Phase 1, which comprised the replacement of the central infrastructure (replacement of chillers, air handling unit, control systems and the pipework connecting those elements) is now complete. Phase 2 will connect this infrastructure to new air convectors in each flat, which will replace the existing Weathermaster units.
A few adjustments and enhancements have been implemented compared to the initial plans drawn up in 2021-2022. Rather than replacing the defunct chillers located in the lower ground plant room with new chillers, these have been replaced by heat pumps on the roof of the building, which are more efficient in terms of energy consumption, and no longer need the cooling tower to which the old chillers were connected. The elimination of the cooling tower allows significant maintenance cost savings, particularly in relation to the water treatment costs.
Site team in place ready for the old chiller to be lifted out
Chillers being removed by the contract lift crane
AHU being lifted into position during the road closure
AHU placed in position after lift and installed in the roof plant room enclosure
Full road closure on Cumberland Place
Most of the original infrastructure of the building, dating back to the 1960’s, is poorly documented, or not documented at all. As a result, the budget for Phase 1 comprised contingencies for “unknowns”. It was believed at the onset of the project that the costs of asbestos removal or confinement might be one of the most significant cost risks. Ultimately, this cost turned out to be slightly less than anticipating, thereby generating a saving.
On the other hand, the condition of most of the original pipework, either covered in old lagging or concealed in wall cavities, turned out to be far worse than anticipated. Whereas one could expect the uninsulated pipes that run up from the basement to feed the air convectors in each flat to be severely corroded, removing the lagging from the larger pipework that collects and distributes the fluid across the whole system revealed very serious corrosion, meaning that these pipes are reaching the end of their life-cycle.
As a consequence of this, the entire circuit of corroded steel pipework will have been replaced with new copper pipes, fitted with additional stop valves which will allow each section of the network to be drained individually when required for maintenance purposes rather than draining the whole system as was the case until now.
The basement plant room and building’s roof top pipework have now been replaced, as can be seen on the following pictures. This will be followed by the replacement of the distribution pipework which runs above the ceiling of the entrance lobby and corridor; after which Phase 2 can commence, to connect this new pipework to each of the air convectors throughout the building.
The original infrastructure has lasted just over 60 years. The replacement pipework will serve the building for many decades to come.
