Gilberts Helps Edinburgh Create Sustainable Education

Population growth over the past decade has meant Edinburgh City Council is undertaking a multi-million pound Learning Estate Investment Programme. Gilberts Blackpool ventilation features…

This programme includes building at least three new primary schools and a new senior school, all with a design that will contribute towards the Authority’s aim of being carbon neutral by 2030.

To help realise the ambition, consulting engineers Blackwood Partnership utilised Gilberts’ grilles and diffusers to provide effective, compliant ventilation throughout the buildings – from nursery and primary school classrooms through corridors to tutorial spaces, offices and sport halls. 

Careful design of the ventilation air paths and selection of the components ensures the maintenance of indoor air quality throughout the schools. All this, whilst minimising energy with heating from air source heat pumps.

Each classroom features a combination of GSFB perforated circular swirl diffusers and PG-R perforated return grilles to supply and return the air to the HEVAC system. This combination of grilles and diffusers, with perforated faces, optimises air circulation without draughts whilst achieving enhanced airflow efficiency. 

In the smaller cellular spaces, the transfer of air takes place through the corridors via NV2 transfer grilles above doors – heavy duty where necessary. GE eggcrate grilles, with their 90% free ventilation area, optimise velocity of extraction with low noise levels through the ceiling within the Sports and Dining Halls.

‘Successful relationship’

Fraser Sinclair, senior mechanical engineer at Blackwood, comments: “The overall layout in each of the schools was for a mixture of suspended and plasterboarded ceilings. some of which were awkward configurations in terms of implementation of a compliant ventilation strategy.

“We knew from our long-term, successful relationship with Gilberts that we could rely on all the technical support needed in the selection of the most efficient and cost-effective combination of supply and extract solutions.”

Crawford McGhie, Senior Manager Estates and Operational Support, adds: “Our new school spaces should provide the best conditions for learning and teaching with lighting, heating, ventilation and acoustics optimised to provide a comfortable environment supporting positive outcomes for building users.”

Track record

The new schools build on Gilberts’ proven track record in air movement in the region. Gilberts grille and diffusers also feature at, among others, the first Virgin hotel in the UK, and Gleneagles’ first urban hotel, both in Edinburgh, and the new Glasgow Rangers Museum.

Family-owned Gilberts’ 140,000 square foot head office and manufacturing facility includes its own research and development and test facilities. This enables it to continue to evolve its product range and develop bespoke solutions for specific client requirements.

Gilberts is now acknowledged as the UK’s leading independent air movement specialist, offering mechanical, natural and hybrid ventilation solutions.

Contact:

Gilberts of Blackpool,
Gilair Works,
Clifton Road,
Blackpool,
FY4 40T

Phone: 01253 766911
Fax: 01253 767941

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