Chilled Beams

Passive and Active Chilled Beam Integration

description
performance
features
project gallery

System Description

Chilled Beams, both active and passive, can be integrated or work in conjunction with any ceiling system to provide energy efficient comfort cooling. Passive beams use natural convection, as hot air rises, it is drawn toward the passive beam. It is then cooled before returning downwards. Passive Beams can be integrated within a ceiling in conjunction with various ventilation systems. Alternatively in order to offset solar gains from glazed facades, perimeter passive beams can be installed to work in conjunction with Coolceil Radiant Chilled Ceilings. Active Chilled Beams can be integrated within metal ceilings, they incorporate a air diffusion unit, which introduces conditioned air to the occupied space. Air is supplied via a series of nozzles, which induces warm air into the beam to be cooled.

Active and Passive Chilled Beams can be integrated with other M&E services and encased within a architecturally designed module. Further details on ISMs (Integrated Service Modules) or MSCBs (Multi-Service Chilled Beams). Chilled Beams use water as a heat transfer method and offer a practical alternative to conventional air conditioning systems. Chilled Beams are manufactured by bonding aluminium heat transfer fins to copper cooling elements. Chilled Beams (a compact product) enable a large surface area to be efficiently cooled.

System Features

Water based cooling solution
Large surface (cooling) area in a compact space
Range of applications
Energy efficient: low operating temperatures and pressure drop
Active or passive cooling
Compatible with ground-sourcing and free cooling technologies
Off-site prefabrication, testing and commissioning available
Lack of moving parts, resulting in low maintenance regimes

Access

Via hinge-down panels.

Sizes & Shapes

A range of shapes, widths and lengths is available to suit most applications.

Finish

Chilled Beam elements are not normally painted, but can be finished in any RAL colour.

Perforation

For optimum performance, a minimum open area of 50% is recommended to ensure air movement for Passive Beams, while an open area of 63% is recommended for Active Beams.

Weight

Varies depending on size of cooling element.

Isometric Drawing

Section Drawing

Performance Data

Passive Chilled Beam	Cooling capacity (aprox)*
Watts per square metre - area (at 3m centres)	130 W/m²
Watts per metre (W/m) - length	up to 400 W/m

Active Chilled Beam	Cooling capacity (approx)*
Watts per square metre - area (at 3m centres)	150 W/m²
Watts per metre (W/m) - length	up to 500 W/m

*Performance is dependant on individual system design.

Applications

Active and Passive Chilled Beams can be either integrated within a traditional suspended ceiling or used on a standalone basis.

Design & Performance

Chilled Beams have been designed to provide maximum levels of comfort cooling. Widths, heights, lengths and the number of cooling elements are all adjustable to meet specific performance requirements.

Operating Temperatures

The water supply and return temperature for Chilled Beams is typically between 14°C and 17°C. These relatively high operating temperatures mean water based cooling systems can be combined with free cooling and ground sourcing for parts of the year. Because of this, there energy consumption is less than other cooling methods.

Comfort Cooling

Chilled Beams provide quiet, draft free cooling, which in turn increases occupant comfort levels.

Maintenance Costs

Due to the lack of moving parts, Chilled Beam maintenance requirements over the product life are greatly reduced.

Durability

Copper and aluminium are both recyclable and durable. Chilled Beams have a life cycle of approximately 25 years.

Chilled Ceilings

Passive Chilled Beams are often used with Radiant Coolceil Radiant Chilled Ceiling systems, particularly in office environments.

Integrated Service Modules (ISMs)

ISMs, or Multi Service Chilled Beams as they are sometimes called, feature a Chilled Beam at the heart of the architecturally designed building service module.

Additional Information

Further information on the range of SAS Chilled Beams can be found in the Room Comfort brochure.

Project Gallery
		London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine SAS International designed, supplied and installed 231 metres of energy-efficient active chilled beams. > Full Details

	Baskerville House, Birmingham SAS radiant chilled ceilings and passive chilled beams helped Baskerville house achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating. > Full Details	King's College, London SAS International manufactures chilled beams system for the refurbishment of King's College, London. > Full Details

	Jobcentre Plus (JCP), Bournemouth Scott Brownrigg specified active chilled beams, mounted flush with a SAS suspended metal ceiling. > Full Details	Scottish Gas (Centrica), Edinburgh Bespoke ceiling rafts incorporating passive chilled beams and other building services were specified and installed for Centrica’s HQ. > Full Details

	Marks & Spencer HQ, Paddington Coolceil Radiant Chilled Ceilings and passive chilled beams provide an ideal cooling solution in the 13 storey HQ in Paddington Basin. > Full Details	China Shipping HQ, Felixstowe Cooceil Radiant Chilled Ceilings and passive chilled beams provided an ideal cooling solution for the open plan areas and cellular office spaces in this new build office facility. > Full Details