This innovative technology has minimal effect on the structural integrity of a building, making FabricAir Dispersion Systems ideal for retrofitting.

In Connecticut, USA the Chelsea Piers Athletics was renovated by Edwards & Zuck Engineers. The large sports arena comprises covered soccer fields, tennis courts, an ice rink, a swimming pool and fitness facilities. The roof construction could not support the weight of a conventional metal duct solution, thus the contractors were thrilled when they discovered lightweight FabricAir technology.

FabricAir dispersion systems weigh as little as 300 g/m². Tailored in FabricAir® Combi, the solution weighs approximately 1/20 of steel sheet ducting. This is especially significant in retrofitting projects, such as this one, due to the minimal strain on the building's structural integrity. More than 500m of textile-based ducting was installed in the 50.000m2 facility.

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Initially, FabricAir were brought in to solve the weight problem for the enclosed rooftop soccer fields and tennis courts, as the facility's rooftop was not strong enough to carry the load with metal ducting including diffusers. The team of engineers from FabricAir and Edwards & Zuck Engineers worked together to ensure an efficient ventilation solution for the upper level of the sports complex with minimal strain on the building.

The solution was a success. By submitting a redesign option for the remaining spaces in the facility based on FabricAir technology, the engineering team was able to realize significant savings on more than 40 truckloads of freight, countless hours of installation and manpower, which would have been incurred, had the project continued with conventional sheet metal ductwork. The building owner was delighted.

As a result, Edward & Zuck supported by FabricAir engineers designed and installed the equivalent of 170m2 of fabric ducting, which significantly improved the ventilation aesthetics, efficiency and comfort in this world-class athletics facility.

To calculate a fair conservative estimate of the weight of a FabricAir dispersion solution, using 3 kg/m as a rule of thumb will be accurate in 99% of all projects. The weight of an actual duct with suspension depends on the length and diameter of the duct; however, the result is always efficient ventilation and significant savings when converting from sheet metal to textile-based air dispersion.

For more information, visit www.fabricair.com