Project Description

Vital Heating Solutions attended the site and submitted a full heating report regarding the existing heating system to the client. The system in place was extremely inefficient. The boiler was in poor condition and the existing pumps and controls were obsolete. The calorifiers were also obsolete and in poor condition as well as the pipework and radiators.  

Within the existing system there was;  

  • 1 x 80kw Ideal Evomax Boiler located in the staff room 
  • 1 x 2 Channel programmer also located in the staff room 

We reported the following; 

  • The Evomax boiler was showing signs of corrosion and system noise 
  • There was no air or dirt separation 
  • There was no low loss header, causing excessive plume and corrosion within the boiler 
  • The boiler was connected to a one-pipe system  
  • There were no temperature/altitude gauges 
  • There was no pressurisation unit fitted 
  • The pipework to the boiler was missing insulation 
  • The flue system was showing signs or corrosion and leaks 
  • The PRV was terminated to the staff room floor
  • The condensate external length was 6 metres and was terminated incorrectly 

The second part of the system was located in the basement: 

  • 2 x 300 litre hot water calorifiers 

We reported the following: 

  • There was no immersion backup  
  • There was no cylinder thermostat (temperature control) 
  • Open vent gravity cylinders 
  • There was no pipework insulation 
  • The cylinders were estimated to be over 40 years old 
  • There was no secondary return pipework or pumps 
  • There was asbestos insulation 

Regarding the emitters / distribution we reported the following: 

  • There was a high water content in the cast iron radiators 
  • There was a one-pipe system (inefficient)  
  • There was no thermostatic control  
  • The entire system was on one zone with no room temperature control 
  • The radiators and pipework were showing signs of corrosion and blockages 
  • The radiators were cold 
  • The classrooms had electric heaters plugged in due to the inefficient heating system which was driving up maintenance and energy costs 
  • There was an increased fire and safety risk due to the electric heaters 

Vital Heating Solutions put together a proposal for the works that were required in order to bring the system up to date, which was submitted to the client and subsequently saw us win the contract.  

We proposed a new Plant Room, to be located in the basement, comprising of: 

  • Installation of two Vaillant commercial boilers with Jig system 
  • A new vertical room sealed flue system 
  • Plate heat exchanger 
  • Auto top-up systems 
  • Installation of a Vaillant BMS controller with zoned room thermostats and active weather compensation 
  • Installation of two 300 litre unvented cylinders 
  • New pipework and emitters to be fitted throughout the building 
  • Insulation of all pipework, and labelling 
  • Flushing and commissioning of the system 
  • Registration of all warranties and benchmarks 

Execution and Outcome: 

The programme of works was set over a 7-week timescale inclusive of weekends and extended evening hours.  We carried out safe isolation of gas and water services allowing asbestos removal to commence. The distribution pipework and emitters were decommissioned and removed from site.  Joiners and decorators could then prepare the space for the new installation to take place. 

New copper pipework was installed throughout. Convector heaters and radiators were installed on separate zones: 

  • East zone – radiators 
  • North zone – fan connectors 
  • South zone – radiators  
  • West zone – radiators  

The new plant room was installed and connected to the new pipework in a newly formed riser created to hide the new pipework runs.

Vital Heating Solutions successfully completed this project on time, leaving the school with a brand-new system within the fixed 7-week timescale. Paul Waddington – Operations Manager, QEGS said, I am completely happy with the service Vital provide us and wish I had acquired their services sooner.