Panel building: why standardisation is key

August 8th, 2022

Ready Controls Operations Manager Dan Lawless explains our approach to panel building.

As a business we have designed, built and delivered over 500 control panels in the last 4 years. These include projects of all sizes, from individual bespoke domestic properties to large developments containing multiple luxury apartments and houses. This has given us the experience to know how to best approach building electrical control panels.

Designing for the future

For us this is the most important stage. Working with the client we want to ensure that the design is not only suitable for all aspects of the current requirements but also ready for the future. The design needs to allow for any possible changes and expansion to the system at a later date.

Standardisation

Standardisation is the key design factor at Ready Controls. Whether we are building multiple panels for an apartment block or a one off panel for a house or office we do so using standard procedures.

There are a number of reasons for a standardised approach. Critically we want the installation of our panels to be easy, ensuring time on site is the most efficient and therefore cost effective. A standardised approach means that annual maintenance of each panel is as seamless and efficient as possible. We also want future contractors to be able to work on our panels easily, without the need for specialist training or reading lengthy technical documents.

For this to be possible we put planning at the forefront of our design. We ensure all panels follow a strict design and build process. Our quality control process means all labelling is clear, concise and correct at the build stage. We also insist that all the information needed is contained on one drawing to mitigate the need for multiple documents and manuals. A one, stop shop for all the information needed.

Panel building for Paddington Gardens

This approach was particularly important at Paddington Gardens, a residential development of high specification 1-4 bedroom apartments across 3 blocks in west London. We provided a fully offsite commissioned package. This meant all our panels were delivered fully programmed, ready to install and use. A standard approach with good clear information was of the upmost importance to ensure those on site that were not part of the Ready Controls team could install the panels with ease.

The sheer scale of this project, which had over 250 apartments, meant a control panel factor line method of production had to be generated to ensure the build programme was met. A standardisation approach was required to achieve this.

Read more about our work at Paddington Gardens.

To talk to us about your project, please get in touch