Case Study
Kingston Riverside, Kingston upon Thames
Managing Agent: Bartholomews
Service/ Type of Work: Emergency Response, System Replacement, and Sustainable Heating Solution
DMG Contract: HIU Service & Maintenance
No of Apartments: 210 Apartments
Our Impact: DMG’s immediate action restored essential heating and hot water within days, followed by the implementation of a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient heating system. This approach ensured long-term reliability, reduced environmental impact, and minimised disruption to residents.
Background
Kingston Riverside is a prestigious development located on the banks of the Thames, comprising 210 one- to three-bedroom apartments. The site relies on a district heating system to provide heating and hot water to its residents via Heat Interface Units (HIUs).
On August 27th, a catastrophic flood, caused by the failure of a Thames Water sewage pump, overwhelmed the Energy Centre, rendering the entire heating plant inoperable. This left all apartments without heating or hot water.
The Result
Rapid Restoration: Temporary heating and hot water systems were operational within seven days.
Sustainability: The new Energy Centre includes low-carbon technologies, reducing environmental impact.
Reliability: Enhanced system performance ensures minimal future disruptions.
Resident Satisfaction: Positive feedback from stakeholders and residents for efficient handling and innovative solutions.
The Challenge
The situation presented several immediate and long-term challenges:
Extensive water damage caused a complete failure of all Energy Centre equipment.
Emergency restoration of heating and hot water was critical for residents.
The existing system was beyond economic repair, necessitating a full redesign.
Stakeholder collaboration was required with managing agents, insurers, and loss adjusters.
Equipment delivery delays and the integration of sustainable technologies added complexity.
The Project
DMG responded within 95 minutes of receiving the initial emergency call from the site concierge. Upon arrival, engineers assessed the situation and devised a two-phase response plan:
Phase 1: Emergency Restoration
Temporary 500Kw gas-fired boilers were sourced and installed within seven days to restore heating and hot water to all apartments, minimising disruption to residents.
Phase 2: Long-Term System Replacement
DMG conducted a comprehensive assessment of the damaged system, collaborating with all stakeholders to create a detailed plan for replacing the Energy Centre. Key considerations included energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and system reliability.
The new system incorporated a repaired Biomass boiler alongside advanced heating technology, ensuring sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Despite logistical challenges, the installation and commissioning of the new Energy Centre were completed within 18 months.
“ DMG’s swift and professional response turned a potential disaster into a positive transformation for Kingston Riverside. Their expertise and proactive communication ensured residents were minimally impacted and that we now have a state-of-the-art heating system. We couldn’t be more pleased with the results. “