Chiller Safety and Reliability at University of Cambridge CAF Building

Adcock has completed a programme of specialist chiller works at the University of Cambridge’s Combined Animal Facility (CAF Building), a highly controlled research environment where precise climate management is essential. With a long-standing relationship supporting the University’s estate, our engineers were tasked with replacing 24 pressure relief valves across multiple chillers and carrying out high-pressure trip testing to ensure full system safety and compliance.

During the visit, the team also resolved persistent chiller faults by identifying and correcting an offset in the water temperature probes, returning them to factory zero to eliminate recurring alarms. Further diagnostic work uncovered a refrigerant shortage on one of the circuits, leading to a successful pressure leak test, repair and recharging of refrigerant enabling the system to run at full capacity. Our engineer also noticed a water leak on a differential pressure switch on the water side of the system, this was repaired to prevent further water loss.

All works were delivered safely and with minimal disruption to the sensitive research environment. Our deep understanding of the CAF Building’s chilled water systems and extensive experience working within high compliance facilities ensured the tasks were completed efficiently and to the highest quality.