Heat-reflecting membrane boosts performance of Olympic Games building
To reduce heat gain in the shooting range for the Olympic Games in Beijing, a heat-reflecting membrane has been specified for the roof and wall cavities. The contract for Thermo-Foil membrane from Apollo Energy Research in the UK was secured with help from the commercial department of the British Embassy in Beijing. This 48 000 m2 venue will have a permanent seating capacity of 85532 people, with temporary seating for a further 2101. It will host events such as rifle, pistol and running-target shooting. The function of the membrane is to block radiant heat from the Sun penetrating into the interior and sealing the building envelope to greatly reduce air leakage and infiltration of outside humidity. During the games, which begin on 6 August 2008, outdoor temperatures are expected to exceed 35°C, with relative humidity approaching 90%. The membrane, installed under the roof and within the walls works by reflecting back most of the infra-red energy striking its bright non-tarnish surface and by not re-radiating heat. 95% of radiant heat will be blocked. The membrane has a low moisture-transmission rate, and its edges will be bound together, so that it will act as a vapour barrier to halt the migration of moisture. Using ThermoFoil is expected to reduce the air conditioning load by 30 to 50%. ‘The membrane has already proved itself,’ says Colin Hawkes, managing director with Apollo. ‘Retrofitted to accommodation huts for site workers, the requirement for air conditioning was reduced by more than half.’
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