Loseley Fields Primary School, Godalming, Surrey — refurbishment of the school’s heating system for Learning Partners Academy Trust, replacing the low temperature hot water distribution throughout the building along with radiators, plantroom alterations and new heating controls. Delivered over six weeks.
A distribution project, not a plant project
Most heating refurbishments are concentrated in one room. This one was not.
At Loseley Fields the work was in the distribution: new low temperature hot water pipework throughout the school, and new radiators and control valves across classrooms and teaching areas. The plantroom alterations were carried out to accommodate that new system rather than being the object of the project.
That changes where the difficulty lies. Plant room work is contained — one room, one door, one set of access arrangements. Distribution work follows the pipework, which means it follows the building, into every space the school actually uses.
Phasing around a school in session
The works were phased across classrooms, corridors and plant areas so that teaching could continue. Each area was released, worked through and returned, with safe access maintained across the site throughout.
Comprehensive risk assessments and method statements were in place for every activity, supported by site inductions and controlled work areas, with coordination with school staff on which spaces were handed over and when.
Scope of works
- Strip-out and disposal of redundant heating pipework and equipment
- Installation of new low temperature hot water (LTHW) heating distribution pipework throughout the school
- Supply and installation of new radiators and associated control valves across classrooms and teaching areas
- Upgrades and modifications within the existing plantroom to accommodate the new heating system
- Installation of new heating controls to improve zoning and temperature management
- Associated electrical works to support plant, pumps and controls
- Pipework insulation
- Full system flushing, water treatment and commissioning prior to handover
- Making good including boxing-in, decoration and full site clean
Making good
On a distribution project the finishing work is not incidental. New pipework runs through occupied classrooms, and the school has to be handed back in a state fit to teach in — boxing-in, decoration and a full site clean formed part of the scope rather than being left for the trust to arrange.
Handover
The system was flushed, water treated, tested and commissioned before handover, and operational documentation was provided on completion.
Whole-building commercial heating distribution work, and the heating controls that govern it, form a substantial part of what ComGas delivers for schools and academy trusts across Surrey.
