Consumer Unit Upgrade for Corfe Hills School

Overview

Mission Road Electrical were tasked with upgrading consumer units at Corfe Hills School in Broadstone, Dorset. Following the school’s five-year fixed wiring inspection (EICR), several remedial actions were identified, with the most pressing being the replacement of outdated fuse boards. Mission Road Electrical worked efficiently within the constraints of the school’s half-term break to deliver the project safely and with minimal disruption.

The Challenge

Corfe Hills School, established over 50 years ago, still retained much of its original electrical infrastructure. While the existing installations were functioning, evolving regulations meant several consumer units no longer met current safety standards. Over time, as different contractors carried out works, multiple smaller consumer units had been added across the site, leading to a fragmented and inefficient setup.

The immediate challenge was to replace non-compliant consumer units while consolidating various smaller boards into a single, larger unit. Additionally, the team had to manage site logistics, including working within a tight timeframe during the October half-term and ensuring the school could reopen on schedule.

The Solution

Mission Road Electrical planned the project meticulously to ensure all work was completed during the school holidays. Our team of skilled technicians redesigned the meter cupboard to accommodate the new, more compact boards. We also reviewed and improved the fault protection of various circuits to bring them up to current standards.

Materials were sourced rapidly, with deliveries arranged for the same day or early the following morning, keeping the project on track. All circuits were clearly relabelled and tested to ensure full compliance and ease of maintenance moving forward.

The Results

The project was successfully completed within the half-term break, with sign-off achieved on the Friday, ready for the school to reopen the following Monday. Key benefits included:

• Improved electrical safety and compliance with current regulations.
• Simplified consumer unit setup, making future maintenance easier.
• Enhanced reliability of the school’s electrical infrastructure.

Safety and Compliance

Mission Road Electrical adhered to all necessary regulations and industry standards throughout the project. Site-specific Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) were prepared and followed to ensure a safe working environment.

Project Timeline

• Initial EICR assessment: Prior to October half-term.
• Project delivery: October half-term week.
• Completion & sign-off: Finalised on the Friday of half-term, ready for school reopening.

Lessons Learned

This project highlighted the importance of proactive planning and effective on-site coordination, especially when working within school environments. Future projects will benefit from even more thorough photo documentation to support case studies and project records.

Supporting Schools and Colleges with Expert Electrical Services

Mission Road Electrical has extensive experience working with educational facilities, providing tailored electrical solutions that prioritise safety, compliance, and minimal disruption to daily operations. From essential maintenance and remedial works following EICR reports to larger projects like LED lighting upgrades, solar PV installations, and EV charger setups, we understand the unique requirements of schools and colleges.

Our team works flexibly around term times to ensure projects are completed efficiently without impacting students or staff. Whether it’s upgrading ageing electrical systems or helping schools improve their energy efficiency and reduce long-term costs, Mission Road Electrical is a trusted partner for the education sector.

Learn more about the electrical work we do for schools and colleges.