SAS Active Chilled Beams Meet the DWP’s Strict Design Requirements

As part of the Government’s Jobcentre Plus programme by the Department of Works & Pensions (DWP), Scott Brownrigg were commissioned by Land Securities Trillium to design a new 28,450 sq ft office building in Bournemouth.

The building merged two Jobcentre Plus offices into one modern, three-storey building, which features an active chilled beam system from SAS International. The facility was designed on an unusually shaped site and incorporates sustainable initiatives in order to achieve the highest possible “BREEAM” rating.

“The chilled beams supplied through SAS provide an ideal cooling solution”commented Mark Longland, the Jobcentre Plus Mechanical Engineer for M&E Consultants WSP. “The system is energy efficient and quiet making it ideal for a modern office type environment. SAS were able to manufacture a bespoke ceiling system which met the strict design and branding requirements the DWP has for all its Jobcentre Plus buildings.”

A solution utilising SAS active chilled beams to provide room cooling and fresh air was specified. SAS undertook the design, manufacture and co-ordination of both the suspended metal ceiling and active chilled beam system to meet the DWP’s strict fit-out requirements.

A hybrid ceiling incorporating a tapered profile between the ceiling tiles was specially designed to accommodate the curvature of the building. Extract grilles were produced to exactly match the design of the grille used on the underside of the chilled beam.

SAS International’s chilled ceilings and beams use water, as opposed to air or refrigerant, as the heat transfer medium. This type of system helps to reduce energy usage due to the system’s comparatively high operating temperature of between 14°C and 17°C, as well as the ability to set up separate cooling zones, ensuring only occupied areas are cooled. Chilled ceilings and beams can be combined with technologies such as free cooling and ground sourcing to increase their energy efficiency even further.

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