The project involved retrofitting and upgrading the HVAC system’s existing chillers with cutting-edge air source heat pump systems – all while the 265,800ft2 building remained fully operational and occupied without disruption.
“The partnership with Victaulic allowed us to deliver an efficient solution tailored to the needs of the building and its tenants. The simplicity of the installation process, compared to flame-based pipe joining, helped us stay on schedule and reduce the carbon footprint of the project,” says Chris Rodwell, Mechanical Project Manager at MEP contractor WS Swift.
London is implementing various strategies to decarbonise its buildings. The Greater London Authority (GLA) reports that 78% of greenhouse gases in the UK’s capital are produced from buildings. The built environment has a significant role to play in meeting the UK’s climate action targets.
WS Swift’s Managing Director, Daniel Swift, says: “Sustainability is at the heart of what we do. On this Stephen Street project, Victaulic’s solutions meant we were able to minimise emissions, reuse components, and support a circular economy – all while delivering a cutting-edge HVAC system. Decarbonising an existing building is far more complex than starting from scratch. This project shows how combining new technology with thoughtful planning can transform older spaces into sustainable, energy-efficient environments with little to no impact on building operation.”
RETROFITTING AN OPERATIONAL BUILDING
During the planning phase, WS Swift initially considered welding for the retrofit, but early assessments revealed that the time required for welders to be on-site would be almost permanent, not a scenario that would work for the contractor or the building owner. Given these constraints, teamed with the requirement for low emissions, Victaulic came out as the ideal solution.
“During planning, we took our original drawings to Victaulic’s Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) department,” Daniel adds. “They converted our welded model into detailed 3D drawings which helped to visualise and optimise the piping design and mitigate any potential system clashes prior to installation.”
Another major factor in choosing Victaulic was the need to work in an occupied building. Since tenants were in place throughout the upgrade, safety on-site was a key consideration and the flamefree pipe joining method from Victaulic eliminated any potential risk of fire. Instead of welding, pipes are grooved and joined with a mechanical coupling secured by two bolts. This method is faster, requires no specialist labour, produces no on-site emissions, and offers clear visual confirmation of proper installation. Additionally, the couplings are easily removable and reusable.
MEETING TIGHT DEADLINES
Upgrading an HVAC system in an operational building presents unique challenges. With the project taking place during the summer of 2024, it was crucial to keep the building cool throughout the installation process.
Daniel explains: “Multiple systems were running back-to-back to keep the building cool. As we shut down old chillers, we provided temporary cooling systems – all using Victaulic products – allowing the temporary system to be quickly disassembled and reconfigured at a new location, all using the same materials. At times, the parts of the existing and new cooling systems were running simultaneously, meaning that there was a constant need to change configuration. We were able to temporarily build sections of the plant room and then relocate them to other parts of the building when needed.”
Time considerations were also critical. Project deadlines are always important, however when upgrading a fully occupied and operational building, there is even more pressure. Victaulic’s Installation-Ready couplings are designed for quick and easy installation, translating to faster assembly times and resulting in less time on site. The reconfigurable nature of the system allows for live modifications to be made quickly and easily on-site, reducing the risk of delays.
With the GLA introducing The Accelerated Green Pathway, which outlines that 2.2 million heat pumps will be in use in London’s buildings by 2030, there is no doubt that Victaulic and WS Swift’s work will be replicated many times in the coming years.
“This project is a testament to the power of innovative partnerships in shaping a greener future,” Daniel concludes.
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