Cofathec Heatsave has been on site since 2002 providing maintenance care for mechanical and electrical plant and also overseeing specialist sub-contractors covering lifts, security, fire-alarm and lightning-protection systems. There is a resident team of four, supported by engineers with specialist HVAC skills.
The contract is a mix of planned and reactive work, and Cofathec engineers have adapted well to the job-card system developed by the Greenwich Foundation that grades call-outs depending on urgency. The on-site engineers play an important role in identifying improved methods of operation that will enhance occupancy comfort and and make operational savings.
Plant ranges from 30-year old 370 kW gas-fired boilers through to modern modular boilers and convection services to supply heat to the site’s buildings. The associated pumps, fans, air-handling units, temperature sensors and calorifiers have an equally wide age range, and they are under the control of systems from several manufacturers.
Inside, the decoration is spectacular. A fine example is the Painted Hall within the King William Building, where the walls are canvasses for the works of Sir James Thornhill from 1707 to 1726. A displacement heating system with zoned heat pumps and ducted air-handling units supplies conditioned air at low level, so that warm air rises naturally.
Lighting for this hall makes use of a 1.5 m-wide ledge at ceiling height, allowing the walls to be illuminated from above. The door for accessing this area is hidden within a painted panel, with only the keyhole being visible. A small spiral staircase leads to a walkway created within the roof area to provide access to the lighting equipment.
Energy-saving measures introduced by Cofathec include energy-efficient lamps throughout the site. Savings in toilet areas include regulated urinal flushing and controlled water supply to the taps.
