The company supplied Carrier air-cooled chillers and Toshiba heat recovery variable refrigerant flow (VRF) and split air conditioning systems for the new testing facilities located at Gartnavel Hospital, Glasgow, and Lauriston Place, Edinburgh. The installations, carried out by Morris & Spottiswood’s M&E Division, now trading as Livingston Building Services, are part of a rapid roll-out of testing facilities converted from existing healthcare facilities across Scotland.

Maintaining a stable temperature in the laboratories is vital to ensure tests deliver high-quality, consistent results, as well as a comfortable work environment.

 “The existing equipment supplier was unable to meet the required delivery dates, and we needed an alternative high-quality solution on very short notice,” said David Fitzpatrick, Contracts Manager at Livingston Building Services, who headed the projects. “TCUK supplied Carrier chillers and Toshiba VRF systems from stock within 48 hours, enabling us to continue the installation without missing a beat, and complete the projects on schedule.”

The laboratories operate around the clock, and the HVAC systems are designed with full N+1 redundancy to ensure there is always plant on standby for  continuity of cooling.

Carrier AquaSnap^® 30RBS air-cooled liquid units based on scroll compressors were used. The compact chillers are designed for fast installation and commissioning with integrated hydraulic modules, streamlined electrical connections and easily removable panels. The units offer low noise operation and outstanding reliability, which were important for the application.

Toshiba’s multi-award-winning SHRM-e heat recovery VRF air conditioning system set a new industry benchmark for energy efficiency performance and continuous heating, achieving a world-first of 8 ESEER (European Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) in most capacities.

“We worked closely throughout the project with TCUK’s Eric McPhail, who provided excellent technical support and worked hand-in-hand with the consultant,” said David Fitzpatrick. “His assistance with the integration of the Carrier and Toshiba systems with the building management system (BMS), in particular, was invaluable.”

TCUK introduced its new stocking policy last year in response to demand for shorter delivery lead-times. It covers popular ranges of Carrier chillers and fan coils units (FCUs), plus CIAT air handling units (AHUs) and FCUs.

“Lead times are increasingly a key issue on projects,” said Paul Smith, TCUK Sales Director for Applied Products. “The new approach enables us to provide customers with a super-quick response for urgent orders with next day delivery of our most popular models across the UK, subject to stock levels and terms and conditions.”

The stocking initiative with Carrier and CIAT equipment complements the company’s longstanding direct expansion (DX) air conditioning stock on Toshiba VRF and split systems.