BSRIA Instrument Solutions performs on Centre Court
Long-term testing of the ventilation system for the new covered Centre Court at Wimbledon recently culminated with the roof being used on an obligingly showery day for exhibition matches in front of a capacity 15 000 crowd. The players were Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.
To test the air management in the closed court, Wimbledon’s management committee called on BSRIA Instrument Solutions to supply test equipment and on Balcomm and Skanska Rashleigh Weatherfoil to use it to best effect. Testing before the demonstration matches included using smoke generators to make air-distribution patterns visible.
Particularly important was the viewing of airflow patterns from high-velocity jets which prevent condensation at roof level and deliver 143 m3/s of conditioned air into the space to keep humidity low and the turf free of condensation.
For the exhibition matches, BSRIA Instrument Solutions provided temperature and humidity data loggers to monitor changes from minute to minute in the playing area and stands. There were two loggers on the umpire’s chair and one in the Royal Box.
The data is still being evaluated, but initial reaction from the players was very positive.
Tim Henman, a member of the All England Club’s management committee, admitted to initial misgivings of roof closure on the turf but was delighted with the result. He said, ‘It’s a pretty miserable day outside, but it’s just the most fantastic playing conditions here. No moisture on the court, no losing your footing and a fantastic atmosphere with the roof keeping the noise in.’
