Carrier Rental Systems Takes Centre Stage in Theatre Production
25/04/2012 Carrier Rental Systems
Carrier Rental Systems, Preston's industrial temperature control specialists, played a very special part in a recent theatre production at the world famous Waterloo Station in London.The Leyland-based company, which designs and provides rental cooling and heating solutions for clients across the UK and further afield, were commissioned by PW Productions to source and supply the perfect temperature-controlling equipment for the temporary theatre arena. The theatre, set within a disused part of one of the capital's busiest rail exchanges, was the setting for a special production based on E. Nesbit's classic story, The Railway Children.
During the performance, theatre-goers were astonished to see a real steam engine - the beautiful 60 tonne Stirling Single - enter the auditorium on railway tracks. Carrier Rental Systems' brief was to supply a heating and cooling package for the temporary theatre and the 1,000 visitors who attended every performance. They also had to establish temporary power for the plant which was required to run a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) plant with full fuel management.
Carrier Rental Systems supplied two heat pump chillers which were linked to internal fan coils. These supplied chilled air to the audience via a series of overhead and under-seat ducting. An air curtain was constructed around the area from which the steam train entered the auditorium to contain the internal temperature.
Carrier Rental Systems' Sales Director, Marc White, said: "The temporary theatre was built underneath a glazed dome which was also open at each end. This posed difficult temperature fluctuations which had to be overcome. During summer months, temperatures were often in the high 30s due to solar gain from the structure. In winter, the wind blew through the open ends, creating a cold environment.
"We managed the variations in seasonal temperature by providing cooling in the summer and in the autumn, we switched to heat pump. This supplied heating to take the edge off the auditorium temperature. When the audience was present and the stage lights were turned on, it was switched to cooling. In the winter, boilers supplied hot water to the fan coils and heating to the theatre."
Jason Nunn, from PW productions, said: "The Railway Children at Waterloo presented many difficult challenges, none more so than the need for some form of temperature control. Sudden cold spells hampered the operation of the equipment we had installed, and at a days' notice, back came Carrier Rental Systems and installed heavier equipment to provide us with exactly what we needed.
"The whole operation was handled very professionally even though the Carrier Rental Systems guys had the challenge of working on railway lines and in some areas, with minimal room."
The show ran from June 2011 until early 2012.
For further information, please visit: www.carrierrentalsystems.co.uk
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