30 Air Movement Opening up the Copper Box
SPORTING VENUES CAN require complex engineering solutions to provide a controlled HVAC environment. The Copper Box – one of the first venues to be opened to the general public following the 2012 Olympics – presented a number of challenges, not least the thermal comfort of the spectators and the athletes. Typically, sporting venues accommodate a wide variety of sports functions and require large quantities of ventilation to meet occupancy demands, but additionally there are significant latent loads from the occupants.
Such facilities are also not enclosed except for ticket offices, press suites, restaurants, cloakrooms and athletes changing rooms as well as administrative offices.
Occupancy can range from minimal staff to thousands of people. All of these factors require an air movement system to factor in usage which is likely to be intermittent as temperatures are brought up to set point as the facility fills up. The design and size of the building and location of air handlers are key as significant lengths of ductwork may be required for the supply and return air.
The Copper Box’s striking design called for an innovative approach when it came to designing the indoor environment and Eaton-Williams’ reputation for delivering environmental controls for a wide range of environments helped the company secure the project.
Located in what has now been transformed into the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the Copper Box hosted several sporting events.
Originally it was known as the Handball Arena, but the iconic 16,450m² facility was re-named due to its copper cladding and hosted the handball events up to the quarter finals as well as the fencing element of the modern pentathlon. It was also used for the goalball event at the Paralympics.
One of the noticeable features is that the box-shaped structure is covered with 3000m² of recycled and pre-patinated copper cladding that will gradually change colour as it ages.
In line with the build strategy to incorporate sustainability, the Copper Box was designed to maximise energy efficiencies and use modern technologies. The roof features light pipes that help to minimise the need for lighting and a rain water harvesting system is helping to reduce water usage by 40%. Energy efficiencies and optimal performance levels characterise Eaton- Williams’ product development and when presented with the opportunity to provide an air movement solution for a once-in-a- life-time project the company worked very
ACR News July 2014
closely with all parties to ensure that it designed the best solution. Eaton-Williams supplied 12 air handling systems, six LHS and six RHS models specifically
designed to deliver energy efficient cooling while minimising carbon emissions.
The units conformed to DW/143 leakage standard, were weather-proofed and delivered to site in modules and assembled on site. Each unit was designed with supply and extract air flows in a double-deck configuration. Heating and chilled water cooling coils were fitted in the supply (bottom deck). Each unit also included run around coils for heat reclaim. The supply and extract reclaim coils were matched for optimum efficiency. The systems also featured fresh air, exhaust and recirculating dampers to enable the option of full fresh air, mixed condition or full recirculation operation. Operating in normal mode the units can deliver mixed air conditioning with sufficient fresh air for when the arena is occupied.
As with all Olympic projects the design criteria was stringent. The systems were manufactured in line with the Part L Building Regulations for new buildings and met the Olympic Delivery Authority’s (ODA) goals of maximising energy efficiencies and reducing emissions. In addition Eaton-Williams provided full witness testing.
Because of the sheer scale and number of projects being undertaken, timescales were critical. Eaton-Williams pulled out all the stops and the units were supplied to site within eight weeks of the drawings being approved.
“Eaton-Williams ensured that the air conditioning units were designed, built and available at the right time, which required precise planning as the logistics in terms of size and complexity of the construction site were considerable,” says Joe Wieckowski, general sales manager. “Being a London 2012 supplier was a great accolade for the company. Eaton- Williams has worked on many high profile projects, but this was a unique opportunity and the company was proud to be a supplier that helped secure the success of what is in effect a once in a lifetime event.” Now in legacy mode the Copper Box has been transformed into a multi-use sports centre for community use catering for a wide range of sports and includes a health and fitness club and café.
Retractable seating allows space to accommodate between 7,000 to 3,000 spectators.
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