BRE installs phase-change ceiling tiles
Ceiling tiles from Armstrong Ceilings incorporating phase-change material have been installed in the BRE’s latest innovation park in Scotland. The Coolzone system is in the main seminar area of the Ravenscraig Regeneration project and will help provide a stable and comfortable environment. Some 40 m2 of ceiling tiles have been installed.
The CoolZone system incorporates BASF’s Micronal phase-change material into Armstrong’s plain metal ceiling tiles. Micronal, in the form of microscopic polymer capsules containing a wax storage medium, is embedded in gypsum and then encased in the metal tile.
In tests, CoolZone tiles delayed the onset of air conditioning in an average office by 4 to 5 h. This delay can reduce HVAC energy costs by about 40% and reduce peaks in demand for air conditioning — as well as improving thermal comfort.
Designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating, this cost-effective super-insulated building also features zoned lighting and heating systems, an air-source heat pump, solar water heating, solarPV and an extensive BMS to monitor and manage the building’s performance.
