Rapid Deployment of Floor-Mounted Pumps for NHS Nightingale Hospital, Birmingham

Background

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK Government commissioned a rapid transformation of Birmingham’s NEC into one of the nation’s largest emergency medical facilities – the NHS Nightingale Hospital.

Opening on Easter Day, the hospital initially provided 500 beds, with capacity planned to increase to over 1,500 beds within just 12 days – with potential for further expansion.

Challenge

The entire hospital infrastructure – including medical wards, washrooms, and sanitation systems – had to be established at unprecedented speed. Round-the-clock work by NHS medical teams and specialist contractors was essential to meet the tight deadlines.

A crucial part of this effort involved implementing a robust wastewater and sewage pumping solution to support the vast number of temporary wards and patient areas across the NEC site.

Solution

Pump Technology Ltd, based in Aldermaston, was selected to supply floor-mounted lifting stations for managing wastewater and sewage across the site. Collaborating with public health consultants and building services contractors, the Pump Technology team:

• Reviewed discharge pipe runs and fall designs created by the consultants

• Selected and supplied Compli units from its extensive UK-held stock – one of the largest in the country

• Delivered all units from stock, ensuring no delays to the critical build schedule

Compli lifting stations were installed locally throughout the hospital wards to handle:

• Wastewater from hand basins and slop sinks

• General discharge to central collection points

Why the Compli?

The Compli was selected for its proven reliability, ease of installation, and robust design. Features include:

• Dual vortex pumps with free-flow operation

• Integral float control for automatic duty/standby operation

• Floor-mounted tank capable of handling raw sewage

• Simple control panel with alarm function to alert teams to pump faults or maintenance requirements

In high-intensity healthcare environments such as Nightingale Hospitals, equipment reliability is not just desirable – it’s critical.

Extraordinary Support

Recognising the urgency and national significance of the project, Pump Technology Ltd, in conjunction with Jung Pumpen GmbH, donated a number of lifting stations free of charge to support the NHS effort.

A Word from the Managing Director

“The Pump Technology Ltd team remains fully operational and proud to support critical national infrastructure projects like the Nightingale Hospitals. We’re also continuing to assist maintenance companies across the UK during this crisis – helping to keep essential services running smoothly.”
— Jonathan Barker, Managing Director, Pump Technology Ltd

Outcome

The Birmingham NHS Nightingale Hospital is now equipped with reliable, high-capacity wastewater management systems that support safe and sanitary operation across hundreds of beds. Thanks to rapid supply, technical expertise, and strong collaboration, Pump Technology Ltd played a vital role in delivering healthcare infrastructure when the UK needed it most.

Efficient Pumping Solutions for a Premier London Restaurant

Client: Strand Dining Rooms
Location: Trafalgar Square, London
Project Partners: Lehding Services Design Ltd | K&M Technical Services Ltd
Pump Supply & Technical Support: Pump Technology Ltd
Pump Solutions: Drain Major, Drain King, and Compli (Jung Pumpen)

Background

Located opposite Trafalgar Square and Nelson’s Column, the newly opened Strand Dining Rooms sets out to become one of London’s premier themed restaurants – styled on the elegance of a traditional Pullman Coach. With a full-service offer from breakfast through to dinner, the venue is designed for high footfall and continuous operation in the heart of the capital.

As part of the extensive basement refurbishment, the restaurant required a reliable and robust wastewater and sewage pumping system to support both the busy commercial kitchen and customer washroom facilities.

Challenge

The kitchen and washrooms are located in the basement of the building, well below street level. This presented two key challenges:

• Wastewater from the kitchen sinks and dishwashers needed to be pumped efficiently, including hot water and food solids.

• Sewage from customer WCs had to be lifted to mains level with a compact, durable solution that integrated seamlessly with the restaurant’s infrastructure.

Given the expected volume of usage and the premium location, the system had to be highly reliable, easy to maintain, and capable of integration with the restaurant’s Building Management System (BMS).

Solution

Building Services Consulting Engineers Lehding Services Design Ltd turned to Pump Technology Ltd, the UK’s leading independent pump specialist with extensive experience across retail and hospitality – supporting brands such as Costa Coffee, Pizza Hut, and KFC.

After consultation, the following solutions were specified:

Kitchen Wastewater Solution

• Drain Major and Drain King systems were installed to handle greywater from kitchen sinks and dishwashers.

• These compact under-worktop units feature Jung Pumpen pumps with fixed float-arm controls, housed within GRP tanks with easy-access lids.

• Designed for site-specific adaptability, the tanks allow inlet positioning to be adjusted during installation.

• Both systems include high-level float alarms, linked to both remote audio alarms and the BMS, with battery backup in case of mains failure.

The Drain range is fully capable of handling:

• Food solids up to 30mm (e.g., from macerators)

• Hot water discharge from commercial dishwashers (up to 90°C)

Sewage Pumping Solution

• For the diner toilets, a floor-mounted Compli micro sewage lifting station by Jung Pumpen was installed.

• This packaged offsite solution includes:

  • A compact polyethylene tank with multiple inlet options

  • Duplex vortex pumps for raw sewage

  • Non-return valve

  • Intelligent control panel for alarm alerts and BMS integration

• Available in single or three-phase options, the Compli is easy to install and ideal for confined basement spaces.

All systems were installed by K&M Technical Services Ltd, who praised the install-ready nature of the units and their compatibility with onsite layouts.

Service & Support

Pump Technology Ltd provided full commissioning support along with national warranty and maintenance cover for all systems. This partnership approach, involving consulting engineers, specialist contractors, and dedicated pump suppliers, ensured a smooth delivery and rapid installation.

Outcome

The Strand Dining Rooms officially opened under the guidance of restaurateur Mark Harris. Thanks to the collaboration between Lehding Services Design Ltd, K&M Technical Services Ltd, and Pump Technology Ltd, the site now benefits from a fully integrated, reliable, and future-proof wastewater and sewage management system — ready to support busy service from breakfast to last orders.

Social responsibility

At the core of our being lies a strong commitment to serving our community with integrity. We understand the importance of pursuing innovation and sustainable growth in order to safeguard our future as both a company and a member of our community.

We do this in a number of ways:

Helping globally

If everyone took global action even on a small level, we could create a better world for all and improve the environment. We are all interconnected in this world and we’re doing our bit to help where we can.