Thermal Comfort in Schools: The Key to a Productive Learning Environment

In our current society, we spend the majority of our time indoors. Students and staff spend a large amount of this time inside at school or other educational buildings. Playing such a key role in their lives it is important that these buildings are providing the best indoor environment for learning. A key factor in providing the best learning environment is thermal comfort, which relates to the subjective satisfaction of individuals with the thermal environment.

It has been shown that poor thermal comfort has negative effects on students’ ability to learn and concentrate, which in turn will reduce productivity levels. For staff, poor thermal comfort levels could also reduce productivity levels, and affect mood with increased irritation due to an uncomfortable environment. Over a prolonged period, this will begin to affect the well-being of building occupants and prevent them from performing at their best.

Inefficient methods of heating/cooling an environment will lead to increased costs for building owners this is an issue often present in schools, due to their high energy consumption levels relating to thermal comfort. This shows the real importance and value for all when ensuring good thermal comfort in a building by efficient methods.

Benefits of High Thermal Comfort:

• Increased Productivity
• Better ability to focus
• Improved well-being for building occupants
• Cost Reduction – due to more efficient heating/cooling methods

How can FTF Group® help?

Due to their high occupancy density, it can be difficult to provide the right levels of thermal comfort in schools. FTF Group® can help with this, with our range of products which can be used for school and educational environments.

Multi-Service Radiant Panels (MSRP's)

Multi-Service Radiant Panels (MSRP’s) combine Radiant Panel (electric or LTHW) with acoustic sound absorption and integrated LED lighting 100% pre-fabricated, ‘plug n play’ units.

Providing the ideal solution for schools and universities, due to their flexibility allowing other services to be incorporated such as; apertures for sprinkler heads, compartment trunking for other electrical services, apertures for PA and VA speakers plus lighting controls and many other building services.

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Recepto™ MVHR Units

FTF Group's Recepto™ Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) units provide energy savings for schools and academies as one of the highest efficiency units available on the market, with a shallow depth construction. These units transfer the heat from the extract (old air) into heating the new fresh air intake. All schools need fresh air but not at the expense of loosing all the heat from the old air.

The Recepto™ units transfer heat from extracted room air, via the use of a Eurovent-certified aluminum static heat exchanger, to the fresh air supply with an efficiency of up to 94%. Angle-mounted centrifugal fans, within the unit, allow for a shallow construction depth and provide a more efficient option to typical fans, along with generating less noise.

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Modula

Modula is an unobtrusive modular smooth faced heating panel, which has copper tube serpentine coils with no joints (so zero risk of any leakage) inserted into extruded aluminum heat exchangers to provide optimum heat exchange from the LTHW and works well with heat pumps. These versatile panels are available in a variety of lengths and are designed to be integrated within a standard 24mm exposed grid ceiling system, but can also be recessed into plasterboard, installed as a free hanging unit or surface mounted.

Specifically developed for use in schools and healthcare environments, the smooth-faced simple-to-install panel with high heating capacity provides a perfect solution for this application.

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Multi-Service Chilled Beams (MSCB's)

FTF Group's Multi-Service Chilled Beams (MSCB's) provide all the Cooling and Heating benefits of a standard Chilled Beam but also includes features such as LED lighting, PIR sensors, smoke detectors, sprinklers or any other required building service, in a single 100% pre-fabricated unit.

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EcoStrip XP

EcoStrip XP is the optimal solution for heating larger buildings. For school applications, EcoStrip XP can be used for heating larger areas such as sports halls, and good suitability given its robust design. Rear Ball guards are also available as an option.

These panels have no fans or moving parts and are virtually "Maintenance Free." They do not create any noise, and there is no need for ongoing maintenance which allows for installation in difficult-to-access areas, such as sports halls.

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Armis™ LST Radiator Covers

Radiators can reach surface temperatures of up to 80°C, which can result in 3rd-degree burns from only five seconds of skin contact. This can pose a high risk, especially for young students.

FTF Group’s Armis™ Low Surface Temperature (LST) Radiator Covers, encases the existing radiator and create a gap which provides a safe low-temperature barrier that has negligible effect on the heat output of the Radiator.

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EFW Electric Panels

The Electric Frengerwarm™ (EFW) Radiant Heating Panels are unobtrusive radiant heating panels primarily designed to be integrated within a standard 24mm exposed grid ceiling system, recessed into a plasterboard ceiling, installed as a free-hanging unit or surface mounted.

This electric version of Frengerwarm™ has been designed to supply gentle, even, and comfortable radiant heat in various applications through either general or spot heating and by using radiant heat this reduces any loss of heat through the reduced stratification of heated air. With a heating output of approximately 830W/m², FTF Group’s EFW panels are one of the most efficient smooth-faced electric radiant panels available, and with a variety of sizes and colors available, they are ideal to fit in with any aesthetic. FTF Group can manufacture virtually any size and shape that your project may require.

Click here to learn more about FTF Group’s EFW Panels