Skinner Associates Ltd provide strategic, technical and regulatory compliance advice for a wide variety of clients to help get their complex science, research and healthcare projects right first time.

We have a clear understanding of the language of business, healthcare, science and research establishments and also that of designers and constructors. We are able to provide clear communications and understandings across all parties, improving the likelihood that the client’s plans become properly reflected in the final outcomes.

From the outset we seek to maximise our understanding of each client’s activities and their business drivers, as well as their future plans and visions, and help to identify the success requirements for their projects as well as the risks to success.

Our aim is to provide our clients with strategic and technical support during the planning, design procurement, and operation of their buildings in support of achieving successful and optimum outcomes for their developments allowing their successful and profitable operation.

At all stages of a building’s life we are able to support both clients and users in developing operational strategies and procedures, checking compliance with regulations, sanity checking of proposals made by others, technical appraisal and checking of design and installation work, design reviews and monitoring of progress and quality of outputs from designers and constructors etc.

Here is a more detailed list of activities:

Inception: input to client briefing and strategic planning, input to business case development, engagement with building user and 3rd party authorities and undertake surveys and reports of existing facilities etc.

Pre-design stage: feasibility and option studies, infrastructure planning, user/building interface development, building and business resilience planning, development of operating requirements, design team engagement, design briefing and employer’s requirements, massing and space planning and establish requirements for verification and validation of the project etc.

Design stages: provide technical advice to both client and users to understand the developing designs, support the designers and constructors to understand the client requirements and drivers, compliance checking of designs and undertaking design reviews, monitoring of design quality and progress, development of plant access, maintenance and replacement strategies, develop and review plant resilience and business continuity strategies, development of controls and energy strategies, review designs for testing, commissioning and verification/validation provisions including requirements for re-testing for continued compliance during the buildings operational life and the development of validation master plans etc.

Tender and constructor engagement: review of designers tender documents for completeness and compliance, attendance at tender reviews and contractor interviews to check for understanding of project requirements and review tender returns for technical compliance etc.

Construction/installation stage: review contractor design/installation proposals for compliance, monitoring of progress and compliance, site and factory inspections, review of the selection of specialist equipment, engage early with controls and commissioning teams and review contractor provisions for testing, commissioning, verification and validation in the installation proposals, early engagement with the parties and 3rd parties (who will ultimately confirm/accept compliance), and monitor the production of operating and maintenance manuals and record drawings along with documentation for 3rd party validation and certification etc.

Testing, commissioning, verification and validation (TCVV): engagement with designers and constructors to review understanding and provisions for TCVV, witnessing of tests and commissioned systems results, monitor and check TCVV information and documentation in readiness for smooth handover, interface with controls team, engagement with 3rd party validators and support construction team in the production of building user manuals etc.

Post-construction and early occupation: support client team in understanding and managing early occupation issues, monitor operation and energy consumption against design assumptions, assist client in ensuring teaching sessions are provided and defects are identified and addressed effectively and assist with the engagement and management of maintenance contractors etc.

Occupation period: monitor operational performance of building and systems, condition surveys and plant life expectancy reviews, monitor and manage maintenance contracts, active energy management, monitor compliance with changing operational requirements and changes in standards, also surveys, reports and studies as required to evaluate potential changes, improvements etc.