Project Date: 2 September 2016
Client Type: Large Secondary School
Project: Replacement Cold Water Booster Pump Set
Westex Heating was called in to replace an ageing and increasingly unreliable cold water booster pump system at a large secondary school. The existing installation had become inefficient and was operating without adequate backup, creating a significant concern for a busy educational site that depended on a reliable water supply throughout the working day.
The project involved removing the outdated booster arrangement and installing a modern twin-pump, fully modulating booster set, together with new isolation valves, expansion bellows and upgraded lagging.
The result was a quieter, more efficient and significantly more resilient system, giving the customer greater confidence in the reliability of the school’s cold water supply.
The Problem: An Inefficient Booster System With No Reliable Backup
The school’s existing cold water booster pumps were due for replacement and were no longer providing the level of efficiency or resilience expected from a modern commercial system.
One of the most important problems was the lack of modulation. The existing pumps were unable to adjust their operation effectively in response to changing demand, which meant the system was inherently less efficient than a modern variable-demand arrangement.
More seriously, one of the pumps had developed a fault and had already been isolated.
This left the school dependent on the remaining operational pump. If that pump had also failed, there would have been no functioning backup available.
For a large secondary school, where cold water demand can vary considerably throughout the day and reliable building services are essential, continuing to operate with only one available pump represented an unnecessary operational risk.
The goal was therefore not simply to replace faulty equipment. Westex Heating needed to provide a more efficient system with proper redundancy, quieter operation and improved long-term reliability.
The Solution: A Fully Modulating Twin-Pump Booster Set
Westex Heating replaced the old equipment with a new twin-pump, fully modulating booster set.
The twin-pump arrangement provided the school with the resilience that had been missing from the previous system. Rather than relying on one operational pump without a working backup, the new installation provided a modern system designed around more dependable operation.
The modulating technology was also a major improvement.
Instead of operating in the same way regardless of actual demand, the new booster set could respond more effectively to the building’s changing water requirements. This created a more efficient setup suited to a large educational property.
What Was Installed?
As part of the installation, Westex Heating fitted:
- A new twin-pump fully modulating booster set
- New isolation valves
- New expansion bellows
- New lagging to improve system efficiency
The supporting components were important to the overall project. Replacing the isolation valves provided suitable isolation around the upgraded installation, while the new expansion bellows formed part of a professionally completed system designed for dependable commercial operation.
New lagging was also installed to improve efficiency around the associated system.
Manufacturer Commissioning
Once the replacement booster set had been installed, the equipment was commissioned by the manufacturer.
This provided an additional level of assurance that the new booster set had been correctly set up and was operating as intended.
For commercial environments such as schools, commissioning is an important stage of an installation. It provides a clear transition between fitting new equipment and placing that equipment into normal operational use.
Westex Heating’s wider approach to commercial work places an emphasis on safe, efficient delivery, appropriate documentation and professional communication throughout each project. The company is Gas Safe and OFTEC registered and also holds IPAF, PASMA and SSIP credentials.
Before and After
Before the Upgrade
Before the project, the school was relying on an ageing, inefficient cold water booster system.
The existing pumps did not modulate according to demand, and one of the two pumps had already failed and been isolated. The school therefore had no functioning backup if the remaining pump were to develop a fault.
The system was also noticeably noisier and less efficient than the modern replacement.
After the Upgrade
Following the work, the school had a new fully modulating twin-pump booster set providing significantly improved system resilience.
The replacement pumps were considerably quieter and more efficient, while the twin-pump configuration restored the backup capability required for a busy commercial site.
The new valves, expansion bellows and lagging also ensured the installation was completed as a comprehensive upgrade rather than simply a like-for-like pump replacement.
The Outcome
The finished installation delivered several important improvements for the school.
The new booster pumps operate much more quietly than the equipment they replaced, helping improve the environment around the plant and associated building areas.
The fully modulating system also offers considerably better efficiency by responding more appropriately to water demand.
Most importantly, the school was no longer dependent on a single ageing pump with no operational backup.
Key Project Improvements
The completed project provided:
- Improved energy efficiency
- Quieter pump operation
- A modern fully modulating system
- Twin-pump resilience and backup
- New isolation valves and expansion bellows
- Improved lagging
- Manufacturer commissioning
- Greater confidence in long-term system reliability
The customer was very pleased with the completed installation and the improvement it provided.
Customer Review
Following the breakdown of the existing cold-water booster pump the school went out to tender for a replacement.
The contract was awarded to Westex Heating on both price and their expert advice as to the suitability of the units available .
Communication from Westex was excellent and the installation was completed on time.
I would not hesitate to recommend Westex Heating.
Commercial Heating and Mechanical Services for Schools
Projects like this demonstrate the importance of identifying ageing commercial equipment before a failure causes disruption.
Westex Heating has extensive experience working with commercial organisations including schools, universities, offices, warehouses, workshops and production facilities. The company provides installation, servicing, breakdown and repair support across a wide range of commercial heating and associated mechanical systems.
For educational sites in particular, reliability matters. Equipment needs to operate efficiently while reducing the likelihood of unexpected disruption during the school day.
Need to Upgrade Ageing Commercial Plant or Pumps?
If ageing pumps, heating equipment or associated commercial systems are becoming inefficient or unreliable, arranging an assessment before a complete failure can help reduce disruption and provide more time to plan an appropriate replacement.
Westex Heating provides commercial heating and mechanical services for schools and other organisations across Bath, Bristol, Swindon, Wiltshire and surrounding areas.
Call 01225 331091 or contact Westex Heating to discuss your commercial heating or plant requirements and request a free estimate.
