Bexhill High School
Challenge
Bexhill High School experienced a catastrophic failure of its existing gas boilers, leaving the site without heating or hot water during term time. As a large secondary school, this posed an immediate operational risk, with the potential for significant disruption to staff and pupils and possible closure if services could not be restored quickly.
The project had to be delivered in an extremely tight timeframe, with a temporary boiler required to be supplied, installed, and operational within 24 hours of the failure. In addition, all works needed to be carried out within a fully operational school environment, where safeguarding requirements were critical. Managing vehicle movements, pedestrian access, and engineering works safely around pupils, staff, and parents added further complexity.
Maintaining minimal downtime, ensuring compliance with all health and safety regulations, and working around daily school activities were key challenges throughout the long-term hire period of approximately 18 months.
SOLUTION
Roselands Heating attended the site on an emergency call-out within one hour of notification to assess the situation. The team evaluated the existing plant room and pipework to accurately size and specify a 600kW temporary gas boiler capable of meeting the school’s heating and hot water demands efficiently.
The failed plant room was safely disconnected, and the temporary boiler was supplied, installed, and commissioned within 24 hours, ensuring the school could remain open with minimal disruption. Throughout the project, Roselands Heating worked in close partnership with an external health and safety consultant to ensure all regulations and safeguarding requirements were fully met.
Clear and consistent two-way communication was maintained with the school’s team at every stage of the work. This allowed traffic and footfall to be managed safely and ensured staff were fully informed of ongoing activities. All engineers on site were DBS checked to an enhanced level, providing additional reassurance while working in a live school environment. The temporary boiler system was then maintained throughout the 18-month hire period, providing reliable heating and hot water under challenging circumstances.
