New textile diffuser panels improve interior climate
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July 18, 2019
New from KE Fibertec, the specialists in textile ducts for HVAC systems, is a textile diffuser for suspended ceiling systems.
The new diffusers known as FBS panels have been developed to provide draught-free air distribution for suspended ceilings and a better alternative solution to the normal ceiling grilles which generate draughts and accumulate ‘huge’ amounts of dust.
Ideal for schools, offices, healthcare and other high comfort environments the system operates at a lower pressure than that of standard ceiling diffusers thus optimising energy efficiency. Fresh air is evenly distributed across the entire surface of the panel which results in a healthy indoor environment without problems of draught.
The FBS panels are made of flame-retardant textile material with impermeable panel tops so that the air is distributed into the room and not above the ceiling. The entire visible surface is used actively for air distribution. From an aesthetic point of view the textile material of the FBS panels can be specified in standard colours of white or light grey to blend with the ceiling finish or in a range of special colours to make a statement or echo another colour theme within an interior.
The new FBS panels are made in 600mm x 600mm and 600mm x 1200mm sizes for standard suspended ceilings and the plastic plenum chamber above the ceiling comes with a flexible outlet socket of 160 to 250mm diameter for connection to HVAC ducting. The plenum chamber above the ceiling requires no more room above the ceiling than the diameter of the outlet socket. There are side, end and combi outlet versions of the plenum chamber available to suit the configuration of above ceiling ducting.
Suitable either for retrofitting with existing HVAC systems or for new-build projects, the new FBS panels greatly reduce the incidents of draughts or hot/cold spots in the occupied zone and thus create a much more even temperature in the room. The textile panels are extremely lightweight, are easily fitted to almost any ceiling type and are simply unzipped from the ceiling panel for machine washing at 40°C so as to remove dust and maintain airflow.
Installation and maintenance of the FBS panels is quick and easy with no tools required.
One of the first installations of the new FBS panels has been in Denmark at Larsens Eftf, a forge and machine company which moved to new premises as the management wanted to improve the environment of the company and its employees, in particular regarding the indoor climate.
The FBS panels were installed in the offices, the canteen and the changing rooms and similar textile ducts were installed in the production halls to ensure efficient and draught-free air distribution.
In the administration building a total of 36 FBS panels in light grey and of 600mm x 600mm size have been installed into the suspended ceilings for a low-pressure loss system meeting the latest building regulations.
The Danish company is delighted with the result of the FBS ceiling panels providing draught-free and energy- efficient ventilation.
For specifiers, the FBS panels are available as BIM Objects. These are available as MagiCad components for AutoCad and Revit.
