As we enter Q2 2025, development works continue at Netwise London East, with many additions to relay in this latest edition of our build blog.
Some internal engineering focus has now shifted back to the closing stages of Phase 2, with the roll-out of the final data hall within the active side of the facility (more on this very soon), however the completion of the initial envelope works schedule – as part of the Phase 3 expansion – is still pressing towards finalisation.
Here are the latest updates:
A bulkhead has now been installed along the front of the new mezzanine, to close off the otherwise open edge between the ground and first floor wall systemsThe new bulkhead not only creates a more pleasing finish, but also adds further fire and bash protection to this surface – this will be further bolstered in the loading dock areas to allow for easier forklift access for heavy goods and plant / materialsOn the topic of forklifts, we’ve added a second to our fleet, with another Linde unit capable of heavier lifts and greater reachThe warehouse and loading bay in the facility expansion has far more pallet racking, which is also taller than that within the current loading bay areaThe pallet racking has since been built out further, with additional bays and rear overspill protection – we have a custom infill section coming soon, to sit in the gap presently seen on the left hand side hereThere have been additional breaches made to existing block walls, as we create a new route between the NOC / office space and the technical spaces within this area on the first floorThe new route creates an open pathway for staff working in this side of the facility – doors, glazing and access ramps will be added later to finish this routeHere is the view from the new front NOC / office within the expansion space, with larger, free-flowing double doors to be installed in place of the previously existing single doorway, which will be infilled with a new glass panelThis is the view through from the NOC / office in the front of the building, looking through to the new office and meeting spaces on the first floorHere we see the newly mounted loading dock doors for the ground and first floorsThe checker plate wall protection has been installed to match that within the active side of the facilityThe cable route breaches have been cut and lined, ready for cabling and eventual fire protection later in the project – these are the B-side power and supplementary AC routes for Data Hall 6The checker plate on the ground floor continues through to the rear corridor, which connects through to the new power servicing areaThe adjacent corridor leading to the power servicing area, seen here clad with its checker platingThe checker plate throughout the facility has been installed to a datum line set based on the raised floor installation (as have the doors), which will come later in the projectThe view across Data Hall 6, which is being used for equipment and material storage at present, showing the flanking checker plate cladding now in placeThe four individual rooms that make up the new power servicing area have custom access panels installed to allow for access behind the rear wall system – these are both fire and high security panelsHere is a view of the new main entry door installed in Data Hall 5The same view inside of Data Hall 5, following the checker plate installation on the flanking wallsThe checker plate is from a continuous production run, meaning we have secured a pattern-match between individual panelsThis is one of what will become a twin door access route through to the cold corridor in Data Hall 5 (which is why this has been set back slightly) – this will be a fire exit route, as well as a general ease-of-flow route on the first floor, which will also be a soundproofed barrier with twin doors and drop sealsThis is the view of the first floor corridor, as final trims are prepared, and ahead of checker plate installation – the new cable route breaches have been made here, ahead of liningThis is the view to the first floor breach point between the extension project and the active side of the facility, which has now been blocked off with the new wall system, ahead of the final interlink doorway being cut and fitted in due courseHere we see the completed side run of new security fencing, ahead of the final razor wire fitmentA view of the same side run, looking towards the front of the facilityThe rear run connects in with our existing run along this side of the facilityThe razor wire will be installed next, along with the full front facing run of fencing, which will include an additional turnstile and automated vehicle gateOur secure perimeter mixes a range of systems and technologies to create an extremely robust protected boundary around our facilitiesThe new external PTZ cameras that give an overview of the perimeter are now installed and live on our integrated security system, already giving our team full perimeter visibility and motion tracking at this early stage of the project
The forthcoming works schedule includes completion of the perimeter fencing (including the new turnstile and automated vehicle gate), the cutting and fitment of the final interlink doorways, the installation of early stage cable containment across the entirety of the new space, the installation of the new water feed system(s) for our primary evaporative cooling architecture, and a host of additional preparatory work as we wrap up the first stage of the envelope installation.
We’re also taking delivery of the new UPSs, cooling systems, and switchgear, as we look ahead to the largest aspect of the project, that being the commissioning of the main service utilities.
