Sycamore Square Group were appointed to provide lead consultant, project management, contract administration and principal designer services for this project. The scheme included for the removal of a gas fired boiler plant and pneumatic heating controls, improvements to LED lighting across the buildings, installation of solar photovoltaics, replacement of air handling units and the replacement of 1970s transformer units. The new plant for heating and hot water were large air source heat pumps roof mounted on new steelwork structures as well as water to water heat pumps and associated vessels and pumps. The main JBP library roof was also replaced during the plant replacement with 240mm-300mm of insulation to reduce heat losses and allow the plant replacements to take place. The project was externally funded, and additional reporting and project monitoring was required by Salix. We facilitated and managed this process alongside the Universities internal project governance and managed the monthly reporting to Salix, closure of conditions, monthly drawdowns and requirements for completion of the grant.
The works were undertaken whilst the building was still operational and in use. This meant closely sequencing the plant and transformer switching works in and around teaching and student activities. The secondary side of the plant room was operational and commissioned whilst connected to the existing gas fired boiler. The Air Source Heat Pumps and domestic water air source heat pumps were then connected and commissioned with a staged loading approach. The replacement air handling unit works were undertaken over the Summer months where usage was at is lowest and mitigation and monitoring put in place to ensure adequate temperatures and Co2 levels were maintained. In addition, as the buildings and campus were occupied safeguarding and the control of site security, lifting operations and scaffolding were critical and especially as the student hub and library is one the Universities most widely used buildings. The sequencing of deliveries, controlled lifts and delivery of plant was closely coordinated around teaching periods, exams, clearing period embargos, graduations, open days and other University business as usual critical events.
