Summary
University Hospital Crosshouse is a major NHS hospital serving East and North Ayrshire. Replacing cold water storage infrastructure within an operational hospital presented a particular challenge: clinical services had to continue while the existing tanks were removed and the new tanks installed.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran required two GRP sectional cold water storage tanks measuring 12 m × 9 m × 2 m each. Before installation began, the existing tank base was assessed and modifications were identified as necessary to provide appropriate structural support for the replacement tanks.
Tricel’s sales, manufacturing, logistics and site teams coordinated with BBESL Glasgow and the wider project team to manufacture, deliver and assemble the tanks on site. Sectional construction allowed the tank components to be taken to the installation area and assembled in position.
The installation was completed within two weeks without interruption to the hospital’s water supply, while meeting the project’s SHTM 04-01 and potable-water requirements.
Project Information
At a Glance
University Hospital Crosshouse required replacement cold water storage infrastructure while the hospital remained fully operational.
Healthcare & NHS
BBESL Glasgow worked with Tricel’s project teams during the hospital water tank replacement programme.
Two 12 m × 9 m × 2 m GRP sectional cold water storage tanks. Each tank’s geometric volume is 216,000 litres, giving 432,000 litres across the two tanks.
Removal of the existing hospital water tanks and installation of two replacement GRP sectional tanks, including assessment and modification of the existing support base.
The work had to be carried out inside a continuously operating hospital without disrupting its water supply, while meeting healthcare water-storage requirements.
July 2021 — Water storage tank replacement project completed
Two-week installation programme
The replacement GRP sectional tanks were installed and brought into service, providing the hospital with compliant cold water storage infrastructure without an interruption to water supply.
Project Background
Water Tank Replacement Within a Live NHS Hospital
University Hospital Crosshouse is a large district general hospital near Kilmarnock operated by NHS Ayrshire & Arran. NHS 24 currently describes the hospital as providing a wide range of services, including paediatric inpatient services, and as the location of the Emergency Department serving East and North Ayrshire.
The hospital required its existing cold water storage tanks to be removed and replaced with new GRP sectional tanks.
Unlike a conventional commercial installation, the work was being undertaken within an operational healthcare environment. Water availability had to be maintained throughout the project because hospital clinical services, catering, infection-control activities and other essential functions depend on a continuous water supply. Tricel’s current NHS water-resilience guide specifically identifies zero supply interruption as a requirement of the Crosshouse project.
Two GRP sectional tanks measuring 12 m × 9 m × 2 m were selected for the replacement installation.
Before the new tanks could be installed, the existing foundation was inspected to establish whether it could adequately support the replacement system. The inspection identified that modifications were required before tank assembly could proceed.
Delivery Approach
Tricel's Engineering and Delivery Approach
Completing a major cold water storage replacement within a live hospital required planning across structural preparation, manufacturing, delivery, assembly and commissioning.
Pre-Installation Foundation Assessment
Before the replacement tanks were installed, Tricel’s installation team assessed the existing supporting foundation.
The inspection identified modifications that were required before the base could safely support the new GRP sectional tanks. Completing this work before tank assembly reduced the risk of structural issues affecting the installation programme.
Sectional Tank Construction
The replacement tanks were supplied in sectional GRP form.
Individual panels could therefore be transported to the tank location and assembled in situ rather than requiring complete tanks to be lifted into the building.
Tricel’s NHS water-resilience guide notes that this method avoided the need for large-scale crane lifting or major structural opening works that could have created additional disruption within the hospital.
Working With the Hospital Contractor
Tricel worked alongside BBESL Glasgow, the project contractor.
Coordination between the contractor and Tricel’s internal teams covered preparation of the tank base, delivery and installation requirements, helping the project remain within programme while hospital operations continued.
Maintaining the Hospital Water Supply
One of the principal project requirements was that installation work could not disrupt the hospital’s water supply.
The replacement programme was therefore planned around maintaining continuous water availability throughout the works.
The completed project recorded zero disruption to water supply.
Time-Critical Delivery
The client required guaranteed readiness ahead of the major stadium event scheduled for 5 November 2025.
Both tanks were successfully installed ahead of deadline.
The Brief
Understanding the Challenge
The University Hospital Crosshouse water storage replacement presented four principal challenges.
•Live Hospital Environment: The project was taking place within an operational NHS hospital where clinical and support services had to continue throughout the works.
•Zero Water-Supply Interruption: The existing tanks had to be replaced without interrupting water availability to the hospital.
•Existing Foundation Condition: A pre-installation assessment found that the existing tank base required modification before the new GRP tanks could be installed.
•Healthcare Compliance: The replacement water-storage installation had to meet the applicable healthcare and potable-water requirements, including SHTM 04-01 and WRAS requirements.
Programme
Timeline
Tricel supplied and installed two 12 m × 9 m × 2 m GRP sectional cold water storage tanks at University Hospital Crosshouse.
Live-Site Replacement Completed. The programme included preparation of the existing foundation, delivery of the sectional components and assembly of the replacement tanks while maintaining the hospital’s water supply.
The completed installation provides GRP cold water storage infrastructure for University Hospital Crosshouse as part of NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s healthcare estate.
Outcome
A Hospital Water Storage Upgrade Delivered Without Supply Disruption
The tank replacement was completed without interruption to the hospital’s water supply.
The installation programme was completed within a two-week period.
Two 12 m × 9 m × 2 m sectional GRP tanks were installed.
The two tanks provide a combined geometric storage volume of approximately 432,000 litres. Tricel’s current healthcare page also describes the Crosshouse installation as 432,000 L combined capacity.
The installation was specified against SHTM 04-01 and potable-water requirements.
Sectional construction allowed the replacement tanks to be assembled at their final location while limiting disruption within the operational hospital.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Tricel replace the water tanks without disrupting the hospital's water supply?
The installation programme was planned around maintaining continuous water availability throughout the works. Tricel coordinated the preparation, manufacturing, logistics and site installation stages with the project contractor, allowing the replacement to be completed without recorded interruption to the hospital’s water supply.
Why were sectional GRP tanks suitable for the hospital?
Sectional tanks can be transported to the installation area as individual components and assembled in situ. For the Crosshouse project, this helped avoid the major lifting or structural opening work that could have caused additional disruption inside the hospital.
Do healthcare water tanks require ongoing maintenance?
Yes. Cold water storage tanks should remain accessible for routine inspection, cleaning and maintenance as required by the building’s water safety procedures. Maintenance requirements should therefore influence the original tank location and surrounding access space.
What information should a consultant provide when requesting a tank quotation?
Useful information includes the required storage capacity, available tank dimensions, plant-room access, inlet and outlet sizes and positions, required compartmentation, insulation requirements, access hatches, internal fittings and any relevant project standards. Drawings and site constraints also help reduce revisions later in the specification process.
Can hospital water storage tanks be divided into compartments?
Yes. Sectional tanks can be configured with internal divisions where the project specification requires them. Compartmentation can allow part of the storage system to remain available while another section is isolated for inspection, cleaning or maintenance, subject to the hydraulic design of the system.
What access is needed around a sectional water tank?
Adequate clearance should be allowed for installation, inspection, cleaning and future maintenance. The exact requirement depends on the tank configuration, access arrangement and manufacturer’s installation guidance. This should be reviewed during the design stage rather than after the plant room layout has been finalised.
What should be considered when specifying water storage for a hospital?
Hospital water storage design should consider required capacity, peak demand, resilience, access for maintenance, water turnover, hygiene controls, available plant-room space and the applicable healthcare guidance. The tank itself is only one part of the wider water system, so pipework, distribution, maintenance access and operational continuity also need to be considered.
About University Hospital Crosshouse
University Hospital Crosshouse is a large district general hospital near Kilmarnock operated by NHS Ayrshire & Arran. The hospital provides a wide range of services and is home to the national Cochlear Implant Service. Its Emergency Department serves East and North Ayrshire, and the hospital also provides paediatric inpatient services.
ABOUT TRICEL WATER
Tricel Water manufactures GRP cold water storage tanks for healthcare, commercial, infrastructure and industrial applications across the UK and Ireland.
Its sectional water storage tanks are designed for applications where access, capacity, water quality and installation conditions require a configurable storage system. Tricel Water supports projects from tank specification and manufacture through to installation and aftercare.
For healthcare applications, Tricel currently states that its sectional tanks are manufactured to BS EN 13280 and that its potable-water products have third-party certification for Regulation 4 water-contact requirements.
