BK Factory, Combining airtightness and comfort in the elevator shaft
Laurent Lenoble,
CEO BK Factory
Daniel Waltzing,
Regional Manager Luxembourg-France
How to successfully maintain the airtightness of a positive energy building when it has an elevator?
Laurent Lenoble: At the top of the elevator shaft there is an opening to the outside, it is a real window that is permanently open. Present in residential buildings, hospitals or commercial buildings, this opening is responsible for heat loss. It is also a source of draughts and discomfort. For builders who need to design buildings in terms of energy, the efficient ventilation of the elevator shaft is therefore a challenge. Our BlueKit system combines both objectives. It already equips 30,000 elevators in Europe. This is an intelligent ventilation system that regulates the ventilation of elevator shafts while making them perfectly waterproof.
How does this equipment work?
Daniel Waltzing: It is a set of components. There is the central unit installed at the top of the elevator shaft and connected to a ventilation damper that closes the opening to the outside. This intelligent central unit controls the position of the damper according to ventilation needs and in the event of a fire. Fixed on the cab roof, the LST-VOC, another intelligent device, detects movements or people blocked inside the cab. The LST-VOC also monitors temperature and air quality. In the event of an anomaly, the LST-VOC transmits an opening command to the central unit, which activates the opening of the ventilation register. If used regularly, the central unit will turn on the opening for 5 minutes every hour. However, at night, if the elevator is not used, the ventilation damper will remain closed, allowing heat to remain in the building. The BlueKit is both easy to install and completely autonomous.
Who is your intelligent system for?
Laurent Lenoble: Elevator manufacturers, project owners, architects for the construction of new buildings. We also equip existing buildings. As effective in winter as in summer, the BlueKit makes it possible to combine energy savings and comfort in an elevator car.
Laurent lenoble: At the top of the elevator shaft there is an opening to the outside, it is a real window that is permanently open. Present in residential buildings, hospitals or tertiary buildings, this opening is responsible for the loss of energy. It is also a source of draughts and discomfort. For builders who need to design high energy performance buildings, the efficient ventilation of the elevator shaft is therefore a challenge. Our BlueKit system combines both objectives. It is an intelligent ventilation system that regulates the ventilation of elevator shafts while making them perfectly waterproof. The BlueKit already equips 30,000 elevators in Europe.
How does this equipment work?
Daniel Waltzing: It is a set of components. There is the central unit which is installed at the top of the elevator shaft and connected to a ventilation damper, which closes the opening to the outside. This intelligent central unit controls the position of the damper according to ventilation needs. Fixed on the cab roof, the LST-VOC, another intelligent device, detects movements or people blocked inside the cab. The LST-VOC also monitors temperature and air quality. In the event of an anomaly, the LST-VOC transmits an opening command to the central unit, which activates the opening of the ventilation register. In case of regular use, the central housing unit will control the opening for 5 minutes every hour to ensure hygienic ventilation of the duct. However, at night, if the elevator is not used, the ventilation damper will remain closed, which will conserve energy inside the building. The BlueKit is both easy to install and completely autonomous.
