Project Background

The O2 Arena in London is not only a world-renowned entertainment venue but also home to the Icon Outlet, a bustling shopping and dining destination. It features a mix of high-end, high-street, and designer outlet stores, as well as a variety of restaurants and leisure attractions, it draws millions of visitors annually.

With its prime location and constant foot traffic, maintaining seamless heating and hot water services is essential for both businesses and guests.

When essential repairs threatened the heating and hot water supply to the O2’s bustling shopping area, shutting down simply wasn’t an option. With businesses and visitors relying on a seamless experience, maintaining uninterrupted service was critical.

Our client, a heat network provider, is responsible for supplying Low Temperature Hot Water (LTHW) from an underground network to a substation within the O2. However, urgent pipework repairs posed a significant risk to this essential service. To prevent disruption, they needed a reliable, efficient and immediate temporary heating solution.

Key facts and statistics about shopping at The O2, highlighting visitor numbers, retail expansion, and spending trends.

Close-up of Rapid Energy branding on a temporary boiler unit at the O2 Arena, highlighting the company's expertise in emergency and planned boiler hire solutions.

650kW Packaged Boiler

Temporary Equipment Utilised

A senior engineer from Rapid Energy conducted a detailed site survey before proposing a strategic temporary boiler solution to ensure uninterrupted heating services during the repair period. This solution comprised the following equipment:

 

  • 1 x 650kW Packaged Boiler – Positioned externally, adjacent to the existing plant room as a temporary solution.
  • 1 x 4500-Litre Fuel Tank – We were unable to connect to the existing gas supplier, so an oil fired temporary boiler was utilised. Therefore a bunded fuel tank was required as part of the temporary solution.
  • 100m of 3″ HTG Hose with Camlock Adaptors – Enabled efficient connection from the temporary boiler to the existing infrastructure.
  • 2 x 3 Phase 32 Amp Power Leads – Provided the necessary power for the boiler and auxiliary equipment.
  • Scissor Lift – Facilitated the safe and precise installation of equipment in challenging site conditions.

Challenges

The primary challenge was to ensure the heating services remained fully operational while essential repairs were carried out. Key challenges included:

  • Seamless Integration – The temporary boiler had to integrate flawlessly with the existing network to maintain performance.
  • Logistical Constraints – The site’s structure and location presented challenges in positioning and installing equipment.
  • Dedicated Coordination – Close liaison with the client’s repair schedule was crucial to minimise disruption.
  • Uninterrupted Fuel Supply – Ensuring a continuous fuel source to maintain heating throughout the duration of the project.

A large transport truck carrying Rapid Energy-branded packaged temporary boilers, parked in front of The O2 Arena. A large temporary boiler unit being lifted into position at the O2 Arena in London by Rapid Energy, a leading provider of boiler hire solutions.

Installation and location

Outcome

Through careful planning, collaboration and expert execution, Rapid Energy successfully installed and commissioned the temporary heating system. The solution provided the necessary heating capacity, allowing repairs to proceed without affecting the shopping area’s operations. Key results included:

  • Uninterrupted Service – The packaged boiler maintained heating and hot water services without downtime.
  • Efficient Installation – Despite logistical challenges, our team completed the installation swiftly and efficiently.
  • Seamless Project Execution – Coordinated efforts with the client to ensure smooth implementation, aligning with their repair schedule.

Temporary boiler hire equipment setup outside the O2 Arena, with an open unit showcasing the internal heating system provided by Rapid Energy.

 

Conclusion

This case study highlights Rapid Energy’s ability to deliver tailored packaged boiler hire solutions in demanding environments. By providing a fast, reliable and effective heating solution, we ensured service continuity, showcasing our commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction in critical scenarios.

 

If you have any projects coming up that require a temporary boiler, call us on 0800 464 7025 or complete the form below.

Get in touch

  • Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 50 MB.
    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • FEBE 2024
    • ISO-9001 Certified Logo
    • OFTEC Accredited Logo
    • CHAS Accredited Logo
    • Constructionline Gold Logo
    • GAS Safe Logo
    • SSIP Logo
    • F-Gass Certified
    • SafeContractor Logo