Birmingham
The Arcadian
Account manager - Ryan Marriott
System installed - Smoke control and ventilation
Details - Energy-efficient smoke control and ventilation system saves £76,000+ per year and transforms The Arcadian’s car park and shopping experience
Key highlights:
- NSP saved LSP Properties £76,000+ per year with the design and installation of a new, energy-efficient car park smoke control and ventilation system.
- The new system, costing £300,000, will achieve return on investment in just over four years.
- The project has transformed the car park into a brighter, safer, more resilient, and sustainable space, inviting visitors into an environment that reflects the vibrant energy of the shopping centre above.
The Challenge: A better shopping experience begins in the car park
The Arcadian, central Birmingham's shopping centre with a vibrant mix of retail outlets, restaurants and gastro pubs, faced significant challenges in the shadows of its basement car park.
Owned and managed by LCP Properties, escalating complaints around dust, noise, and the unwelcoming atmosphere created by outdated, obtrusive ductwork signalled a need for change. This environment not only detracted from the shopping centre's allure but compromised the safety and convenience expected by its patrons. In a bold move to align the car park experience with the centre's lively spirit, LCP Properties turned to NSP, a leader in pioneering smarter, innovative smoke control and ventilation solutions.
Upon evaluation, NSP uncovered a system mired in inefficiency: a relic from the 1980s operating without the nuances of modern technology. The assessment revealed a dire state - one of the two extract fans was non-functional, halving the system's capacity and leaving no provisions for smoke ventilation.
What we did: A blueprint for the future
NSP's intervention was both a remedy and a revolution. The introduction of a ductless system, powered by strategically placed circulation fans, promised not only to eradicate daily pollutants but to integrate a smoke ventilation solution that exceeded current standards. This system, designed to adapt to the levels of carbon monoxide detected, would ensure operational efficiency and safety through its energy-efficient, three-stage ventilation mode.
NSP's commitment to innovation was showcased through the application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling. This advanced technique provided a comprehensive understanding of how smoke and fire would behave in real-life scenarios, ensuring the new system was not just compliant, but ahead of its time.
The outcome: Beyond savings, a vision realised
The transformation at The Arcadian was game-changing. The new NSP-designed system not only offered an annual cost saving of £76,208.48 but set a new standard in sustainable building management, with a return on investment achievable in just over four years.
The project, completed within a meticulously planned timeline, also delivered on multiple fronts beyond ventilation - including an upgraded fire alarm system and enhanced safety measures that allowed for uninterrupted car park operation throughout the works. The removal of the cumbersome ductwork brightened the space, inviting visitors into an environment that reflected the vibrant energy of the shopping centre above.
Conclusion: Empowering communities through innovation
This project exemplifies NSP's vision: to transform spaces into safer, more resilient, and sustainable environments. At The Arcadian, the challenge was not only met but became a catalyst for change, demonstrating the potential for improvement that comes with the right expertise and technology.
For LCP Properties, this project was an investment in the future, a step towards creating a legacy of sustainable urban development. For the visitors of The Arcadian, it was a promise fulfilled, ensuring every journey began and ended in comfort and safety.
