9 minute read
Fan-tastic classrooms keep their cool
Images courtesy of Mammoth Fans
By Heather Barker Vermeer
Industry Reporter
Air quality and temperature in schools has been closely linked with academic performance, in particular impacting on concentration in the classroom.
Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has been demonstrated to have a negative eff ect on att ention span, with high CO2 levels or temperatures having shown a noticeable drop in concentration among students. Longer-term impacts on health such as headaches, coughs, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin are also known side eff ects of inadequate IAQ. Constant airfl ow is a year-round health and safety requirement on top of summer cooling needs, but cost, energy effi ciency, and reliability all factor when considering commercial fan purchases for your school. Finding the answer to achieving optimum temperatures of 18-25 degrees in the classroom isn’t as easy as popping down to the supermarket with some pett y cash: off -the-shelf options can only tackle top temps to some degree. Still, choosing between commercial options, from injected moulded plastic to aluminium fan housing with plastic spigots, galvanised steel with a polyester epoxy fi nish, hot-dipped galvanised mild steel, reinforced moulded polypropylene plastic, epoxy coated steel, UV-stabilised fi breglass and more, can make decision-making feel like a minefi eld.
For this reason, handing over your heating and cooling conundrums to an expert can help reduce stress levels, cost, and noise, as well as those top temperatures. Manufactured specifi cally for high use within educational environments, commercial fans are oft en supplied by companies knowledgeable about a school’s particular needs and standard requirements, so it’s worth doing some homework and talking to those with experience in your sector.
Popular fans for school buildings
Popular in the USA, and increasingly so across Australia, High Volume Low Speed (HVLS) fans move air towards the fl oor in a column that rolls in all directions until it reaches a wall, or another airfl ow from another fan. This movement causes the hot air to go up and back towards the blades and causes the cold air to sink. During winter, HVLS fans redistribute warm air trapped at the ceiling down to fl oor level to create an eff ective, balanced distribution of warmth. Most HVLS fans are more than two metres in diameter.
Fans can be used to supplement ventilation, particularly important in our pandemic-impacted world. Ceiling fans can be used with windows and doors open, with caution that they do not interfere with the natural fl ow of air in and out of the space. Without engaging an expert though, schools are at risk of installing fi xed fans without specifi c consideration for how they interact with the natural air fl ow.
For example, some fi xed fans should not be used when windows and doors are closed as this can simply circulate unhealthy air even further than it would usually be spread. Installation should always improve existing natural ventilation.
On the other hand, standing portable fans present downsides for schools such as noise, running costs, and health and safety hazard potential. The standard portable fans widely available to the consumer may not produce suffi cient air movement to off er signifi cant improvement to your classroom environment. Moreover, ducted systems are usually designed to be operated with windows and doors closed unless a tailor-made design solution has been found to achieve eff ective results in conjunction with natural ventilation.
Commercial fans allow for a greater level of control, with automated operation and timers able to be set to suit the season, size and height of a space, under expert guidance, and compliance issues are taken care of. They also invite aesthetic fl exibility: custom colours are oft en doable when schools engage with professionals in this sphere, just expect some additional costs and/or longer lead times.
Image courtesy of Universal Fans
Industry Viewpoints
Mammoth Fans representative, Shannon Bowden explained that “cost-eff ectiveness and energy-effi ciency should be the top considerations for any school looking to purchase commercial fans”. He advised: “Ceiling fans in general are not only energyeffi cient but also great for reducing electricity bills. Schools can benefi t from saving about 15 percent on their heating and cooling costs when they use commercial fans in conjunction with their current HVAC systems. In summer, good high volume, low speed (HVLS) fans cool large spaces by moving large volumes of air and in winter, they can be run in reverse mode (programmed via controller sett ings) to redirect warm air from the ceiling. So, whatever the season, students will be comfortable while learning. When “fans are fi tt ed with permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM), they off er bett er dynamic performance compared to traditional brush and induction motors, as well as higher effi ciency, longer life, and less noise. These also don’t have a cumbersome gear box, so no ongoing oil lubrication or maintenance required!”
Stuart Meaney, Marketing Manager at Universal Fans, informed us that one key factor for schools to consider when choosing a ceiling fan is “the size of the area where is going to be installed”. “For instance, a high-volume low-speed fan (HVLS) is more suitable for larger and more open areas, as it moves a large amount of air at a slower rate; having said that, standard ceiling fans (non-HVLS) in sizes of 80” or 90” can also work well in those areas. On the other hand, smaller rooms would benefi t from regular ceiling fans, which are available in diff erent sizes and airfl ows.
“In terms of energy effi ciency, even an alternative current (AC) motor ceiling fan on the highest speed will typically consume just 60 watt s. This is about the same as a standard light globe, meanwhile a direct current (DC) motor fan generates around 30 watt s on high speed, and 2-3 watt s on low speed. In addition, for many years, the latt er were only available by remote control, but now there are some models that can be operated by fully hard-wired wall control. SMART technology is also popular and enables multiple fans in a space to be controlled individually or as a group.”
Find fans manufactured for high use in educational environments
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INTRODUCING THE NEW SMART SOFTIES™ RANGE!
Our brand-new range raises the bar on every level. Smart Softies™ have been designed from the inside out to be eco-friendly, seriously durable, super comfy and so flexible you can reinvent spaces as often as you like. Easy to move, fun to fit together and friendlier on the planet, they’re a perfect match with our integrated bookcases. Give your learning spaces some extra love with Smart Softies™. Have fun transforming your spaces and creating your ideal break out zones.
C Sebel Furniture P 1300 664 732
E sales@sebelfurniture.com W sebelfurniture.com
MAXIMISE YOUR SHADE
Maximise the sun-safe outdoor environment at your school with a MakMax Australia Shade Structure. With a wide range of bright colours and designs, the MakMax Australia range of Modular Shade Structures and Architectural Umbrellas are an easy way of adding shade to your school campus. Made in Australia from the highest-quality materials, and engineered by our expert team to be safe, strong, and long-lasting, you can really make a statement at your school with MakMax.
C MakMax Australia P 1300 625 629
HEATSEEKER DUALSUN
Supreme Heating’s Heatseeker DualSun Hybrid Thermal/PV panel is one such technology. With its ability to provide sustainable & renewable solar energy, in the form of electricity and thermally heated water in one panel, this innovative technology helps to drive down the operational expenduature of Aquatic Centre’s, allowing budget to be placed back into community programs, extending the centre’s value. DualSun panels optimise roof space by producing heated water and electricity to heat and maintain the temperature of the pool using a plate heat and preheat the hot water system using a second plate heat exchanger. The electricity generated can be used directly in the building during the day, and any surplus electricity can be returned to the grid.
C Supreme Heating P 1300 787 978
FANCO ECO SILENT DELUXE
For over 10 years Fanco Australia has been an industry leader in fans, ventilation and air movement products. We are committed to innovation and sustainability with a firm focus on the future and new technologies. Our Ceiling Fan range is highly regarded, as an industry specialist with an emphasis on quality, energy eff iciency (DC fans) and durability; we are also proud to currently have eight models recommended by Choice Magazine like the Eco Silent Deluxe, supplied with a new innovative hardwired DC wall controller.
C Universal Fans P 1300 205 523 W www.universalfans.com.au
WOODVILLE ANGLES BENCHES
Astra Street Furniture’s range of Woodville Angled Benches has just expanded with a greater variety available! The Woodville base plate angled benches are now available in anodised aluminium (plain silver aluminium or powder coated to a colour of your choice!), and wood grain aluminium slat options! Our favourite benefit of aluminium slats is that they require very minimal maintenance to keep them looking brand new in your facility! The wood grain aluminium slats also off er a premium timber look without any of the ongoing maintenance that timber requires! Angled benches promote a positive environment for inclusive group work and collaboration tasks within any facility. When incorporating Orbit tables, it helps aid outdoor writing/working tasks that were traditionally limited to indoor facilities. The Woodville Angled Benches are in stock for fast delivery Australia wide – enquire with Astra Street Furniture today!
C Astra Street Furniture P 1300 889 821
E sales@astrastreetfurniture.com.au W www.astrastreetfurniture.com.au
INTRASPACE CONVERTIBLE SHELVING
The IntraSpace Convertible Shelving is a modular library shelving system designed for intensive use and maximum flexibility. The units can be configured as traditional shelving with an option to add lockable castors to make them mobile. They can be used in either single or double bay configurations, each with various shelf heights available. They are available in a variety of surface colours with matching edging colours. Now available as an option are bottom hinged plinths to conceal the wheels. IntraSpace's mobile units allow librarians to reconfigure their library layout whenever necessary, making use of learning spaces eff ectively.
C IntraSpace P 1800 800 573
