Moducel breathes fresh air into Bradford’s schools
Carbon dioxide levels are a major concern in classrooms, so Moducel’s latest energy efficient fan coil range has been specified for Bradford’s schools where they will provide fresh air and keep CO2 emissions within specified limits.
Eaton-Williams range of fan coil units specially designed to cater for the unique requirements of designated schools across Bradford as part of a £400 million secondary school transformation programme.
Moducel has supplied 184 fan coil units to local schools, including Hanson School with 60 units, 120 units for Grange Technology College and a further 84 units to Greenhead and Beechcliffe schools
“In the commercial environment it is accepted that adequate indoor air quality can affect workers’ concentration and productivity,” says Moducel’s General Sales Manager Joe Wieckowski.
Research now shows that insufficient ventilation, temperature and CO2 levels can affect the concentration of pupils and teachers in class rooms which can have a measurable impact on academic achievement and behaviour. It is estimated that controlled environments in buildings can improve examination results by as much as 5% or more.
There are minimum temperatures specified in school premises regulations, 18°C is normal for the majority of classrooms. The regulations also specify good air distribution, elimination of hot and cold spots, fresh air and limiting the concentration of CO2 in all teaching and learning spaces.
The average concentration of CO2 cannot exceed 1500 parts per million (ppm). Noise is also a major consideration (the noise from ventilator actuators, even relatively low noise levels can be disruptive to class activities).
“Moducel’s fresh air units have the capability to maintain air quality, monitor CO2 levels and compensate for varying levels of classroom occupation which is a cost and energy saving benefit” says Joe Wieckowski.
Introducing fresh air into buildings can be expensive but Moducel’s fan coil units offer a cost-effective environmental solution designed to meet the unique requirements of the education sector.
The range features energy efficient EC fans and up to 35kW of heating and 25kW of cooling. The units combine the benefits of a fresh air monitoring system within a fan coil unit to deliver a healthy environment. Compact and ceiling mounted the unit have been specifically designed to maintain the air quality and volume whilst ensuring that CO2 levels are no more than 1,000 ppm, significantly lower than the required 1500ppm.
An in-built CO2 sensor monitors the carbon dioxide oxide exhaled at varying levels of classroom occupation. When CO2 levels climb with a full class, the CO2 sensor detects the changes, communicates with the main control panel and fresh air is drawn into the classroom until the required level of 1000ppm is reached. When fewer pupils are present, the reverse occurs.
Compared to fixed fresh air systems Moducel’s unit offers energy efficiency as conditioned fresh air is only introduced against CO2 ¬/occupancy levels. As air filters become blocked over time resulting in a reduced airflow, the units have a unique facility that automatically increases the fan speed to compensate.
The Integrated Bradford consortium worked with Bradford Council to rebuild or refurbish all secondary schools and build six new special schools in the Bradford Metropolitan District Council (BMDC) area. Partners in the Integrated Bradford consortium include Amey, Costain, Ferrovial Agroman and HSBC Infrastructure.