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Clean Air energy efficient VAV fume cupboards and extract systems have proved to be the ideal solution for a £96m development at The University of Leeds. The International Centre for Engineering & Physical Science (ICEPS) at the Sir William Henry Bragg Building is the largest single investment the University has ever made.
The new development includes the refurbishment of a Grade II listed building. This building was required to deliver a BREEAM Excellent rating. In addition, it had to meet the energy and CO2 requirements of Leeds City Council and the University. The 16 APEX 4 Variable Air Volume (VAV) fume cupboards are making a significant contribution to reducing its energy consumption and cutting carbon.
The nine Clean Air PVC extract systems spanned seven storeys, used 1800 m of ductwork and included 13 duty/standby extract fans.
A VAV system reduces the amount of conditioned air pulled through a laboratory by a fume cupboard.
With VAV control, the amount of airflow through the space is varied to suit flow demand or to maintain environmental conditions. Therefore, as the fume cupboard sash is moved, the controls will adjust and vary the position of a damper to control the face velocity.
Each ICEPS APEX 4 fume cupboard benefits from a combined VAV and auto sash control. An auto sash control monitors the position of the sash and automatically closes it when it is not in use. The two controls in combination will reduce energy costs dramatically. VAV and auto sash fume cupboards can achieve energy savings of up to 70% or greater.
The APEX fume cupboard range is type-tested to BS EN 14175. The key Robustness of Containment Protection Factor (PFR) reading is 1,500,000 for an 1800 mm wide version at 0.3 m/s face velocity.
This popular fume cupboard has glass sides, creating a light, bright working space. Because the twin skin sidewall is replaced, it also offers a larger working area.
In total, nine PVC extract systems cover the seven-storey development. They use 1800 m of ductwork which ranges in size from Ø50 mm to Ø900 mm. All the ductwork is fabricated and installed to BESA DW154.
Installing the ductwork in coordination with other trades and in limited space, particularly within the risers, presented a challenge. Clean Air’s teamwork and communication proved invaluable to keep the project on schedule.
The extract systems incorporate VAV dampers & bleed controls. Attenuators were fitted on fan inlets and discharges to reduce noise levels. All the external ductwork and fans were GRP coated to provide extra protection from extreme weather conditions.
The seven-metre high rooftop discharge stacks exhaust to the atmosphere at more than 10 m/s. Two rear-mounted fume cupboard fume scrubbers neutralise fumes from two fume cupboards prior to discharge.
In addition to the VAV fume cupboards, one system services the numerous fire rated storage cabinets throughout the building.
Duty/standby fan arrangements minimise downtime and ensure any fan failure does not affect the safety and integrity of the system.
Another PVC acid extract system keeps the series of labs, reception rooms and storerooms located in the 1000 m2 basement clean room safe. This system services fume cupboards, wet benches, flex traction arms and other equipment.
It rises through seven floors and connects to a duty/standby arrangement of APMG Durafan H810 fan units. The bleed damper installed allows the system to run a night set back mode.
The ICEPS development achieves BIM level 2. This facilitates the integration of services required for specialist areas such as science laboratories and teaching space.
Clean Air’s design team was able to supply drawings as BIM models, allowing effective coordination across the project team.
The Henry Royce Institute is the UK’s £235 million national institute for advanced materials research and innovation. This partnership of nine UK universities and research organisations specialises in materials science research and commercialisation.
The Royce at Leeds materials research activities will be undertaken within the Sir William Henry Bragg Building.
Clean Air has supplied over 100 fume hoods and ventilated enclosures for new Royce facilities.
With a proven track record of successful delivery of multi-million-pound projects, talk to the friendly Clean Air team about your requirements.