The University of Huddersfield needed to air condition new computer access study facilities at its urban campus. Previously similar building additions at this campus had been achieved without installing additional large plant. However, the remote location of the new library pods at the far end of a multi-storey, multi-wing complex meant that it was impractical and uneconomical to extend the central system chilled-water plant. Toshiba MMS proved to be the ideal solution.

The new facilities are located at the far ends of levels five and six just below the Vice-Chancellor's suite and important conference rooms. The new plant is sited on a flat roof above the conference area. The plant has to be quiet!

Around 100 kW of cooling is provided by a 28 kW inverter outdoor unit, a 28 kW fixed outdoor unit and two further 22.2 kW units. There is a five metre vertical pipe run down into the library. The pipes have been neatly concealed behind a discreet veneered panel on the floors below.

The cooled air is distributed via Toshiba's concealed chassis units and ducted through the suspended ceiling. The heat gain that the system has to deal with is quite considerable - with 150 W anticipated for each PC. The two new glass pods have 90 and 60 computers respectively and there are more in the adjacent training room.

The new study rooms are full almost all the time and there is some 24-hour access for students to carry out their research in the comfort of the latest air conditioned facilities. The university's premises management is delighted that the installation was achieved, practically and neatly, using fast-track techniques with limited disruption, and that the system operates so quietly and efficiently.