Water installation, sewerage, gas connection, plumbing and air ducts

'Flexibility is important'

As a member of the construction team, Wesselingh Installaties provided the W-installation for the new building of Nh1816 Insurances in Oudkarspel. The company, which has existed since 1902, focuses mainly on large projects in new construction and utilities.

Marloes van Kooten is communications and marketing manager of WGF Capital, of which Wesselingh has been a part since 2022. "Wesselingh has gained a lot of knowledge and experience in those years and is therefore a well-known player in this sector. This is also how main contractor De Geus Bouw came to us." Wesselingh is installing the water installation, sewerage, gas connection, plumbing and air ducts in Nh1816 Insurances' new office building. The level of finishing of the building is very high and there were specific building conditions from the architect and the design team. Such as the complicating factor that all the technology, such as the large air ducts and main piping, had to be concealed out of sight and under the building in a crawl space only 1.10 meters high. 

Design and calculations

Van Kooten: "This project was drawn in 3D, which is not yet standard in this sector, but was a requirement. This is very pleasant when making the piping plans. By drawing in 3D you improve cooperation with all parties involved in such a large project, improve the efficiency of the construction process and reduce failure costs. You literally see what happens when you want to lay a certain pipe somewhere. Drawing in 3D is an important expertise that Wesselingh can provide." Because of the size of the project, many calculations had to be made in advance. For example, to ensure that the water pressure in the entire building was up to standard. In addition, Wesselingh thought about the use of circular materials. "A contemporary requirement is the use of PVC pipes made from recycled materials. But also that all parts of the installation are recyclable, which is an advantage when the building is demolished in a hundred years. In addition, the down pipes and ducts running above the ceilings are soundproof. With this, too, we took the client's wishes into account."

Construction is proceeding in five phases, with Wesselingh involved from start to finish. Phase 1 has now been completed and the final phase is expected to be completed before the summer of 2024. "With such projects it is important to be flexible as an installer. Gradually, during execution, you come across things in the installation that you have to think about in finding a solution for. That also makes it interesting. We learn from each project and we take that back to the next one."