What is the impact of Covid-19 on the design of HVAC systems for future buildings? We asked four building services engineers how system specification might change as a result of recent guidance
Tag: Ventilation
Chamber music: Brinson Staniland Partnership’s earth labyrinth ventilation for Kent College’s Great Hall
To help maintain comfort conditions in Kent College’s Great Hall, air is cooled using five giant, subterranean concrete chambers. Andy Pearson speaks to engineer Brinson Staniland Partnership about how the labyrinth ventilation system works
CIBSE’s guidance on ventilation during Covid-19
Guidance published by CIBSE last month has advice for ventilation and air conditioning systems in the UK amid the ongoing pandemic. Alex Smith summarises guidance aimed at mechanical systems and shares advice from Cushman & Wakefield on operating chillers
Florence Nightingale’s notes still make vital reading
Florence Nightingale’s books on nursing continually emphasise the importance of ventilation. Chris Iddon believes her work is particularly pertinent for those servicing buildings during the current Covid-19 pandemic
CIBSE’s Building Performance Champion – The Engine Shed
The Engine Shed in Scotland was named Building Performance Champion because sustainability was embedded at every stage of the project, from the briefing workshop to building aftercare. Andy Pearson speaks to Max Fordham about the design process behind the exemplar scheme
Opening remarks: guidance on ventilation openings
Designing adequately sized windows for natural ventilation while ensuring occupants’ safety is a challenge. Benjamin Jones, Patrick Sharpe and Chris Iddon offer guidance ahead of CIBSE’s Applications Manual 10 update
Force of nature – naturally ventilating Amsterdam’s Breeze Hotel
The 11-storey Breeze Hotel in Amsterdam has a unique natural ventilation system that uses solar chimneys and water droplets sprayed into a shaft to move air around the building. Andy Pearson speaks to the academic behind the concept, Dr Ben Bronsema, and looks at how his ‘earth, wind and fire’ theory became reality
How audio visualisation can drive the natural ventilation of buildings
Acoustics and ventilation should be designed in tandem to ensure optimal performance in naturally ventilated buildings, says Mach’s Ze Nunes, who shares research on software that visualises noise to give designers a sound basis for their decision-making
Lessons from history
Bill Bordass warns about the ‘forgetting curve’ and looks again at the benefits of the 2+1 window
Closing the gaps: creating a joined up approach for ventilation and energy regulations
Guidance on energy and ventilation regulations must be more integrated, say researchers, after their study of UK airtightness tests showed air permeability is often too high for MVHR systems to work optimally. Alex Smith reports