Jon Salter
Design and Contracts Director, Cardiff
Jon entered the industry in 2000, and was awarded an HND in Building Services Engineering from City of Bath College. His enthusiasm rapidly impressed his colleagues and he rose to Senior Project Engineer in 2005. By 2012 he was a Regional Manager for the Four Seasons Group.
He now works out of the Taranis office in Cardiff where he is heavily involved in the design and installation of mechanical systems. He is engaged in offering complete lifecycle solutions by means of preventative maintenance proposals.
Jon combines the characteristics of a knowledgeable engineer with exceptional people skills. He gets on with others easily and is comfortable working in a team, a skill derived from his many years playing rugby.
View a selection of Jon’s projects below
TRURO COLLEGE
The refurbishment of the complete plant room at the Mylor Building, Truro College. Works were undertaken in line with a specification produced by NDC Bristol.
Works included a heating system consisting of two floor-mounted, high efficiency 400kW boilers connected to both a pumped LTHW CT AHU circuit and a pumped LTHW CT HTG (compensated circuit). We replaced the kitchen hot water supply with a direct gas fired water heater, associated pumps and storage vessels.
The boiler house plant incorporated a new control panel and auxiliary outstation module to allow for the remote control and monitoring of the plant and systems. The gas supply installation to the boiler house includes a pulsed gas sub-meter and an automatic emergency shut-off valve.
SHIRES HOTELS
We have a 30 year working relationship with Shire Hotels, originally forged with Dave Jones and now continuing with Jon Salter. We originally installed R22 equipment in four of their hotels around the country. These have now been replaced with R410a technology, which uses a combination of R22 replacement technology and heat recovery equipment. This upgrade gives the Shire Hotels a larger energy saving on the operation of VRV technology compared to standard commercial boilers.
UNVERSITY OF BRISTOL
In 2012 Jon led the R22 replacement of air conditioning systems in the School of Drama. He simultaneously tendered and won the R22 replacement project for the Medical School. He consolidated a number of split systems into a newly installed VRV system, complete with enhanced central and BMS control, to give the University of Bristol greater energy saving against their previous energy usage.
Based on this successful project, Jon negotiated a follow-up contract at the School of Medical Sciences for the installation of close control, and mechanical ventilation to the newly created laboratories, which have critical design conditions.
CARDIFF CITY STADIUM
In 2009 Jon project managed the installation of air conditioning systems. Comfort cooling was provided to offices, hospitality, changing rooms, the control room and club shop by a combination of DX cooling, VRV and split application.
John Lawrence
Design, Sales and Marketing Director, Cardiff and Bristol
John has twenty year’s experience within the Building Services Environment. Originally from Belfast where he worked in a small family run Building Services business, he moved in 2005 to South Wales to work for Daikin UK in the manufacturing and sales side of the building services industry.
In 2010 he became Area Sales Manager for Daikin UK. Daikin are a global air conditioning manufacturer, specialising in innovative and renewable technology, he led a team of ten sales engineers and had achieved growth of 160% during his tenure. In July 2014. John joined MacWhirter Ltd with a view to moving into the contracting side of the industry. He subsequently joined Taranis engineering in July 2015.
John has extensive knowledge and experience in our industry, from both the manufacturing base and coupled with the contracting element, an invaluable aid when working within our industry and that of Taranis Engineering, offering this expertise to our clients.
View a selection of John’s projects below
HILTON HOTEL
A £26 mio development taking over the existing structure at the Rose Bowl Cricket ground in Hampshire.
The HVAC contract was circa £3mio and incorporated 171 Hotel Bedrooms, 3 Ball Rooms, 3 Kitchens, Swimming & Spa Pool, Large FOH & BOH operations, and a multitude of multi-function meeting room areas – all served by 45 VRF Outdoor Condensing Units with circa DX based 350 fan coils, 13 Double Stacked Air-Handling units to provide full mechanical fresh air and heat recovery requirements, 6 of which are fed by Gas Fired Heaters together with a 50kw Air Sourced Heat Pump complete with the necessary infrastructure to maintain the desired water temperature for the Swimming and Spa Pool.
All DX systems as supplied by Mitsubishi Living Environmental Systems Ltd.
Role: Project Manager
Responsible for ‘part’ design and build of the above works in line with Hilton brand standards, management and co-ordination of on-site trades to secure successful completion.
MacWhirter Ltd
An existing structure being refurbished to accommodate the Hampton by Hilton franchise. This development being circa £14mio including the full Mechanical Package of £2mio to incorporate 186 bedrooms being served by 23 VRF DX based outdoor Condensing units and fan coils, meeting rooms, Gym Area, together with all FOH & BOH areas with full Mechanical Fresh Air plant and heat recovery function being served via 2off Air Handling Units. All DX Based systems as supplied by Mitsubishi Living Environmental Systems ltd.
The project was especially difficult in incorporating the client’s requirements in ensuring the building was in full compliance with the Hilton Brand Standards, both from the installation perspective and that also of the design development element.
Role: Project Manager
The role functions where a mirror image of Hilton Ageas Bowl with the exception of detailed design, however the project had several contractual issues from the outset.
John had initially been employed to undertake the scheme as design and build before his direct involvement. At the point of entering the project, my duties included the assessment of contract works undertaken to date, identify the gaps between design and current construction, undertake design development in order to bring the construction up to meet both Brand Standards and Detailed design by Caldwell Ltd.
After the gaps had been identified between construction, design and brand standards the role of project management undertook its full capabilities. Unfortunately with circa 10% of the contract still left to complete, MacWhirter Ltd had gone into liquidation, which is where my involvement ceased.
MINTON TREHARNE & DAVIES LTD
A new client for Taranis Engineering Ltd, where this existing building where the client required some professional input as to his existing plant.
In particular, the building currently was being served by 2 existing R22 Roof Top Packaged units for its fresh air, cooling and heating requirements via a central sock arrangement running the length of the building, however as always budget was limited.
Hence a survey was conducted to be able to provide the client with as many options as possible in order to give a holistic view of the following:
– Current situation (one operational, both served via R22 technology)
– Suitability as to Upgrading refrigerant gas to adopt new internal components (i.e expansion valve and compressor)
– Proposal to replace Roof Top Packaged with central plant and central ductwork infrastructure.
– Proposal for making existing Redundant and replacing with latest VRF/VRV technology, via ducted or cassette fan coils.
– Replacement of existing Roof Top with latest Roof Top Technology.
Each of the above were explored in detail with initial selections for any heating and cooling calcs for the internal offices to look at the viability of each scheme with a cost budget attached in order to make the most viable solution.
PREMIER TRAVEL INN
On entering Taranis Engineering Ltd, John succeeded in gaining two number Premier Travel Inn projects located at Aberdare & Cardiff.
These projects consisted of 42 Bedrooms combined.
The requirements of each project was that of a tight programme inline with the detailed brand standards that had to be adhered to. Particualry, within Aberdare plant had to be relocated within the same programme to accommodate the extension, decommissioned and recommissioned whilst keeping the Hotel bedroom allocation to its optimum level.
Due to the nature of the construction of each extension the DX Refrigerant pipework could not be brazed as the construction was that of a timber frame, hence all joints employed specialist mechanical jointing to keep within the TFR requirements, again undertaken by Taranis Engineering specialist operatives. Both projects completed within programme and within budget.
Upon completion the clients mechanical consultant representative had stated that the quality and workmanship was of the highest calibre.
Alex Bond
Design and Contracts Director, Bristol
I started my career in the construction industry in 2002 with an apprenticeship at Interserve Engineering Services, completing the ONC, HNC and HND in Building Services Engineering. I was fortunate to have been under the guidance of some excellent engineers who helped direct my path through the construction industry.
After training I had spells with JCW, Laing O’Rourke and CMB Engineering, which allowed me to be part of the three main arms of the industry, picking up valuable experience of the way the industry works, and how best to deliver projects.
The next chapter of my career is with Taranis Engineering. Based in the Bristol office, we aim to push forward our development and continue to deliver the quality service our clients have come to expect.
View a selection of Alex’s projects below
BRISTOL CIVIL JUSTICE CENTRE
The construction of a challenging eight storey, high profile civil courts. The project consisted of mixed mode ventilation, supply and extract ventilation, chilled water, condenser water, heating, four pipe fan coils and heat recovery systems, along with the domestic services, building management systems and high acoustic systems. The project required extensive design checks, acoustic selection and contract knowledge, and presented the challenging and rewarding task of installing services into small ceiling voids.
My role in the project team was to deliver the mechanical services safely and effectively. I was responsible for the design checking including plant, pipe and ductwork sizes, co-ordination of small ceiling voids and extensive acoustic checks to meet the high acoustic specification.
GUOMAN THISTLE HOTELS
The full refurbishment of two hotels. The works covered public areas, bedrooms and staff areas. The projects used R22 replacement technology along with heat recovery ventilation and the removal of the existing four pipe mechanical systems. Close control of the projects was vital, as labour had to be organised for unsociable working hours, and work took place directly in the client’s operational areas. The client also required the production of a scope of works and design packages for approval by both the designers and the Guoman group. This involved regular attendance at design meetings and the presentation of design solutions.
My role was to produce the design and scope of works, and to manage and deliver the project in a live environment.
SOUTHMEAD HOSPITAL PFI
A government funded PFI scheme and one of the highest profile projects to be undertaken in Bristol, Southmead Hospital forms the key part of the North Bristol National Health Service Trust’s redevelopment plan to rationalise acute services for North Bristol and South Gloucestershire. It involves the concentration of acute services formerly provided at Southmead and Frenchay hospitals into a single acute site in parallel with a supporting infrastructure of community services provided through separate procurement routes.
During my time on the project the main focus of works were the wards, atria and seminar links within the site. Working alongside another engineer, I was also responsible for a number of supply-only, subcontract packages and quality assurance checks at each stage to ensure their delivery on time and to program.
PLYMOUTH SCHOOL
The design and construction of a new community primary school. The project consisted of heating, forced and natural ventilation, cooling, domestic hot and cold water services, sprinkler systems, building management systems and air quality checking systems. Full design checks
View a selection of David’s projects below
AMMONIA PLANT – BRISTOL UNIVERSITY
As a young engineer David worked on the maintenance of the ammonia plant serving the Medical School at Bristol University and carried out the final decommissioning and removal of the plant at the end of its life.
ICE PLANT
David designed and project managed the installation of an industrial ice making plant for Warner Lambert. The plant operated with a fully flooded evaporator allowing the use of off-peak electricity tariffs in the generation of large volumes of ice. This was later used to generate chilled water during periods of peak electricity cost.
Thanks to his design, the medical production process was able to operate 24/7 on low tariff electricity. As a result the plant was so successful that it paid for itself within 18 months.
MISSILE TEST CHAMBER
David designed and project managed the installation of a climate control system for a missile test chamber.
The demands presented by the environment and extreme conditions were hugely challenging, and innovative thinking was required to enable the successful completion of the project, which occurred both on budget and on time.
Wayne Abuzaid
Managing Director
Wayne has over 30 years’ experience in the HVAC industry. He served his apprenticeship in refrigeration and air conditioning engineering at Macwhirter’s, Cardiff. He went on to work with Carrier in Saudi Arabia, and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, travelling the world as an Engineering Officer servicing and maintaining refrigeration and air conditioning plant on-board ship. On returning to the UK, Wayne rejoined Macwhirter’s where he was appointed Senior Service and Installation Engineer responsible for in-house training, and subsequently working his way up to Project Engineer.
In 1989 Wayne co-founded JCW (Wales) Air Conditioning Ltd with David Jones and Ian Warfield, a very successful air conditioning and maintenance business.
View a selection of Wayne’s projects below
BBC ESTATE
Wayne has worked on various national BBC sites as both an Engineer and Project Engineer for over 30 years. He developed a strong relationship with the BBC based on his reliability and excellent customer service.
He has been present on most mechanical projects during this time, including cooling tower maintenance and decommissioning. He has project managed the installation and commissioning of two Carrier chillers, and various VRV / VRF, DX and split installations.
Wayne’s most recent role successfully tendered for and delivered the replacement of all R22 equipment within the BBC Wales estate, a project that was delivered on time and under budget.
LEEKES
Leekes is a prime example of Wayne’s record for developing relationships which lead to repeat work. He has carried out the installation of comfort cooling at various Leekes Stores around the country: Vale Resort including WRU, Cardiff Blues, Cardiff City training ground, and at luxury apartment blocks. His latest roles are the design and project management of replacement R407C equipment in existing hotel rooms, and the development of Hensol Castle as a first class wedding venue and conference centre.
CARDIFF MUSEUM
In 2006 Wayne undertook the early stages of design at Cardiff Museum with ARUP, followed by an installation which replaced the existing R22 Carrier chillers with two Daikin 520 kW chillers. He also replaced the external air cooled condensers and refrigeration pipework, and provided new liquid receivers
LUTON AIRPORT
Wayne undertook a large redevelopment at Luton Airport involving the installation and commissioning of packaged units. He provided a complete air conditioning installation to the new airport extension, duty free area, departures, arrivals, immigration and customs.
This very large project involved managing large quantities of equipment and labour to maintain the program timetable and achieve a successful handover.
WILLIAMS GRAND PRIX TEAM – CLEAN ROOM
Wayne designed, supplied and installed air conditioning in the sensitive car construction room where the carbon fibre bonding of race car bodies takes place, and where components are manufactured and installed.
