Grilles and diffusers help performance of ‘greenest’ building

103 Colmore Row is Birmingham’s tallest office building and “one of the cleanest and greenest”, achieving BREEAM Excellent.

Built by BAM Construct UK, the 21,000+m²building uses 100 per cent renewable energy for its electricity, with air conditioning and heating throughout the 26-storey tower being provided via a four pipe fancoil system.

Air movement specialist Gilberts worked closely with BAM and global engineering and consulting firm Arup to refine the specification of the grilles and diffusers in line with the requirement to achieve ventilation of 12l/person and a constant 22°C(±2°) throughout the Grade A offices.

To attain the desired air distribution patterns, the air is circulated predominantly through Gilberts’ GSL linear slot diffusers. The GSLs ventilate almost 90 per cent of the 30 levels including lower ground and basement. Fitted into bulkheads around the perimeter of each office floor, the slot diffusers provide supply and extract of air and ensure a consistent and constant view through the floor to ceiling glazing. The GSLs were also installed into plank ceiling tiles to deliver air across the 743- 1,115m² floor plates on each level.

Either three or four slots was specified depending on location of the diffuser, to precisely balance the required airflow to keep the glazing clear of possible condensation and sufficient draught-free ventilation for the occupants across the office area.

The slot diffusers are complimented where required – such as break-out areas, the business lounge, café and restrooms – with GECA eggcrate ceiling grilles, GDC-A circular face swirl diffusers and SX-100 air valves.