Product category:
Window Systems
News Release from: WindowMaster Control Systems | Subject: Natural cooling and ventilation control systems
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 10 April 2008
Windowmaster ventilation systems for
schools
WindowMaster has developed and installed natural cooling and ventilation control systems utilising over 1,000 separate motors at two new Nottinghamshire schools.
The system installed at the newly constructed Minster School in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, has more than 400 motors In a separate project currently under construction, the Emmanuel Nottingham School will have 562 electrical motors in place upon its completion in May/June of 2008
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 17 Jan 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The natural ventilation specified as part of the design for the GBP24 million new Minster School was supplied by WindowMaster's NV AdvanceT window automation system.
It was chosen for the school because it provides a complete installation and, in particular, because of its central computer control system.
The installation includes motors, window actuators, various sensors and a weather station.
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WindowMaster's NV AdvanceT system also includes sensors that monitor CO2 build up in the classrooms and adjust the motors accordingly.
The potential for build up of CO2 is more evident in the winter months.
The WindowMaster system monitors the level of CO2 and will automatically open windows to ventilate the room to provide a comfortable working atmosphere.
Temperature sensors will then automatically close the casements if the temperature drops below a certain level.
The new Minster School was designed around a wide central 'street' with a number of teaching zones leading from it.
Although chimneys in the central area were incorporated to prevent harmful build-up of CO2, WindowMaster's ventilation system was critical to the design of the teaching areas that are separate from the central area.
To maintain a constant temperature around the school, the WindowMaster's NV AdvanceT weather station monitors external conditions around the building, including wind direction and speed, temperature and rain fall.
Readings taken from the weather station and sensors fitted internally are analysed and compared to specified parameters.
Windows around the school are then precisely positioned to keep air quality within rooms fresh and the temperature constant, naturally ventilating the building to prevent overheating and improve air quality for staff and pupils.
During the summer months the natural ventilation system automatically flushes the building during the night with air from outside to cool rooms so they are fresh for pupils in the morning.
This also minimises heat gains during the day so a comfortable climate can be maintained, while retaining security at night because the windows only open sufficiently to allow air through.
The system can be retrofitted on many existing windows as well as being installed on new buildings.
It can operate on a broad range of window types, including top and bottom opening, sliding and parallel opening.
The system can also be used on windows for heat and smoke ventilation.
It is this versatility that led the WindowMaster NV AdvanceT system also being chosen for the GBP16 million Emmanuel School project in Nottinghamshire, due for completion in spring 2008.
The system comprises CO2 and temperature sensors that regulate the temperature and air quality in 69 different zones throughout the school, using a total of 562 motors linked to the external weather station.
All the motors are linked via computer software but are not directly linked to the building management system, so that they can be manually overridden by the teachers if needed.
The system was also selected because it includes an innovative entrapment system.
WindowMaster's NV AdvanceT window automation system uniquely incorporates 'intelligence' within each motor used to open and close windows.
Microprocessors installed within these devices monitor in real-time the amount of electrical current being drawn and the precise position of the window to an accuracy of less than a millimetre.
If an object, or hands or fingers, becomes trapped in a window and prevents it from closing the amount of current drawn by the motor instantly increases.
This is detected by the microprocessor which immediately reverses the motor to release the window, therefore preventing the possibility of serious injury.
WindowMaster's NV AdvanceT window automation system is the only system in Europe that intelligently monitors windows to prevent entrapment as an integrated function of the motor and control system.
It can provide almost failsafe security against the possibility of injury while windows are closing.
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