Success Stories >> York Hospital in hot water with engineered systems

For the first time in years, staff and patients at York District Hospital are enjoying constant supplies of Domestic Hot Water (DHW) at the right temperature, following the installation of eight Spirax Sarco Engineered Systems.

Each Engineered System is a complete custom-built unit comprising a plate heat exchanger and all the necessary control and isolation valves, steam traps and ancillary equipment needed to deliver DHW at a constant 60°C.

As well as providing a reliable supply of DHW, the Engineered Systems have saved energy and substantially cut maintenance costs.

The systems replace 26-year old shell and tube vertical heat exchangers. "The temperature control on these old units was poor," says Mr Reg Banks, Mechanical Services Manager at the hospital. "At times, the DHW temperature would fluctuate, causing problems for staff. We have had no temperature problems since the new Spirax Sarco units were installed. We have also seen a marked cut in our energy costs.

"We have also seen a marked cut in our energy costs."

"Maintaining the old heaters was also a problem. Heating coils would often fail and replacement coils took up to three weeks to arrive. We had to hire lifting gear to remove the heaters from their stilts before we could strip them down to replace the coil, and this took a further three days. The Spirax Sarco units have released maintenance staff to work on other projects."

Spirax Sarco also managed the entire project, during which installation work had to be fitted around the needs of the hospital. Shutdown times were agreed in advance and each plantroom had to be fitted with two Engineered Systems and proven in operation for a week before work could begin on the next plantroom.

Following this success, the hospital has specified Spirax Sarco Engineered Systems for all its DHW and LTHW systems.

Outsourcing project management to Spirax Sarco relieved Mr Banks of a considerable workload and also gave peace of mind. "The installation work was excellent and I was secure knowing that all the responsibility for ensuring that the new equipment worked was out of my hands," says Mr Banks.

"Spirax Sarco also managed the entire project..."

"Spirax Sarco provides high quality products and the back up is excellent - they have always had a good name," he concludes.