Modern Building Services

18 MODERN BUILDING SERVICES MAY 2023 PIPED SOLUTIONS CASE STUDY W hen undertaking retrofits of heritage buildings, maintaining the integrity of the structure is paramount. Structural constraints, limited access, and the risk of damage to existing building features all serve to hamper the success of any heritage retrofit. These obstacles were acutely present in the luxury conversion of the Grade II* listed OldWar Offices, Sir Winston Churchill’s base duringWorldWar II, to one of London’s landmark hotels. Planning and preparation were crucial for this project, where many factors concerning the building’s preservation needed to be considered. Heritage Considerations Retrofits of historical buildings present a unique set of challenges from the start. First, the tight architectural designs not only necessitate solutions that fit within the structural constraints, but also keep the system’s footprint to a minimum. Working in confined spaces presents its own set of difficulties, including the heightened risk of pump cavitation, lower efficiency, and damage caused by excessive vibration. Beyond this, existing decoration, furniture, paintings and wallpaper need to be taken into account when installing a new piping system, which can be easily damaged by fumes released when welding or when bringing in the welding equipment. There are also health and safety considerations when working in heritage buildings, with often higher vulnerability to fire hazards, often caused by extensive use of welding. Finding the right pipe joining method is paramount to mitigating these risks. The right pipe joining method from the start The OldWar Office building has been a London landmark for over a century. Built in 1906 by the renowned Scottish architect William Young and his son, Clyde Young, the neo-Baroque building has not only borne witness to some of the great Secretaries of State for War but was also the site of the original Palace of Whitehall, home to Henry VIII and other British monarchs. Located opposite the Horse Guards inWhitehall, the remarkable nature of the building and its location warranted piping solutions which would both preserve its past and protect its future. Engineer, AECOM, and contractor, STRUCKTORUK LTD, were tasked with the design and installation of the HVAC piping systemfor this monumental building transformation to 120 hotel rooms, 85 residences and 11 restaurants and bars. Challenges Their primary concern was the lack of adequate blueprints for the existing OWO infrastructure. Without access to detailed drawings of the existing piping system, it became increasingly clear that problems, like potential pipe collisions, could arise during the design and, more importantly, during the installation phase, which could impact both construction efficiency and the project deadline. The second challenge stemmed from the large amount of trench work that needed to be carried out in confined spaces, another area where the teamhad identified potential installation problems that could have repercussions on the time spent on the job. Specifically, the pipework was installed so close to the building’s walls in some areas, that welding around it wouldn’t be feasible. This would also hinder the joining of bolts and nuts of the flanges within the limited space. With these core challenges in mind the team needed a pipe joining solution that would fit multiple criteria. First, the piping solution must offer an easier installation process than welding and flanging, which would have been nearly impossible in the trenches. Second, it must provide the adaptability required for any potential surprises onsite, enabling the team to reroute pipe work more efficiently. They turned to Victaulic to deliver such solutions. The OldWar Office: Modern piping solutions to old problems Brought to you by Victaulic