Heating and cooling systems for the new Withington Community Hospital, a diagnostic and treatment centre in south Manchester are under the control of Oventrop valves to ensure comfortable conditions throughout the facility. Some 220,000 patients a year are expected to use the hospital. Oventrop equipment was selected by AMEC, the mechanical services contractors, on the basis of their quality, competitive cost and fitness for purpose.
The hospital has been designed to relieve pressure on nearby emergency departments and cut waiting times for patients referred for surgery. The hospital, with three operating theatres, houses the north west’s first diagnostic and treatment centre, out-patient clinics and an NHS Walk-In Centre and to speed treatment for minor injuries and those needing non-urgent surgery.
The new building is self contained with its own rooftop plant room containing boiler plant and ancillaries with the air cooled chillers in an adjacent external enclosure. Chilled water serves four-pipe fan coil units, air handling units and cooler batteries. Heating is with radiators, radiant panels, underfloor heating coils and fan coils.
Hydronic balancing valves from Oventrop’s comprehensive range have been used throughout. The 34 strategically located fan coil units are equipped with Oventrop Cocon 4 compact control valves. These are multifunctional and developed especially for FCUs and ceiling beams. They incorporate a four-port valve for proportional control of room temperature, fixed orifice measuring points, a double regulation feature, drain facility, isolation and filling functions. By offering six functions in a single compact valve, installation time can be reduced by up to 25 percent. The valves have 40mm centres and are designed to be installed in close proximity to the terminal unit.
Two main air handling units supply half the hospital each with heating and cooling whilst two separate AHUs provide heating, cooling and humidification to the three operating theatres, for cataract, minor operations and general anaesthetics.
Facilities management services for this state of the art diagnosis treatment centre are provided by Operon who as well as being responsible for the mechanical and electrical services look after everything at the hospital that is not clinical.
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