Designing mechanical systems for a bank’s archive building

Our client’s biggest headache was how to maintain stable indoor air temperatures and safeguard documents and other assets in the archive building of the bank. Also, as a business in the banking and financial sector, our client wanted to lead by example and adopt a cost-effective solution.

With these needs in mind, our solution was to design mechanical engineering systems that are highly energy efficient, including thermal heat recovery during the peak weather months and free cooling systems during shoulder months. The firefighting system, using inert gas, presented significant challenges in view of the very large volume of the archive that needed to be as air-tight as possible to avoid the escape of gas.

To us this job is an example of how it is possible to apply expert knowledge and obtain a win-win solution with benefits of functionality and value for money.