Commercial & Industrial HVAC Hire
Reliable domestic hot water is essential for large-scale events, particularly where catering operations depend on a consistent supply for food preparation, cleaning and hygiene.
Ideal Heat Solutions was contacted after the existing hot water arrangement at an event site in West London was found to be unsuitable. The enquiry arrived on a Saturday, with the replacement system required to be fully operational by Tuesday morning.
Following a site survey, our team designed and installed a temporary hot water solution comprising an oil-fired boiler, calorifier, fuel storage and associated hose connections. The equipment was delivered to site by HIAB on Monday evening, and our engineers worked into the night to ensure the system was ready for the start of the event the following day.
This case study explains how careful equipment selection, site planning and coordinated installation enabled the event to proceed with a dependable domestic hot water supply.
The project involved supporting a temporary water services provider working on behalf of a large-scale event.
The catering area required a reliable supply of domestic hot water, but the existing system was not suitable for the event’s operational requirements. With the opening date approaching, a replacement solution needed to be designed, delivered, connected and commissioned within a short timeframe.
The temporary system had to heat water stored within a calorifier and supply it to a bladder water tank serving the catering facilities. It also needed sufficient fuel capacity to operate throughout the required period without creating unnecessary interruptions to the event.
The hire was arranged for two weeks, allowing the system to support the event programme and associated site requirements.
Because the customer requested anonymity, no company names, contact details or exact site address have been included.
Ideal Heat Solutions supplied a temporary oil-fired boiler and calorifier system to provide domestic hot water for the catering area at a large event in West London.
The boiler was connected to the calorifier to heat the stored water, while the calorifier was connected to a bladder water tank that distributed hot water to the catering facilities.
Although the boiler had a rated capacity of 500kW, it was configured to operate on low fire to suit the project’s actual heat demand. This provided the required heating performance without operating the equipment unnecessarily at full output.
The complete solution was delivered by HIAB and positioned in the agreed location following a site survey. Installation and commissioning continued into Monday evening so that the system was fully operational before the event began on Tuesday morning.
A member of the Ideal Heat Solutions team attended the site on Monday morning to assess the proposed installation area, existing water arrangements and operational requirements.
The survey allowed us to confirm how the boiler, calorifier and bladder water tank would be connected, as well as identify the most practical location for the equipment. Access requirements were also reviewed so that delivery could be coordinated using a HIAB vehicle.
Conducting the survey before dispatch helped reduce uncertainty during installation and ensured the equipment arriving on site was suitable for the application.
The system was planned around the domestic hot water demand of the catering area.
Rather than supplying heat directly into a building heating circuit, the oil-fired boiler was connected to a 1,000-litre calorifier. The boiler heated the water within the calorifier, which was then integrated with the temporary bladder water tank supplying the catering facilities.
The boiler was set to low-fire operation to align its output more closely with the required demand. This allowed the available 500kW unit to be used appropriately without relying on continuous full-output operation.
Fuel storage was provided alongside the boiler to support reliable operation throughout the hire period.
Following the morning survey, delivery was arranged for later the same day.
A HIAB vehicle was used to lift and position the boiler, calorifier and supporting equipment in the designated installation area. Using a HIAB enabled controlled placement of the equipment and supported an efficient transition from delivery to installation.
The delivery and engineering teams coordinated closely so that connection work could begin as soon as the equipment was in position.
Our engineers connected the temporary boiler to the calorifier using suitable 2-inch hosework.
The calorifier was then integrated with the bladder water tank responsible for supplying domestic hot water to the catering area. This created a complete temporary water-heating arrangement, with the boiler providing the heat input and the calorifier storing the heated water before distribution.
All connections were checked as part of the installation process to confirm that the system was secure and ready for commissioning.
Because the event was due to begin the following morning, our engineers continued working into Monday night.
The boiler and calorifier were commissioned, operating settings were checked and the system was brought up to temperature. The team confirmed that the calorifier was receiving sufficient heat from the boiler and that domestic hot water could be supplied through the connected bladder tank.
The installation was fully operational in time for the event to begin on Tuesday morning.
The temporary domestic hot water system included:
This equipment arrangement reflected the details recorded for the project and allowed the boiler to heat the calorifier before hot water was distributed to the catering area.
The main challenge was the short timeframe.
The initial call was received on a Saturday after the existing system was found to be unsuitable. The replacement arrangement needed to be operational by Tuesday morning, leaving a limited window for assessment, equipment selection, delivery, installation and commissioning.
The system also needed to integrate with temporary water infrastructure already serving the catering area. This required the boiler and calorifier to work alongside a bladder water tank rather than a conventional permanent hot water installation.
Equipment access and positioning also needed to be considered, as the boiler, fuel tank and calorifier had to be placed safely before connections could be completed.
Ideal Heat Solutions arranged a site survey for Monday morning to confirm the requirements and installation approach.
Based on the survey, the team selected a 500kW oil-fired boiler, which was set to low fire, together with a 1,000-litre calorifier and 3,000-litre fuel tank. The system was designed so that the boiler heated the calorifier, which then supplied domestic hot water through the temporary bladder tank.
Delivery took place by HIAB later on Monday. Once the equipment was positioned, our engineers completed the temporary hose connections and integrated the system with the existing water arrangement.
Installation and commissioning continued into the evening to ensure no time was lost before the event opened.
The temporary boiler and calorifier system was operational before the event began on Tuesday morning.
The catering area received the domestic hot water supply it required, allowing event operations to proceed without disruption from the unsuitable original arrangement.
The completed installation demonstrated how an organised site survey, appropriate equipment selection and coordinated out-of-hours working can help deliver a temporary hot water solution within a demanding programme.
The equipment remained on hire for the planned two-week period.
Large events often rely on temporary infrastructure for water, power, heating and catering services. Unlike permanent buildings, event sites may not have an established domestic hot water system capable of supporting the expected level of demand.
Temporary boiler hire allows organisers and contractors to establish a dedicated heat source without investing in permanent plant. When combined with a calorifier, an oil-fired boiler can heat and store water for catering, welfare, cleaning and other operational requirements.
In this case, temporary boiler hire was essential because the original arrangement could not support the event as planned. Installing a hired system provided an alternative that could be deployed within the available timeframe and removed once the event and hire period were complete.
The use of a calorifier was also important. It created a stored volume of heated water that could be supplied to the catering area as required, rather than relying solely on instantaneous heating.
Ideal Heat Solutions supports planned and emergency temporary heating projects across the UK.
Our team can assess the heat demand, available services, site access and existing infrastructure before recommending an appropriate boiler and supporting equipment. Where required, this can include calorifiers, fuel tanks, pumps, hoses, heat exchangers and temporary water connections.
For time-sensitive projects, effective coordination between surveying, logistics and engineering teams is particularly important. In this case, the initial enquiry, site assessment, equipment delivery and overnight commissioning were completed within a short window because each stage was carefully planned.
We provide support throughout the hire period, from the initial survey and equipment selection through to installation, commissioning, servicing and collection.
When an existing hot water arrangement was found to be unsuitable shortly before a large event in West London, Ideal Heat Solutions provided a complete temporary boiler and calorifier system.
Following a Monday morning site survey, a 500kW oil-fired boiler, 1,000-litre calorifier and 3,000-litre fuel tank were delivered by HIAB later that day. Our engineers connected the system to the event’s temporary bladder water tank and worked into the evening to complete commissioning.
The system was operational before the event began on Tuesday morning, providing the catering facilities with the reliable domestic hot water supply they required.
For event sites, catering operations or temporary facilities that require dependable hot water, a hired boiler and calorifier can provide a practical solution without the lead time or commitment associated with permanent plant.
Whether you’re planning maintenance, responding to an emergency breakdown or looking for temporary heating or cooling, Ideal Heat Solutions can help.
We provide temporary boiler hire, modular boiler hire, chiller hire, heater hire, portable air conditioning, evaporative coolers, generators and fuel tanks for commercial, industrial and public sector organisations across the UK.
Our experienced team can recommend the most suitable solution, arrange a site survey where required and support both planned and emergency projects.
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Yes. A temporary boiler can be connected to a calorifier or suitable hot water storage system to provide domestic hot water for event catering, welfare and cleaning facilities. The correct arrangement depends on the required water temperature, expected consumption, storage volume and peak demand. Ideal Heat Solutions can assess these factors and recommend an appropriate boiler, calorifier and connection arrangement. Temporary systems can be supplied for short events, longer programmes or emergency requirements where the existing hot water equipment is unavailable or unsuitable.
A calorifier stores water and transfers heat from the boiler circuit into the domestic hot water supply. This provides a reserve of heated water that can be drawn off when required, which is useful where demand varies throughout the day. For event catering, this arrangement can help accommodate busy periods when several outlets require hot water simultaneously. The calorifier size and boiler output should be selected according to the anticipated demand, required recovery time and available site services.
Installation times depend on equipment availability, access, connection requirements and the complexity of the site. In this West London project, the survey took place on Monday morning, the equipment arrived later that day and the system was operational before the event began on Tuesday. A site survey helps identify connection points, access restrictions and delivery requirements before installation starts. Providing accurate information about water demand, power, fuel access and event deadlines at the enquiry stage can also help streamline planning.
In some applications, a larger boiler can be configured to operate at a reduced firing rate, provided this is technically appropriate for the equipment and system design. For this project, a 500kW oil-fired boiler was set to low-fire operation to suit the domestic hot water requirement. Boiler selection should always consider the actual system load, calorifier capacity and required recovery rate. Ideal Heat Solutions assesses these factors before confirming the proposed equipment and operating arrangement.
The supporting equipment depends on the application. A domestic hot water system may require a calorifier, fuel tank, pumps, hoses, valves, temporary pipework and connections to the event’s water distribution system. Some projects may also need a generator if sufficient electrical power is unavailable. A site survey allows the complete requirement to be reviewed so that essential ancillary equipment is included and compatible with the proposed boiler and existing temporary infrastructure.
Yes. Temporary boiler hire can be arranged for short event periods, extended programmes or longer-term requirements. A two-week hire allows time for installation, event operation and collection without purchasing permanent equipment. The hire period should account for any setup or testing days before the event and dismantling requirements afterwards. Fuel use, servicing needs and site access should also be considered so that the system remains available and supported throughout the full programme.
