The upgrade involved replacing the old galvanised steel piping with the AIRnet modular aluminium system, connected to the installation's three Atlas Copco compressors – two of which are fixed speed, while one is a variable speed drive (VSD) unit.
"Our first inclination was to replace the old air network with galvanised pipe and fittings, as before, and we invited several suppliers to quote," explains Chris Morris, BSI's facilities and engineering manager.
"But when Compressor Engineering [a company within the Atlas Copco group] suggested Atlas Copco's AIRnet system, our research confirmed that it was the ideal solution."
Discussions are now underway between Compressor Engineering and BSI about a further extension of the AIRnet system.
"Our project was a root and branch operation, involving structural changes and re-siting of facilities," comments Morris.
"The AIRnet system was extensive and included airline filters, regulators and lubricators at over 50 workstation drops."
Morris says that for BSI, another important consideration was that the installation resulted in minimum interruption to test procedures as well as to the administration areas through which the pipework passed.
This was the fourth major upgrade that the BSI has undertaken at its Hemel Hempstead site since 1959