The brief: climate control for a densely racked, highly automated warehouse
JET was contracted by construction manager RG Group to provide the HVAC solution for Sainsbury's new regional distribution centre at Waltham Point, Essex — a 57,100 m² state-of-the-art facility set to service 140 stores in the south east of England. The solution had to meet design criteria and performance parameters set by consulting engineers Couch Perry & Wilkes Partnership (CP&W), advocates of high velocity ducted air systems.
- The ambient store is densely racked to just below the bottom boom of the roof truss, leaving little room for conventional distribution
- Conveyors, cranes and other MHE reject over 1,000 kW of heat into the operational space
- A minimum of 5°C had to be maintained to frost protect the sprinkler system during the winter
- The void above the chill store needed ventilation to prevent winter condensation, protect the sprinklers and reduce summer temperatures
The solution: six Balanced JET air induction systems, tailored to each zone
Incorporating the latest Balanced JET technology, six JET air induction systems were installed to CP&W's engineering performance specification: four separate systems for the ambient store and two for the void above the chill store within the main warehouse.
- Ductwork and nozzle outlets co-ordinated with the racking and sprinklers for even air distribution between the racked aisles and the MHE
- Systems installed in pairs in three plant rooms designed and sized by CP&W, with attenuators giving an internal noise level of NR 50
- Linked to the site's Trend BMS for both control and monitoring
- Frequency invertors and 10–100% fresh air, with cooling coils that can be retro-fitted; 48 room sensors record maximum temperatures to help assess future cooling needs
What the systems delivered
Frost protected
A minimum of 5°C is maintained to protect the sprinkler system in winter, with the 48 room sensors also giving the building added frost protection.
Minimal maintenance
Neither access to the operational space nor special equipment is required for routine maintenance.
Programme dates met
A quality installation delivered in line with all of the programme dates.
Whole-life savings
Compared with other methods of heating, Sainsbury's benefits from significant cost savings throughout the life of the system.
What the project team said
"This was a quality, trouble-free HVAC installation and we are very happy with it. JET has provided us with the type of equipment we need and delivered the standards we expect from a supplier."
Site Project Manager, Sainsbury's
"JET was first rate. The team delivered a quality installation which met all the programme dates and I would certainly recommend JET for future projects."
Construction Manager, RG Group
"Balanced Jet technology is ideally suited to densely racked facilities and neither access to the operational space nor special equipment are required for routine maintenance. By comparison with other methods of heating, Sainsbury's will benefit from significant cost savings throughout the life of the system."
Senior Engineer, Couch Perry & Wilkes Partnership
About J Sainsbury plc
A leading UK food retailer
At the time of the project, J Sainsbury plc was a leading UK food retailer with interests in financial services and property, comprising Sainsbury's Supermarkets and Sainsbury's Bank in the UK and Shaw's Supermarkets in the US. Sainsbury's Supermarkets in the UK served in excess of 11 million customers a week from its 500 UK stores.
The customer's first choice
The company aimed to be the customer's first choice for food shopping by providing high quality products, value for money, excellent service and attention to detail. The new Waltham Point regional distribution centre was designed to service 140 of its stores in the south east of England.
Inside the distribution centre
Show technical specifications
| Length | 337 m |
|---|---|
| Width | 100 m |
| Average height | 5.3 m |
| Floor area | 33,700 m² |
| Volume | 178,610 m³ |
| Number of units / systems | 2 off |
| Heater type | Indirect gas |
| Cooling | None |
| Length | 234 m |
|---|---|
| Width | 100 m |
| Average height | 17.3 m |
| Floor area | 23,400 m² |
| Volume | 404,820 m³ |
| Number of units / systems | 4 off |
| Heater type | Indirect gas |
| Cooling | None |
| Plant rooms | 3, systems installed in pairs |
|---|---|
| Fresh air | 10–100%, seasonally adjusted |
| Fan control | Frequency invertors |
| Cooling coils | Can be retro-fitted |
| Controls | Trend BMS (control & monitoring) |
| Room sensors | 48 |
| Internal noise level | NR 50 |
| Location | Waltham Point, Essex |
|---|---|
| Client | J Sainsbury plc |
| Construction manager | RG Group |
| Consulting engineers | Couch Perry & Wilkes Partnership |
| HVAC design & installation | Jet Environmental |
From frost protection to multi-zone climate control, our engineers design bespoke HVAC systems that perform. If you have a facility with a similar problem, talk to us about it.
