Leisure complex BMS now a picture of health thanks to global associates
A leisure complex in Maidstone, Kent, is now realising the efficiency benefits of a comprehensive BMS upgrade thanks to global associates.
In the ultra-competitive leisure sector, maintaining optimum environmental conditions helps give visitors the best possible experience whilst improving energy efficiency and reducing costs. This Lockmeadow-based leisure facility comprises a café, gym, nursery and swimming pool area and principle contractor, Henshall and Sheehy, brought global in to upgrade outdated and inefficient technology and replace obsolete equipment.
The existing system had not been maintained since installation which meant that many of the field equipment items had failed, the control strategy was obsolete and plant inefficiency was having a negative impact on energy usage and costs.
Work began in May 2024 to replace existing IQ210 controllers with up-to-date equivalent IQ411 controllers. There were multiple IQ2 series devices installed on site that were now obsolete and no longer supported by the manufacturer. Many of these devices were now unresponsive and some had even wiped their own controls strategy due to their age. Each device required a new generation of software for control and firmware was upgraded to the latest version. Faulty and unsupported devices within the boiler MCC panel were replaced, as well as the associated outside air temperature sensor. Field trunking within the boiler plantroom had been subjected to damage and general wear and tear and was also replaced with like for like trunking.
Dated panels meant that associated isolators on the face of each MCC did not engage with the isolating mechanism and therefore did not effectively isolate the panels. Each panel could therefore only be accessed whilst still live and posed a hazard to anyone working within the area or close by. In addition to the above each panel housed very outdated internal equipment such as contactors, breakers, fuse cartridges, relays etc, all of which were dated and obsolete.
A new front-end PC was put in place with new graphics generated for all plant, allowing the end client to monitor and control their HVAC equipment on site. Each field controller replaced was configured to control to a local setpoint adjuster for individual areas and a space temperature sensor for open areas. The system was, of course, optimised to be as energy efficient as possible whilst maintaining occupant comfort.
With the building and facilities open to members whilst the works were being undertaken, installers had to work around classes and schedules of the client and ensure that sufficient services were still available to the members throughout each day. At times, evening works and early morning works were undertaken in order to accommodate this. The switch out of the boiler panel had to be completed within two days to ensure that the pool remained open, with the pool only dropping by 3°C over the course of the entire works.
The sheer size of the MCC control panels and getting them into position also proved to be an issue on site. This resulted in the panels having to be stripped down and taken in smaller sections in order to fit through the building without causing any damage.
Installing brand new controllers, bringing the software up to date and replacing and commissioning new actuators, sensors, differential pressure sensors and switches has all contributed to optimising energy usage within the facility.
Various test scenarios were carried out to ensure everything was working as planned and in just a couple of months the work was complete, with the client now able to keep a firm grip on energy usage and costs thanks to a fully functioning BMS system that runs in automatic control under time zones with demand-driven points.
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