A Biddle radiant heating system specified by C&W Partners has been installed in the Help for Heroes run recovery centre, Tedworth House.
Tedworth House is one of four recovery centres run by Help for Heroes, based in the Wiltshire town of Tidworth.
Officially opened in May 2013 by HRH the Duke of Cambridge (Prince William) and Prince Harry, Tedworth House is a recovery centre that is open to both serving and veteran members of the Armed Forces who have suffered life-changing injuries or illness while serving their country.
Converted into a modern recovery centre over a two-year period, but having an initial operating capability in less than four months, there were a number of system design obstacles. A key element of the conversion was the transformation of the indoor skating rink into a fit-for-purpose sports hall. The building was brick built with a spectacular curved steel and timber roof, which presented a number of challenges when considering heating solutions.
Consultant Andy Coles of C&W Partners was appointed to specify the heating system. Andy said: “When we were first appointed, the sports hall wasn’t being used for anything in particular but now with a new sprung timber floor it is used for seated volleyball and other team sports, which are instrumental in the injured servicemen and servicewomen’s recovery. Originally the sports hall had no heating at all and, with no insulation either, the building would be extremely cold in the winter, and was deemed potentially detrimental to the recovery process.
“With Grade II* listing to consider, there were a number of restrictions on what could be installed in the sports hall. It wasn’t possible for any insulation to be installed on the walls or exposed roof so we couldn’t reduce the heat loss of the building, which was a major issue. We decided quite quickly that radiant panels would be the most appropriate option, as they would provide a comfortable source of heating and could be roof mounted to maximise floor space and reduce the risk of injuries resulting from contact with a hot panel.”
Andy Coles contacted climate control and separation specialist Biddle, which recommended the installation of its Heatwave Eco Plus radiant panels. This would provide a flexible heating solution to meet the output demands of the sports hall, whilst offering a neat and tidy installation.
Incorporating the latest in radiant panel design technology, the Heatwave Eco Plus features a profiled surface with part exposed tubes and angled edges to the panel sides. This innovative edge design is able to halve convection losses, increase the radiant output to 81 per cent and provide an additional 15 per cent in energy savings.
To achieve the 16-18oC temperature required for the sports hall, Biddle recommended varying lengths of Heatwave Eco Plus 1,510mm wide panels to match the space available. Any potential damage from sports equipment, including basketballs and footballs, is prevented by the use of ball guards, which have been tested in accordance with DIN 18032.
To meet the sensitivity of the listed site, the installation of the Heatwave Eco Plus panels had to be spaced on the barrel roof so that the rivets on the steel beams could still be clearly seen. The panels also had to be colour matched to ensure they were as discreet as possible.
Andy adds: “The best method for mounting the Heatwave Eco Plus panels was discussed with Biddle. This was important as the turnaround for the sports hall renovation was so tight, so we needed to ensure we could get the heating up and running very quickly.”
Andrew Saxon, marketing manager at Biddle, said: “Creating an environment that was right for recovery was crucial at Tedworth House. A big selling point for a radiant heating system is that, because there is no air movement to circulate dust, mould, bacteria and viruses, it provides a healthier, draught-free environment. And because the walls and floors absorb radiated heat and get warmer, ailments caused by cold walls and floors are also alleviated.”
In addition to the sports hall, Biddle provided radiant panels for Tedworth House’s strength and conditioning room, a new facility built into the side of the hill to offer recovering servicemen and servicewomen a modern and functional area housing equipment to build up their physical strength and dexterity. To generate the output needed to keep the room at 16-18oC, Biddle recommended three lengths of Heatwave panels.
Andrew Saxon said: “Tedworth House now has an appropriate heating system which offers a comfortable level of heat to people using the sports hall or strength and conditioning room, thereby aiding their recovery and enjoyment of these recovery centres.”
Designed to fit within a typical ‘T’ bar false ceiling, Heatwave panels blend unobtrusively with a building’s décor, and are particularly suitable for spaces with a ceiling height of around three metres.
Biddle is a producer and supplier of innovative, high-quality climate control and climate separation equipment.
