No slowing down for Heatwave Mechanical

There’s plenty in the pipeline for Heatwave Mechanical, including a new aquarium for the University of Auckland and a full building services package at Waitematā Station

Leigh Marine Laboratory

Heatwave Mechanical has been working with the University of Auckland for over two decades, but the latest is a first: a new aquarium at the Leigh Marine Laboratory with both cold and tempered water.

With the research facility perched on seaside cliffs overlooking Leigh Marine Reserve, though, this is no straightforward task.

“The first stage of the project is to ‘set up’ the pipework and tank farm infrastructure about the site – meaning we are to pump seawater up a cliff, reticulate it around the site to various tank farms, filter the seawater using specialised media filters and air scouring, then to liven/ commission,” shares Heatwave Mechanical’s Maksim Manko.

Understandably, the procurement of specialised equipment for a project such as this has been a challenge – in particular, water filtration units, specialised valves and other units such as holding tanks, pumps and air scourers.

“This project is unique and sourcing suitable equipment to ensure the designer’s intent can be achieved is not an easy task,” says Maksim, “and involves heavy engineering work with supply chains.”

Ensuring the success of this first stage of the project is essential for the commencement of stage two. “The next stage involves construction of the aquarium, seawater heatpumps and additional bulk holding tanks. The seawater installation has only recently started and the project is to be completed early 2024,” says Maksim, with some design work for stage two remaining before the team can commence procurement of the aquarium services.