These are often found in schools and have multi-function purposes. They are also found in Fitness Clubs and Wellness Centers. Used for physical activity during school hours, they are also used for sports events, meetings, school proms and other social events during evening hours and on weekends. More gyms are being air conditioned to make them more suitable for this wide range of activities.
HVAC
Typical System
Many are not mechanically cooled and simply have low-intensity perimeter radiant heating or ceiling suspended unit or radiant heaters. Design space temperatures are normally in the 65 to 68°F range for heating. They also have ventilation systems capable of four to six air changes per hour to handle the high activity level and resulting odors.
Where these spaces are air conditioned, the design considerations are similar to those of sports arenas.
Recommendations/Energy Services Opportunities
Opportunities include:
* Add odor control (carbon filters and controlled recirculation) and/or controlled dampers to reduce fresh air intake when it is not needed,
* If not cooled, retrofit for air conditioning,
* Older inefficient systems should be investigated for upgrading or replacement, particularly if CFC refrigerants are used.
Water Heating
Hot water is used for cleanup, locker room showers, and rest rooms. Hot water consumption varies significantly among individual facilities.
Typical System
Most water heating is done separately from the building heating system using direct resistance or gas heaters, and in some cases, point-of-use heaters.
Recommendations/Energy Services Opportunities
If existing water heating systems are inefficient or inadequate, replace with modern efficient equipment. Also add better insulation on storage tanks, or timer controls. The ASHRAE Applications Handbook Chapter on Service Water Heating publishes typical hot water use data as well as estimating procedures.
Lighting
Most educational facilities have a gym or multi-purpose room that, beyond athletic activities, also accommodates assemblies, presentations, dining, and dances. Lighting must be flexible to meet these various needs.
Typically large rooms with high ceilings over 15 feet, both horizontal and vertical illumination levels are important, as is uniformity. Elementary schools require about 5 to 30 horizontal footcandles. Indoor track and field and tennis require 5 to 50 footcandles.
Recommendations/Energy Services Opportunities
Choose lamps with a color temperature of 3500 to 4100K. Color rendition may not be as important in an elementary school as it is in a high school or college. High school and college gymnasiums require 50 to 100 footcandles or higher if there's television coverage.
Use metal halide if color rendition is important, otherwise use high pressure sodium recessed or pendant hung fixtures. Any fixtures in a gym should have a protective metal grid. Fluorescent fixtures may also be used, but are not as energy efficient.
Be sure to install supplementary lighting or flexible controls that can adapt the space to other uses. For example, if there is a stage at one end, install halogen track lighting.