Natural ventilation features in BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ building
Helping to achieve a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating for the YMCA’s new £5 million George Williams Centre in Bridgwater is natural ventilation designed and supplied by Passivent. It exploits natural convection and the venturi effect through a combination of passive-stack and cross-ventilation strategies in the 3-storey centre. The only electricity used is a small amount to operate motorised louves and controls panel to meet ventilation requirements laid down by the Department for Children, Schools & Families.
Roof-level Aircool units exhaust ‘used’ warm internal air, which is replaced via low-level louvres in the ground-floor common room, first-floor function room and break-out rooms. Insulated wall-mounted louvres transfer fresh air into the atrium; they are acoustically treated to minimise noise transfer.
The whole system is regulated by Passivent’s iC6000 intelligent multi-zone controller, which monitors external temperatures and internal temperatures and CO2 levels in each room. A pushbutton in each room provides local over-ride.
The system can work continuously to cool the building overnight when it is not occupied to ensure a comfortable and fresh environment in the morning.
