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BSEE


n 2016, construction began at the University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus on a state-of-the-art building for lecturers and students. There were a number of things to consider when the project was set out, including the need for efficient and effective heating and cooling systems. With polymer pipes specialist Rehau and its approved contractor partner, AMROC, involved in the process from early on, they recommended the installation of the Thermally Activated Building Structure (TABS) system – a versatile cooling and heating system which uses the large thermal mass of concrete in a building’s structure to adjust the environment inside the building throughout the day.


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A year on since the construcon of the University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus was completed, Drew Clough from Rehau explores how the university has connued to benefit from its a versale cooling and heang Thermally Acvated Building Structure (TABS) system and how this installaon has le a legacy behind for generaons to come


Lower energy costs


Building regulations today require structures to conserve their fuel and power by limiting heat gain and losses while also providing services that are efficient. The TABS system has been known to help achieve this and has been instrumental in allowing the university to meet these regulatory requirements and has also supported its efforts to stay green.


The TABS system provides a new and innovative way to provide heating and cooling to modern buildings. The system works by circulating cold or warm water through PE-Xa pipe circuits which are embedded in the concrete slabs of each floor. This ultimately increases the efficiency of the energy usage as the concrete becomes a giant thermal accumulator that extracts heat from the space during the day and cools the building at night. The system allows energy costs to be kept low, reduces carbon and is future proof against on-going changes in legislation, some of the main reasons the system was chosen to be installed in the new building at the university. Simon Badcock, head of estates services at the University of Northampton, says: “We were extremely impressed with the initial installation of the system as it seemed incredibly easy for the installers to complete their work. With the system up and running in the new building, it has helped to create a comfortable environment for the students and teachers alike and we would definitely recommend it.


“The fact that TABS is such a discreet system is probably one of the main benefits to us at the university, as the less intrusive the equipment the better. The system regulates itself based on the initial settings that have been made, which means that in terms of operating the system, our onsite team will be investing a very minimal amount of operational time, which in turn has helped to reduce our overall operating costs.


“What’s more, the system provides a far more energy efficient process than traditional air-conditioning, due to the elevated water temperatures involved, and therefore significantly contributes to energy and cost savings in the university.”


Badcock adds: “As the Waterside Campus was such a large investment for the university, we wanted to make sure that while the systems installed lasted, they also had a positive impact in terms of energy efficiency. TABS is on its way to helping us reduce our energy bills and make the energy that it does generate, much more efficient.”


Safe and comfortable environment


With low investment and operating costs, the return on investment from using TABS will prove to be one that pays itself back quickly. Providing a safe and comfortable environment for students and tutors was vital during the planning and execution stages of the project. Other health risks are also ruled out by the installation of the TABS system, as poor ventilation through air-conditioning, is not present with TABS. Having been used across the building, including main recreational areas, the TABS system has delivered on creating a pleasant learning environment in the university. Particularly in busy areas of the university, such as teaching rooms (there are no lecture halls), having the heating and cooling properly regulated with no draughts has indeed provided a comfortable experience.


Paul Stroud, contracts manager at AMROC, says: “I have always been a massive advocate for using any renewable technology and TABS is no different. All too often you see the same copy and paste culture of standard systems being used, so being able to use a different product with many more positive benefits was very encouraging.


uThe TABS System allows energy costs to be kept low, reduces carbon and is future proof against ongoing changes in legislaon


“When designing and installing systems, we are always aware that what we are doing today could affect future generations and the performance of the building. Therefore, I am always conscious of pushing clean and renewable technologies that will be critical for the future generations, not only for those in the university, but also for those coming through the industry. “Change in the industry takes time, but it is refreshing to have worked on a project that is embracing new technologies, such as TABS, that are thinking further ahead with their construction choices.”


With such a large-scale project utilising the forward-thinking TABS system and having provided great results, it is not surprising that both AMROC and Rehau are looking into building the legacy of more building projects in the months to come.


www.Rehau.com/gb-en/building-technology About Rehau


ehau delivers market- leading products, consulting and service, supported by market specific know-how from four business units: Building Solutions, Furniture Solutions, Automotive and Industry.


R


uConstrucon began at the University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus on a stateof theart building for lecturers and students in 2016


30 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER AUGUST 2019


Rehau is one of the world’s largest extruders of PVC-U window profile. It offers a range of high-quality profiles for windows and doors in an array of colours, from casement windows in bold ruby red to sliding doors in popular anthracite grey. In 2018 Rehau also officially launched its first co-extruded profile, using up to 100 per cent post-consumer waste in the core.


From heating and plumbing to cable trunking, district heating and


water management solutions, Rehau Building Solutions Division continually strives to provide products that make an impact on a building’s performance today and in the years to come. Our innovative and sustainable products deliver quality and reliability designed to leave a legacy for generations, remaining relevant and efficient as they can be as technologies advance. In the UK and Ireland, Rehau supplies a nationwide network of customers through regional sales offices in Dublin, Glasgow, Manchester and Slough. Discover more about the business at its Rehau Hub, a dedicated facility at the Building Centre, London, showcasing products and services to clients and specifiers.


Read the latest at: www.bsee.co.uk


ENERGY MANAGEMENT The legacy of the TABS system


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