1 Westferry Circus
TOP LINE RESULTS…
- Replacement of 20-year-old cooling towers
- Siemens BMS upgrade to PX Platform
- No disruption to client's operations
- Project value: £750,000
A decline in the mechanical and electrical components of any building can result in a significant rise in energy consumption and running costs. Plant degradation can also have a negative effect on the people living or working inside. For high-end commercial real estate, with thousands of square feet under one roof, maintaining worker productivity is key.
1 Westferry Circus is located at the centre of London's thriving business district in Canary Wharf. This expansive property is distinctive for its curved façade reflecting its position on Westferry's circular road. It boasts 231,000 square feet of prime commercial office space over eight floors, at the Western end of the Wharf, and is managed by world-renowned property services company Cushman & Wakefield.
A lifecycle management review revealed a decline in plant performance and the need to replace the 20-year-old cooling towers. As a result, the BMS and all electrical systems would require an upgrade in response to the new equipment.
The review revealed other suggested improvements to keep the building running at optimum levels including water softening works, which is a common issue in London-based buildings.
Having worked with Cushman & Wakefield before on other mechanical and electrical installation projects, Sowga was already considered a trusted supplier to deliver the project.
The cooling towers needed to be replaced in a phased programme of work to ensure the building maintained an acceptable cooling load available for 'business as usual activities' and to guarantee occupier comfort. The hydraulic configuration of the system needed to allow the isolation of each tower from the condenser water systems. All associated systems had to be fully verified and analysed, including any temporary or enabling works to undertake the successful replacement of equipment.
Mechanical Work Summary
- Sowga conducted all M&E design, structural, CDM and regulation work to meet specifications
- Pipework modification to suit new towers and corroded sections replaced
- Redundant automatic shut off valves removed from cooling tower circuits
- Thermal insulation repaired and replaced where damaged. New boxes and identification labels provided
- Full balancing on cooling towers completed
- Repairs to existing gantries
- Existing water treatment plant overhauled, and components replaced where required
- Installation of two new Baltimore Air-Coil VXI 360-2 closed circuit towers rated at 2,693Kw each
Electrical and BMS Work Summary
- Siemens BMS upgrade to latest PX Platform actioned, including modification of control panels and software to interface with new cooling towers
- New wiring, containment, sensors and field equipment installed
Public Health Work Summary
- Installation of automatic chemical dosing plant including flow sensors, probes, non-returns and automatic bleeds
- Water softening works
Cushman & Wakefield now benefits from:
- Better plant performance
- Improved energy management
- Enhanced comfort for occupiers and guests
- Soft water to prevent future issues from limescale deposits
