Developing the standard

Standardised chilled beams have many advantages. For example, they can allow the design team to utilise experience from previous tests and projects. The design team can be assured that they can meet the clients' comfort levels and their future partitioning requirements.

Standardised chilled beams are cost effective designs; in most cases a fraction of the cost of bespoke systems but still providing superb comfort conditions.

The market is very demanding for buildings that are not only comfortable but also flexible, with possibilities for future partitioning.

One such project where standardised units have assisted flexibility is the North West Development Agency (NWDA) in Warrington, Cheshire. The system was specified by Dyer Associates and was originally installed in 2001. The design is based upon standard 1.8m long, 600mm wide active chilled beams. The beams are mounted 3.0m from each other end to end, ensuring there are two beams in each 20m² notional bay in the open plan office.

Flexibility is ensured due to the fact that the zone can be partitioned between the beams in both axis, with a possible zone width as small as 2.4m without adjusting the airflow rate or beam locations. Swegon's ADC is a retro fit system of adjustable vanes that allows a very high degree of adjustability. NWDA took up this option when additional meeting rooms where introduced.

The benefits of standardised components was ultimately proven when earlier this year, a slight modification required additional beams to be installed in areas previously not served. Swegon was able to supply additional active chilled beams of the same design within 10 days, thus allowing works in the agency's holiday period.

Photos: © David Barbour