5 Space-saving Solutions for Challenging Project Layouts

M&E Consultants & Contractors Commercial Construction Residential

This article covers:

1. Reduce the Equipment Footprint
2. Combine Storage and Boosting
3. Gain Capability Without Using More Space
4. Move Equipment Outside the Building
5. Design Around Restricted Access
Choosing the Right Space-Saving Approach
Make space part of the project plan

Limited plant room space shapes more than equipment selection. It affects delivery and access routes, installation sequence and how easily the system can be maintained in ten years’ time. Five approaches cover most situations: reduce, combine, integrate, relocate, or design around the constraint.

1. Reduce the Equipment Footprint

Start with the project problem: a conventional booster set may satisfy the duty point but consume space needed for pipework, valves, controls and servicing. A compact set can preserve that working area, provided it still meets the required flow, pressure and resilience. Confirm model dimensions and clearances against the coordinated plant-room layout.

Space Saving Solutions

Slimline: Suits commercial and industrial duties where available plant-room depth is restricted.
VG: Suits commercial and residential applications where a compact footprint is required.
MicroBOOST® MAX: Suits domestic applications where available installation space is restricted.

2. Combine Storage and Boosting

A separately positioned cold water storage tank and booster set require two footprints, interconnecting pipework and clearance around both. Where the project requires storage as well as boosting, combining these functions within a single system can make better use of the available space. Size the selected model against peak demand, incoming mains conditions and required capacity, then coordinate the inlet, outlet, overflow, drainage, power supply and service space.

Combine Storage with ScubaTANK®

ScubaTANK® places its submersible pumps inside an insulated storage tank, combining both functions within one system. This can create a more efficient plant-room arrangement while retaining the storage needed for the project.

3. Gain Capability Without Using More Space

When a project requires both water boosting and separate Category 5 protection, accommodating multiple systems within a constrained plant room can be challenging. Selecting compact solutions and considering the overall system footprint can help meet these requirements without unnecessarily increasing the space needed.

Integrated Category 5 Solutions

VRX: A compact water booster set designed to make efficient use of available plant-room space.
AB ScubaTANK®: Provides Category 5 protection with integrated storage and boosting within a single system.
AirBREAK® VC: Variable-speed Category 5 boosting for applications with changing demand.
AirBREAK® FC: Fixed-speed Category 5 boosting for applications with consistent demand.
UniBREAK™: A compact Category 5 solution combining a break tank and booster pump.
MiniBREAK: A compact Category 5 solution with a free-standing break tank and end-suction booster pump.

4. Move Equipment Outside the Building

Sometimes no internal arrangement works, or the floor area is worth more as usable space. Moving the system outside the building envelope is then a design decision to take early, because it affects drainage, power, access and civils. Coordinate the base or excavation, incoming and outgoing services, power, drainage, environmental protection, delivery route and future maintenance access.

Weatherproof Solutions

QuadraTANK®: Houses tank and booster set in an insulated GRP weatherproof kiosk, with type AF or AB air gap options and lockable access.
Optimise™: Puts the plant room below ground with a full-size staircase, mechanical ventilation, air quality monitoring and a flood bund.
Bespoke plant rooms and skids: These can be designed, built and tested offsite around the project.

5. Design Around Restricted Access

A system may fit the allocated area but still be difficult to deliver, connect or maintain. Measure the full access route, including doors, corridors, corners, stairs, lifting points and temporary obstructions. Confirm connection positions and keep the specified service clearances available after surrounding services are installed.

Accessible Solutions

- Slimline: Its shallow profile suits restricted layouts, with front or side servicing options. Allow 500 mm clearance around the unit for maintenance.
- ScubaTANK®: Smaller models pass through a standard doorway, while larger tanks can be split horizontally for access. Control panels can also be supplied loose for remote mounting. Allow 150 mm clearance above the unit.

Choosing the Right Space-Saving Approach

Equipment that fits the plant room still has to reach it. Doorway widths, lift dimensions, corridor turns, riser positions and floor loadings all decide what can physically be delivered, and a set that cannot be serviced in place will need the same route again.

Choose the route after establishing the water duty and project constraints:

✔️ Required flow and pressure: calculate the design duty and available mains conditions.

✔️ Water-storage capacity: confirm usable volume, refill conditions and peak demand.

✔️ Category 5 requirements: establish the fluid risk and required backflow protection.

✔️ Available footprint: coordinate equipment, pipework, controls and surrounding services.

✔️ Access route: check openings, turns, lifting and the planned delivery sequence.

✔️ Maintenance clearance: retain safe access to serviceable components and removal routes.

✔️ Installation location: compare internal, external and underground requirements.

Comparing these data points against product specifications will determine the most viable structural layout for the mechanical equipment. Dutypoint can assess your technical and space requirements to identify a suitable system.