Premier Technical Services Group Ltd (PTSG) has been contracted to deliver specialist electrical services at Dartford’s Orchard Theatre.
This theatre has a capacity of 1,091 seats and has successfully hosted a variety of performances, including West End productions and local theatre shows. It was built by Dartford Borough Council and opened by the Duke of Kent in April 1983.
The theatre initially closed in September 2023 due to problems with the building’s roof and will not open until at least May 2025. Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) a material used extensively in the 1980s due to its lightweight and cost-effective properties, was discovered in the theatre’s roof structure during checks last year. This kind of concrete was used in thousands of public buildings in the 1980s as it was considered a cheap and lightweight alternative to traditional concrete.
In this contract, engineers from PTSG Electrical Services Ltd will install a new lightning protection system to protect the structure and its users in the event of an electrical storms. Such storms are far more prevalent than many people realise, with 300,000 to 400,000 strikes occurring each year on average. As the UK’s leading provider of lightning protection services, PTSG provides bespoke and turnkey lightning and surge protection solutions for customers in all sectors. The Group’s engineers also delivers testing and inspection of systems to ensure they remain compliant with regulations, and specialist earthing systems.
