Heating and cooling system maintenance at zoo

Kimpton will help to keep a range of rare and endangered animals happy after being awarded heating and cooling system maintenance contracts by Chester Zoo.

Kimpton takes responsibility for maintaining ideal conditions in the Zoo's 'Realm of the Red Ape' enclosure, housing critically endangered orang-utans, the 'Asian Plains' enclosure which accommodates the Indian Rhino, and the animal health centre where sick animals go to be nurtured back to health.

"Maintenance of HVAC systems is critical in a zoo environment and plays a significant role in sustaining a good quality of life for the animals," explains Richard Kimpton, Managing Director of Kimpton Building Services.

"At 110 acres, Chester Zoo is one of the largest in the UK, and receives over a million visitors a year".

"It is known internationally for its enclosure designs and breeding programmes and Kimpton's expertise will support that reputation, helping to ensure that the HVAC systems operate efficiently at all times, so that the animals can remain safe, happy and healthy".

The recently completed GBP3.5 million 'Realm of the Red Ape' enclosure, opened by Nick Knowles of DIY SOS fame in May, houses critically endangered Sumatran and Bornean orang-utans.

The exhibit is fully heated and ventilated to provide an excellent all year round living environment for the Orang-utans and members of the public in the viewing galleries.

The maintenance programme will also include the upkeep of the fully heated off-show enclosure for the zoo's newest addition.

Indian Rhino Patna arrived earlier this year and the fully heated and ventilated enclosure has been designed to provide ideal surroundings in which they can thrive.

Finally, the zoo's animal health centre is where sick animals are nurtured back to health.

Maintaining an optimum temperature here is critical and the high efficiency heating and cooling air system, provides a high quality supply air to the various areas throughout the centre.

Ray Morrison, Maintenance Manager at Chester Zoo commented, "Kimpton's Service and Maintenance Division has been involved on this site for several years and has a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the facilities".

"The company's planned preventative maintenance schedules are a vital part of our building services operation, its location nearby on the Wirral, means Kimpton is always able to respond quickly and efficiently to any unforeseen problems such as parts failure.".

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