Estructuras termoactivas vistas por un Facility Manager

Thermo-active Systems in Facility Management

Temperature is one of the biggest Facility Managers’ headaches. A high percentage of the complaints an FM Department receives are related to workspace temperature. If we add to this the complaints regarding the noise generated by the HVAC systems, we can conclude that this system will probably get an award for the most usual cause of negative comments in building management.

They are not just employees’ complaints, but also complaints coming from the C-Suite. From the 350,000 kWh that represents the average annual consumption of an office building in Madrid, 75% are consumed by the HVAC system, so taking good care of this system has a direct influence on the Facility Management Department’s costs. Not only does it influence on costs, but also on the environmental impact of the building.

Amongst the multiple solutions that can be used in new constructions for this matter, today we talk about thermo-active structures. This system leaves temperature control to mass, not air. It is quite simple, construction wise. Water circuits are embedded in a concrete slab and the temperature of the concrete can be regulated by the temperature of the water. The slab becomes a convective radiant element, using the concrete thermal inertia. The water just needs to be at 30ºC to warm-up a room, which is a significant difference with the 60ºC that a radiator system need. The floor can be used to warm the room up in winter and the ceiling can be used to cool it in summer.

This way, all the slab surface helps with temperature control, which prevents thermic stress: there are not much cooler areas than others, as it happens with air systems. At the same time, disassociating air and temperature, acoustical stress is also prevented, since it’s not necessary to renew air because of its temperature, just for its quality, which gets solved with CO2 sensors that detect when renewal is necessary. This, just by itself, implies energy savings.

Let’s see specific data. A pilot project developed by the Danmarks Tekniske Universitet – DTU and the Middelfart Sparekasse (a savings bank) used thermo-active structures at the bank headquarters, which had 5,380 sqm. (You can check the project here http://www.archdaily.com/57217/middelfart-savings-bank-3xn/). The goal was cutting electrical consumption coming from heating, cooling and air circulation in 75-80%, so it was easier to fulfil the energy requirements Danish Law demands.

After building completion and occupation, technical monitoring and satisfaction surveys about interior environment were carried out. Electrical consumption due to heating, cooling and air circulation was reduced by 12-13 kWh/m2/year, which meant a 60%. It should be taken into account that this building has a large glass façade, so in different type buildings savings can be even higher.

Regarding satisfaction surveys, their results showed that 85-90% of occupants were satisfied or very satisfied with the thermic, acoustics and environmental conditions of the building.

Another advantage that should be noted is that with this system construction costs get reduced, since the extra charges related to water circuits and control system are compensated with the savings coming form not installing an HVAC system. On the other hand, it makes the design phase easier too, because it makes it easier to fulfil energy consumption requirements demanded by law.

In Spain we have a good example of thermo active structures at IDOM headquarters in Madrid, which is an office building with 10,000 sqm above ground level and 7,000 sqm below ground level. At this building, thermo-active structure, together with other energy saving passive strategies (solar protection elements, opening orientation, natural light optimization, good insulation, etc.), has achieved that primary energy consumption is 75 kWh/m2 against the 240 kWh/m2 that this building’s operation would need with conventional systems, which means 70% in savings. (Source: http://www.construction21.org/espana/data/exports/pdf/idom-acxt-sede-de-madrid.pdf)

All this information makes thermo-active structures systems very attractive from the Facility Manager´s point of view. Not only can we get significant savings but we can also get a more pleasant environment for the occupants, improving their quality of life and their productivity as employees.

> Photo by: RBean http://bit.ly/1GdDwQB

share on your social networks
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

Do you want more information about what we do in Consultancy, Training and Research en Facility Management?

Hola, ¿cómo
podemos ayudarte?

Rellena el siguiente formulario y te enviaremos el reglamento interno y código ético:

Participate in the Observatorio FM

You can choose between these 3 options to participate:





How to participate?

Collaborating with the Observatorio FM is a personal and voluntary decision, and there is no contractual obligation or economic retribution for it.

Any interested person can apply to participate as a leader of a new project, or apply as a collaborator in an existing one.

A technical committee will evaluate the subject matter of the proposed projects and the applications of the participants, deciding which ones are carried out and by whom.

Each person decides how much they want to dedicate, depending on their availability or type of project. The aim is for it to be an altruistic activity and not an additional workload.

What does it consist of?

To promote and publish studies that help professionals in the sector and to help others understand our profession and discipline.

The results and deliverables are shared openly, always acknowledging the contributions of all authors and contributors.

The Observatorio FM’s activity will respect the objectivity, ethics, rigour and good practices that govern our Research area.

Contributors have access to the best collaborative tools, sectoral information and contacts, as well as the assistance of expert consultants and researchers at international level.

Research

FM Observatory

FM Observatory is a platform which develops and disseminates Facility Management information. It’s accessible to all those who’d genuinely like to participate. Ethical use and objectivity are essential, and all results must be shared. You decide how long you devote to it and what you want to achieve.

You can participate as:

  • Leader: define the topic and coordinate the activity
  • Collaborator: help with development

We will provide:

  • Current situation and trends regarding the subject
  • Access to experts and advisers
  • Collaborative tools
  • Design assistance and dissemination platform

All contributions will be given credit in completed projects.

Research

Projects

We are part of the European research group and we work in international teams to develop different types of initiatives:

  • Public financing
  • International bids

We also work for service providers who require support with decisions linked to:

  • Positioning
  • Product launches
  • Finding partners
Research

Standardisation

As accredited experts in the drafting processes of European and International standards on Asset and Facility Management, we are the perfect partner to assist you with:

  • Standards alignment
  • Assistance with certification
  • Specialised training

FMHOUSE is the only Spanish-speaking consulting firm that participates in these processes.

Research

Publications

At FMHOUSE we think that progress made in Facility Management should be shared, so we strive to produce and publish the following material:

  • National and international trends
  • Industry analyses
  • Market studies

The “FM Observatory” is open, should you like to contribute with a publication.

Consultancy

Workplace

Our view of spaces or workplaces from a Facility Management perspective leads to a better understanding of such a need as a service, as it is essential to apply the same logic and methodology.

Generally we offer:

  • Assessment and optimisation
  • Design strategies
  • Solutions and scenarios
  • Wellbeing and productivity

We apply our knowledge and experience to offices, learning spaces, shopping centres and the industrial environment.

Consultancy

Benchmarking

In order to make the right decisions, clear accurate market data as well as facts about the organisation itself is essential. In the Facility Management environment, this is even more critical due to the impact it has on business.

Examples of benchmarks:

  • Operating costs
  • Resource use/allocation
  • Audits and compliance assessment

These services are requested mainly by end users, but also by service providers.

Consultancy

Customer Experience

Facility Management’s overarching goal is customer satisfaction, whether they are internal or external. Understanding their feelings and needs is the key to offering a good service.

Our support is based on:

  • Satisfaction assessment
  • Customer perception
  • People-oriented models
  • Change management

We strive to understand and get to know our clients’ customers, in all sectors and types of businesses.

Consultancy

Digital Transformation

The Facility Management world is experiencing a major transition to digital environments. We help our clients understand how it impacts them and assist them throughout the change.

Our areas of support are:

  • Process digitization
  • Viability and integration
  • Digital culture
  • Technological response

We operate as independent advisers, not as brand vendors.

We advise end-users and service providers.

Hello, ¿how
can we help you?

Consultancy

Service Design

All kinds of companies need to define or improve the way in which it structures supporting activities provided by Facility Management.

Our main products are:

  • Status diagnostics
  • Service dimensioning
  • Grouping and models
  • Help with tenders
  • Assistance with implementation

Our proposals are structured according to individual requirements.

We help end customers and also service providers.

In FMHOUSE, we use third party cookies to improve our services. If you continue with navigation, we will consider that you accept our terms of use y nuestra privacy policy y de cookies