ARH was appointed to coordinate the refurbishment and reinstallation of nine traditional cast iron radiators within a school, preserving the character of the building whilst restoring the radiators to a high-quality finish and ensuring continued heating performance. The project required careful planning, specialist restoration and coordinated logistics, with all works completed within the school’s half-term closure.
The project presented three distinct challenges that required practical solutions on the day.
The substantial weight and size of traditional cast iron radiators created significant manual handling risks when removing and repositioning them within the building. Once refurbishment was complete, it became clear during reinstallation that the existing pipework and valve connections had shifted from their original positions over more than 20 years, preventing direct reconnection to the refurbished radiators. Throughout all of this, the works had a fixed completion window tied to the school’s half-term closure, with the heating system needing to be fully operational before pupils and staff returned.
ARH’s in-house engineers isolated, disconnected and removed all nine radiators, using a four-person team, a transportation trolley and purpose-made wooden plinths to distribute weight safely and protect the building’s existing finishes.
The radiators were transported to a specialist refurbishment contractor for restoration, with ARH managing all logistics and coordination throughout. On their return to site, our engineers completed the reinstallation and reconnection.
When the pipework alignment issue was identified, rather than delay completion, our engineers sourced and collected suitable valve extensions the same day, allowing connections to be adapted and the works to proceed as planned.
All activities were carefully sequenced to meet the half-term programme, ensuring the heating system was fully reinstated before the school reopened.
All nine cast iron radiators were successfully removed, professionally refurbished and reinstalled within the agreed programme. The refurbishment transformed the appearance of the ageing radiators, providing a durable modern finish whilst retaining their traditional design and complementing the character of the school building. Despite the unexpected pipework challenges, the heating system was reconnected and returned to full operation in time for the school’s reopening.
By refurbishing rather than replacing, the school retained its traditional cast iron radiators, preserving the character of the building at a fraction of the cost of full replacement and extending the useful life of existing heating assets.
Working within the half-term window meant zero disruption to the school’s day-to-day operation. Same-day sourcing of valve components when an unforeseen issue emerged kept the project on track without delay or additional cost to the client.
ARH provided a single point of coordination across in-house engineering, specialist restoration and logistics, removing the complexity and risk that comes with managing multiple contractors. The sustainable approach of refurbishment and reuse also reduced waste and the demand for new materials.
This case demonstrates ARH’s ability to deliver specialist project work within a challenging, time-sensitive environment, combining practical problem-solving with effective subcontractor coordination to protect both programme and client confidence.