Crescent Academy rising with KoolDuct

An iconic new academy situated on the outskirts of Norwich city centre is the latest project to benefit from the lightweight design and fast-track installation provided by The Kingspan KoolDuct System.

The multi-million pound City Academy Norwich has been constructed by Kier and replaces the outdated Earlham High School with a purpose built facility. Sheppard Robson’s unique design comprises a main three storey crescent building, which houses the teaching areas and provides views across the playing fields, backing onto a smaller single storey crescent entrance building. The academy accommodates 1,100 pupils from ages 11-19 and on completion was assessed as BREEAM ‘Excellent’ by WSP Group.

To help attain this high level of energy efficiency, 2574 m2 of The Kingspan KoolDuct System was installed to and from air handling units throughout the academy. The System comprises premium performance Kingspan KoolDuct panels which are the most thermally efficient insulation product commonly used for pre–insulated HVAC ductwork. With a thermal conductivity as low as 0.022 W/m.K, Kingspan KoolDuct panels can achieve air leakage rates far lower than traditional sheet metal ductwork.

Graham Sims, Operations Manager at installers RDS Ductwork Contractors, commented:

“Aside from helping to meet the overall BREEAM ‘Excellent’ target, our main consideration on the project was ensuring that the ductwork could be installed to the tight schedule, allowing the academy to be completed in time for the new school term. The Kingspan KoolDuct System enabled us to easily meet this deadline. The System sections are far lighter than many of the traditional ducting options, meaning we were able to minimise the manual handling needed to get them in place and as they come pre-insulated there was no need to spend additional time cladding them.”

Kingspan KoolDuct panels have been assigned a 2008 Green Guide Summary Rating of A and their premium performance insulation core is manufactured with a blowing agent that has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and low Global Warming Potential (GWP). The Kingspan KoolDuct System is installed in a single fix and is also the only premium performance pre–insulated ductwork to be UL Listed as a Class 1 Air Duct, to Standard for Safety UL 181 (Underwriters Laboratories: Factory Made Air Ducts & Air Connectors), when fabricated to a specification clearly defined by UL.

City Academy Norwich incorporates a district heating system linked to the nearby University of East Anglia campus, along with photovoltaic roof panels and a rainwater harvesting system. Work on the project also included the complete remodelling of the external grounds including the creation of new sports facilities which are also used by the local community.

For further information please contact:
Tel: +44 (0) 1544 387 384
Fax: +44 (0) 1544 387 484
e.mail: literature@kingspaninsulation.co.uk
Website: www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk