ECC - Bridgemarsh Care Home

Stage 4 Design

  • Decarbonisation

  • Modernisation

  • Renewables

 

Project: ECC - Bridgemarsh Care Home

Sector: Medical

Client: Essex County Council & Mitie

Size: 4000sqft

Completion: Feb’ 22

Services Provided: Thermal modelling, Decarbonisation, Stage 4 design.

Bridgemarsh Care Home is a residential home for people with additional care needs located on the outskirts of Bridgemarsh. It is owned by Essex County Council who are undergoing significant investment in decarbonising their sites. This involves electrification of the heat source and onsite microgeneration.

The condition, in particular the state of the primary heat generation systems was analysed via onsite surveys. Due to the critical nature of the heating system in a medical building, in particular with onsite residents the resiliency of the system was paramount throughout the design process. WP3 carried out an initial feasibility into options regarding decarbonising the space

An in depth energy model, carried out using IES, was developed to predict the scope 1 emissions reductions based on a variety of project paths. It was important to engage with the client to ensure the emission reductions were not only technologically feasible but also economically viable.

A dynamic thermal load model was built to ensure diversity was appropriately considered when carrying out the main plant selections. This model was used to size the heating and cooling equipment both internally and externally. Additionally, pressure drop calculations were thoroughly built out to ensure pressure was maintained appropriately by the pumps and the rest of the units in the hot water circuit.

Due to the difficulty of constructing this project in both an existing and an occupied space the MEP drawings were all developed using  a 3D Revit model. This allowed WP3 to ensure all new services would both work and fit within the space, with appropriate clearances for maintenance and access. The new MEP systems were also split up to allow for a phasing of installation to ensure that the care home can remain in occupation throughout, with areas cordoned off for construction and programmed correctly to reduce disruption to the residents.