Five-level underground car park ventilation solution

Copenhagen's newest icon. An architectural pearl. With its five fused towers of different heights, unrepeatable round shapes and thoughtful details, Axel Towers is unquestionably an architectural highlight in the city of Copenhagen. Designed by Lundgaard & Tranberg, one of Denmark's most recognised and award-winning architecture firms, the building has become a natural meeting place with its unique location close to everything.

The development encompasses 23,000 m² above ground with shops, restaurants, and modern office spaces. Street level and first floor retail and dining areas welcome visitors, whilst the tenth floor sky-bar offers an unforgettable view of Copenhagen. Below ground, 14,500 m² spreads across five underground car park levels. All facilities were designed to meet Danish sustainability standards and the requirements for low energy class 2015. Yet beneath this architectural achievement lay a critical safety challenge: how to protect five storeys underground from fire and smoke whilst maintaining the building's commitment to sustainability.

Complete system delivers safety and sustainability

NOVENCO Building & Industry was awarded the contract for design and delivery of a complete smoke clearance system with jet fans for the underground car park. The five storeys are now highly protected by an advanced operating system that also provides extra safety after a fire. The fans can clear the air by removing smoke from the building.

The jet fans are built on fundamental car park technology and expertise. This field of solutions was founded in the 1990s when jet fans revolutionised the market for car parks. The system maintains minimal energy consumption whilst maximising safety performance -- a true 2-in-1 system that protects lives and spares the environment.

The solution creates precise air currents that guide smoke away from escape routes and towards extraction points. This targeted approach prevents smoke stratification, the dangerous phenomenon where hot smoke layers trap fresh air beneath them, making evacuation impossible.

Equipment delivery creates comprehensive protection

To create a safe and efficient ventilation system for the car park, NOVENCO Building & Industry supplied strategically positioned components across the five underground levels. High-efficiency ZerAx® AZN-1250 fans provide fresh air intake, delivering clean air whilst minimising energy consumption. Throughout the five storey car park facility, 28 AUO-290 jet fans ensure that polluted air moves efficiently towards the extraction points. The air is extracted safely from the car park by a single NovAx ACN-1250 axial flow fan that serves all levels.

The jet fans form the circulation control layer, directing air movement from contaminated zones towards extraction points. Their compact design and flexible mounting options made them ideal for Axel Towers' architectural constraints. During normal operation, they maintain gentle air circulation. In emergency situations, they activate in coordinated patterns to guide smoke towards extraction fans.

CO detection and control systems form the intelligent core of the ventilation system. The sensors detect any change in CO gases and explosive CH vapour levels, whilst the highly developed control system adjusts the ventilation if levels reach critical points. This keeps the air clean and safe from exhaust particles from the cars, maintaining safe air quality across all underground levels without constant manual oversight.

Proven expertise delivers reliable results

Complex underground projects require experienced partners who understand both technical demands and installation realities. NOVENCO Building & Industry's approach reduced project risk through several key factors. Pre-engineered components arrived ready for installation, reducing on-site design decisions and accelerating construction schedules. Complete documentation supported smooth handover to building management teams, whilst integrated control systems streamlined commissioning and startup procedures.

Throughout the project, expert consultation supported installation teams as challenges emerged. This collaborative approach ensured the final system met both Danish sustainability standards and life safety requirements.

The result is a five-level underground car park where occupants move safely through their daily activities. From normal air quality maintenance to emergency smoke extraction, the intelligent ventilation system responds automatically to changing conditions. It protects lives whilst maintaining minimal energy consumption -- precisely the balance that makes Axel Towers both safe and sustainable.