University of Liverpool Chadwick Lecture Theatre
Overview
The work was commissioned by the University of Liverpool to remodel and refurbish the Rotblat and Barkla lecture theatres within the Chadwick Lecture Building at the University of Liverpool. Work was carried out during the summer on the old Rotblat and Barkla lecture theatres, transforming them into the new 400 seat Rotblat Lecture Theatre. The project also included a full mechanical and electrical refurbishment including a new plant room structure, refurbishment of the toilet facilities, plus the creation of accessible toilets and a Changing Places facility, the first on the University’s campus.
This project formed part of the mandated programme for lecture and teaching spaces undertaken by Facilities, Residential and Commercial Services (FRCS). Work was carried out during the summer on the old Rotblat and Barkla lecture theatres, transforming them into the 400 seat Rotblat Lecture Theatre. The project also included a full mechanical and electrical refurbishment including a new plant room structure, refurbishment of the toilet facilities, plus the creation of accessible toilets and a Changing Places facility, the first on the University’s campus.
The project was complemented by the restoration of an intricate mosaic artwork in the circulation area, and creation of a new temporary entrance to the building and all engineering works had to be undertaken around this and the complex acoustic requirements and design of the theatre.
General Description of Work
The Mechanical Services Subcontract Installation works at University of Liverpool Chadwick Lecture Theatre were carried out during the Summer period 2021 under the direction of the Main Contractor Krol Corlett Ltd by Athertons.
Engineering works included the following works:-
LPHW Heating
Existing Heating to the Lower Ground Break out space were stripped out and removed and replaced with new radiators. New Vertical Air Curtains were installed in the Entrance Lobby. Radiators and Air Curtains are connected to the existing LPHW Steel Pipework distribution system, complete with necessary isolation valves strainers and commissioning stations to allow the system to be regulated.
BMS Control System Modifications
Roof Plantroom Control Panel ref CP01 has been modified to incorporate the required new supplies to the Air Curtains and also a series of Space and Rain sensors for the Auto Opening Window Natural ventilation system.
Sanitaryware replacement
Within the existing Female Toilets at Mezzanine Floor Level inset washbasins complete with sensor flow taps have been installed.
Automatic Controls & BMS
The Automatic Controls and Building Management System (BMS) installed within this project are controlled and monitored by a sophisticated series of controllers in the control panels.
The project is generally served by the following systems
- Door air curtains
- Automatic windows
The new door air curtains are connected to existing LTHW pipe work and serve the cube entrance lobby. The air curtains and LTHW 3 port control valves are enabled by the BMS system but temperature control is via a local wall mounted controller.
Actuators have been fitted to windows in the cube entrance and side entrance lobbies. These actuators are driven based on demand generated from the BMS system.
Control Panels
The existing BMS control panel located in the ventilation plant room was provided with spare capacity to control the window actuators and door air curtains. The relevant strategies have been added to the Tridium Jace to operate the air curtains & windows.
BMS Supervisor
The University accesses the BMS graphics via a Niagara N4 Supervisor. As part of the lecture theatre refurbishment works new graphic pages were added to the supervisor. A new page has been created within the Chadwick lecture theatres folder containing all of the relevant information and settings relating to the door air curtains and automatic windows.
Entrance Door Curtains
Entrance door air curtains are provided by others located at the cube entrance door.
The door curtains are connected to the existing LTHW pipe work complete with a three port control valve at each unit. The BMS modulates the 3 port valves based on the local space temperature sensor and controls to a set point of 20°C (adjustable). The door curtains are enabled via the existing LTHW time schedule and are inhibited outside of these hours. The 3 port valves are opened on 1st & 2nd stage frost and the door curtains are enabled in the event of a space frost condition. If the external temperature is above 18ºC, the door curtains are disabled.
CO2 Monitoring, natural ventilation and Automatic Windows
Within both entrance lobbies at Chadwick lecture theatres a number of actuators have been fitted to the windows to allow for automatic opening & closing.
Combined Temperature & Co2 sensors have been installed in three areas to control the windows:
- Cube entrance lobby
- Side entrance lobby (high level)
- Side entrance lobby (low level)
The windows are allowed to open if all of the following conditions are met:
- Outside air temperature is greater than 15°C (adjustable)
- It is not raining outside (monitored by a rain detection sensor)
- The automatic windows time schedule is active (initially set as 8am – 6pm every day)
- The auto/manual shut software switch is set to ‘Automatic’
The windows are opened on either a temperature or Co2 demand. Minimum and maximum temperature and Co2 levels are displayed on the FEG and are fully user adjustable. At 24°C space temperature and below the windows are shut. At 28°C space temperature and above the windows are 100% open. The BMS gradually opens the windows between the minimum and maximum set points to reduce the space temperature. Similarly, at 700ppm Co2 and below the windows are shut and at 1200ppm and above the windows are 100% open. Each Temp/Co2 sensor controls a specific set of windows – Entrance Cube sensor controls the Entrance Cube windows, the high-level sensor controls the high-level windows and similarly, the low-level sensor controls the low-level windows. The windows are not permitted to open outside of the hours set on the Automatic Windows time schedule which is fully adjustable on the FEG.
Feedback
The main Contractor, Kroll Corlett and the University of Liverpool were delighted with the results of the project and the way the Athertons team worked alongside the acoustics and architectural teams to deliver optimal results in the desired fast track timeframe.