RNLI Poole lifeboat centre begins operations

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has officially opened its All-weather Lifeboat Centre (ALC) in Poole, Dorset.

The buildings completion will secure a supply of all-weather lifeboats (ALBs) for future generations of lifesavers, produce 90 new jobs in the local area and is expected to save the charity in excess of £3M a year once the facility is fully up and running.

The ALC consists of two large steel-framed buildings, both approximately 85m long x 30m wide, connected by a central covered courtyard.

Long clear spans for the main areas of both buildings were an important part of the design and were the main reason behind the choice of steel as the project’s framing material.

“Spans up to 20m, the requirement for various roof curves and the need for the frame to be constructed quickly, meant that a steel-framed structure was the optimum solution,” says Ramboll Structural Engineer Ben Punton.

Both building’s main production areas have been formed around 10m x 20m bays as this provides the necessary open column free space. A slightly smaller 10m x 8m grid pattern is then used for adjoining mezzanine levels and first floor office areas.

The steel design is a hybrid with portal action providing stability in one direction and diaphragm action, in combination with strategically positioned cross bracing, providing stability in the other direction. Although both buildings are structurally independent, the interconnecting 23m wide canopy also provides some extra stability.

Working on behalf of Leadbitter (Bouygues UK), H Young Structures fabricated, supplied and erected 1,000t of steel for the project.