Along Kortrijksesteenweg in Ghent, we are jointly realising a multifunctional building together with project developer IPES. The design was created by SVR Architects and B2Ai, while construction is being carried out by Cordeel Construct. Imtech is responsible for the technical trades as the main contractor. SANHA®‑Therm (series 24000) pipes and press fittings from our portfolio are used throughout the piping installations.

The new building section at the intersection of the E40 motorway and Kortrijksesteenweg in Ghent has a total floor area of approx. 19,700 m². The building is mainly used as office space (5th, 6th, 7th and 8th floors), complemented by a fitness area on the ground floor as well as parking areas on two underground levels and on floors 2 and 3. A spacious inner courtyard and panoramic views over the city of Ghent characterise the building concept.

Among Imtech’s HVAC partners are Mitsubishi Electric (heat pumps), Grundfos (pumps for water distribution), Reflex (expansion vessels), Euroclima (air handling units), Belimo (control valves) and SANHA®, supplying pipes and press fittings.

Edenya and Bioscience

Imtech is one of the largest installation companies in Belgium, with seven locations and around 650 employees in Belgium and Poland. As part of the Cordeel Group, Imtech implements demanding projects and also offers a wide range of complementary services and solutions. Its project portfolio includes references such as “Edenya”, the large-scale tropical greenhouse project at Pairi Daiza Park, as well as complex bioscience projects. These include bio installations at the universities in Ghent (VIB – greenhouse on a flat roof) and Brussels (organic greenhouses). The IPES project in Ghent is another example of Imtech’s high level of installation expertise.

At the time of our site visit, the interior fit-out of the floors was still in the shell construction phase. All pipework and risers were equipped with energy meters, allowing the water consumption of individual users to be recorded and billed separately. This gives users and tenants the flexibility to make future changes to room layouts or to individually select valve configurations. The on-site teams are very familiar with SANHA® installation components.

“Through our long-standing SANHA® distribution partner, we are supplied regularly and flexibly. In addition, we always keep sufficient material in stock in our site containers,” explains Tom Van Den Hooff, Senior Project Manager at Imtech HVAC North.

Tool compatibility

“If a new subcontractor has to be integrated at short notice, this does not cause any installation-related issues, as no additional tools are required,” explains Maxime Enckels, Product & Business Development Manager at SANHA® Fittings.

The use of SANHA®‑Therm press fittings is a deliberate decision, as this solution combines several advantages: the combipress® function, which consists of three key aspects:

1. Tool compatibility: Our press fittings can be installed using the three commonly used original press profiles. In metallic piping systems, pressing is possible with SA, V and M profiles up to 54 mm, and up to 108 mm with SA and M profiles.

2. If a joint is accidentally left unpressed, this is reliably detected during the required pressure test through visible media leakage.

3. Push & Stay: In combination with the Push & Stay function, easy and secure pre-assembly in any installation position is possible. This means that a single skilled worker is sufficient – a clear advantage in terms of efficiency and personnel deployment.”

Imtech was responsible for all services relating to ventilation, heating and cooling. This included the installation of all heat pumps, air handling units, cooling systems and heating water systems, as well as the fit-out of individual floors. Imtech also carried out the planning based on the initial data provided by the design office B2Ai.

Easy planning, complete BIM data

We plan and implement the project largely on a BIM-based approach. Building Information Modeling enables construction projects of any size to be digitally mapped and precisely planned. All relevant information is bundled in a central 3D model, ensuring that all project participants have access to a consistent and up-to-date data set at all times.

The required quantities of articles are first recorded in AutoCAD and then further processed in Revit. To support BIM planning, we provide various digital solutions, including the MEPcontent library – one of the largest BIM databases for building services engineering. This allows planners and engineering offices to integrate our product data directly into their respective software environments.

In addition, we offer the SANHA® product line placement software PLiP, another powerful tool. All product lines are fully integrated and enable functions such as automatic scaling and routing, significantly simplifying the planning of piping systems. We also support common planning solutions such as Plancal Nova and Revit. The relevant data sets can be easily integrated via MEPcontent.

An additional advantage: the use of these digital services is free of charge for users, as SANHA® covers the associated subscription costs.

Conclusion

With the construction project in Ghent, we demonstrate how modern building services technology, efficient installation and digital planning can be intelligently combined. By using SANHA®‑Therm piping systems, through close cooperation between all project partners and consistent BIM-based planning, we deliver a reliable, flexible and future-proof solution for a demanding construction project.