Case Study · Leisure · EC Fan Upgrade
Leisure Centre, Dorset
EC Fan Upgrade
When BVS first inspected the swimming-pool air-handling unit (AHU), it was clear the system was no longer protecting either the building fabric or the comfort of pool users. Filters were missing on both supply and extract sides, allowing debris to clog the heating coil and plate heat exchanger. Fresh-air and exhaust dampers were closed, the return-air plenum was corroded and drawing plant-room air, and the condensate pan was leaking badly. Supply and extract fans had shredded belts and produced excessive noise, and almost no airflow reached the pool hall.
As a result, humidity and temperature control were virtually non-existent; any warmth came only from the pool's thermal mass, risking serious long-term damage to the building. Since that initial visit, a temporary bearing repair kept the extract fan running, but a permanent solution was essential. After a detailed site survey and airflow measurements, BVS designed a targeted upgrade to restore proper ventilation, improve energy efficiency, and safeguard the structure.
Project Overview
We removed the existing belt-driven supply fan, fabricated and installed new fan bulkheads, fitted two GR561-ZID EC fans for supply, then completed the wiring and carried out full testing.
What We Did
New EC Fan Selection
Specified two Ziehl-Abegg 451 EC fans, each capable of delivering the required 6 m³/s airflow at up to 1,600 Pa, plotted on the fan curve for optimal performance.
Supply Fan Replacement
Installed the directly driven EC fans to meet the plated air volume of 6 m³/s against 350 Pa plus internal component resistance, including the newly added low-grade heating coil.
Electrical Integration
Extended power wiring and 0-10 V speed-control signals to external terminal boxes, allowing the client to remove the existing inverter and choose either manual potentiometer control or automated speed regulation via existing or future controls.
The Results
The upgraded EC fan system now delivers consistent, efficient airflow to the pool hall, restoring humidity and temperature control and protecting the building fabric. With high-efficiency, low-maintenance EC technology and simplified controls, the facility benefits from lower running costs, quieter operation, and reliable long-term performance, without the need for a full AHU replacement.
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