Bob Swayne
Leaders in Law endorses Bob Swayne as our exclusively recommended Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Expert Witness expert in the United Kingdom. If you wish to get in touch with Bob use the contact information provided above.
Education
- Southampton Technical College
- Southampton College of Technology
- Polytechnic of the South Bank, London
Professional Qualifications & memberships
- City & Guilds H&V Technicians’ Certificate, Parts 1 & 2
- Registered with the Engineering Council (Registration No.424690)
- Corporate member of the Institute of Healthcare Engineering & Estate Management (AMIHEEM)
- Affiliated member of the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)
- Council Member of the Building Services Research & Information Association (BSRIA)
- Member of the Association of Consultancy & Engineering (ACE)
- Member of the UK Register of Expert Witnesses
Courses Attended
- ‘Working as a Single Joint Expert’ – 13th November 2009 – Professional Solutions Learning & Development
- ‘Update to Part 35 of the Civil Procedures Rules’ – 18th November 2009 – Bond Solon Training
- ‘Successful Communication at Experts Meetings’ – 20th June 2014 – Professional Solutions Learning & Development
- ‘Preparing for Giving Oral Evidence in Court’ – 20th June 2014 – Professional Solutions Learning & Development
Membership of Technical Committees
- BSRIA Heat Interface Unit Steering Group
- BSRIA Residential Ventilation Steering Group
- BSRIA / UKDEA Heat Networks Design Guide Steering Group
- BSRIA Press-fit Carbon Steel Consultation Group
- BSRIA Differential Pressure Control Valve Consultation Group
- BSRIA Publications Panel
Firm Description:
The Hampden Consultancy was formed in 1993 utilising the skills and expertise I had gained from the previous 25 years working for both consulting and contracting firms, dealing with all aspects of building engineering services (mechanical & electrical) on a wide range of projects, located both in the UK and overseas. These included major new hospitals, existing healthcare facilities, royal palaces, airport terminal buildings, government buildings, laboratories, commercial buildings, military establishments, hotel and leisure facilities, as well as residential developments.
Since setting up the Practice I have carried out a wide variety of commissions, including:
- undertaking of surveys and detailed investigations
- ‘trouble-shooting’ of existing engineering services installations
- preparation of designs & specifications for engineering services installations
- preparation of detailed cost estimates
- supervision of installation works & the costing of any variations arising throughout the course of such works
- witnessing of testing & commissioning procedures
- preparation of ‘snagging’ or defects lists
- overseeing of the preparation and handover of operation & maintenance documentation in accordance with the CDM Regulations
- preparation and agreeing of Final Accounts in respect to mechanical & electrical engineering services when a quantity surveyor has not been appointed on a particular project
A list of commissions undertaken by The Hampden Consultancy between January 1993 and the current date has been attached.
As such I am able to offer particular expertise with regards to mechanical engineering services, including heating, mechanical ventilation & air-conditioning, hot & cold water services, steam & condensate systems, hydrotherapy pools, medical & industrial gases, as well as the specification & application of thermal insulation to pipework systems and mechanical engineering services plant, particularly in respect to healthcare facilities.
The Practice can also offer expertise in all aspects related to electrical engineering services, again particularly with regards to healthcare facilities.
I have also carried out a number of commissions on behalf of several major PFI consortia on major healthcare projects, including advising bidders on compliance with NHS engineering standards and other related technical issues during the PFI bidding process.
In addition, during the course of my career I have also been involved in the revision and updating of the engineering services elements of a number of Health Building Notes (HBN’s) on behalf of the Department of Health. More recently I have assisted in the updating of HTM2025 (Ventilation in Healthcare Premises) and which ultimately became the current Health Technical Memorandum HTM03-01 (Specialised Ventilation for Healthcare Premises).
I am therefore able to provide specific technical advice in respect to ventilation systems within healthcare premises, especially in respect to operating theatre suites and other specialised clinical areas.
I have been involved in the preparation and implementation of tendering and contract documentation in respect to mechanical & electrical engineering services (including sub-contract works) and advising clients, whether end-users or contractors, on the application of such contracts.
I have also advised many clients (including the Home Office) on maintenance and facilities management issues related to mechanical & electrical engineering services. This has included the preparation of maintenance tendering and contract documentation, the supervision of maintenance contracts and the consequential issues resulting from a failure to adequately maintain mechanical & electrical engineering services installations.
Another specialist area that I am able to provide technical advice for is in respect to the design of mechanical engineering services for people suffering from multiple chemical sensitivity.
As part of my duties I have undertaken design audits and/or detailed technical appraisals of both new and existing mechanical & electrical engineering services installations, prepared expert witness reports and provided advice to clients and their legal representatives in respect to disputes concerning technical and/or contractual aspects related to mechanical & electrical engineering services, including issues concerning the maintenance of such installations.
I can therefore act as an expert adviser, preparing reports on issues relating to the failings of installed mechanical engineering services for clients and their legal representatives considering possible litigation/adjudication/arbitration proceedings.
I can act as a party-appointed expert for either the claimant or the defendant in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules and as such I have also given oral evidence in court, both in the Technology & Construction Court as well as at arbitration and adjudication hearings.
Similarly, I can act as a party-appointed expert for either the claimant or the defendant in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Rules.
Where required, either as a result of an agreement between the parties in a dispute, or at the direction of a Court under rule 35.7 of the Civil Procedure Rules, I am also able to act as a Single Joint Expert.
Finally, in recent years I have been heavily involved in the dispute resolution process. I am an extremely experienced expert witness, having provided technical opinions on matters relating to mechanical & electrical engineering services on claims valued between £10,000 and £10 million.
As part of my duties I have undertaken design audits and/or detailed technical appraisals of both new and existing mechanical & electrical engineering services installations, prepared expert witness reports and provided advice to clients and their legal representatives in respect to disputes concerning technical and/or contractual aspects related to mechanical & electrical engineering services, including issues concerning the maintenance of such installations.
I can therefore act as an expert adviser, preparing reports on issues relating to the failings of installed mechanical engineering services for clients and their legal representatives considering possible litigation/adjudication/arbitration proceedings.
I can act as a party-appointed expert for either the claimant or the defendant in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules and as such I have also given oral evidence in court, both in the Technology & Construction Court as well as at arbitration and adjudication hearings.
Similarly, I can act as a party-appointed expert for either the claimant or the defendant in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Rules.
Where required, either as a result of an agreement between the parties in a dispute, or at the direction of a Court under rule 35.7 of the Civil Procedure Rules, I am also able to act as a Single Joint Expert.
Where necessary, I can also act as an expert assessor under rule 35.15 of the Civil Procedure Rules.
