Pipeline Freezing Services offer a safe, efficient alternative to full system drain-downs. At IDWe Pipe Freezing, we regularly support commercial and industrial contractors by delivering these specialist isolation on complex, time-sensitive projects. One recent example of our liquid nitrogen pipe freezing services involved supporting Hilton Croft Ltd at the Anne Summers store in Crawley County Mall, West Sussex.
This case study outlines how our team delivered Pipeline Freezing Services outside trading hours to enable essential chilled water pipework (CHW) works. We completed the job with zero disruption to the store or wider shopping centre operations.
Why our Client Required Pipeline Freezing Services
Location: Anne Summers – Crawley County Mall, West Sussex
Sector: Retail
Client: Hilton Croft Ltd
Service Provided By: IDWe Pipe Freezing
The Challenge
Our client in Crawley, West Sussex contacted IDWe Pipe Freezing to assist with critical CHW pipework modifications. The store required a new isolation valve, but shutting down the chilled water supply would cause major disruption to the site.
Our Solution
To avoid draining the system and keep the site operational, our client selected Pipeline Freezing Services from IDWe Pipe Freezing. Our team attended site after-hours and carried out two precision freezes using liquid nitrogen on 54mm CHW pipework. This allowed our clients’ engineers to safely cut into the pipe and install the new valve without halting the water supply.
What the Job Involved: Out-of-Hours Pipe Freezing at Anne Summers
Our team attended site outside normal working hours, ensuring our work would not affect mall trading or pose a safety risk to the public. Here’s a breakdown of the job we completed:
- Access via Tower: We accessed the high-level CHW pipework using a mobile access tower, which the client arranged and had erected ahead of our arrival.
- Freeze Jacket Setup: Our engineers installed a freeze jacket securely around the drop section of the pipework. This step is critical to ensuring a clean, controlled freeze that isolates the flow without damaging the pipe.
- Precision Freezes: Using liquid nitrogen, we carried out two 54mm pipeline freezes to stop the flow through the chilled water pipes. This process formed two solid ice plugs, allowing the valve installation to proceed safely.
- Coordination with Client: Once the freeze held, our clients’ team installed the new isolation valve. We remained on-site to monitor the freeze integrity throughout the valve installation.
- Safe Defrosting: After the client completed their work, we released the freezes in a controlled, sequenced manner, ensuring full system pressure and flow returned without issue.
- Site Clearance: We removed all redundant materials from the site and disposed of them at a licensed recycling facility, leaving the area clean and safe.
Result of Pipeline Freezing Services
At Anne Summers Crawley, our team helped avoid delays, reduce costs, and complete critical valve works efficiently. We carried out the work without shutting down chilled water services or disrupting daily operations. Our flexible support helps clients meet tight deadlines while maintaining live systems.
IDWe Ltd also delivers our own Commercial Valve Fitting Services in Crawley, London, and across the South East.
Our pipeline freezing services use liquid nitrogen to form ice plugs inside the pipe. This temporary isolation allows contractors to repair pipework, install valves, or complete modifications without draining the system.
In this case, we froze a 54mm CHW pipe. This size works perfectly for forming strong plugs that maintain pipe integrity throughout the process.
By choosing Pipe Freezing instead of a drain-down, our clients avoided water loss, chemical waste, and unnecessary delays on-site. The project ran smoothly, safely, and on schedule – exactly as planned.
Liquid Nitrogen Freezing: Why It’s Ideal for Commercial Pipework
Liquid nitrogen allows for highly controlled freezing of pressurised pipe systems without draining them. It’s especially useful in commercial and retail environments, where operations cannot stop and downtime costs money.
Our pipeline freezing services use liquid nitrogen to safely form ice plugs within the pipe, stopping water flow temporarily so contractors can make repairs, install valves, or modify systems.
In this case, we froze a 54mm CHW pipe – ideal for forming a strong plug quickly while protecting pipe integrity.
Pipeline Freezing Services work especially well in commercial environments where access is limited and downtime isn’t an option. If you’re planning pipework upgrades or valve replacements, we can manage both the freeze and the installation.
Our team delivers clear communication, expert service, and flexible scheduling – without shutting your system down.
>> To learn more, please read our full guide.
The Benefits of Pipeline Freezing for Commercial Contractors
Pipeline freezing offers several advantages to commercial contractors, for example:
- No Need to Drain Systems: We froze the pipeline in place without draining hundreds of litres of chilled water.
- Minimal Disruption: The store remained untouched, and there was no effect on nearby businesses in the shopping mall.
- Speed and Precision: Freezing the pipe allowed the valve installation to happen quickly and efficiently.
- Environmental Benefit: Less water waste and reduced reliance on chemical inhibitors or treatments that would be lost during drain-down.
Contractors trust pipeline freezing companies like us, who work across West Sussex, because we deliver fast results without compromising safety or performance. Our trained engineers manage every freeze with precision and control, monitoring temperatures and conditions throughout.
Why Choose IDWe Pipe Freezing Services?
IDWe Ltd has more than 35 years of experience working with commercial and industrial clients across West Sussex, Central London and the South East. Whether you’re working in a shopping centre, hospital, office block, or factory, we understand the critical importance of working cleanly, quickly, and out-of-hours when required.
Here’s what sets our pipeline freezing services apart:
- Flexible Scheduling: We work around your needs—including nights, weekends, and emergency callouts.
- Expert Team: Our engineers specialise in freezing live pipework, with full training in liquid nitrogen handling and site safety.
- Nationwide Coverage: Based in Sidcup, we cover London, Kent, Surrey, Essex, and the wider South East.
- Reliable Communication: We coordinate with all parties, from main contractors to on-site facility managers, ensuring smooth delivery from start to finish.
In this case, our client in Crawley needed a specialist they could rely on and we delivered.
A Trusted Pipeline Freezing Company for All Sectors
Our work at Anne Summers in Crawley, West Sussex is just one of many examples of how IDWe Pipe Freezing supports clients with expert pipeline freezing solutions. We regularly partner with:
- Mechanical contractors performing valve replacements
- Retail and hospitality businesses needing minimal disruption
- Facilities management teams overseeing plant room upgrades
- Industrial sites with pressurised or sensitive systems
We tailor every Pipeline Freezing job to the specific conditions on site, whether you need 15mm domestic pipes frozen or 100mm industrial mains held under pressure.
Book Pipeline Freezing Services Today
If you’re planning valve replacements, system upgrades, or pipeline isolation works, don’t waste time and resources on full drain-downs. Choose our pipeline freezing services to complete the job faster, cleaner, and with less disruption.
We’re ready to work at short notice and out of hours. Contact our team today to get a quote or schedule a site visit.
Need Pipe Isolation Without Shutdown?
IDWe Pipe Freezers work across the South, helping engineers isolate live pipework. We support M&E contractors, facility managers, and building maintenance teams with precision freezing services. Our service is fast, clean, and ideal for hospitals, labs, hotels, schools, and commercial buildings. Let us help you avoid unnecessary shutdowns or delays.
Get a Quote:
Can we help you with your next project? Get in touch today for a quote or expert advice, please call 020 8302 7644 or email info@idwe.co.uk
We can adapt our services to suit your industrial and commercial needs, learn more about our pipe freezing services.
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