Case Studies

Queens' School in Bushley

As part of a refurbishment programme and continuous upgrading of its changing room facilities, and sports college status, Queens' School in Bushey, Hertfordshire, required efficient, easy-to-install/maintain, well-designed shower fittings (group mixers/controls, shower panels).

The school dates back to the 1950's, as did the changing room facilities. The proposed development of these facilities brought into consideration several key factors;

• Water efficiency - good performance desired, without wastage against backdrop of drought conditions throughout South East England.
• Durability - strong, long lasting facilities required. The facilities are used by over 1,500 students, and are also extensively used by external, local football, and table tennis teams.
• Vandal resistance - installed shower fittings must be robust.
• Aesthetics - the mixers and controls needed to look good, and also need to be unobtrusive.
• During refurbishment, a key prerequisite was keeping disruption to daily sports activities minimal.

Solution

• Queens' School's site facilities manager Malcolm Hunt worked closely on the refurbishment project with consulting engineer Bryan Franklin, and Herts based plumbing contractor, Instalectric Ltd.
• Douglas Controls thermostatic shower mixers/controls and Sporting Shower panels (time flow panel, brush aluminium finish) were specified as the ideal solution - ease of installation/maintenance, safety.
• Sporting Shower panel - neat, stylish (chrome and brush aluminium finishes), combines performance (delivers pre-set flow rate of 8 Litres /min) and durability to withstand heavy changing area usage patterns.
• Delivers effective water savings.
• Easy to install and clean. Prefabricated, it's a true second fix item requiring just three wall fixings. Installation and wall sealing requirements are reduced.
• Low maintenance - nozzle jet showerhead reduces scale build-up, serviceable cartridge. The unit is used with a TMV to provide a safe water temperature and prevent scalding.
• Thermostatic group controls - TMVs: the TM28 installed is a practical valve for safe temperature control group showers and for hand washing.
• The device allows simultaneous supply to several outlets, while maintaining constant temperature under varying new flow conditions.
• Ideal for multiple shower applications e.g. sports halls, schools, swimming pools.
• Prevents scalding, fails safe in the event of loss of cold water supply.

Result

• Installing Douglas Controls products was simple and quick - fitted as a second fit on a tile surface.
• Trouble-free installation, allowing heavy usage of amenities.
• Minimal disruption to school activities, satisfying the key prerequisite of the project.
• Minimal exposure of internal pipe-work during the development. Damage to surrounding walls, was also avoided.
• Douglas Controls' products looked good, and blended well with the other changing room facilities.
• Maintenance has been minimal, and fittings are easy to clean.
• Good product performance.
• High levels of water efficiency achieved.

"The Sporting Shower panels have been totally trouble free. While the resulting performance and water savings have surpassed our expectations, the fittings have proven easy to clean and maintain. They look good too. We've just received a £2m county council grant for a new sports facility, with water saving taps a vital consideration. We'll certainly be looking to Douglas Controls products again".

Queens' School site facilities manager, Malcolm Hunt