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BSRIA PUTS MONODRAUGHT
SOLA-BOOST TO THE TEST
M
onodraught has installed a 1200mm Sola- was measured and it could be seen that there was a data also shows that, during the night-time period, the
boost Windcatcher system in the busy decrease in external temperature as expected, where the damper was activated to provide night-time cooling
entrance foyer and atrium of the Building temperature dropped to as low as -5°C. resulting in internal temperatures decreasing to a
Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) In monitoring the internal temperatures, it was minimum value of 14°C on 28 September 2008.
offi ces in Bracknell, to enable BSRIA to carry out long- seen with the damper fully closed that the internal The effect on the average CO
2
levels within the
term monitoring and testing over a 12-month period. temperatures rose to a maximum value of 31.2°C, reception area was also observed. With the damper fully
As Monodraught’s Professor Terry Payne, explains, there measured at a level of 5.32m from ground floor closed during the day, the maximum CO
2
concentration
are many benefi ts to this exercise. BSRIA is immediately approximately 1.5m below ceiling level. This was reached was in the region of 1000ppm. With the dampers
benefi ting from energy-free natural ventilation to fully open, this was reduced to 508ppm. This result
counter previous overheating it has experienced again underlined the basic design parameters of
in previous years – up to 40ºC in summer – due a Monodraught Windcatcher system in having a
to solar gain, and Monodraught will benefi t from fairly dramatic effect on CO
2
levels by removing
the validation of its Sola-boost Windcatcher. the build up of CO
2
at high level and introducing
BSRIA has a fully glazed, two-storey entrance. fresh air, also from roof level, which resulted in this
However, in addition, BSRIA has the opportunity marked reduction in CO
2
.
to carry out extensive, ongoing monitoring. Prior to the installation, calculations from a
Early indications from the report compiled Monodraught survey indicated that an air change
after the first six months are extremely rate of 13.5 air changes an hour would be required.
encouraging, in terms of reductions in both To achieve this target ventilation rate one of
temperature and CO
2
levels. Monodraught’s GRP 1200mm square Sola-boost
Dr Arnold Teekaram, a principal research systems was selected. At an external wind speed
engineer with BSRIA who was responsible for of 2m/s this target is achieved, 12.2 air changes per
compiling the report, noted: “The ventilation hour is provided by wind pressure and buoyancy,
unit clearly had a marked effect on reducing the a further 2 air changes per hour provided by the
levels of CO
2
within the reception area, as well Sola-boost fan. During the daytime, control is
as temperature levels.” maintained by the Sola-boost’s internal dampers,
A weather station was set up on the entrance with the solar-powered fan providing additional
foyer roof to measure wind speed and direction, external followed by a decrease as the external temperature air movement. Another signifi cant benefi t for BSRIA is the
temperature, and other environmental factors. Inside, began to drop. The peak internal temperature of 31.2°C Sola-boost’s night cooling facility, which is an important
permanent monitoring equipment is recording readings at corresponded to a peak ambient external temperature part of Monodraught’s temperature-control strategy for
fi ve-minute intervals, 24 hours a day. Data is downloaded of 19°C. The external temperature began to drop at the space.
regularly to enable BSRIA staff to analyse performance. approximately 17:00 hours, this trend was consistent Professor Terry Payne says he is delighted with the
Since monitoring only commenced in September, it for successive days. results and welcomed the opportunity for long-term
was not possible to monitor the very high temperatures The effect of fully opening the damper resulted in an monitoring to be carried out in a real situation by a
that had resulted in overheating that had occurred in immediate drop from 31.2°C to 29.5°C, again measured highly professional team. He now looks forward to the
the previous years, since average external daytime at approximately 1.5m below ceiling level. With the full BSRIA report at the end of summer 2009 and adds
temperatures were approximately 17°C, somewhat lower dampers still open, the rate of the internal temperature that the results are sure to be of great interest to both
than a typical British summer! The average temperature was continually reduced, compared to when the damper parties as well as the wider HVAC community.
during the nights dropped to approximately 12°C but the was fully closed. The results, monitored by BSRIA, also Full copies of the BSRIA report are available from
average wind speed was approximately 3m/s during this show that there was a marked temperature gradient Monodraught Limited.
period. The report states that this is reassuring, in that between ground floor and first floor. The maximum
the design wind speed chosen by Monodraught in sizing temperature recorded on fi rst fl oor was approximately
the Windcatcher system is based on 2m/s. The weather 31°C whereas, on the ground floor, the maximum
data over the period 1 September 2008 – 4 January 2009 temperature measured was approximately 26°C. The
For further information contact: Tony Cull, Monodraught Limited, Halifax House, Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 3SE
Phone: 01494 897700, Fax: 01494 532465. Email: info@monodraught.com Web: www.monodraught.com
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