With the advent of video taping TV shows and movies, it has become necessary for the large sound stages used for filming and video taping to be air conditioned using “silent-air” systems. ACCO was contacted by Universal Studios in 1980 to provide silent air conditioning systems for nine sound stages on the Universal lot. Two separate central plants, with a total of 1,400 tons, were built to serve these stages. Because of the high interior lighting levels, large air quantities were required to provide adequate cooling. ACCO designed the air distribution systems to maintain noise levels in the NC 20-25 range to allow filming to proceed while the HVAC systems continued operation. These were the first stages at Universal Studios to use the “silent-air” design and since then ACCO has installed many similar systems for Universal and other production facilities.

PROJECT DATA

• Nine Sound Stages
• 1,400 Tons Chilled Water and Air Handling Units

PROJECT TEAM

• Owner - Universal Studios
• Mechanical Engineer - ACCO Engineered Systems