Customer type

Location

Sector

New Build Homes

Project Overview

P C Kelly was appointed directly by MAF Properties to deliver the complete plumbing, heating, drainage and ventilation package for the construction of the 67 Ecco Building, a purpose-built student accommodation development in Sheffield. The project comprised the construction of 67 three-bedroom student apartments and required the installation of all mechanical services infrastructure from the incoming mains water supply through to the final apartment connections and commissioning. Working directly with the client throughout the project, our team was responsible for delivering a complete mechanical services solution, ensuring all systems were installed to specification, completed on programme and ready for occupation.

Key Installations:

• Water mains pumping station
• Cold water storage tank
• Building water risers
• 67 pressurised hot water cylinders
• Ventilation systems
• Complete drainage infrastructure

Customer Requirements

During the pre-construction phase, the client required an experienced commercial plumbing contractor capable of delivering a complete plumbing installation across a large multi-storey student accommodation development while working within a demanding construction programme.

With 67 self-contained apartments, communal facilities and associated service areas, the plumbing installation needed to provide dependable water services, efficient drainage and long-term reliability while maintaining consistent installation standards throughout every part of the building.

The customer's requirements included:

• Complete domestic hot and cold water services supplying all 67 student apartments. 
• Reliable plumbing systems serving kitchens, bathrooms, utility areas and communal facilities. 
• Above ground soil, waste and ventilation systems designed for continuous occupation. 
• Plumbing installations that complied fully with current Building Regulations, British Standards and project specifications. 
• Neatly coordinated pipework integrated within service risers, ceiling voids and apartment layouts while maintaining accessibility for future maintenance. 
• High-quality sanitaryware connections capable of withstanding the demands of high-occupancy residential accommodation. 
• Careful coordination with the principal contractor and all associated building trades to ensure the plumbing installation progressed in line with the overall construction programme. 
• Consistent workmanship across every apartment, ensuring uniform quality throughout the development. 
• Comprehensive testing, commissioning and certification before practical completion. 
• Complete operation and maintenance documentation together with client demonstrations at project handover. 

The client required a mechanical contractor capable of delivering a professional installation that combined technical expertise, programme management and consistent quality across a large-scale residential development.

Our Solution

Scope Of Works

P C Kelly delivered the complete plumbing, heating, drainage and ventilation installation package, including:

• Incoming mains water services
• Water mains pumping station
• Cold water storage tank installation
• Building water risers
• Hot and cold water distribution systems
• Pressurised hot water cylinders to all apartments
• Above-ground drainage systems
• Soil and waste pipework
• Mechanical ventilation systems
• Apartment first and second fix installations
• Testing, commissioning and handover

Installation / Delivery Details

Key Features

Water Infrastructure

A dedicated water mains pumping station and cold water storage system were installed to ensure reliable water supply throughout the development. A comprehensive riser network distributed services efficiently to all floors and apartments.

Apartment Services

Each of the 67 three-bedroom apartments was fitted with its own pressurised hot water cylinder, providing residents with dependable hot water while simplifying maintenance and future servicing requirements.

Complete Mechanical Package

Unlike many developments where services are split between multiple contractors, P C Kelly delivered the complete plumbing, heating, drainage and ventilation package, providing a coordinated installation from initial infrastructure through to final commissioning.

Project Challenges

As with any large-scale new-build development, careful planning and coordination were required throughout the construction programme.

The project involved managing multiple work phases across 67 apartments while coordinating with other trades to maintain programme deadlines and quality standards. Regular communication with the client and project team ensured smooth progress throughout the 12-month construction period.

Testing & Commissioning

Following completion of the plumbing installation, every domestic water and drainage system underwent a comprehensive programme of testing and commissioning to verify that the completed installation operated safely, efficiently and in accordance with the project specification before handover.

Throughout the commissioning phase, P C Kelly Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning worked closely with the principal contractor to ensure every apartment and communal area was fully inspected, tested and documented prior to practical completion.

The testing and commissioning programme included:

• Hydraulic pressure testing of all domestic hot and cold water pipework. 
• Leak testing of all mechanical joints, valves and plumbing connections. 
• System flushing and cleaning of the domestic water services to remove installation debris before final commissioning. 
• Verification of water pressures and flow rates throughout every apartment, communal facility and service area. 
• Inspection and operational testing of all sanitaryware, including wash hand basins, sinks, WCs, showers and associated plumbing connections. 
• Functional testing of isolation valves and service valves to confirm correct operation and accessibility. 
• Testing of above ground soil, waste and ventilation systems to verify correct falls, discharge performance and ventilation. 
• Inspection of pipework supports, insulation, service penetrations and fire stopping where applicable. 
• Verification of pipework identification, labelling and valve schedules to assist future maintenance. 
• Visual quality inspections across all apartments to ensure consistency of workmanship throughout the development. 
• Final operational testing of the complete plumbing installation under normal service conditions prior to client handover. 

Once all testing had been successfully completed, the installation underwent final commissioning in accordance with current Building Regulations, relevant British Standards and the project specification.

A comprehensive handover was then carried out, including:

• Pressure testing certificates. 
• Commissioning records. 
• Operation and maintenance manuals. 
• As-installed plumbing documentation. 
• Client demonstrations of the building's water services. 
• Maintenance recommendations to support long-term system performance. 

The successful completion of the testing and commissioning programme provided the client with confidence that every apartment had been fitted with a safe, reliable and professionally installed plumbing system, ready to support continuous student occupation while delivering dependable performance and straightforward maintenance for many years to come.

Project Outcome

The completed development provides modern, high-quality student accommodation supported by efficient and reliable mechanical services throughout.

By working directly for MAF Properties, P C Kelly successfully delivered a full mechanical services package from the ground up, demonstrating our capability to undertake substantial new-build residential developments as a principal mechanical contractor.

The project showcases our expertise in delivering large-scale plumbing, heating, drainage and ventilation installations while maintaining the quality, reliability and professionalism that have defined P C Kelly for more than 40 years.

Services Delivered

• Plumbing
• Heating
• Drainage
• Ventilation