For the operators accommodation we require comfort conditioning, rather than cooling. This is to satisfy the needs of the human occupants.

The room will contain PCs, server racks and modems – all producing heat. However much of this will be lost if the room adjoins a computer room, where the temperature is maintained at a lower temperature. There is also usually an inevitable bleeding of cold air from the supply plenum of an adjoining computer room – its floor or ceiling.

Split system air conditioning systems are ideal for providing comfort conditioning in an operators’ bridge.

Wall mounted air handling units are preferred to suspended ceiling cassettes – see Pitfalls

These are further explained in the Mechanical services section of: Server/Telecoms rooms

Heat removed from the room by the air handling units is carried by pipework to externally mounted heat exchangers. Depending on the cooling medium used and the location of compressors, these are referred to as condensing units, condensers, chillers or water towers.

These are further explained in the Mechanical services section of Server/Telecoms rooms.

All emit sound, and so consideration has to be taken regarding local environmental impact. There are means of reducing the sound levels to residentially acceptable levels.

Planning permission from relevant bodies may also be required.

Heating is provided inside the air handling unit, after the cooling coils. The medium may be electrical, hot water or steam. Heat pumps are used when direct expansion systems are used – by simply reversing the cooling cycle in the condensing unit.

Coarse filtration is all that is usually required. Pollution into an adjoining computer room is minimised by the higher pressure maintained.

There is usually no need for humidity control, especially where the room adjoins the computer space. This is because humidity levels equalise extremely quickly and the both rooms will achieve the levels set for the computer space.

There is a ready source of fresh air immediately available where the control room adjoins the computer space. A simple transfer fan in the separating wall may provide transfer between the two rooms.