Introduction
Quarry Bank Primary School is housed in a new state of the art building that replaced an old, inefficient building. The new school building achieved the required BREEAM rating of Very Goodand contains a range of exciting features to reduce energy use, convert the energy present in the natural environment into a usable format and collect rainwater. The pupils and staff moved into the new building in June 2011.
Wind Vents
Wind vents harness natural ventilation to provide a comfortable internal environment. The building is cooled by replacing the warm stale with fresh cool air ready for the following day during the summer months. This provides a fully integrated climate control systems through a series of controls that are linked to temperature sensors. Natural ventilation is a good alternative to conventional air conditioning systems because they do not use energy to cool the building.
Building Management Systems
A Building Management Systems comprising a central computer programmed to regulate the space heating, water temperature and ventilation of the school to pre-set levels. This system ensures the temperature inside the school is kept at a constant level and energy is used effectively.
Solar Thermal Collectors
Solar thermal collectors are mounted on the south facing roof and consist of a network of pipes covered with an absorbent material. The water is pumped to the pipes, and then through a coil to a hot water tank where it is stored until used in the school. Solar thermal panels are reliable and proven technology.
Air Source Heat Pump
Air source heat pumps use the use evaporation and condensation processes to exchange and boost low grade heat from a body of air to a usable temperature that can then be used for space heating. Air source heat pumps increase the temperature of air so does not require fuel deliveries. Quarry Bank Primary School is the only school in Dudley Borough to use an air source heat pump.
Rainwater Collection System
A rainwater collection system collects and stores rainwater from the roof in an underground tank. A filter in the tanks, along with ultra violet treatment, removes debris and particles so it remains clear and suitable for non drinking purposes such as watering plants, washing machines and flushing W.Cs. This reuse and treatment of water on-site reduces demand on the sewage treatment systems.
