District Heating Network installed for new homes

Flexenergy's Flexalen pre-insulated pipe work was selected as the most appropriate product for a new District Heating Network installed to service 164 new Barratt London homes being built on Camden Road in London.

The properties comprise of a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom apartments of which 50% are available for private purchase and 50% are being offered as affordable housing.

A complex building layout and a constrained site presented the project team with multiple challenges and put the installation of below ground infrastructure on a critical path for the entire project.

Working with Barratt London, Flexenergy was able to offer advice and solutions to meet the demanding construction programme and to reduce potential installation issues.

The phenomenal flexibility of Flexenergy's Flexalen pre-insulated pipe helped to speed up the installation process and allowed for a reduction in the amount of joints required. In addition, the superior jointing technique of fusion welding enabled the pipework to be moved around the site without fear of joints breaking or leaking once buried in the ground.

Storage space on site was at a premium so the project had to be broken down into phases, with each phase being carefully coordinated for delivery alongside the continually moving programme of works. This also meant that fabrications and fittings had to be changed or amended at short notice as obstacles to the planned route appeared.

Flexenergy's proactive approach to the project by visiting the site as the programme progressed to review and ensure that the pipe installations were fitted according to plan and on schedule paid dividends as the project was delivered on time.

Barratt Homes Senior Technical Manager, Richard Weaver, explained: "This project came with a unique set of circumstances that meant on site works had the potential to be considerably delayed. We were very aware that this aspect of the project could be an issue for us which, thanks to Flexenergy's professionalism and efficiency, was avoided. Flexenergy understood our objectives and ensured that they met with them as far as they could. We are delighted with the effort and resourcefulness shown by them and will welcome the opportunity to work with them again in the future".

Andy Watts, Regional Manager for Flexenergy, added: "Thanks to the superior flexibility of the Flexalen pre-insulated pipe system we were able to speed up the installation process by removing some fabrications from the project. Our ability to react to changes demanded by site issues ensured a speedy supply and installation programme. We were able to bring our approved installer, Radius, onto the project who know our product very well and have our confidence in installation quality.

"Close liaison between ourselves and Radius allowed Barratt London to concentrate on other parts of the project, whilst we planned the phases and delivered them in carefully coordinated sections as they were required and the storage space on site allowed."