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Air-conditioning continues to move under the floor

Advanced Ergonomic Technologies (AET), the exclusive worldwide distributor of Hiross Flexible Space underfloor air-conditioning, Nesite Raised floor and Movinord Fully Demountable Partitioning which together form the basis of the AET Flexible Space Concept, has announced a record year, with sales up 50% over the past twelve months.

In 2005, AET completed a series of prestigious installations in the UK and across the world, ranging from landmark commercial office projects including PFI’s, major retail, leisure and mixed-use developments. Another key factor in AET’s success has been the huge upsurge in demand for this type of flexible building services solution from the rapidly expanding Asian market, a region where AET Flexible Space Hong Kong Ltd opened a dedicated office in Shanghai at the start of 2005.

“Increased recognition of the flexibility afforded by under-floor HVAC systems, like the Hiross Flexible Space System, and the significant role they play in operational cost savings continues to drive sales upwards” comments Glan Blake Thomas, Managing Director at AET. “Other factors, including the independent acknowledgement of its advantages by influential organisations, such as CABE and the BCO, are helping to build awareness and grow the market. The truth is that for tenants, developers, letting agents, architects, consultants and contractors alike, it makes simple financial sense to have a floor-void based air-conditioning system rather than one located in the ceiling”.

In the fourth edition of BCO Specification, The British Council for Offices identified the improvement in business performance possible through the installation of an under-floor HVAC system in commercial buildings. A CABE study has identified a 90% decrease in churn cost in a building with under-floor HVAC, power, telephone and data systems over a building with ceiling-based HVAC and a cellular floor. Not only can developers and their construction team design, build and air-condition developments more cost-effectively with a Flexible Space System, but they can also achieve a swifter handover and help letting agents market such buildings more effectively, and secure premium commercial rents on properties.

He adds, “Where one month, the office may be open-plan, and the next, partitioned and re-configured to suit a different business or changing tenant requirement, flexibility is the key buzz-word. In this scenario, moving the ceiling-based air-conditioning to adapt to the new working environment is usually an incredibly disruptive and costly process as is the movement of gypsum wall partitions with all the associated multi trade activities and client disruption. Just as an under-floor approach offers a practical, low cost, fast and easy solution to the problem of air conditioning changes, demountable partitioning solves the problem of office churn. Tenants are pleased to have this level of flexibility”.

Glan adds, “The market place is putting greater demand on office space in terms of reduced costs of change, compliance with Part L, waste disposal and pollution and yet still demands high levels of flexibility as staff costs increase and lease lengths reduce. At AET we have acknowledged the need for greater coordination of systems and to that end are proud to announce the recent inclusion of the Movinord relocatable partitioning range which further strengthens the Flexible Space offer. Movinord has a wide range of excellent systems and is one of Europe’s largest suppliers to commercial offices, banks, universities and the healthcare industry.

Based in East Grinstead, West Sussex, AET is the clear market leader in under-floor air conditioning, boasting many successful installations of the Hiross Flexible Space System. The company has over 15 years’ experience in the technology and works closely with clients, consultants and contractors and has over 20 million sq ft of reference projects worldwide.

Email: sales@flexiblespace.com