Boiler upgrade works – Northumbria University
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Summary
Boosting campus performance while enabling redevelopment
A programme of boiler replacement and associated services upgrades has strengthened building performance across multiple University of Northumbria facilities, supporting wider redevelopment of the estate. Acting as principal contractor, Robertson Engineering Services (RES) delivered the works alongside lead engineer Desco, in a project that also enabled the planned demolition of the Claude Gibb Building.
Strengthening campus heating resilience and enabling estate redevelopment
The team delivered a complex mechanical and electrical services package linked to the university’s district heating system. Key elements included:
- isolation and modification of existing district heating pipework, including gas isolation to safely enable demolition and new connections,
- enabling and associated works required for the demolition of the Claude Gibb Building, without interrupting heating services to the wider campus,
- installation of three additional boilers, with associated controls and a new gas pipeline, to increase resilience and capacity of the district heating system, and
- associated controls at the Sandyford Building plant room.
Works were carried out in and around existing plantrooms, requiring careful planning of shutdowns, isolations and changeovers to minimise disruption to university operations.
Safe, co-ordinated technical delivery
RES undertook significant construction and M&E activities at height to access and adapt existing infrastructure safely. The team also carried out new pipework runs to feed the plant room, integrating the new boilers into a very tight location and a new metered gas main into the established district heating network.
The project demanded close coordination between M&E designer Desco, the university and the Robertson Engineering Services site team to sequence isolations and high‑risk activities. This ensured safety and continuity of heating services across the campus.
