by wp_cpt | 16-Mar-15 | Electric Products, Natural Ventilation, WindowMaster
There is now increased demand for the development of highly intelligent buildings. Owners want a building that is sophisticated and highly energy efficient with the potential to reduce operating costs, whilst also providing the occupants with a high level of thermal comfort. There are some important advantages that exist for intelligent buildings, including: Optimised building performance and functionality Automated control and enhanced monitoring of building systems through a single platform Maximised operational and energy efficiency Lower life cycle costs Increased occupant comfort and productivity In order to realise such advantages, it is essential that all building systems, technologies and solutions are integrated into one platform – a Building Management System. It can monitor and control the operation of many of the technologies and systems within a building, ensuring that optimal indoor conditions are maintained, in the most energy efficient manner possible. Natural ventilation is considered to be a vital element in any building striving to increase occupant comfort, as well as decrease operating costs. It can act as a complementary system to the HVAC, providing free cool and air exchange until conditions determine that mechanical ventilation is required. Arens enables you to integrate the automated windows with the Building Management System, which can both monitor and control the building’s natural ventilation. While it is quite common to have simple switch closure for automated windows, this does not allow the natural ventilation system to operate to its full capabilities. When an automatic natural ventilation system is incorporated into your building, it can result in benefits such as: Increased energy efficiency & decreased operating costs – Various studies suggest that heating...
by wp_cpt | 22-Dec-14 | Electric Products, Green Products, Natural Ventilation, WindowMaster
Can the Arens Natural Ventilation Systems integrate with BACnet? Arens provide a number of ways to integrate a smoke or natural ventilation system with BACnet. This will allow for building automation and control systems, such as air conditioning, heating and natural ventilation to exchange status information and operate in synchronisation. What benefits does BACnet integration bring? By integrating the HVAC and Natural Ventilation Systems with BACnet, it allows for synchronisation between building automation and ventilation control systems. This can result in improved thermal comfort and indoor air quality for occupants as well as improving energy efficiency by delaying the activation of the HVAC system. This integration can also allow features such as two way communication between MotorControllers and the BMS, precise position control and feedback, as well as early fault indication. How does Arens make BACnet integration possible? There are a number of ways that BACnet integration is made possible by Arens. WindowMaster FlexiSmoke BACnet Controller (WSC 520) – this will allow for direct communication from the BMS to the MotorControllers that are controlling the actuators, signalling them to either open or close the windows according to when the BMS sees appropriate. This may occur when temperature or CO2 set points are exceeded for example, or windows can be manually operated by occupants in the relevant rooms or zones. Through a voltage free contact – this is our simplest form of integration with BACnet. It will allow the BMS to operate the windows but it will not provide it with any status information. The WindowMaster FlexiSmoke is a BACnet compliant controller that is implementing a standardised profile – using...
by wp_cpt | 1-Dec-14 | Electric Products, Green Products, Manual Products, Natural Ventilation, WindowMaster
As a highly experienced company in the field of automated windows and natural ventilation systems, part of our job is to help you develop accurate specifications for your project. Below are some of the most important considerations for you to take into account in the design phase of your project. Window Actuators Arens offer both chain and linear actuators that can be used for three main purposes: Allow manual operation of high level windows and louvres for natural ventilation Provide a fully automated natural ventilation system Facilitate natural and smoke ventilation systems Window Sizes Ideally, awning sashes should be at least 500mm high in order to avoid the need for chains to be shortened. Windows should also be 450mm wide or greater to ensure there is adequate space for the actuator to be mounted. Arens do offer some custom solutions for smaller windows, but early consultation will be required. If your design is going to incorporate wide sashes, it is important to consider that any window that is greater than 1200mm will require two points of attachment. This is recommended by many window manufacturers to avoid bending or twisting of the frame. Fastenings In high wind loads some fastenings will not hold to timber and aluminium sections. In coastal and exposed locations as well as multi-level buildings this is particularly important to consider. Likewise, if your project is going to incorporate any form of displacement air conditioning this can lead to increased pressure on the windows and attachments. Calculations may be required to ensure that the most appropriate fastenings are selected. Window Openings and Locations High level operable windows...
