5 recommendations
At Swegon we have many years of experience across a wide range of building applications, project challenges and customer requirements. This has given us extensive knowledge of hands-on project challenges. We also continuously gain valuable insights from developing new products, systems and solutions to meet our customers’ needs. We share our knowledge through a number of guides and here we have selected the most relevant recommendations that also apply for school applications.
To get everything right from the beginning
OFFICE GUIDE – ECONOMIC ASPECT
The really expensive product or system choices are the ones that turn out incorrect or not meeting the indoor climate requirements. To avoid time-consuming product replacements or compromises that affect comfort and productivity, it is important to make informed decisions from the beginning. Ways forward are to use product selection software and full-scale laboratory tests.
Swegon ESBO is a software tool used to verify that an HVAC solution meets the defined indoor climate requirements. In addition, product category-specific software can save both time and resources as product details and optimal operation is calculated during the selection phase. Examples of these software from Swegon are AHU Design, Room Unit Design and CH Design.
Get familiar with our software
Which is it - air or water, air and water?
HOTEL GUIDE – NAPKIN SKETCH
It is usually expressed as "air or water", referring to the choice between utilising an airborne or a waterborne system for heating or cooling a building. However, ventilation and air quality requirements can only be met through an airborne system, which is why "air and water" is more correct.
A decision between air or water can be fairly easy in an older building because the existing duct work for ventilation can probably not be sized for both supply air and climatising. It is often easier to make water accessible for a waterborne solution as pipe work takes up significantly less space than up-sized ventilation ducts.
In new-build projects, the intended use, occupancy levels and investment considerations should be assessed together when choosing between air and/or water.
Guide: air or water
Hospitals and care rooms as examples
PUBLIC BUILDINGS GUIDE
If asked what is most important in terms of indoor climate in a hospital, many would probably answer “ventilation”. That is, for numerous reasons, absolutely right - it is vital to ventilate a hospital building in a way that minimises the risk of virus and bacteria to spread.
At the same time, a hospital environment cannot be ventilated at maximum capacity in all spaces. Examination rooms, offices, waiting areas, care units and other parts of a hospital require an indoor climate that supports the people working in the premises while also offering a comfortable visit or stay for the patient.
Apply this thought to a school, not all too different. This part of our public buildings guide holds a number of valuable insights and links that can be useful for a school’s HVAC project.
More about hospitals in our public buildings' guide
Additional expert perspectives
In addition to sharing knowledge and expertise suitable for schools but borrowed from other application guides, we would also like to offer further perspectives on indoor climate and schools. Below are two blog posts and one reference case that highlight the importance of knowing, in real time, how an HVAC solution performs and the conditions of the indoor climate.
- Blog: Lowering energy consumption without compromising comfort
- Blog: When it comes down to business, it is all about the indoor climate
- Reference case: Viktoriaskolan in Sweden
Get familiar with our digital services, INSIDE
Think adaptability in the initial stages
OFFICE GUIDE – BUILDINGS HAVE A LONG LIFE
Many of the buildings standing today will also be standing in twenty years from now and buildings currently under construction will be in place for at least fifty years, maybe a hundred. During that time, the way a building is used will most certainly change. This fact should be considered already in the early stages of a construction or renovation process.
From the many perspectives of sustainability, it is important to be able to adapt, reuse and update an HVAC-solution. Replacing products and systems that actually work, put an unnecessary strain on the environment. It is therefore key to consider an HVAC solution that is designed for reasonable alternative uses of the building.
Sound in a concert hall might be too obvious
PUBLIC BUILDINGS GUIDE - SOUND
Most will describe sound as incredible music or associate it with something soothing, like the whirl of ocean waves. However, sound can also be unpleasant and disturbing, then it is often called noise. To eliminate disturbing sound is essential for environments such as concert halls.
Concert halls are designed for the beautiful sound to be heard. Musicians practice and perform on these stages and to bring the best out of each player and instrument, the environment needs to be free from disrupting sounds. Or more accurately, free from noise. An environment free from noise is also essential when it comes to schools. A silent classroom will bring out the best of each student and teacher.
Focusing on sound