An innovative new software tool to help architects and specifiers accurately and quickly forecast the impact of natural ventilation components on a building’s thermal performance has been launched by Passivent.

The company, Britain’s leading supplier of domestic and commercial natural ventilation solutions, has worked closely with leading software house Environmental Design Solutions Ltd (EDSL) to develop the programme- Passivent Airscoop Builder- which applies to Passivent’s Airscoop roof mounted ventilation terminals.

The utility has been purpose designed to interface with EDSL’s established Tas building thermal analysis tool, which is the first dynamic simulation modeling (DSM) of its kind to be approved for both Building Regulation Approved Document L2 and the Energy Performance Certificate.

Passivent Airscoop Builder utilizes ‘real life’ test data in conjunction with experimental results to provide an accurate modeling tool.

A key benefit of the new option is that it accelerates the assessment process, automatically providing the geometry, construction materials and performance parameters of each selected Airscoop model, eliminating the need to input manually and individually, and enabling adjustments to be made quickly and easily to optimize the building’s predicted performance, whether using a wholly natural or mixed mode ventilation strategy. 

Passivent Airscoop Builder adds a further dimension to the Tas Building Designer system, which already calculates performance taking into account the long-term dynamics affecting the building according to its location and orientation.

Neil Rideout- joint managing director of Passivent, explained, “The continuing pressure to reduce a building’s carbon footprint has meant we have seen a growth in the implementation of natural ventilation strategies. The Airscoop Builder tool will be a major benefit to specifiers, helping them obtain accurate and trustworthy data quickly and easily, and make an informed decision as to the design of the ventilation system.”

Passivent ventilation reduces energy consumption over air conditioned buildings by up to 50%, yield 15% savings on capital costs, 75% savings on maintenance costs, and eliminate the need for a separate plant room: in one installation* the Passivent system is being calculated at reducing energy demand by up to 80%!

Passivent Airscoop is already proven in real life, and endorsed by BSRIA, to provide an effective natural ventilation solution even in high heat gain locations. In essence, Passivent Airscoop is a roof mounted terminal divided diagonally into four chambers. Wind from any direction is channelled down through the windward chambers into the building, which exhausts warm, “used” air out through the leeward chambers, giving continuous gentle movement of air. Additional acoustic treatment can be incorporated where the system is being used in noisy locations.

All Airscoop units are designed to function regardless of wind direction and speed to provide a controllable natural ventilation solution that can be used in most commercial large or deep-plan buildings, and for providing secure and weatherproof night cooling.

Because the system uses few moving parts and no fans, it operates quietly and with minimal energy consumption, noise and maintenance requirement. The Airscoop system is already proven in applications, including offices, sports halls, drama studios, museums and community and health centres.

Passivent is a founder member of the NatVent EC-EU-funded project co-ordinated by the Building Research Establishment to develop practical natural ventilation solutions for the commercial sector, and is developing “smart” solutions to promote adoption of natural ventilation. The company is the UK’s leading designer and supplier of natural ventilation systems for both domestic and commercial applications. The company has contributed to the BSRIA guide BG2/2005 Wind Driven Natural Ventilation Systems, as well as being a member of the DSCF steering committee on ventilation guidance for schools, Building Bulletin 101.