pantry, Watlington, Oxfordshire

Residential Properties

  • 2 Queensway, Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
  • 24 Bridge End, Dorchester, Oxfordshire
  • 51 Pelham Street, London
  • Beech Residential Development, Alton, Hampshire
  • Church Farm House, Haddenham, Oxfordshire
  • Dinder House, Wells, Somerset
  • Jessel House, London
  • Lowndes House, Whaddon, Buckinghamshire
  • Maybury House, Chichester, West Sussex
  • Mentmore Homes Limited, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
  • Neptune Marina Apartments, Neptune Quay, Ipswich, Suffolk
  • Raby House, Wirral, Cheshire
  • Trevithick Court, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Veterinary Facilities

  • Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk

Engineering Services

The Hampden Consultancy in conjunction with other associated specialists, is able to offer expertise in connection with the following work elements and specialisms relevant to mechanical & electrical engineering services, namely:

  • Air compressors and compressed air services
  • Air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems
  • Boiler installations
  • Building management systems (BMS)
  • CDM co-ordinators
  • Central clock installations
  • Central radio & TV reception services
  • Central telephone installations
  • Cold water services
  • Combined heat & power (CHP) installations
  • Computer-aided design (CAD) facilities
  • Control systems
  • Cooling water services
  • Cost consultancy (in respect to M&E engineering services)
  • Data centres
  • Defects scheduling (in respect to M&E engineering services)
  • Electrical lighting & small power installations
  • Electric generation plant & systems
  • Electric sub-stations & switchgear
  • Energy management systems (EMS)
  • Emergency lighting installations
  • Expert witness services (including acting as a Single Joint Expert)
  • External lighting installations
  • Fire detection & alarm systems (including radio-linked/wireless systems)
  • Fire engineering installations
  • Flood lighting systems
  • Forensic laboratory services
  • Fuel gas distribution systems
  • Health & safety, including compliance with CDM Regulations, in respect to M&E engineering services
  • Heating & hot water calorifiers
  • Heating systems (LPHW & MPHW)
  • Heat pump installations (Ground source & air-to-air)
  • High-efficiency lighting schemes and their control & integration with energy management systems
  • Hot water services
  • HV & LV power distribution systems
  • Hydrotherapy pools
  • Information technology (IT) systems
  • Intruder surveillance, detection & alarm systems
  • Lifts, hoists & escalators
  • Lightning protection/earthing/screening installations
  • Medical gases & vacuum services
  • Operating theatre ventilation
  • Pneumatic tube conveyor systems
  • Public address, personnel location & call systems
  • Public health & plumbing services
  • Security & access control systems
  • Steam & condensate return systems (including condensate recovery systems)
  • Surveying of existing mechanical & electrical engineering installations
  • Testing & Commissioning
  • Thermal insulation (relevant to mechanical engineering services)
  • Uninterruptable power systems (UPS)
  • Vibration control systems
  • Water filtration & treatment systems
  • Water supply boreholes & soakaways

Where any of the above work elements and/or specialisms does not form part of the core activities of The Hampden Consultancy then the relevant specialist would be retained on behalf of a client as required on individual projects, either as part of The Hampden Consultancy itself or as the subject of a separate direct appointment with the particular client concerned. 

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