The UK’s
only Marine Enterprise Zone is set to achieve excellence, in part through
innovative use of British engineering expertise.
Phase 1 of the 35 hectare Oceansgate scheme in Plymouth is the creation
of an office block delivering over 1000m2 of accommodation
over three floors, with a further two terraces yielding 1,200m2 of light industrial space.
With a
BREEAM rating of Excellent, the offices in Endeavour House all feature
Gilberts’ innovative Mistrale Fusion (MFS) stand-alone hybrid ventilation,
integrated at high level into the façade glazing, specified by consultant
engineer Services Design Solution (SDS).
In total,
36no MFS128 units have been strategically positioned across the floor spaces,
to provide fresh air with no need for additional ductwork or plant. Normally
automatically controlled using CO2 and temperature sensors, at Oceansgate a
manual boost option also gives occupants control over temperature and air
quality in both summer and winter (up to 143 l/s in summer and 39 l/s in
winter); in effect, the system functions primarily as a natural ventilation
system, with the built in low energy fan supplementing throughout the year as
conditions demand.
Explains
SDS Associate Mechanical Engineer Tom Lawson: “Plymouth City Council wants
Oceansgate to be an exemplar scheme in terms of low energy. Gilberts’ MFS gave
us a low energy solution, with greater control over internal temperatures and
air quality compared to just openable windows in both summer and winter. The
integrated louvre and ventilation from one source i.e. Gilberts, gave us the
performance required with what I believe to be overall economies.”
MFS draws fresh air into the building, using a mixing damper to
modulate airflow and mix the incoming fresh air with warmer exhaust air,
extracting the heat without the need for a separate exchanger (as required in
conventional MVHR systems). The integrated low energy fan energises to blend
the internal air, ensuring an even distribution of airflow, with control over
temperature and CO2 levels within, and maintenance of a comfortable
internal environment for occupants.
In keeping with its “green” credentials Gilberts maintains that MFS can
ventilate a typical classroom-sized space for less than £5/annum(1). The product’s design and construction has a positive impact on the
overall building energy efficiency too: MFS attains air leakage better than
legislative requirements- 5m3/HR/m2, and a U value of 1W/m2/°C.
Gilberts
MFS was the first hybrid stand-alone solution to be developed in the UK. The
company has pioneered developments to the concept, and now offers a range of
additional add-on features, including filter boxes, and a heat coil that can
potentially eliminate the need for space heating/ radiators within the internal
space.
Founded 50+ years ago, privately owned Gilberts is unique in having its
own, on-site (95,000ft2) manufacturing facility, producing engineered
solutions, with an in-house test centre. Technical expertise is supported with
full in-house testing addressing air movement and combining with computational
fluid dynamics CFD).
SDS offers a full range of building services engineering skills
including the design of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, electrical and
public health systems, with offices in Plymouth, Exeter and Bristol.
SDS has design experience, for both public and private buildings,
includes healthcare and educational facilities; offices, retail and residential
developments; airports; museums and auditoria; hotels and leisure; computer
facilities and laboratories; prisons, manufacturing, industrial and defence
establishments; and historic structures.
