JUNE 2008

36 Pages·2008·1.56 MB·English

Bulletin from the Office of Public Works
ISSUE 19 : JUNE 2008
CONTENTS
2 NEW OFFICES FOR O.P.W.IN ARDEE,CO.LOUTH
4 OLDBRIDGE ESTATE OFFICIAL OPENING
6 OPTIMISING POWER @ WORK
9 ARAS AN UACHTARAIN PEACE BELL
11 DEFIBRILLATOR TRAINING PROGRAMME IN OPW
13 GO WILD! GET ON BOARD THE NEW PHOENIX PARK
SHUTTLE BUS!
15 OPW HELPS MAKES GLASNEVIN CEMETERY COME ALIVE
18 OPW AND THE CENTRAL BANK LAUNCH COINS
20 CLONMEL FLOOD RELIEF SCHEME
24 THE NEW FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GARDEN AT THE
NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS,GLASNEVIN
26 SAFETY WORKS AT CHARLES FORT,
KINSALE, COUNTY CORK
29 DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT,HERITAGE
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT,WEXFORD
31 ROOFING OF THE SOUTH-WEST TOWER AT DUNGARVAN
CASTLE,CO.WATERFORD
32 STAFF CHANGES
Front Cover:Re-enactment
of the Battle of the Boyne at
Oldbridge Estate
Back cover:The Aras an
Uachtaráin Peace Bell
WELCOME
TO ISSUE 19
OF OBAIR
MAGAZINE
Welcome to Issue 19 of Obair,the Office of Public Works’bi-annual magazine.
The legendary Irish summer is upon us and it’s time to reflect on some of the
projects that the Office has been working on in the first half of 2008.
During this period the OPW was assigned a new Minister and we welcome Dr.
Martin Mansergh T.D.to his new position. His predecessor,Minister Noel Ahern T.D.
was reassigned to the Department of Transport and Marine and we wish him well
in his new post.
Some of the projects highlighted in this issue are the rollout of a new Energy
Awareness Campaign both in OPW offices and in other civil service offices
throughout the country. We also feature significant events such as the opening of
the new Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre in May of this year,the launch of the
new Phoenix Park Shuttle Bus,details of the Clonmel Flood Relief Scheme,the
unveiling,by President McAleese,of a new "Peace Bell" sculpture in Aras an
Uachtaráin and conservation work at both Charles Fort and Dungarvan Castle.
The decentralisation programme continues to be rolled out around the country
and this issue features details of the new Headquarters of the Department of the
Environment,Heritage and Local Government in Wexford Town.
Also in this issue are details of new office accommodation for OPW staff in Ardee,
County Louth,works being undertaken in Glasnevin cemetery - including the
lighting-up ceremony of the O’Connell Monument - and details of some
important safety equipment that might just save your life.
A big thank you to all our colleagues who provided articles for inclusion in this
edition. It is your contributions that keep Obair looking fresh and relevant so
please feel free to contact us if you have any projects that you are working on that
you feel deserve mention. No projects are too big or too small and don’t forget
we also welcome articles ‘as Gaeilge’.
We hope you enjoy this edition of your Obair magazine and thanks once again for
your co-operation.
George Moir,Kevin Kennedy,Jenny Dimond
Obair Editorial Team
mObair is produced on recycled paper.75% Revive Matt.
NEW OFFICES FOR
O.P.W. IN ARDEE,
CO. LOUTH
Minister Dermot Ahern and
Minister of State Martin Mansergh
The opening of the Mid-Louth Civic Services Centre marks a new officially open the new offices
chapter in the Office of Public Works’long association with the
town of Ardee. It is from Ardee that OPW oversees the
maintenance of the Glyde and Dee,and Monaghan Blackwater
Catchment Arterial Drainage Schemes. This involves the routine
maintenance of over 1000 km of channels and associated drainage
works including over 1200 bridges,and over 30 km of
embankment.
The Office is the contact point for a number of OPW regulatory
functions in relation to planning,and,bridge and weir construction
in the North East. In addition,the local headquarters of the OPW
hydrometric section which measures and monitors river flows over
a large area for flood management,is based in the new offices.
From an OPW perspective,the new offices and workshops replace
accommodation which not only was in poor condition but also
failed to meet current Health and Safety standards. OPW has
acquired its portion of the development by way of a 900 year lease,
at a cost of just over one million euro.
Minister Mansergh with Commissioner Clare McGrath;Tony Smyth, Minister Mansergh with Patsy Gallagher and Martin Bannon,Engineering Services
Director of Engineering Services and OPW staff
Background Concept and Design
The opportunity for a joint development with Louth The architectural,landscape design and the removal
County Council and the Courts Services Board arose of the existing boundary security fence separating the
from a need by both OPW and Louth Co.Co.to site from the public park allows the building to merge
replace the accommodation that both bodies shared seamlessly into the public park and metaphorically
on the Fairgreen site. The Courts Services Board also into the wider community.The building was
needed to move from Ardee Castle where the designed with the use of sustainable materials and
facilities did not meet the Board’s requirements. technologies,creating a healthy and comfortable
environment for the occupants.The use of a Sedum
Louth Co.Co.,OPW and the Courts Service formed a
roof and the installation of a wind turbine are novel
tri-party partnership to develop the existing site
yet very practical innovative ideas which while
which was in the ownership of Ardee Town Council.
enhancing the building are also unique features and a
The project’s objective was to deliver a facility that
talking point for users of the facility and park alike.
would offer improved service delivery to the clients
of the partnership and compliment the adjoining The extensive use of timber and natural materials
public park. reinforces the connection between the building and
its surrounds whilst reflecting the occupants
Louth Co.Co.provided the project management
environmentally friendly intentions.The concept of
services for the development and the design team was
having three combined buildings rather than three
led by Van Dijk Architects. Peter Rogers,Senior Architect
separate buildings resulted in short and long term cost
provided monitoring services on behalf of OPW.
savings and a much more sustainable approach to the
buildings construction and use,post occupancy.
Brief
The new development not only meets the
The brief was for a ‘Green’building that would be
accommodation needs of the Court Services Board,
inviting to the local community and well integrated
Louth Co.Co.and OPW but also provides a state of the
into the adjoining Fairgreen public park. The final
art facility which enhances the town of Ardee.It was
product is a building with a dynamic architectural
officially opened on 6th June,2008 by Mr.Dermot Ahern
design coupled with impressive sustainable
T.D.Minister for Justice,Equality and Law Reform
credentials. The building was also designed to be
accompanied by Dr.Martin Mansergh,T.D.,Minister of
accessible and inviting to the public and to become
State at the Department of Finance with special
a focal point and part of the local community.
responsibility for the Office of Public Works.
Niamh O’Regan
Property Management Services
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OLDBRIDGE ESTATE
OFFICIAL OPENING
The Taoiseach and First Minister
perform a ribbon-cutting
An Taoiseach,Bertie Ahern TD,and First Minister of Northern Ireland, ceremony at Oldbridge House with
original 17th century cavalry and
dragoon officers’swords.
Dr Ian Paisley,MP,MLA,officially opened the new visitor facilities for
the historic Battle of the Boyne site at Oldbridge,Co Meath,on the
6th of May.The occasion had a special resonance as later that day
the Taoiseach tendered his resignation to the President at Áras an
Uachtaráin after almost 11 years in office.First Minister Paisley had
also announced his retirement earlier.
The front façade of Oldbridge House provided a backdrop for
the opening ceremony,flanked by two 6lb Saker field-cannon. Guests enjoyed a ‘living history’display of musket and cannon firing,infantry drills and cavalry charges.
The attendance included a large gathering of The 18th century Oldbridge House has been
Ministers,dignitaries and invited guests from North adapted as the battlesite Visitor Centre with
and South.In his address,which was broadcast live exhibitions of models,maps and graphics,a display
on television by RTÉ,the Taoiseach recalled the of 17th century artillery and associated equipment,
symbolism of Dr Paisley’s previous visit on the 11th original artefacts and an audio-visual show.Of
of May last year,his first visit South in an official particular note is the innovative laser projection
capacity.The Taoiseach complimented OPW’s role demonstrating the complex military manoeuvres in
and said that the site would stand testimony to 1690,which was inspired by a presentation at Grand
respect for all traditions in Ireland and symbolise the Teton National Park in Wyoming,USA.The adjoining
Peace Process.The First Minister charted the historic stable-block has been refurbished to house further
context of the Battle of the Boyne and looked exhibits,a theatre,a new tearoom pavilion and
forward to a bright future for the whole Island. toilets.The first stage of restoration of the gardens
has been completed and car/bus parking provided.
The occasion was marked by a symbolic ribbon-
cutting ceremony,orchestral music and a colourful Visitor numbers in excess of 100,000 are anticipated
‘living history’pageant.Later,Baroness Eileen Paisley as the Battle of the Boyne becomes a tourism,
gave an informal address which was warmly heritage and recreational attraction and an iconic
received. symbol of the Peace Process.
Eugene Keane
Heritage Services
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OPTIMISING
POWER @ WORK
A STAFF ENERGY AWARENESS
CAMPAIGN IN STATE BUILDINGS
Minister Noel Ahern with
Jim O'Sullivan,Conor Clarke and
Climate change is potentially the most serious man-made problem Sarah Ní Rúairc,M&E Services
to affect human civilisation in the history of the planet.The latest
scientific research predicts that the consequences of rising air
temperatures will have devastating social and economic
consequences on a truly global scale.One of the main drivers of
climate change is the over production of harmful greenhouse
gases,of which Carbon Dioxide (CO ) is the most significant.Over
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40% of the CO produced in Ireland is from buildings.The primary
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source of CO emissions from buildings is due to energy
2
consumption in order to provide heating,cooling,lighting and
electrical power.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for The aim of the campaign is to reduce Carbon
one of the largest property portfolios in the State. Dioxide (CO ) emissions from each building by an
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Among the larger buildings the vast majority provide average of 15% over an 18-month period.The target
office accommodation for the various Civil Service for each building has been set in terms of CO
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departments.The OPW is in a key position to achieve emissions as opposed to energy consumption (kWh)
significant energy savings and consequently reduction.This is due to the fact that staff have the
reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in its ability to directly influence electrical consumption by
existing building stock. The OPW is spearheading a switching equipment off when it is not in use.As
major staff energy awareness initiative in 250 large CO emissions per unit of electricity are significantly
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State buildings. higher than per unit of natural gas/fuel oil,small
savings in electrical consumption lead to large
Highly motivated and energy conscientious staff
savings in CO emissions.By setting the targets in
offer the single largest opportunity for zero-cost 2
CO emissions,staff can readily influence the
energy savings in office buildings.The ethos of 2
performance of their building.
“Switching Off”equipment when not in use when
applied across a large number of people will lead to It was noted in the pilot studies that staff were not
substantial energy savings.In 2007 the OPW aware of the amount of CO that is produced by
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conducted 2 pilot staff energy awareness campaigns electricity.In a typical building fumes are observed
in 10 buildings.The target was to reduce energy emanating from the boiler flues and people can
consumption in each building by 10% through local equate this to CO production.The perception
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energy conservation campaigns,energy workshops however is that electricity is a much cleaner fuel as
and close monitoring of the performance of there are no obvious local emissions.A simple
heating/air conditioning equipment. The results of explanation of power station efficiencies and
the pilot studies showed that annual energy savings transmission losses,as part of the presentation to
of up to 16% were achievable.They also staff,illustrates the importance of using electricity
demonstrated however,that in buildings where efficiently.Each presentation is also tailored to show
there was no buy-in from senior management/no the actual electrical load profile in the building over
motivated energy officer,energy consumption could the previous week and an explanation is given as to
just as easily increase.Based on the success of the where there is potential for savings,i.e.reducing the
pilot studies,in January 2008 the OPW launched a night load,reducing the base load and switching off
State-wide staff energy awareness campaign in 250 equipment as soon as possible when it is no longer
buildings,entitled “Optimising Power @ Work”. required.The graph can then be compared week on
week as the campaign progresses,to monitor the
results of the efforts in the building.
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There are a number of key elements to the The collected data is used to generate both the
campaign in each building:,(1) meetings and regular management and staff reports for each building.A
reporting to senior management,(2) energy officer typical staff fortnightly report contains the latest CO
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appointed in each building to coordinate key performance indicator (kg of CO /m2.year),the target
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stakeholders,(3) bi-monthly staff lectures and regular figure i.e.15% reduction on previous years CO
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energy reports illustrating progress against performance indicator,and details of whether
benchmarks,(4) staff competitions and inter building emissions are up/down over the past fortnight. The
emissions league tables,(5) preliminary energy audit report also contains specific information on the
and analysis of the various timeclock and set-point electrical and thermal energy consumption over the
settings on the BMS & (6) customised “switch off” past fortnight and details of how the building is
posters and stickers. performing compared to other buildings of similar
age,type and occupancy profile. A separate report
The kernel of this campaign is the ability to report on
that is issued to the management team provides,in
how individual buildings are performing and
addition to the above,specific details on energy data
improving.Over the past 4 years the OPW’s Energy
and lists recommended actions and improvements.
Conservation Unit has been installing highly
sophisticated web based Energy Monitoring Units The feedback from the various Departments has
(EMU) in all the buildings included in the campaign. been generally very positive.The results to date
In each building the EMU is connected to either the show that through the efforts of staff,significant CO
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main utility meters (in the case of electricity and reductions have already been achieved.It is
natural gas),or sub metering is installed (in the case important that we lead by example in our own
of LPG and Oil).The EMUs monitor and record buildings and meet or exceed the 15% target over
electrical and thermal fuel consumption on a 15- the coming months.
minute basis.Graph 1 illustrates a typical electrical
load profile in OPW HQ,over a 7-day period.Graph 2
illustrates a typical gas consumption profile over a Conor Clarke
month in the heating season.On a daily basis,using Engineering Services
either telephone lines or wireless GSM technology,
the collected data is automatically transferred via the
Internet to a dedicated energy server database
where it can be instantly interrogated via the OPW’s
Energy Monitoring Bureau website.
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