26
PROJECT
Energy-saving concepts for an old building
From left : Bernard Bezuidenhout and Andrew Burgess of Burgess and Partners .
All images © Plumbing Africa | Rory Macnamara
By
By Rory Macnamara and Darryl Brainin , projects director , Burgess and Partners
The building in question was built at a time when energy technology and the focus on energy was not as intense as it is now .
Comprising four accommodation blocks , and a commercial kitchen , the primary objective was to save electricity and at the same time bring the equipment up to speed , and to achieve this to the compulsory standards .
The scope of work was extensive in that it required the supply and installation of a new hot water reticulation system in copper pipe and materials to service the guest rooms from the boiler room . It required that the boiler room be thoroughly cleaned , ensuring the new installation be free of dirt that may find its way into the system .
Copper piping and materials had to be supplied and installed in the boiler room and the entire new pipe system had to have new thermal installation .
New hot water circulation pumps and controllers had to be installed to counter the ‘ dead leg ’ in the buildings . To achieve savings , new
Return pipes with insulation .
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline April 2021 Volume 27 I Number 2