Case Studies: GCHQ

GCHQ Installs Cooper B-Line's Access Cabinets

Often the public are unaware of exactly what happens at GCHQ in Cheltenham but few can have missed the construction of the new purpose built accommodation building locally referred to as the doughnut because of its shape. The new building equivalent in size to the old Wembley stadium will replace over fifty buildings currently spread across two sites some four miles apart.

Cooper B-Line is part of the team supplying equipment for the IT infrastructure for the new building. Cooper B-Line's Access cabinets were supplied through Unisys and BT as part of the main installation. The project which started in 2001 for Cooper B-Line is ongoing as staff start to move into the new building with the vast majority expected to be in situ by June 2004. Under a 30 year Private Funding Initiative (PFI) deal, the Integrated Accommodation Services consortium, (comprising Carillion, BT and Group 4 Falck) is responsible for construction and maintenance of the building and the provision of services including telephony, security, and catering.

Working to stringent deadlines Cooper B-Line supplied a standard Access cabling cabinet with twist 'n' lock cable management and Cooper B-Line's innovative computer floor plinth. Access was selected due to its open structure with no corner posts which allows greater cabling density. Access also accepts retrofit glass or metal doors, side panels, tops and accessories where flexibility is required at initial installation.

Commenting on the project Trevor Miller, Marketing Manager of Cooper B-Line said "this is an extremely prestigious project for any company to be involved in and the highest standards have been expected of all involved".

• Imperial College London
• Siemens
• Call Centre
• Supplying T5
• Your Communications
• Park Air Systems
• GCHQ
• Merrill Lynch
• Print Page