Commercial & Industrial HVAC Hire
For residential developments connected to a district heating network, losing heating or hot water can affect hundreds of residents almost immediately. When an emergency occurs, the priority is restoring essential services quickly while ensuring the temporary solution can be installed safely and efficiently.
This case study explores how Ideal Heat Solutions supplied a 1.5MW temporary boiler to support a district heating network serving four apartment blocks in South East London. Despite challenging site conditions, including the need to bridge a seven-metre brook to reach the basement plant room, our engineers restored hot water within hours of receiving the order.
The client required an emergency heating solution to maintain domestic hot water across a district heating network serving four residential apartment blocks in South East London.
Following the failure of the existing heating system, residents were left without hot water while essential works were carried out. Given the size of the development and the number of occupants affected, restoring service as quickly as possible was critical.
The temporary system needed to provide sufficient capacity, integrate with the existing infrastructure and be installed within an extremely tight timescale. The project also presented significant logistical challenges due to restricted access to the basement plant room and the presence of a seven-metre brook separating the proposed boiler location from the building.
To meet the site’s requirements, Ideal Heat Solutions supplied and installed a 1.5MW gas-fired container boiler, complete with integrated remote BMS telemetry for continuous system monitoring.
The installation also included approximately 100 metres of 4-inch stainless steel braided hose, bespoke flanged reducers manufactured specifically for the project, three-phase power supplies and secure site fencing.
One of the most unusual aspects of the installation involved constructing a temporary scaffold bridge across a seven-metre brook, allowing the hoses to safely reach the basement plant room.
Despite the challenging access and tight programme, the system was fully installed, commissioned and supplying hot water within an exceptionally short timeframe.
Following the initial emergency call on Tuesday afternoon, one of our engineers attended site within one hour to assess the situation.
The survey focused on understanding the heating demand, identifying suitable connection points and assessing the safest route for connecting the temporary boiler into the existing district heating network.
During the survey, it quickly became apparent that conventional installation methods would not be possible. The temporary boiler needed to remain outside the building, while the existing plant room was located within the basement on the opposite side of a seven-metre brook.
Working closely with the client, a practical installation strategy was developed that would allow temporary heating to be restored as quickly as possible while overcoming the site’s unique access constraints.
The quotation was prepared and issued the same evening, allowing work to commence immediately following client approval the next morning.
Based on the site’s heating demand, a 1,500kW gas-fired temporary container boiler was selected to provide sufficient capacity for the district heating network serving all four apartment blocks.
To support the installation, the following equipment was supplied:
The custom-manufactured reducers were particularly important, allowing the temporary boiler to connect safely with the existing heating infrastructure despite differing pipe sizes.
Manufacturing began immediately following receipt of the order, with the reducers delivered to site the very next morning to keep the project on schedule.
One of the standout features of the installation was the bespoke scaffold bridge constructed across a seven-metre brook. This temporary structure allowed the heating hoses to be routed safely from the boiler compound to the basement plant room without affecting the surrounding environment or delaying the installation.
Together, these components created a complete temporary heating solution capable of supporting a large residential district heating network while maintaining safe and reliable operation.
The boiler was delivered to site during the afternoon following receipt of the order, allowing scaffold contractors to begin constructing a temporary bridge across the brook that same evening.
This bespoke scaffold structure provided a safe route for the 100 metres of stainless steel braided hose, enabling the temporary boiler to connect directly into the basement plant room through the existing louvres.
Once access had been established, our engineers began installing and connecting the temporary boiler system.
A further challenge soon became apparent. The existing district heating network had been completely drained, requiring the entire system to be refilled before commissioning could begin. Refilling such a large network took more than nine hours, with our engineers remaining on site into the early hours of the following morning to ensure the system was fully operational.
Their commitment and determination ensured the temporary boiler could be commissioned safely and begin supplying hot water to residents as quickly as possible.
Following installation, the system underwent full commissioning to ensure it could safely and reliably support the district heating network.
This included pressure testing, verifying all hose connections, checking system performance and confirming the temporary boiler integrated correctly with the existing infrastructure. Particular attention was given to ensuring stable operation before the system was brought fully online.
One of the most time-consuming stages of the project involved refilling the client’s heating system. As the entire network had been drained prior to installation, our engineers spent more than nine hours carefully refilling and venting the system before commissioning could begin.
Despite the additional work involved, the team remained on site into the early hours of the following morning to complete the installation safely and restore domestic hot water as quickly as possible.
Within approximately 12 hours of receiving the order, hot water had been restored to all four apartment blocks, allowing residents to return to normal with minimal disruption.
Throughout the hire period, the temporary boiler has continued to operate reliably, with integrated BMS telemetry providing remote monitoring and additional reassurance for both the client and our engineering team.
This project combined several technical and logistical challenges that required rapid planning and specialist engineering.
The temporary boiler needed to provide heating and domestic hot water for four occupied apartment blocks while connecting into an existing district heating network within an extremely short timescale.
Physical access presented another significant obstacle. The basement plant room was separated from the proposed boiler location by a seven-metre brook, making a conventional hose installation impossible.
In addition, the existing heating system had been completely drained, meaning the entire network would need to be refilled before the temporary boiler could be commissioned.
Our engineering team responded immediately, attending site within one hour of the initial call to carry out a detailed survey and develop an installation strategy.
Following receipt of the order the next morning, a 1.5MW temporary boiler was mobilised to site while scaffold contractors simultaneously constructed a temporary bridge across the brook to support the hose installation.
To ensure compatibility with the existing system, bespoke 8-inch to 4-inch flanged reducers were manufactured and delivered to site within 24 hours.
Once installation was complete, our engineers remained on site to refill the heating network and commission the system, ensuring domestic hot water could be restored as quickly as possible.
The combination of careful planning, specialist equipment and exceptional commitment from the installation team enabled the project to be delivered successfully despite its challenging circumstances.
The installation was completed successfully, restoring domestic hot water to all four apartment blocks while essential works continued.
Despite the challenging access and the need to refill the entire heating network, the system was fully operational within an exceptionally short timeframe, allowing residents to regain hot water with minimal disruption.
The client praised the dedication and professionalism of our engineers, particularly their commitment to remaining on site throughout the lengthy refilling and commissioning process.
Following the success of the project, they have since approached Ideal Heat Solutions for quotations on future temporary heating and cooling requirements.
District heating networks supply multiple buildings from a central plant room, meaning a single heating failure can affect hundreds of residents or building users simultaneously.
When planned maintenance, plant replacement or emergency breakdowns occur, temporary boiler hire provides a practical solution that allows heating and domestic hot water services to continue while permanent systems are repaired or upgraded.
By installing a temporary boiler system, facilities managers and contractors can maintain essential services, minimise disruption to occupants and reduce the operational risks associated with prolonged outages.
Temporary boiler hire also offers flexibility, allowing systems to be tailored to the specific heating demand while integrating with existing infrastructure through carefully planned temporary connections.
Ideal Heat Solutions provides temporary boiler hire solutions for commercial, industrial and residential developments across the UK.
Whether supporting district heating networks, apartment blocks, hospitals, commercial buildings or construction projects, we deliver fully engineered temporary heating systems designed around each project’s specific requirements.
Our services include:
Our experienced engineers understand that every project presents different challenges, which is why every temporary heating solution is carefully planned to ensure safe installation, reliable performance and minimal disruption.
Emergency temporary boiler hire played a vital role in maintaining domestic hot water for four occupied apartment blocks during essential works to a district heating network in South East London.
By responding within one hour of the initial call, delivering a 1.5MW temporary boiler within 24 hours and overcoming significant site access challenges, Ideal Heat Solutions successfully restored essential services while keeping disruption to a minimum.
From constructing a temporary scaffold bridge across a seven-metre brook to manufacturing bespoke pipe reducers within a single day, this project demonstrates how careful planning, technical expertise and rapid mobilisation can deliver reliable temporary heating solutions, even in the most challenging environments.
Whether you’re responding to an emergency heating failure, planning essential maintenance or carrying out a major refurbishment, Ideal Heat Solutions can provide a temporary boiler solution tailored to your project.
From district heating networks and residential developments to commercial buildings, hospitals and industrial facilities, our experienced engineers deliver fully managed temporary boiler hire solutions across the UK.
Our service includes expert site surveys, equipment specification, delivery, installation, commissioning, remote monitoring and ongoing technical support, helping keep your project running with minimal disruption.
Contact our team today to discuss your requirements or request a no-obligation quotation.
Installation times depend on the size and complexity of the project, but emergency temporary boiler systems can often be surveyed, delivered and installed within a very short timeframe. Our engineers work quickly to minimise disruption and restore heating and hot water as soon as possible.
Yes. Temporary boilers can be connected to existing district heating networks to provide heating and domestic hot water during planned maintenance, refurbishment projects or emergency breakdowns. Every solution is designed around the site’s heating demand and existing infrastructure.
Yes. Temporary boiler systems can be configured to supply both space heating and domestic hot water, ensuring buildings remain operational while permanent plant is repaired, replaced or upgraded.
Every project is different, but temporary boiler installations may include plate heat exchangers, pumps, stainless steel braided hoses, expansion vessels, remote BMS monitoring, fuel tanks, electrical supplies and other ancillary equipment. A detailed site survey ensures the correct equipment is selected for each application.
Yes. Ideal Heat Solutions provides emergency temporary boiler hire across the UK. Our team can quickly assess your requirements, recommend a suitable solution and mobilise equipment to help restore heating and hot water with minimal disruption.
Absolutely. We provide a complete temporary boiler hire service, including site surveys, equipment specification, delivery, installation, commissioning, remote monitoring and ongoing technical support throughout the hire period.