Restoring Air Quality in a Busy London Hotel
Working around day-to-day hotel operations to upgrade a critical ventilation system in just two weeks.
Project Overview
Project: Ventilation upgrade
Location: London
Sector: Hospitality
Programme: Two weeks
Client Profile
The client operates a busy London hotel serving guests throughout the year. With bedrooms, kitchens, washrooms and communal areas all relying on effective ventilation, maintaining reliable airflow is essential for comfort, hygiene and the day-to-day running of the building.
As the hotel remained fully operational throughout the project, all work needed to be carefully planned and coordinated around guests, staff and existing hotel activities.
The Challenge
A busy London hotel was experiencing significant problems with its ventilation system after five of its seven air handling units (AHUs) failed. The ageing units were no longer providing the reliable airflow needed to support kitchens, washrooms and other occupied areas.
The client needed an experienced mechanical contractor capable of delivering a complete upgrade while working safely around the operations of a busy hotel. Careful planning was essential to minimise disruption.
Services Delivered
- Air handling unit (AHU) refurbishment
- Motor replacement
- Control system upgrades
- Mechanical engineering
- Testing & commissioning
What We Did
Following a detailed survey, IL Solutions developed a programme to refurbish all seven air handling units. Each unit was dismantled, thoroughly cleaned and fitted with new motors before being recommissioned.
To improve operation and help the hotel manage energy consumption more efficiently, the control system was also upgraded.
With units located in different areas of the building, including high-level plant rooms, the work required careful coordination, specialist mechanical expertise and safe working practices. Materials were brought into the building via the rear service areas, allowing work to progress without unnecessary disruption.
The Result
The ageing heating and hot water system was successfully replaced while allowing the hotel to remain fully operational throughout the project. Heating and hot water outages were carefully planned around quieter periods, ensuring guests experienced as little disruption as possible.
Looking beyond the original specification also delivered longer-term benefits. By recommending a Building Management System (BMS) controls upgrade, IL Solutions ensured the entire system worked efficiently from day one. Manufacturer commissioning provided the client with an extended warranty, giving additional confidence in the new installation.
Projects like this demonstrate the value of having a trusted partner who takes the time to understand your building, looks beyond the original brief and develops practical solutions that deliver lasting value.
Key Outcomes
- Hotel remained operational throughout
- Seven AHUs refurbished and recommissioned
- Improved ventilation reliability
- Enhanced energy management through upgraded controls
- Safe delivery in a live hospitality environment
Lessons from this Project
Working in occupied buildings requires careful planning.
Coordinating work around guests and hotel staff helped minimise disruption while maintaining a safe working environment.
Looking beyond the immediate fault can deliver better long-term value.
Refurbishing all seven air handling units and upgrading the controls improved both reliability and energy efficiency.
Detailed surveys reduce risk.
Confirming specifications before work began helped ensure a smooth installation and avoided unnecessary delays.
Need to upgrade critical building services without disrupting day-to-day operations?
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