Decathlon equips its Bretigny-sur-Orge
logistics centre with a natural,
economical air conditioning system

The Decathlon logistics centre in Bretigny-sur-Orge decided to install a DELTA NEU natural air conditioning system, which is free of the disadvantages usually associated with this type of air cooling method. By doing this, it is both improving working conditions for its staff and deploying a solution in favour of sustainable development.

Decathlon has many logistics centres, and each one is built to the very latest standards. This means that the most recent Decathlon warehouses fully incorporate HQE criteria. The older centres, however, sometimes have drawbacks related to the type of architecture that prevailed when they were built. The Bretigny-sur-Orge warehouse is one of these. It is a major logistics centre handling 25 million items per year. It has a floor space of 30,000 m2, and is covered in cladding. Despite the static ventilation flaps in the cladding, it feels very hot inside the building in summertime. To improve working conditions for its personnel, the management therefore decided on the installation of a DELTA NEU natural air conditioning system with fabric ducts.

DELTA NEU natural air conditioning system via diffusion duct at the Decathlon logistics centre in Bretigny-sur-Orge.

These ducts cool the ambient air considerably without creating a draft because the perforated fabric ducts blow gently on the conveyor itself. The entire ground floor of the warehouse has been equipped with this system, including the ‘living areas’ where staff meetings are held.

This system requires only an electrical power supply and a water supply. It is set up using floor-standing units such as ECONOCLIM C20/40. Other equipment and other types of installation can be considered: roof-mounted, wall-mounted, etc.


NO RISK OF LEGIONNAIRE’S DISEASE

The management was especially concerned about the risk of Legionnaire’s disease. This type of risk is non-existent with the DELTA NEU natural air conditioning system, which is partly why they chose it. This absence of risk is thanks to the automatic management of the water cycle (water circulation and drainage in the units) and the low speed of the air flow across the humidifier masts.


TOP PRIORITY: SAFETY

Optimum procurement in terms of delivery, cost and quality is obviously the main mission of Decathlon’s logistics managers. But working conditions and the safety of people and property are essential considerations. Before the DELTA NEU system was installed, some very imaginative methods were used to keep the employees cool on hot days. These methods were not as easy to control as the automatic operation of the natural air conditioning system used today.

“Safety is of fundamental importance to me” says Sebastien Robier, the Organisation, Safety and Operations Manager. “And safety has now been upgraded here. On very hot days, the system cools the warehouse down quickly, which is nice.”

“We are pleased,” adds Benoît Faure, Director of the Centre: “For this type of building, it is a very efficient system.”