Green is everyone’s favourite colour these days, particularly when it comes to construction. Mechanical services are no exception, with ecology and the environment very much at the forefront of the design for the new Industrial Development Authority (IDA) Ireland Advance Office Building in Dundalk’s Sustainable Energy Zone.
Phoenix Mechanical Ltd was charged with installing a highly-efficient, fundamentally eco-friendly system in a €7m complex, covering close to 33,000 sq ft at the Finnabair Industrial Park, just off Dundalk’s Inner Relief Road. Described as a ‘blank canvas for prospective tenants capable of supporting 100% expansion’, this would involve realising the vision of van Dijk Architects and consulting engineers HOH Design Partnership Ltd.
“This is the first time Phoenix Mechanical Ltd has been involved in a construction for the IDA, and it was a pleasure to work alongside the main contractor Felix O’Hare & Co Ltd,” said Jason Ryan, Director at Phoenix Mechanical. “Work began on the site in July 2018, and we started in November of the same year, with completion nine months later.”
At the heart of the shell and core mechanical services provision was high-powered LPHW (Low Pressure Hot Water) Remeha Quinta boilers from Euro Gas. Compact, with a cast aluminium heat exchanger and other major components contained within a single sealed box, they served air-handling units and metered provision for each floor of the IDA Advance Building. Designed with those future fit outs in mind, the main boiler casing also has a removable section for easy maintenance. High efficiency (98.1%GCV) allied to unobtrusive operating levels (<52dBA) make them the perfect choice. “We have used the Remeha Quinta range on a number of occasions and they are without doubt some of the very best on the market,” Jason added.
Tried and tested
Efficiency is a word that keeps cropping up in relation to the mechanical services provided by Phoenix Mechanical Ltd at Dundalk’s Sustainable Energy Zone. In addition to securing Remeha boilers from Euro Gas, Phoenix also utilised Cordivari hot water cylinders from the same source, that are capable of storing heating water for long periods thanks to their thermal efficiency and layering properties.
“The landlord areas are also served by fan coil units, from the LPHW system, that supply and return air ductwork tempered from air-handling units, which was run throughout the floor spaces with metered provision on each floor” added Phoenix Mechanical Director, Gary Brennan.
In relation to the system’s booster pumps, Phoenix Mechanical again placed their trust in a tried and tested product range. World-renowned Danish manufacturer, Grundfos, was the choice, based on previous experience working with the brand, and the energy efficient (there’s that word again) ability to ramp up and down. “Domestic water services are supplied by a cold water storage tank and Grundfos booster pump, as does the greywater,” Gary explained.
Chilled water is served via two chillers on the roof. “We are not called to install chiller units that often,” Jason Ryan, Director at Phoenix Mechanical explained. “We fitted chiller units from Aermec Ltd, which were supplied to us by EICL Ireland.”
Phoenix also utilised another well-established European brand in the heat recovery units supplied to us by Fantech Ventilation Ltd, Komfovent is a brand that unites 12 separate companies in the production and supply of air ventilation system products and efficient air handling units. “We used the Komfovent Verso range which offers lower energy consumption and operating costs. The compact dimensions also mean they are space savers,” Jason concluded.
Phoenix rise to the challenge
During the nine months Phoenix Mechanical Ltd worked on the IDA Advance Office Building in Dundalk, a large portion of that time was spent outside. In addition to the two chillers situated on the roof, and the pipework supports provided by Dublin-based firm Etag, there was also a sizeable commitment to both sun and rain.
On the precipitation side of things, the work tied in with a siphonic and gravity roof high velocity drainage system installed by RWP Ltd. Director Jason Ryan explains: “We worked with CubicM3 to install a sustainable rainwater harvesting system. Compliant with international standards, it’s a solution that saves both money and the environment.”
The team supplied Joule Evacuated Tube Solar Panels which were limited to the Twin Coil Cordivari cylinder which supplies hot water to the toilet block. “The domestic water has an LPHW coil, immersion, and solar panels,” said Director, Gary Brennan. “The entire system is then managed through Cylon intelligent control. We worked with Ashdown HVAC Controls Ltd to install Cylon’s BMS, a system that reduces energy and maintenance costs, and carbon emissions.”
Designed to accommodate four separate clients, the new IDA Advance Office Building is part of Dundalk’s 2020 initiative spearheaded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Phoenix Mechanical Ltd’s high-profile, high-performance installation is yet another feather in the cap of this progressive, (relatively) young Dublin company.
Project Team
Client: Industrial Development Authority (IDA) Ireland
Architect: van Dijk Architects Ltd
Main Contractor: Felix O’Hare & Co Ltd
Mechanical & Electrical Consultants: HOH Design Partnership Ltd
Mechanical Services: Phoenix Mechanical Ltd
Phoenix Mechanical,
Unit 49, Park West Enterprise Centre,
Lavery Avenue, Park West Industrial Park,
Dublin 12 P12PD87.
T: +353 (0)1 612 0083
E: info@phoenixmechanical.ie
W: www.phoenixmechanical.ie
