Monodraught helps solve ventilation problems in new school in Lancashire
To achieve adequate ventilation in classrooms with single-sided ventilation in a new school in Lancashire, Monodraught Windcatcher natural ventilation systems have been installed. The Windcatchers are helping the school meet the requirements of Building Bulletin 1010 and Part L2A of the Building Regulations. The Windcatcher systems were specified for Lostock Hall County Primary School by Lancashire County Council architects department and property group.
Andrew Kells, project mechanical engineer with the property group, explains, ‘Classrooms are fitted with single-sided ventilation, which meant we couldn’t satisfy the CIBSE requirements on ventilation rates. By using a simple building-energy model we were also able to show that fitting mechanical ventilation wouldn’t enable us to comply due to its higher carbon emissions.
‘However, because we are encouraged to consider the environment when specifying ventilation, Monodraught natural ventilation provided a useful means to reduce emissions while maintaining a comfortable environment for all the building’s occupants.’
Monodraught recommended Windcatcher systems for classrooms for the reception class and years one and two. Windcatcher Solaboost was specified for the central-resource and music and drama areas.
All the Windcatchers are controlled using Monodraught’s iNVent system using data from temperature and CO2 sensors in the school’s seven ventilation zones.
The Windcatchers can also ventilate and cool the building overnight.
The architects department specified the shape and colour of the Windcatcher systems to suit the aesthetics of the building.
