Posts Tagged ‘Ecolibrium’

Outside air

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

Sean Mc Gowan in his report “Rare Air” AIRAH Ecolibrium June 2009 Vol 8.5 p22 – 24 investigates the issue of outside air introduced via operable windows in spaces such as classrooms rather than via mechanical ventilation. The article expresses concern by AIRAH members that domestic based contractors and consultants are, due to lack of familiarity with the “outside air” requirements of the BCA, recommending the inappropriate use of domestic split systems. These are increasingly being used as a cheaper alternative to more suitable “commercial” solutions in schools, government buildings, shops, training rooms, small offices and the like.

What we are increasingly seeing inside our commercial buildings!

(more…)

Is it Fire Safety Engineering vs ESD?

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

It’s a resounding “No!” according to Bart Taylor, director and group fire leader at WSP Lincolne Scott. In AIRAH’s feature article  “The New Wave” Ecolibrium Nov 2009 Vol 8.10, p21 – 22 Bart and AIRAH put a strong case to prove that fire safety engineering can support ecologically sustainable design. Using Melbourne’s (Victoria, Australia) Southern Cross Station as a case study Bart says there is “considerable fire safety engineering required to enable green designs.”

Photo credit – eArchitect

Bart also explains “that environmental design often pushes very hard against the prescriptive code, which doesn’t specifically envisage the range of environmental variations often being proposed.”

Now let’s combine Heritage, Energy Efficiency and Fire Safety Engineering … That’s for another blogticle!