A number of major cities in the UK are laying down criteria for energy from renewable sources as a proportion of a building’s total energy requirements.  With some of these targets as high as 20% energy from these sources, planning consents are set to become more challenging.

According to TROX Design Bureau multi service chilled beams can provide consultants with systems that can more readily use these renewable sources.  MSCBs use chilled water at elevated temperatures (14ºC flow,17ºC return) making the use of ground water and heat pumps a viable proposition.

Sustainability does not stop there with MSCBs since many older pre-1970’s buildings can be easily refurbished into modern, spacious, air conditioned offices.  The secret of recycling older buildings using MSCBs lies in the fact that these systems require a maximum of 2.8m from top of the floor slab to underside of the soffit.  Some cabling can be put into a raised floor but the MSCB can also carry cabling to all of the services.

With no false ceilings and the MSCB exposed the office has an airy modern look which is now favoured by many clients.  The buildings with MSCBs are more likely to attract a good rating since energy usage is so much lower.

MSCBs are becoming the system of choice by architects and consultants for two very good reasons, 1) the energy and sustainability arguments, including the ability  to modernise older buildings without resorting  to  demolition  and rebuild, 2) future proofing the building’s ability to meet ever increasing standards either from revision to Part L or from the market place where discerning tenants will look very carefully at the most energy efficient buildings.

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