As a business Holborn Projects, works largely with close control air-conditioning and cooling for large data centres, where the maintenance of a predictable, cool temperature is all that matters. Draughts are largely irrelevant.
However, when we work on commercial air conditioning systems, typically keeping office environments a bearable 15-16 degrees in summer, draughts can be a major problem. Instead of keeping everyone cool, an errant draught can lead some to get hot under the collar and disruptive to the working office.
The ceiling cassettes or wall mounted cooling units, blowing their cold air are a familiar site and the root of the problem. To try and cool an entire office, there will be cold spots where the air is expelled into the room and warmer zones where the draughts take longer to reach.
We plan the spacing of vents to try and mitigate the effects, but it’s easy to understand the problem. And now, thanks to Danish company KE Fibertech it’s easy to solve the problem.
The solution offered by Fibertech is the Airsock, which is designed to distribute large quantities of cool air without causing draughts. It looks good to.
Instead of steel or aluminium ducting, often hidden in the ceiling void, the Airsock is a round, semi-round or quarter round duct made of a porous, lightweight textile material, unique to the Danish manufacturers.
The idea is a simple one and relies on the material allowing very small amounts of cold (or warm) air out through each tiny hole, slowing the airspeed so no draughts are detectable, but spread over the entire surface area of the duct.
The idea is similar to comparing a sprinkler with a hose pipe; they both shift the same amount of water, but one is a strong stream, the other a gentler stream through lots of holes, spreading the reach and impact of the spray.
And talking of water or more specifically humidity, where very high humidity is present (over 85%) Fibertech will add an active silver antimicrobial treatment to reduce the risk of mould. So even if you are looking to ventilate your public swimming pool or cool your steam-filled restaurant kitchen, we can do it.
It also looks good. It doesn’t have the retro-industrial feel of exposed metal ducting and grilles, but it’s modern, colourful and can even be printed with logos, messages and instructions to help you make better use of the wasted space above you.
Before you ask, yes it can be fitted in place of your existing ducting and is ideal for buildings lacking sufficient strength to support steel ductwork because fabric ducting and its suspension typically weighs only around 1-2kg per metre.
Here at Holborn Projects we’re renowned for our work with data centre cooling, but if you like the look and feel of Fibertech’s Airsock, then please get in touch and we’ll ensure draughts are no longer a pain in the neck.
Solving the draughts from your air-conditioning
As a business Holborn Projects, works largely with close control air-conditioning and cooling for large data centres, where the maintenance of a predictable, cool temperature is all that matters. Draughts are largely irrelevant. However, when we work on commercial air conditioning systems, typically keeping office environments a bearable 15-16 degrees in summer, draughts can be…
Server room air-conditioning upgrade on drawing board
We didn’t make a big fuss when our new website went live and we filled it with lots of interesting relevant content, but thanks to Google, we recently received an enquiry from a someone that searched for ‘server room air conditioning’. Fortunately, it’s not just something we do, but something we do well and on…
Designing an airflow containment system
Whether its higher energy costs or increasing energy consumption driving the switch to well-designed airflow containment systems, a range of benefits over the open, more traditional data centre designs are on offer. Amongst the advantages offered by an effective airflow containment strategy, is that by preventing the hot air and cold air mixing the cooling…
What to look for when hiring an HVAC contractor?
I recently had a long conversation on the phone with an angry and frustrated project manager working for a construction company. Not because of anything we’d done wrong, but in the hope we might be able to help. It turns out, one of our customers had recommended us to a construction company that needed immediate…
Air-conditioning is about more than temperature
A significant proportion of the work we undertake here at Holborn, is the design, installation and maintenance of precision air conditioning systems. These not only regulate humidity and temperature, down to the last tenth of a degree, but filter particulates out of the air too. Particulate matter in the air is receiving a lot of…
Employment opportunities – but is anyone listening
As a business, I’m glad to report Holborn Projects is doing well, with plenty of work for our core skills of close-control air conditioning and our less well-known power upgrade work. As with many aspects of engineering, we spend a lot of time scoping, specifying, pricing and planning work, before we arrive on site with…
Rise of the electric car
In recent weeks, there’s been lots of focus in the news about tackling air quality issues, and what measures we must put into place to achieve clean air zones in certain parts of the UK. With new reports highlighting the need to reduce pollution levels, particularly in cities, the spotlight is on Diesel-powered vehicles and…
Why your office needs air conditioning (part 2)
In our last blog we looked at the law on temperatures for working environments, thermal comfort and the productivity boost offered by an office deemed comfortable for the majority of workers. Now we’ll look in more depth at a few ways the installation of a new heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system will benefit your employees and…
Why your office needs air conditioning (part 1)
The well-being of employees is becoming ever more important as organisations strive for productivity and efficiency improvements, without impacting the work-life balance. The office environment is receiving increasing attention, with care given to seating, lighting, opening hours, access to break-out areas, fruit, water and even happiness managers. But what about the temperature? While installing air…
Is your air-conditioning ready for this summer’s heatwave?
Although the British summer has been its usual unpredictable self, it appears we might be in for a sustained hot spell, with Mediterranean temperatures promised in the weeks ahead. It’s great for families on holiday or anyone with access to their own pool, but for workers across the country, it will probably create an uncomfortable office environment,…