Modern Efficiency Meets Heritage at Corpus Christi College with Hamworthy Heating

 

Hamworthy Heating, a trusted British manufacturer and supplier of commercial heating and hot water products, has supplied its Modumax mk3 modular condensing boilers and Powerstock calorifiers to Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge. Installed within a Grade I Listed building; the new system delivers an efficient heating and hot water solution tailored to the unique challenges of the site.

 

The project involved replacing an ageing plant room in the basement of the college, where access was severely restricted and space limited. These constraints ruled out traditional large-scale plant equipment and required a compact system that could be transported through narrow doorways without structural alterations.

 

The chosen system features four Modumax mk3 floor-standing condensing boilers (196 / 392V) delivering 1,532 kW total across eight modules. These are integrated with two Hamworthy Heating Powerstock PS500 indirect calorifiers to provide domestic hot water for the college.

 

Hamworthy Heating’s Modumax mk3 range is specifically designed with retrofit projects in mind. The modular format allows boilers to be dismantled and manoeuvred into confined spaces before being reassembled in position, providing the flexibility needed for heritage environments where plantroom layout and access present unique challenges. By combining the modular boilers with Powerstock calorifiers, the system delivers both efficient heating and a reliable domestic hot water supply for the college.

 

To ensure precision, the project team used Hamworthy’s 3D digital design tools to plan the plant room layout in detail. This approach enabled much of the pipework to be prefabricated offsite, which streamlined the installation, and ensured that new equipment could be delivered in stages and installed in a single operation.

 

“The 3D models allowed us to coordinate the plant room before we even stepped on site. It saved time and helped everything run efficiently. Careful delivery planning also meant the installation could be completed in one single day,” explains Geoff Bunton of Bunton M&E Services.

 

The completed upgrade now provides Corpus Christi College with a robust, futureproof heating and hot water system that improves efficiency, reduces emissions, and meets the demands of its academic community, all while preserving the integrity of its historic setting.

CLICK HERE For more information on Hamworthy Heating’s

Modumax mk3 boilers and Powerstock calorifiers

OR CALL 01202 662 552

 

 

 

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Hamworthy Heating provides Cambridge primary school with new Tyneham heat pump cascade installation

Two Tyneham 290HT 27kW air source heat pumps from Hamworthy Heating – a trusted British manufacturer and supplier of commercial heating and hot water products – have been installed in cascade for underfloor heating in a new extension at a primary school in Cambridge.

To accurately meet the heating requirements of the new school extension and ensure an even distribution of heat, the new system from Hamworthy Heating includes two 290HT 27kW Tyneham heat pumps with natural refrigerant, configured in a hydraulic cascade set up. The heat pumps are connected to a 500L buffer cylinder, which also features an electrical heating element, controlled by a BMS. The buffer connections, Exogel anti-freeze valves and degassers were also supplied by Hamworthy Heating.

This cascade arrangement allows for the heat capacity to be equally distributed according to the specific heating demands of the new school building.

Rather than rely on a larger single heat pump that could run inefficiently at partial load, the new cascade set up enables the units, which have inverter controlled compressors, to adjust their capacities as needed which will enable the school to achieve a more accurate match to its actual heating demand and optimise performance.

Additionally, as the new system can adjust to keep the heat pumps operating at their most efficient state, cycling of heat pumps and unnecessary energy consumption is avoided.

The two new Tyneham 290 HT installation also provides the school with increased protection against breakdowns. Unlike a single heat pump installation, which can result in complete downtime, the new system now supplies the new building with uninterrupted heating. Furthermore, as the workload is shared across two Tyneham heat pumps, stress and wear on individual components is significantly reduced.

Following a previously successful collaboration with Hamworthy Heating on the schools existing heating system, Sotham Engineering were keen to stick with a brand they could trust on the second phase of its project.

Ricky Harris, Sotham Engineering Services Ltd comments, “We choose Tyneham heat pumps due to their overall performance and efficiency. Having collaborated with Hamworthy during the first stage of the project, we found them easy to work with and always available to provide support and assistance”.

Building on the success of its popular Tyneham heat pump range, the new 290HT heat pump utilising natural refrigerant offers a co-efficiency of performance (COP) of up to 4.94 for optimum efficiency.

Quiet in operation, with noise levels as low as 64db(A), the latest 290HT heat pump range is available in five outputs from 15kW through to 50kW and can be cascaded to achieve higher outputs and can be combined with alternative Hamworthy Heating products to achieve a low-carbon hybrid heating system.

Following a successful installation, the new extension now benefits from a reliable and efficient heat pump system that will help the school to reduce its carbon footprint and lower operational costs.

For more information on the Tyneham 290HT commercial heat pump range, please visit www.hamworthy-heating.com/ or call 01202 662 552.

 

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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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