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The
original plans for the building did not allow for the ventilation
system which was recommended at a later date.
The
aim of the system was to warm and ventilate the building without
draughts.
Fresh air was brought into the building via shafts at the eastern
portico and the used air expelled through grilles in the ceiling
into the roof spaces.
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| The
original position of the boilers. |
The
air was warmed by five hot water pipes heated by two coke-fired
boilers and two steam boilers.
Four ten foot-wide fans distributed the air and circulated air for
cooling.
Control
of the air into and out of the individual rooms was largely manual
and involved an army of workers opening and closing a series of
canvas flaps.
Only
two rooms could control their own heating. The judges and court
clerks had a system of valves beneath their benches.
The
system no longer works but the refurbishment will restore some of
it as a display piece.
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