News

Delivering Safe, Resilient and Future-Ready High Voltage Infrastructure

At DSSR, our High Voltage (HV) expertise is centred on delivering robust, efficient and future-proof electrical infrastructure that underpins critical operations across healthcare, education, industrial and commercial sectors. From feasibility through to detailed design and delivery, we provide a fully integrated HV service that ensures reliability, compliance and long-term resilience for our clients’ assets.

Comprehensive High Voltage Design and Consultancy

DSSR offers a complete suite of HV services, including network design, load assessments, substation design, cable routing, protection coordination and system studies. Each project is carefully assessed to develop optimised infrastructure solutions that balance capital cost with operational efficiency and long-term maintainability.

Supporting Decarbonisation and Future Energy Demands

As the built environment evolves, high voltage infrastructure is playing a critical role in enabling decarbonisation. Electrification of heat, electric vehicle infrastructure and renewable energy integration are placing increasing demands on electrical networks.

A Trusted Partner for Critical Infrastructure

DSSR has delivered HV solutions across a wide range of sectors, with particular strength in healthcare estates requiring uninterrupted power and complex system integration. Our collaborative working style ensures close alignment with design teams, contractors and stakeholders throughout delivery.

£32m Elective Care Hub for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

DSSR is proud to have delivered the mechanical & electrical design for the new £32m Elective Care Hub at Chapel Allerton Hospital, developed by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The purpose-built extension will include a 23-bed ward,  two operating theatres and a new admissions area.

The hub will increase elective capacity by over 1,600 cases per year, creating protected space for planned spinal and orthopaedic procedures away from busier sites such as Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s University Hospital.

Craige Richardson, Director of Estates and Facilities

“This is fantastic news for patients in Leeds and from across the region as well as our colleagues working at the hospital. The purpose-built elective care hub increases protected space and theatres to see planned inpatients, enhancing their experience and meaning we can see more people more quickly.

“Thank you to the teams who have worked hard to get us to this point. This project exemplifies our commitment to modernising our healthcare infrastructure to meet future demands, bringing clear benefits for the people we provide care for.”

Construction is set to begin in early 2026, with completion planned for November 2027, alongside the creation of 142 new roles.

We’re pleased to have supported this project for the NHS and the patients it will serve across the region.

Health Minister, Karin Smyth

“This £32 million investment will help thousands more people get the treatment they need sooner.

“Dedicated elective hubs like this are crucial to cutting waiting times, by allowing surgery to go ahead all year round without disruption from emergency pressures.

“This project is a clear example of how we are modernising the NHS, investing in the frontline and backing local systems to deliver real improvements for patients.”

The Critical Importance of BEMS in Healthcare

Modern healthcare estates are some of the most complex and demanding environments in the built environment sector. From surgical theatres to laboratories, isolation rooms to critical care wards, every area relies on precise environmental control to ensure patient safety, clinical performance, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

At the heart of this intricate ecosystem sits an often-underappreciated cornerstone: the Building Energy Management System (BEMS).

While many organisations outsource BEMS expertise, DSSR is one of the few consultancies to offer in‑house, dedicated BEMS specialism—delivering deeper insight, faster problem‑solving, and a higher standard of assurance to our healthcare clients. DSSR has been delivering Smart Building Automation for over 30 years.

What Is BEMS—and Why Is It Essential for Healthcare?

A Building Energy Management System monitors, controls, and optimises a range of building services including:

• Ventilation and air quality
• Heating and cooling
• Pressure regimes
• Humidity control
• Energy use and demand
• Critical alarms and system integration

In healthcare settings, these functions are not simply operational—they are clinical enablers. Sub‑standard environmental controls can undermine infection prevention measures, reduce diagnostic accuracy, jeopardise patient wellbeing, and compromise staff safety.

1. Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

Hospitals rely on BEMS to maintain safe and stable air change rates, pressure cascades, and filtration performance in areas such as:

• Operating theatres
• Intensive care units
• Isolation rooms
• Sterile services

A poorly tuned system can allow contaminants to migrate, undermine sterile fields, or reduce filtration effectiveness. An optimised BEMS, however, supports consistent IPC compliance and protects clinical environments.

2. Clinical Environment Stability

Certain procedures and equipment require precise temperature and humidity conditions to function correctly. BEMS ensures stability essential for:

• Surgical accuracy
• Drug storage integrity
• Laboratory testing conditions
• MRI, CT, and other diagnostic equipment performance

By providing real‑time monitoring and rapid response capabilities, BEMS safeguards operational continuity.

3. Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction

The NHS is the UK’s largest single emitter of carbon within the public sector, and hospitals are some of the most energy-intensive buildings. BEMS plays a leading role in:

• Reducing energy waste
• Optimising demand patterns
• Lowering operational costs
• Supporting net‑zero carbon strategies

For estate and energy managers, BEMS is the most powerful intervention available to balance cost control with clinical performance.

4. Regulatory Compliance

Healthcare facilities must meet strict legislative and technical standards, including:

• HTMs (Health Technical Memoranda)
• HBNs (Health Building Notes)
• CIBSE guidance
• BREEAM Healthcare
• Net Zero NHS mandates

BEMS provides the data, control, and reporting needed to evidence compliance and maintain safe operation.

Why an In‑House BEMS Specialist Makes a Difference

Most consultancies must bring in external BEMS expertise during design, commissioning, or troubleshooting. This adds cost, increases review times, and often leads to fragmented decision‑making.

DSSR’s in‑house BEMS specialist provides a level of integration and insight that is exceptionally rare in the industry.

1. Deep Technical Continuity—From Concept to Commissioning

Having in‑house capability means BEMS expertise is embedded throughout every stage of a project:

• Early-stage concept design
• System strategy development
• Detailed control philosophy creation
• Review of contractors’ proposals
• Site inspections and commissioning support
• Post-occupancy optimisation

This continuity reduces risk, improves system performance, and ensures the design intent is protected end‑to‑end.

2. Faster Problem‑Solving and Expert Oversight

Healthcare BEMS failures can be costly and dangerous. Having an internal specialist means:

• Rapid interpretation of BEMS data
• Immediate identification of root causes
• Independent verification of contractor performance
• Preventative advice to avoid system downtime

Clients gain confidence knowing an expert is available without delays or additional fees.

3. Better Integration with Mechanical & Electrical Engineering

BEMS is not a standalone discipline—it’s the control system that connects every M&E component. DSSR’s in‑house specialist ensures:

• Systems communicate correctly
• Control strategies are logical and energy‑efficient
• Sensors and plant are integrated properly
• The whole building operates cohesively, not as isolated systems

This results in more reliable environments, lower operational costs, and improved longevity of assets.

4. Increased Client Value and Reduced Life‑Cycle Costs

By eliminating the need for external BEMS consultants, clients benefit from:

• Reduced consultancy fees
• Faster turnaround times
• A single point of responsibility
• Higher accuracy in design and verification
• More robust performance across the building’s life cycle

This makes DSSR a more efficient and cost‑effective partner—particularly in large-scale, high‑complexity healthcare projects.

A Hidden Specialist Driving Healthcare Performance

In the healthcare sector, BEMS is far more than an energy tool—it is a clinical safeguard, a compliance enabler, and a strategic asset. Its role affects patient outcomes, operational stability, estate resilience, and long‑term sustainability.

By offering in‑house BEMS expertise, DSSR delivers a service that few others can match. It ensures our healthcare clients benefit from better-designed systems, smoother commissioning, reduced risk, and buildings that perform exactly as intended—in both clinical and environmental terms.

Explore How DSSR Can Support You Further

If you’re looking to enhance building performance, improve environmental control, or take meaningful steps towards smarter, more sustainable estates, DSSR offers dedicated expertise in Smart Building Automation. Our team helps clients unlock the full potential of intelligent systems — from advanced BEMS integration to data‑driven optimisation and long‑term building efficiency strategies.

To learn more about how we can support your organisation, visit our Smart Building Automation page:

Supporting ‘Routes to Work’ Employment Support to Local Jobseekers

A huge thanks to DSSR Associate Daniel Scott for attending a recent Careers Insight Event held by ‘Routes to Work’, a Scottish charity organisation which aims to give employment support to young people in North Lanarkshire.

It was a fantastic event designed to connect young people with top local employers. We were incredibly proud to represent the construction sector and help the next generation explore the exciting opportunities available to them.

It was great meeting everyone who stopped by to chat with Daniel. Well done to the organisers for putting together such a valuable initiative for our young people

Celebrating the Promotions of Ryan, Craig, and Jamie

We’re thrilled to announce the well-deserved promotions of Ryan Caffrey, Craig McFadzean, and Jamie Murray to the position of Senior Engineer. These promotions come as a testament to the immense value, talent, and commitment they have each brought to DSSR over many years.

It’s fantastic to see their hard work and dedication recognised as they take this important next step in their careers. We look forward to their continued success and contributions in their new roles.

Congratulations to Craig, Ryan, and Jamie on your well-deserved promotions to Senior Engineer. This milestone is a true reflection of their hard work, dedication, and commitment to delivering excellence. I’m proud to see them take this next step and excited for what’s ahead!

Regional Director, Fiona Williamson

I would like to offer my congratulations to Craig, Jamie and Ryan on your recent promotions. This is a great achievement and a reflection of all your hard work, enthusiasm and dedication you have all shown over the recent years. I’m excited to see how your careers continue to progress within DSSR in your new roles, keep up the hard work.

Neil Gray, Associate

Cheque Presentation to Overgate Hospice

We are very pleased to share that our recent Bikeathon raised an incredible £1,280 for the Overgate Hospice!

Our efforts were in support of Overgate’s ‘Big Build Appeal’, which will help to fund a much-needed new in-patient unit, ensuring patients and families receive the dignity, comfort, and care they deserve.

We’re delighted to be delivering the MEP detailed design for this inspiring project — and grateful for the chance to support it beyond the drawing board.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part, donated, and cheered us on — your support made this achievement possible. Overgate Hospice does vital work and we’re proud to support them, both through our design work and our fundraising efforts.

DSSR Project Shortlisted at the British Parking Awards 2025

We are really proud that the PepsiCo Beaumont Park Car Park project has been shortlisted for Best New Car Park at the British Parking Awards 2025. It’s a huge honour to see our work recognised alongside such high-quality projects.

Designing the MEP systems for a multi-story car park like this is always a challenge. It’s a complex puzzle of balancing various systems such as ventilation requirements, fire safety, and efficient lighting, all while keeping the user experience and sustainability at the forefront.

We’re incredibly grateful to our client, Huber Parking, and to everyone on the project team for their hard work and collaboration. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for tonight’s ceremony at the Royal Lancaster in London.

DSSR Project Engineer, Ciro Businaro:

“Absolutely brilliant news from our client, Huber Parking UK! I’m thrilled to see the PepsiCo Beaumont Park Car Park project in Leicester shortlisted for ‘Best New Car Park’ at the British Parking Awards 2025.

As the Electrical Design Engineer from DSSR on this outstanding project, I’m incredibly proud of the collaborative effort that went into making this scheme a success.

It’s truly rewarding to have our collective hard work recognised by the UK parking industry. Congratulations to Huber, PepsiCo, and every single person involved! Looking forward to the awards ceremony.”