When a burst underground pipe caused the loss of the district heating network at the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust station in Carlisle, a fast and practical solution was needed.
With essential services affected and operational continuity a priority, Lancashire Gas Services Ltd was tasked with developing an alternative solution that would allow the station to operate independently while restoring a reliable gas supply to the plant room.
While underground pipework is often the default route for gas services, it wasn’t the most practical option in this situation.
Instead, the team identified an opportunity to route gas pipework above ground between buildings, avoiding the disruption and complexity of further underground works. The challenge, however, was finding a support solution capable of safely spanning almost 10 metres across an open courtyard while providing the strength and durability required for a long-term installation.
The project required the support of 54 mm gas pipework operating at 21 mbar pressure over a distance of 9.8 metres, with additional crash protection incorporated into the design through the use of impact-resistant bollards.
To design the overground gas pipe installation, Lancashire Gas Services turned to Walraven.
Following a review of the application requirements, Walraven identified its heavy-duty Walraven Maxx system as the ideal solution for the project. The modular system provided a strong and adaptable framework capable of supporting the pipework between the two buildings without the need for bespoke fabricated steelwork.
Using Walraven Maxx 100 profiles, connectors, baseplates and fixings, the team was able to create a robust support structure using readily available components.
This helped eliminate fabrication lead times and allowed the project to move forward quickly — a key consideration when restoring services to a critical facility.
Joseph Ashworth, Project Manager at Lancashire Gas Services, said:
“Using the Walraven product (Maxx) was easy, robust and offered us a solution without waiting for fabrication.
Delivery was made easy through BSS Preston, who had all items delivered to site, and we were provided with a selection of ancillary parts to build the frame together and create lasting fixtures into the fabric of the buildings.
The Walraven products will certainly be used again by Lancashire Gas Services. We are experts in commercial HVAC installations and always want to provide our customers with long-term solutions using the best engineered products.”
This project demonstrates how the right support system can help overcome unexpected site challenges quickly and effectively.
By combining practical engineering with the flexibility of the Walraven Maxx system, Lancashire Gas Services was able to implement a durable above-ground pipe support solution, helping restore critical services and ensuring the facility could continue operating with confidence.
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