Toshiba Digital Inverter Split system air conditioning has been used in combination with a larger Toshiba VRF system to provide the flexibility of installation and service that was required by WHSmith for its new Meadowhall store in Sheffield.

Four Seasons Air Conditioning specified and designed the system and installed the equipment. They will also maintain it. The company already maintains other air conditioning equipment within the Meadowhall complex.

The new WHSmith at Meadowhall is a greatly expanded unit and is expected to increase in size still further. It is one of the first of a new design of WHSmith's interiors with a large 'open plan' entrance area and new 'library-style' attractive wooden book shelving, as well as a caf within the store space.

The twelve Toshiba Split systems with cassette indoor units provide several types of flexibility. Each one-to-one Split serves a particular area and if power were to be lost, for example, in part of the store air conditioning would still be available from other units. Temperatures can be varied if required within different parts of the store. Units can easily be relocated if the layout changes. Further ducted Splits were more appropriate in the part-glazed café area and the ducted Toshiba SMMS VRF system suited the entrance area, which is expected to expand further.

All of the systems are interfaced with a single Trend central controller. The controls are set within the plant room but can be remotely accessed to assist maintenance or to override the local settings.