Product Development: innovation and testing for Colt Conditions
A tradition of innovation
Colt has a proven track record in developing innovative solutions to create a healthy, comfortable and safe internal climate, and energy-efficient buildings.
Key innovations in Colt's history include the sloping roof ventilator, introduced in the 1950s, which was a radical departure from the conventional approach to ventilators for heavy industries.
The concept, which is the preferred solution in the industry to this day, considerably reduced installation and maintenance costs. It also improved air quality inside the building, as it stopped downdraft from blowing smoke back into the building.
Colt's innovative approach has developed over the years, leading to the introduction of many solutions that have changed the industry.
Most recently, Colt jointly developed with Geothermal International the UK's first hybrid system that combines air and ground source heat pump technologies.
The new system provides a highly energy efficient way of heating and cooling buildings at much reduced levels of COČ emissions coupled with low installation and running costs.
This innovation was recognised by the industry when it received the H&V News Environmental Initiative of the Year Award 2009.
A Colt PV wall tracks the sun at the EWE-Arena in Oldenburg, Germany
Testing for Colt Conditions
Colt's test facilities in the UK and Germany support the company's Research & Development activities, analysing the performance of products in all conditions to identify possible improvements and developments. Colt products are tested for air permeability, water tightness under static pressure and aerodynamic performance. Ventilators and louvre panels are tested for air leakage. Freeze testing, "fall through" tests and structural wind testing are also carried out at these facilities.
Colt's test facilities are also used to verify the effectiveness of its products when integrated into a customer's existing building or a new development, analysing their performance under different conditions.
Natural ventilator under test in a third party laboratory
Rain test rig
