Dimplex air curtains solve persistent problem at Bradford College
A persistent year-round problem with draughts in the reception-desk area of Bradford College has been solved following the installation of two Dimplex air curtains. This college is the fourth largest in the UK, providing courses to 23 000 students each year. The main entrance is also at the top of a hill, increasing exposure of the doorway.
Various heating solutions, localised and environmental, had been tried — but with limited success. Premises manager Terry Langley decided to conduct a major review of all types of heating and energy-management solutions, which included contacting Dimplex.
He explained, ‘The automatic doors are open as frequently as they are closed as we have people coming and going all the time. We needed to resolve the issue as we were not only wasting energy, but the constant draughts made it a very uncomfortable place to work.
‘We conducted a thorough review of all types of alternative, including hot-water systems — which turned out to be cost-prohibitive. We called in Dimplex to make an assessment and went with the recommendation of air curtains as a practical and cost-effective way to solve our problems. We certainly didn’t have any dramatic complaints about cold and draughts, even during last year’s very cold winter.’
Two architectural air curtains with a brushed stainless-steel finish have been installed either side of the doors as vertical units to prevent warm or cool air escaping when the doors are opened. Electric units were selected and sized to fit the doors, as there was sufficient and safe space either side, and the ceiling space was impractical for a recessed or ceiling-mounted unit.
Tamper-proof thermostats and automatic control of heat and fans reduce output when the doors are closed.
This installation has been operated manually during the first year, with the addition of a time switch. The next phase is to link it to the college’s BMS via the standard interface supplied.
