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Monodraught’s R&D department have designed and built a new test rig for determining certain performance criteria of our systems. The rig is designed to specifically measure pressure loss and flow rates through existing and new products such as volume control dampers and ceiling grills.

The design, sensors and test methodology have come from knowledge transfer partnerships (KTP) with the University of Nottingham and University of Reading. Sensors used to measure flow rates are constructed to ISO/BS: 5801 Performance Testing using Standardised Airways and Furness Controls low differential pressure meters are used to measure pressures. The test rig also has temperature sensors and data logging facilities for more detailed testing. It is easily scalable for testing larger or smaller systems depending on the accuracy required.

The pictures show the initial setup of the test rig and some of the instruments in operation, the particular test carried out was for a new class of volume control damper designed to be over and above the stringent building codes for air leakage rates.

Further enhancements will take place to the rig to allow for other tests to be carried out on our systems such as improvements to the airflow louvre design.   

Monodraught had the grand opening of our new exhibition stand at the BSEC conference at Excel 24th and 25th February. The stand was opened by Professor Saffa Riffat, who is the President of the World Society of Sustainable Energy Technology, Professor Riffat is also head of The Built Environment Institute of Building Technology at The University of Nottingham, where Monodraught have had strong links for over 10 years.

Pictured here is Professor Riffat cutting the ribbon to open the stand, other photographs include shots with Managing Director, Tony Cull, Technical Director, Nick Hopper as well as some of Monodraught’s Technical Consultants. Also part of the group is Matt Gitsham, who is on secondment from Arup as part of their Graduate Program, Matt is working on Bristol School BSF scheme and has a particular interest in sustainability. Because of Monodraught’s commitment to zero energy solutions, Matt found the secondment an ideal opportunity to learn more about building services for ventilation and daylight that are highly sustainable.

The BSEC exhibition/conference was highly successful for Monodraught in terms of addressing the requirements and offering solutions for organisations involved with schools.

The next show that Monodraught will be in attendance at is the EcoBuild Exhibition at Earls Court on the 2nd- 4th March.

Monodraught were once again delighed to support the CIBSE Annual Dinner on February 4th in the Great Room at Grosvenor House, Park Lane. This year as well as Sponsering the always popular after Dinner Charity Casino, we also sponsored one of the catagories of the Low Carbon Performance Awards. The reduction of  Carbon emmissions is forefront in the design of all Monodraught systems and plays an integral part when preparing our schemes to our clients.

Seen here in one of the photographs is Managing Director, Tony Cull, presenting the award for Refurbishment Project of the Year to the London Fire Brigade for Croydon Fire Station, also pictured is the CIBSE President Mike Simpson. The awards and dinner were made all the more enjoyable by Alistair McGowan, who was thoroughly entertaining and is a keen supporter of low carbon initiatives.

Monodraught is delighted to unveil the next generation in our exhibition stands, the new stand has undergone a total facelift from the previous design that had been used for the last 5 years. The new design is of a modular construction and is easily adapted to either a two sided or three sided display depending upon the requirement of the exhibition. This stand will also feature a number of plasma screens to enhance the display of our range of systems that are being shown. The stand will receive its grand opening at BSEC (Building Schools Exhibition and Conference) at Excell on February 24th and 25th, our stand number will be S10706. After this show, there are further exhibitions booked for 2010, details of which can be found on the Exhibitions Section of our website.

Monodraught have provided literally hundreds of our 530mm diameter Sunpipe systems to three Decathlon stores in Portugal.  Decathlon are Europe’s leading Sports Goods retailers and as well as having stores throughout Europe have also expanded into Brazil, China and India.  Their intention is to only have the electric lights on during the winter time and during the summer months, the Sunpipes will be the source of light during the daytime.  This will provide huge savings in energy costs to Decathlon.

Monodraught would like to wish all of our clients and associates the best
of fortune for 2010 and that everyone has a successful year ahead.

Despite the worst snow conditions for 30 years, Monodraught’s sales and installation teams are ready and at hand to help whatever your requirements may be.  It will take more than blizzard conditions to bring Monodraught to a standstill!

Cool-phase is an extremely low energy, fresh air ventilation system for use within the Commercial, Education and Healthcare sectors. It is capable of providing both cooling and heat recovery, but at a fraction of the power of typical AC systems. Using a Phase Change Material Cool-phase is able to store and release thermal energy highly effectively. 

In cooling mode it uses cold night-time air to charge the PCM. The following day it can use the stored energy to reduce the temperature of air passing through the system. Inversely heat recovery mode will actively re-circulate the buildings warmth through the PCM late in the afternoon. The stored heat can then be used the following day to help offset heating requirements.

Cool-phase is a green alternative helping to reduce a building’s carbon footprint, but ultimately future development is to power the system entirely using a photo-voltaic array, providing a fully zero carbon alternative to air conditioning, for intelligent buildings of the future. VISIT www.cool-phase.com

After many months of planning, Monodraught has published a new 40-page brochure specifically devoted to Schools.  The brochure was originally designed as an informative look at the Regulations, particularly BB101, which is the ventilation requirements for Schools, but it was rapidly recognised that there are no less than 14 Rules, Regulations, and Guidance documents, that have been published, all concerning the development of Schools.  Monodraught decided, therefore, to put together a comprehensive booklet explaining the function and relationship to one another.  A detailed description is therefore given on CABE, BREEAM, BB 93, BB 101, BB 87, BB 95, and other relevant documents. 

The 40-page booklet is designed to guide the Specifier through the tangled web of these requirements but has been put together with the valuable assistance of Dr Martin Liddament of VEETECH but also with input from Reading University and other associated bodies.

To view a copy of our New Schools e-brochure please CLICK HERE