Blackheath High School, an independent day school for girls and part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) network, recently invested £18 million to provide new state of the art facilities including a new library and resource centre, and AET Flexible Space supplied an underfloor air conditioning system to provide comfort cooling for students in the new learning zone. The project involved the design and construction of a three storey new build, aesthetically designed to blend with the existing Victorian structure. The library and resource center are located in the lower ground floor, sunk beneath the existing site and the new courtyard area. Air conditioned zone Underfloor air conditioning makes use of the plenum beneath a raised access floor Due to the underground location of the resource centre, air conditioning was required for this area, and an underfloor air conditioning system was specified by consultant Hilson Moran so that the ceiling space, featuring the unique pyramidal skylights, could be left exposed. Underfloor air conditioning makes use of the plenum beneath a raised access floor to distribute conditioned air. At Blackheath High School, a single CAM-V33 Direct Expansion downflow unit serves the air conditioned zone, and the conditioned air is supplied into the space by 14 TU4 Fantiles. The CAM-V receives spent air back for re-conditioning via high level transfer grilles. A major challenge with this project was the 900mm high underfloor void within the main resource area, requiring special modification to the CAM baseframe and raised floor substructure. The new state of the art facility reached practical completion over the summer of 2018 and was ready for students to use in September at the start of the new school year.

In practice, incumbent building services can help architects and designers overcome planning and structural constraints. Building typology comes in all shapes and sizes, each with its own unique design criteria. Frequently building services, heating, ventilation and air conditioning in particular can be challenging to integrate into a building design but experience shows that this does not necessarily have to be the case. Working with underfloor air conditioning over the past 30 years,) AET Flexible Space can demonstrate that such systems have a number of benefits in design application that ultimately make it the ‘system of first choice’ when compared with alternative overhead and perimeter air conditioning systems and their practical application. ease of reconfiguration Principally there are two different types of underfloor air conditioning (UfAC) system, the first being a full underfloor solution, with zone units supplying conditioned air, and receiving spent air via the plenum beneath the raised access floor. As it effectively becomes the ventilation zone, the plenum is divided into supply and return air paths using fire-resistant, air-tight silicone cloth. As there is no need to divide the floor plenum, this option permits freedom to maximize the floor plate This first system is undoubtedly the best option if the brief is to expose ceilings and maximize headroom in refurbishments as it allows total elimination of any ceiling void. Another option is a system with a zone unit which supplies conditioned air via the floor plenum, but receives spent air at high level or via ceiling extract grilles. As there is no need to divide the floor plenum, this option permits freedom to maximize the floor plate as well as future flexibility due to the ease of reconfiguration. ceiling based air conditioning Refurbishment projects in the UK often have specific design criteria, dictated either by the client, or frequently by planning conditions. 8 Waterloo Place in the St James’ area of London is a classic example. The fabulous building constructed in the early 1900’s is Grade II listed and features ornate vaulted ceilings and decorative plasterwork cornices. Both the client and the architect specifically requested no services at high level in order to preserve and highlight these features using bi-directional up and down lighting. This immediately eliminated ceiling based air conditioning as an option. The seven story building also has differing floor to ceiling heights on each floor, proving to be an additional challenge for investor Barings, whose aim was to create the highest quality, modern office space at the prestigious Mayfair property. high profile tenancy A full underfloor air conditioning system was subsequently specified for floors 1-4 of the building, which all had an existing 300mm floor plenum. The height restriction of the dormer fifth floor only permitted a very shallow floor plenum, so a perimeter system was adopted for this space. The end result of the refurbishment was 70% occupancy in a very short period of time, the building attracting high profile tenancy and achieving high levels of rent, “a truly special building”, comments the MD at Barings Real Estate. Another key building characteristic is the small windows and low natural light levels Another refurbishment project to reference is 33 Glasshouse Street, London, prominently located on the corner with Regent Street, a fusion of three buildings and with a Grade II listed façade, varying slab heights and low floor to ceiling heights, developer Hermes set about a full “Cut and Carve” structural reconfiguration to form larger, deeper, open plan floor plates and increase the floor to ceiling height to 3.3m on floors 3-7. raised floor system Another key building characteristic is the small windows and low natural light levels. Underfloor air conditioning was specified to help maximize the floor to ceiling heights and permit the greatest level of natural light through the deep floor plates. Perimeter heating and cooling would not have been effective given the deep floor plates and ceiling based air conditioning would have required a ceiling void that would virtually cover the low level windows, severely restricting light penetration. Even with the introduction of a raised floor system and underfloor services, the down stand beams are clearly visible underneath the window line, but this only serves to highlight the unusual building characteristics in an effective way. The end result, another achievement by the project team with a successful outcome. Prime, modern office space attracting the highest caliber occupants, commanding premium rates. overhead services At Cathedral Hill in Guildford, UfAC was used to cool the atrium area where overhead services could not be used September 2018 saw the completion of the tenant fit-out on three floors of the building for one of the world’s biggest tech giants. Design freedom with underfloor air conditioning is not only apparent in refurbishment projects, over the last three decades, the company's systems have also helped new builds achieve their design objectives, whether by using a full underfloor system, or simply integrating floor recessed Fantiles with Displacement Ventilation or other HVAC systems. At Cathedral Hill in Guildford, UfAC was used to cool the atrium area where overhead services could not be used. At First Point, Gatwick, adopting UfAC saved 2m in height compared with an identical building at Heathrow with ceiling services. cellular meeting pods At the expansive Sky Central Campus, UfAC Fantiles are used to enhance the Displacement Ventilation system by boosting cooling in the cellular meeting pods, and at the award winning Here East Innovation Centre, UfAC has been innovatively integrated with overhead services offering fully flexible and functional workspace for the start-up community. The above are just a few examples of how innovative thinking and design application has encouraged the uptake of underfloor air conditioning and promoting it as a viable solution to wide ranging design challenges in new build and refurbishment projects, helping property owners and agents to differentiate their offering and create world class workspace.

AET Flexible Space recently completed the supply and commissioning of underfloor air conditioning equipment for the new ninth floor at 55 Gresham Street. Situated near the Guildhall in the heart of the City, the 84,038 sq. ft., eight story building was acquired in 2014 by Angelo Gordon and Beltane, extended and fully redeveloped to provide 11 floors of Grade-A office space over 121,569 sq. ft. underfloor air conditioning The redevelopment included the creation of a new level access corner entrance and reception at Wood Street and Gresham Street, with remodeled cores, extensions of the floorplates at ground to sixth floors and replacement seventh and new eighth and ninth floors created through the removal of the existing ninth floor plant. New services are supplied throughout and new composite stone facades to the south, west and north are well in keeping with the urban locality. The design is characterized by its imaginative use of materials and historical references The design is characterized by its imaginative use of materials and historical references. Designed by Fletcher Priest Architects, with mechanical, and other design services provided by consultant, Waterman Group, underfloor air conditioning was specified for the new ninth floor terrace in order to maintain the architectural vision. Direct Expansion coils By placing services within the floor void, the remaining available space and floor to ceiling heights were maximized by eliminating the need for ceiling based pipe and ductwork. The two zone system on the ninth floor terrace is served by two CAM-C25 downflow units with Direct Expansion coils and a total of thirty standard TU4 Fantiles with EC fans for enhanced energy performance. This considered redevelopment is a building designed with the occupier in mind and testament to this approach, the entire building was pre-let prior to practical completion to global giant, Investec Asset Management. Main contractor ISG handed over the £34 million project at the end of 2018 and has a BREEAM target of Excellent.

One Benjamin Street, situated directly opposite Farringdon Station on the corner of Turnmill Street, is a fabulous new build with mixed use accommodation comprising retail and commercial space as well as residential penthouse apartments. The prominent site, owned by The Girdler’s Company for some 400 years, formerly featured three individual buildings of different style and character, which were considered unfit for purpose and replaced by one high quality single building. Designed by world renowned architect AHMM, and inspired by the character of local Victorian warehouses, and craftsmanship at the core of The Girdler’s Company, the new build offers 1692 m2 of high quality, sustainable office space with highly flexible, column free floor plates and BCO recommended floor to ceiling height of 1.8m on the 1st to 3rd floors. air conditioning system Underfloor air conditioning was recommended by Main Contractor who had experience of floor level air conditioning The overall design brief was to provide optimum flexibility when adding or re-arranging fittings for incoming tenant requirements, and the AET Flexible Space underfloor air conditioning system specified fits this brief perfectly. Underfloor air conditioning was recommended by Main Contractor, Knight Harwood who had experience of floor level air conditioning from another London refurbishment in Soho Square. M&E Consultant, Scotch & Partners were satisfied that the system could cater to demand, whilst offering greater flexibility for future change of use than the originally proposed perimeter heating and cooling systems. The system specified is a CAM-V system with underfloor supply air and return air received back to the zone unit at high level. The CAM-V system is the best solution for future flexibility as there is no underfloor air baffle to reconfigure should a layout change be considered. supply conditioned air Each of the office floors is split into two zones, with a CAM-V33 downflow unit serving each zone. A total of 105 recessed Fantiles, which supply conditioned air into the space, are evenly distributed across the six zones. The completed new build with its reinforced concrete frame, flat slab construction and exposed concrete soffits, columns and walls offers contemporary interior styling, and the exterior detailing combining feature brickwork, exposed polished concrete medallions and signature façade cladding incorporating the client’s crest is a quality improvement to the local streetscape and a testament to the client and project team.

Komax Systems, Inc., is recognized as a global provider of advanced mixing solutions for the municipal and wastewater treatment industries. Municipal and wastewater treatment plants with large open channels face enormous challenges and need solutions to effectively treat and use the water flows. Energy efficient and cost-effective solutions are needed for treatment systems to run properly. Large open channels need treatment for both influent raw water streams coming into a water treatment plant and wastewater and effluent water from wastewater treatment plants. Chemical injection and accurate dispersions are needed before the water can be released or consumed. Mixing Technology Solution Komax recognized that these problems need solutions and that in many cases custom modifications to the solution to fit within the plant's specific needs. The standard mechanical mixers and blades are not adequate for larger capacities along with the continual repairs and maintenance. The Komax channel static mixer utilizes non-clogging mixing technology for water treatment chemicals into water flowing through rectangular channels. The channel static mixer is used in water treatment for both influent raw water and effluent water treatment New pollution problems have placed additional burdens on wastewater treatment systems. Today's pollutants such as heavy metals, chemical compounds, and toxic substances are more difficult to remove from the water. Rising demands on the water supply only aggravate the problem. The increasing demands call on better wastewater treatment solutions. The channel static mixer is used in water treatment for both influent raw water and effluent water treatment. high efficiency mixing Influent water streams use the channel mixer to injection and mixing of coagulants and flocculants before the water goes to the clarifier. Effluent water from wastewater treatment plants also utilize the channel mixer to inject and mix chlorine and sodium bisulfite to disinfect the wastewater for safe discharge into large bodies, such as rivers, streams, or lakes. Komax has a proven reputation for product design and manufacturing quality that ensures outstanding performance.  The static mixers manufactured by Komax provide cost-effective, high efficiency mixing. As the needs evolve so will Komax's solutions.

Quality control, product performance and safety are topics which are being focused on more and more in a world driven by price competitiveness. Although manufacturers run stringent quality control and performance tests in-house, third-party testing and certification serves as a means to verify and ensure that the data published by manufacturers is unbiased and attested. ‘HVACR Leadership Workshop’  During this webinar, the seminars aim to deliver an understanding of the principles behind certification as a means to promote trust and reliability in the context of product performance and safety. Third-party testing and certification are essential for investors, planners, consultants and end users alike Third-party testing and certification are essential not only for manufacturers, but for investors, planners, consultants and end users alike who all benefit from reliable and verified product characteristics, particularly when they are critical for safety or energy consumption. Fraudulent claims, counterfeit products or misleading product information can lead to expensive results, from safety hazards to underperforming systems. Third-party certification and testing In this ‘HVACR Leadership Workshop’ by Eurovent Middle East, renowned industry experts will elaborate on the fundamentals and value of third-party certification to verify the integrity of product performance data, ensure product safety and maintain compliance with relevant regulatory requirements. The webinar is slated from 9 June 2020, 11:00-13:00h (GST) and the theme is - The Value of Product Certification: Product Performance, Safety and Compliance. Registration is free-of-charge on the association’s official website. Registered attendees will receive the link with which they can log into the webinar, beginning 15 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time. The webinar agenda includes: Fundamentals of Product Compliance: Differences between Testing, Certification and Inspections in relation to standards and global market access Safety, Performance, Energy Efficiency and Environmental considerations Safety certifications (UL Certification Mark, IEC CB Scheme, CE Marking) and regulations in the MENA region Energy efficiency and performance-based certifications: Eurovent Certified Performance and the UL Energy Efficiency Leaf Mark Benefits of Product Certification for authorities, investors, planners and consumers

During its 63rd meeting, the General Assembly of the Eurovent Association defined a new vision for the future of the European HVACR industry. Mr. Naci Sahin starts the final year of his second election term as President of Europe’s Industry Association for Indoor Climate (HVAC), Process Cooling, and Food Cold Chain Technologies. Eurovent Annual Meeting Different than usual earlier events, the Eurovent Annual Meeting, originally planned to take place in Hamburg, Germany, moved online in light of the on-going coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite the change of location, the meeting resulted in important decisions concerning the future of Eurovent and the HVACR industry. The General Assembly took note of the successful implementation of the new membership structure that entered into force this year, welcoming 74 new corresponding members. With a strong membership base, the General Assembly approved plans to streamline the Eurovent group Streamlining the Eurovent group With a strong membership base, the General Assembly approved plans to streamline the Eurovent group, continue to improve the level of service for members, and deepen cooperation with European and international partners. Moreover, Eurovent will bolster its advocacy for sound EU policies in line with Europe’s climate neutrality ambitions, while drawing attention to the importance of indoor air quality, energy efficiency, digitalization, and market surveillance. Future-proofing Eurovent and its operations Mr Naci Sahin, President of the Eurovent Association, stated, “For Eurovent, the future is now. I am proud to be the President of Eurovent in this difficult period when our industry is showing its resolve in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have made important decisions to future-proof the Association. I call on all our industry partners to join us in pursuit of our common objectives.” The General Assembly was preceded by a joint meeting of the Eurovent Board and Commission on Thursday, 28 May 2020. The date for next year’s Annual Meeting, which will be hosted in May 2021 by Eurovent’s German Member Association, VDMA in Hamburg, Germany is yet to be finalized.

Danfoss launches contractor-focused webinar series: Five Steps to Your Perfect Workday. Danfoss experts have created a series of five webinars that will provide tools to help contractors overcome typical jobsite challenges. The live webinars are free to attend and will be given in English and Spanish. webinar topics Topics include: Quick Steps to Ensure Compressor Health | May 20, 2020, 2pm EST (English); May 21, 2020, 2pm EST (Spanish) Focus on observations and measurements that identify and troubleshoot key parameters that affect compressor life expectancy and performance. A working knowledge of super heat and sub cooling as well as the effects of voltage and current on electric motors is required. Key Points for Proper Refrigerant Charging | May 27, 2020, 2pm EST (English); May 28, 2020, 2pm EST (Spanish) Ensure proper superheat and sub-cooling charging required in higher efficiency systems is performed to maximize one's investment for optimal system performance. Determining if the Metering Device is Working Correctly | June 3, 2020, 2pm EST (English); June 4, 2020, 2pm EST (Spanish) Minimize unnecessary thermostatic expansion valve replacements and adjustments by identifying whether one's metering device is injecting refrigerant correctly. Start Up and Commissioning Tips | June 10, 2020, 2pm EST (English); June 11, 2020, 2pm EST (Spanish) Eliminate possible causes and/or compressor issues that lead to early component failure and poor performance during start-up and commissioning. Quick System Performance Checks | June 17, 2020, 2pm EST (English); June 18, 2020, 2pm EST (Spanish) Improve the preventative maintenance experience of a complete HVACR system through a series of performance checks to eliminate the need for repeat repair trips. HVACR industry presenters Jamie Kitchen and Gustavo Luna English-language presenter Jamie Kitchen frequently writes articles, conducts webinars, and appears as a guest speaker for organizations such as RSES, HVAC Excellence, AHRI, and ASHRAE to improve the abilities of those who work in the HVACR industry. Spanish-language sessions will be hosted by Gustavo Luna, a contributor and supporter of different associations, such as RSES, and at AHR Expo and various local groups and tech schools - focusing on driving teaching efforts within the HVACR industry and seeking new industry challenges. "The goal with this Danfoss webinar series," says Kitchen, "is to give contractors the foresight to prevent and mitigate the typical pain-points many in our industry loathe. With what attendees will learn in our webinars, we expect they can be more efficient at work, improve customer relationships and minimize unnecessary expenses."

Owing to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, the organizers of the EUROVENTSUMMIT have announced the postponement of its upcoming edition to 2021. Initially scheduled for September 2020, it will now take place from 12 to 15 October 2021 in Antalya, Turkey. The coronavirus outbreak has resulted in the obligatory postponement of many events around the world. After evaluating the continued uncertainty around the pandemic and in consultation with the HVACR industry, the event organizers have decided that the EUROVENTSUMMIT will be postponed to 2021. Food Cold Chain Technologies Mr Naci Sahin, President of the Eurovent Association, stated: “While this was not an easy decision to make, the health and safety of the participants is our number one priority. We intend to host the EUROVENTSUMMIT at a later date, when the public health situation will provide more certainty to all parties involved.” “We will be working with our partners to finalize the details and will share more information shortly.” The EUROVENTSUMMIT is Europe’s major gathering for Indoor Climate (HVAC), Process Cooling, and Food Cold Chain Technologies, uniting 500+ key decision-makers from the EMEA region and beyond. Environmentally responsible industry Its upcoming edition will take place from 12 to 15 October 2021 in Antalya, Turkey, organized by the Eurovent Association, Eurovent Certita Certification, Eurovent Market Intelligence, COPILOT, PRODBIM, and ISKID. With the main theme being ‘Building Bridges’, the focus of the 2021 EUROVENTSUMMIT will be connecting manufacturers and consultants, planners, installers, trade associations and policy makers, between Europe, the East and beyond, towards more sustainable and circular products, and towards more socially and environmentally responsible industry.

SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc., a full-line, full-service industry renowned provider of the design and manufacture of evaporative cooling towers and air-cooled heat exchangers, showcases its latest cooling towers and components and presents 20-minute education sessions at the International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Exposition (AHR Expo), at Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Jan. 14-16, 2019. In booth B1415, SPX Cooling features the new Marley DT fluid cooler, which includes finned coil options that increase thermal capacity. Also featured is the Marley NC Everest crossflow cooling tower and Marley MD counterflow cooling tower, Recold V Tech adiabatic cooling system, MarleyGard water management products, and Marley controls and aftermarket components. Variable Flow for Energy Savings SPX booth visitors can attend Marley School of Cool short sessions on Cooling Tower Fundamentals On Jan. 14 and 15, SPX booth visitors can attend Marley School of Cool short sessions on Cooling Tower Fundamentals, Crossflow vs Counterflow Tower Design, Cooling Tower Sound Levels, and Variable Flow for Energy Savings. School of Cool attendees will receive a certificate of completion for continuing education tracking. On display is a Marley DT fluid cooler, an induced-draft counterflow product, which offers higher dry operation capacity in cool weather than fill/coil hybrid coolers, delivers lower fan energy costs compared to forced-draft coolers, and reduces system components compared to combination open tower and plate heat exchanger (PHE) systems. expand thermal performance The expanded DT fluid cooler line includes models with finned coils that expand thermal performance and permit dry operation during a broader range of ambient temperatures. The new models can more effectively reject heat without evaporating water, reducing costs associated with water usage, water treatment and pump energy. Compared to other factory-assembled counterflow towers, the Marley MD Everest cooling tower offers nearly three times more cooling capacity per cell. Its unique design, with fewer components, reduced piping and minimal electrical connections, decreases installation and maintenance costs while providing energy savings. Compared with field-erected alternatives, the MD Everest tower delivers 60 percent sooner and installs 80 percent faster. higher energy efficiency The NC Everest Cooling Tower uses up to 35 percent less fan power for higher energy efficiency At 3790 tons, the MD Everest tower is an ideal one-to-one match for some of the largest chillers. The Marley NC Everest cooling tower also takes cooling to a higher level, with 50 percent greater cooling capacity and higher energy savings than other factory-assembled crossflow cooling towers. Its innovative design reduces installation costs, and offers unrivaled interior access for easier and safer inspections and maintenance. Additionally, the NC Everest Cooling Tower uses up to 35 percent less fan power for higher energy efficiency. The Recold V Tech adiabatic cooling system is designed for halocarbon refrigerant condensing and CO2 gas cooling applications in supermarket refrigeration systems. efficiency boost of wet system It provides lower energy usage and a smaller footprint than an air-cooled condenser and up to 60 percent or more reduction in site water usage compared to an evaporative condenser. The Recold V Tech enhances the utility of an air-cooled system with the efficiency boost of a wet system during peak conditions. Evaporative pads precool air only on peak days and coils remain dry to maintain efficiency and life expectancy. Also, on display are a range of cooling tower control systems and aftermarket components, including new replacement systems for heat transfer fill media. Engage with SPX Cooling Technologies on social media, using event hashtag #KeepItCool and branded hashtag #SPXMarley.