Comprehensive Fuel Storage System Upgrade for NHS Woking Community Hospital

NHS Community Hospital Woking faced a critical need to replace its existing fuel storage infrastructure, consisting of two 15,000-litre tanks and one 1,000-litre Day Tank. The existing tanks had reached the end of their lifespan and needed to be updated to conform with current regulations. OTS Group won the tender to provide a comprehensive replacement of the tanks, polishing system, gauging, and associated pipework.

- Replace the ageing fuel storage tanks with new, regulation-compliant tanks.
- Ensure uninterrupted fuel supply to the hospital's boilers and generators during the replacement process.
- Implement a state-of-the-art fuel management system including gauging, fuel polishing, and monitoring.
- Upgrade associated infrastructure, including pipework and civil works.
Working as a team, OTS Group and Oander successfully delivered a comprehensive fuel storage solution for NHS Woking Community Hospital, replacing ageing infrastructure with a state-of-the-art system that ensures reliable, safe, and efficient fuel management. The project was completed on time and within budget, fully commissioned, and inspected, demonstrating OTS Group and Oander’s commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.

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Solution provided

To ensure the hospital's operations remained unaffected, OTS Group installed a temporary tank system to supply fuel to both boilers and generators. This temporary setup was commissioned to maintain continuous fuel availability throughout the project duration.
During this phase, the existing fuel was tested in a laboratory to determine the quality of the fuel which was considered unsuitable for use. Once the temporary tanks were operational, the existing bulk tanks were decommissioned after uplifting the existing contaminated fuel and water and subjected to Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) to assess their condition. Following the tests, the 15,000-litre tanks and the Day Tank were safely hoisted out of the bund, cleaned and degassed to be transported to the OTS waste transfer facility.
With the old tanks removed, extensive civil works commenced, including:
- Demolition and removal of existing concrete plinths using a robotic concrete breaker including acoustic screening to minimise the noise impact to the Hospital and residents.
- Raising the bund wall to a uniform height for enhanced safety and to comply with current regulations.
- Removal of old pipework.
- Installation of a new access gate and pipework channels to improve safe access for maintenance purposes.
Upon completion of the civil works, new tanks were delivered to the site out of hours to minimise the impact to the operation of the Hospital. The new 18,000-litre Bulk Tank and 1,000L Day Tank were installed in the renovated bund area and generation house respectively, complete with a new fill cabinet and advanced fuel polishing system.
New pipework connecting the Bulk Tank to the Day Tank in the generator room was installed using Mapress stainless steel, known for its durability and corrosion resistance. The installation included:
- Fill and vent points for ease of maintenance.
- A refreshed transfer system with drop fire valves and safety solenoid valves, ensuring safe fuel transfer.
- Direct connections to the generator and Building Management System (BMS).
OTS Group installed new gauging systems and tank alarms for both the Bulk and Day Tanks, providing accurate fuel level measurements and ensuring prompt alerts in case of any issues.
A crucial part of the project was the replacement of an old below-ground pipe with dual-contained Durapipe and an SGB monitoring system. This ensured complete end-to-end monitoring of the tanks and associated pipework, enhancing the overall safety and reliability of the fuel storage system.

Benefits

The new tanks and associated infrastructure fully comply with current regulations, ensuring the hospital meets all safety and environmental standards.
The temporary tank system ensured that the hospital's fuel supply was uninterrupted during the project, maintaining seamless operations.
The use of high-quality materials such as Mapress stainless steel and Durapipe, along with advanced monitoring systems, significantly enhances the safety and reliability of the fuel storage system.
The new gauging systems and fuel polishing technology provide precise control and monitoring, ensuring optimal fuel quality and efficient management.
The comprehensive civil works and upgraded pipework improve the overall infrastructure, making maintenance and future upgrades easier and more efficient.