Fabric Ducting Takes the Gold at Major Sporting Events

By: Billy Farr , Engineering Sales Manager, North America

In July, Paris will welcome more than 15,600 athletes and officials in addition to more than 600,000 spectators to the 2024 Summer Olympic games. The historic event will include more than 300 events in 32 sports spread across 35 indoor and outdoor venues. With average temperatures exceeding 25°C/77°F, efficient, effective air conditioning and ventilation will be essential for athletes to perform their best and spectators to enjoy the events comfortably.

This will be the first Olympic Games event following the COVID-19 pandemic that will allow spectators, making indoor air quality a key focus. Optimizing the HVAC systems for the indoor events will contribute to improved comfort, air quality and energy efficiency. Fabric ducting can address all these challenges for the indoor events (and even the spaces in between!).

Key Benefits of Fabric Ducting for Sports Venues

Fabric ducting is well-suited to address the unique challenges presented by sports facilities including heat, humidity, drafts, and durability.

• Athlete Comfort: Ensures consistent, comfortable airflow/velocity across the playing surface, providing an equal environment for all competitors.
• Spectator Comfort: Enhances the experience by maintaining optimal indoor air quality and temperature.
• Pool Environments: Corrosion-resistant air dispersion that improves indoor air quality by managing chemicals and humidity levels.
• Hygienic and Durable: Fabric ducts can be laundered making them easy to clean and they maintain their shape even after bumps from sports equipment.
• Energy Efficiency: Due to lower static pressure, air handling units can achieve temperature set points quicker and operate more efficiently.

Applications for Fabric Ducting in Different Sports Facilities

Custom engineered fabric ducting provides a variety of advantages over traditional metal ductwork and offers specific benefits for sports applications. From indoor swimming and diving facilities, arenas, football stadiums, indoor courts and even historical buildings, custom engineered fabric ducting creates the ideal competitive environment.

Natatoriums and Aquatics Centres

It is essential to consider how a space will be used when designing the HVAC systems, especially in spaces with high humidity and chemicals such as natatoriums and aquatics centres.

Unlike traditional metal ductwork, condensation doesn’t form on permeable fabric ducts. The airflow through the duct surface prevents condensation from forming on the material eliminating the risk of corrosion or rust. Additionally, precisely located laser-cut holes can be incorporated through the full length of the duct to direct air exactly where it is needed with the desired throw. The linear design and custom-placed holes direct airflow for the uniform dispersion of dry, conditioned air across windows, ceilings, and walls to prevent condensation.

Additionally, toxic chloramine gases that collect at the pool surface can be a problem for swimmers. Air movement across the pool is necessary to remove these toxic vapors from the area. High velocity airflow over the water from imprecise HVAC systems can accelerate evaporation and create uncomfortable drafts. Excess evaporation increases humidity in the space and condensation on surfaces. Uniform airflow from fabric ducting moves air across the pool surface without creating irritating gusts of air.

Arenas and Stadiums

From boxing to basketball, most of the Olympic events will take place in various stadiums and arenas throughout the Paris metropolitan area. These large buildings, including those with open ceilings have wide open spaces where effective air dispersion can be a complex task.

Fabric ducting is custom engineered to meet the exact requirements of the space and how it will be used. This attention to detail ensures athletes can compete at their best and spectators can enjoy the event comfortably no matter where they’re seated.

When airflow really matters – whether it’s preventing drafts that affect the flight of the birdie in badminton or providing more conditioned air to the fans of a highly contested football match, fabric ducting has the clear advantage over traditional metal ducting in stadiums and arenas.

Special Considerations for Historic Architecture

Several events including Fencing and Tae Kwon Do will take place in historical buildings including the Grand Palais and the Chateau de Versailles. These carefully preserved buildings require non-intrusive HVAC solutions to prevent damage to the centuries-old architecture. Fabric ducting is ideal for temporary or retrofit installations due it’s lightweight nature and design flexibility.

And these buildings may not have been constructed to support heavy HVAC systems that require specialized equipment and vast amounts of space to install. Fabric ducting provides a lightweight alternative that can be installed without specialized tools or labor.

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High Quality Airflow for the High-Level Competition

Whether it’s a boxer throwing a knockout punch or gymnasts flying through the air, fabric ducting creates ideal environments for any sporting event or facility. Custom designed ducts provide precise airflow where it’s needed without drafts or the risk of corrosion. And, their light weight, washable fabrics are suitable for any venue whether it is an expansive modern arena or delicate historic architecture.

Best of all, this innovative HVAC solution isn’t just for elite athletic competitions—it’s accessible and affordable for any level of competition around the world.

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Additional Information

CASE STUDY: Talisman Center, Canada

How fabric ducts solve natatorium air dispersion and condensation challenges

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Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Olympic_Games

https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024