Cofely delivers total FM
Cofely, a GDF SUEZ company, has commenced delivery of a total facilities management solution for the new Liverpool Central Library and Archive. The contract, which is for a period of 25 years, follows a major restoration and construction project by Liverpool City Council and Amber Infrastructure. The project involved the restoration of the Grade II listed parts of the building, which date back to 1860, with partial demolition and reconstruction of areas behind the neo-classical facades. The new spaces provide a home for the Liverpool Record Office, increased archive capacity and a range of new facilities for library users.
To ensure that life cycle issues were addressed in the design of the building, Cofely’s involvement began early in the project, advising on issues that would impact on-going facilities management. These included design and infrastructure resilience, product selection, alternative energy strategies, usage and efficiencies. Following handover and prior to the public opening in May 2013, Cofely has been working closely with the main contractor on snagging and residual caveated items.
Cofely’s experience of managing facilities in publicly accessible spaces and in maintaining archives – such as at the British Library, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Science Museum and Royal Museums, Greenwich – proved invaluable in this respect. Cofely will ensure the Library and Archive are maintained to exact atmospheric and environmental conditions required by the Council, and British Standards for Repository and Archives (BS5454).
The Liverpool Central Library contract extends Cofely’s relationship with investment and asset management company Amber Infrastructure, with whom Cofely has successfully partnered on a number of other projects in the UK.
