Services

Services Design Associates was formed in 1988 to provide a design and advisory service to both the private and public sectors. SDA specialises in mechanical and electrical building services and have experience of designing building services for all sectors of the construction industry. Our experience in the private sector of the industry has resulted in a keen commercial awareness, which enables us to design and administer projects within tight financial constraints.

The practice employs a team of well-qualified and enthusiastic engineers whose joint experience covers all areas of building services. All members of the team pride themselves in the design of ergonomically designed, practical and economic buildings specific to meet the client’s needs.

In addition to undertaking the design and administration of building services projects, SDA provide a full spectrum of mechanical and electrical engineering services including:

  • SDA are accredited for the undertaking of Building CO2 emission rate calculations in accordance with the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) as required by the recent changes to UK Building Regulations.
  • Assessment and implementation of renewable and alternative energy sources and technologies.
  • Energy surveys, assessments and Energy Performance Certificates (EPC's).
  • Security assessments.
  • Mechanical & electrical services Clerk of Works duties.
  • Preparation of maintenance schedules and contracts.
  • Non-intrusive surveys of commercial premises to evaluate their suitability for purchase etc.
  • Detailed intrusive surveys including testing of the services in order to establish their current condition and the need for remedial works or suitability for adaptation/reuse.
  • In a number of instances, SDA have acted on behalf of Clients in the role of Expert Witness.

SDA invests heavily in up to date technology and facilities to aid the design process and operates an extensive networked computer system incorporating computer-aided design (CAD) and services design and modelling facilities. A web based technical database provides each member of the design team with direct and unimpeded access to all Statutory Regulations, Acts of Parliament, British Standards and technical guidance documents, etc at their fingertips. A comprehensive technical library, incorporating details from all major manufacturers, provides further support. SDA are active members of Constructionline, the Association of Consulting Engineers (ACE), the Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) and the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).

SDA take great pride in the amount of repeat business received from our Clients. All members of SDA’s team strive to ensure customer satisfaction, as we strongly believe this is the most effective way of securing our place in the market.

Services Design Associates are experienced in the design and specification of environmental engineering services. We have designed numerous ventilation, air conditioning, heating systems for such diverse applications as Specialist Sterilisation Plants, Laboratory Suites, Churches, Universities and Hospitals, Swimming Pools and Commercial Premises.

SDA are experienced in the detailed design of water storage and distribution systems for use in healthcare buildings, university accommodation and industrial applications. Many of the projects designed and administered by SDA have included industrial or healthcare gas distribution systems.

Services Design Associates are experienced in designing the full range of electrical building services including:

  • Data distribution networks.
  • Telephone systems.
  • High voltage and medium voltage distribution systems (11kVA/6.6kVA).
  • General building services.
  • Environmental control systems.
  • Lighting installations.
  • Lightning protection systems.
  • Security and access control installations.
  • Town Centre CCTV surveillance systems.
  • Standby generation systems.
  • High integrity electrical installations.

Many of the process engineering projects undertaken by SDA are of a research-based nature. We have been involved in the design of service installations to support production engineering, medical research and advanced scientific processes. These have included:

  • Molecular level bonding and coating.
  • Neurology research facilities.
  • Containment laboratories.
  • Ultra pure water filtration plant for use in medical environment.
  • Toxic gas abator systems.
  • Low activity, electro-magnetic isolation facilities.
  • Linear Accelerator suites and radiotherapy departments.

Where current guidance and legislation exists, care is taken to ensure the resultant installations meet with these requirements. However, in many cases the work undertaken by the Client’s team is of such an advanced nature that legislation and guidance does not exist. In this situation, SDA work closely with the research team to develop appropriate services and containment systems, which will ensure a safe environment for those working within the installation and the general public at large.