NATURAL VENTILATION & NATURAL DAYLIGHT IN SCHOOLS
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little consideration for airtightness. ventilation to maintain acceptable It is our opinion that the amount to reduce electricity used for lighting
Because of this buildings were, indoor air quality. These systems of ventilation required for a by ensuring natural light within the
in effect, able to breathe by are not reliant upon perimeter classroom must be calculated to buildings. These are fundamental
themselves, because ventilation was openings, such as windows, ensure that pupils not only have aspects of school design and need
provided through the building fabric. but they improve the ventilation sufficient air to breathe (eight litres to be considered more carefully at
Today the application of natural performance of perimeter openings per second), but also to ensure brief stage’. Clearly it is important
ventilation has a vital role to play, as as cross ventilation is enhanced that the ventilation design combats to ensure that the design of a
the building itself cannot be relied
Monodraught also provides
the potential overheating of the school is such that it meets CABE’s
upon to breathe without the aid of
natural daylight systems. SunPipes
classroom. When undertaking expectations and requirements.
dedicated air supplies.
deliver natural light without the glare
designs for schools, Monodraught
Strong management and design
Deep-plan classrooms often and heat gain often associated with
considers the volume of air that is
structures have been established
suffer from a lack of ventilation and windows and rooflights. For deep-
required to dissipate the inevitable
to ensure the goals of sustainability
daylight to the rear of the rooms. plan areas or land-locked areas
heat gains, as well as the ‘minimum’
and quality are achieved. This
The ability of windows to provide such as corridors, SunPipes can
fresh air requirements of 8l/s per
is supported through official
the necessary levels required is provide sufficient daylight to allow
person for teaching spaces and
design guidance and a range of
limited. However, if ventilation is electrical lighting to remain turned
3l/s per person for all other areas.
compliance schemes. To minimise
provided towards the rear of the off during daylight hours. This
Overheating can arise from solar
carbon emissions and ensure
rooms then deep-plan classrooms contributes to the reduction in CO
gain, equipment and lighting gain,
2
energy efficiency, the emphasis
can be adequately ventilated. emissions required by the Building
as well as the heat generated by the
should be on providing schools with
Monodraught provide roof-mounted Schools for the Future programme,
students themselves.
natural ventilation, daylighting and
top-down ventilation systems as well as providing a healthier The Commission for Architecture passive cooling. Designers are thus
that achieve the desired levels of indoor environment. and the Built Environment (CABE) required to demonstrate that new
has been appointed by the DCSF to designs and major refurbishments
provide extra support and guidance take full advantage of natural
to local authorities to help them solutions. To ensure successful
achieve well designed schools. All solutions it is necessary to follow
schools that are part of the Building the relevant legislation, guidance
Schools for the Future Programme documents and certification.
(BSF) are subject to the scrutiny of
the school design panel. High rating
is given to the use of natural light
and ventilation
It is said that some recently
built schools have not satisfied
CABE. They concluded that
For further information contact:
‘recently built school buildings
performed very poorly in terms of
Monodraught Ltd
sustainability. Many basic issues
Cressex Business Park
of energy performance had been
High Wycombe
overlooked, including the potential
Bucks HP123SE
to minimise requirements for
tel: 01494 897700
mechanical ventilation by use of
fax: 01494 532465
passive ventilation approaches and
www.monodraught.com
SUSTAINABLE FM | MAY 2009
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