Medway Campus College

SDK Building Services Ltd was appointed to undertake a labour-only mechanical installation package involving the upgrade of three existing plantrooms at an educational campus in Kent.

 

The project formed part of a wider heating system modernisation programme, incorporating new air source heat pump (ASHP) infrastructure and plate heat exchangers (PHXs) to improve the site's heating arrangements.

 

With all major plant, equipment and installation materials free-issued by our client, SDK was responsible for the mechanical installation works, including specialist pipework fabrication and welding undertaken at our dedicated off-site facilities.

 

*Plantroom Installations & System Integration*

 

All three plantrooms were located on the upper floors of the campus buildings, requiring careful planning and coordination throughout the installation process.

 

Each plantroom incorporated a new plate heat exchanger positioned externally to the existing plantroom, with the primary connections having been completed by another contractor during an earlier phase of the project.

 

SDK's scope focused on the secondary heating systems, incorporating new pumps, air and dirt separators, strainers, dosing pots and associated distribution pipework.

 

These installations were connected into the existing heating headers, allowing the original boiler systems to remain connected while the new ASHP and plate heat exchanger circuits were prepared for flushing, commissioning and eventual operation.

 

This approach supported the phased transition between the existing heating infrastructure and the new systems.

 

*Off-Site Prefabrication & Welding*

 

To support efficient project delivery, sections of the mechanical pipework were prefabricated and welded at SDK's dedicated off-site facilities before being transported to site for installation.

 

This helped reduce on-site fabrication requirements, improve installation efficiency and maintain consistent workmanship across the three plantrooms.

 

*Working Within an Educational Environment*

 

The majority of the installation works were undertaken during the summer holidays of 2025, helping minimise disruption to the college's day-to-day operations.

 

All SDK operatives assigned to the project held Enhanced DBS checks in accordance with the client's safeguarding and site access requirements.

 

The Medway Campus College project demonstrates SDK Building Services' experience in delivering complex mechanical plantroom upgrades, integrating new heating technologies with existing infrastructure and undertaking coordinated installation works within operational educational environments.