Reducing False Fire Alarms in Education Establishments

Disrupting vital teaching, interfering with crucial exams and heaping further pressure on an already strained fire service, false fire alarms remain a huge concern within the education industry but with the BSI now recommending protective covers for all manual call points, will we see a decline in malicious activations?

In the 2017 revision to the BS5839-1:2017 the British Standard Institute has recommended, in section 20.2 b) of the update, that: “All MCPs should be fitted with a protective cover, which is moved to gain access to the frangible elements.”

The changes came after the Fire Industry Association’s Fire Detection & Alarm Council presented their own recommendations for changes to BS5839-1:2017 to the BSI following findings showing that a shocking 44% of Fire and Rescue callout turn out to be false alarms. (Source: FIA website, 2017)

Safety Technology International Managing Director, Steve Hunt believes that the update to the British Standard will aid the decline in false fire alarms throughout the country.

He said: “The update to the British Standard strongly reinforces the work Safety Technology have been doing for over three decades. Our protective covers are designed to prevent false fire alarms and they are effective at doing so.”

All manual call points that are placed in vulnerable areas and are prone to false activations should now be protected, without the need to consult your fire safety officers.

Sadly schools and other education establishments like Colleges and Universities are particularly vulnerable to false fire alarms – disrupting vital teaching time and interrupting crucial exams.

Whilst some false activations are caused by accidents; whether it be from a bouncing ball in the sports hall or a flailing arm in a bustling corridor, a much more unfortunate and common cause for false firm alarms in schools is malicious activation.

With some pupils determined to avoid lessons, maliciously pressing a manual call point is an easy way to force their teachers and fellow pupils to evacuate classrooms and assemble outside in the playground.

One newspaper even reported that a school in Scotland had its fire alarm maliciously activated 15 times in two months interfering with important exams on consecutive days (Source: Daily Record, 2016). Not only are these hoax call-outs detrimental to pupils education but there are also both human and financial costs attached to false fire alarms.

It is estimated that false alarms cost the UK in excess of £1 billion a year (Source: FIA), but apart from the waste of resources false alarms detract the attention of fire services away from real fire incidents.

STI supply a range of protective covers, from integral covers to sounder models; there are variations to suit all applications. These covers are specifically designed to prevent false alarms whether accidental or malicious.

In fact, the first ever STI product came directly at the request of a high school principal in the United States who had a problem with false fire alarms. STI founder Jack Taylor used his expertise in security systems to invent the original Stopper call point protector.

Today, 35 years on STI has hundreds of innovative products that help make education establishments around the world safe, smart and secure.

The Call Point Stopper is a protective cover ideal for schools with a risk of accidental activation. The clear UV-stabilised polycarbonate cover does not restrict legitimate operation of vulnerable call points and is tough enough to withstand the severest knocks from wayward sports equipment or the break time rush.

However, if there is a history of threat of malicious activation and unruly pupils are willing to lift a protective cover in order to raise a false alarm, the Euro Stopper offers a solution. The Euro Stopper is a protective cover that helps prevent both malicious and accidental activations.

The tamper-proof cover features the same sturdy UV-stabilised polycarbonate housing as the Call Point Stopper but has the useful addition of an integral sounder. The 96dB sounder emits a piercing alarm when the cover is lifted drawing immediate attention to the area.

This acts both as a deterrent for disobedient students who will now be caught for their malicious actions, as well as functioning as an additional alarm in an emergency situation.

If further protection is still required the Universal Stopper offers IP56 protection from the elements making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Contact sales on +44 (0)1527 520 999, email sales@sti-emea.com or visit www.sti-emea.com, for further information on the range of protective covers from STI.

 

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Metsec wins BIM/Digital Construction Award

voestalpine Metsec has won the BIM/Digital Construction Award at the Offsite Construction Awards ceremony, held at Futurebuild 2019 at Excel, London.

The prestigious award not only underlines Metsec’s commitment to Building Information Modelling but also reinforces the company’s position as one of the leading exponents in the digitisation of construction.

Metsec was one of the first companies to recognise the significance of digitisation and the many benefits that it can bring, including improvements in collaboration, design time, manufacturing time and accuracy, all of which adds up to greater efficiency and enhanced customer satisfaction.

From the outset, the company undertook a programme of focused investment in the key technologies as well as the systems necessary to delivering these benefits, including staff training, updating processes, cultural change and digitisation of the product.

The results have been impressive; Metsec is the first Tier 2 Designer and Manufacturer, complying with BIM Level 2 for design and construction in the UK and the first manufacturing company to receive the BSI Kitemark for BIM. Uniquely, the company has also secured ISO 27001 status, enabling its BIM models to be encrypted for sensitive government projects.

The award was received by Metsec’s south-east regional sales manager, Steve Clark, who commented, “It’s great to have our efforts recognised by the industry. This award is the culmination of many years of investment by Metsec and the commitment of staff in driving standards forward.

“BIM is part of our strategic vision and positions Metsec at the forefront of the industry, leading the way in digital and technological development and providing customers with unrivalled advice and support.”

www.metsec.com
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School achieves aesthetic fire performance with MEDITE PREMIER FR

A state-of-the-art sports and learning centre in Cambridge features a dramatic space-defining acoustic based on the use of MEDITE PREMIER FR fire rated panels from MEDITE SMARTPLY.

The product was specified by architects Chadwick Dryer Clarke Studio (CDC) for acoustic panelling in the new sports hall for the prestigious Stephen Perse Foundation senior school.

“MEDITE SMARTPLY forms a benchmark for us,” explained Mr Mark Clarke, Director at CDC, “and we have no hesitation in specifying their brand for our projects.

“We chose MEDITE PREMIER FR MDF in particular for this project as it achieved the required fire performance, which is paramount for a school building. It is also suitably robust and easily formed to create the perforations required for its acoustic performance. The fact that the product is sustainably produced is also an important factor for us.”

The sports hall is part of a complete new building designed by CDC, combining sports facilities with new classrooms and social learning spaces – this mixed use made careful consideration of acoustic performance essential. The decision to use acoustic panelling as a solution then provided the opportunity to create an opulent interior that would not only be functional but inspiring.

Mr Clarke said: “We wanted the panelling to be able perform a dual role: to temper the reverberation times within the large volume of the hall, and provide a high-quality finish that would define the space.”

Within the sports hall, approximately 530 MEDITE PREMIER FR panels were installed at high level above a storey-high ‘plinth’ of concrete blockwork. They were finished in RAL 7044, a silk grey tone, which complemented the treated cross-laminated timber (CLT) finish in other areas. The same product was also used around the building for the creation of architraves, skirtings and window linings.

Within England, Building Bulletin 93 sets out performance standards for acoustics in schools. As building regulations also state that within schools or similar public buildings a Euroclass B or C fire rated panel must be used and MEDITE PREMIER FR offers the perfect solution.

“The FR panels are lined at the rear with a black fleece and glass-wool insulation,” Mr Clarke explains. “This 28% open area absorbs sound and reduces the reverberation time, greatly improving the quality of the environment within the space.”

A social working environment and a sense of community was central to the project: an important internal space that would become one of the main hubs of activity in the school. The whole school community, including governors, teachers and pupils, was consulted as part of the design development to ensure the right performance and aesthetic could be achieved.

Mr Clarke said: “The eventual building design solution sprang from conversations with the client team and a careful analysis of the opportunities of the site. It was like solving a puzzle: many of our projects share this problem-solving ethos. I was a challenge for all involved in its development and construction, but it has been very successful since handover and is proving to provide a highly satisfying new sequence of spaces for the school.”

The result is a functional, beautiful building, which uses calming colour and modern shapes to break up and add intriguing interest to the expanse of space within the immense, four-court sports hall.

Discover more about MEDITE PREMIER FR here: mdfosb.com/en/medite/products/medite-premier-fr
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Delta Security helps to secures local primary school with sophisticated CCTV

Delta Security, a specialist in high security solutions, has installed a sophisticated 1080p HD CCTV system to protect students, teachers and visitors at the Hackney-based Rushmore Primary School.

The Board of Governors decided to replace the ageing CCTV system with a solution that would provide high-quality, recordable footage day and night. As the school is based in a residential area it was also important that invisible, non-intrusive infra-red lighting was used rather than flood lights that could disturb neighbours.

Based over two sites on opposite sides of a private road, there was added complexity of installing an integrated CCTV system that served both sites. Delta Security used catenary cables that run across the road to ensure the CCTV system was fully functional throughout the entire site.

Vanessa Browne, School Business Manager, Rushmore Primary School, says with a large, disparate site it was important that the system provided full coverage:

“We wanted a system that would give us total visibility and instant play-back of footage across all entrances and exits, as well as some internal areas.

“Three suppliers provided quotes and Delta Security was chosen because the owner, Dave Mundy, demonstrated an excellent understanding of our needs, ensuring we could achieve what we wanted without spending more budget than necessary,” she explains. “He even informed us that we could apply to claim back 50% of security costs from the local authority, which we did and were successful – a useful benefit to Delta being a local supplier!”

Dave Mundy, Managing Director, Delta Security, says education is an important sector for the business: “Having a good understanding of the requirements of the sector is why we continue to be successful in helping to secure schools. We ensure all our engineers are enhanced DBS checked, which provides the same assurances as teachers get for added convenience and safety.”

Vanessa adds that engineers were professional, friendly and provided a good demonstration of how to use the terminal: “The system is very easy to use, excellent value for money, and the service we received was ten out of ten.”

For further information please visit www.deltasecurity.co.uk
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BMI Icopal hot melt provides great result for sports area

Pupils at a South East London school can now enjoy sport at height thanks to the timely completion of a rooftop ‘multi-use games area’ or MUGA. Flat roof specialist Byford Roofing tackled the job knowing that the installation was complex and demanding but also that the schedule was tight.

Byford chose BMI Icopal’s Parabit Holt Melt Duo that it applied to the concrete deck of the roof. Over that went a layer of inverted insulation and paving slabs ready to receive the MUGA pitch finish. “I chose Parabit because it’s a system we know well, we’re comfortable laying it and therefore it gave us confidence in achieving the target programme completion date. Not only is it suitable for a zero falls roof, it is also very robust,” explained Andrew Byford, Director at Byford Roofing.

He added: “Because of the limited storage space on site, we needed to get the hot melt laid as fast as we could so that we could use the roof area for storage of the other roofing materials. That meant it also had to be tough enough to cope with movement of people and materials around it.”

From an installation perspective, the most challenging aspect for Byford Roofing was ensuring that it provided a totally flat surface for the application of the sports surfacing. This meant accuracy in installing the insulation layer and the paving slab ballast. “It had to be completely level to ensure the MUGA could be laid to the correct tolerances,” said Byford.

To ensure the contractor met that requirement, Byford chose a paving support system that offered minimal build up with the most support. “After that it was all about making precise cuts, taking time to get it right and achieve that level finish,” he continued. “We increased our labour on site to include the highest skilled operatives to make sure we did that.”

Most of the 800m2 roof area was applied in an initial period of two-to-three weeks. Beyond that, Byford made return visits to site to work with the sequencing of other works by the main contractor. One of the later tasks was waterproofing with BMI Icopal Elastoflex around the fence posts that had been installed into the waterproofed parapet wall around the roof’s perimeter.

Given the demanding nature of the contract, Byford was pleased with the result. “I was happy with the spec we put forward,” he said. “It has worked well and it enabled us to complete the project on time and within budget. Working with materials that we trust such as BMI Icopal Parabit Hot Melt Duo, helped us achieve a really satisfying outcome.”

For further information please visit www.bmigroup.com/uk
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Altro is natural leader in biophilic design for Edinburgh Schools

Altro is working closely with City of Edinburgh Council to enhance learning environments in schools by using the principles of biophilic design to increase wellbeing, calm and improve learning.

Interior designer at City of Edinburgh Council, Lesley McMillan, has worked with Altro for a number of years, and has recently completed a number of school projects using Altro’s Wood Safety range to help ‘bring the outside in’. Her belief in the benefits of biophilic design is at the heart of her work with schools.

“Biophilic design brings the beauty and colour of nature into the built environment,” says Lesley. “Research has shown that we need to connect with nature and that exposure to it lowers stress, elevates mood, creates a relaxed feeling and improves cognitive function.

“This also applies very strongly to learning environments, such as schools, where we have seen that by introducing visual and tactile references to nature — such as patterns, colours, flooring and motifs — we can positively impact on children’s physiological and psychological behaviour, overall mood and capacity to learn. We know they are happier and more productive in this type of environment.

“This is why I have been using Altro Wood Safety flooring for our primary schools projects. Altro’s floor and wall systems give designers freedom and possibilities. They recognise and understand the benefits of incorporating natural themes into spaces such as schools and hospitals, and their forward-thinking attitude and excellent research is in line with what we want to achieve.”

Altro Wood Safety is an attractive, general purpose 2mm wood-look flooring, available in a range of designs with different plank sizes and shades including a bamboo-look fine-line design and wide plank classic and rustic designs. It is designed to cope with medium to heavy traffic and has sustained slip resistance for the lifetime of the floor.

Altro Wood Safety has matching colour and design options with Altro Wood Safety Comfort, a 2.85mm thick safety flooring that offers aesthetics combined with comfort and 14dB sound reduction.

Lesley has used flooring from these ranges for two recent school projects. “Altro Wood Safety is a product range that ticks so many boxes for us, and there are many criteria it has to meet. Firstly, it’s a great safety flooring; reliable and hard-wearing. But it also strongly meets our need for a beautiful, natural-looking, surface.

“It has a nice texture and delivers slip resistance to give flexibility in areas which have wet play, but not too rough where comfort is required. I generally follow the principle of using 100% vinyl flooring and rugs where needed. In many situations this is more practical, flexible and cost effective than fixed sections of carpet.

“St Margaret’s School, in South Queensbury, Edinburgh, was a fascinating project where we used Altro Wood Safety throughout. It was the refurbishment of a wing at the school, for children aged four to nine.

“As part of Scotland’s ‘Schools for the Future’ scheme, we wanted to totally engage the children in the interior design at St Margaret’s, to create a childlike design with them and build a space that was the product of their imagination. Teachers and children were all involved and they visited schools, offices and many other spaces to develop ideas.

“The final design reflected the arrival of Queen Margaret in Scotland, a journey over the ocean. Altro Wood Safety in the shade Mountain Oak was used to represent the wooden deck of the ship. There is also a library learning cave — based on the cave Queen Margaret used to pray in — where we used a rich dark shade called Vintage Cherry. There were also many other historic inspirations from the local area.

“Altro Wood Safety was used as a base, combining shades to create an environment which has warmth, depth and a rich natural feel. This project perfectly represents the principles of biophilic design and the overall effect is superb.”

Head teacher at St Margaret’s, Katy Westacott, said: “We are really pleased with the Altro flooring in the school. Aesthetically it’s a lovely looking surface; very natural and rustic, and Lesley chose the perfect shades to create a warm, homely feel.

“The floor brings the character of the space to life and brings nature indoors. Using the flooring to represent the deck of the ship and the cave was a stroke of genius by Lesley, it adds such an authentic feel.

“We were considering laminate flooring initially, but this vinyl surface is so much better acoustically, and from a safety point of view it gives us peace of mind that the children won’t slip and slide, even if the floor gets wet.

“The surface also gives us great flexibility to use the space for a number of activities; we can move furniture, use rugs, and can consider a wet play area too — very adaptable. Cost was also key for us, and this is such a robust and durable flooring, so we know it won’t wear out or need replacing for many years to come.

“The children love their new space, and they are so excited to have played a huge role in its concept and design. I would recommend this Altro flooring to anyone who is looking to create a lovely warm, flexible work and play area for children.”

Altro Wood safety Comfort was the flooring of choice at the recent refurbishment project at Murrayburn Primary School, as Lesley explains. “Here we used Altro’s Wood Safety Comfort flooring throughout to not only deliver the same biophilic principles as St Margaret’s, but to also maximise comfort underfoot and address the acoustic needs of the space and reduce noise.

“This project was the refurbishment of a multi-use room at the school that adjoined a community kitchen. So its needs were many – it had to be flexible and cater for all ages as a classroom, community space and somewhere for families too.

“The comfort and noise-reducing properties of Altro Wood Safety Comfort were key for this space. Many of the children attending the school have special learning needs, such as autism, so it was paramount that the space was quiet and comfortable with minimal noise. The flooring is also ideal for shoeless learning because it’s so comfortable to walk on.

“In addition, the flooring offers low residual indentation, which for a flexible space like this is essential, as it means furniture can be moved and rearranged without marking the floor.

“We used the shade Veteran Oak throughout, which is a lovely rich colour, and the result is so effective. The space is comfortable, peaceful and the flooring brings nature inside and creates that wonderful homely feel.”

Leanne Hepburn, Head Teacher at Murrayburn Primary School, is delighted with her new space. “It is being used on a daily basis by both adults and children and the overall feeling is that the flooring helps creates a very grand and special atmosphere.

“When the room was empty and the new flooring was down it immediately had a wonderfully imposing feel. Having a good, high quality flooring really lifted the entire room and set the scene for a very special space. It really looks lovely and the colour is perfect.

“People behave differently in here because of the feel; they talk more softly, walk more slowly and generally behave better. The school is 80 years old, but this hub gives the school a new lease of life. From an acoustic and comfort point of view the flooring works very well. The children use it as a library space, so it’s very much a quiet place to read and reflect. They are more than happy to take their shoes off and walk on the floor, because it’s so comfortable. They would never do that in the gym!

“We have seen first-hand how the right flooring can completely transform the personality and functionality of a room. Introducing natural themes into the school has brought calmness and there is a very different, positive mindset among pupils. Lesley McMillan has done a wonderful job in creating this for us.”

About Altro – www.altro.co.uk
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Adveco TOTEM m-CHP, a Lesson in Reduced Energy Cost and Lower Emissions

Bootham School selects Adveco TOTEM m-CHP based system for heating and domestic hot water

  • System design modelling accurately predicts operational costs and payback period
  • Savings of approximately £37,000 per annum

Bootham School in York, a charitably run independent boarding school, has selected a TOTEM micro-cogeneration (m-CHP) based system from commercial heating and hot water specialist, Adveco Ltd., for sustainable and cost-effective provision of power and heating throughout the school estate. The system provides £37,000 in annual operational cost savings and reduces the school’s CO₂ generation helping adhere to its Quaker values.

Working in partnership with Brentwood Consulting Engineers and contractor John Wright Electrical and Mechanical, Adveco recommended the installation of two TOTEM T25 m-CHP units and an. Electrical generation by the m-CHP would decrease the energy import of the school, as well as lowering carbon dioxide emissions. Heat generated would be delivered to the hot water circuit which operates constantly through the entire school.

Adveco

Adveco also provided Bootham school with a Full Maintenance Contract, covering all moving parts and controls, that guarantees long-lasting CHP unit efficiency. “Whilst there are high servicing costs, we factored all of that into the total lifecycle costs. This means after 10 years rather than replacing the whole unit we can simply extend the contract with Adveco, saving the capital cost of installing new units,” says Craig Pierotti, Estates Manager, Bootham School.

Running data was analysed against the pre-contract predictions which shows that the units are performing better in terms of cost savings per run hour. By extrapolating the figures to give a full year’s running (6,677 hours) the payback periods for the project will be achieved and Bootham School should save an estimated £36,996. Importantly, the CHP system also enables the school to adhere to its Quaker values with CO₂ savings of more than 115,500 (kg.CO₂). The NOx emissions are also greatly reduced with emissions from the TOTEM units less than 40 mg/kWh of electricity output.

“The installation was completed on time, to cost, and successfully due to the team effort. Everyone was on board and got on with it, otherwise, I don’t think we would be in the situation where we are, producing the results we are today,” says Craig “Adveco are constantly monitoring the CHP’s for us and contact us only when they want to come and service the units. It is literally fit and forget. It’s absolutely fantastic!”

Discover more about the Bootham School TOTEM m-CHP project at www.adveco.co
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BMI lifts the Vale with primary school project

Safe, robust and theft-proof, Romilly Primary School is now set for many maintenance-free years thanks to the work and market-leading guarantee from BMI UK & Ireland and its BMI Redland and BMI Icopal products.

The school roof posed a tough challenge to Vale of Glamorgan Council as it was not only old, it was also immensely complex and susceptible to burglary. Built in 1893, the school is in a picturesque, exposed position upon a hill overlooking the sea. The roof not only incorporates many hips and valleys, it also has a 250m2 flat roof at its centre.

Owing to its position, the pitched roof had been damaged by high winds and the ridge mortar had degraded over time. The problems from the natural causes had been compounded by crime – thieves had stripped most of the lead from the roof details, so the roof not only leaked, it also threatened the safety of the children in the playground beneath. There was also the issue of replacing the flat roof area in the centre of the school.

Paul Hynam, the council’s construction consultant, set out a specification for the new roof: it should be secure, look like the existing roof, be low maintenance, resistant to theft and address environmental issues. The roof should also be quick to install so it could be fixed during the school holidays, eliminating potential disruption to the schools 700 pupils.

“I chose BMI UK & Ireland because, by using their BMI Redland and BMI Icopal products, they offered a solution that met the design brief, and provided support throughout the project,” explains Paul. “Using their SpecMaster service gives you a 15-year guarantee complete with the design and on-site supervision – so you know that the roof has gone on correctly. In effect you can forget about the roof and maintenance for 15 years. BMI Redland’s Cambrian Slate also meets our environmental criteria – it’s recycled – and it’s Welsh”.

“Using BMI’s pitched and flat roofing products together gives confidence that both parts of the roof integrate – due to the collaborative details – and the result meets the required performance and reliability and is aesthetically pleasing. As Redland and Icopal are now one company they are able to take full responsibility for the design of construction details to ensure that they worked together.”

The council had previously used different manufacturers for the flat and pitched roof, which caused issues. When there was a problem, usually at the point that the two different systems met, the manufacturers would very often blame each other and neither would accept responsibility. By using pitched and flat solutions together from BMI they will no longer have this problem.

For the pitched roof covering, BMI Redland Cambrian Slate was specified. An interlocking slate with three fixings, Cambrian works well in exposed situations and is made from recycled waste slate in nearby Merthyr Tydfil. To reduce maintenance, the slates were installed using a dry system, with fixings on the ridge and hip system to imitate the previous roof.

Because the school had a vaulted ceiling construction within it, venting was an issue at eaves level so BMI 4.5k ThruVent Tiles were deployed, rather than standard eaves vents.

The flat roof covering chosen was BMI Icopal Universal® – a 3.2mm single ply covering that is UV resistant and tough but also light and malleable, making it ideal for detailed roofing features. To boost thermal performance, BMI Area Technical Manager specified Thermazone Roofboard Insulation, which was laid on the existing PUR/ PIR insulation and employed the existing vapour control layer as a vapour check. To deal with the potentially problematic interface between the pitched and flat roofs, it was specified that the waterproofing was taken under the slates and up to the top of the eaves batten – a detail monitored during installation.

Now Vale of Glamorgan Council has peace of mind for years to come with the both pitched roof and flat roofs variously guaranteed or warrantied under the schemes provided by BMI UK & Ireland when roofs are designed and installed to its specifications.

For further information please visit www.bmigroup.com/uk
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Dunham-Bush sign exclusive manufacturing and distribution agreement with Eco-Airvent

Eco-Airvent M.D. Gary Morgan [left] with Dunham-Bush M.D. Mike Holding seen following the signing of the manufacturing and distribution agreement

Dunham-Bush, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of heat emitters and chillers, has signed an exclusive agreement with Eco-Airvent Ltd to manufacture and distribute the company’s range of innovative, energy efficient ventilation products, including its patented Classmaster® and VHR heat recovery units.

Developed over several years, the new products will offer a proven solution to the requirements of BB 101: (Ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality 2018) and will be available throughout the UK and Southern Ireland through Dunham-Bush’s existing sales network.

‘These cutting edge products complement our existing range and will help to improve indoor air quality in school classrooms and colleges in an energy efficient manner by making use of variable heat recovery,’ said Dunham-Bush MD, Mike Holding. The agreement was signed on behalf of Eco-Airvent by Managing Director, Gary Morgan.

Dunham-Bush’s current range includes chillers, LST radiators, radiant panels, fan convectors, door curtains, trench and perimeter heating and fan coil units.

For further information contact Dunham-Bush Ltd
Tel: 023 9247 7700 Email: info@dunham-bush.co.uk
www.dunham-bush.co.uk
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Dunham-Bush provides a master class in low energy ventilation for classrooms

Dunham-Bush has signed an exclusive agreement with Eco-Airvent to manufacture and distribute their range of innovative, energy efficient ventilation products, including the patented Classmaster® and VHR heat recovery units.

Air quality in classrooms has a major bearing on the academic performance and productivity of occupants and with air pollution levels continuing to rise in the UK, especially in cities, it has become increasingly important that these issues are addressed.

Released by the government last year, BB101: ‘Ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality 2018’ has been instrumental in the most significant changes in ventilation design, regulation and guidance in schools since 2006. Working in parallel with BB93: ‘Acoustic designs for schools, performance standards (2015)’, it gives a detailed holistic approach to the internal environment in schools with the emphasis very much on energy efficiency.

BB101 guidelines on ventilation, include standards for all spaces within a school or college and new guidance for science labs and other practical areas.

All ventilation systems must have the capability to operate in typical UK weather conditions, including high winds and rain. Final ventilation designs will depend on the following key factors:

  • Building location
  • Type of construction
  • Site ambient noise levels
  • Local air quality / levels of pollution
  • Amount of glazing / solar gain
  • Patterns / type of use

Preventing overheating in summer is a major factor in school design and CIBSE TM52 ‘Limits of Thermal Comfort: Avoiding Overheating’ is intended to correctly model schools. Good ventilation combined with an effective night cooling strategy is recommended, especially where appropriate building thermal mass is present, to maintain acceptable internal room temperatures during summer months.

The Classmaster heat recovery ventilation unit has been developed specifically for classrooms and along with all the VHR range of units now available from Dunham-Bush, fully complies with the very latest BB101 and BB93 guidelines. With nine chassis sizes and airflows ranging from 50 to 600l/s, Classmaster delivers the very highest standards of air quality to meet every classroom requirement.

Key features include a patented variable air mass flow heat exchanger, which maintains thermal efficiency at both 100% and 50% airflow levels by cleverly keeping turbulent velocity airflow across the heat exchanger. This is not possible with conventional heat exchangers, as airflow goes into a laminar flow with no exchange of thermal energy.

The unique configuration of low resistance heat exchangers, used in conjunction with 100,000 hour long life, low energy EC fans, delivers minimal sound levels and an impressive heat reclaim efficiency up to 89%.

In line with the latest BB101 guidance bulletin, Classmaster units have the option of ePM2.5 (F7) filters for inner city installations.

With a low profile height of only 300mm, Classmaster can be installed within a ceiling void or surface mounted. Space heating options are available across the complete range of Classmaster and VHR heat recovery and ventilation units, with a comprehensive range of frost and heating coils pre-installed in insulated casings and matched flanges to fit directly onto heat recovery units.

Versatile control options

The factory fitted Eco-Pro 3 controller offers a plug and play capability and is ideal where stand-alone control is required. Units can be activated either via volt free contact (VFC) from a time switch or BMS (enable / disable signal). The controller can   give fault outputs either to the Eco-Fault panel or BMS panel. Individually adjustable fan speeds on trickle and boost settings with frost protection, automatic summer by-pass and night time cooling options are included as standard. Fans switch automatically to boost speed when CO2 is detected.

The factory fitted Trend IQ422 Controllerm offers individual and adjustable fan speeds on trickle and boost settings in all modes of operation. Frost protection, automatic summer by-pass and night time cooling options are standard.

Full integration with BMS BAC net or Trend systems for energy management and monitoring is available with filter monitoring via built in PDF switches. Additional ultra-low energy summer trickle mode and a full space heating facility using a re-circulation damper and LPHW coil are included in the programming. Optional colour touch screen user fan controllers with built-in temperature and humidity sensors are also available.

The result of several years’ research and development, these innovative products offer a proven solution to the requirements of BB101: 2018. They will be available throughout the UK and Southern Ireland, via Dunham-Bush’s existing sales network.

Mike Holding, MD of Dunham-Bush, said the addition of these high efficiency ventilation products will complement their existing range of heat emitters and chillers and make a significant contribution to improving indoor air quality in classrooms by making full use of variable heat recovery.

For further information contact Dunham-Bush Ltd:
Tel: 023 9247 7700 Email: info@dunham-bush.co.uk
www.dunham-bush.co.uk
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