Nor-Ray-Vac Radiant Heating Upgrade at Oxford University

Radiant heating upgrade at top UK university with the Reznor Nor-Ray-Vac

Oxford university’s sports hall is a high-usage indoor facility with significant historical importance.

Iffley Road Sports Centre at Oxford University is the where the iconic Sir Roger Bannister became the first person to break the four-minute mile on 6 May 1954.

The historic site is home to a gymnasium that relied on an ageing Nor-Ray-Vac (NRV) industrial radiant heating system, installed over 25 years ago.

Over time, the infrared radiant heating system had begun to deteriorate, with several units failing to fire correctly. This led to inconsistent heat distribution, negatively impacting comfort levels for students, athletes, and visitors.

Despite these issues, the facility remained fully operational, increasing the urgency for a reliable and efficient sports hall heating solution.

The Challenge

• Ageing industrial radiant tube heating system (NRV)
• Reduced heating performance and inefficient energy use
• Inconsistent temperature control across a large open space
• Ongoing use of the sports hall during works
• Requirement for a like-for-like heating system replacement

The university specifically requested retaining the Nor-Ray-Vac system, a proven central radiant heating solution, to avoid major redesign costs and operational disruption.

Objectives

• Upgrade to a modern, energy-efficient, modulating Nor-Ray-Vac radiant heating system
• Maintain the existing NRV system design concept, offering a like for like replacement
• Improve comfort in a large indoor sports environment
• Enhance system reliability and performance
• Minimise downtime within a live facility

Solution

A full site survey with the key account manager, followed by a professional heating system design were completed by our experienced team to assess the current layout and performance.

The project delivered an energy efficient like for like Nor-Ray-Vac heating system incorporating:

• Six, 24kW high efficiency Nor-Ray-Vac modulating burners
• Improved energy efficiency and control, offering up to 60% cost saving achieved over conventional heating systems
• Enhanced, targeted infrared radiant heat distribution with a rapid response to operating temperature and burns fuel at the point of use. This has significant advantages compared with large heating plant which suffer from distribution losses and slow response times.
• Updated technical specifications aligned with the latest European standard for multi-burner systems current standards (EN 777)

This approach ensured the facility retained the benefits of radiant heating, including efficient heat delivery in large, open spaces like sports hall as well as other environments such as new low energy factories / warehouses, train maintenance depots and gymnasiums etc

Implementation

The installation was carefully phased to accommodate ongoing use of the sports hall.

Key considerations included:

• Safe working within an active environment
• Minimal disruption to sports and student activities
• Seamless integration with existing infrastructure

The result was a smooth transition to a new high-performance radiant heating system without operational downtime, expertly commissioned by the Reznor service team

Results

The upgraded system delivered measurable improvements:

• Increased energy efficiency and reduced heat loss
• Consistent and reliable infrared heating performance
• Improved thermal comfort across the entire sports hall
• Lower maintenance requirements with modern equipment
• Extended lifespan of the heating system

Client Feedback

The end user reported high satisfaction with the upgrade, highlighting improved comfort levels and system reliability, while valuing the continuity of a familiar Nor-Ray-Vac radiant heating system.

Find out more about radiant heating in gymnasiums, read the blog