The aftermath of Buncefield
The new headquarters of digital-imaging specialist FFEI features an extensive VRF air-conditioning installation using equipment from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries installed by Macair fmi.
The 6100 m2 £2 million building at Hemel Hempstead replaces the company’s original design centre which, was reduced to rubble by the explosion at Buncefield oil depot in 2005. It houses administration, research and development and production.
Macair designed an air-conditioning system using a combination of VRF units and splits. There are 14 outdoor units linked to 53 indoor units. Macair’s site foreman Lee Pritchard was delighted with the way the system configured itself as it was switched on: ‘All systems self-addressed as soon as we put the power on. They were easy to install, they look great, and the client loves the new atmosphere we’ve created.’
David Lettis, general manager of MHI’s UK air-conditioning business, explains that the KX6 range has the advantages of VRF for about the price of a good splits installation and that significant savings in energy consumption are made possible by the re-engineered heat exchanger and new twin rotary compressor.
