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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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TRILUX Lights to Inspire Innovation, Team Interactions and Automation

The University of Edinburgh’s Usher Building at Edinburgh BioQuarter’s health innovation district, provided TRILUX with the perfect opportunity to showcase its innovative lighting and control solutions.

The Vision: Transforming Health Through Light

Located within The University of Edinburgh’s College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, the Usher Institute aims to transform health in society by working with people, populations, and data. The Usher Building houses the Usher Institute with its four core research centres and the Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit – alongside partners from public, private and third sector organisations. Funded as part of the Data-Driven Innovation Initiative of the Edinburgh and Southeast Scotland City Region Deal, the facility has been designed by international design practice Hassell Studio to be a welcoming space for focus, collaboration, and engagement, with space for around 1000 occupants

The lighting project was crucial to this mission. The objective was to create an environment conducive to health research and collaboration, utilising as few manufacturers as possible.

The Challenge: Integrating Seamless Lighting Solutions

Designing a lighting system for the Usher Building, a complex and multifunctional facility, posed significant challenges. The aim was to install efficient lighting throughout the building, ensuring that office lighting worked with ceiling raft details and communal lighting matched the architectural finishes. The project demanded a seamless integration of lighting controls to provide efficiency, flexibility and additional functionality.

The Solution: TRILUX Lighting and Building Controls

Delivered by Leon Gray, a TRILUX distributor, and installed by EMTEC Group with lighting design by Ainsley Cramer, the lighting scheme consisted of 400 custom-designed Sonnos downlights featuring a bronze and black RAL finish; these downlights blended perfectly with the building’s architectural metal finishes. Over 600 Solvan Flows, 300 Amatris, and numerous LED linear runs were installed, providing uniform and efficient lighting throughout the facility. 

However, the star of the show was the LiveLink controls system, which offers numerous benefits: semi-automatic lighting with absence detection for maximum energy savings, multiple lighting scenes for dramatic effects in event spaces, push-button controls for on/off and dimming, simplified partition controls for flexible space usage, remote access for modifications and service checks, daylight controls with window row dimming to optimise energy efficiency, and extensive DALI networks across the building for comprehensive lighting management.

The Impact: A Bright, Efficient Future for the Usher Building

The new lighting solutions provided by TRILUX significantly enhance the Usher Building’s usability and aesthetic appeal. The efficient and well-integrated lighting systems support the facility’s goal of fostering interdisciplinary research and collaboration. The reflective spaces, such as the reading room and cellular meeting spaces, benefit from the custom lighting, creating an ideal environment for focused work and engagement. The lighting has also improved the overall atmosphere of the facility, making it a more inviting and productive space for its users.

“As a research and innovation institute focussed on health and social care, we wanted our Usher Building to be designed with wellbeing and efficiency at its heart – and for it to be a space that draws our team and collaborators together. Lots of natural light is complemented by flexible lighting from the TRILUX team to ensure we can work most effectively whatever the weather!”  

TRILUX’s lighting solutions have enhanced the Usher Building’s environment and contributed to a brighter, more connected, and healthier future for the researchers and partners working within this leading medical campus – power is combined in a proven management team – this creates good prospects for the future!” Susan Buckingham, Head of Communications, Marketing and Engagement at the Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh comments.

For further information on the TRILUX lighting and control solutions please visit https://www.trilux.com/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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North Ayrshire sees first Passivhaus school

Irvine’s newest school has now been open a month – with pupils and staff setting into their new surroundings.

Built by Robertson Construction North West, the school opened in August and as part of the council’s ambitious net-zero drive, is the first ‘Passivhaus’ school in the region.

Passivhaus Standard delivers buildings which provide a high level of comfort for occupants, while using very little energy for heating and cooling. The new school will use significantly less energy than a typical school building, resulting in lower carbon emissions, and lower energy bills.

Montgomerie Park Primary accommodates up to 342 pupils, plus an early learning and childcare facility with 32 places for three to five-year-olds, and 15 places for two-year-olds.

Councillor Shaun Macaulay, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “We are proud of this fantastic new school which marks a new chapter in the lives of the children and staff. It is an incredible facility and we are confident it will provide a learning and teaching environment of the very highest quality.”

Andy McLinden, Regional Managing Director, Robertson Construction Central West, said: “It is with huge satisfaction that we deliver this project, not only a new high-quality school but a milestone in the national journey to net zero. In close collaboration with North Ayrshire Council, we have created a place that truly meets the needs and aspirations of the pupils, providing them with a nurturing educational environment where they can thrive.

“Beyond the creation of these state-of-the-art facilities, this project has also significantly contributed to community wealth building. We employed 54 local people, hosted 130 apprenticeship weeks on site, and supported employment programmes, ensuring that our work leaves a lasting legacy in the local area.”

Initial work on the new school began in March 2023. It was built to rigorous energy efficiency standards and comprises 12 classrooms, early learning facilities, a gymnasium incorporating flexible performance areas, dining facilities, along with outdoor learning spaces including a seven-a-side all-weather pitch.

Source: North Ayrshire Council

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New era begins for Ysgol Robert Owen

A new era has begun for a special school in north Powys after pupils and staff moved into their new building this week.

The new school building for Newtown’s Ysgol Robert Owen (formerly Ysgol Cedewain) is the latest project that has been completed by Powys County Council under its Transforming Education Programme.

As part of the programme, the council has already built one new high school and 10 primary schools and also carried out remodelling works at a primary and a high school.

The brand-new building has been built for pupils with additional learning needs by Wynne Construction on behalf of the council. 75% of the funding for the project is being provided by the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, with the remaining 25% of funding being provided by the council.

The state-of-the-art new building has replaced the very poor accommodation at the school’s current building, and includes facilities for very vulnerable learners, including a hydrotherapy pool, sensory and physiotherapy rooms and garden as well as a community café.

Outdoor sports facilities will now be developed on the grounds on the site of the former school buildings now they have been vacated.

Staff are now able to teach in a learning environment that is fit-for-purpose, and for parents they have confidence that their children are being supported within the best facilities and accommodation.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “I’m delighted that pupils and staff of Ysgol Robert Owen have moved into their fantastic new school building.

“I would like to thank the school community for their patience while this facility was being built. I would also like to acknowledge the school’s input into this scheme to ensure that it was built to minimise the design impact on pupils.

“This project has seen the council provide a world-class facility for the county’s most vulnerable learners.

“This new building is an important part of our Strategy to Transform Education in Powys and will provide an environment where teaching staff and thrive and give vulnerable learners the facilities that meets their needs, they benefit from and enables them to enjoy learning.”

To read the council’s Strategy for Transforming Education 2020-2032 and details of the Transforming Education Programme – Wave 2 (2022 – 2027) visit Transforming Education

Source: Powys County Council

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Government to take new approach to education infrastructure

Michelle Davies, DPP Consulting’s Director and Education Lead, explores the Labour government’s approach to education infrastructure.

Shortly after Labour took office, its new Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced plans to reform the planning system, focusing on unlocking “stalled sites” and prioritising economic benefits in planning decisions. This includes support for local authorities with the appointment of an additional 300 new planning officers.

The government is now also consulting on a new NPPF which now places “significant weight” on the importance of new, expanded or upgraded public infrastructure, including educational buildings. Despite this backdrop, there has been limited information on how the new government will be improving school infrastructure.

The School Rebuilding Programme

The School Rebuilding Programme (SRP) remains active, with no indications from the government that it will be halted. The SRP is a key initiative aimed at addressing the condition of school buildings across England, with plans to rebuild or refurbish over 500 schools in poor condition over a decade.

The importance of this programme is underscored by the National Audit Office (NAO) report from June 2023, which highlighted that approximately 700,000 pupils are learning in schools that require significant rebuilding or refurbishment.

The issue of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) further complicates matters, with 234 education settings in England confirmed as having RAAC and 119 of these schools needing major rebuilding or refurbishment. It remains to be seen how the government will approach this pressing issue.

The government’s primary focus so far has been on other educational reforms, such as increasing teacher recruitment, introducing free breakfast clubs, and pledging to create 3,000 new nurseries within existing primary schools. While it seems unlikely that it would reduce funding on educational infrastructure, there is still no clear commitment at this stage.

A new emphasis on public infrastructure

One area where we see more immediate and tangible changes is in the proposed updates to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). These updates could provide much-needed support for planning applications related to education infrastructure projects.

In the draft NPPF, paragraphs 96 and 97 have been expanded to encourage not only the provision school places, but also the development of early years and post-16 education infrastructure. This broader scope is significant as it suggests a more holistic approach to supporting educational needs, encompassing nurseries, special education needs (SEN), and further and higher education institutions. 

Moreover, paragraph 98 of the draft NPPF has been revised to place “significant weight” on the importance of new, expanded or upgraded public service infrastructure, including education buildings, in planning decisions. This revision is helpful because planning applications, including for new educational facilities, often involve balancing multiple competing interests. The added emphasis on the importance of educational infrastructure could tip the scales in favour of approval, particularly where there is clear need for improved facilities. As a planner, it will be interesting to see how this plays out in real situations and applications.

The explicit support for a wider range of educational facilities and the greater value placed on these projects within NPPF should be helpful when seeking approval for projects that address not just immediate school place shortages or improvements but also broader educational needs within communities.

Consultation on the new NPPF closes on 24 September 2024 and is expected to be formally in place shortly after. However, when it comes to spending commitments there are a lot of ifs, buts and ‘possibilities’ in all of these statements, and as a fundamental sector in the economic development of the UK, our educators and educational planners could do with more certainty.

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Leicestershire sees opening of new SEND school

A brand-new specialist school for pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs has completed in Shepshed, Leicestershire, offering facilities for students aged 4-16 from September 2024.

Bowman Academy, which is situated on the former site of St Botolph’s Primary School, located to the east of Shepshed on Loughborough Road, will see pupils benefit from a range of facilities to suit their needs. This includes classroom suites with vinyl areas to support practical learning, a sensory “dark room”, practical teaching spaces including a domestic kitchen, a library, a calming room, and a main hall with a demountable stage.

The new build SEND school, which has been designed sympathetically to the needs of SEMH learning, has space for 64 pupils, with facilities for 16 primary-aged children across two ground floor classrooms, with the remaining 48 secondary-aged pupils split across two ground floor classrooms, and a further four on the first floor. The first floor also has an additional three classrooms for practical uses.

Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard was behind the scheme, providing architectural services for main contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, which was procured by the Department for Education (DfE) under the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC1) framework.

Joe West, associate at Pick Everard, said: “Working on SEND schools is always a privilege, with unique design applications and special consideration for the needs of a diverse range of learning.

“Creating an environment that is both functional and comfortable for pupils was central to the aims of the project, which should in turn aid the school in attracting and retaining students in the area.

“The construction technique employed on this project was a fully offsite solution, so thorough sequencing and planning was paramount to ensure all materials were delivered safely and successfully, as well as meeting the highest standards.

“We’re delighted to have worked alongside Bowmer + Kirkland once again to deliver this fantastic academy for pupils in the area with SEMH needs.”

Driving sustainability initiatives, Bowman Academy’s design includes a ‘fabric-first’ approach, which reduces the energy requirements of the building through measures including high levels of insulation, heat recovery and air tightness.

High efficiency boilers have been installed at the school, which will be run by the Community Inclusive Trust (CIT), as well as LED lighting with occupancy and daylight controls for resource management. The building also has glare control and sustainable natural ventilation, providing a low energy cost solution.

Additionally, the site includes a photovoltaic panel array, providing a ten per cent energy consumption offset from renewable technology.

Steve Waldron, contracts manager at Bowmer + Kirkland, said: “We have been working for the DfE since 2013 and are proud of the 73 schools we have completed, but specialist schools are unique in the enormous difference they make to the pupils and their families. We are delighted to continue our relationship with Pick Everard to deliver another fantastic facility which will improve the lives of so many young people.”

Cllr Deborah Taylor, cabinet member for Children and Families at Leicestershire County Council, said: “It is exciting to see the school completed and we’re looking forward to it opening and welcoming new pupils.

“The building of Bowman Academy part of a wider program to ensure provision is available to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Leicestershire, as close to their homes as possible.

“This includes both the building of special schools and creating provision in mainstream schools.”

James Ellis, CIT’s director of SEND education, said, “This is a very exciting time for Bowman Academy. SEMH is a unique sector of education requiring distinctive building design to support the delivery of specialist teaching and care for pupils.

“We look forward to welcoming children in Shepshed and the surrounding area to our new setting and supporting them to develop the knowledge and skills they need to help them thrive in adult life.”

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£1m demolition of B-listed school building approved

The B-listed main building at the former home of Rothesay Academy is finally set to be demolished, at a cost of nearly £1m.

Argyll and Bute Council planning officials have approved the authority’s own application for ‘listed building consent’ to demolish the Academy Road premises, which have lain empty since 2007 and have increasingly become a focus for vandalism and anti-social behaviour since then.

Only a single expression of support was received from the public, with no objections. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) were also reported to have raised no objections.

The decision was taken without elected councillors being involved, and a report said: “HES have stated that a listed building cannot be replaced when it is gone, and there is a strong presumption in national planning policy for their retention.

The former school was opened in 1959 and designed by David Harvey.

HES’ Buildings At Risk register describes it as a ‘very fine modernist building’ and the listing designation states: “The former Rothesay Academy is an important example of secondary school architecture of the 1950s in Scotland.

“Prominently located on high ground facing the sea with commanding views over the town, the aspirational design breaks away from the Art Deco influences of the inter-war period.

“It uses overtly modernist devices such as narrow supporting columns (pilotis), sheer glazed curtain-wall classroom blocks and angular projections to emphasise its balanced, asymmetrical composition.

“It is one of a small number of post-war school buildings of this quality in the west of Scotland.”

The report added that a survey had found ‘a series of significant defects, including penetrating damp throughout the building, failing roof coverings, failing rainwater goods, and structural defects throughout the building’s external fabric’.

It also said there were several areas where ‘poor workmanship’ had been contributing to the advancement of decay throughout.

“It (the building) has become a magnet for vandalism, fire raising and anti-social behaviour. Both the police and fire services have regularly been involved and are keen for the council to address the situation,” the report adds.

“Adjacent homeowners and occupiers have similarly raised concerns and have noted the poor condition of the property.

“There are health and safety implications and the council’s insurers have raised concerns that there may be a significant risk of injury or even loss of life from parties entering the building illegally.

“Security has been a key concern in light of the above and the council has spent significant sums securing the building with steel plates and appropriate signage.

“However, even this has not proven to be 100% effective with reports of vandals using power tools to remove the panels to obtain access.”

Source: The Lochside Press

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Belhaven Hill School’s new classroom building plan approved

A bid for a new classroom building at a Dunbar school has been given pass marks by East Lothian Council.

Belhaven Hill School approached the local authority’s planning department last summer about creating a new classroom building. Permission was granted and approval has now been given to a second application.

The revised plans, which attracted no objections from members of the public, show two classrooms, a plant and storage room, office, lobby, bathroom and storage room.

The planning officer’s report said: “The proposed building would be of a contemporary design; however, given its siting within the grounds of Belhaven School and the high stone wall boundary treatment to the north of the proposed building, it would be relatively well contained from public views.

“Furthermore, when viewed in the context of the size and scale of the existing buildings within the grounds of the school, the proposed building would appear subservient in height, scale and massing, and would not result in the over development of the area of land on which it would be sited.”

The scheme is part of a three-phase planned development at the school, off Dunbar’s Belhaven Road, which last year celebrated its centenary.

Phase two focuses on the extension and enhancement of sporting facilities, while the final phase looks to replace temporary structures with 21st-century classroom space.

The school counts artist Hugh Buchanan and journalist Magnus Linklater among its former pupils.

Source: East Lothian Courier

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