The Facts
Customer – M&S
Result – Successful pre-development and design works completed
Timeframe – 10 Weeks
Constraints – Structural capacity, condition and water quality
Completion – 31/01/2025
The Challenge
M&S is trialling the replacement of gas-fired boilers with Air-Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) to decarbonise stores and improve energy efficiency. If successful, the solution will be rolled out across the estate. There were unknown aspects of the site such as the structural capacity and existing condition of the heating system and water quality.
The Solution
Working together with the M&S team, Sigma identified known and unknown risks and put effective plans in place to mitigate or manage them.
A pre-development assessment of the roof was undertaken to ensure structural stability and capacity. The condition of the existing heating system and flow rates were assessed, the water quality was sampled, and a noise assessment undertaken.
An initial RIBA Stage 3 design was undertaken to forecast the budget and start pulling all the proposed information together.
In partnership with M&S, market leaders in ASHP manufacturing were evaluated to ensure the most effective solution was chosen to meet the objectives set out. The rigorous process looked at key criteria including cost, after sales support, service contract and ability to meet the desired objectives.
The Result
- Feasibility costs were calculated and the funding proposals created.
- Pre-development work on the condition of the existing system was completed which provided the information needed to finalise the proposal and obtain project assurance.
- Evaluated risk and opportunities on how the trial could best succeed and captured them in the proposal to include as part of the planned works.