HC Deb 12 March 2002 vol 381 cc895-6W
Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures were taken by her Department to ensure that the consultant advising on the installation of air conditioning during the recent refurbishment of 20 Victoria Street, London was aware of the Government's policy on the use of hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants in air-conditioning; and if she will make a statement on the measures taken by the consultant to source practical and safe alternatives to hydrofluorocarbon-based air-conditioning. [41175]

Clare Short

The consultants used in the design and selection of the water source heat pump installation confirmed to DFID that the exercise was undertaken in the full knowledge of the Government's policy on the use of hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant in air conditioning, the Kyoto agreement, the latest ACRIB recommendations (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board) and BS EN378. The specification of a water source heat pump installation at 20 Victoria Street made the best use of the existing risers and plant space. This system also contains a small amount of refrigerant in each heat pump unit and so avoids any refrigerant leaks from the pipework, which contains only water.

Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which consultant was used to advise on the installation of air conditioning during the recent refurbishment of 20 Victoria Street, London. [41174]

Clare Short

John Melville Partnership (JMP) were the mechanical and electrical consultants employed on behalf of DFID by our project managers, Debenham Tie Leung (DTZ).

Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether an installer capable of installing not-in-kind air conditioning was invited to quote for the recent refurbishment of 20 Victoria Street, London; and if she will make a statement. [41176]

Clare Short

One supplier expressed an interest in tendering and offered a propane-based refrigerant for the project.

This was not taken due to:

  1. (1) Propane systems carry an inherent fire risk when installed in an office environment such as 20 Victoria Street, and consequently the danger from leaks of propane are more serious than that of R407C.
  2. (2) Propane systems are still relatively new to the UK air conditioning market unlike the R407C units specified.
  3. (3) Propane systems require additional maintenance to ensure that safety checks/measures are in place, which increases the running costs of a building.
  4. (4) The received quotation from the supplier for the propane-based equipment was significantly in excess of the specified system.