Case Study: Healthcare - Replacement of water isolation valves
Client: Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
Sector: Healthcare
Completed: October 2025
Services Used
- Project management
- Mechanical Engineering
- Specialist Pipe Engineers
Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport looks after a population of approximately 350,000 people and is managed by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.
The existing valves within the main hospital cold water distribution network were non-operational due to age. In addition the system required further valves to enable increased isolation control for future maintenance.
Project Scope:
The project involved the replacement and insertion of 6″ and 4″ water isolation valves within the live cold water distribution network of the hospital building.
Project Challenges
The work had to take place while the hospital continued to be fully serviced with a water supply.
One traditional way to access a live distribution network is to freeze sections of it. However, in this case, due to the high environmental temperature within the ducts, freezing the pipework to carry out the valve changes was assessed as a high-risk proposal and would also mean that areas of the hospital would be without cold water service.
Using line-stop and bypass arrangement equipment, we installed the line stops. We used bypass hoses to maintain the flow of water services around the area where work was required.
.
Health and Safety
At the Meel Group we take Health & Safety very seriously and all RAMs were in place. No accidents or near misses occurred during the project.
Results:
The client was happy with the works and is considering using this methodology on future projects with ourselves.
