Windowmaster helps Dublin A&E unit stay cool

WindowMaster (www.windowmaster.com) has installed an automated natural ventilation system in the accident and emergency department of the Mater Hospital in Dublin. This is the first time that an automated system of this kind has been used in a hospital A & E environment in Ireland.

The installation forms part of a refurbishment of the existing accident and emergency department at the Mater Campus Hospital which is currently undergoing a £240 million re-development. The modernisation of the existing hospital services and equipment was funded by Ireland's Health Services Executive.

WindowMaster supplied its NV Advance automated natural ventilation system, which included the installation of 32 motors controlling 11 zones using combined carbon dioxide and temperature sensors.

The complete campus development will comprise new facilities for accident and emergency, an outpatients department, operating theatres, radiology, 180 beds for in-patients, and catering and other essential support services.

The Mater Hospital project created the need for a complex "enabling and decanting" programme including relocating the energy centre feeding the entire campus, moving all services to decentralised locations, demolishing the former nurses home and re-housing the occupants.

Peter Connolly, WindowMaster's UK and IE business development manager, said: "Natural ventilation was chosen to regulate the indoor climate of the A & E department because specific attention was paid to ensuring that there is an excellent quality of physical environment provided for patients, staff and visitors."

"WindowMaster was chosen to provide the system because MCO, the company responsible for the design of architecture and building services on the A & E department, had seen the system operate successfully in other large projects in Ireland."

WindowMaster, Europe's largest provider of natural ventilation and smoke detection solutions, was chosen to provide the window automation system for the Mater hospital because of its ability to provide a complete installation, in particular the central computer control system. In addition, the installation includes motors, window actuators, various sensors and a weather station.

The weather station monitors external conditions around the building, including wind direction and speed, temperature and rain fall. Changes in wind pressure on the facades are also modelled. These parameters are programmed into the computer control system where they are analysed along with readings taken from the weather station and sensors fitted internally. Windows around the building are then precisely controlled and positioned to keep air quality within rooms fresh and the temperature constant.