Projects
Egied Van Broeckhovenschool - Sint-Jans-Molenbeek
Ventilation, heating & cooling at Egied Van Broeckhoven School in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek
In a school, being able to concentrate is essential. Students learn better and teachers teach with more energy in a pleasant indoor environment, free from draughts and, above all, disruptive noise. Comfort and quietness are therefore two essential requirements for any modern classroom. At Egied Van Broeckhoven School in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, the air distribution system was designed using Prihoda textile ducts.
A school where silence matters
Egied Van Broeckhoven School is an initiative of the non-profit organisation Ignatius Scholen in Beweging, located in the former Vandenheuvel brewery near West Station. The old bottling plant, together with newly constructed buildings, has been transformed into an open school offering general, technical and vocational secondary education, with a focus on STEM and well-being and capacity for 860 students. The building also performs exceptionally well in terms of energy efficiency: its energy consumption is 30% below the requirements set by the EPB regulations for new buildings.
The comfort of teachers and students is a top priority at the school. Lessons must not be disrupted by noise from the technical installations, and this is precisely where textile ducts make a difference.
The textile ducts were installed in the school's open learning centre in collaboration with tm technics. An open learning environment requires quiet, even air distribution, without the technology distracting students from their work.
Tailor-made air distribution for the learning centre
For this project, three identical textile ducts were custom-made. Each duct is circular, with a diameter of 400 mm and a length of 29 metres. Each duct handles an airflow of 2,720 m³/h, giving a total of approximately 87 metres of textile ducting and an airflow of 8,160 m³/h. The available static pressure is 100 Pa, with a frictional pressure loss of just 19.8 Pa. Each duct starts with a collar and zip and ends with a closed end cap. A total of six zips are provided per duct.
Air is distributed through microperforations on two sides of the duct (90° and 270°), along its entire length of 28.85 metres. This allows air to flow gently and diffusely into the room, without directing airflow onto students or teachers.
The ducts are suspended from an aluminium profile system using galvanised cable hangers (Gripple), spaced every 2 metres. Finished in white (RAL 9010), the ducts blend discreetly into the learning environment.
Comfort and quietness for teachers and students
Textile ducts operate almost silently. Air flows slowly and evenly through the microperforated fabric into the room, without the rushing or whistling noises that can occur with conventional metal ducts and grilles. Lessons remain undisturbed.
In a school, this offers several key benefits:
- Quiet operation: no disruptive noise from the installation, even during lessons or periods of silent study.
- Draught-free comfort: gentle, diffuse air distribution through microperforations.
- Even air distribution: along the entire length of the duct.
- Hygienic and easy to maintain: machine washable and suitable for cleanrooms (class 4, EN ISO 14644-1).
- Fire safety: fire reaction class B-s1,d0 according to EN 13501-1+A1:2010.
- Discreet appearance: white textile that blends seamlessly into the learning centre's interior.
- Lightweight construction: minimal load on the ceiling structure.
Prihoda PMS: high-quality textile
Prihoda PMS textile was used for this project, offering the following specifications:
- Material: 100% polyester, single filament
- Weight and thickness: 214 g/m² and 0.30 mm
- Temperature range: -60 °C to +110 °C
- Finish: 'Office', in white (RAL 9010)
A peaceful learning environment in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek
With this installation, Egied Van Broeckhoven School benefits from an air distribution system that combines comfort, hygiene and quietness. The ducts perform their function discreetly, allowing teaching and learning to remain the main focus.
