Capcon was engaged to support the development of Dexcom’s new 65-acre campus in Athenry, a project with a significant roof area and a construction programme that required continuous coordination. The scale of the development, combined with the volume of activity on site, created conditions that placed significant pressure on how the rainwater system could be engineered and installed.
Roof areas of this size demand a drainage approach that can be integrated without disrupting other works in progress, and the pace of construction meant each decision had to support smooth coordination across the site. Capcon was appointed to design and deliver a solution that could perform reliably within this environment while fitting into a layout that was evolving rapidly.
Capcon’s Role and Engineering Scope
Capcon delivered the full design, prefabrication, and installation of a hybrid roof drainage system, along with associated underground drainage.
Key Technical Specifications
- 1,103 m of siphonic pipework (primary system)
- 1,253 m of gravity pipework (secondary system)
- All pipework thermally insulated
- 15,000 m² roof area served
- Hybrid system selected for capacity, redundancy, and architectural compatibility
Why a Hybrid Drainage System?
Dexcom’s brief was simple: deliver the most efficient drainage solution for a complex, large-scale facility. A hybrid arrangement—siphonic primary and gravity secondary—was chosen based on three key requirements:
- Operational Capacity
Siphonic drainage provides high-flow efficiency using smaller pipe diameters and long horizontal runs without gradient, ideal for large industrial roof plates.
- Resilience and Compliance
The gravity system acts as a secondary, independent safety pathway, providing redundancy and acting as a tell-tale indicator of primary performance.
- Architectural Sensitivity
The hybrid approach allowed routing that aligned with architectural expectations while avoiding intrusive structural or ceiling void impacts.
Coordination in a Highly Serviced Environment
The glucose monitor manufacturing facility was a particularly coordination-heavy building type, with dense process lines, equipment, and M&E services occupying limited ceiling space. Once the project commenced and drainage routes were approved, work on the facility was well underway. With over 1,000 total operatives on the Dexcom site at its peak, Capcon’s scope required tight sequencing and continuous coordination with partners.
Additionally, certain sections of pipe on the site passed behind structural steel, requiring specialist access solutions. Capcon collaborated with the contractor and safety teams to design a bespoke “crow’s nest” platform, enabling safe access to these constrained areas.
Integration With Capcon’s Full-Service Delivery
Capcon’s end-to-end model—design, prefabrication, installation, and coordination—was critical to meeting programme requirements.
- Design: detailed routing, clash avoidance, integration with equipment and structural zones
- Prefabrication: reduced waste, improved installation speed, enhanced safety
- Installation: sequencing around multiple trades, adherence to strict pharmaceutical protocols
- Testing: final system testing and monitoring
Sustainability and Efficiency Outcomes
The approach used for this facility produced material and environmental benefits:
- Prefabrication significantly reduced waste
- Siphonic runs minimise material use compared with a gravity-only system
- Enhanced hydraulic efficiency reduces long-term operational risk
Engineering Delivery at Scale
The Dexcom project tested every dimension of high-performance drainage engineering—complex coordination, specialist access, tight timelines, and stringent compliance. The final system reflects the combined efforts of Capcon’s design and installation teams, alongside collaborative planning with John Paul Construction.
“Our staff performed phenomenally on the job. Navigating over 1,000 people on site was challenging and tested our capabilities. I’m proud of the entire project, especially from an engineering and install perspective.” – Robert Finn, Operations Director.
