Keele University

One of the University’s core concerns, which was mirrored in planning permission requirements, was to make tree preservation and landscaping a priority.  The client hired a specialist Arbocultural consultant to undertake a detailed tree survey and identify the number and classification of trees which would be affected by the construction works.

This report also detailed the methodology and strategies which were necessary to ensure a minimal impact on the tree population and landscaping and set out our requirements as contractors.  By working with the local authority, client and consultant we ensured compliance with the planning permission and agreed a replacement tree planting scheme which would see us plant 3 trees for each one which was felled.

To ensure the tree felling was done to the highest standards we hired a local tree surgeon who developed a method statement and risk assessment which was approved by the University’s consultant before works were undertaken.

The planning conditions stipulated that replacements should be planted during the next “planting & seeding season” and it was agreed that these works would be undertaken in late autumn.  Similarly planning stipulated that three of these trees should be ornamental cherries of 2-3 years of age.  These were planted as close to the original trees as possible.

As well as replacing the three trees which were cut down, an additional 6 trees (3 Golden Weeping Willows and 3 Malus Golden Hornets) were planted.  Each of these was a “Standard” which meant that they were 3m tall and 8-10cm in girth.

One of our core responsibilities was to develop the energy centre and network design to RIBA stage 4 which is the standard needed to begin construction.   As the project involved an extension to the existing energy centre our designers undertook a detailed survey, capturing detailed measurements for all existing architectural and plant elements.

Once this survey had been completed, we used the information to design the 70m L-shaped wraparound extension and mechanical plant layout.  To ensure full compatibility our CAD team created a 3D model of the existing energy centre and the new extension.

In addition to creating a design which housed the additional plant and equipment, our designers also “future-proofed” the scheme, leaving space for additional plant to be added at a later date as demand increased.  By taking this long-term approach to planning the energy centre will not only perform optimally for the current demand, but will be able to cope with the University’s future needs.

As part of their £40+m investment into their Faculty of Natural Sciences facilities the University have built the Central Science Laboratories which comprise a four-floor state-of-the-art building for both undergraduates and post graduates.  The building houses open-plan teaching and research laboratories, IT provision and student social learning spaces.  To connect this building Vital Energi installed over 400m of pre-insulated district heating pipework running from the newly expanded energy centre.

Vital worked with the University’s consultants to identify and implement the best route for the district heating spine, taking into account tree preservation orders.  Our designers were able to plan a route which would avoid clashes while still delivering optimised performance.

One of the core aims of our designers is to future-proof district heating schemes to make future expansion easier.  Vital Energi liaised closely with the University to understand their future plans for the campus and ensured that the pipework could be easily modified to reach and supply future buildings.

To meet this increased demand we designed a 70m2 extension to the existing Horwood Energy Centre which could not only meet the campus’s current demands, but will also be able to cater for further planned developments.  This phase of the project involved a 12 week construction period to deliver the extension and a 7 week fit out schedule which would see the plant, equipment, electrics and building management controls installed.

During the construction phase we oversaw the full construction process from the ground up, initially undertaking the necessary ground works which involved piling, ground beams and floor slab pouring before moving onto steelwork, blockwork and roofing, finishing the building in a specific wooden cladding which was requested by the University.

The L-shaped extension wrapped around the side of the building, with the original external walls demolished to create a large, more useful space.

The original energy centre was installed in 2015 and housed a 125kWe CHP engine and boilers to meet demand.  The extension had been designed to cater for additional equipment which includes two 1.3MW boilers, a new district heating pumping system and space for plant to be added as demand increases.

Air quality is a core concern and in addition to ensuring our solutions lower CO2 emissions by the maximum amount, we also undertake extensive flue dispersion modelling to ensure we meet local, regional and national legislation.  On this project planning stipulated that the flue needed to be at least 12.67m high with an efflux velocity (Average speed of gasses out of the top of a chimney) of 10m/s

On the University of Keele project we installed three DSEAR compliant flues within a steel windshield, giving the impression that it is a single chimney.   Two of the flues are necessary for the current plant and equipment, but the third was added as a future-proofing feature which will enable the easy addition of a third boiler when demand increases.