FARNBOROUGH 6TH FORM COLLEGE DEMANDS “SENTINEL” FRESH AIR FROM VENT-AXIA
Vent-Axia is helping Farnborough 6th Form College meet optimum classroom ventilation standards and save energy with its state-of-the-art Sentinel Totus D-ERV (Demand Energy Recovery Ventilation) system.
The installation of eight Sentinel Totus units will mean that Farnborough 6th Form College meets the ventilation requirements set out in Building Bulletin 101 which provides the regulatory framework for the Building Regulations. This specifies limiting CO2 levels within teaching and learning spaces to 1500 parts per million, helping to keep pupils alert and ready to learn.
The Sentinel Totus system was selected for the project for it high efficiencies and precise control options which provide the required amount of fresh air while keeping CO2 levels within prescribed levels. Specified to control ventilation in sixteen classrooms in the single storey 6th form college, every Sentinel Totus unit was installed to serve two classrooms each. Mounted on the roof, these constant pressure units feature in line dampers and ventilate the classrooms via central risers. The individual dampers are controlled in each classroom via a BMS interface which is linked to a CO2 sensor, as a result, a change in CO2 levels triggers the damper to open or close and the fan speed to increase or decrease to ensure good ventilation is maintained.
In addition, the Sentinel Totus units are also linked directly to the college’s BMS system to ensure they only operate when needed. The Sentinel Totus system is therefore set onto standby, using only 0.6W of energy, until the classroom temperature reaches 24deg C. At this set temperature the actuators in the windows close and the units are activated to provide ventilation.
Integrating Vent-Axia’s proven on-demand control concept with efficient EC/DC motor technology and a state of the art counterflow heat recovery cell to achieve up to 90% energy recovery – the Sentinel Totus boasts the highest performance of any system on the market, and the UK’s first D-ERV system to be independently rated and tested to EN308.
Sentinel Totus is designed to operate on the principles of on-demand ventilation. It responds to the precise ventilation requirements of a room at any one time providing the right level of supply and extract airflow only when required, making it ideal for schools, hotels, theatres, offices and other environments with changing occupancy patterns. Sentinel Totus also recovers maximum energy (heat and cool) from the extracted air, transferring it into the fresh air supply via the unit’s integral high efficiency counterflow heat exchanger. The result is a system which achieves required airflow rates and ventilates according to precise needs, significantly reducing fuel consumption, energy costs and cutting the carbon footprint of a building by up to 30% more than conventional crossflow energy recovery ventilation devices.
The system’s on-demand operation can be triggered by its response to room occupancy according to a range of different sensor readings. These can include PIR occupancy detection, to activate the unit, with additional proportional airflow control from a combination of sensors, CO2, humidity or temperature. These sensors communicate with the main Sentinel Totus unit which, in turn, drives the fan to the required speed to deliver the airflow and respond precisely to room conditions. Sensors can be combined to generate a hierarchy of control for the ventilation system and ventilation system operation can also be easily linked in to a Building Management System via volt free contacts for monitoring, if required.
Sentinel D-ERV is part of Vent-Axia’s award-winning Sentinel demand ventilation range of commercial and residential applications. Sentinel demand ventilation is a popular choice on educational projects where the energy and air quality benefits can be fully realised. For those seeking expert advice on how to achieve the best outcomes for their schools or other public buildings, then the VA offers practical advice on HVAC installation and selection. This is supported by guidance on the best solutions to meet legislative requirements, project management, after sales support and maintenance information. Local authorities and specifiers who invest in the VA will learn the ventilation knowledge and skills necessary to deliver the best academic environment and brightest future for Britain’s schools and colleges.