Special Projects continues works at Cranfield University with award of hangar decarbonisation project

Briggs & Forrester Special Projects have been awarded the mechanical and electrical services installation on the B084/B085 Hangar Decarbonisation project at Cranfield University alongside R G Carter and CDG.

The project will see two pre-WWII RAF hangars receive a major refurbishment to improve their energy efficiency and carbon footprint. Built in 1936, the 4200m² hangars were originally built in preparation for WWII and are today occupied by Cranfield University for research and maintenance purposes.

Briggs & Forrester will be responsible for the full design and build works for the £2.5m electrical, mechanical and plumbing services package to the hangars helping to transform the thermal performance and efficiency of the hangars with the aim of significantly reducing the carbon footprints of the buildings.

To provide a sustainable solution, CDG designed an insulated, air-tight ‘box within a box’ which sits inside the hangar. Services include the installation of new district heating pipework to the plate heat exchangers with associated valves, control and pumps within the plantroom and a specialist Jetflo air induction heating system in the hangars.

In addition, Special Projects will complete the LED and emergency lighting, controls and BMS interface, and electrical power supplies including incoming supplies to plant and small power within the two hangars.

The work is being made possible by an award through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) which is funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and delivered by Salix Finance. Once the works are completed, the heating demand of the buildings will be reduced by 75% and the carbon footprint reduced even further when connected to the district heating newly fitted with air source heat pumps, also funded through the project.

The M&E works commenced on site in October 2022 with completion expected in Autumn 2023.

Managing Director of Special Projects, Tim Cunningham said “We are very pleased to be partnering with R G Carter to deliver this significant decarbonisation scheme for our key client Cranfield University. The project is set up for success through early engagement and a collaborative approach.”