IN FOCUS KoolDuct Installed on Net Zero Carbon Office – Island, Manchester


office and displaying live energy performance data to occupants via screens across the building. In addition to targeting net-zero operational


carbon, the project team also looked to integrate healthy building principles in its design. To achieve both these aims, they settled on a highly airtight design — with leakage rates better than 3.0 m3/ (hr.m2) — using central air handling units (AHUs) to provide ventilation. These units help to filter the city centre air to maintain internal air quality, feature variable speed drives to reduce energy demand and use heat from outgoing air to warm incoming fresh air. To further support air quality within the office space, CO2 sensors have been placed throughout the building. These link to the AHUs via the building management system, allowing fan speeds to be modulated in targeted areas based on occupancy and air quality data. EcoDuct fabricated all fan coil ductwork within the building from the Kingspan KoolDuct System to further limit energy demand. The innovative KoolDuct System is formed from panels with aluminium foil facings and a rigid thermoset phenolic insulation core. This pre-insulated design avoids the need for a separate lagging stage and can weigh up to 70% less than ductwork constructed from galvanised sheet steel and then insulated with mineral fibre. This allowed EcoDuct to rapidly fabricate and install the insulated ductwork in long-lengths with a single operation. As the phenolic boards can be easily modified with hand tools, EcoDuct were easily able to modify the runs where required – avoiding potential delays from design alterations. Alongside these practical benefits, testing has also shown that air-leakage rates from The KoolDuct


P


henolic ductwork fabricated from The Kingspan KoolDuct System has been installed as part of Island, a 100,000 sq ft. office development in central Manchester, which has been designed to leading standards, including NABERS 5* and BREEAM ‘Excellent’, and to achieve net zero


operational carbon performance. The Kingspan KoolDuct System was fabricated and installed by EcoDuct on the property, which


is situated on John Dalton Street in the heart of the city. The development has been designed by architects Cartwright Pickard, and is a joint venture partnership between HBD, part of Henry Boot, and Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF). In addition to a range of Grade A office spaces, the 10-storey building also features a rooftop terrace, break-out spaces and a wellness room. The Island is smart technology-enabled, with its building management system linking to sensors throughout the


System can be reduced to a fraction of those of conventional galvanised steel ductwork. This airtight design should help to lower energy demand for the Island by allowing system fans to operate at a lower rate than might otherwise have been needed. The use of The KoolDuct System supported the project’s aim of achieving a BREEAM “Excellent”


rating. Alongside supporting energy-efficient operation, ductwork fabricated from The KoolDuct System can also contribute to projects achieving credits under Mat 01 - Life Cycle and Mat 03 - Responsible sourcing of materials. The phenolic panels are manufactured under a management system certified to ISO 9001: 2015 (Quality management systems), ISO 14001: 2015 (Environmental management systems), ISO 45001: 2018 (Occupational health and safety management systems) ISO 50001: 2018 (Energy management systems) and BES 6001 (Framework standard for responsible sourcing). A BIM object for The KoolDuct System is freely available from NBS Source. An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certificate for the product can also be accessed at kingspanductwork.co.uk.


kingspanductwork.co.uk


Essential reading for building services professionals and specifiers


u Magazine app optimised for reading on the Apple iPad


BSEE Vol.45 No7 July 2026


u Readers are notified automatically when a new issue becomes available


u Each issue is downloaded to your device for offline viewing


don’t just buy


products, buy


solutions. Building Services & Environmental Engineer


AipsPegler-Adv.BSEE-Earpiece6,5x7,5.indd 1 Aalberts earpiece BSEE Apr25.indd 1


www.aalberts-ips.co.uk


u Interactive elements let you dig deeper into an article with just a tap or a pinch


27-02-2025 16:04 3/3/25 10:35


u Missed an edition? – visit the archive for previous copies of BSEE


u Fast page navigation and quick links enhance the reading experience


Check out all the latest building services products - starting on page 29 BSEE-JUL26-PG01.indd 1 19/6/26 14:50


Search for BSEE magazine on the App Store and Google Play BSEE App hp BSEE Jul26.indd 1 30 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JULY 2026 Read the latest at: www.bsee.co.uk 19/6/26 16:40


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