Construction News
29/05/2012
WindowMaster Educates Engineers With Irish Natural Ventilation Seminar
More than 50 engineers representing architects, consultancies and BMS providers from across Ireland recently joined WindowMaster (www.windowmaster.co.uk) for an important seminar on natural ventilation.
A team from Europe’s largest provider of natural comfort and smoke ventilation solutions delivered the two-hour seminar and workshop as part of Engineers Ireland’s (www.engineersireland.ie) CPD programme.
The seminar sought to make the case for natural ventilation by outlining items and calculations that should be considered for every building. Its aim was to enable attendees to gain an understanding of how air can flow within a building in a comfortable way and to demonstrate how to make informed decisions when deciding on a control strategy.
UK & IE Business Development Manager Peter Connolly said: "The seminar provided a comprehensive overview of natural ventilation. It covered the principles of natural ventilation, how it is achieved and how to incorporate it within the design and strategy of a building.
"Discussions also highlighted the advantages of natural ventilation in terms of performance, cost, environmental and sustainability issues. In addition, we looked at the importance of precisely controlling how natural ventilation works, night cooling, analysis and calculations of things like thermal buoyancy, wind speed and pressure coefficients, and building modelling. The seminar was rounded off with a review of case studies, completed projects and analysis."
-- Advertisement --
The seminar was delivered by Peter Connolly, UK and IE market manager Richard Arnott and WindowMaster NV consultant Jannick Karsten Roth.
As part of the seminar, WindowMaster's Richard Arnott outlined how careful design and precise control for natural ventilation are essential in the delivery of a compliant natural ventilation strategy.
Richard said: "There is a widely held misconception that natural ventilation is not satisfactory to provide adequate indoor air quality in schools. It is believed to be too hot, too cold or too stuffy. It is also said to create high energy bills and to give unpredictable results.
"Post occupancy studies have found that naturally ventilated Building Schools for the Future (BSF) projects in the UK are using 300 per cent more energy than expected. There are also perceived issues around acoustics, health and security.
"This is because designs are poorly specified or ‘value engineered’. Properly designed, specified and installed systems do not have these problems.
"Currently, performance specifications tend to be based on products and not on the building, its location or specific client needs. Effective natural ventilation solutions must be aligned to these factors.
"Natural ventilation depends on the ability to open and close windows as necessary to ensure sufficient air changes to maintain optimum indoor climate quality. Millimetre by millimetre control of façade and roof windows is essential so that they automatically open and close according to fixed values for the desired room temperature and CO2 levels, as well as external temperature, rain and wind speed.
"Precise control within the first five centimetres of window opening is crucial to the control of temperature, carbon dioxide and noise. It also reduces draughts and improves building security."
WindowMaster is a registered training provider for the Engineers Ireland CPD programme throughout 2012.
Latest Construction News
27/09/2024
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has initiated a two-week quarry safety inspection campaign to focus on machinery operation, guarding, and maintenance activities.
HSA inspectors will be conducting thorough inspections of quarries and associated manufacturing premises to identify and address ...
27/09/2024
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced funding of over €1 million to support and improve walking trails nationwide.
A total of 203 community groups will receive grants ranging from €1,500 to €35,000 to enhance and develop their local trails. The ...
27/09/2024
A new environmental initiative, Tóchar, is inviting local individuals and groups to participate in wetland restoration efforts. The three-year project, co-funded by the government and the European Union, aims to bring communities together to restore and preserve valuable wetland ecosystems.
Named ...
27/09/2024
The Irish government has announced plans to significantly increase grant limits and income thresholds for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O'Brien TD, Minister of State for Local ...
27/09/2024
Vodafone Ireland has announced a new Corporate Power Purchasing Agreement (CPPA) with energy supplier Flogas, along with its infrastructure partner Vantage Towers.
This agreement allows Vodafone to directly purchase renewable electricity from the Derrynadivva Wind Farm located in Mayo. Vodafone is ...
27/09/2024
Work is almost complete the €50 million project to upgrade the wastewater infrastructure for Ramelton, Milford and Rathmullan.
In early 2025 Uisce Éireann will have put an end to the discharge of raw sewage into the Leannan Estuary, Lough Swilly and Maggie's Burn.
The works safeguard the ...
27/09/2024
Galway City Council has announced that improvement works on High Street will begin next week as part of street rehabilitation and drainage works in the pedestrian area.
The work will remove uneven surfaces and surface water ponding, progressing a much-needed upgrade in one of the busiest streets ...
27/09/2024
Sinn Féin has hit out out at the Minister for Agriculture for refusing to extend the slrry-spreading deadline.
The party's spokesperson for Agriculture and Rural Development, Martin Kenny TD, expressed his disappointment at the Minister's comments in the Dáil.
Deputy Kenny said: "During the ...
26/09/2024
Mountpark, a leading European logistics developer, has commenced construction on the first phase of its Grange Castle West development in South Dublin. This €325+ million project marks the company's second major logistics investment in Ireland in recent years.
Located just two kilometers from ...
26/09/2024
Belfast City Council has made a significant stride towards a net-zero future by launching its inaugural Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP). This comprehensive roadmap, a first for Northern Ireland, outlines a strategic approach to transitioning the city to a resilient, low-carbon economy.
Developed ...
