Cooling in commercial buildings faces new challenges. Changes to the law mean that where refrigeration and air conditioning is employed high global warming potential refrigerants are being phased out. The public sector is not immune to these pressures and hospitals and universities are at the forefront of having to rethink how they handle this side of building maintenance.
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A cooling upgrade completed at the University of Liverpool Human Anatomy Resource Centre highlights how change is happening. Recent work carried out included a newly-built dual compartment room with chill space operating at +4°C and a freezer space section at -21°C.
The Fusion and Fusion Scroll range units were supplied by FSW of Preston. Two JEHR-0067-B1-M-1 units were installed in the chill room and two JEHS-0200-B2-L-3 units in the freezer room.
The systems run on R407F, a low GWP alternative to R404A and R22, which meets the requirements of the F-Gas Regulations – laws aimed at protecting the planet from the effects of global warming. The EU’s F-Gas emissions will be cut by two-thirds by 2030 – compared with 2014 levels.
A reminder of the consequences of ignoring the F-Gas Regulations has been issued by the Government. From April 1, those who breach the F-Gas Regulations in England and Scotland can face fines of up to £200,000. The onus is on the refrigeration and maintenance industry to rise to the challenge as it looks to reduce our reliance on the gases that harm the planet.
RSM Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Director Gordon Moon said: "We choose J & E Hall units for their ease of installation, reliability and ease of access during maintenance. They are also very quiet.
Housed in a cabinet made of electro-galvanised mild steel with an anti-corrosion treatment and coated in baked polyester powder paint, units are able to withstand the most stringent weather testing. The integral IP54 rated control panel provides further protection to all essential electrical components. All units are acoustically lined.
Other benefits to the installer include hinged doors that provide simple access for service and maintenance, 100 per cent tax relief via the Enhanced Capital Allowance for medium temperature scroll models and a three-year manufacturer's warranty on all units.
"The work at the university involved stripping the cold rooms back to the building fabric," said Mr Moon. "We degassed and removed the existing refrigeration plant, leaving a bare cold store. We installed the Halls’ units on the roof, two floors above the cold store on the sixth floor of the building.The existing bank of units was at the end of its life and we were tasked with replacing them. It was down to us which equipment was chosen. I specifically like the J & E Hall range of Fusion units. We have used a lot of them over the years.
The new systems are in place with a low GWP refrigerant employed, the centre’s technical manager Ms Staunton-Jones is delighted with the outcome: “We believe that we have future-proofed things as far as is possible. We are very happy with the work completed.
