Fan Coil Installation & Distribution
MPM Plumbing & Mechanical Services installs fan coil units and associated chilled water and heating water distribution pipework for commercial buildings, hotels, and high-specification residential developments across London and the South East.
About This Service
Fan coil units (FCUs) are one of the most widely used terminal heating and cooling systems in commercial buildings, providing localised control of temperature in individual zones, floors, or rooms. The performance of an FCU system depends heavily on the quality of the pipework distribution that feeds it — correct sizing, balancing, and insulation are critical to achieving efficient, consistent climate control throughout the building.
MPM installs four-pipe and two-pipe fan coil distribution systems in copper, carbon steel, and press-fit pipework, managing all aspects of the mechanical installation from the main plant room risers through to final FCU connections. We work closely with the mechanical design team to ensure pipework routes are coordinated with the ceiling grid, structural elements, and other services — particularly important in high-specification office and hotel environments where aesthetics and buildability must go hand in hand.
Our experience on projects such as The Chancery Rosewood Hotel and Peterborough Court, Fleet Street demonstrates our ability to deliver fan coil installations to the exacting standards demanded by high-profile, occupied commercial environments.
What We Offer
- Four-pipe and two-pipe FCU distribution pipework
- Chilled water flow and return connections
- Heating water flow and return connections
- Condensate drainage installation
- Pipework insulation and vapour barrier
- Commissioning valves and flow measurement
- System balancing and commissioning
- Coordination with ceiling and M&E trades
Frequently Asked Questions
A fan coil unit (FCU) is a terminal device that uses a small fan to pass air over a heating or cooling coil, delivering conditioned air directly into a room or zone. FCUs are connected to a central chilled water or heating water circuit and can be controlled individually, allowing occupants to adjust the temperature in their specific zone independently of the rest of the building. They are widely used in offices, hotels, apartments, and commercial buildings.
A two-pipe system has a single flow and return circuit that delivers either hot or cold water to the FCUs — meaning the system can only heat or cool at any one time, and typically switches seasonally. A four-pipe system has separate heating and cooling circuits, allowing individual FCUs to heat or cool independently at any time of year. Four-pipe systems are more flexible and better suited to buildings with mixed solar exposures or year-round cooling demands, such as hotels and large office buildings.
MPM installs fan coil distribution pipework in copper, carbon steel, and press-fit systems (such as Geberit Mapress or Viega Megapress), selecting the most appropriate material based on the system working pressure, temperature, and project specification. All pipework is correctly insulated and fitted with vapour barriers where required on chilled water circuits to prevent condensation.
Each fan coil unit produces condensate from the cooling coil during cooling mode, which must be collected and safely drained away. MPM installs individual FCU condensate connections and routes them to the nearest suitable drain point, ensuring correct falls are maintained throughout to prevent standing water, odours, and potential water damage. Condensate drain runs are insulated where required to prevent sweating.
Hydraulic balancing is critical to the performance of a fan coil distribution system. Without correct balancing, some FCUs will receive too much flow while others starve — leading to hot or cold spots, occupant complaints, and wasted energy. MPM installs commissioning sets and balancing valves at each FCU and at key points in the distribution system, and carries out full hydraulic balancing during commissioning to ensure every unit receives its design flow rate.
Yes. MPM has extensive experience installing fan coil systems in live, occupied commercial environments — including hotel projects such as The Chancery Rosewood Hotel and prestigious office developments like Peterborough Court on Fleet Street. Working in occupied buildings requires careful planning, strict noise and dust management, and close communication with the building management team, all of which MPM manages as standard.
