The solution

EcoCooling worked closely with approved installer Celsius Design to design and deliver a system which was both efficient and cost effective.  After the initial enquiry and a site visit, a spot cooling system was proposed for the problem areas on mezzanine floors, which could be installed quickly and without disrupting production.

In total, three separate EcoCooling systems with associated ducting were installed into the factory, using 4-way diffuser grilles to target the cool air at staffed areas.  This allowed the areas to be controlled separately depending on the number of staff in the area, while also ensuring there was enough cooling redundancy to manage scaling up of production in each area if required.

Celsius took into account the existing building design to ensure the lowest possible capital outlay for the new system. Specialised Canvas already had an existing ventilation fans installed, so these fans were utilised as part of the balanced ventilation system required for the EcoCooling system.

The result

The cooling solution has significantly improved the working environments for Specialised Canvas employees. Temperatures are guaranteed to be below 25C all year round in the facility, even on the hottest days, ensuring production can continue seamlessly throughout the summer months.

The natural cooling process and low electricity usage supports Specialised Canvas’s commitment to reduce the carbon footprint of their factories and has helped drive them towards their net zero target. The three coolers are projected to cost 42p per hour to run and will cover an area of 750m2, which is a fraction of the cost of an alternative refrigeration-based system.

Additionally, the system is compliant with new COVID building requirements – open doors and windows do not affect the EcoCooler’s performance.  This means suitable internal non-fire doors within secure areas can be left open, which reduces touchpoints, further minimising the spread of bacteria on surfaces and helps further ventilate internal spaces.

A little more about mezzanine floors:

High temperatures on mezzanine floors are a common problem in industrial buildings due to natural stratification-based effects (heat rising).  This effect adds around 1°C per meter of building height, meaning mezzanine floors temps can be significantly hotter than those at ground level. Additionally, most manufacturing facilities install their heat producing machinery at ground level, couple this with stratification and the results are often increased temperatures higher up in the buildings.

Unlike refrigeration, EcoCooling evaporative cooling systems work as part of a ventilation system, meaning they can spot cool mezzanine floors without any loss in effectiveness. Targeting areas where workers are operating provides comfortable conditions while reducing installation requirements and cost.  One EcoCooler covers an area of 250m2 and costs 14p per hour to run.

Fixed installations can be planned with no downtime to operations, while mobile coolers offer the perfect temporary solutions to the hottest days, making them the ideal solution for mezzanine floor cooling.

Testimonial

“The EcoCooling system is very effective while remaining efficient.  The system has addressed all of the overheating issues without the need for any downtime in production.  Staff are happy and cool and we are ready for the busy summer ahead.”  Sam Bramah, Director, Specialised Canvas