BRADFORD MAGISTRATES COURT

Bradford Energy Network (BEN).

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Broad Oak CS was appointed by FairHeat to deliver a technically demanding heating system retrofit at Bradford Magistrates’ Court, in preparation for connection to the Bradford Energy Network (BEN). The project was executed entirely outside of court operating hours to avoid disruption, requiring full delivery through night shifts.

The goal: transform a legacy heating system to operate efficiently on low flow and return temperatures—a crucial requirement for district energy integration.

SCOPE OF WORKS

Plant Room Upgrades

Pipework reconfiguration with a new common return header

Replacement of legacy pumps with high-efficiency models

Upgrade of valves to pressure-independent control valves (PICVs)

Water quality management via filtration, air/dirt separators, and real-time monitoring

Relocation of the pressurisation system

Installation of heat meters and Guru Hub monitoring across all primary circuits

Distribution System & Cells Area

New 2-pipe LTHW riser and branch network

System-wide hydraulic balancing with:

Cells area enhancements including:

DPCVs on laterals

PICVs on AHUs

TRVs on radiators

Flow-limiting valves on radiant panels

Automatic air vents

Return temperature limiting valves (RTLs) on DHW recirculation

CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS

Out-of-Hours Working

All installation and commissioning were completed at night to ensure zero disruption to daily court operations. Broad Oak CS coordinated closely with site security and facilities teams.

Legacy System Complexity

Retrofitting a high-temperature system for low-temp operation required detailed hydraulic redesigns and component-by-component upgrades.

Tight Plant Room Conditions

We optimised the layout through full re-piping to improve access and long-term maintainability.

PROJECT OUTCOMES

Future Ready Integration. Fully optimised for connection to BEN and other low-carbon district heat networks.

Enhanced efficiency. Reduced system heat loss and energy waste through modern balancing and upgraded controls.

Smart Performance Monitoring. Real-time data from Guru Hub enables proactive maintenance and performance optimisation.

Improved Thermal Comfort. Better control and balance of temperatures across zones ensure consistent heating performance.

Despite access and time limitations, Broad Oak CS successfully transformed the heating infrastructure of a live court facility. The project reflects our ability to handle complex, public-sector retrofit works and prepare large buildings for low-carbon, district energy futures.