Control Systems Design and Integration
Firstco is a leading independent Controls and Communications Systems Design practice, employing over 40 engineers across a spectrum of consultants, senior engineers, designers and technical support. Unlike many Consultancy practices, Firstco also has extensive experience and capability in delivering and supporting Controls and Communications systems. This brings an added level of knowledge and understanding of our clients’ operations to the design and specification of such systems.
Firstco has worked extensively in the buildings and transport sectors for over 15 years and specialises in large integrated transport systems projects. We have worked with a number of blue chip client’s including End-user/Operators, Multi-Disciplinary Consultancies and Complex Building Contractors. Firstco brings practical knowledge of systems at all stages of the project life-cycle. We are increasingly involved to provide strategic input even while the earliest functional descriptions of systems are being prepared. As a result, we no longer just provide technical expertise, but can also focus on the crucial aspects of a client’s business and their future, operational requirements.
Master Systems Integration
A project team that possesses the right culture is essential to the successful delivery of a World Class Airport project. Firstco brings this culture with them to projects through our engineers, integration and project management team.
The discipline of Firstco is:
- Understanding the Client’s requirements
- Thinking like an operator and maintainer
- Envisaging the customer experience
- Driving Customer-focussed culture throughout the project
- Managing technical delivery and integration in a Construction environment
- Employing effective tools and processes to assure systems quality
Certainty is further increased when the approving body is assured that the internal or self-certification checks performed by the design and delivery team are robust, certified and open to inspection/verification by the stakeholders. It is inevitable that change will occur over a long programme, however, a structured Requirements Management process allows the control of change; reducing the risk of ‘scope creep’ without an automatic impact on time and cost.
A core integral team will ensure that the design of key components and communications systems infrastructure will allow additional functionality to be included in a managed manner without wholesale replacement/upgrade maintaining the expectation of a secure mode of transport whilst exercising regard to programme and budget.
Heathrow Terminal 2A, London
Airport System Design
Each system and technology may be fundamentally different, having different performance requirements, design timescales, stakeholders, interfaces, dependencies, risks. Technology for Controls and Communications systems changes rapidly and, consequentially, designers of such systems tend to focus on one or a few systems (e.g. CCTV, communications networks).
Modern complex transport infrastructure projects can be expected to have some 35 or more such systems. Many of these systems need to integrate with each other and to legacy or 3rd party systems to support the viable business operation and integration performance must be proven prior to handover into operation. To mitigate the operational risks, Firstco works with the client and projects to ensure that the integration process is properly allowed for in the programme.
Gatwick North Terminal, London
Airport Experience
Firstco’s knowledge and expertise has been utilised on some of the largest and most prestigious projects in the UK and elsewhere including:
- Heathrow Terminal 2A
- Heathrow Terminal 5
- Gatwick North Terminal
- Crossrail
- Heathrow Express
- St Pancras International
- Stansted Terminal Extension
- Dubai Airport Terminal 3
Firstco provides a number of different roles including:
- Consultancy
- Project Management
- Interface Management
- Design Engineering
- Systems Implementation
- Systems Support
Firstco specialises in a wide range of systems including the following:
- Integrated Control Rooms
- Fibre and Copper Data Networks
- Fixed and Wireless Communications
- Radio and Cellular Infrastructure
- Public Address and Voice Alarm
- Customer Information Systems
- SCADA and PLC Networks
- Building Management Systems
- Security, CCTV and Access Control
- Digital Signage
- Fire Detection
- Telephony
Terminal 3, Dubai
Based in London -
Firstco has also completed projects in Europe, the Middle East and Africa:
If you would like further information on our range of services please contact us using the contact details provided below - Thank you.
FIRSTCo Team
Heathrow Terminal 5, London
Address
FIRSTCo4 Celbridge Mews
London
W2 6EU
UK
Tel: +44 2070 340 833
Fax: +44 2072 298 002
Email: info@firstco.co.uk
URL: www.firstco.uk.com