The Coffs Harbour Tafe project involved the design of HVAC systems in a variety of education settings including Art rooms with kilns requiring specialist exhaust systems and music recording systems requiring specialist acoustic barriers to reduce noise breakout.
The project also required a 30% reduction in energy usage, as well as pandemic response systems and inclusion of Photohydroionisation(PHI) cells to destroy surface contaminants creating a safe and health environment.
Reduction in Energy Usage
The project brief included a 30% reduction in energy usage.
The project team undertook significant & detailed building modelling to compare the proposed addition to the minimum requirements as outlined in Section J of the NCC. With careful selection & collaboration, the energy usage was able to be reduced within the simulations by 38.7% while maintaining a practical building solution & selecting glazing that aligned with the natural light transmission the client had envisioned for the space.
Pandemic Response
A requirement for this project was the design & implementation of a ‘Pandemic Response’ system – to be controlled offsite within the central building control system.
When activated by the mechanical control systems, pandemic response mode will run the fancoil units in fan only mode to distribute 100% outside air flush into the associated space. Once completed the equipment is to run back on the assigned schedule. The mode must be overridden as required in the event of a fire or bushfire.
Photohydroionization (PHI) cells
In addition to the Pandemic Response requirements, all outside air intakes were complete with Photohydroionization (PHI) cells. This technology is an air purifier & works on the ionic oxidation process by using an electromagnetic energy cell to create ionized hydro-peroxides plasma made from oxygen and humidity. These devices kill 99% percent of microorganisms from the air, & destroy surface contaminants such as mould to create a safe & healthy environment.
Kiln Room Exhaust
This project had a specialised Kiln Room, with a combination of gas & electrical Kilns. EVC created a ventilation design that ensured the requirements of AS5601 were met for the gas appliances, & additional measures could be implemented for the remaining equipment.
Each hood was designed for each specific Kiln & had additional measures to prevent damage & early corrosion from the art being fired.
To ensure the systems efficiency, the exhaust fan implemented a magnehelic gauge across the filter bank, which would in turn generate a filter replacement alarm & light once the pressure limit from the dirty filter is reached.
Music Recording Studios
Pressure sensors were implemented within the recording & music spaces. These relay the signal to control the modulating damper serving the associated fancoil unit.
The systems were also acoustically lined & contained attenuators to reduce noise breakout.