Reading's Tallest Building To Feature Ability Fan Coil Units

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Work on the futuristic tower known as The Blade is well under way and rising to an impressive 128m, the complex is now Reading’s tallest office block and most significant office development for a decade. Billed as Reading’s most imaginatively conceived building, it will completely dominate the centre of the town on its completion next spring.

Located to the rear of Forbury Square, The Blade will comprise cutting edge office accommodation over 14 floors within a few minutes walk of Reading station. The landmark development by PMB Holdings and Aviva Investors will provide close on 110,000 ft², available in floors of 5,630 ft² upwards and will be accompanied by 32 apartments in a separate block.

Air conditioning for the tower will be provided by over 300 off 4 pipe Trojan horizontal, chassis type fan coil units, manufactured by Ability Projects Ltd, Wimborne, Dorset and installed in false ceiling voids on each of the floors. Installation was carried out by contractor, Bailey Ltd, Reading. Capacities of the fan coils are between 0.52 and 4.82kW (cooling) and 1.24 and 3.0kW (heating) and all units conform to NR38 operational noise ratings.

All units incorporate high level condensate alarms, supplied and fitted by Ability. Free issue actuators were wired by Ability and identified by colour coded labels – third party supplied free issue valves were fitted by others on site. The fan coil units are not fitted with condensate tray drain connections since the chilled water design conditions are such that condensate is not envisaged. Some units are also provided with factory fitted electric heaters and electric heating solid state relays for installation in areas in which LPHW pipe work cannot be connected. All units also feature fan failure air flow switches and 250mm dia. spigots.

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