SPOTLIGHT: PASSIVENT


A passive approach Passivent Ltd’s Siobhan Gadiot looks at developmentswithin the field of natural ventilation


maintain the required internal ambient temperature, optimising occupant comfort. In open plan buildings,


Natural ventilation has always offered awin,win solution; and as the drive towards zero carbon becomesmore strenuous, so developments in the field are enabling architects and developers to achieve ‘excellent’ results in energy consumption, operating andmaintenance costs and capital expenditure.


R


esearch shows people prefer naturally ventilated buildings to those with air


conditioning - they work, play and heal better. Naturally ventilated buildings are also better for the environment, reducing energy consumption by at least 40 percent, and better for the operator, reducing capital costs by 15 percent and almost eliminating running costs. The reduction in incidence of sick building syndrome - which affects a huge 30 percent of people who work in air conditioned buildings - also reduces the number of days lost, and cost, through staff being ill. Natural ventilation is already


proven to play a key role in achieving a low, or even zero carbon buildings: Passivent Airscoops are chosen by Tesco as the ventilation strategy for its zero carbon stores; Passivent Aircools have helped the innovative Greenpower Centre, which promotes low carbon technologies, to achieve an A rating on energy efficiency; Honda has attained an energy reduction of 80 percent at its Romford showroom, using Passivent’s innovative ‘mixed


mode’ ventilation. To an extent, the layout of a


building has historically limited the application of natural ventilation. But Passivent’s latest product, developed in association with Arup- SoundScoop - goes a long way top overcoming those issues, enabling effective natural ventilation to be used in deeper buildings with traditional layout, without transferring noise from one area to another. As such, it is an ideal solution for schools, offices, hotels, conference venues. SoundScoop is positioned at


high level in the partition/wall between two internal spaces, enabling natural airmovement withminimal pressure drop. A patented sound absorbing lining optimises attenuation ofmid frequency sound, typically themost problematic. Accredited laboratory testing has demonstrated that an acoustic performance of up to D44 can be realised. SoundScoop integrates with


Passivent’s established Aircool wall and window ventilators, which bring fresh air into the building through the façade at low level, and exhaust it at high level. The latest version, Aircool Thermal, monitors the temperature inside and out, allowing accurate control of the supply air temperature. In colder weather, the external air is gently pre-warmed as it enters the internal space at low level; when air temperatures inside and out are less disparate, the Aircool Thermal provides unheated air, drawing fresh external air into the building. As a result, less heating in the building is required to


developments such as Passivent’s RAD Airscoop in one unit, provides both fresh air intake, and used air extract. Uniquely, it features flexible ducting, which enables the vents to be strategically positioned in the ceiling according to the office layout, giving constant fresh air without draughts. Should the office layout be altered, the ceiling diffusers can also be repositioned to ensure staff still benefit from fresh air without discomfort. And to help specifiers ensure the ventilation will deliver once installed, Passivent has developed a bespoke computer programme, in conjunction with software house Environmental Design Solutions. The Passivent Airscoop Builder utility has been purpose designed to interface with EDSL’s established Tas building thermal analysis tool, which is the first


dynamic simulation modeling (DSM) of its kind approved for both Building Regulation Approved Document L2 and the Energy Performance Certificate. The Passivent software utilises ‘real life’ test data in conjunction with experimental results to provide an accurate modelling tool, enabling adjustments to be made quickly and easily to optimise the building’s predicted performance, whether using a wholly natural or mixed mode ventilation strategy. So the tools are there to enable


architects to take a passive approach to harnessing natural resources to create a better building - for the client, the occupants and the environment - natural ventilation is the oldest formof airing an internal environment, and is still proven to be the best in


appropriate circumstances.


Tel: 01732 850 770 Email: projects@passivent.com Web: www.passivent.com


ArchitectNews.co.uk | Architects Choice | 33


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52