The Facts
Customer: M&S Cramlington
Result: Successful air handling unit installation of a new, more efficient system
Timeframe: 8 weeks
Budget: £280,000
Constraints: Operating outside of opening hours
Completion: August 2024
The Challenge
The cooling and heating system needed replacing at M&S Cramlington store to guarantee effective, efficient temperature control for the cold aisles, café, checkouts and sales floor. New overdoor air curtains also needed to be installed.
Keen to avoid downtime, the store had to remain open and operational during all the works.
To support the wider HVAC upgrade, elements of air handling unit installation were required as part of integrating the new system, alongside the replacement of associated air handling filters, ensuring consistent airflow and temperature control across the different areas of the store.
The Solution
To fulfil the specific needs for the store and to ensure minimal disruption to opening times, the Sigma M&E team completed the majority of the work overnight.
New fabric ducted fan coil units were installed to serve the cold aisles, together with a new multi VRF (variable refrigerant flow) system, which served the café, checkouts and the remaining sales floor. Two new Biddle electric overdoor air curtains were also fitted above the store’s entrances.
Additionally, a new bespoke big foot-type frame system was designed and approved by structural engineers prior to installation for the external plant area. This was used to mount all the condensing units above an Armco barrier.
As part of the coordinated HVAC upgrade, supporting air handling unit installation activity was completed in line with the new mechanical plant, while ensuring all air handling unit filters were replaced to maintain system performance.
The Result
The installation of the new system was completed on time and in budget, with minimal disruption to the store. It provides improved temperature control for the different areas of the store, particularly the cold aisles, checkout, café, sales floor and entrances.
Mounting the condensers on the bespoke support structure has also saved space and made maintenance easier, complementing the wider system improvements completed alongside the chiller installation requirements at M&S Cramlington.