An air conditioning and refrigeration specialist, Cold Control, was recently awarded the contract to work alongside a major building contractor and a leading consultancy company on a large refurbishment contract at a prestigious London office development.

Cold Control was selected to replace the existing air conditioning within the second and third floor open plan office areas.

This involved the isolation and removal of the current Mitsubishi R22 based VRF air conditioning systems and replacing them with the popular Mitsubishi R410A based VRF air conditioning systems. These refrigerants have zero ozone depleting potential and are proven to be more energy efficient than the R22 refrigerant.

Each open plan office area was heated and cooled by 40-perimeter floor standing chassis type fan coil units. These units were replaced and re-piped back to the roof where replacement condensing units were installed. Furthermore, each fan coil unit was provided with a controller and a centralised controller was fitted within each floor allowing for optimum ease of use and ultimate climate control.

Situated on the Shepherds Bush Road, the office development is in a highly active and built up area. Cold Control organised and co-ordinated a four-hour road closure to allow the roof condensers to be crane lifted into place, to ensure minimal disruption to residents and surrounding businesses. Cold Control were required to demonstrate this efficient working practice operating professionally to ensure business continuity for the occupants on the fourth floor of the building and to minimise disruption to the heavy London traffic along the very busy Shepherds Bush Road.

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Cold Control overcame the challenge of installing the riser pipe work to the roof plant area, through the occupied offices located on the fourth floor, within a restricted timescale and project managed the transition to ensure the integration of new systems and the safe disposal of the R22 refrigerant.

Cold Control completed the project working alongside the main contractor and electrical contractor, offering flexibility when required. Together the works were completed in the shortest possible time with minimum disruption, always prioritising the occupants needs and requirements.

With the R22 refrigerant gas phase out already underway and the various deadlines looming, it became a priority for companies, businesses, schools and office buildings to ensure that they were fully prepared and compliant in the last few months of 2009.

As of January 1st 2010, it became illegal to use virgin HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons). The most commonly used example for the maintenance and servicing of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment is R22. Recycled or reclaimed material is still legal and available but it is likely to become more expensive and scarce as 2015 approaches. Those who are not prepared in time will pay a premium price. By 1st January 2015- potentially earlier- a complete ban of all HCFCs including reclaimed/recycled products will be in place.

Therefore, for office buildings such as this, it was essential to take all precautionary measures to prevent and minimise leakage, and replace old units with new government complying systems. Employing fully qualified engineers from experienced and reliable companies like Cold Control has for most, made this transition safe and manageable.

Colin Harris, General Manager for Cold Control commented: "As a company we are up to date with the latest industry regulations and legislations. We are committed to ensuring all our customers understand the R22 phase out and how to accommodate for all industry conversions. Furthermore Cold Control are able to ensure the systems remain safe and industry compliant with our regular service and maintenance package."

For more information on Cold Control's air conditioning and refrigeration installation expertise, or their comprehensive service and maintenance packages please call 0844 9670573 or alternatively visit their website www.coldcontrol.co.uk