COOL – FIT 2.0 passes its Cambridge examination
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February 3, 2017
Cambridge University’s International Assessment Group is in the process of moving into spacious and stylish new premises, where the latest insulated pipework system from GF Piping Systems has been specified to help maintain a comfortable indoor environment.
The Triangle has been built for Cambridge Assessment by main contractor, Bouygues, while Allied Mechanical Services was the M&E sub-contractor responsible for installing the package of COOL-FIT 2.0 pipe systems, which range from 32mm to 140mm in diameter and will carry chilled or low temperature hot water around the five storey buildings. The total value of the COOL-FIT 2.0 pipes and other components for the work on Phase 1 of The Triangle will be in excess of £400K.
The project’s designers were looking for economic solution for distributing the chilled water, and hot water (30ºC) for the space heating, around the office spaces as well as ancillary areas to The Triangle and were attracted to COOL-FIT 2’s performance benefits as well as its versatility.
This new solution – suitable for chilled water, glycol, saline or alcohol – features factory insulated polyethylene (PE) pipe in a full range of diameters, which are then encased in HDPE or stainless steel outer pipe to offer long-term protection and rigidity. The integral insulation (GFHE) not only reduces energy losses, but counters the build-up of condensation and mould growth. The boilers are being installed on top of one building with the second housing in a chilled plant room while, internally, Allied Mechanical Services’ operatives assembled the main pipe runs as 375 separate modular units, each six metres in length. These are then suspended from racks anchored to the structural soffits.
Newmarket based Allied Mechanical Services has grown its business over the past 30 years to the point where it now has a workforce of 70 and an annual turnover of £11 M, including both new build and maintenance contracts in a diverse range of sectors. Allied Mechanical Services started work on the strategy for the installation in February 2016 and had already discussed and planned with Bouygues’ MEP manager to use innovative products and to utilise the modulation route for installation. Part of that strategy was to fabricate, offset and then transport completed multi-service modules to site, craned onto the floor and then distributed by hand to the correct locations. Consideration was given to other products but Allied Mechanical Services engaged George Fischer in the first instance for the widely used INSTAFLEX range, which would be utilised for the domestic water services and it was during these discussions that the COOL-FIT 2.0 product was discussed prior to its launch. Allied Mechanical Services saw many benefits in using this product as it is lightweight and pre-insulated which, is the philosophy on the ductwork system installed. The lightweight nature meant that manual handling would be made easier and more manageable around a very busy site with multiple disciplines and trades working in close proximity. The module was then designed in a very different manner to the traditional modules built within the market as there would be no need to support a heavy “dry” load, meaning that the overall “wet” weight would be less and therefore the advantage of developing this bespoke module, being innovative in its approach and design, is an ethos shared by both Bouygues and ourselves.
Project manager, Tony Buckley, commented: “Because COOL-FIT 2.0 was just being launched to the market when this project was being specified, we made a joint technical presentation with George Fischer to the client and their consultants, to explain the benefits. Amongst the points, which impressed, were GF’s philosophy on recycling and sustainability, as well as the fact copper is not being specified on the project. We have pre-built all the pipework and electrical containment into the separate modules before suspending them from the soffit and the chilled beams are fed off these.” The buildings in phase one are due to be handed over in June 2017.
