Energy managed in comfort at RAF Cottesmore

Comfortable working temperatures and greater control over energy management were the key criteria that prompted RAF Cottesmore to switch to Nor-Ray-Vac continuous radiant tube heating from AmbiRad. Four hangars on the base at Oakham, Leicestershire, now benefit from the even heat distribution and constant air temperatures of between 16-19°C generated by the Nor-Ray-Vac burners – in spite of full height and width doors that frequently open to allow aircraft to manoeuvre in and out. The new system also achieves improved comfort and flexibility without increase in fuel consumption. The 5,500m² hangars are used for storage and maintenance of aircraft on the base, which is known to be one of the highest in the country and exposed to winds. Previously, heat was supplied via a high temperature hot water system fed by one dedicated boiler house. Distribution losses were enormous and the system was burning fuel without producing much heat.

At times, especially at night and in cold weather, operators were working in single figure temperatures. While far from ideal, these working conditions also had potentially dangerous consequences should flight safety be compromised.

The existing heating system was decommissioned and each hangar equipped with its own Nor-Ray-Vac continuous radiant tube system comprising 24 Nor-Ray-Vac 46kW LR series linear burners with four vacuum fans. The AmbiRad heaters are controlled centrally by a Trend BMS and each can be operated in four zones.

Rapid warm up and heat recovery are key considerations for comfort in the hangars. Both are achieved easily by radiant tube heating. The AmbiRad Nor-Ray-Vac system is also flexible enough to work with the existing Trend BMS.

Zoned heating has an unusual advantage in this application. On occasion, the cockpit is secured into place using epoxy glue. The aircraft can be positioned in one of the zones and the heating left to run overnight to set the glue. With the previous heating, the entire system had to be left on to achieve this.

Additional economies have been achieved by micro-switching the personnel entry doors. If they are left open for too long, the heating automatically switches off. Station energy manager Alan Agate comments: ‘This encourages people to close the doors. So much so that the £10,000 investment in the micro-switching system was paid back in 18 weeks.’

The Nor-Ray-Vac heating system was installed by SG Maintenance of Solihull for consultants Templeman Associates of Kings Lynn.

Web: www.ambirad.co.uk