Datum PhaseChange – Award Winners

 

Datum PhaseChange Ltd an award winning manufacturer of Phase Change Ceiling tiles for Schools and Hospitals have been manufacturing ThermaCool® ceiling and wall tiles since 2008. Helping reduce the energy demand of HVACs and adding thermal mass to lightweight buildings.

 

PCMs Explained

PCMs (phase change materials) are materials that undergo a phase change transition from solid to liquid and liquid to solid to absorb or release large amounts of latent heat at a relatively constant.

Reduce Energy Demand

Essentially, PCMs work in the same way as a material with thermal mass – capturing and releasing energy to smooth out peaks and troughs of the heating and cooling cycle. By removing these peaks and troughs, often as a result of air conditioning systems, phase change materials manage the internal temperatures more effectively and efficiently to provide a comfortable working temperature throughout the day.

Increasing thermal mass Phase Change Materials are a lightweight solution for thermal mass that can be up to 9 x lighter than heavy density concrete.

A comfortable working temperature PCMs smooth out temperature peaks of a building resulting in an improved working environment.

ThermaCool® Innovation

Through this natural process of phase change, we have used the technology in our ThermaCool® wall and ceiling products, giving both thermal mass to lightweight structures and also significantly reducing the energy demand of climate control systems.

For use in both new build construction and retrofit of commercial and residential buildings, our ThermaCool® products reduce the energy consumption of climate control systems. Our products offer competitively priced, easy to install solutions that yield significant energy and carbon savings for your building.

Thermal Mass Explained

A thermal mass is a material that absorbs heat from a heat source, and then releases it slowly. In buildings, thermal mass is provided by the structure of the building.

Buildings constructed of lightweight materials such as steel or timber are not considered to have good thermal mass properties compared to concrete, brick and stone.

The ability to absorb and release heat enables buildings with thermal mass to respond naturally to changing weather conditions, helping to stabilise the internal temperature.

Benefit throughout the year

The role of a buildings thermal mass can be of benefit throughout the year. During the warm weather in summer, heat will be absorbed by the thermal mass in order to prevent overheating in the building, providing a more comfortable living or working environment. During the winter, when heating demands are at their greatest, thermal mass can help reduce fuel consumption by absorbing heat produced from occupants, lighting and IT during the day and then slowly releasing them overnight as temperatures fall, reducing the need for additional heating the following day.

Reduce your emissions

18% of UK’s CO2 emissions come from public and commercial buildings. Our ThermaCool® products drastically reduce the demand for energy, can be widely introduced, enabling the greatest reduction in CO2 emissions per pound spent. Our ThermaCool tiles incorporate our microencapsulated phase change material when installed as either as replacement for existing tiles in a retrofit project or as a complete system for newbuild construction they provide a cost effective and lightweight thermal mass solution.

 

ThermaCool Tile – It is what’s on the inside that counts

In buildings where the thermal mass benefits from the building fabric is lost due to improved insulation and airtightness measures, or in steel or timber structures which have little or no thermal mass performance, the ThermaCool® tile offers an easy to install, cost effective and lightweight thermal mass solution.

Three Tiles – Three Unique Benefits

The ThermaCool® tile is available either as a perforated acoustic tile, a solid tile with light texture finish or a metal composite tile. The tiles are supplied with either a square or tegular edge profile.

Light Textured A glass wool/gypsum Hygienic for Hospitals and Health centres tile for a 600x600mm module, fitted with a suspended T-grid for easy installation.

Acoustic A composite glass wool/gypsum acoustic tile for Schools. a 600x600m module, with improved acoustic performance class A sound absorption.

Metal Composite A patented composite tile where increased thermal and acoustic performance and aesthetic finish is required.

Suspended Ceiling Integration

ThermaCool® ceiling tiles are installed into a conventional suspended ceiling system like our ThermaCool Clic In 24mm grid, heat from people, lighting, small power items etc is absorbed and stored by the tiles over a defined temperature that is within the human comfort range. This heat is later released as the room temperature cools, giving the building lightweight thermal mass.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE THERMACOOL WEBSITE

 

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PASSIVENT’S VENTILATION SOLUTIONS ARE TOP OF THE CLASS

 

Passivent has supplied a combination of Hybrid Plus2 Aircool ventilators and Hybrid Plus Airstract roof ventilation terminals for a new London primary school to help create a healthier, more comfortable learning environment for children and staff to thrive in.

 

Greatfields Primary School in Barking and Dagenham is a three-form entry school which will eventually serve 630 pupils. This £11.8m project was overseen by main contractor Auburn Group who worked alongside Net Zero Buildings, their offsite construction partner. As the structure was built offsite, this minimised disruption in the local area during the construction phase and helped meet overall sustainability targets for the project.

 

Working with Cedar Mechanical and Electrical, Passivent supplied 58 Hybrid Plus2 Aircool wall ventilators, each mounted behind an external weather louvre, to ventilate the classrooms with fresh air from outside. The team also supplied several of its Hybrid Plus Airstract roof terminals for ventilation of the school’s main hall. Passivent provided temperature and CO2 sensors in each space along with a 35-zone iC8000 controller to regulate the internal environment and the whole system was linked back to the Building Management System (BMS).

 

Passivent’s Hybrid Plus2 Aircool and Hybrid Plus Airstract units both operate on three modes of use for ventilation provision or extraction depending on the needs of the building and outside conditions. By drawing on both natural and mechanical ventilation techniques, the system is designed to be more energy efficient and therefore cost effective. The Hybrid Plus2 Aircool units are perfect for classrooms and can be mounted in a wall or window, and they are also available as a ducted version for installation in a ceiling void. The roof-mounted Hybrid Plus Airstract terminals come with a 15 Year No Leak Guarantee and are particularly suited for large open spaces such as school halls and sports halls.

 

Marcus Bloomberg, Electrical Operation Manager at Cedar Mechanical and Electrical commented:

“We were extremely impressed with the results of incorporating Passivent’s natural ventilation solutions into this project. Not only does the system deliver excellent airflow and create a comfortable environment, but the unique design of the units also stands out. The softer, curved shape adds a touch of elegance and blends beautifully with the overall aesthetic, providing a refreshing alternative to the typical rectangular units.”

 

Marcus went on to praise the service provided by Passivent throughout the project, having supplied and commissioned the system on time. Commenting he added:

“Ray, Passivent’s commissioning engineer, was instrumental in the project’s success. His expertise, professionalism, and dedication were exceptional throughout. He went above and beyond to ensure the system was installed and functioning perfectly, and his proactive support was invaluable. He is truly a credit to the company. We are thrilled with the outcome and highly recommend Passivent for their innovative products and outstanding team.”

CLICK HERE to find out more

 call 01732 850 770

or CLICK HERE to email us

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Breathing Buildings Offers Entire School Ventilation Solutions

 

Breathing Buildings, a leading provider of controlled natural and hybrid ventilation systems, offers schools a complete ventilation solution to enhance indoor air quality (IAQ), energy efficiency, and sustainability. With high energy costs driving schools to improve energy performance, buildings are becoming increasingly airtight and schools need energy efficient ventilation strategies to maintain healthy and comfortable learning environments.

Historically, funding constraints have hindered infrastructure improvements in schools. However, the recent government commitment of £1.4 billion towards the School Rebuilding Programme, with 100 rebuilding projects starting next year, and an additional £2.1 billion earmarked for school maintenance, providing crucial funding. Schools now have an opportunity to invest in low-carbon, high-efficiency ventilation solutions that provide a healthy environment and long-term cost savings.

Schools require ventilation solutions that not only meet energy efficiency targets but also ensure excellent IAQ to support student well-being, academic performance, and thermal comfort. Despite increased funding, schools are still cost sensitive. Since energy prices are unlikely to decrease significantly, long-term operational costs are critical to the ventilation decision-making process. Fortunately, Breathing Buildings now offers a complete solution for schools’ ventilation requirements, offering natural, hybrid, and mechanical ventilation solutions.

Matthew Cooper, Business Development Director at Breathing Buildings, says:

“Ensuring a healthy learning environment is a top priority for schools since research has shown ventilation increases the chances of better academic results, reduced absenteeism, and improved concentration. With increased financial support now available, schools are investing in improved IAQ and energy efficiency. At Breathing Buildings, we can now provide a complete range of energy efficient ventilation, so we can offer schools the right solution for the application whether it is natural, hybrid, or mechanical ventilation.”

Providing an adaptable solution for schools, Breathing Buildings’ award-winning Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling (NVHR®) range offers hybrid ventilation, which uses both natural ventilation and mechanical ventilation in one system design. This is an ideal solution for commercial buildings with high heat gains such as schools, colleges, leisure centres, offices, theatres and even churches. Hybrid ventilation is highly efficient and harnesses free heat (and so energy) that has already built up within a space. By installing hybrid ventilation, commercial buildings can maximise health, comfort and sustainability without having to invest in significant building works, making it ideal for retrofitting or change of use.

Going one step further in efficiency, last year Breathing Buildings added to its range of Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling (NVHR®) systems with its NVHRe, Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling and Heat Recovery. Marking the next step in hybrid ventilation technology, the key difference between Breathing Buildings’ original NVHR® range and the new innovative Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling and Heat Recovery (NVHRe), is the addition of a low resistance heat exchanger cell within the unit. This allows the unit to benefit from both heat recycling and heat recovery, reclaiming even more heat than previous models, saving more energy, providing greater occupant comfort, and allowing users to include it within the building energy assessments (SBEM).

The company’s award-winning NVHRe offers the lowest energy consumption for a hybrid heat recovery ventilation unit in the industry, the NVHRe combines 46% heat recovery efficiency with low Specific Fan Power (SFP) of 0.075 W/l/s to help maximise a building’s energy savings. In addition, the NVHRe has several different operating modes to minimise energy use, enhance IAQ and improve occupant comfort. An intelligent hybrid system, the unit automatically decides when and if mechanical operation is required, ensuring it only operates when absolutely necessary.

The range also includes units that can be the primary source of heat; needing no radiators, as well as a system that can offer further cooling. The British designed and manufactured units come in three models with product variations to suit every need with the standard NVHRe 1100 an NVHRe+ 1100 which includes a heating coil and is ideal for buildings in cooler areas; and an NVHRe C+ 1100 which features a heating and cooling coil for year-round comfort and full temperature control.

However, certain environments, such as gyms, canteens, libraries, landlocked rooms or spaces requiring fixed extract rates, need mechanical ventilation solutions to maintain consistent air quality and comfort levels. Air Quality Management Areas, where air pollution levels are higher than the national air quality objectives, also require mechanical ventilation and require higher levels of filtration. Recognising this need, Breathing Buildings recently expanded its portfolio with its MVHRe commercial heat recovery range so it can provide a full range of ventilation options for all settings. A high-efficiency Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system. With heat recovery efficiency of up to 93%, low energy consumption, and ultra-quiet operation, the MVHRe complements the company’s hybrid ventilation solutions, offering schools a fully integrated, low-carbon ventilation strategy.

Breathing Buildings has adopted the CIBSE TM65 methodology for collecting product data and has completed these evaluations for all its ventilation units, allowing specifiers to accurately evaluate their environmental impact. Meanwhile, Breathing Buildings’ turnkey approach helps everyone; from thermal modelling and system design to site meetings and client demonstrations, tailoring a service to a client’s needs and adding value at every opportunity are important values within the business.
Breathing Buildings’ multi-award-winning natural ventilation with heat recycling (NVHR®) range has won a raft of awards. The company’s NVHRe won the ‘Commercial/ Industrial Ventilation Product of the Year’ category at the prestigious HVR Awards 2024. The NVHRe also scooped the Commercial Ventilation Product of the Year Award at the 2024 Energy Saving Awards. Meanwhile, its NVHR® range won the Energy Efficient Product of the Year Award at the prestigious Energy Awards, and also won three awards for providing ventilation to the East Anglian Air Ambulance project with the Breathing Buildings’ NVHR® range.

Breathing Building offers lunch and learn sessions, as well as a more formal, CIBSE accredited CPD on meeting the requirements of BB101: Guidelines on ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality in schools and TM52: The Limits of Thermal Comfort; Avoiding Overheating.

To book a session with one of our experienced ventilation experts please contact us at

info@breathingbuildings.com or call +44 (0) 1223 450 060

For further information on NVHR®, NVHRe and E-stack ventilation, as well as other products and services offered by Breathing Buildings, 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WEBSITE or call us on 01223 450 060.

 

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Exciting Times at Breathing Buildings as Company Strides Ahead in Indoor Air Quality

Breathing Buildings, a leading provider of controlled natural and hybrid ventilation systems, is striding ahead in indoor air quality (IAQ) with three exciting developments. Firstly, the company has led the way in innovation by recently celebrating winning ‘Commercial/ Industrial Ventilation Product of the Year’ category at the prestigious HVR Awards 2024. The company won the award with its new NVHRe, Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling and Heat Recovery (NVHRe), which is the latest addition to its award-winning range of Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling (NVHR®) systems. Secondly, building on this success, the company has invested in a new Business Development Director, Matthew Cooper to help grow the Breathing Buildings brand providing industry leading ventilation solutions. Thirdly, Breathing Buildings is exhibiting for the first time in Ireland at the Education Buildings Ireland Exhibition.

Breathing Buildings scooped the Commercial/Industrial Ventilation Product of the Year award at a glittering awards ceremony at London’s Chelsea Harbour Hotel. Breathing Buildings won the award for its innovative NVHRe, which raises the bar on energy efficient ventilation. Marking the next step in hybrid ventilation technology, the key difference between Breathing Buildings’ original NVHR® range and the new innovative Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling and Heat Recovery (NVHRe) is an addition of a low resistance heat exchanger cell within the unit. This allows the unit to benefit from both heat recycling and heat recovery, reclaiming even more heat than previous models, saving more energy, providing great occupant comfort, and allowing users to include it within the building energy assessments (SBEM).

Keen to raise the importance of energy efficient ventilation and the benefits of good IAQ in buildings, Breathing Buildings is excited to have welcomed a new member to its team. Matthew Cooper joins Breathing Buildings as Business Development Director. With over 15 years’ experience within the HVAC industry, Matthew comes with drive and enthusiasm to help steer the team to even more wins. On joining Matthew said “I’m super excited to join the team and it appears to be perfect timing with our new NVHRe winning the Commercial/ Ventilation Product of the Year at the HVR Awards in my second week of joining! I’m eager to go out and about, meeting customers, gaining new contacts and helping grow the Breathing Buildings brand.” 

Expanding its brand presence beyond the UK, Breathing Building is exhibiting in Ireland for the first time at Education Buildings Ireland Exhibition on 6-7 November 2024, collaborating with Lindab on Stand 519 at RDS Dublin, Hall 2. At the exhibition, the company is hoping to share the wealth of experience it has on how to improve IAQ in schools. The event is organised in partnership with the Government of Ireland and comprises a 2-day multi-stream conference and an exhibition. The aim of all those involved is to create high-quality learning environments for all students and learners. IAQ is recognised as an important part of this goal. 

The focus on indoor air quality in schools is not new. Prior to the pandemic there was already an increasing awareness of how indoor environments impact our health and wellbeing. In the UK ventilation guidance for schools already existed in the form of Building Bulletin 101 (BB101). The document’s last revision, the 2018 edition of BB101: ‘Guidelines on ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality in schools’ looks at the key design elements of modern ventilation systems in schools. The document sets out requirements for schools to improve ventilation to help create a healthy and comfortable environment that will help improve children’s learning outcomes. Breathing Buildings is now hoping to offer its help to improve learning environments in Ireland too by enhancing IAQ.

“It is exciting times at Breathing Buildings at the moment. Not only did we win the ‘Commercial/Industrial Ventilation Product of the Year’ category with our NVHRe at the prestigious HVR Awards 2024 but we have been shortlisted for the H&V News Awards’ ‘Commercial HVAC Product of the Year – Ventilation’ category too, and we are looking forward to the event that will be held on 28th November. We also welcome our new Business Development Director, Matthew Cooper who has joined the team with 15 years of industry experience and is focussed on helping grow the Breathing Buildings brand,” said Alexis Roberts, Brand Manager at Breathing Buildings.

The company’s award-winning NVHRe offers the lowest energy consumption for a hybrid heat recovery ventilation unit in the industry, the NVHRe combines 46% heat recovery efficiency with low Specific Fan Power (SFP) of 0.075 W/l/s to help maximise a building’s energy savings. In addition, the NVHRe has several different operating modes to minimise energy use, enhance IAQ and improve occupant comfort. An intelligent hybrid system, the unit automatically decides when and if mechanical operation is required, ensuring it only operates when absolutely necessary.

Providing excellent thermal comfort and enhanced IAQ, the NVHRe is designed to suit a diverse range of commercial and public buildings with high heat gains, such as schools, colleges, leisure centres, offices, theatres and even churches. The inclusion of the low resistant aluminium cross plate heat exchanger to the unit lowers energy costs by reducing the reliance on space heating to maintain thermal comfort in a room. It operates during colder external temperatures, typically below 7ºC when mixing recycled air alone is not enough to maintain the desired temperature for occupants. 

The range also includes units that can be the primary source of heat; needing no radiators, as well as a system that can offer further cooling. The British designed and manufactured units come in three models with product variations to suit every need with the standard NVHRe 1100 an NVHRe+ 1100 which includes a heating coil and is ideal for buildings in cooler areas; and an NVHRe C+ 1100 which features a heating and cooling coil for year-round comfort and full temperature control.

The NVHRe hybrid ventilation system’s ultra-efficient facade-based mixing ventilation allows single-sided, enhanced natural and hybrid ventilation in deep plan spaces whilst making the most of internal heat gains, with the addition of heat recovery to deliver superb thermal comfort and IAQ. Hybrid ventilation focuses on the vital balance of IAQ, thermal comfort, and efficiency by choosing the most appropriate mode of ventilation based on the internal and external conditions, allowing the NVHRe to be in the most energy efficient mode possible at all stages. 

Allowing low-energy hybrid natural ventilation, even in buildings with limited facade and roof space, highly efficient mixing fans mitigate cold draughts in winter and provide a ventilation boost in summer, with the addition of heat recovery to bolster winter thermal comfort, minimising the need for a primary source of heating for the space, in return reducing energy costs. Supplied with an external temperature sensor, and an internal temperature and CO2 sensor, as well as an intelligent controller the system monitors conditions to create an ideal indoor environment, boosting both productivity and wellbeing. 

Breathing Buildings’ multi-award-winning natural ventilation with heat recycling (NVHR®) range won the Energy Efficient Product of the Year Award at the prestigious Energy Awards, and also recently won three awards for providing ventilation to the East Anglian Air Ambulance project with the Breathing Buildings’ NVHR® range. 

For further information on NVHR®, NVHRe and E-stack ventilation, as well as other products and services offered by Breathing Buildings, visit www.breathingbuildings.com or call us on 01223 450 060.

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Strategies for Cleaner & Healthier Education Environments

Students spend on average 35 hours a week in school for half the year1, so it is vital to prioritise wellbeing, productivity, and comfort to support learning. In this article, Dyson explains why installing air purification systems within educational settings should be a priority to address the risks associated with poor indoor air quality. 

Understanding Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality (IAQ) within educational settings is a critical consideration that significantly impacts the health and performance of both students and staff. Those working in the education sector play a crucial role in shaping learning environments that prioritise optimal air quality, ensuring a conducive and healthy atmosphere for academic pursuits. Research shows that the majority of the UK public (87%) and education leaders (98%) believe that air quality is important in education spaces2. Therefore, should remain a priority.

As educational institutions are shared spaces that accommodate individuals of all ages, they often face challenges related to airborne pollutants. Pollutants, such as VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), are emitted from many sources including fuels, flooring, cleaning products, and even soft furnishings. These micro pollutants are impossible to see but can have an impact on our health, wellbeing and productivity.

Short-term exposure to VOCs can potentially lead to heightened fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and an overall sense of discomfort. Those with respiratory conditions such as asthma may also notice an exacerbation of symptoms, including coughing and shortness of breath. Additionally, poor indoor air quality can contribute to the spread of viruses and respiratory infections among occupants3. As such, poor indoor air quality can contribute to an unhealthy learning environment, so it is important to mitigate the impact on students and staff.

Global Action Plan, a leading charity, brings attention to the alarming statistic that almost all UK schools are in areas above WHO air pollution limits4. The UK government has officially acknowledged poor air quality as the largest environmental risk to public health in the country. This underscores the urgency for educators to prioritise IAQ initiatives in school design and ongoing maintenance and the critical importance of proactively embracing available technologies for air purification in classrooms. 

Choosing Technology for Cleaner Educational Environments

When decision-makers are considering suitable technology for education spaces, it is essential to consider various features and technologies that are catered to large, shared spaces which have distinct requirements. For example, opting for quiet and powerful purifiers, such as Dyson’s Big + Quiet, are particularly well-suited to the educational environment as they reduce exposure to indoor air pollution, without disruption.

By introducing purification solutions, it is possible to address risks associated with poor indoor air quality, ensuring that students and staff can thrive in an environment that facilitates both health and productivity. 

To learn more about how to create cleaner, and more hygienic shared spaces across educational spaces, visit Dyson technology’s business hub and book a call: 

www.dyson.co.uk/commercial/air-treatment

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Exciting Times at Breathing Buildings as Company Strides Ahead in Indoor Air Quality

 

Breathing Buildings, a leading provider of controlled natural and hybrid ventilation systems, is striding ahead in indoor air quality (IAQ) with three exciting developments. Firstly, the company has led the way in innovation by recently celebrating winning ‘Commercial/ Industrial Ventilation Product of the Year’ category at the prestigious HVR Awards 2024. The company won the award with its new NVHRe, Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling and Heat Recovery (NVHRe), which is the latest addition to its award-winning range of Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling (NVHR®) systems. Secondly, building on this success, the company has invested in a new Business Development Director, Matthew Cooper to help grow the Breathing Buildings brand providing industry leading ventilation solutions. Thirdly, Breathing Buildings is exhibiting for the first time in Ireland at the Education Buildings Ireland Exhibition.

 

Breathing Buildings scooped the Commercial/Industrial Ventilation Product of the Year award at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 12th September at London’s Chelsea Harbour Hotel. Breathing Buildings won the award for its innovative NVHRe, which raises the bar on energy efficient ventilation. Marking the next step in hybrid ventilation technology, the key difference between Breathing Buildings’ original NVHR® range and the new innovative Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling and Heat Recovery (NVHRe) is an addition of a low resistance heat exchanger cell within the unit. This allows the unit to benefit from both heat recycling and heat recovery, reclaiming even more heat than previous models, saving more energy, providing great occupant comfort, and allowing users to include it within the building energy assessments (SBEM).

 

Keen to raise the importance of energy efficient ventilation and the benefits of good IAQ in buildings, Breathing Buildings is excited to have welcomed a new member to its team. Matthew Cooper joins Breathing Buildings as Business Development Director. With over 15 years’ experience within the HVAC industry, Matthew comes with drive and enthusiasm to help steer the team to even more wins.

Matthew Cooper, Business Development Manager

 

 

On joining Matthew said “I’m super excited to join the team and it appears to be perfect timing with our new NVHRe winning the Commercial/ Ventilation Product of the Year at the HVR Awards in my second week of joining! I’m eager to go out and about, meeting customers, gaining new contacts and helping grow the Breathing Buildings brand.”

 

 

Expanding its brand presence beyond the UK, Breathing Building is exhibiting in Ireland for the first time at Education Buildings Ireland Exhibition on 6-7 November 2024, collaborating with Lindab on Stand 519 at RDS Dublin, Hall 2. At the exhibition, the company is hoping to share the wealth of experience it has on how to improve IAQ in schools. The event is organised in partnership with the Government of Ireland and comprises a 2-day multi-stream conference and an exhibition. The aim of all those involved is to create high-quality learning environments for all students and learners. IAQ is recognised as an important part of this goal.

 

The focus on indoor air quality in schools is not new. Prior to the pandemic there was already an increasing awareness of how indoor environments impact our health and wellbeing. In the UK ventilation guidance for schools already existed in the form of Building Bulletin 101 (BB101). The document’s last revision, the 2018 edition of BB101: ‘Guidelines on ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality in schools’ looks at the key design elements of modern ventilation systems in schools. The document sets out requirements for schools to improve ventilation to help create a healthy and comfortable environment that will help improve children’s learning outcomes. Breathing Buildings is now hoping to offer its help to improve learning environments in Ireland too by enhancing IAQ.

 

“It is exciting times at Breathing Buildings at the moment. Not only did we win the ‘Commercial/Industrial Ventilation Product of the Year’ category with our NVHRe at the prestigious HVR Awards 2024 but we have been shortlisted for the H&V News Awards’ ‘Commercial HVAC Product of the Year – Ventilation’ category too, and we are looking forward to the event that will be held on 28th November.

We also welcome our new Business Development Director, Matthew Cooper who has joined the team with 15 years of industry experience and is focussed on helping grow the Breathing Buildings brand,” said Alexis Roberts, Brand Manager at Breathing Buildings.

 

 

The company’s award-winning NVHRe offers the lowest energy consumption for a hybrid heat recovery ventilation unit in the industry, the NVHRe combines 46% heat recovery efficiency with low Specific Fan Power (SFP) of 0.075 W/l/s to help maximise a building’s energy savings. In addition, the NVHRe has several different operating modes to minimise energy use, enhance IAQ and improve occupant comfort. An intelligent hybrid system, the unit automatically decides when and if mechanical operation is required, ensuring it only operates when absolutely necessary.

 

Providing excellent thermal comfort and enhanced IAQ, the NVHRe is designed to suit a diverse range of commercial and public buildings with high heat gains, such as schools, colleges, leisure centres, offices, theatres and even churches. The inclusion of the low resistant aluminium cross plate heat exchanger to the unit lowers energy costs by reducing the reliance on space heating to maintain thermal comfort in a room. It operates during colder external temperatures, typically below 7ºC when mixing recycled air alone is not enough to maintain the desired temperature for occupants.

 

The range also includes units that can be the primary source of heat; needing no radiators, as well as a system that can offer further cooling. The British designed and manufactured units come in three models with product variations to suit every need with the standard NVHRe 1100 an NVHRe+ 1100 which includes a heating coil and is ideal for buildings in cooler areas; and an NVHRe C+ 1100 which features a heating and cooling coil for year-round comfort and full temperature control.

 

The NVHRe hybrid ventilation system’s ultra-efficient facade-based mixing ventilation allows single-sided, enhanced natural and hybrid ventilation in deep plan spaces whilst making the most of internal heat gains, with the addition of heat recovery to deliver superb thermal comfort and IAQ. Hybrid ventilation focuses on the vital balance of IAQ, thermal comfort, and efficiency by choosing the most appropriate mode of ventilation based on the internal and external conditions, allowing the NVHRe to be in the most energy efficient mode possible at all stages.

 

Allowing low-energy hybrid natural ventilation, even in buildings with limited facade and roof space, highly efficient mixing fans mitigate cold draughts in winter and provide a ventilation boost in summer, with the addition of heat recovery to bolster winter thermal comfort, minimising the need for a primary source of heating for the space, in return reducing energy costs. Supplied with an external temperature sensor, and an internal temperature and CO2 sensor, as well as an intelligent controller the system monitors conditions to create an ideal indoor environment, boosting both productivity and wellbeing.

 

Breathing Buildings’ multi-award-winning natural ventilation with heat recycling (NVHR®) range won the Energy Efficient Product of the Year Award at the prestigious Energy Awards, and also recently won three awards for providing ventilation to the East Anglian Air Ambulance project with the Breathing Buildings’ NVHR® range.

CLICK HERE

For further information on NVHR®, NVHRe and E-stack ventilation,

as well as other products and services offered by Breathing Buildings

or call us on 01223 450 060

 

 

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For an efficient, space-saving solution, the only way is Upton

With challenges such as financial demands and space constraints being a key consideration for many heating and hot water projects in school buildings, compact modular condensing boilers such as the Upton boiler from Hamworthy are a game changer. This space-saving modular boiler can efficiently deliver more than 1MW output on less than 1m² footprint.

Packing power and efficiency into a small space

When specifying a heating system, the first consideration should, without doubt, be the required kW output needed.  However, once this is calculated, plant room size and access are equally as important.  For projects in older buildings, where demands might vary or may have increased over time, there may be a need to increase boilers or boiler size.  This could be an issue for plant rooms where space is already quite tight, particularly if it means the boiler and ancillaries simply won’t fit the existing space.   Similarly, when it comes to modern buildings, plant room space is like gold dust. 

Compared to large high-output boilers, Upton modular condensing boiler modules make the most of valuable space.  Available as single modules, and pre-assembled in two or three high modules in up to 18 combinations with power outputs from 100kW to 1,050kW from less than one square meter foot, Upton boilers offer a flexible solution that makes the most of existing floor space.  

Upton boilers can also be easily separated and moved without the assistance of heavy-duty cranes or other expensive equipment.  Smaller and physically easier to handle than larger single boilers, they can also help to overcome restrictions, such as tight stairways, narrow doorways, and overhead obstructions. 

Cost reduction and energy savings

Unlike a single appliance which may struggle to provide heat efficiently to a large area, Upton boilers feature reliable built-in boiler sequence controls, enabling up to 16 boiler modules and hot water circuits to be set to work together in cascade or unison formation.

This means modulation can be shared across all units in the system.  As each module takes a percentage of the load, this prevents the inefficiencies of on/off cycling and ensures each boiler module can operate at optimum efficiency, at all times.  For instance, an Upton setup of six 100kW boilers arranged in a cascade will provide the same output as a single 600kW unit – however, it will provide a greater modulation rate because there is a greater maximum collective output, meaning the modulation ratio is increased.  This means there’s less need for each boiler to cycle on and off, saving valuable energy costs and reducing wear and tear over time.  In addition, overall NOx emissions are reduced due to less over-firing of the appliance.

Also incorporating an aluminium sectional l heat exchanger (with a 5-year warranty) for quick heat-up times, even heat distribution and maximum efficiency of up to 108%, Upton boilers are also fully compliant with the Energy Related Products Directive (ErP) and Building Regulations Part L.

Minimum disruption

In the unlikely event of a breakdown, the building can still be heated sufficiently by other modules in the system – if one module fails, the other modules will carry on working normally as the boilers run in a cascade operating configuration.  Furthermore, each boiler can be taken offline independently, without disrupting the continuation of supply during routine maintenance.  It’s also worth remembering that Upton boilers can be installed alongside an existing boiler.  This enables a smooth changeover from the old heating system to new with little or no system downtime.  

Conclusion

In today’s world of emission concerns, pressures to reduce cost and the need to achieve more with less, Upton boilers are superior in helping to reduce the energy consumption needed to meet the demands of a building. Delivering a constant and reliable heat supply, without the risk of disruption and unplanned downtime, Upton boilers can offer a cost-effective alternative to a traditional large single boiler.  Moreover, thanks to their small footprint and low CO2 and NOx emissions, they successfully reduce the space needed for heating equipment while lowering impact on the environment.

https://hamworthy-heating.com/About-us/Our-news/Aluminium-boiler-with-1MW-output

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Manor Drive Academy chooses fermacell® for new school development

As part of the Manor Drive Academy development in Peterborough, architects Jestico + Whiles and contractor Raimondas Petrulis have specified the unique building board fermacell® for the ceilings and walls in its new sports hall.

Part of a range of products by James Hardie, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of building materials, fermacell® is a fibre gypsum board which provides superior fire resistance, acoustic performance and impact strength. For the sports hall wall construction, a double layer lining of 12.5 mm fermacell® was used to ensure higher levels of protection against ball impact, and provide long-term durability.  The high-density board comes with a 20-year impact warranty and can be installed before the building is water tight, which not only helped with the speed of the build but also had a positive impact on carbon reduction as fermacell® is verified to store C02*. 

The new four-court sports hall is a major part of the Manor Drive School development.  Manor Drive Secondary Academy adjoins the primary building and at full capacity the schools will cater for up to 1346 students. (900 secondary and 446 primary) with numbers planned to grow incrementally year on year.

Jon Jacznik, Director at DCL Drywall Contracts commented: “The sports hall area is a prime example of how the fermacell high density boards can provide protection from direct impact from sports activities as well as resistance from extreme wear and tear. With a 20 year impact warranty the client has peace of mind that the product will stand up to all future sports events.”

Chris Winwood, Commercial Sales Manager at James Hardie added: “The design team were looking for ways to speed up the build time whilst not compromising on quality. The architect and contractor specified Fermacell® because of its established reputation in the Education sector, offering the robustness of blockwork with the speed and install of drywall, saving time, money and space making it ideal for modern school environments.”

 

https://www.fermacell.co.uk/en

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Improving air quality in and around schools

Megan Bennett, Product Marketing Manager at Nuaire, discusses the importance of improving air quality for schools, and how this can be achieved. 

Schools should be a safe place to learn, yet 86% of new schools in England are in areas breaching World Health Organization air pollution limits; that’s 147 schools. Sadly, there is no legal requirement for air pollution to be considered in planning for new schools despite children spending on an average 35 hours a week at school for half the year.

How dangerous is air pollution for children?

In the most recent annual air quality assessment, the UK was non-compliant with the annual mean concentration limit value for NOx at a number of roadside locations in urban areas. It is estimated that 65% of the NOx concentrations at the roadside originate as NOx emissions from road transport. 

Short-term exposure to concentrations of NOx can cause inflammation of the airways and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections and to allergens. Children are particularly vulnerable because their bodies, organs, and immune systems are still developing.  Furthermore, children tend to spend more time outside – including travelling to and from school – so have greater exposure to polluted air.  

Over the years we have come to better understand the harm brought about by exposure to external air pollution, even in small amounts.  But indoor air quality is very much understudied compared to outdoor air pollution, despite the fact that it impacts pupils’ health and concentration, affecting attendance and attainment. 

What can be done to improve air quality in and around schools?

Externally, the focus is on encouraging people away from their cars for short journeys and campaigning for wider access to reliable, affordable and efficient public transport  The expansion of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in urban areas is also being put forward as, despite controversy, these have been proven to reduce air pollution.  In Greater London, it has been estimated that this has contributed to a 4.5% reduction in long-term health problems and an 8% decrease in respiratory issues.  

But what about indoor air quality?  Reducing external air pollution will have a positive impact on internal air quality, but it’s not the entire story.

Education buildings can be some of the most diverse, with most of them having classrooms, kitchens, canteens, halls, gymnasiums and even swimming pools.  Indoor air quality varies tremendously not only between schools, but also within them.  Effective ventilation solutions must be deployed within schools to provide good IAQ that is conducive to learning.

When it comes to classrooms, systems that are powerful enough able to ventilate multiple rooms and that come with a filter to remove incoming pollutants, such as the Nuaire XBOXER XBC range, are ideal.  

For sports halls, the biggest challenge is CO2 and odours which must be removed. Air Handling Units are perfect for these environments as they are able to provide a high volume of air movement and do so with high efficiency. To not waste energy through running the unit when the space is not in use, it is good practice to use occupancy sensors and pollutant sensors (such as CO2 sensors) which control when units are active. This will prevent them running when ventilation is not required.

If the school is lucky has an indoor swimming pool, then a ventilation system that can cope with high levels of humidity and corrosive chlorine needs to be specified.  Nuaire’s Boxer Bespoke range of AHUs can be coated for such applications.

Toilets and WCs in schools are high use areas which can fill with indoor air pollutants and odours very quickly if not ventilated correctly.  Twin fans technology is standard practice for areas such as toilets. Duty share of the two fans within the unit mean that the fan continues to work in the event of one fan failing. 

In school kitchens, a bifurcated fan, such as Nuaire’s Squif range, with the motor out of the airstream is a good solution, as it means that pollutants such as grease do not clog up the motor – something that can result in fan failure over time.  

Addressing both external air pollution and indoor air quality is vital if we are to provide our children with a safe, comfortable place to learn.  No child should have to breath dangerous or stale air just to get an education.  

For more information go to www.nuaire.co.uk/commercial/education

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The Impact of Air Quality and Indoor Climate on Student Success

Alex McDonald, indoor climate specialist at Zehnder Group UK, discusses how air quality and indoor climate can impact the learning environment and student success.

A poor indoor climate, and specifically bad indoor air quality (IAQ) has a demonstrably negative impact on students’ health, concentration, and overall learning experience, often leaving them feeling lethargic and struggling to focus.

Studies have shown a clear link between high CO2 levels and decreased cognitive function, especially in the afternoons, leading to drowsiness, headaches, and difficulty focusing. In the bustling environment of a school, effective ventilation is not just a matter of comfort, it’s essential for the academic performance and health of the children.

In many cases, inadequate ventilation can exacerbate asthma, allergies and – as emphasised by the pandemic – increase the risk of airborne virus transmission, further hindering student and teacher well-being.

Achieving an optimal indoor climate, with a focus on better air quality in educational settings however, presents unique challenges. These range from varying environmental factors, such as security and pollution, to the need for well-maintained ventilation systems across different areas, including classrooms, sports halls, food technology kitchens, and more. All have different objectives and need to be modelled to achieve optimum performance across the school setting.

Building Bulletin 101 (BB101) sets out regulations and guidance on ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality for school buildings. It provides guidelines on minimum performance standards for schools but hitting the minimum shouldn’t be deemed as best practice.

Ventilation strategies in schools

Within school ventilation considerations, there are three main strategies deployed – Natural ventilation by opening windows, Hybrid ventilation using a mix of mechanical ventilation and natural ventilation, and finally Full Mechanical ventilation.

While acknowledging natural and hybrid ventilation systems, BB101 guidelines were drafted in a time with less stringent energy efficiency standards and a lesser focus on consistent indoor air quality.

Natural ventilation may appear to be a simple and cost-effective solution, but it has significant drawbacks. In winter, opening windows can lead to discomfort from cold draughts causing distraction and potential health implications for occupants inside. Rapid heat loss is also an issue, negating the efficiency of heating systems and costing the school precious pounds. Then in warmer months, opening windows for fresh air can lead to pollen and allergens infiltrating classrooms as well as excess heat.

Additionally, natural ventilation is impractical in areas with high noise pollution or poor outdoor air quality especially in urban areas or near busy roads, therefore failing to meet BB101 requirements for air quality and BB93 limits on noise pollution in classrooms.

These methods are also heavily dependent on weather conditions, including wind direction; if the wind is unfavourable it won’t deliver the necessary air movement within a room to provide optimal climate.

Hybrid systems, which combine natural and mechanical ventilation methods, attempt to bridge this gap but can be unreliable due to human error. These systems often rely on teachers manually opening windows, an easily forgotten task. Likewise, the inconsistent monitoring of pollutant levels can occur as teachers prioritise their lessons, often leading to dangerous CO2 spikes. Hybrid systems also struggle to maintain a consistent airflow due to the load they can produce, especially in larger classrooms with fluctuating occupancy.

For the best IAQ in schools, while still ensuring sustainability and energy efficiency, hybrid methods often fall short.

The move to mechanical

Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), however, removes the guesswork and gives full control over the building’s climate. An MVHR system offers a comprehensive and sustainable air quality solution with several key advantages over alternative solutions, including consistent airflow, automatic CO2 level monitoring and adjustment, that all leads to improved occupant concentration. These benefits collectively lead to reduced absenteeism from student illnesses caused by airborne viruses.

The advanced heat recovery capabilities minimise energy and heat waste, ensuring efficient operation year-round. Precise air control with CO2 monitoring guarantees consistently improved air quality, regardless of external factors or occupant behaviour.

Mechanical ventilation systems come in two types, centralised and decentralised.

For smaller projects, decentralised ventilation units provide an ideal solution. Each unit operates independently, serving individual classrooms or spaces, ensuring optimal air quality with minimal disruption. Should a unit require maintenance or encounter issues, it affects only the corresponding room, mitigating downtime and inconvenience – this makes them well-suited for retrofitting older buildings or adding ventilation to new areas, without the need for extensive modifications.

Zehnder’s decentralised ventilation solution, the Zehnder Eversky®, is designed for educational settings. With highly efficient heat recovery capturing up to 90% of exhaust heat, it’s adaptable to room-specific needs, integrating seamlessly while operating quietly. This ensures a comfortable climate while meeting air quality standards.

In contrast, larger-scale projects benefit from centralised ventilation systems – offering centralised control and distribution of air through a connected air system network throughout the entire building. By connecting all supply and extract across a school, these systems ensure uniform air quality and temperature regulation, optimising energy efficiency and reducing operational costs.

This solution is particularly advantageous for new construction projects, where they can be seamlessly integrated into the building’s design.

Zehnder’s NeoTime and Carma commercial MVHR units are designed for easy plug-and-play installation. The control panel on the unit makes installation, configuration, and operation simple. These units can be installed both indoors and outdoors, with a factory-fitted weather protection roof. They ensure optimal air quality with high-quality filters and operate quietly thanks to double-walled, insulated panels with high-density thermal insulation.

The best indoor climate

Heat recovery through an MVHR ventilation system helps to retain the heat from the extracted air but general heating and cooling for schools still needs to be considered to create an overall comfortable climate all year round.

Traditional radiators are an excellent solution for standalone projects, perfectly suited for academic buildings and schools, the Zehnder Nova Neo radiator delivers comfort and heat faster than conventional radiators through its built-in fans offering short response times, integrated dust filters and heat pump compatibility the Nova Neo helps to ensure a clean and healthy environment. They are ideal for those not seeking integration into a wider heating and cooling system.

For those seeking an alternative or complementary option, radiant panels are a fantastic choice. Installed discreetly on the ceiling, they provide efficient radiant heating and cooling for any space, from classrooms to gym halls.

Radiant panels warm objects and surfaces directly, ensuring even heating and great energy efficiency. Their slim design and ceiling placement save valuable room space, and they do not pose a burn risk, making them safe for environments with children. Additionally, in the summer, these panels can help cool the room by circulating cooled water through the system.

Zehnder’s Alumline and ZFP radiant ceiling panels respond quickly to temperature changes, offering an energy-efficient solution using up to 40% less energy than traditional heating methods, while providing architectural flexibility. These panels integrate seamlessly into all types of lay-in ceilings, especially traditional grid ceilings common in schools. They feature a high-quality powder coating finish and a discreet design, ensuring long service life. Installation is straightforward, as they are lightweight and come ready to install with simple hydraulic connections.

For those embarking on new projects this summer break, such as school refurbishments, extensions, or new constructions, these solutions provide practical, energy-efficient and adaptable options. They enable a comfortable and conducive learning environment, while prioritising the health of both students and teachers.

www.zehnder.co.uk 

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