PRESS REVITALISES BANQUETING HOUSE
Speed, efficiency, and the fact it ‘just works’ – these are the reasons contractor For the re-servicing of the prestigious Banqueting House, contractors CSP Specialist Projects needed a piping system capable of handling the intricacies of a listed building while future proofing for decades to come. Grade I listed buildings often need extra consideration, specifying no hot works and navigating tight working spaces. CSP Specialist Projects switched to Viega SmartPress, Sanpress Inox, and Profipress systems to ensure a fast and reliable installation.
Banqueting House is the only large surviving component of the Palace of Whitehall and was dedicated to elaborate hosting and entertainment. It represents a key turning point in British architecture and brought in the Palladian style of design. With a rich history, the building was in dire need of services modernisation and maintenance.
“This was a complete re-services project, that included putting in new pipework throughout as well as installing new heat pumps and connecting the building onto the Government Property Agency network” explains James Ash, Project Manager at CSP.
“The goal was to bring the system up to modern standards and ensure that it would last 50 to 100 years. Everything currently in place had to be ripped out and modern replacements put in. We would need to run new pipework through the entire building, including the heat pumps on the roof for chilled water and for connecting onto the Government Property Agency heat network”.
Assessing the situation
Given the buildings listed status and the complexities of navigating through tight spaces, James knew they would need a solution that could overcome both with ease. “The specification for the pipework was up to us and given we knew we would struggle with space; it was a straightforward decision to utilise press connections.” James continues.
“We worked with a consultant to understand which systems would be most appropriate. Having worked with Viega before, we were familiar with the product range but needed to know which would offer the ideal balance of flexibility, performance, and longevity.”
Megapress, Viega’s thick-walled steel pipe system, was initially considered however due to space constraints of connecting large steel pipes, it was decided that a combination of Sanpress Inox and Profipress would be used for majority of the pipe runs. Viega Smartpress, a multilayer composite polymer pipe, was perfect for harder to reach areas.
“When we look at specify systems, we need to weigh up the cost of the installers time and products together. While the Viega systems are highly efficient and great for installations, the Megapress system was beaten by the combination of Sanpress Inox, Profipress, and Viega Smartpress. With the latter making installation far easier and faster on site, it was a straightforward decision to make”.
The Viega difference.
It wasn’t just the speed and quality of the products which make the choice to use Viega easy. For James, it was the reliability and peace of mind that Viega systems bring to an installation which helped tip the scales in Viega’s favour.
“There are plenty of press systems on the market, but what sets Viega aside is the installation quality. First, you’ve got the ‘double press’ feature which is present on all their fittings and via their pressguns. It seals the EPDM element on both sides without distorting or damaging it which ensures a far more secure and tight connection.”
“Then to back it up, all Viega connections feature SC-Contur which is a huge benefit to the team.”
SC-Contur is a set of unique safety measures designed into every Viega connection. At its core, SC-Contur guarantees any unpressed connections will leak during testing. Each connection features a dedicated leak path that enables easy spotting for missed connections during pressure testing. On other Viega ranges, SC-Contur also includes a dedicated pipe guide to prevent misalignment of pipes which can damage sealing elements.
“It makes a big difference, especially on a project like this where quality and safety are absolutely critical. We don’t want any errors, or call backs no matter the project and with the Viega system, we’re confident in handing the project over knowing we’ve done a quality installation.”
The re-servicing, conservation and maintenance work is due to be completed for early 2025 at which point the house will reopen to the public.
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