Upgrading energy efficiency in a live retail environment

In 2014, Precise Air commenced the first of five major plant upgrades for QIC, delivering the SR-1 works as the opening stage of a broader asset renewal program. Since then, Precise Air has completed three further upgrades—SR2, SR4 and SR5—building a detailed understanding of the site, its operating requirements and the coordination needed to deliver successive infrastructure improvements. This ongoing program reflects a consistent, staged approach to modernising essential mechanical services while maintaining continuity across the property.

The challenge: upgrading a live environment

Every SR project was delivered while the site remained operational. Replacing major air-conditioning plant in a live environment required careful planning, coordination and sequencing to minimise disruption. Throughout the works, it was imperative that QIC and its tenants remained satisfied with internal temperature conditions and comfort levels, and that their customers continued to experience a comfortable environment. Maintaining these conditions while critical plant was progressively taken offline, removed and replaced was central to the successful delivery of each upgrade.

Technical solution and outcome

The SR works involved decommissioning and removing major refrigerant plant and replacing it with new chilled-water infrastructure. The upgraded systems included new Powerpax chillers, pumps and a chilled-water loop, providing a renewed central plant platform for the site’s air-conditioning requirements. By delivering the upgrades in stages and managing the transition between existing and new equipment within an operating property, Precise Air enabled QIC to progressively modernise its major plant while continuing to support tenant comfort and day-to-day customer activity.