Project Details

For our client Sanctuary, Axis delivered a new hot water and heating system for 23 one-bedroom flats (plus one two-bedroom family flat) across three floors and a communal lounge and laundry room at Dove Cott House in Essex.

Our M&E team undertook this comprehensive project to upgrade the hot water and heating system in the flats, starting with the disconnection and removal of the existing hot water cylinders in each flat.

To ensure enhanced energy efficiency and reliability, we installed new Heat Interface Units (HIUs) in every flat. This upgrade included the installation of a new Low Temperature Hot Water (LTHW) pipework distribution system, extending from the existing plant room’s secondary circuit to the newly implemented LTHW system and HIUs in each flat.

We made significant modifications to the existing LTHW and Mains Cold Water (MCW) pipework within the plant room, ensuring seamless integration with the new hot water and heating system. Additionally, our M&E team carried out adjustments on the existing LTHW and Cold-Water Storage (CWS) / Hot Water Storage (HWS) connections to the underfloor manifold, including the removal of 2-port valves from the underground manifolds to optimise performance.

Further enhancements involved the installation of Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMVs) to regulate bathroom hot water outlets within each flat and communal areas, ensuring safe and consistent water temperatures. To meet safety standards, we insulated and boxed in the newly-installed heating pipework. And to support the system’s functionality, we installed a 600-litre thermal vessel  in the cleaner’s room, linked to the existing 300-litre store in the plant room.

The project also encompassed all necessary electrical works associated with the new installation.

We removed and safely disposed of redundant materials, minimising environmental impact. Our team completed general builders’ works and flushed and chemically cleaned the entire system.

Overall, this £250,000 project for a new hot water and heating system is set to provide long-term benefits to the residents, offering a modern, efficient, and reliable hot water and heating system in their flats.

Key

• HIU – Heat Interface Unit
• LTHW – Low Temperature Hot Water
• MCW – Mains Cold Water
• CWS – Cold Water System
• HWS – Hot Water System
• TMV – Thermostatic Mixing Valve
• WHB – Wash Hand Basin

Benefits 

• Efficient high performance energy consumption
• Low maintenance / future proofing
• Reduced costs
• Lower carbon footprint

Community Contribution

The property provides supported accommodation for single, young women who are pregnant or have a child or children, referred to Dove Cott by Basildon Council.

And so, Sanctuary requested our assistance in enhancing the outdoor space at Dove Cott House by installing a new playground for the residents’ children.

Axis’ Responsible Business Team, with support from the Travis Perkins Community Found, eagerly supported this initiative.

Volunteers from Sanctuary and Axis collaborated to excavate and clear the space, repair and paint fences as well as install new paving slabs, artificial grass and attractive planting to transform the space.

Safeplay Playgrounds contributed by installing a play panel station, talk tubes, and game panels designed to promote sensory, educational, and imaginative play, alongside climbing and swinging activities. This playground project successfully provided a new, safe space for children to play and enjoy.

Client Relationship 

Our 15-year contract with Sanctuary, delivering responsive repairs services across London, East, and Southeast England. We manage a budget of £18 million per annum across 11,000 properties, handling an estimated 63,000 repairs annually. Recent customer satisfaction levels are consistently over 93.7% with over 96.42% of appointments kept and minimal no access issues.