Durham Cathedral installs Remeha boilers for major restoration
Durham Cathedral has chosen Remeha boilers to provide efficient space heating for its newly refurbished monastic rooms. The three Gas 310 Eco Pro boilers have been installed in the latest phase of the Open Treasure development programme, a project which is part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, to restore some of the most spectacular areas of the cathedral to transform them into new exhibitions spaces.
In installing the new heating, careful consideration was required to achieve the highest environmental and conservation standards to protect the mediaeval building and the rare cultural artefacts on display, including the Anglo Saxon relics of St Cuthbert.
Stewart Park, technical director at TGA Consulting Engineers, explained, ‘When it came to specification, reliability was important due to the need to maintain continuous heating services in these very important spaces. Ease of installation was an additional factor due to the nature of the monastic complex with its listed status and mediaeval fabric.’
Vaughan Engineering installed the boilers. Project manager Dave Rodley explained, ‘As the plant room is on the first floor, logistics was of prime importance. The boilers were hoisted to the first floor and manoeuvred through a removed window, with the boiler only just fitting through the space. The boilers were commissioned by GFA Gastech.’
Two of the boilers serve the Monks’ Dormitory (pictured) and a new collections gallery, formerly the library search room.
Cast-iron radiators in the Monks’ Dormitory were chosen for their aesthetic qualities and robustness. The system also included locally sited convector heaters to help regulate and circulate air to achieve comfortable conditions in the study areas.
The third boiler serves the Great Kitchen, one of only two surviving monastic kitchens in England, and which has been transformed with minimal disturbance to the original stonework. Exhibits include the relics of St Cuthbert, one of the founders of Christianity in England.
Open Treasure is due to open in 2016.
