The project
Dagenham Park School consists of a secondary school of circa 11,000m2.
The environmental method adopted was based on a clear process of 'mean', 'lean', and 'green' methodologies. Our strategy was to take the required output specification together with spending key time to understand how all the stakeholders of the school wished to function in all areas of the building led to successful design.
We firstly applied our design solution against the buildings form and fabric. This approach led to superior in-use air tightness levels (>3m3/(h.m2 on Part L completion testing regime) through application of our DfMA approach. In-use energy analysis during a cold winter spell demonstrated a reduction of 30% in predicted energy consumption. (Comparison was undertaken using degree days and the thermal signature of the building).
Careful design of the fenestration delivered excellent natural daylight levels (56% of the exterior façade is glazed), and also acts as a solar thermal heating source during winter periods. Windows were selected to give a superior 'g' value and have been recessed into the façade design to provide structural ‘brie soleil’ to the south, west and east elevations. The selected precast concrete sandwich frame design acts as a thermal moderator giving a radiant coolth effect during the summer months. This further adds to the occupants thermal comfort levels together with reducing energy consumption levels in areas where mechanical cooling was applied. Selection and application of efficient building systems (mean) supported and enhanced the passive measures used within Dagenham Park School.
Ventilation - A full height ventilation grille was located adjacent to the window. This incorporated a door allowing occupants flexibility in operation; giving effective single sided natural ventilation to all classrooms located around on the perimeter. This design allows the use of night time ventilation; grilles can be safely left open over night allowing the residual heat to escape which has resulted in a pleasant temperature to the classroom during summer mornings. Indication of in-room CO2 levels is communicated to the teacher and pupils by a simple traffic light control system located near to the teacher's desk. In-room units operate automatically when unacceptable levels of CO2 are detected within the classroom. (Recovery of heat from rejected vitiated air preheats fresh air through heat recovery coils). Giving the occupants full control over their classroom environment has resulted in enhanced feelings of wellbeing and has also encouraged a deeper understanding of energy conservation.
Light levels and acoustics - Lighting rafts provide both artificial lighting and contribute to the acoustic properties of classroom (further acoustic treatment is applied to walls). Daylight dimming sensors ensure that natural light is used whenever possible to provide required light levels. In addition, motion sensors turn off lights when rooms are left unoccupied. (Lighting consumption is circa 50% of original target).
The metering strategy was developed during the design stage to ensure that full energy analysis of energy, carbon and water consumption can be effectively carried out.
Our Approach
CHt’s Environmental team reports and presents both environmental conditions and energy performance figures to the head teacher on a monthly basis, and engages with all staff during school hours and at key inset days.
Monitoring has shown that during core school hours, the building is surpassing design expectations. Post Occupancy Soft Landings seasonal adjustments to the sophisticated BMS controls, set points and timings to reflect the in use demands is allowing elemental ‘honing’ of the building to enable it to reach its optimum energy consumption running solution. Further to the technical adjustments, CHt has engaged with teachers and pupils educating them in the importance of energy conservation and creating awareness about how to effectively reduce energy consumption.
This includes the implementation of a 'Green Screen' in the school atrium informing the school staff and pupils of how much and when energy is being consumed and the resultant carbon emissions.
Dagenham Park School consistently, month on month, consumes less energy than the design predicted core hours target.
The engineering behind our delivery
The Energy Platform consists of a bespoke design utilising carefully selected products and software equipment. Data can be hosted in both server ‘on site’ or in a ‘cloud based’ arrangement. The later is managed through our dedicated IT team. Dashboards are fully configurable to the clients needs and data information can be accessed through a number of IT devices, I pad, Tablet, Lap top or PC.