Keeping the gas flowing
National Grid Metering partners with Cadent to ensure local care home can cope with influx of patients and those self-isolating.
During the COVID-19 pandemic there is an increase in spaces being converted into facilities to serve new purpose during the outbreak. These include larger emergency field hospitals such as London’s ExCel Centre and Birmingham’s NEC, both opening their doors to help support coronavirus patients needing intensive care treatment.
But it’s not the just the large sites changing to fit the needs of others. A care home in Essex has recently converted their facility utilising spare space (away from residents) by adding beds for potential Covid-19 sufferers or those who need to self-isolate away from vulnerable family members. The care home hoped that this would alleviate the pressure felt by their local Trust and provide peace of mind to those most vulnerable.
To ensure the care home was equipped for the possible influx of patients, and that the building has enough energy to meet to increased demand, National Grid Metering and Cadent partnered together to fit a new meter installation whilst adhering to the latest government guidelines on social distancing and hygiene.
The care home had a U6 meter that was unable to supply the right amount of gas to the recently installed boilers. An engineer exchanged this meter with a U16 meter, generally used for commercial applications, but ideal for this situation. This will enable the care home to cope with the energy demand and keep the gas flowing.
Alastair Wood, Technical Services Delivery Manager said that both NGM and Cadent had received praise from Thurrock Council: "Thank you so much, this is fantastic, and we really appreciate you supporting Thurrock Council to get this facility up and running in these very difficult times."
Robert Clarke, Mechanical Engineer from Thurrock Council commented: "You and your colleagues help has been invaluable in this matter and your community spirit is commendable."
Richard Birks, Contract Manager from National Grid Metering added: "It was important we worked quickly with our service partner Cadent on this job, so that the facility could be up and running as efficiently as possible to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Special thanks go to Gary Coates from Cadent who brought this job to our attention and coordinated with his engineers to complete the work. Another thanks you goes to Kate Rodgers and her team who helped raise the job in the appropriate system and sent across to Cadent in rapid time."
