building services
Warwick University selects TABS system for new science block
W
ORK has started on the £27m Mathematical Sciences Building on the main University of
Warwick campus located on the outskirts of Coventry. The six-storey building will be used by the Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistic departments for academic offices, inter-disciplinary research and open plan teaching spaces and will also feature some larger computer teaching spaces. It is due for completion in September 2018, in time for the start of the new academic year. The Mathematical Sciences Building
has a number of lecture rooms and office spaces which require a supplementary cooling system, particularly where there is no access to openable windows. To deliver this cooling function in the most cost effective and efficient way, REHAU was approached to design a thermally activated building structure (TABS) system suitable for the requirements of the university. The REHAU TABS system is 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. It does this by running heated or chilled water through a network of pipes embedded within the concrete slabs, and can be used in virtually any concrete structure. The final TABS design approved for the
University of Warwick building was a circuit system, incorporating 3,700 sqm of pipework installed within every concrete slab over five floors to provide supplementary cooling to the new building. Separate circuits were laid within each lecture room to provide background cooling which are controlled via service ducts run through the spine of the building. This system is designed to assist with heat gains. Solihull-based consultancy Couch Perry
Wilkes recommended REHAU’s TABS system for the project as they had previously worked on successful TABS installations for the University of Northampton and the University of Leicester, so were confident the innovative system could deliver to the brief. Iain Dyson, of Couch Perry Wilkes, said:
“From our work with the TABS system on previous developments we knew that we
could replicate some of the major benefits on the University of Warwick project, namely the ability to provide a more comfortable environment to spaces without openable windows, assistance with night purging to reduce excess heat during the summer months and to maintain the desired indoor temperature throughout the year without the need to install exposed cooling systems which have much greater energy demands.” Wakefield-based installation company
Dragon Heating was appointed to fit the TABS system.Dan Gill, Estimating and Sales Manager at Dragon Heating, said: “The install of the TABS itself has been very straightforward so far. Although it’s a new kind of installation for the Dragon team, our installers are already familiar with REHAU pipework and connections from working on underfloor heating installations, so it’s very easy for them to pick up the technical knowledge required.”
www.rehau.co.uk/tabs
highereducationestates 35
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
