Novel acoustic lighting and heating rafts

Acoustic lighting and heating rafts from SAS International meet stringent acoustic, lighting and energy efficiency requirements.

At the new Horbury High School in Wakefield an innovative ceiling solution was specified by the architects NPS North East, and MandE Consultants Silcock Leedham LLP, to meet stringent acoustic, lighting and energy efficiency requirements.

SAS System 600 Acoustic Lighting Rafts were designed to incorporate Radiant Heating Panels from HCP, a division of SAS International.

The rafts were located with lighting and luminance levels in mind, to ensure the most comfortable and productive working environment for the occupants.

The rafts were therefore typically located at 2.7m for this reason.

The replacement Horbury High School was designed to achieve a 'very good' BREEAM rating.

To help achieve this, and reduce summer overheating, the building incorporates exposed concrete soffits to provide thermal buffering.

SAS System 600 is perfect for buildings that use passive or mixed mode FES (Fabric Energy Storage) systems.

Suspended directly from the open soffit they allow free air movement across the exposed concrete, maximising its thermal buffering capabilities and allowing night time cooling to take place.

Ideal for schools, which have high lighting and acoustic demands, SAS System 600 rafts are made up of sound-absorbing perforated panels that incorporate luminaires.

At Horbury, radiant heating panels alternate between these panels to create a novel solution.

Radiant heating is one of the most comfortable and energy-efficient forms of heating available.

Sloped debris protectors were also incorporated on the top-side of the rafts to ensure rubbish could not build up.

Silcock Leedham LLP's Andrew Kirkham, Mechanical Building Services Engineer, commented: "SAS International was chosen as we had complete confidence that it would be able to work with us on the design and manufacture of this bespoke solution".

"Combining the heating into the acoustic lighting rafts ensures a comfortable teaching environment is achieved whilst allowing us to utilise the thermal properties of the concrete floors".

The incorporated HCP Radiant Heating panels contain approximately one seventh the amount of water in a traditional radiator system, which results in a reduction in plant size and energy consumption.

They also maximise space by eliminating the need for wall or floor mounted units, whilst also offering excellent comfort and easy maintenance and cleaning.

Manufactured from metal, these combined heating, lighting and acoustic rafts were also favoured because of the exceptional life span and minimal maintenance costs offered by the material, which is also 100% recyclable at end of life.

The radiant heating panels also have low operating costs, as well as minimal maintenance requirements, which is a key consideration as whole-life costs become increasingly important.

To minimise disruption to the existing school the proposals include the phased new build and demolition over a two-year period.

The entire project is due to be completed in December 2008.

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