St Peter And St Paul Catholic Primary Academy – Cold Water Distribution

Key Facts:

Client Name: St Peter and St Paul Catholic Primary Academy (Archdiocese of Southwark)
Location: Orpington, Kent
Type of client: Primary Academy
Services provided by M+C: CIF Bid Preparation/Submission | Building Surveying | Building Services Engineering | Procurement | Project Management
Value: £139,500
Contractor: Heatflow Mechanical Services
M+C Lead: Jack Haine

St. Peter & St. Paul Catholic Primary Academy is a single-form entry school located in Orpington. Set in extensive grounds within the Scadbury Park nature reserve, the school benefits from its tranquil setting. A Catholic school of the Archdiocese of Southwark, it is a key community member, underpinned by its faith ethos.

Originally constructed in the 1960s, the school’s water distribution system was reaching its end of useful life. Recurring maintenance issues were arising, with significant failure expected in the coming years. Severe corrosion of the pipework caused unpleasant discharges, and Legionella control was proving increasingly difficult. Environmentally, the system was grossly inefficient, with running costs extortionately high.

Ahead of the CIF funding period, Munday + Cramer collated a range of evidence (both current and historical) to support the case to provide a new cold water distribution system for the school and consequently gain critical funding. Asset Management Plans, Planned Maintenance Schedules and the National Property Data Survey were assessed. Servicing reports and maintenance logs were recalled, and a detailed specialist survey was also carried out.

An options appraisal identified the provision of a new cold water distribution system as the most appropriate solution. A new mains supply was specified, with cold water distributed throughout the school. Point-of-use water heaters were provided to all classrooms, WCs and the staff room. Dedicated new hot water plant was provided to service the kitchen. Throughout the school new pipework was provided and fully insulated. Enabling works included asbestos removal from the plant room. Furthermore, a new metered supply was also provided to the Diocese’s Education Commission who are also located on-site.

M+C appointed Heatflow Mechanical Services to undertake the extensive 5-week scheme. Genseed Underground Services were also appointed to lay the new mains supply using directional drilling. This allows the running of mains over long-distances, in this case nearly 200m throughout the neighbouring Scadbury Park nature reserve with minimal disturbance.

The new cold water distribution system, successfully completed during the summer break, will save around 68% of the old system’s energy cost and nearly 6 tonnes of CO2 emissions.