POCHIN INSTALLS EUROPE’S LARGEST WATER LOOP HEAT PUMP SYSTEM
Pochin Contractors has installed Europe's largest water loop heat pump system at Walker House, at Exchange Flags in Liverpool city centre.
The installation of the air-conditioning system, known as the Colt Colaris system, involved the closure of the roads surrounding the square to Exchange Flags for 24 hours, to ensure the safe installation of the water coolant system by two John Sutch cranes. The first, a computerised tower crane, was positioned on Rumford Street and lifted the condenser units to the fifth floor. The second crane, weighing 350tonnes, arrived in sections and was positioned on Tithebarn / Chapel street. This crane lifted all plant requirements, including the air-handling units (AHU) to the 11th floor. In total the crane completed 27 lifts.
The joint venture is undertaking a £15million refurbishment of Walker House, which measures 27,870 sq m (300,000 sq ft). The Ministry of Defence has taken a pre-let of 6,503 sq m (70,000 sq ft) at the building, which is due to be completed in Autumn this year. Its counterpart, Horton House, has already been restored to its former glory and is home to tenants including lawyer Brabners Chaffe Street, Knight Frank, Regus and Deloittes.
Jonathan Pochin, contracts director of Pochin Contractors comments: "Whilst this system has been installed in Europe and especially Holland, at 1900KW, it's the largest to date. The water loop heat pump system offers significantly less refrigerant than alternative direct expansion systems and the onsite-manufactured duct work we have additionally used is lightweight and easier to install.
"We have worked with an extremely experienced team with the capabilities to deliver this and we are now working on the remaining part of the refurbishment which is due for completion in September, in time for the Ministry of Defence's arrival."
Mike Ryan, Associate at Troup Bywaters + Anders (TB+A), M&E consultant for the scheme adds: "We provided the initial concepts for Walker House and decided on a VRF water loop heat pump system rather than a traditional four pipe fan coil system on efficiency and sustainability grounds, helping us contribute to a "very good" post design BREEAM rating.
"In terms of the building itself, we tried to be as sympathetic to the historic building as possible, whilst producing an air-conditioning technology, which would compete with new build developments."