Projects

Heat Decarbonisatin Works at Filey School

NU Construction has been awarded the contract for the Heat Decarbonisation Works at Filey School following a competitive tendering process and a subsequent panel interview with the Trust.

Filey School is a secondary school located in Filey, North Yorkshire, serving the local area as well as surrounding villages. The school is set across a large campus, consisting of various interconnected buildings and expansive sports fields.

The scope of the works spanned the entire school campus, focusing on areas heated by an oil-powered heating system. The project followed a ‘whole building’ approach to decarbonisation, considering all factors contributing to the building's energy consumption to determine the most cost-effective strategy for achieving the decarbonisation goals. The aim was to improve the thermal performance of the building fabric, thereby reducing the required size of the low-carbon heating system, lowering fuel costs, enhancing thermal comfort for occupants, and reducing electricity consumption.

The works included the installation of external wall render and insulation, new double-glazed windows, new doors, a flat roof replacement with enhanced insulation to minimise heat loss, and a pitched roof replacement designed to accommodate solar PV panels and additional roof insulation. Mechanical and electrical (M&E) works involved the removal of the old oil boiler, the installation of a ground-source heat pump, associated pipework, fans, and the integration of solar PV systems.

Logistics

Logistics were key to the success of this project as the works ran over a 44-week period, and the school remained open for the duration. Numerous meetings were held and various options discussed and tabled for discussion, this had challenges as we had to work out how to accommodate everyone’s needs.

We agreed to undertake the works in nine separate phases, these were decided in an order that would work in with the school curriculum as various practical rooms would need to be closed, therefore the school changed the timetable to work with our phases.

From phase to phase we had to agree access routes to and from the working area, to ensure segregation between the students and construction personnel. The key to the success of this was the relationship on site with the NU staff and school team. Weekly look forward meetings were arranged and held between both parties to discuss the up and coming works and issues, allowing plans to be put in place to prevent problems and delays on site.

This was also supported by formal site meetings with the client's agent and project management team, again address issues in advance where possible.