Eaton-Williams wheels into action for motorcycle museum
Like the Phoenix, the National Motorcycle Museum has risen from the ashes following the devastating fire in 2003 that destroyed 80% of the museum including some 500 prized motorcycle exhibits.
Colman and Moducel, part of Eaton-Williams contributed to the museum’s
transformation by designing and supplying air handling and air distribution
products to control the climate throughout the complex. Moducel air handling
plant along with grilles, louvres and diffusers totalling in the region of £70,000
were been installed.
The building is air conditioned throughout using three Moducel LKS units internally mounted comprising extract fan, double mixing box, panel and bag filters, LTHW heating coil, CW cooling coil and supply fan. One unit has a duty of 7.3 M³/sec and the other 6.2M³/sec. The third air handler comprises similar components but has a duty of 4.0M³/sec.
Colman has supplied linear slot diffuses in two of the exhibition halls and the newly refurbished and extended Britannia suite. It was important that the diffusers complemented the grand interior design as well as offering excellent performance. Two penthouse louvres were also fitted on the roof of the Britannia Suite.
The Britannia Suite is a multi-functional room offering conference and entertaining facilities for both small and large audiences, achieved by the inclusion of removable, full height 4.5 metre partitions allowing the room to be sized to suit the function. This was also a major consideration in the choice of diffusers, allowing excellent comfort levels whatever the room.
To help prevent drafts in other crucial areas, Colman swirl diffusers were selected. These allow induction to take place outside of the occupied zones resulting in improved comfort levels.
Special twin swirl units were used in five of the exhibition halls. These were chosen to deal with relatively high air volumes whilst fitting into the chosen ceiling layout and achieve a sporting appearance that complements the two-wheeled theme.
As the only route to the plant equipment is from the roof of the building Colman louvres were designed to incorporate pedestrian access to facilitate routine maintenance and repairs.
Aesthetic considerations were also important and the louvres’ appearance had to allow them to blend in with the unusual pyramid shape of the roofline whilst taking into account that the site, which is adjacent to Birmingham’s airport, is very exposed. Colman’s severe exposure chevron type blades were selected to ensure the minimum ingress of water in all weather conditions. Colman also installed five custom built triangular louvres.