Suffolk One Sixth Form College

Type of works: supply of EcoCooling evaporative coolers for sports hall.

Suffolk One will be a landmark development, providing modern and flexible teaching when it opens in September 2010. The 20,200m² building, funded by the Learning and Skills Council, will accommodate 2,200 students from Ipswich and South Suffolk.

EcoCooling, itself a Suffolk-based company was delighted to be able to assist in the cooling of their sports hall where an environmentally friendly solution was demanded. The design specification for the cooling of the sports hall had to be both environmentally friendly and quiet since not only is cooling required for the various sports activities but also for use when the hall is used for examinations.

EcoCooling evaporative coolers were chosen because of their low-energy usage and associated low-carbon footprint and also their ability to be able to automatically control the air flow and hence temperature within the building. Noise is controlled via the use of roof-mounted attenuation which allows the stringent N35 criteria to be met. This fresh air system also has health benefits since oxygen levels within the building are increased which will have immediate benefit for both athletes and for brain power during exams.

The design commissioned provides three EcoCooling evaporative coolers and three large natural louvred vents with polycarbonate louvres. The coolers have sound attenuation both before and after the fan system to ensure noise compliance is met. The system uses 90% less power than a conventional system and will save the council several thousand tonnes of carbon emissions per annum.