Modern Building Services

MODERN BUILDING SERVICES OCTOBER 2021 25 FEATURE VERTICAL FOCUS For new hotels in city centres, the importance lies with creating guest experiences that justify the cost and satisfy the needs of the trip. Guests returning to cities for business trips as well as leisure breaks will expect the noise of the city to be reduced when in their rooms. As can be found with airport hotels, there is a level of soundproofing sealed in place in new builds to reduce noise from outside, while increasing energy efficiency. With such stringent soundproofing, there is more likelihood of sounds from inside the hotel to be heard, particularly as there are so many adjacent rooms with bathrooms. When it comes to building services, excellent acoustic performance is required from soil and waste solutions to minimise noise from running water and toilets flushing disturbing guests. Legislative pressures to reduce carbon emissions and increasing efficiencymeans these sealed buildings will be as standard for most new build developments. On top of the acoustic challenge, it is important for contractors and consultants to consider other issues posed by these energy efficient measures. Building over-heating is a problem facingmany sealed new build developments as summer temperatures rise each year. As guests have evenmore particular temperature requirements when in their rooms, new build hotels must now be equipped to avoid excessive heat as well as cold to keep guests comfortable in their rooms. Tomaintain energy efficiency andmitigate effects of overheating, Thermally Activated Building Structures (TABS) could provide a practical solution for contractors and consultants. Regulating heating and cooling and eliminating the need for energy-intensivemechanical cooling systems, this solution is suitable for improving efficiency in high-rise new build hotels. As guests come to expect a level of control over room temperature, smart controls are fast becoming an option for hotels, continuing efficiency driving despite individual requirements. By designing new build hotels with all of these priorities inmind, the wellbeing and comfort of guests can be delivered alongside sustainabilitymeasures. Building services are therefore futureproofed in terms of their performance, environmentally friendly credentials and how theymeet guest experience for years to come. The retrofit challenge Refurbishing hotels and retrofitting building services solutions requires additional considerations to meet design priorities. Added to this, upgrading the current commercial buildings such as hotels will be a crucial part of futureproofing existing building stock in sustainability and wellbeing terms. Improving the performance of buildings such as regional hotels, spas and country houses is important inmeeting the health concerns of guests in order to secure business in the recovering industry. Aswith new builds, contractors and consultants can retrofit smart controls to drive efficiencywhile satisfying temperature control demands. Beyond this, there are measures to make heating and hot water provision more efficient. As older buildings tend to have less thermally efficient heating systems in place, moving away from oil or LPG based heating to a low carbon alternative is an option for refurbishment projects. A polymer district heating system from a centralised low carbon heat source such as heat pumps or biomass is a common retrofit option. Ideally a new heating system should be linked with smart controls and underfloor heating to maximise the efficiency of the system. As many buildings have been left unoccupied throughout lockdowns, a renewed concern around legionella outbreaks has increased pressure on health and wellbeingmeasure for existing hotels. Specifying hygienic pipework that maintains water quality is an important step in combatting risks posed to guests. Healthy design solutions Fierce competition and increasing legislative and customer pressures make the prospect building suitable hotels to satisfy market demand seem challenging. The importance being put on hotels to be designed with wellbeing in mind has informed REHAU’s latest report, which looks into opportunities for contractors and consultants to satisfy priorities from the outset. For both new build and refurbishment projects, examples are given for satisfying temperature control, acoustic performance, and water quality requirements, while keeping sustainability in mind. As a supplier of building services, it is the responsibility of companies like REHAU to demonstrate an understanding of pressures facing industry professionals and how they might be able to overcome them. Changing customer demands and stricter government legislation will continue to necessitate healthy design in the hotels sector. By considering innovative building services solutions from the outset, professionals can meet expectations of wellbeing long into the building’s working life. Delivering fit-for-purpose spaces that protect both guest welfare and the environment is a futureproofing requirement that must be a priority for the sector. More information can be found at www.rehau.uk/designing healthy