Terrapin modular custodial buildings

HMP Erlestoke is the latest prison project to be completed using Terrapin's modular custodial buildings, purpose-designed and built offsite to the exacting security specification of HM Prison Service.

Terrapin worked in association with Interserve to provide a new 60-cell accommodation block and 168m2 training facility at the category C adult male prison.

By utilising Terrapin's offsite construction solution the on-site construction programme was reduced to just 16 weeks.

Not only did this mean less labour and weather-risk on site, but it minimised the resources and delays needed to security check plant and materials in and out of the prison each day.

The new two-storey cell block at HMP Erlestoke comprises 30 double cell modules, creating 60 places, manufactured from Terrapin's Prospex system.

Modules were built and fitted out under factory-controlled conditions at the company's production facility in Milton Keynes.

The steel-framed modules, manufactured to the Ministry of Justice's exacting standards, provide a robust and secure building solution for the prison and their insulated double skin construction delivers high thermal efficiency and acoustic performance on outside walls as well as walls between individual living spaces.

Plastic-coated steel insulated panels were specified to gain a durable and weatherproof exterior finish, and the building has a light steel frame roof.

In addition to the new cell block, the expansion at HMP Erlestoke also includes a new training facility, designed and built from Terrapin's Unitrex system.

The 12m x 14m building was pre-engineered offsite at Terrapin's huge indoor facility at Milton Keynes and delivered in panelised 'flat pack' form for fast-track erection and internal finishing on site.

The interior fit-out includes toilet facilities for prisoners and staff, plus a small kitchen.

The building has a flat roof and the exterior is finished with aggregate stone faced panels.

HMP Erlestoke is the latest in a series of permanent and temporary custodial building solutions provided by Terrapin, including immigration centres, new prison wings, canteens and activity facilities.

Much of the building and services work is built as modules offsite, minimising and simplifying works on site giving greater cost certainty, a factory assured finish, reduced deliveries to site, material movements on-site and because of the offsite approach, more efficient use of the time on site which ultimately led to the rapid build programme.

In addition, Terrapin's modular buildings can be custom-engineered to the specific needs of each project, including features such as anti-vandal protection, data networks, air conditioning, rainwater harvesting and solar energy systems improving the completed buildings' credentials and performance.

Terrapin is a privately owned company which has been expanding and promoting the potential of modern methods of offsite construction since the 1940s.

It grew with the development of modular classroom buildings throughout the baby boom and is now a leader in factory assembled building frames, panels and volumetric modules for projects such as hotels, prisons, hospitals, schools and apartments.

Terrapin is the first company to be accredited under Buildoffsite's new supplier registration scheme operated by Lloyd's Register.

The scheme standardises all aspects of the offsite process and ensures best practice, offering clients' confidence in the assured levels of competence, methodology and safe working of the accredited supplier.

Back to top