The Design & Installation of Temperature Control Systems for multiple existing and operational Pharmaceutical Warehouses.
Client – AAH
The largest pharmaceutical wholesaler in the UK. From 16 distribution warehouses, the company delivers around 15 million products to more than 14,000 pharmacies and other organisations every week.
Project Scope & Objectives
To design and install a Warehouse Heating, Cooling and Ventilation System for all AAH’s distribution warehouses. The system had to provide uniform temperature control across a variety of different paces, in order to meet the strict requirements (low/high temperature range 15°C -25°C) of the MHRA and the pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Not meeting the requirements of the MHRA regulations can mean:
- The suspension of a company’s wholesale distribution licence
- Compulsory variation of licences to exclude certain activities
- Sanctions and legal action against the Responsible Person
- Loss of a company’s distribution licence altogether
Challenges
- All the warehouses were existing and fully operational buildings
- Installation needed to be completed without disruption to operations
- Some of the older buildings had a low source of electrical site power
- The variety of spaces gave a wide range of ambient temperatures from cold spots around loading bays to excessive solar heat gains on mezzanines
Solution
To achieve all project goals, Air Technology Systems designed and installed Industrial Air Induction Heating, Cooling & Ventilation Systems in all the Pharmaceutical Warehouses.
The systems comprised of: Gas Heat Pumps; Air Handling Units (AHUs); high distribution ductwork; air induction nozzles and integrated controls packages.
Result
The Industrial Climate Control System’s design enabled air from the hot spots to be circulated to cold spots, saving mechanical heating costs.
The Gas Heat Pumps solved the issue of low site electrical capacity, and with a co-efficient of performance between 115% and 135%, they will also supplement winter heating. The Gas Heat Pumps (GHPs) will reduce AAH’s gas usage, and in turn their running costs and carbon footprint.
Choosing Air Handling Units from the Government’s Carbon Trust Energy Technology List enabled AAH to claim the Enhanced Capital Allowance. This meant lower capital costs and ongoing savings on energy costs and a further reduction of the company’s carbon footprint.
AAH now has peace of mind that all of its warehouse facilities store pharmaceuticals to MHRA regulations and manufacturer guidelines.
