The multi-service chilled beam (MSCB) market has doubled in size in less than four years. Head of communications at Trox, Terry Farthing looks into some of the reasons behind this growth and popularity of this relatively new system
LOOK behind a false ceiling panel and you immediately see that it is hiding a multitude of sins; haphazard electrical wiring, and unco-ordinated piping and air ducts.

It is also dusty and littered with debris. This is amazing in today's modern office buildings that house sophisticated equipment with occupants demanding high levels of comfort and a clean, healthy environment.

Because they are always there, how false ceilings functioned as part of the building system are never questioned. This initially stunted the growth of the MSCB market.

But now, with a greater emphasis on energy efficiency, comfort and design, the market is falling away from false ceilings and moving to MSCBs

Take as an example a 1930s car. When you remove the interior panelling there is an array of wires, pipes and air ducts if you are lucky. In today's car, there are looms of wire all pre-engineered looking tidy and compact. This is similar to the MSCB.

Energy saving

MSCBs have carbon emissions up to 15% lower than other systems. The main reasons being the higher chilled water temperatures (14ºC/17ºC) and greater opportunity for free cooling. With these elevated temperatures, wider use of ground water is possible, thus assisting in meeting sustainability targets.

MSCBs have all the services factory-fitted ready for easy site installation. This prefabrication saves time, reduces the risks of something going wrong on site and delaying projects.
Over and above the carbon emission and sustainability issues there is one further significant advantage with MSCBs - they produce very high comfort levels.

This is because air enters the room at relatively low velocity levels and the supply air temperature is higher. This eliminates any complaints concerning cold spots or draughts. The noise levels are also low since there is no terminal fan.

Bespoke design

For the first time since their development, the architect can now style the appearance of the services to virtually whatever they like.

This is achieved by manufacturing the façade of the beam or services raft from inter-locking architectural-grade extruded aluminium. The shape and visual appearance can easily be changed by using different extrusions. If new extrusions are required, which is often the case, tooling costs are minimal compared with rolled-steel sections.

Extruded aluminium has the tight tolerances needed for the long lengths used in the manufacture of MSCBs. It can produce a smooth continuous appearance along the installed lengths of up to 30m without the joins, ripples or alignment problems often associated with rolled-steel sections.

Since the MSCB contains all the services that would otherwise be hidden by the false ceiling, the whole design team is involved in its development.

You could say the MSCB process by its very nature encourages better co-ordination and a greater understanding of all the issues by the whole team.

It also reduces on-site conflict between the various trades since there is now a single point of responsibility. This, in turn, leads to a smooth progression from initial concept through to final delivery and installation.

MSCBs supply many of the needs of modern buildings. This is overcoming the reluctance of many to do away with the false ceiling.

When fitted with MSCBs, buildings take on an aura of clean, modern, sought-after office accommodation.

www.troxuk.co.uk