Modern Building Services

MODERN BUILDING SERVICES JUNE 2021 17 FEATURE VERTICAL FOCUS SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS The heating system includes a range of equipment, including the pipework and radiators on the distribution side. It’s therefore essential to take a holistic look at system design to achieve the best possible solution to meet all project and site requirements and meet the school’s immediate and long-term needs. This may dictate whether the project involves a boiler replacement using existing pipework, or a more involved project that removes existing pipework before replacement. A further consideration is water quality, as this has a considerable impact on the performance of heating and hot water systems. While it is sometimes possible to re-use older pipework in a refurbishment project, this should be considered in light of factors such as the age and condition of the existing system. Modern heating technologies and techniques Keeping up to date with the latest heating technologies and techniques will make it easier tomeet modern heat challenges and demands. Early consultation withmanufacturers will help ensure that themost appropriate solution is selected for the project that achieves the required outcomes within budget. Remeha’s time-saving, offsite- fabricated heating systems, for example; might provide the best solution for a school that needs a school boiler replacement to take place in a half-term break rather than during the summer holidays. Or for schools keen to future proof the system to integrate low carbon technology at a later date, selecting a next generation boiler with a wide temperature differential and operating range, might best meet the requirement. Controls Ensuring that an adequate control strategy is in place is crucial to optimise performance and efficiency. While this doesn’t have to be elaborate, it is advisable to consider new approaches to controls to reflect the performance of modern heating technology. This might include updating the sequencing of boilers to suit the new equipment and any changes to heating and hot water demands created by usage patterns. Early engagement Refurbishing school heating systems might ultimately mean a shift to heat pumps, smart electric water heating equipment, or hydrogen boilers. But where the feasible options are currently limited, it’s imperative to act on the achievable opportunities for energy and emissions reduction. With early engagement between consultant engineers, specifiers, contractors and manufacturers, we can identify the appropriate stages and overcome the typical refurbishment challenges. Whatever is deemed the appropriate technology of the future for the individual school building, progress will be much easier to achieve if we, as an industry, work together to lay firm foundations now. UK’s 2038 emissions reduction target Number of UK school buildings (Source: British Educational Suppliers Association; figures correct at 2017) UK school buildings built before 1976 (Source: Property Data Summary Programme Summary Report) UK school buildings constructed before 1966 Number of England schools with faulty boilers or heaters (Source: Times Educational Supplement (TES)) Estimated savings in UK schools through improved energy management (The Carbon Trust Whole School Approach to Energy Savings report) Free download: www.baxiheating. co.uk/schools