The Study of Installation and Handover Problems of District Cooling System A Case Study of Large-Scale Building Projects

Abstract

Large-scale projects utilize district cooling systems, which are more energy-efficient and effective compared to conventional cooling systems. These systems operate by producing chilled water from a central plant and distributing it through a piping network to energy transfer stations for air conditioning within various buildings. This research is a case study that investigates the causes and impacts of problems in the installation and handover process of a district cooling system in a construction project consisting of three high-rise and large-scale buildings. Data were collected through field studies, internal project documents, and interviews with 40 stakeholders involved in the project. The study categorizes problems according to three project phases: 1. Preparation, 2. Installation and Testing, and 3. Handover. The prioritization of problems is based on their impacts on costs, delays in payment approvals, and overall project timelines. The findings reveal that the most significant cost-related problem is modifications to the installation approach due to structural integrity concerns, while the most critical time-related problem is the delayed site handover caused by installation works at the central plant. rom the researcher's perspective, the recommended solution for large-scale construction projects is to ensure that all stakeholders clearly define the fundamental requirements of the buildings during the design phase.