Petts Hill Primary School serves the Northolt community in the London Borough of Ealing, providing primary education for children in a purpose-built school environment.
As part of capital improvement works undertaken at the school, Dewick & Associates was engaged to produce the Mechanical Services O&M Manual. The manual supports the school’s facilities team and the local authority’s estates function with a clear record of the mechanical systems, how they operate and what is required to maintain them throughout the building’s serviceable life.
Our focus was on producing an O&M manual tailored specifically to a school environment, ensuring full compliance with education sector regulations. The documentation needed to satisfy both the rigorous technical handover requirements and the practical demands of a facilities team, which often comprises site staff with varying levels of technical expertise alongside external subcontractors.
By Liana Ossai
Credit: Supplied by G&D Higgins
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G&D Higgins is an established mechanical services contractor specialising in the installation and maintenance of complex HVAC and plumbing systems across both public and private sector projects. Appointed as the Mechanical Services Contractor for this project, the company delivered a comprehensive package of works designed to improve system performance, operational reliability and long-term compliance with current building services standards.
The scope included the replacement and upgrade of hot and cold water infrastructure, installation of new radiators and associated distribution pipework, and integration of modern plant equipment to support efficient building operation. G&D Higgins also carried out detailed testing and commissioning activities, supported by the delivery of accurate as-built documentation to assist future maintenance and facility management. Throughout the project, the team prioritised minimising disruption to school operations while providing ongoing aftercare support, including a defined defects liability period and a structured maintenance strategy.
The contractor engaged Dewick & Associates to produce a Mechanical Services O&M Manual that would close out the mechanical handover cleanly and leave the school with a reliable operational reference.
Delivering compliant mechanical documentation for an educational facility requires navigating tight handover windows, stringent regulatory standards, and fragmented supply chains. Collecting comprehensive, as-built data within a fast-tracked school project demands seamless coordination to ensure every specialist asset log, commissioning certificate, and manufacturer warranty is captured without gaps. Simultaneously, the documentation must rigorously cross-reference all HVAC and life safety installations against complex building regulations and education sector standards.
One of the main challenges lies in transforming the volume of project data into a structured, safe operational blueprint. The final manuals must satisfy the strict contractual handover criteria of the school and local authority, whilst providing immediate clarity for future contractors and facility teams. Missing or disorganised information directly risks operational continuity; therefore, the challenge is ensuring total asset capture to guarantee safe system operation, compliance, and seamless maintenance throughout the mechanical systems working life.
Dewick & Associates’ in-house technical writers authored a Mechanical Services O&M Manual covering the full scope of the mechanical systems, incorporating manufacturers’ product literature, system descriptions and operating instructions. Preventative maintenance log sheets and fault-finding procedures were also incorporated to support ongoing asset performance, reduce downtime and assist with long-term lifecycle management.
The documentation was tailored to meet the operational needs of facilities teams while ensuring alignment with key UK regulatory and compliance requirements, including Building Regulations Part L and Part F, relevant British Standards for heating and water systems, and Health and Safety Executive guidance relating to gas and pressure systems.
Delivered digitally for secure and convenient access, the documentation also ensured that the school maintained accurate, up-to-date records for compliance and operational continuity.
A dedicated D&A Client Coordinator also managed the project progress, enabling the delivery of a fully bespoke O&M manual aligned to the specific requirements of the project and education environment.
The successful delivery of the Petts Hill Primary School mechanical upgrade provided the school with compliant, efficiently documented building services supported by a clear and practical Mechanical Services O&M Manual. The streamlined handover process meant Dewick & Associates became an extension of the G&D Higgins team providing the deliverables on time and to the highest standards. The school’s facilities team also had accurate information to support ongoing maintenance, system operation and long-term asset performance.
This outcome reflects the long-standing partnership between G&D Higgins Mechanical Services Ltd and Dewick & Associates, who have collaborated across numerous education projects including Beaconsfield Primary School, The Orchard Primary School, Green Fields Children Centre, Elthorne Park High School and John Perryn School. Together, both teams continue to deliver high-quality mechanical systems and professional handover documentation tailored to the needs of education environments.
“We have worked with Dewick & Associates on numerous education projects now, and they have become a consistent partner for construction documentation. Their deep understanding of UK building regulations and specific school requirements means we don’t have to spend time correcting technical details. They are incredibly easy to work with, always responsive, and consistently deliver a high-standard manual that makes the final inspection much smoother for us and the client.” — G&D Higgins Management Team
The content in this case study has been informed by project documentation and client communication provided to Dewick & Associates during and following the completion of the project. Where external sources have contributed to our understanding of relevant standards or industry practice, these are listed below.
London Borough of Ealing. Award of Contract for Petts Hill and John Perryn Primary Schools Condition Works.
London Borough of Ealing- https://www.ealing.gov.uk/
UK Government. The Building Regulations 2010 (Approved Documents)
Supplied by G&D Higgins
Note: Some content in this case study draws on a combination of sources rather than direct quotation. Where this is the case, contributing sources are acknowledged above rather than cited inline.
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