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University Of Kent- Ballistics Range

Project: University of Kent Ballistics Range
Client: ECC
Project Value: Approx. £290,000
Location: Canterbury, Kent

Overview

In partnership with ECC, Actiform was appointed to design, manufacture, and deliver a specialist modular facility for the University of Kent to house a state-of-the-art experimental ballistics range. The £290,000 scheme formed a key part of the university’s ongoing investment in its School of Natural Sciences, enhancing both teaching and research capabilities in forensic science.

Delivered via modern methods of construction, the modular solution offered speed, safety, and precision – qualities essential to a specialist facility of this nature.

Scope of Works

The facility was designed to support:

  • Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in forensic ballistics
  • Live firing experiments using a secure, remotely operated system
  • Research into projectile physics, ricochet patterns, and wound dynamics
  • Third-party use for external ballistics testing and validation

To meet these needs, Actiform’s modular solution integrated a range of ballistic-specific safety and environmental features, all constructed to exacting standards off-site and installed with minimal disruption on campus.

Key Features of the Facility

  • Anti-ricochet internal wall lining and a purpose-designed rubber bullet trap at the target end
  • Remote firing system enabling safe operation during live tests
  • Specialist acoustic treatment and ballistic containment systems
  • Ventilation system engineered to safely extract chemical residues from fired ammunition
  • Sensitive projectile detection equipment to measure trajectory and velocity

Integration of a comparison microscope space for forensic bullet examination

Outcome & Impact

The modular ballistics range is now a central asset to the University of Kent’s forensic science programme. It supports modules such as Firearms and Ballistics and Introduction to Ballistics, providing hands-on experience for students and researchers. The facility has also opened opportunities for external collaboration with forensic service providers, law enforcement agencies, and academic partners.

This project stands as a strong example of how modular construction can successfully deliver specialist, high-performance environments – even in complex scientific or security-sensitive sectors.

Working closely with estates and clinical leads, Actiform supported the design development for the transformation of our clinical emergency care services for the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow. This involved a complete design and build modular construction to complement the creation of a state-of-the-art emergency care service.

Actiform helped us to embrace the opportunities presented by a new modular build clinical space with appropriate technology to create and support a new model of service that responds to changing clinical needs, meets the trust’s corporate objectives, and complies with sector building performance targets that we will need to meet.

The Actiform team mapped out the route to move away from the traditional siloed traditional structures, facilitating the opportunity to adopt a more flexible and adaptable approach to support services that will be complimented by technology, and support our digital clinical strategy development.

The Actiform project team worked ‘hand in hand’ with their design team to create a future focused build that rethinks the way a NHS trust delivers modular construction within a conventional ageing and varied built environment, and that is integrated into the core operation of the hospital. The completed build environment was an integral part of the overall strategy for the new emergency care services.

Pasqualino Risi, Associate director of Estates and Facilities, Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

The whole team at Actiform provide an outstanding level of customer service. Their knowledge of modular building and taking our design thoughts and turning these working collaboratively into completed projects makes working with the team very enjoyable.

Actiform have a very good network of dependable third-party trades which complement the experience and push the art of the possible in terms of innovation.

Not really sure what you could do better as when we raise issues they are dealt with in a timely manner, and you have good processes to ensure we never experience the same issue twice.

Steve Wilcock, Chief Operating Officer, TAC Healthcare

The service we received from Actiform in acquiring additional modular office space was exceptional. From the initial flexibility around design to meet our needs, through to achieving delivery and install on time was first class. Nothing was too much trouble and the communication throughout the process was excellent, whilst providing a value for money solution.

Steve Preston, Operations Manager, Leeds Federated Housing Association

Having used Actiform to supply a large compound set up on a Smart Motorway project, the service received was second to none. From the initial enquiry to the final installation, all aspects of the project went to plan. The cabin design and layout was revised on numerous occasions and no request or alteration seemed to be too much trouble. All communication, planning and installation was very collaborative and all key dates and deadlines were actually completed ahead of programme.

Corin Feltham in particular offered his wealth of knowledge and experience throughout the process along with introducing some excellent ideas to save both time and money. All in all a good experience working with Actiform and I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again on other schemes.

Dave Wright, Site Agent, Kier Highways

Back in the autumn of 2015 we had a requirement to procure offices and welfare facilities of 3,000m2 plus over 3 floors for our Tideway-East project in Bermondsey, London.

We went out to tender and Actiform provided a construction package that we eventually purchased. Right from the start – sales , tender, design, manufacture, installation and aftercare support, Actiform have been very professional, proactive and suggested cost saving solutions without compromising our facilities. Their site installation team had all the correct RAMS and certification to carry out our installation in a planned and well organised time scale.

From the beginning both parties, CVB JV and Actiform, have worked openly and honestly together and we have an excellent working relationship. I cannot praise Actiform enough and would certainly recommend them to any prospective client.

Gordon Alexander, CVB JV