Case Study – Archway Health Clinic – NHS
Heating, Air Conditioning and Waste Disposal System
The Background
When the NHS commissioned a vital state of the art clinic for north London in 2009 they wanted the very best. As they look back on that ambition in 2010 they acknowledge they got what they wanted.
The task was to convert an old billiard hall into a specialist 6500 sq ft clinic with 30 consulting rooms, 8 lavatory areas, kitchens, showers, utility rooms and even a laboratory. It would serve more than a million people in the nation’s capital.
The NHS’s requirements for heating, air-conditioning and waste disposal were demanding and lengthy. The key provisions included:
- Reliable pressurised central heating system
- New incoming water supply to each sanitary fitment
- Return hot and cold water circuits
- Direct gas-fired units in several locations
- Fan-assisted air handling units for air-conditioning
- Anti-vac waste disposal system for lavatory areas
- All associated electrical and mechanical systems
A high degree of engineering skill across a wide variety of disciplines was needed to deliver these demanding requirements. The NHS were put in touch with Watret because of their engineering reputation and eventually asked them to carry out all the works.
The Solution
Watret’s planning team started by mapping a complete set of working drawings showing the layout of all the mechanical and electrical ductwork throughout the building as well as the locations of the gas-fired units and the sanitary ware. They designed the plant room and drew up schemas for the air conditioning and the human waste disposal.
Once the design was complete, Watret’s engineering team set to work. The project began in November 2009 and, though often working in very difficult conditions, Watret completed the work within the 6 month time window, finishing in April 2010.
The Result
All of Watret’s installations at Archway are working perfectly and the NHS is delighted with the outcome.
