AET - Flexible Space - UFAC

Underfloor Air Conditioning - Distribution - Flexible Space Systems - Hiross

Flexible space - Underfloor Air Conditioning (UFAC)

Simple design procedure
World beating track record with over 20 million ft² of systems installed over 20 countries with wide climatic variations
Reduced slab-to-slab requirements eases many refurbishment problems and offers huge financial savings in new-build projects
Proven low maintenance costs
AET offers the Flexible Space System at market beating prices, often cheaper than fancoils with major construction cost savings
Each user can control their own microclimate and still remain Part L compliant
Suits projects from 100m² upwards
Reduced construction time
Reduced commissioning time
Proven energy savings compared with VAV & Fancoils
High standards of indoor air quality
Proven high reliability with optional five year warranty
High user satisfaction
Suitable for operation with most raised access floors
Higher EPC ratings achieved 29 (B) L2 2010

Principles of Operation

The designer will divide the floor plate up into homogenous zones in the normal way, usually in the region of 100-350m². Conditioned Air Modules (CAM units) are unobtrusively located throughout the office space to generate conditioned air of up to 35kW per zone.

The Flexible Space System makes use of the floor void directly as a plenum for the distribution of conditioned air. Supply and return areas are created by means of easy fit baffle material and each CAM Unit, fed with CW and LPHW (electric option), delivers air into the supply plenum and draws spent air back through the return plenum. The system offers extremely quiet operation (NR35-40) whilst granting diversity in operation and energy savings. Condensate is drained away.

Individually controlled fan terminals (fantiles) introduce air into the space in accordance with the dictates of their own on-board control systems, which in turn are data-cable linked to the central control for remote monitoring and adjustment. These fantiles may be floor mounted in congested areas or set into a floor void as low as 160mm.

Return grilles placed in the floor over return plena permit spent air to flow back to the CAM unit for re-conditioning. Fantiles and return grilles can often be relocated in less than one minute making significant maintenance and downtime savings on conventional systems.

The whole system is controlled by means of the AET electronic management system and Flexmatic advanced controller with Flexvisor options. All CAMs and fan terminals are connected into the system permitting centralised monitoring and control of important functions (Part L).

Controls Upgrade 2011

Intelligent Control

The importance of full remote monitoring and control cannot be over-emphasised for multi-zoned buildings, energy consumption and Part L compliance
FSS has been developed to offer the best intelligent control available in the market place for underfloor air-conditioning, both at end user and facilities management levels
The user may adjust the temperature and fan speed of their own personal fantile
Lonworks, Bagnet, Modbus available

Fantile

Easy master/slave set-up of fantiles without additional wiring(Part L)
Exclusive centralised control and monitoring of all fantiles also provides easy access for maintenance supervision/intervention anywhere with the LAN/building intranet from any PC (secure logon)
User friendly Flexvisor with graphical interface
Email/SMS text messaging options available for maintenance engineers on the move
Cost effective standard software package avoids costly re-programming during reconfiguration

Fresh Air

Option 1: conventional central ventilation system.

Option 2: decentralised Fresh Air Modules (FAM) designed for underfloor application include two speed fan and filter pack. Extract removed at high level.

Users include: Microsoft, Bloomberg, BAA, BBC, CAA, IBM, LandRover, Sainsburys, BT, Customs & Excise, Regus, Grosvenor, Great Portland Estates, Allied London, London & Regional, Slough Estates.

Further reading: BSJ CPD modules in January 2000 and March 2002;www.flexiblespace.com; www.underfloorsolutions.com