On top of the world for Durapipe
Expected to be one of Europe’s tallest buildings, The Shard at London Bridge Station, which is currently under construction, has been fitted out with the Durapipe Guardian dual contained pipework system.
Due for practical completion at the end of May 2012, the multi-use building will comprise offices, retail outlets, restaurants, a hotel, luxury residences and public viewing galleries and will be 310m tall. Consisting of 72 floors plus an additional 15 floors in the spire, the Shard replaces Southwark Towers, a 24-storey office building, and forms part of the London Bridge Quarter.
Unique system
Contractors, DJR Robson, required a dual contained pipework system to cater for the softened water system for Shard London Bridge and specified Durapipe’s unique Guardian system.
Feeding the inhibitor and biocide chemical water treatment plant for the condensed water system, Durapipe Guardian will transport chemically dosed water from the chillers in the basement to the cooling towers on the roof at level 18. This water will service the air conditioning system used throughout the entirety of the Shard building.
As the purpose of the pipework was to transport chemically dosed water, it was important that a system was selected that was not at risk of corrosion, and unlike more traditional pipework systems such as steel or copper, Durapipe Guardian could offer this security. In addition, the dual contained pipework system ensured the public and environment were protected against any potential leaks.
Safety benefits
Andy Dolan from DJR Robson, said: “It was important that we specified a pipe-in-pipe system that ensured the health and safety requirements of such a large public and residential building were met and maintained.
“Durapipe Guardian was ideal as it was easy to install, significantly reducing the installation costs through speed and ease of fitting. Its fixed internal fitting also offered additional safety benefits; with half the number of joints in the system, it significantly reduced the number of potential leak paths.”
