Technical Field

The present invention relates to an arrangement for providing building services to a building, and to a method of providing building services to a building.

Background of the Invention

Buildings typically require various building services, such as: heating for heating the environment inside the building; cooling for cooling the environment inside the building; ventilation for moving air around the building;

energy recovery for recovering energy (typically heat) that might otherwise be lost to the outside environment; hot water generation; hot water storage; and/or thermal storage. In this context, building services are not utilities such as the supply of water, gas, electricity etc. {although a building service may require a supply of a utility) .

Typically the relevant building services are provided by dedicated units, located throughout the building. During construction of a new building, builders tend to install the required building service units as and when possible, as part of the overall construction process. The builders tend not to be expert in installing the relevant building service unit(s) and may therefore incorrectly, or inefficiently, install the unit{s}. Alternatively, if expert installers are used, this can delay and/or complicate construction.

If, after construction of the building, maintenance or inspection to a building service unit is required, the

engineer usually needs access to the interior of the building. This may inconvenience the occupier and/or may present a security issue.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention seeks to overcome or mitigate at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a building and a building services module, wherein the module is arranged to provide a plurality of different building service to the building. The module is preferably accessible from outside the building such that maintenance and/or inspection of the module can be conducted without requiring access to the building. By providing a module that is arranged to provide a plurality of building services, the provision of the building services may be installed in a single step during the construction of the building, or more preferably as a step that is separate from the construction of the building structure. For example, a specialist engineer can install the module whilst the construction of the building structure is completed by other tradesmen. This may

facilitate improved installation of the building service units. This may also simplify the construction process of the building as it may be separated from the installation of building services.

The module may comprise a building service unit arranged to provide a plurality of different building services. For example, the module may have a multi-f nction unit for

providing two or more building services. The module may comprise a plurality of building service units, each unit being arranged to provide a building service. Having a plurality of building service units in the module may provide advantages such making the recycling or reclaiming of valuable materials within all the building service units easier, in the event that the module is replaced or removed. The module may comprise a combination of the above-mentioned building service units; for example the module may comprise a building service unit arranged to provide a plurality of different building services, and a plurality of other building service units, each arranged to provide a different building service.

Having the module accessible from outside the building may also allow maintenance and/or inspection of the module to be conducted without requiring access to the building. The module may be located outside the building. It will be appreciated that when the module is located outside the building, part of the module (for example a connection

interface) may nevertheless protrude into the building, or be complementary with part of the building (for example an exterior wall)). The building may define a substantially enclosed, stand-alone structure to the outside of which the module is located. The module may be located adjacent to an exterior face of the building. For example the module may abut or be contiguous with, an exterior face of the building. At least part of the module is preferably at ground level.

In embodiments of the invention in which the module comprises one or more building service units, the module may be arranged such that the building service unit(s) are

accessible from the exterior of the building. This enables access to the building service unit(s) without requiring entry to the building. The building service unit(s) may be only accessible from the exterior of the building. The building service units may be inaccessible from inside the building. The module may be inaccessible from inside the building.

The module may comprise a distribution means for

distributing the building services between the module and the building. The distribution means may be for distributing from the module to the building, from the building to the module, or both. The nature of the distribution means depends on the building services being provided but example distribution means include: piping, ducting, cabling, wiring etc.

The module may comprise a connection interface for connecting the distribution means to complementary

distribution means inside the building. When the module is installed, the connection interface connects the distribution means to complementary distribution means inside the building. The connection interface is preferably outside the building, but may protrude inside the building in some embodiments. The particular configuration of the connection interface depends on the nature of the distribution means and the building services. The connection interface may, for example, comprise a pipe coupling, a manifold, or a junction box, air duct.

The module may further comprise a control system for controlling the plurality of building services. For

commercial buildings, the control system may be referred to as a building management system (BMS) . The control system may be arranged to control one of the building services in dependence on another, or more preferably all the other, building

services. By providing a control system in the module, and more particularly by integrating the control of building services such that one of the building services is controlled in dependence on another building service, the control of the building services may be improved {in comparison to separate, discrete, building service units each having their own separate control system) . This may improve the efficiency of the system and reduce its environmental impact.

The control system may comprise a master control unit, the master control unit being arranged to control the

plurality of building services. The master unit may be a single unit that directly controls all the plurality of building services. Alternatively, the control system may further comprise a plurality of building service control units, each unit being associated with one of the plurality of building service units and each unit being arranged to control said one of the building service units, and the master control unit may be arranged to control the plurality of building service control units.

The module may comprise a control interface via which the user may access the control system. Alternatively or

additionally, a control interface may be remote from the module. For example the control interface may be inside the building or accessible via a computer network (such as the internet) .

In principle, the present invention may be applicable to both commercial and domestic buildings. More preferably, however, the building is a domestic building (such as a house or block of flats) . The building may comprise one or more dwellings. The module is preferably accessible from outside the building such that maintenance and/or inspection of the module can be conducted without requiring access to the one or more dwellings. For example, it will be appreciated that the module, may in principle, be located within a structure associated with the building, but separate from the dwelling therein .

For commercial buildings, the present invention may be more applicable to relatively small commercial buildings. For example, the building may be a commercial building having a floor area of less than 800m ² , and more preferably less than 500m ² .

The module is preferably prefabricated at a location remote from the building. Thus, the module may be constructed to a high standard by skilled engineers in, for example, a production line facility. Prefabricating the module at the location remote from the site, may improve the standard of the installation of the equipment in the module and may allow the equipment to operate for efficiently and/or more effectively than if they were separately installed on-site. Production line fabrication of the module also seeks to ensure a

consistent standard of production.

Many building services require heat exchange. The module may comprise a heat exchanger for use in providing one of the building services. The heat exchanger may be arranged to exchange heat generated from the burning of a fuel source to a fluid system (for example, the module may comprise a boiler (for hot water and/or central heating}). The heat exchanger may be arranged for heat recovery. For example, the module may comprise a grey water heat exchanger, a ventilation heat exchanger, and/or a heat exchanger coupled to the output of a solar heating unit. By having a building services unit comprising a heat exchanger for heat recovery, the module may be relatively energy efficient and present a relatively low carbon footprint. The module may comprise a heat pump having a heat exchanger. The heat pump may, for example, be an air/water heat pump, an air/air heat pump, a ground

source/water heat pump or a ground source/air heat pump.

The module may comprise a plurality of heat exchangers of the same, or different types.

The module may be arranged to provide at least two of the following building services:

• Heating and/or cooling for the building

Ventilation of the building

• Energy recovery

· Hot water for the building

• Thermal storage

• Distribution of locally generated electricity.

• Distribution of potable water The energy recovery may be from grey water energy

recovery. The energy recovery may be from ventilation energy recovery. Being able to provide energy recovery is especially attractive as it can improve the efficiency, and reduce the environmental impact, of the module.

The locally generated electricity is preferably generated from a renewable source. For example, the electricity may be generated by a wind turbine,- solar panels or other generator using renewable sources. The module may therefore distribute electricity having a relatively low carbon footprint. The generator need not, necessarily, form part of the module. For example solar panels or a wind turbine may be located on the building remote from the module, but connected to the module by cabling for transferring the electricity to the

distribution unit.

The building services supplied by the module are not themselves utilities, which are typically supplied from a remote network (e.g. the UK national grid). The building service units may, however, require a supply of a utility. The module may include a utility connection unit for

connecting at least one utility to the building. The utility may be water, remotely generated electricity, gas and/or telecommunications. The distribution means may be arranged for distributing the utility to the building. In addition to the building service unit(s), the module may comprise a utility meter for measuring and recording utility consumption.

The module may be arranged to provide a multiplicity of different building services to the building. For example the module may comprise several building service units, each unit being arranged to provide a different building service to the building. A building may receive a multiplicity of building services. In an embodiment in which the building receives a multiplicity of building services, the majority of said building services are preferably provided by the module. The module may be arranged to provide 75% or more of the building services to the building. The module may be arranged to provide all the building services to the building.

The module may comprise a data interface for enabling access to data associated with the building services. For example the module may comprise a data socket to which a connection (for example a local connection, or a connection over the internet) may be established in order to access to data associated with the building services. The data

interface may be a wireless interface. Having the data interface may allow remote monitoring of the building services through a single interface.

The module may comprise a housing for protecting the module from the external environment. The housing may define an outer surface substantially enclosing the module. In embodiments of the invention in which the module comprises one or more building service units, the housing may enclose the building service unit(s). The housing may substantially encloses the distribution means. The housing may also allow the module to be more easily transported and/or installed.

The connection interface may be arranged to connect the distribution means to complementary distribution means on a plurality of vertically spaced apart storeys in the building. The complementary distribution means may be, for example, piping located under the flooring on different storeys of the building. The module may comprise a duct extending vertically up a side of the building, the duct comprising the

distribution means. For example the duct may house piping which carries hot water from a boiler in the module. The duct may define the distribution means for at least one of the building services. For example, the duct may be arranged to carry warm or cool air for ventilating the building from a ventilation unit in the module. The distribution means may be arranged such that heat is transferred between the ventilated air and another medium being carried in the distribution means .

The module itself may be of modular construction. This may enable the module to be more easily transported and/or manipulated, especially when it is relatively large (for example in embodiments in which the module comprises a duct for extending vertically up the side of the building) , since it can be transported in a partially assembled configuration.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a module for use as the module in the first aspect of the invention. The module is arranged to be able to provide a plurality of different building services to the building. The module preferably comprises a distribution means for

distributing the building services to the building, and a connection interface for connecting the distribution means to complementary distribution means inside the building.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of providing a plurality of building

services to a building at a site, comprising the steps of: (i) prefabricating a module at a location remote from the site, the module being arranged to provide a plurality of building services to the building, and (ii) installing the

prefabricated module at the site such that the module is accessible from outside the building. By prefabricating the module at a location remote from the site, the module may be constructed to a high standard by skilled engineers rather than separate units being installed by the builders of the building during its construction. Furthermore, since the skilled technicians may install the equipment in the module, this may enable the equipment to operate more efficiently and/or more effectively than if they had been installed by the builders on site. By installing the module such that it is accessible from outside the building, future servicing and/or inspection of the module has less impact on the occupant of the building.

The prefabricated module may further comprise a

distribution means for distributing the building services to the building. The prefabricated module may further comprise a connection interface for connecting the distribution means to complementary distribution means inside the building. The connection interface may be configured for connecting to a specific complementary distribution means in a building. The method may comprise the step of designing the connection interface for connecting to complementary distribution means on a building.

The method may comprise the step of testing the

functionality of module, at a location remote from the site. This allows the skilled technicians to perform checks and test on the module in a dedicated test environment, rather than the testing being carried out on the site, which may lack various test facilities.

It will be appreciated that any features described with reference to one aspect of the invention are equally

applicable to another aspect of the invention, and vice versa. For example, features described with reference to the building and module according to the first aspect of the invention, are equally applicable to the method of the invention.

Description of the Drawings Various embodiments of the invention will now be

described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which: Figure la is a schematic view of a domestic building and a module attached thereto, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure lb is a schematic view of the base of the module in Figure la;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the first embodiment of the invention showing the under floor heating system;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of the first embodiment of the invention showing the ventilation system;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the first embodiment of the invention showing the grey water recovery system;

Figure 5 is a schematic view of the first embodiment of the invention showing the solar panel system; and

Figure 6 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Figure la is a schematic view of a building 1 and a module 3 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The module 3 (outlined in a relatively thick line) is

connected by brackets (not shown) to the right-hand exterior wall of the building.

The module 3 comprises a base 5 and an elongate vertical duct 7 extending up to, and above, the roof 9 of the building 1. The module 3 is shaped and decorated in the style of a conventional chimney stack.

An overview of the module is described below (with reference to Figures la and lb where appropriate) . A further, and more detailed, description of the module is then made with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

The base 5 of the module 3 houses four building service units for providing building services to the building. In the first embodiment of the invention, the building service units are as follows:

(i) A boiler 23 - the boiler is gas fired and comprises a heat exchanger to heat a domestic hot water supply 24 and a central heating water supply 21a for radiators and under floor heating (described in more detail with reference to Figure 2) ;

(ii) A ventilation and heat recovery unit 25 - the unit circulates air around the interior of the building and also recovers heat from the warm air extracted (described in more detail with reference to Figure 3) ;

(ii)A grey water heat recovery unit 33 - the unit includes a heat exchanger arranged to recover heat from various grey water outputs (described in more detail with reference to Figure 4 ) ;

(iv) A unit for distributing locally generated electricity from photovoltaic solar panels (described in more detail with reference to Figure 5) .

The module 3 also comprises a distribution means for distributing the above-mentioned building services between the building and units. The distribution means (not shown in

Figure la, but partly visible in Figure lb) , comprise water pipes connected to the boiler and grey water recovering unit, air ducts connected to the ventilation and heat recovery unit, and electrical cabling connected to the distribution unit. The distribution means are connected to complementary

distribution means in the building (for example, the water pipes, air ducts and electrical system) at a connection interface. The connection interface is on the inner face of the module, against the building.

As shown in the schematic of Figure la, the module is located outside the building. The building service units in the module are accessible from outside the building via a door in the outer surface of the module housing. Having the module accessible in this manner enables an engineer to easily access the building service units (for the purposes of installing the module or for post-installation maintenance) without

necessarily requiring access to the interior of the building.

The module was fabricated at a dedicated module

production plant in a location remote from the building site. At the production plant, the building service units were installed in the module and the appropriate distribution means were connected to the building service units. A control system was installed in the module to control the plurality of building service units. Prefabricating the module in this manner provides a number of advantages. Firstly, it allows a skilled engineer who is familiar with the technology, to fit all the building service units, thereby increasing the quality of the installation process. Secondly, it enables a control system to be installed that is tailored for the exact

combination of the building service units in the module, rather than each building service unit having its own

independent control system as might otherwise occur if they were installed separately around the building. In the first embodiment of the invention, each building service module has its own building service control unit, but the control system further comprises a master control unit connected to each of these building service control units. The master control unit has been designed to control each of the building services in dependence on the other building services. This integrates control of the building services into a single system, which facilitates efficient use/supply of the building services.

The different building service units are each now

described in more detail with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the under floor heating system in the building and shows the corresponding parts in the module. The building has three storeys 11, 13, 15 (the top storey 15 being a loft conversion) . The floor of each storey has under floor heating pipes 17a, 17b located within the floor void. For each storey, there is an inlet pipe 17a carrying hot water from a gas-fired boiler 23 and a return pipe 17b (shown in dotted line) carrying the cooled water back to the boiler 23. Contrary to conventional under floor heating arrangements, the pipes 17a, 17b for each floor terminate at manifolds 19 connected to the outer wall of the building. The module 3 has distribution pipes 21a, 21b extending up the side of the building and connecting to the manifolds 19. These distribution pipes are complementary to those in the building {i.e. there is a feed pipe 21a and a return pipe 21b) . The distribution pipes extend from the manifold 19 to a connection with the boiler 23. The boiler 23 is arranged to heat the water supplied in the return pipe 21b and supply the newly heated water back, via the feed pipe 21a, into the under floor heating system. Thus the building service provided by the boiler is hot water for the underfloor heating system in the building.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of the ventilation system in the building and module. The base of the module 3 comprises a ventilation and heat recovery unit 25 connected to air duct 27 which extends up the module along the side of the building. The air duct of the module terminates at ducting connections 29 which connect the air duct 27 to air ducts 31 in the building 1 The ventilation and heat recovery unit 25

comprises a fan for drawing air down through the air duct 27 and into a heat exchanger (not shown) in the unit. The drawing of air through the air ducts 31, 27 ensures adequate ventilation and air circulation in the building. Warm, moist air generated by the inhabitant is drawn through the ducts and is replaced by fresh air drawn in from the external atmosphere (shown as dotted lines in Figure 3) . The warm, moist air is passed through a heat exchanger to warm a thermal storage buffer tank which can then be used to heat hot water. In this manner, heat is recovered from the circulated air. Thus the ventilation and heat recovery unit 25 provides two building services, namely ventilation/circulation of air around the building, and heat recovery from the exhaust air.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the grey water recovery system in the building and module. The module comprises a grey water heat recovery unit 33, and pipes 3 4 connected to pipes in the building carrying grey waste water from a variety of appliances and fixtures in the building, such as a washing machine 35, dishwasher 37, sink 39, hand basin 41, and

shower/bath 43. Waste water (often called grey water) from these appliances and fixtures passes through the pipes 34 and is transported to the grey water heat recovery unit 33. The heat recovery unit includes a heat exchanger which recovers heat from the waste water, the recovered heat being stored in a thermal storage buffer tank 36 (see Figure lb) and then used to heat the hot water supply for the building. Thus the building service provided by the grey water recovery unit is energy recovery from grey water.

Figure 5 is a schematic view of the first embodiment of the invention showing the solar panel system. Three photovoltaic solar panels 45 are installed on the roof 9 of the building 1. The solar panels 45 are electrically coupled to an electricity distribution unit 47 in the base of the module 3. The

distribution unit 47 is arranged to distribute this locally generated electricity to the building, or if appropriate, feed the supply back to the national grid. Thus, the building service provided by the distribution unit is the distribution of locally generated electricity.

A second embodiment (not shown) is similar to the first embodiment except for the differences described below. Firstly, in the second embodiment, the building the module is located outside is a small block of four apartments. Instead of the boiler of the first embodiment, the module includes a Hydraulic Interface Unit (HIU) for heating and providing a domestic hot water supply to the apartments within the block. The HIU comprises a heat exchanger for drawing heat from the community heating network for the apartments.

Secondly, the solar panels on the roof of the building are thermal solar panels (i.e. arranged for solar heating of a fluid within the panel), rather than photovoltaic panels. In this second embodiment, the module includes insulated risers extending along the length of the module, the risers being connected to pipes extending from the solar panels. The module includes a pump for circulating the fluid through the risers and panels, and a heat exchanger for recovering heat from said fluid as it passes through the unit.

The building also has a small wind turbine installed thereon, which provides an electrical output. The module is arranged to distribute this electrical output to supply the building with locally generated electricity.

In the first embodiment of the invention, the building services units are off the shelf units that have been installed together during fabrication of the module and that have been controllably coupled to a master control system. In contrast, the module of the second embodiment of the invention, includes a purpose built, multifunction, unit which is arranged to provide all the above-mentioned building services to the building. The module also has a single control unit which integrates control of all the building services.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 6. This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the feature shown in Figure 6 and described below. When referring to like features, the same reference numerals are used, but with the prefix "1" or "10" as appropriate. The guttering 151 of the building 101 is arranged to direct rain water run-off into a storage vessel 149 located in the base 105 of the module 103 (the flow of water is shown by way of the thick arrows in Figure 6) . The building 101 and module 103 are arranged such that the rain-water run-off is

accessible for toilet 153 flushing (the flow of that water also being shown by way of the thick arrows in Figure 6) , and also other non-potable applications such as garden watering or outdoor cleaning.

In this embodiment of the invention, some of the thermal energy in the stored water in the storage vessel 149 can also be extracted by a heat pump (not shown) . Using rain-water run-off for this purpose is thought to be especially useful as the water in the storage vessel tends to be replaced/topped-up regularly by fresh rainfall.

In a further embodiment of the invention (not shown) , the house also has an internal heat source in the form of a wood- burning stove. The flue from the stove passes into, and extends upwardly through, the duct in the module. The module includes a heat pump arranged to extract heat from the flue as it passes up the duct. Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular

embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for

determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims.