Energy Retrofit at DKIT’s North Building

McKeon Group has successfully concluded a significant energy retrofit project at the Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) North Building.

This comprehensive undertaking focused on overhauling the building's critical systems, specifically targeting the roof, mechanical, and electrical infrastructure to achieve enhanced energy efficiency and meet stringent sustainability objectives.

This project represents the continuation of a strong collaborative relationship with DKIT. It builds upon the foundation laid by the successful completion of the Jocelyn Bell Burnell STEM Building in 2023, demonstrating McKeon Group's ongoing commitment to the institute's development and sustainability goals.

The Task

DKIT's primary objectives for this project were multifaceted, reflecting a commitment to environmental responsibility and infrastructural modernisation. These goals included significantly reducing carbon emissions, aligning with the institute's broader climate action plan and reflecting the public service mandate for environmental leadership.

The project aimed to substantially improve the overall energy performance of the building, contributing to long-term sustainability.

Another key aim was to upgrade outdated and inefficient infrastructure, such as removing redundant water enclosures and replacing ageing mechanical and electrical plants. The project also aimed to bring the building into compliance with Part L/nZEB requirements.

The Solution

McKeon Group implemented a comprehensive, sophisticated approach to achieve DKIT's objectives.

This energy retrofit project was executed in a single, continuous phase commencing in April 2024. Noisy work was scheduled for specific times to minimise disturbance. We also identified specific non-academic periods, such as study weeks and holidays, during which more disruptive work could be undertaken.

To streamline project processes, the team leveraged Procore, a construction management software. Procore's capabilities simplified the process of marking drawings for RFIs (Request For Information), queries, and notes and reduced administrative workload related to RFIs and submittals. Procore also enabled the generation of detailed project reports.

The project team undertook a complete roof revamp incorporating new insulation and membranes, which required the demolition of fourteen penthouse risers down to the roof level. This phase also involved replacing existing roof lights, installing new Automatic Opening Vents (AOVs) above staircases, and adding a new roof fall restraint system.

We installed a new hybrid heating system to enhance the building's heating capabilities. This system uses three 280kW Air Source Heat Pumps as the primary heat source, backed up by a cascade of five 60kW gas boilers for periods when temperatures drop to 3 degrees Celsius or lower. This bivalent arrangement replaced the eight antiquated gas boilers that were previously in use.

Furthermore, the electrical distribution system was modernised, and a new Building Management System (BMS) was implemented to allow DKIT to monitor and schedule the newly installed equipment efficiently.

The Results

The comprehensive upgrades at the North Building have significantly improved the campus's energy efficiency, contributing directly to DKIT's broader sustainability targets and demonstrating their leadership in climate action.

The successful completion of this project underscores McKeon Group's commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable solutions in challenging, live operational environments, drawing on our extensive experience from similar projects at other educational institutions.

McKeon Group

With over 70 years of experience, McKeon Group has extensive knowledge and expertise in delivering high-quality construction and energy retrofit projects. If you're considering a construction project, contact us today.