District Heating
Our range of District Heating services includes:
Design consulting and heat network engineering
Network hydraulics, stress/expansion analysis and pipe sizing to EN 13941
Route optioneering, utilities coordination and buildability reviews
Temporary works design including traffic management planning
Digital engineering, BIM and 3D clash detection
Stakeholder engagement planning and consents support
Energy centres, plantrooms and customer substations for District Heating
New‑build and retrofit low‑temperature hot water (LTHW) energy centres
Heat source integration (CHP, waste heat, boilers, heat pumps and hybrid systems)
Plate heat exchanger (PHE) substations: twin‑PHE, differential pressure control, metering and billing readiness
Pumps, pressurisation, expansion, dosing and water‑quality treatment systems
SCADA, BMS and telemetry integration for live performance monitoring
Network construction – pipelines and crossings, for District Heating
Supply and installation of pre‑insulated Series 2 flow & return mains (trunk and distribution), valves and chambers
Open‑cut and trenchless solutions delivery solutions across city centres, highway and constrained environments
Bridge and underpass crossings: survey, secondary steelwork and bracketry design, anchors/expansion management and protective cladding
Future connection points, isolation strategies and temporary boiler connection provisions
Reinstatement to specification, including foam concrete backfill where appropriate
Streetworks, traffic management and in-house civils
Confirmation to CDM regulations, site logistics planning, compounds, welfare and materials delivery/installation.
Community and stakeholder communications (letter drops, briefings and helpline)
Mechanical, electrical & instrumentation (MEI) for District Heating
LV/HV design, cabling, controls and communications
Panel design and manufacture, inspection and testing to BS 7671
Commissioning and protection testing (HV & LV)
NICEIC‑approved installations
Testing, commissioning and water quality for District Heating
Fill, vent and hydraulic testing (typically up to 1.5× working pressure)
Non‑invasive pipe cleaning strategies (e.g. ice pigging) to remove construction debris
BSRIA BG 29/2021‑aligned closed‑loop pre‑treatment cleaning and corrosion control
Progressive sectional handover and performance verification
Operations, maintenance and support for District Heating
24/7/365 monitoring and incident response via regional operational hubs
Planned and reactive maintenance for energy centres, networks and substations
Asset condition surveys, performance optimisation and lifecycle planning
Sustainability and social value for District Heating
Construction methods that reduce disruption, waste and water consumption
Local employment, apprenticeships and community engagement initiatives
Carbon reporting and support for clients’ Net Zero objectives
Our multi-disciplinary teams deliver a fully integrated service, from early-stage feasibility, through design and construction, to commissioning and long-term operational support.
We have proven expertise in both framework delivery and bespoke, project-specific solutions, and with a national network of offices and depots, we provide responsive, reliable service wherever it’s needed.
OCU offers comprehensive specialist design and installation capability across the District Heating sector. Our teams provide end-to-end district heating infrastructure - from consultation and design through to build, operation and maintenance. We partner with public and private sector clients to develop, construct and operate safe, resilient heat networks that deliver real decarbonisation for buildings and communities.
From energy centres, pre-insulated distribution networks in city centres, customer substations and plate heat exchangers - as well as complex, high-risk schemes requiring enhanced engineering, such as bridge designs and above-ground river or road crossings or below ground tunnel installations.