Domestic hot water services for the new Weighing Room and Media Centre, currently under construction at Aintree Racecourse, will be provided through two Maxxflo condensing storage appliances supplied by Andrews Water Heaters.
Phase One of this redevelopment programme, which commenced in July 2005, incorporates the building of a new Weighing Room facility, Parade Ring, Winners Enclosure and Media Suite. Phase Two of this ambitious project is the building of two new grandstands, due to begin immediately following the 2006 John Smith’s Grand National meeting.
The improved facilities accommodating the technical aspects of the racecourse include the jockey’s changing area with the weighing-in chair and the dressing room where they don their colours. A Maxxflo unit supplies hot water for the adjoining seven male showers and two female showers and hand-wash basins in the toilets.
The plant room housing the two Maxxflo water heaters is located in the weighing-in area and was designed to take up the minimum amount of space. The Maxxflo units met the specification from the client that it should fit within the allocated space – having a footprint of only 900mm x 602mm, all components are accessible from the front of the appliance.
Other criteria applied to the M&E design for the services was that the cylinders should be stainless steel for longevity and that energy efficiency should be maximised. Utilising direct fired water heaters close to the point of use is, in any case, more efficient than using a traditional boiler/calorifier system, particularly with regard to peak use and seasonal efficiencies, standing losses and long pipe runs. Maxxflo achieves additional energy savings by virtue of its high recovery rates, its modulating and condensing operation and intelligent controls with external interface capability.
The M&E Consultant for Phase One of this project is Paul Moy Associates of Liverpool and the installation contractor is Lorne Stewart PLC of Leigh in Lancashire.