Work
has already 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
pipework is connected using REHAU’s EVERLOC™ compression sleeve joints, which
guarantee a leak-free installation. EVERLOC joints rely on the memory effect of
the pipe to help seal it directly to the compression sleeve, giving a permanent
seal without O-rings.
The
final TABS design approved for the University of Warwick building was a circuit
system, incorporating 3,700m2 of pipework installed within every concrete slab
over five floors to provide supplementary cooling to the new University
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 the brief for the University of Warwick’s
new Mathematical Sciences Building.
Iain
Dyson, from 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 worked with REHAU on the specification for
the University of Warwick, and were appointed to fit the TABS system on the
project when the contract was awarded. The team had worked with REHAU on other
large-scale projects before, in schools and hospitals, but this was Dragon
Heating’s first TABS assignment with REHAU.
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. The main challenges we face actually come from being on site at such
an early stage in the construction programme and working to a very tight
schedule, with other trades working closely alongside us.”
The
in-situ TABS pipework installation at University of Warwick has been very quick
to fit when the site is clear and Dragon Heating is laying up to 400m² of
pipework a day with a two-person team. Before joining Dragon Heating a year
ago, Dan had worked on other TABS projects with REHAU, so knew what would be
expected from them on the University job.
Dan
commented: “I knew we needed to be extremely careful in our approach as the
pipework has to be very accurate in a TABS installation. If there are pipes in
a block where they shouldn’t be, other trades could come along after us and
accidentally drill into one of our pipes which is difficult to rectify and will
inevitably cause delays in the building programme. I knew we also needed to be
mindful of the additional sign off procedures with the site manager, as we
would be working on a live construction site. TABS is not difficult to install,
you just need to be more aware of what’s going on around you and how what you
are doing impacts it.”
Tony
Harbour, Senior Commercial Manager at REHAU, said: “REHAU has a strong history
of installation work within the education sector, and this is only increasing
as new state of the art developments seek cost effective and energy efficient
ways to provide both heating and cooling solutions. These systems are designed
to offer a comfortable environment all year round for students at Warwick
University but require very little maintenance. This makes them very much a fit
and forget for the team at the University.”
