Thermally Activated Building Structures (TABS)

Download our specifier’s guide towards a carbon-zero future

This whitepaper aims to demonstrating how TABS works, why it’s necessary and its value for construction in a low-carbon economy.

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REHAU TABS specifiers guide front cover October 2021 - 1097705

Efficient heating and cooling for buildings

Energy cost, carbon reduction and legislation drive the need to find new and innovative ways to heat and cool modern buildings. Thermally Activated Building Structures - or TABS – is an innovative cooling and heating system engineered to meet these high requirements.

TABS utilises the large thermal mass of concrete building structures as a buffer for the changing cooling or heating loads during the day. It does this by running hot or cold water through pipes within the slab.

TABS is proving itself as an efficient low energy cooling system on various BREEAM "Excellent" and "Very Good", and Passivhaus certified projects across the UK.

Benefits

Thermally activated building structures have the following benefits;

Low investment and operating costs
"Gentle cooling" without draft effects
Reduced air exchange in combination with ventilation systems
No sick building syndrome
Use of alternative energy sources
Low flow temperatures

Energy Savings

Air

Chiller

Comfort Levels

Lower air volumes -
> less energy required
& reduced fan size

Higher temps (15-18°C)

compared to AC (6-12°C)

Increased comfort and
reduced draughts

Noise Reduction

COP uplift of chiller

1°C increase in room temp
= ca. 6% energy savings

Applications

Typical applications of Thermally Activated Building Structures:

Offices
Hospitals
Retail
Museums / galleries
Transport hubs / stations
Sport centres / arena

Installation Methods

In-situ concrete slabs

Large circuits possible
Minimal connections within structure
Around 300m² installed per day (2 people)
Can sit anywhere within structural slab

Precast concrete planks

Offsite construction methods
Quick to install on site
Easy connections into building services
High cooling capacity of up to 90W/m²

Pre-fabricated mesh

Fast installation
Can be used for PT slab applications
Better outputs when near slab surface
Ideal for Tichelmann Loops
2 options - sTABS or TABS module

REHAU EVERLOC^TM system

Beyond the REHAU PE-Xa pipe, the jointing system plays a central role. Over 850 million fittings have been installed worldwide, our jointing system consists of only 2 components; a compression sleeve and fitting.

Benefits:

Fast and easy to install
No hot works on site, no mess
10 year comprehensive warranty
No O-ring
Installation is immediately able to handle pressure loads

Projects

2016 REHAU at the heart of Tate Modern

REHAU’s Thermally Activated Building Structure (TABS) system is at the heart of the newly opened £260m extension to Tate Modern on London’s South Bank.

2016 University of Northampton

University of Northampton’s new £330m Waterside Campus development have been designed utilising REHAU’s innovative TABS system.

2017 REHAU provides TABS for landmark office

With more than 150 km of REHAU’s Thermally Activated Building Structure (TABS) system installed.

2018 University of Warwick chooses REHAU

Mathematical Sciences Building uses REHAU TABS

News

6 - Sustainable construction Wall Assembly HiREs - 1122843

27.02.2025 Modern Methods of Construction – A Scalable Way Forward

The UK needs more buildings, but there’s less space to work with than on the continent, alongside skills shortages in the construction sector. So, what do we do? Offsite construction methods offer a way to build high-quality properties, quickly.

13.02.2025 100% climate neutral sewer system

REHAU has launched its first 100% climate neutral plastic sewer system, nevoPP, which has a completely measurable climate impact throughout the entire product life cycle.

14.11.2024 Demystifying drinking water approval

Two years on from REHAU’s change over to a KIWA UK reg4 certification there are still many common misconceptions for drinking water approval.

All news

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