The project involved the upgrading and implementation of electrical, special, and mechanical installations in the Fastweb S.p.A. Point of Presence (POP), located at 94 Via Tor Pagnotta in Rome. The work involved installing new spaces and modifying some existing areas in the IT and TLC equipment rooms, which are critical functional areas for the Client. The primary objective was to avoid disrupting services, processes and environmental conditions.

As a result, the continuity of service of all installations and other utilities within the facility was guaranteed at all times. Interrupting any part of the installations was impossible, even for a limited time. Some especially critical activities were carried out at night and/or on holidays, and/or on several continuous shifts.

The building units under development are located in Block A (basement floor and roof) and Block B1 (basement floor/cabinets) of an office building in the southern suburbs of Rome.

The building includes premises formerly used by the operator FASTWEB S.p.A. as a telephone exchange for the management of telecommunications and fiber optic data network traffic, located in the basement of Block A.

As part of a technical and commercial agreement between the Client and the ownership of the building, the project, therefore, also incorporates additional contracted technological infrastructure:

• Medium voltage/Low voltage transformer substation;
• 1000 kVA generator set.

The work involved a series of operations that did not alter the existing outline of the building but slightly modified its appearance. This was achieved by replacing windows and doors and opening new ventilation grilles, but without increasing the usable floor space and without modifying the designated use of the building.

The planned works are divided into two distinct macro-groups:

• Revamping of the electrical installation in order to implement, standardise and contextually adapt the system to the standards and legislation currently in force for this type of technological equipment;
• Revamping the air conditioning system. The former outdated and obsolete hydronic system was replaced by a more modern direct expansion system, which in turn was supported by a free cooling installation.

This project included electrical installation works (taking over the existing MV/LV cabin by issuing a Declaration of Conformity for the receiver and distribution cabin, commissioning the 1000kVA generator set, a new modular UPS with 150kVA units including stationary batteries with 4-hour autonomy, a new 150kVA power station including stationary batteries with 4-hour autonomy, electrical systems such as new distribution panels for the standard and emergency lighting network, fire-fighting systems, security systems, CCTV, fiber optic connections to and from the Data Center's TLC room), civil works (creation of new technical rooms used as data rooms), adapting the premises to new layouts and specific Italian compartmentalisation requirements and standards for Fire resistance, Airtightness, and Thermal Insulation (known as REI), network/group/UPS exchange switchboards) and mechanical systems works (new direct expansion air conditioning units with free cooling and air extraction equipment for the technical rooms).

The most significant challenge was the functionality of the Client's site, which was required to remain usable during the entire duration of the work while minimising disruptions. The coordination of activities on the site was essential, both in terms of safety coordination (with the appointment of the Worksite Safety Coordinator, known in Italy as the CSE) and the execution of the works within the scheduled deadlines for the release of the areas without penalty, with peaks of up to 20 staff members operating on the site every day.