Air Technology Systems’ Industrial Heating solutions are highly efficient in solving climate control issues in Warehouse & Distribution Centres.
Client – M&S
Project Scope & Objectives
Following the successful design and installation of ten air induction systems in a 1,000,000 ft² warehouse for Marks & Spencer in Bradford, Air Technology Systems was asked to design and install a heating, cooling and ventilation system for the company’s new storage and distribution warehouse, at East Midlands Distribution Centre (EMDC).
The new heating, cooling and ventilation system at EMDC needed to provide an even, temperature-controlled environment for the warehouse, while also meeting M&S’s needs:
- Stringent environmental requirements
- Target of 100% ventilation efficiency
- Requirement for the lowest possible ongoing energy costs
Our distribution centre heating systems are designed to suit your requirements. We offer a free site survey as well as help and guidance with your distribution centre heating requirements. We looked at the logistics of a building, such as opened doors where heat escapes and ceiling height. Distribution centre heating must be kept free of condensation. The intake of cold mainly takes place in loading and unloading areas. Our systems are economic and consider energy saving for low operating costs.
- Heating zones in the loading and unloading distribution warehouse areas
- Ensuring warehouse heating requirements in the storage and commissioning area
- Separate heating of selected areas
- Energy-efficient heating for the reduction of distribution centre heating operating costs
Challenges
Being a large distribution centre warehouse with a floor area of just under 80,000m² and a ceiling height of 25m, there were several challenges to overcome, including:
- Infiltration of outside temperatures, through large loading doors
- Maintaining even temperatures down narrow high-bay racking aisles
- Potential for overheating in raised mezzanine areas
In addition to the physical challenges of a building of this size and setup, were the considerable environmental and efficiency requirements of this particular blue-chip client.
Solution
To achieve all the project goals required, Air Technology Systems designed a series of systems consisting of:
- Our proprietary air induction nozzle system technology and ducting
- Externally located Air Handling Units (AHUs), from the Government’s
- Carbon Trust energy technology list
- A 4,500m² solar wall
Result
- The systems’ low volume nozzles enable continuous air recycling of excess heat from lighting and MHE gains, reducing the energy and costs required to maintain temperatures
- Conditioned air is conveyed to desired areas, minimising stratification and eliminating differential temperatures for 100% Distribution Centre ventilation efficiency
- The controls strategy encompasses a free Distribution Centre cooling mode that enables cooler night time air to reduce the amount of mechanical cooling required at peak times – reducing carbon emissions
- The AHUs Carbon Trust credentials ensured increased efficiency and reduced energy usage
- Our integrated Industrial Climate Control Systems and the 4,500m² solar wall will save M&S in excess of 1,300 kWh and 256 tonnes of CO² per year to help achieve the company’s strict environmental criteria
