Rickmansworth Park JMI School – Hertfordshire

Feb 27, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Jul 27

Delivering a Live School Refurbishment Without Disrupting Education

Harvey Electrical was appointed by Ei Projects to deliver the complete electrical installation as part of the refurbishment of Rickmansworth Park JMI School under the Hertfordshire County Council Framework.

Working within a fully operational primary school presented challenges that extended well beyond the electrical installation itself. Every phase of the project required careful planning, stakeholder coordination and flexible programme management to ensure teaching could continue safely whilst the refurbishment progressed.

This project demonstrates Harvey Electrical's ability to deliver complex electrical installations within occupied environments where safety, communication and programme management are just as important as technical expertise.

The Challenge

Unlike an empty refurbishment, every element of this project had to be carefully planned around the day-to-day operation of a busy school.

Working alongside Ei Projects, Hertfordshire County Council, Building Control and the school leadership team, we developed a phased delivery programme that maintained a safe learning environment throughout the works.

Key challenges included:

Maintaining a fully operational school throughout construction.
Programming classroom works around teaching timetables.
Completing circulation areas during evenings, weekends and school holidays.
Managing temporary electrical services during phased changeovers.
Maintaining fire alarm protection throughout the refurbishment.
Coordinating multiple trades within occupied areas while ensuring the safety of pupils, staff and visitors.

Delivering this level of coordination required detailed forward planning, clear communication and a proactive approach to problem solving.

Harvey Electrical's Solution

Rather than acting solely as the electrical contractor, Harvey Electrical became an integral member of the wider project team, working collaboratively with Ei Projects to ensure every phase was delivered safely, efficiently and on programme.

Our scope included:

Electrical Infrastructure

New electrical distribution
Containment systems
Complete wiring installation
Energy-efficient LED lighting
Emergency lighting
Small power installations

Fire & Life Safety

Complete fire alarm replacement
Smoke and heat detection upgrades
Phased commissioning while maintaining operational fire protection

Technical Coordination

Coordination with multiple trades
Liaison with Hertfordshire Building Control
Phased electrical changeovers
Temporary electrical supplies
Programme planning and sequencing

Testing & Handover

Full inspection and testing
NICEIC certification
Record drawings
O&M manuals
Client demonstrations
First-year servicing package

Commercial Project Delivery in Action

Projects within live educational environments demand more than technical installation.

They require contractors who understand how to balance construction activities with the ongoing operation of the building.

Throughout the refurbishment, Harvey Electrical worked closely with Ei Projects, Hertfordshire County Council and the school to minimise disruption, maintain compliance and ensure every phase was completed safely and efficiently.

This collaborative approach enabled the refurbishment to progress while allowing the school to continue operating throughout the construction programme.

The Outcome

The completed refurbishment has provided Rickmansworth Park JMI School with a modern, compliant and energy-efficient electrical installation designed to support both current teaching requirements and future development.

Most importantly, the project was delivered successfully without disrupting the day-to-day operation of the school, demonstrating Harvey Electrical's ability to deliver complex refurbishments within live occupied environments.