Scottish Prison Service (HMP Corntonvale) – Stirling – Public Sector/ Prison

The Project

HMP Corntonvale is a women’s prison located in Stirling and is operated by the Scottish Prison Service. It houses hundreds of female prisoners from all over the country and has often been recognised as being the only women’s prison in Scotland.

Having full time employed prison staff and housing such large quantities of prisoners 24 hours a day, seven days a week means that it is vital that the electrical installation is kept safe and maintained in perfect working order. The Scottish Prison Service had to make sure that a reputable contractor was going to be responsible for carrying out the inspection, testing and reporting of such a high secure environment.

Falcon Electrical Testing were invited to tender for works and we were later appointed to carry out the Fixed Wiring Inspection and Testing of the low voltage (L.V) power and lighting circuits along with the sub mains power distribution system. As part of the contract essential upgrading of various distribution boards containing asbestos flash guards would also be carried out. This was done by our own highly qualified engineers to ensure minimum disruption to the client.

A programme of works was submitted to the client along with all essential health and safety method statements and risk assessments.

SPS Prison guards escorted Falcon’s Test Engineers throughout the establishment for the duration of the contract as working with convicted prisoners can potentially pose many threats to their wellbeing and general safety. This was very challenging for our engineers as we had very limited freedom and access whilst carrying out the testing unlike most of the other environments we are involved with on a day to day basis.

The works were completed on time without impacting on the day to day operation of the prison.

The client received the documentation electronically and a copy was also presented in paperback format.

We hope to continue working with the Scottish Prison Service on any testing contracts that may arise in the future