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Shaping up with chilled beams
By Terry Farthing, head of communications at Trox UK
T
he demand for chilled reduction compared to the you have the life of the building
beams has more than regulations contained in Part L and system to consider. Most
doubled over the past 2002. pre 1970 office buildings have a
three years and its Part L 2010 will be aiming for low floor slab to soffit height.
market value now a further 25% reduction with Traditional comfort cooling
exceeds that of fan coil units. successive new regulations solutions require a false ceiling
The term chilled beams stipulating even further which reduces this height too
covers all types but the most reductions beyond 2010. With much. Hence, landlords tend to
predominant is the multi service the traditional life of the building opt for expensive new build to
chilled beams, MSCBs, which and air conditioning system at ensure a modern office
represent about two thirds of twenty plus years what stance environment and sufficient
this market. It has therefore are future investors and space for the increased cabling
been the increasing popularity property developers going to and other services. However,
of the MSCB that has really take to future proof their MSCBs solve the space problem
fuelled this significant growth. buildings? because they can be fitted
This growth has not just been It would be prudent to plan directly to the soffit and be left
restricted to the UK market with ahead and install the most exposed, meaning that there is
many European and worldwide energy efficient air conditioning no need for a false ceiling. So
projects being completed by system at the outset – costs MSCBs offer the opportunity to
Trox. Initially these MSCBs were permitting. This is where modernise and recycle older
being specified by UK architects MSCBs really come into their buildings – a more sustainable
and consultants working on own. By utilising higher chilled solution.
overseas projects, but now the water temperatures of 14ºC flow
benefits of these systems are and 17ºC return they benefit Value for money
being well accepted by local from an enormous amount of This has always been a major
teams. free cooling. They also don’t use consideration but now following
Many markets have old a fan at the terminal to distribute the credit crunch end clients will
buildings within the city centres the air, again saving energy. be far more focused on this from rents during this period. reducing delays and cost often be overlooked in favour of
which are being refurbished and The majority of building issue. I can foresee consultants If new build is the favoured overruns. first costs. However I see whole
MSCBs are becoming the designers believe chilled beams having to examine a much wider option, MSCBs incorporated • Quality – The tight life costing becoming a major
number one option given that are the most energy efficient into the design at an early stage organisation of products issue for basically two reasons,
they can be installed where terminal air conditioning system
headroom (i.e. floor to soffit with claims of more than 15%
The term chilled beams
can bring about huge savings during manufacture in both of which I have highlighted
dimension) is very limited. saving compared to fan coils.
covers all types but the
due to the reduced height controlled conditions in a as market drivers, i.e. value for
required. As a comparison on factory results in consistently money and sustainability. The
Obviously with the credit Trox are currently undertaking a
most predominant is the
one project the reduction in just high quality. value for money driver must
crunch and the effect on detailed building simulation
multi service chilled
the cladding cost was sufficient • Certainty – Prefabricated units bring more focus onto whole
investment into property, project and will shortly be
beams, MSCBs, which
to pay for the entire MSCB make the installation process life costings because how else
demand in the UK for 2009 will publishing the actual and real represent about two system. highly predictable, and can a true comparison be made
be lower for all terminal air carbon emission savings.
thirds of this market.
therefore relatively easy to if not over a period of time such
conditioning systems. However
It has therefore been the
Prefabrication plan. as the life of the building?
those systems which can best Sustainability
increasing popularity
There is a growing trend to go • Efficiency – In traditional On the other issue if a system
meet the market drivers will be Sustainability is becoming
of the MSCB that has
towards systems and products projects, different trades tend needs very little maintenance,
the ones to succeed in the another major influence in the
really fuelled this
that can be integrated into a to fall over each other in a bid replacement parts and has a
future. So what are the main selection of air conditioning
drivers or key issues and how systems. With MSCBs the
significant growth.
prefabrication programme. to get their particular element long life then in sustainable
Most people in the construction of the project completed. terms it is meeting the best
do MSCBs shape up? Here are a chilled water temperatures are industry acknowledge the Prefabrication allows the criteria.
few of the important ones. elevated, this means that range of options with possibly benefits of prefabrication which project to be planned in such a With the MSCBs there are no
renewables such as ground greater emphasis on include: way that these conflicts do not moving parts, no fans, no
Carbon emissions water can be more effectively refurbishment rather than new • Speed – ‘Just-in-time’ arise. Offsite pre-assembly also filters, and as such the life of the
Part L 2006 targeted a 28% utilised. Also with sustainability build. delivery of factory-finished reduces installation times and unit is much longer than with a
One major advantage of components streamlines the increases fast track traditional air conditioning
MSCBs is the low slab to soffit construction process, making programming. system. Typically fan coils have
height that can be used as it faster, more efficient and Inherent in the MSCB design a life of 15-20 years, whereas
mentioned above. Trox, for less costly. is the total prefabrication of all with MSCBs it is in excess of 30
example, have supplied MSCBs • Safety – Because on-site time the M&E components into an years.
successfully down to 2.8m high is cut, the risk of accidents architecturally designed beam. These are the main market
which allows 100mm false floor and product damage is The MSCB can incorporate drivers and in my opinion the
and no false ceiling. The reduced. some or all of the following MSCBs shape up very well. I
refurbishment option, apart • Sustainability – Waste components: lighting, sprinkler also don’t see these key issues
from being eco friendly, can materials can be recycled systems, smoke detectors, PIR changing that much over the
yield significant building cost more easily in the factory, and sensors, fresh air, BMS cables, next few years. So if the future
savings. It also speeds up the traffic movements can be voice and data cables, CCTV. of chilled beams is dependent
whole process and can bring the reduced, which is good for the on the market drivers I have
building to the market much environment. Whole life costing identified then this terminal air
quicker than new build and • Co-ordination – fit out Product or system life is an conditioning system will
enhance the revenue stream services can be synchronised, important factor which can become the number one choice.
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JUNE 2009 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER 3
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