Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa March/April 2014 | Page 24

Panoramic views of the landscaping from all offices and open plan workspaces unite the exterior with the interior Toilet extraction is achieved by mechanical axial fans located in the rooftop plant area and sheet metal ducting from each toilet core. The relative humidity is not positively controlled but would be indirectly controlled within the comfort range as a result of the design and selection of the cooling plant. Chilled Water Generation & Distribution The series of air cooled chillers generate the required chilled water. The chillers utilise environmentally friendly refrigerants. The chilled water is distributed to the terminal air handling units by mechanical pumps and thermally insulated steel piping. The pump arrangement is duty-standby to ensure continuous operation during system maintenance. When required, the chilled water is distributed horizontally through the co-ordinated ceiling void to in ceiling mounted fan coil units serving dedicated spaces (cellular offices, boardrooms). Conditioned Air Distribution: Open Plan Spaces The open plan office space is conditioned by means of floor standing variable air volume (VAV) AHU’s located in various mechanical plant rooms, located on each floor. The open plan areas are zoned, as necessary, to ensure optimal thermal comfort for the occupants. Conditioned air is supplied to the space by means of externally insulated sheet metal ducting and ceiling mounted diffusers (constant and variable volume type as required). Air is returned to the units via ceiling mounted ceiling curved blade return air grilles. The outdoor air (fresh air) is delivered to the space via external weather louvres located on the façade of the building within the mechanical plant room. Heating in winter will be by means of electric resistance elements located in the AHU’s, FCU’s and at the terminal diffusers as required. The AHU’s maintain the desired internal conditions automatically. Conditioned Air Distribution: Cellular Offices and Boardrooms The cellular offices and boardrooms are conditioned by means of dedicated FCU’s allowing full individual control to these spaces. These areas have been identified as requiring dedicated units due to their unique heat load profiles; this ensures optimal thermal comfort for the occupants within these areas. The outdoor air (fresh air) is delivered to each unit by means of uninsulated sheet metal 24 Cell C Head Office