Luke Laker

On starting my position at TF&S in a newly created role based around my project experience. It was evident that the projects department was lacking leadership, project delivery, quality assurance, technical ability and control.

TF&S projects was predominately running on a sub contract labour basis from installation to project management. It was clear that leadership, ownership, coordination and communication was lacking. Pre project documentation such as design and client specification had not been reviewed adequately by the project management team prior to jobs starting with poor document control during which ultimately lead to poor handover.

Consequently the sub contract resource on site was not controlled or coordinated meaning efficiency was low, collaboration and communication between the teams was almost non existent. This was not only elongating progress, inflating costs, eroding margins and diminishing customer retention.

At this point TF&S had several ongoing projects and multiple legacy projects of which had outstanding issues to be resolved halting final account settlements. Ultimately due my observations I quickly inherited these projects in a Hybrid project and commissioning management role. My hands on experience pre management, project ownership and honesty has allowed me to gain the respect of any team that works with me on any project as well as the client.

We have now successfully closed out these projects, implemented and rolled out Procore project management software.

I have successfully built inter department cohesion by pooling resource from other departments in the region and outside the region. This has dramatically minimised the sub contract requirement/cost, maximised control, improved margins and client satisfaction.

• Managed and coordinated project activities, ensuring timely completion.
• Conducted regular review meetings with the team to track progress
• Monitored and reported on ongoing projects to help achieve departmental targets and communicated to directors.
• Liaised effectively with clients throughout project lifecycle, securing customer satisfaction.
• Set team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance for optimum results.
• Initiated preventive measures against possible project delays or setbacks.
• Evaluated technical documentation to ensure alignment with project objectives.
• Assured quality through rigorous pre-commissioning checks and inspections.
• Led the execution of system integration tests, enhancing operational efficiency.
• Implemented solutions for identified issues during testing phase.
• Streamlined communication between stakeholders, facilitating efficient decision making.
• Compiled detailed handover documents upon completion of commissioning activities.
• Planned implementation of new organisational policies such as Procore
• Project to service handover for ongoing maintenance potential.

Employed on a sub contract basis to head up the commissioning management on London major projects division and deliver three of the Largest Siemens Cerberus Pro fibre networks in the country to date. Working closely with various Tier 1 Main contractors, their preferred independent client commissioning teams and all site trade contractors commissioning teams to enable fluidity in the commissioning process.

-Carrying out of the recruiting process for commissioning labour and additional project requirement from project managers to administration staff.

-Go to person for PM, commissioning resource, external trade contractors, administration staff, commercial teams for technical information and requirements.

-Collation of project specific requirements such as detailed interface schedules for interaction between trades such as BMS, lifts, smoke extract systems such as Colt/Advanced Air smoke extract systems, Access control, Fire curtains, lighting controls, Gas suppression, stand alone MSFDS.

-Implementing processes to streamline the commissioning procedures, on tight programmed projects.

-Interpreting of the fire strategy to build cause and effect matrices inline with the strategy, working closely with the design team and consultants to minimise issues caused by system limitations.

-Answering of design issues/queries.

-Collation of commissioning and witnessing paperwork also point of quality assurance on the administration staffs work.

-Collation of record information such as drawings, commissioning test logs, Db readings and commissioning checklists.

-Point of contact for the commercial team regarding changes to design, delays to programme and additional instructions.

- Assisting client witnessing team with test scripts for cause and effect testing

- Assisting commissioning resource is utilised efficiently with programming works by supplying clear and concise spreadsheets detailing customer agreed text, zones and specific programming requirements for systems such as colt and advanced air.

- Assisting Installation resource with technical information to enable a clear process which enabled a quicker commissioning process such as detailing interface channel as usages, termination of monitoring resistors and proving.

- Evaluating of project risks and feasibility, identifying issues and proactively implementing proposed solutions.

Managing the migration of the Siemens AFD system protocol from Cerberus Algorex to the successor Siemens Sinteso protocol at Credit Suisse 1 Cabot Square London, in the heart of London’s financial district. This night- time project consisted of two phases, firstly a tenants fit out project of the upper floors 10-19 whilst separating the landlord’s demises on to separate lines (Loops) using Sinteso protocol to allow for easier fit out works for future projects. This was due to floors potentially being let post covid due to the buildings lesser occupancy. The second phase was lower floors 9-Basement Level 2 landlords demise upgrade works which consisted of 43 lines (Loops) to be migrated. This project was both technically and logistically challenging due to the critical nature of the occupied building which consists of multiple round the clock trade floors. Due to the nature of the siemens Hybrid interactive line cards once migration of a line was started its was imperative all devices were changed and recommissioned within the shift to restore life safety coverage and critical plant. This meant in intricate planning and in depth survey works to locate all devices on a line prior to project start.

• Project point of contact as senior Siemens representative on site for raising of and collection of permits also liaising with CBRE FM BAU staff at the start and end of works as clear chain of communication
• Carried pre project start planning works including detailed surveys of existing infrastructure prior to migration works to locate all devices ready for migration programme planning, this included the locating of all detection devices and all interfaces on a panel line/loop, detailing any requirements for 3rd party contractors required during the migration works. This also involved instructing 3rd party contractors for things like fabric works to help access devices lost above or being obstructed by new MF ceilings during multiple fit out works since the system was installed.
• Author of RAMS for all fire detection and life safety tasks on site relating to the project
• Carried out inductions, supervision and control of 6 electrical installation sub contractors including fully qualified electricians and electrical mates. Ensuring all contractors read, understood, and signed up to the job specific RAMS
• Carried out inductions, supervision and control of 2 Siemens commissioning engineers and 2 engineering apprentices. Ensuring all had read, understood, and signed up to the job specific RAMS
• Carried out the recording and documenting of health and safety qualifications for all operatives under my supervision such as ECS cards, Asbestos awareness, PASMA, first aid training if detailed as being a first aider on site, with the clear intent of maintaining these records ensuring they are kept up to date.
• Carried out safety inspection log of contractors tools/access equipment and PPE with sub contractor supervisor for the safety file
• Carried out the recording of safety briefings such as toolbox talks, point of works risk assessments and start rights
• Created detailed project schedules, working closely with contractors to manage deadlines.
• Carried out the planning of nightly works for both installation and commissioning resource inline with programme
• Carried out the booking of labour for up resourcing requirements
• Carried out nightly attendance log of all operatives under my control.
• Attending of weekly site team meetings between Siemens senior management, Overbury PM, Arcadis PM, Overbury TSM, CBRE FM projects team, supervisors, and sub-contractors to discuss progress, issues, concerns, and any other relevant project business.
• Compiling of Commissioning/ Testing/ Handover documentation such as commissioning certificates, cable test records, calibration certificates, record drawings and fire test logs.
• Carried out nightly reporting of shift works carried out for all operatives
• Carried out the tracking of Snag works, reporting status at weekly meeting
• Carried out the tracking of incomplete works, reporting status at weekly meeting
• Carried out the tracking of fault rectification works, labour allocation, time lost and programme implications due to existing infrastructure faults such a line faults
• Witnessing of Siemens in house testing and commissioning pre client TWC
• Assisting Siemens commissioning team with fault rectification when required as an experienced commissioning engineer
• Created detailed project schedules, working closely with contractors to manage deadlines.
• Liaised with key stakeholders to acquire necessary resources, maintaining project momentum.
• Reviewed designs, plans and reports to ensure constant compliance with project specifications.
• Assisted with quality inspections, rectifying issues quickly to minimise operational disruption.
• Crafted project documentation including work order cards, method statements, construction plans and risk assessments.

• Managing migration of AFD & ASP protocols from Gent to Protec on the Life safety improvement works project at the palace of Westminster (houses of parliament), a world UNESCO heritage site. The Night time project consisted of over 4500 AFD old Gent devices to be swapped to Protec, 30 panels to be swapped from Gent to Protec and 90 Aspirator panels of varying manufacturers such as Xtralis and Kidde airsense to be swapped to protec. The final phase of the job was to upgrade the system category to L2 with the addition of over 700 new devices wired in Micc. Each and every new installation had to be surveyed and an annotated report generated using site audit pro software. Once complete this would be Issued to WCL PM who would review and issue to the design and heritage team for approval status.
• Carried out inductions, supervision and control of over 20 electrical contractors including fully qualified electricians and electrical mates. Ensuring all contractors read, understood and signed up to the job specific RAMS
• Carried out nightly collection of AFD & ASP permits from fire and risk management team, detailing areas, panels, loops and aspirators to be worked on in any particular shift, aiming to minimize the risk of multiple areas with system down time, maintaining communication throughout the shift detailing any fore seen or unforeseen risks. Building a close working relationship with FRMT
• Carried out the recording and documenting of health and safety qualifications for all operatives under my supervision such as ECS card, Asbestos awareness, PASMA , First aid training if detailed as being a first aider on site, with the clear intent of maintaining these records ensuring they are kept up to date
• Carried out nightly attendance log of all operatives under my control. To be submitted to the QS on a weekly basis to be referenced against sub contractors payment application
• Carried out checking and approval of agency contractors time sheets which where to be submitted to the relevant agencies inline with the specific cut off deadlines
• Carried out nightly labour/dissection sheets for all operatives under my control detailing the tasks carried out, materials used and any delays or issues which halted progress on any given task
• Carried out the ordering of materials
• Carried out documenting of delivered goods
• Carried out planning of work tasks nightly for all electrical operatives. Arranging/ liaising with standby contractors such as heritage stone masons, carpenters, fire stoppers and asbestos clearance contractors so as works could be carried out without delays
• Carried out the planning and booking requests of forced client incumbent trades such as asbestos analysts, furnishing contractors and removal contractors
• Carried out regular site quality inspections, ensuring work met required standards set by WCL, the project design team (International Fire Consultants) & (Burro Happold) , Strategic estates department and heritage team briefs (Purcell)
• Performed point of work risk and hazard assessments to best manage safe, secure site operation in an extremely sensitive and challenging heritage environment
• Performed Start right briefings,which were video recorded and submitted to the project safety file
• Managing and supervision of the Protec commissioning engineers. Allocating and recording commissioning tasks inline with requirements of the shift and programme
• Raising of RFI's
• Carried out nightly drawing updates via Blu-beam detailing specific devices and areas where protocol updates were completed. Issued to all WCL project day team nightly to give full progress visibility, to the CAD engineer for progressive update to record drawings, Issued nightly to site Fire and risk management team until protocol changes were updated on the Protec hecules GUI system
• Attending weekly site team meetings between senior management, supervisors and sub contractors to discuss progress, issues, concerns and any other relevant project business
• Compiling of Commissioning/ Testing/ Handover documentation such as commissioning certificates, cable test records, calibration certificates, record drawings and fire test logs. These were handed over progressively to the client Clerk of works to achieve a tight programme commissioning and hand over deadline
• Led performance reviews, identified areas for improvement.
• Enforced safety regulations to reduce workplace accidents.

• Technical support for fire engineering team in the London region
• Direct channel of communication for national technical manager to disseminate technical information to the wider engineering team
• Carried out of technical surveys for account managers
• Gave technical input for quotations
• Carried out commissioning of various larger fire detection systems predominately managed protocols such as Gent and Notifier
• Built GUI graphical user interface systems for a number of large projects
• Carried out cause and effect matrices for projects
• Assisted with the running of projects for the PM
• Reverse engineering of existing cause and effects and creating matrices
• Site audits with engineers to assess capabilities and produce skills matrices
• Site Visits to carry out dilapidation reports on existing infrastructure
• Site audits to check sub contractors are adhering to the QA process set out by Trinity and inline with the regulations set out in BS5839-1

• Technical support for fire engineering team in the London region
• Carried out commissioning and testing of various multi node network fire detection systems from open protocol to managed protocols such as Gent and Notifier
• Carried out Commissioning and testing of various Aspirator systems such as xtralis, Wagner and Kidde airsense
• Carried out Commissioning and testing of Various Extinguishing systems
• Carried out commissioning and testing of various 3rd party and auxiliary equipment set ups such as AOV's, Fireman's control panels, sprinkler panels and Mimic panels
• Carried out cause and effect testing and verification works
• Carried out fault finding
• Site audits with engineers to assess capabilities and produce skills matrices

• Carried out commissioning and testing of various multi node network fire detection systems from open protocol to managed protocols such as Gent and Notifier
• Carried out Commissioning and testing of various Aspirator systems such as xtralis, Wagner and Kidde airsense
• Carried out Commissioning and testing of Various Extinguishing systems
• Carried out commissioning and testing of various 3rd party and auxiliary equipment set ups such as AOV's, Fireman's control panels, sprinkler panels and Mimic panels

• Carried out commissioning and testing of various multi node network fire detection systems from open protocol to managed protocols such as Gent and Notifier
• Carried out commissioning and testing of various conventional fire systems
• Carried out Commissioning and testing of Aspirator systems such as xtralis
• Carried out fault finding on a multitude of systems as part of the on call team both in hours and out of hours
• Carried out small works and installations

• Carried out testing and routine maintenance of various fire detection systems from open protocol to managed protocols such as Gent and Notifier
• Carried out testing and routine maintenance of various Aspirator systems such as xtralis and Kidde airsense
• Carried out fault finding on a multitude of systems as part of the on call team both in hours and out of hours
• Carried out small works and installations
• Assisted on larger projects to improve capabilities and skillset

• Assisted engineers carrying out testing and routine maintenance of various fire detection systems from open protocol to managed protocols such as Gent and Notifier
• Assisted engineers carrying out testing and routine maintenance of various Aspirator systems such as xtralis and Kidde airsense
• Assisted engineers carrying out fault finding on a multitude of systems
• Assisted engineers carrying out small works and installations
• Assisted on larger projects to improve capabilities and skillset