The project

The University of Bath received a royal charter in 1966, although it can trace its roots back to the 16th-century Merchant Venturers’ Technical College. The main campus, overlooking the city, was built on a greenfield site in 1960s modernist style, mainly from concrete and glass. There is a continuing programme of refurbishments and new facilities: 12 new-build projects have been completed since the turn of the century. Part of the establishment is an energy centre, supporting a considerable part of the campus. The University of Bath has around 15,000 students, with about 70% coming from within the UK.

Our design 

A1 Flue Systems was brought in by NG Bailey to help to renew the university’s energy centre. Four new Hoval Ultragas boilers were going to be fitted, each requiring a 500 mm diameter twin-wall flue system. It was specified that the work should be in three phases. Phase 1 involved short horizontal sections starting above two of the boilers, not connected. Phase 2 was for straight horizontal sections including a base tee, with associated supports at the base of each riser and the flues running back from the base tee through an external wall. In Phase 3, there was the installation of all remaining sections and final boiler connections. Existing riser sections were removed and replaced.

Comments

“This was a phased installation, and timing was critical. High-level flues were installed first, before the boilers and pipework. After the boilers had been positioned, each connection was completed. The four flues had to be taken up a 44-metre mast, formerly a radio transmitter, with the old mild steel flues dismantled. Additional supports were fitted to the mast structure. There were challenges along the way, but nothing to cause undue problems. Our client was most impressed. Each of the A1 teams around the country is very adaptable, and our capabilities showed up well throughout this project.”

Richard Slate, Contracts Department Engineer, A1 Flue Systems

Facts at a glance

Client name: NG Bailey Group

Location: Bath, Somerset

Project value: £266,000

Time to complete: 20 weeks