In recent decades, the environmental sustainability of buildings has fuelled innovation at Kintrol.
With an increased community focus on energy efficiency and environmental impacts smart buildings have become the clear infrastructure solution for residential and commercial buildings.
Kintrol, in consultation with respected architects, have delivered a cutting-edge solution which meets the evolving social demands of their clients.
In a recent project for the Meals on Wheels commercial building in Wakefield, Queensland, Kintrol successfully implemented a well-designed solution that was easily integrated into the existing building design.
THE BRIEF
The scope of the project encompassed multi-function spaces, including kitchen, lounge, boardroom, office and community areas.
The project required a solution which would be suitable for both permanent and casual staff across various operations of the business, for the preparation and delivery of meals to the community. As rooms at the centre are also available to hire by the public, security was an additional community concern.
The design solution had to meet these various staffing needs, be efficient, environmentally sustainable and security focussed.
THE AUTOMATION SOLUTION
Cintrol Net, a window and door automation system that provides comfort, safety and security to its users with full on-site and off-site operation and monitoring of windows, was the ideal product to meet the brief.
With Cintrol Net automation the client is able to set windows to open and close automatically with a timer, for the whole building or each individual zone within the building. The timer can also be overwritten for security or safety reasons. For example, in the event of a fire, exceeding internal temperature thresholds or the onset of inclement weather, as defined by the Hierarchy of Priority.
Implementation of Cintrol Net in the new Meals on Wheels building creates an environmentally responsive building that is mindful of its occupants and is sustainable and self-operating.
The building houses a commercial kitchen for the preparation and distribution of meals for delivery services, which generated specific functionality requirements that were easily met by the flexibility of the Cintrol Net system.
In order for the kitchen hood fans to function efficiently, ‘makeup air’ is required. This is simply air that flows into the kitchen to replace the air that has already been extracted. The Hierarchy of Priority locks the kitchen-zones windows open when the extractor fans are in use to ensure safe operation.
Other zoned areas include the community meeting room, staff lounge, boardroom and offices. Windows in these zones can be pre-programmed for secure monitoring and selective activation on-site via the touch screen or off-site via the mobile app.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Several features have been implemented to create a smart, responsive building that is comfortable and sustainable for the community in all conditions.
If the temperature rises above a pre-set comfort level, windows automatically open to increase ventilation. Other weather sensors can also be installed that detect precipitation, wind direction and speed, air quality and external temperature, and the windows can be programmed to open or close when pre-set criteria are met. For example, a drop in the air quality due to smog or smoke will trigger the close of all windows.
When the building air conditioning system is in operation, the windows will close, until such time as the air conditioning is switched off.
SECURITY OF MIND
The building also features a main switch to ‘close all on exit’. However, if windows are accidentally left open the building is left unoccupied prior or pre-set times, an optional security feature will close the windows when movement is detected outside.
With the availability of pre-programmed monitoring, optional password protected access, onsite touch screen functionality, and offsite mobile app control, this innovative solution met the necessary safety and security needs of the client.
The Cintrol Net window automation solution provides Meals on Wheels Wakefield with a smart, easy to use, self-functioning system, that meets the specific operation requirements and is also fully adjustable. The completed design solution delivered a highly efficient and environmentally sustainable automation system, implemented in an easy and cost-effective way.
For more information, please contact Kintrol on 07 390 1955 or use our contact form.
