Prologis RFI DIRFT in Northampton is the UK’s premier logistics park. It features an on-site Royal Mail parcel hub and a rail terminal, and is strategically located at the heart of the UK’s logistics network, known as the Golden Triangle. With three on-site rail freight terminals providing access to the West Coast Main Line (WCML), the site operates as a multi-modal hub for the UK’s biggest distribution businesses.
As part of its approach to delivering cutting-edge, speculative warehousing, Prologis looks to anticipate occupier requirements, and make its buildings more attractive to potential customers. For DC9, this included frost protection for the warehouse and air conditioning to provide heating and cooling in the offices.
Prologis takes sustainability seriously, with each unit targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and ‘A’ EPC rating, so energy efficiency is a critical requirement. Mechanical Consultant, CPW, put together the performance spec, and Jet Environmental Systems Ltd drew up a system and equipment spec using Daikin products.
Heat pumps are the “product of choice”
“Traditionally, warehouse heating and cooling would have been gas, but now heat pumps are the product of choice for both cost and environmental considerations. Having worked for Daikin in the past, I know their products, so choosing Daikin was easy.
“The reversible air-cooled heat pump/chiller (ASHP) was completely bespoke for DC9; we chose a base unit and added options such as twin centrifugal pumps and sound options to ensure it satisfied the requirements of both the spec and the client,” said Chris Ludwig, Technical Manager at Jet Environmental Systems Ltd.
Extensive options available
“Daikin’s EWYT~B packaged multi-scroll air source heat pumps are available in silver and gold efficiency versions and offer a wide range of options. These included on-board pump kits with or without buffer tank, inverter control for the pump kit with the potential for variable primary flow control, and on-board sequencing. Alucoat fins coils are fitted as standard, with the option to upgrade to a Blygold coating.
“For the DC9 installation, the selected options included an integrated run and standby water pump kit, a 1000-litre buffer tank, and a Nordic Kit to help manage condensate run-off during defrost cycles. Compressor soft starters were also specified to limit inrush current when each scroll compressor starts, along with BMS integration via BACnet over IP to enable direct communication between the occupier’s Building Management System and the Daikin unit,” said Kevin Shepherd, Daikin Applied Products Specialist.
Keeping the sprinklers online
Heating a 326,792 sq. ft. space is no easy task. In fact, the Daikin heat pump system is predominantly designed to provide heating to meet frost protection criteria to prevent the warehouse sprinklers from freezing. The system maintains a temperature above 5oC, to ensure that the sprinklers continue to function even in extreme cold temperatures, guaranteeing that warehoused products are protected in the event of fire.
Jet Environmental’s jet induction system provides heating while also recirculating warm air that naturally rises within the warehouse. This creates effective destratification, pushing heat back down to floor level to keep staff and product warm without the need for additional heating. The high-velocity induction system is highly efficient at controlling temperatures in extra-large spaces and can be further enhanced with humidity control and heat recovery through Jet Environmental’s bespoke air handling unit range.
“For me, Daikin’s USP is excellent service, both back of house and face to face, and the speed of turnaround of quotations and orders. And from my time working with Daikin, I know the equipment is of a high standard.” Chris concluded.
DC9 has now been let to world-leading, cutting-edge logistics solutions provider, GXO.
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