Advanced heat solutions represent excellent complementary technologies to wind and solar power, as these renewables face real challenges.
The top priority should be to optimise the HVAC design with a view to reducing the amount of plant and riser space required.Techniques such as transferring extract air from adjacent office spaces to partially make-up the new lab supply can sometimes be used, however their compliance must be carefully reviewed..
Even with an optimised design it is likely that new, larger HVAC plant and additional ductwork will be required.For some office buildings this can be difficult to incorporate, with limited roof, external, riser, and ceiling void space available.Ideally, new riser space can be formed in such a way that it doesn’t significantly reduce net usable lab space or cause issues with adjacent tenancies (where relevant).
Where this isn’t possible, external ductwork can be considered, however there are other issues such as building appearance and Planning Permission that can make this unfeasible.. Exhausts for fume cabinets, ducted MBSCs, storage cabinets, and LEV (local extract ventilation) will also need to find their way to roof level.With limited riser space this means upper-floor office conversions are preferable, though these tend to be less advantageous from an access or structural point of view..
It is essential roof exhausts have efflux arrangements that ensure discharged fumes get sufficiently away from the building to prevent recirculation into make-up systems or to anyone on the roof or in a nearby building.
In the UK, the British Standard has a blanket statement requiring fume stacks be either 3m high or 25% the building height – whichever is greater.However, should the industry move towards using more timber construction, local supply may not be able to meet demand leading to a less sustainable product..
The technical difficulties don’t eliminate the use of engineered timber but it’s clear there are many challenges that require more complex integration and technical knowledge than conventional construction systems..The application of timber is wide reaching from engineered timber solutions to simple uses of lumber in isolated instances.
The right type and application of timber needs to be considered alongside the building typology.However, our prevailing view is that timber is the best structural option, particularly in designs driven by carbon.
(Editor: Ultra Lighting Kits)