System Five is proud to have worked on both phases of homeware and furniture retailer IKEA’s new 450,000 sq ft distribution centre, formerly 450 at The Powerhouse, in Dartford on the banks of the River Thames.
During phase 1 (in 2021) we were tasked by our client on behalf of main contractor Readie Construction to provide a new BEMS panel on the plant deck to serve the fresh air AHU, VRF fan coil units, domestic hot and cold water, leak detection and extensive metering.
More recently we have also been asked to be part of the team working on phase 2 of the project, this time with Halsall Mechanical & Electrical on behalf of main contractor Glencar Construction. Our role in this instance has been to upgrade and extend the BEMS including software and graphics creation for the Head-End PC. The system includes a user interface display which is fully expandable to include future additions. Our engineers are also integrating the new office AHU and five warehouse AHUs with the BEMS as well as monitoring of a variety of additional electrical meters.
The IKEA Dartford Distribution Centre is a cross-dock facility which spans an impressive 450,000sqft, earning its title as the largest unit within the M25, boasting a 21m clear haunch height, a 65m yard depth, 3-storey high quality offices with 3 access points to site.
Additionally, when complete the development will feature significant biodiversity enhancement and habitat creation including ensuring that 30% of the site be set aside as permanent open space, following best practice guidance from the UK Green Building Council’s Nature Based Solutions.