Kilcoskan National School Co. Dublin

Kilcoskan National School Co. Dublin

  • Client Department of Education
  • Mechanical Installer Waterford Insulation
  • Consultant Engineer Declan Keane

This project focused on delivering a compliant, comfortable, and quiet internal atmosphere for children and staff within the SNA rooms (two dedicated spaces) at Kilcoskan School. The primary objective was to ensure our Mechanical Heat Recovery system actively supports the educational needs of the occupants.

  • Success Criteria: Delivering a relaxed, quiet environment (critical in spaces dedicated to focused learning) while meeting compliance standards for air quality, CO2 levels and acoustics.

The Challenge

The project presented critical technical challenges that necessitated a bespoke engineering approach:

  • Ultra-Low Noise Profile: Achieving an extremely low operating noise level was paramount. While the standard for general school facilities is 35 dB, the sensitive nature of the SNA rooms required an even lower target of 30 dB, posing a significant technical challenge.
  • External Installation: Constraints from structural space limitations required the outdoor adaptation of units originally designed for indoor use.
  • Air Delivery Constraint: Due to the learning environment where children often lie on the floor, floor-based ventilation was unsuitable. This necessitated the use of high-level ducted systems to deliver air.

The Solution

We developed an integrated MVHR acoustic system that successfully resolved the noise and location challenges.

  • Adaptation: A bespoke roofing system was engineered to weatherproof the Versatile MVHR unit, ensuring full operational reliability outdoors.
  • Noise Reduction: The critical 30 dB noise target was successfully achieved. This involved installing custom-fitted sound attenuators on the ductwork to reduce and absorb noise.
  • Air Delivery: Ducted systems were utilized to deliver air at a high level, ensuring the safety of occupants who may be lying on the floor and supporting the additional needs of the children.
  • Energy Efficiency: PIR sensors control operation based on room occupancy. The unit activates upon detecting movement and enters standby when vacant, guaranteeing zero energy consumption when not needed.
  • Air Tempering: Heater batteries were incorporated into the system to provide tempered air.
  • Air Quality: The unit operates autonomously using an integrated CO2 sensor to maintain optimal co2 levels below 1000 ppn.
  • Safety & Control: The system is fully integrated with the fire alarm for automatic shutdown, and a “Boost Button” was installed, giving staff manual control over max ventilation.

The successful adaptation and ultra-low noise profile were instrumental in achieving an environment where the children’s needs come first. We are proud to have delivered a solution that not only ensures compliance and energy efficiency but also helps to establish a truly inclusive and supportive learning environment at Kilcoskan School.

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