Carrier Partners for Underfloor Air Systems
Interface is one of the largest manufacturers of commercial flooring. Titus is a major manufacturer of air-distribution products.
“By combining the efforts of these three industry leaders, we’re offering a one-stop solution for building owners and managers to help meet the need for a rapidly changing workspace environment,” said John Malloy, president of Carrier Commercial Systems and Service.
Access floors first gained recognition as a solution in providing pressurized air to computer rooms, and then as an easier way to lay out telecommunication wiring and electrical services.
Today they are being used not only as a cost-effective alternative to traditional ceiling-based air-distribution systems in general office areas, but also as a method for improving energy efficiency and overall indoor environmental comfort.
“Studies have shown that energy-efficient office design and improvements to indoor air quality can improve employee productivity by 15% or 20%,” said Ray Anderson, chairman and ceo of Interface. “The raised access floor system is considered to be the building block upon which all other elements are able to function at peak efficiency levels.”
“In fact,” added David Gau, vice president of sales and marketing, Titus, “it is estimated that over the next few years, more than 10% of all newly constructed U.S. offices will use access systems.”
One of the main ways underfloor air-distribution systems can save energy is by using warmer supply air, generally 60°F to 65°F vs. 55°. This, in turn, can result in higher hvac equipment efficiency. Access floor systems also reduce fan horsepower because the air is supplied with lower overall pressure drops, and the fans don’t have to work as hard.
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Building occupants like the underfloor system because each person has individual control over the temperature in his/her area by opening or closing the diffuser as needed. Indoor air quality also can be improved because individuals breathe their own air, rather than air that mixes with other odors or pollutants when it travels from ceiling to floor.
In addition to these benefits, keeping up with technology requires flexible workspaces. Underfloor systems allow for easier upgrades to telecom, data, and electrical systems. They also offer greater flexibility when rearranging office layouts because modular design makes it quicker and easier to move a panel and diffuser to a new location.
For more information, contact Carrier at 315-432-6000 or www.carrier.com (Web site); contact Interface at 800-336-0225 or www.interfaceinc.com; or contact Titus at 972-699-1030 or www.titus-hvac.com.
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