Starbank School - All Through School M&E works

Based in the city of Birmingham, Starbank School specialises in the education of both primary and secondary-school age students.

Starbank was originally founded as a primary school. However, in 2014, in response to a demand for places, it became an ‘all-through’ school, for which a new building was built on Hob Moor Road.

J Tomlinson were appointed by Thomas Vale Construction to complete the full Mechanical and Electrical design and installation works throughout the new school, which would house both primary and secondary school students.

The M&E challenge was to produce a cost-effective, low maintenance solution that would both reduce running costs and also require less maintenance.

BIM design delivery

The entire design was delivered in BIM (Building Information Modeling) using Revit. Specifically created for mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering, this software facilitates and supports in-depth, collaborative design processes.

Ensuring efficiency through sustainable methods

Solar panelling was installed on the roof of the building to supply renewable solar energy to the school through the conversion of sunlight to electricity. The building’s orientation enables the classrooms to receive maximum daylight.

Furthermore, a natural ventilation strategy was developed, which comprised of roof-mounted louvres and dampeners for the main building, and roof-mounted wind catchers and dampeners for the sports hall. Both systems work independently and operate via CO2 sensors during the day, and use natural ventilation to cool down the building when required during the summer period by opening up the dampeners to naturally purge the building during the evening period when the external ambient temperature falls.

Hot water is distributed throughout the main building from two hot water storage cylinders located within the roof top plantroom. Wash basins and sink unit taps within the classroom areas incorporate either a thermostatic mixing valve device or separate thermostatic mixing valve to ensure that the hot water supplied from the tap is no greater than 43 degrees Celsius.

The building achieved an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of B, which was aided by the modern and energy-efficiency heating and ventilation systems implemented by J Tomlinson.

HIGH ENERGY PERFORMANCE - the building achieved an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of B due to the modern and energy-efficiency heating and ventilation systems implemented

BSRIA CRITERIA MET - the heating system meets BSRIA criteria, which assesses the role of service design and functionality in helping buildings to perform well socially, economically and environmentally

SEAMLESS HANDOVER - upon completion, J Tomlinson provided a smooth handover process, ensuring that school maintenance staff were supplied with a detailed and easy-to-understand operations and maintenance manual. The project was completed to a very high standard and J Tomlinson’s solutions have since been well-received by the school’s staff, students and visitors

TAILORED SOLUTIONS - different ventilation strategies were implemented for the sports hall and the main building, which were specifically designed according to the school’s various requirements and activities