WINDOW SYSTEMS
The contract to replace the inefficient windows of the 1970s-built Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham is one of Senior’s largest to date, and it said: “Supply chain collaboration was vital here – from assisting with U-value targets and thermal calculations, to co-ordinating the safe work of multiple trades on a live hospital site.”
moved from their conventional positioning under the windows.
Understanding U-values When we talk about the thermal performance of fenestration, what we are really concerned about are U-values. Put simply, when it comes to U-value ratings, less is more, and the lower the figure, the more heat is retained. The U-value of a window system is dependent on a number of factors, including the frame material, the type of glazing, and the use of a warm edge spacer bar which provides the space and insulation between the two or three panes of glass. Thermally broken aluminium windows
are particularly effective at achieving lower U-values and preventing heat loss.
Most systems on the market use a strong polyamide as an insulator to prevent heat loss between the inner and outer frame, but it has also been possible to create a system that incorporates an even more effective thermal barrier made from expanded polyurethane foam – a material more commonly used in insulation and cladding products. However, is less always more? It’s important not to take any quoted U-values at face value, but to view them in the context of both operational and embodied carbon. Is the system fully recyclable? Is the manufacturing process energy-intensive, and is the carbon footprint around transportation a concern? Aluminium systems can often provide the solution, as products
such as those manufactured by Senior offer cradle-to-cradle recyclability and exceptional durability. Choosing a UK- based manufacturer will also limit the amount of mileage, and therefore carbon, generated through the distribution and delivery of fenestration products to site.
Opening up door options As heat can also escape through doors, it is important to choose a door system that can achieve low U-values so that the amount of energy lost is minimised. Automatic opening and sliding doors are of course a common feature in hospital environments, as they save space and reduce the number of touchpoints. However, it’s essential to routinely check that doors all work effectively, as those that stay open for too long, or do not fully close, will contribute to further energy loss. Glazed doors can aid navigation and boost daylighting, and although they may not be suitable for areas of healthcare facilities where a greater level of privacy is required, they can make a
Fenestration in focus
The new-build specialist cancer treatment centre, Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre in Northallerton, features a circular glazed façade that provides clear views of the surrounding landscaped gardens to those using the facility. Daylighting and thermal efficiency have been addressed via the use of thermally-enhanced curtain walling, integrated with low U-value aluminium windows.
48 Health Estate Journal May 2024
With a strong supply chain, which includes specialist glazing partners and a national network of experienced fabricators and installers, Senior Architectural Systems has worked on numerous contracts across both the NHS and private healthcare sector. Its portfolio includes the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot, Berkshire, and a large- scale replacement window contract for the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.
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 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
