Smoke and heat extraction and automated ventilation systems in the OYM athletic centre

A state-of-the-art centre of expertise for top athletic performance and research has been created in the Swiss town of Cham. There, door and window systems from GEZE stand out not only for their user-friendliness and automated ventilation, but also for their peak performance in terms of fire protection, smoke and heat extraction, and emergency exit protection.

For peak performance: OYM athletic and training centre

The OYM athletic centre in Cham, in the canton of Zug, is one of the world's most modern athletic centres. The abbreviation OYM stands for “On Your Marks” – a term taken from track and field. It offers an excellent amount of space, as the athletic and training centre provides usable space of 30,300 m², including an ice skating rink with stage, three gymnasiums, four 80 meter sprint tracks, and 3000 square metres of training space. In addition, 25 double rooms, modern training rooms, and an auditorium are available to athletes in the hotel area. 

OYM facts

  • Draft: Lüscher Architects AG, Zürich
  • Version: Axess Architects AG, Zug
  • Construction volume: 150,000 m³
  • Usable area incl. underground garage: 30,300 m²
  • Number of floors: 3 lower and 5 upper floors
  • Total investment: 100 million CHF
  • 95% of door and window systems are from GEZE

Peak performance: Automated window ventilation and smoke and heat extraction system

Smart façades react actively to environmental influences.

Smart façades react actively to environmental influences. © Lorenz Frey / GEZE GmbH

As we all know: Peak athletic performance and concentration need plenty of oxygen. In the OYM athletic centre, good fresh air intake and a healthy indoor climate play a key role in the ventilation concept because of this. In addition, the fire protection concept includes smoke and heat extraction devices. Automatic window drives unite the high requirements for the combination of automated natural ventilation and smoke and heat extraction.

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Intelligent ventilation by automated windows

The automated windows are connected to the building management technology. This means times can be programmed when the windows should open automatically. This is more energy-efficient than manual ventilation, since the technology reacts more reliably to indoor air quality and environmental conditions than our human perception. The automated windows can, however, be overriden manually if needed. If it is raining and water could get inside, a connected weather station gives the command to close the windows quickly. 

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Top team: Smoke and heat extraction and emergency exits

Fire protection doors serve as emergency exits, and create safe fire sections in the OYM.

Fire protection doors serve as emergency exits, and create safe fire sections in the OYM. © Lorenz Frey / GEZE GmbH

The ECdrive T2-FR from GEZE ensures emergency exit protection in high-traffic entrance areas.

The ECdrive T2-FR from GEZE ensures emergency exit protection in high-traffic entrance areas. © Lorenz Frey / GEZE GmbH

Smoke and heat extraction systems need smoke vents in the top area of the building, as well as a fresh air intake in the lower area. This fresh air is important for fighting fires; It ensures thermal uplift, called the chimney effect, which ensures flue gases are extracted quickly by the automated smoke and heat extraction windows or openings in the roof. In the lower area of the building, this chimney effect generates a low-smoke layer of air to keep rescue and escape routes clear. In the OYM athletic centre, window and door systems are networked together through the building management technology to make an excellent team: Together, they reliably ensure smoke-free escape and rescue routes as a natural smoke and heat extraction system.

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Fire protection doors for safe escape and rescue routes

Fire protection doors in the corridors and entrances and exits to and from the cafeteria not only create safe fire sections in the OYM, but also serve as emergency exits as regulated in the Swiss Fire Protection Standards and Guidelines of the VKF (Vereinigung Kantonaler Feuerversicherungen - Association of Canton Fire Insurance Companies).

The Powerdrive PL-FR linear sliding door systems are specially designed for large and heavy doors up to 160 kg leaf weight in escape and rescue routes: They have an escape route function with redundant drive design, and the specified integrated emergency power supply, so as to ensure the emergency opening of escape route doors even in case of a power failure.

The same applies to the ECdrive T2-FR, which ensures the emergency exit is safe in high-traffic entrance areas. In combination with the GCprofile Therm profile system, the automatic linear sliding door system also improves the energy efficiency of the OYM building by reducing heat loss in the entrance area.

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Advising, installation, and maintenance from a single source: GEZE as a full-service partner

GEZE advised architects on its products during the planning phase. The advising was then continued with installation companies and participating subsections. GEZE also handled installation and commissioning. To ensure everything runs smoothly in operations, a maintenance agreement was concluded with the building operator.

GEZE products in the OYM athletic centre

  • K 600 F retractable arm drive (24 V) for smoke and heat extraction and natural ventilation
  • Slimdrive EMD Invers swing door systems for single leaf SHEV fresh air opening systems
  • Powerdrive PL-FR automatic linear sliding door systems for escape and rescue routes for doors up to a 160 kg leaf weight
  • TS 5000 ECline overhead door closer with guide rail for accessible single leaf doors
  • TS 5000 ISM overhead door closer system with guide rail for double leaf doors with closing sequence control
  • ECdrive T2 FR automatic linear sliding door system in escape and rescue routes for doors up to a 140 kg leaf weight