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Project
especially when it involves maintaining operations in a fully functional environment with 1 200 students expecting hot water daily .
Rian Marais and WG van der Hoven , of SHC Consulting Engineers in February 2024 completed the overhaul of systems in a university residence cluster , a project which intersected the plumbing and HVAC sectors .
The project , known internally as Cluster Three , presented a unique set of challenges and opportunities , says Marais . “ It involved the refurbishment of five existing residences to
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1 and 2 : The Mitsubishi heat pumps within the plant room .
accommodate the students while ensuring minimal disruption to university activities .”
Despite meticulous planning , the project was not without its challenges . “ Operating within the confines of an active university campus required strict adherence to schedules and protocols . With student residences still occupied during construction , the contractors faced stringent working hour limitations , particularly during exam periods . Navigating these constraints demanded close co-ordination and effective communication among all stakeholders .”
SHC Consulting began working on the project ’ s planning and design phases in September 2022 , culminating in a two-phase completion schedule . The first phase , completed by October 2023 , focused on installing heat pumps and storage vessels . The subsequent phase , finalised by February 2024 , addressed internal piping within the residences .
Central to the project ' s success was the careful consideration of design elements . “ Of critical importance was optimising system efficiency while minimising downtime by strategically timing operations to coincide with off-peak electricity hours . To achieve this , we proposed a strategy of closely monitoring campus energy demand and implementing load-shifting techniques ,” explains Marais .
One key component of this strategy included 25 % -oversized storage vessels , allowing for increased water reserves almost like a battery to sustain operations during peak demand periods when the system might be automatically switched off when reaching maximum power consumption . “ The partnership with Mitsubishi was integral to the project ' s success , with their technology playing a central role in the system ' s functionality .”
Technical specifications , including the use of Mitsubishi heat pumps and Wilo pumps assisted greatly with efficiency and reliability , says Marais . The specialised contractors , including those responsible for plumbing , electrical work and control systems , played crucial roles in bringing the vision to fruition .
The project was based on a competitive tendering process mandated by the university . DATEC ’ s and Plumbspec ' s multidisciplinary expertise in both plumbing and HVAC systems made them an ideal partner for the project , ensuring seamless integration between various components .
“ The choice of heat pump systems played a pivotal role . Mitsubishi ' s heat pump technology was selected for its efficiency and reliability , because there remains some reservation about heat pump technology in cold-winter environments like the Free State where many clients are adamant they want nothing less than 60 ° C water temperature .” To address this , the team elevated the heat pump units off the ground to mitigate the impact of icy ground conditions .
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RACA Journal I April 2024 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za