Capital Tower
Commercial building maintenance Cardiff
CMSL delivers commercial building maintenance in Cardiff at Capital Tower, a complex high rise office building with a wide range of landlord assets and live tenant spaces.
The contract is ongoing and has been retained through strong site knowledge, technical understanding and a practical approach to self delivery.
Services provided
Planned and reactive maintenance
• Planned preventative maintenance
• Reactive maintenance
• Minor works
• Asset condition reporting
• First response support
Mechanical and electrical maintenance
• Mechanical maintenance
• Electrical maintenance
• HVAC systems
• Fan coil units
• Chillers
• Air handling units
• Lighting systems
Compliance and specialist systems
• Statutory compliance
• Water treatment
• Fire safety systems
• BMS management and optimisation
• Entry systems
• Specialist monitoring
Background
Capital Tower is a 25 storey commercial office building in Cardiff.
The building stands 80 metres tall and covers approximately 190,000 sq. ft. It is a large, multi tenant environment with landlord assets across lift lobbies, plantrooms, car parks, toilets, lighting, chillers, fan coil units, AHUs, fire alarms, water systems, entry systems and BMS controls.
CMSL maintains around 140 assets across the site.
The contract began in October 2018 and remains ongoing. However, CMSL’s knowledge of the building goes further back, with more than 12 years of experience across previous and current ownership.
When This Property Matters took over the building, CMSL retained the contract because of its established site knowledge, engineer presence and understanding of the building’s technical history.
Before the current delivery approach was embedded, the site had limited self delivery. A high level of work was subcontracted, which meant some building issues were not fully identified, reported or progressed.
As a result, the client needed better visibility, stronger reactive control and clearer planning for future asset investment.
Actions
CMSL started with a full site condition review and asset validation process.
Around 140 assets were logged and actively managed. This gave the client a clearer view of what was on site, what condition it was in and what needed attention.
A structured PPM regime was then implemented, aligned to SFG20 principles. This improved visibility of planned maintenance, compliance activity and asset condition.
A static engineer now attends reactive works within scope. This means issues can be assessed faster, and where possible, resolved without relying on subcontractors.
Communication was also improved between the site engineer, the client, tenants and subcontractors.
Monthly client meetings now support clearer reporting, faster escalation and better planning around live building operations.
Key works and improvements
• LED lighting upgrades
• AHU motor upgrades and replacements
• CCTV camera upgrades
• BMS optimisation and fault correction
• Generator checks
• Water risk assessments and monitoring
• Fire evacuation drill support
• Testing of stairwell pressurisation systems
• Replacement of ageing valves, pumps and control components
• Specialist monitoring for performance tracking
Operational challenges
Capital Tower presents several operational challenges.
Some floors operate 24/7, so access and scheduling need careful planning. In addition, parts of the building’s plant and pipework date back to the 1960s.
Because of this, CMSL needs to balance day to day maintenance with forward planning, lifecycle advice and capital investment recommendations.
This is where site familiarity matters. The team understands the building’s history, recurring issues and operational pressures, which helps keep maintenance practical and controlled.
Outcomes
CMSL’s approach has improved visibility, reliability and control across Capital Tower.
The asset validation process has given This Property Matters a clearer understanding of the site. It supports better lifecycle planning and helps the client make more informed investment decisions.
Increased self delivery has also reduced subcontractor reliance. As a result, response times have improved and the client has greater control over reactive maintenance costs.
The structured maintenance regime has contributed to:
• Improved PPM completion rates
• Better statutory compliance visibility across fire, water and HVAC systems
• Reduced repeat reactive issues
• Improved first time fix capability through on-site engineer attendance
• Faster response and attendance times
• Improved communication with tenants and TPM staff
• Greater control over subcontractor quality and performance
Energy and asset performance
Energy efficiency has improved through LED lighting upgrades, AHU motor replacements and ongoing BMS optimisation.
These works support the wider aim of improving the building’s EPC performance while keeping a live commercial environment operational.
The improvements also give the client better insight into how building systems are performing and where future investment should be prioritised.
Social value and local delivery
CMSL has supported local value by using Cardiff and South Wales based engineers and local subcontractors.
Electrical apprentices have also gained practical site experience at Capital Tower. This supports local skills development while giving apprentices exposure to a live commercial building.
This approach reflects CMSL’s local for local delivery model. It keeps knowledge close to site and helps build long term capability in the region.
Commercial building maintenance outcome
This project shows how commercial building maintenance in Cardiff can improve compliance, asset visibility and building performance across a complex high rise environment.
It also reflects the value of long term site knowledge. CMSL continues to work closely with This Property Matters, with future improvements under review, including a potential full air conditioning upgrade, point of use water heaters in toilet areas and removal of calorifiers.
