Fan-coil units achieve NR20 in university studio
A noise level of NR20 has been achieved in the studios for the University of the West of Scotland using Advanced Air’s Epic fan-coil unit. The fan deck of these units has a single horizontally mounted fan and motor that is much larger that those used in conventional fan-coil units so it runs at a much lower speed and, consequently, lower noise levels.
The unit could achieve NR25 with a conventional ceiling, but getting to NR20 would have required a ceiling with a higher sound-reduction index or installing it outside the room.
The fan-coil unit was tested in a mock-up at Advanced Air’s R&D facility. Meeting the required noise levels was made more difficult by the requirement for chilled-water temperatures of 14/17°C.
Care had to be taken in the design of the system to minimise noise regeneration from the fan-coil configuration, downstream ducting, plenum boxes and air diffusers. Advanced Air supplied the components for the system, which included Epic fan coils, plenum boxes and swirl diffusers. The company also oversaw the system design and testing.
Consultant for the project was ACTS with Crown House Engineering as mechanical-services contractor.
