Design & Engineering
Design & Engineering
Manufacturing
Installation
Maintenance
Our
Capabilities
Engineering Excellence Through Innovation
Since 1950, WITT UK Group’s design and engineering division has been the creative force behind thousands of successful ventilation solutions worldwide. Our Yorkshire facility houses one of Europe’s most advanced fan engineering centres, combining traditional British engineering expertise with cutting-edge design technology. Our 50+ engineers and designers utilise sophisticated tools including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for airflow optimisation, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for structural integrity, acoustic modelling for noise prediction, and thermal analysis for temperature management. This comprehensive capability enables us to engineer solutions for any challenge—from standard industrial ventilation to complex nuclear safety systems, from revolutionary tunnel ventilation to bespoke environmental chambers. Our R&D programme, representing significant annual investment, focuses on advancing fan efficiency, reducing acoustic signatures, and developing next-generation ventilation technologies. Recent innovations achieving 88% fan efficiency and 40% noise reduction demonstrate our commitment to pushing engineering boundaries whilst maintaining practical, manufacturable designs that deliver real-world performance improvements.
Complete Project Engineering Support
Our design and engineering services extend far beyond simple fan selection, providing complete project support from initial concept through lifetime operation. The process begins with detailed application analysis understanding process requirements, environmental conditions, and regulatory constraints. Our engineers develop multiple solution concepts, evaluating trade-offs between performance, efficiency, cost, and maintainability. Advanced modelling validates designs before manufacture—CFD confirming airflow patterns, FEA verifying structural integrity, and acoustic analysis ensuring compliance with noise regulations. We provide comprehensive engineering packages including 3D models for BIM integration, detailed manufacturing drawings, electrical schematics and control logic, installation and commissioning procedures, and operation and maintenance documentation. This thorough approach eliminates surprises during installation, reduces project risk, and ensures first-time success. Whether designing a single fan replacement or engineering complete ventilation systems for major infrastructure projects, our engineering excellence transforms requirements into reliable, efficient solutions backed by 70+ years of experience.
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for airflow optimisation
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA) ensuring structural integrity
- Acoustic modelling achieving noise compliance
- Thermal analysis for high-temperature applications
- BIM integration with 3D modelling and clash detection
- Prototype development and testing in AMCA-certified facility
Why Choose
Design & Engineering
PROVEN INNOVATION
R&D investment delivering 88% efficiency fans and 40% noise reduction through engineering excellence.
COMPLETE CAPABILITY
CFD, FEA, acoustic, and thermal analysis ensuring optimised designs before manufacture.
PROJECT CERTAINTY
Thorough engineering packages eliminating surprises and ensuring first-time success.
Frequently
Asked Questions
What design tools and software do you use?
Our engineering team employs industry-leading software ensuring accurate design and analysis. ANSYS Fluent provides CFD capabilities modelling complex airflow patterns, predicting pressure drops, and optimising impeller geometry. SolidWorks enables 3D parametric modelling with direct manufacturing integration. ANSYS Mechanical performs FEA validating structural integrity under operational and seismic loads. STAR-CCM+ handles coupled thermal-fluid analysis for high-temperature applications. Acoustic analysis uses both proprietary algorithms and commercial packages predicting sound power levels and designing attenuation. BIM integration through Revit and Navisworks ensures coordination with building services. This comprehensive toolkit, combined with decades of empirical data, enables rapid, accurate design development reducing project timelines whilst ensuring performance certainty.
How does CFD modelling improve fan system design?
Computational Fluid Dynamics revolutionises ventilation design by visualising and optimising airflow before physical construction. CFD reveals flow patterns identifying dead zones, recirculation, and turbulence affecting system performance. For tunnel ventilation, we model smoke movement during fire scenarios, optimising fan placement for effective evacuation. In car parks, CFD confirms complete coverage eliminating pollutant accumulation zones. Industrial applications benefit from optimised capture hood designs achieving required velocities with minimal airflow. CFD reduces energy consumption by 20-40% through system optimisation—eliminating unnecessary pressure drops, right-sizing equipment, and confirming control strategies. Virtual testing evaluates multiple design iterations quickly and economically, reducing physical prototyping costs. Validated against our extensive operational database, CFD predictions achieve 95%+ accuracy, ensuring design confidence.
What acoustic engineering services do you provide?
Acoustic engineering ensures ventilation systems meet increasingly stringent noise regulations whilst maintaining performance. Services begin with acoustic modelling predicting fan sound power levels across octave bands, essential for specification compliance. We design integrated attenuation solutions including inlet/outlet silencers, acoustic enclosures, and vibration isolation achieving required noise criteria (NC/NR curves). In-duct analysis identifies resonance frequencies requiring treatment. For retrofit projects, acoustic surveys identify noise sources enabling targeted mitigation. Our engineers specify acoustic materials—absorptive, reactive, or hybrid—optimised for frequency content and airflow requirements. Performance validation includes factory witness testing and site commissioning measurements. Recent projects achieved 20-30 dB(A) reduction whilst maintaining system efficiency, crucial for urban installations and workplace compliance.
How do you ensure designs meet regulatory requirements?
Regulatory compliance is embedded throughout our design process, with experienced engineers familiar with UK, European, and international standards. Design reviews verify compliance with machinery directive, pressure equipment directive, ATEX requirements for hazardous areas, building regulations (Part B, F, L), and industry-specific standards (nuclear, marine, aviation). We maintain comprehensive standards library with latest revisions and interpretations. Calculations demonstrate structural integrity to Eurocodes, thermal performance to fire standards, and efficiency to EcoDesign requirements. Documentation packages include declarations of conformity, technical construction files, risk assessments, and test certificates. For complex projects, we engage early with regulatory bodies—HSE, Environment Agency, Building Control—ensuring smooth approval. This proactive approach prevents costly redesigns and project delays.
Can you reverse-engineer obsolete equipment?
Reverse engineering obsolete fans is a speciality, particularly valuable for heritage sites, legacy industrial plants, and discontinued product lines. The process begins with 3D laser scanning capturing exact geometry including wear patterns and modifications. Material analysis determines composition enabling modern equivalent specification. Performance testing establishes actual operating parameters often differing from degraded nameplates. Our engineers then develop modern designs maintaining dimensional compatibility whilst improving efficiency by 20-30%, incorporating current materials and manufacturing methods, adding features like vibration monitoring, and ensuring compliance with current standards. Documentation includes as-found condition reports, performance comparisons, installation procedures maintaining interfaces, and spare parts recommendations. This service extends equipment life indefinitely, often improving performance whilst maintaining historical authenticity where required.
What support do you provide during project execution?
Engineering support continues throughout project execution ensuring successful implementation. During procurement, we review vendor submissions confirming compliance with specifications. Manufacturing support includes witness testing, quality inspections, and documentation review. Installation assistance encompasses site surveys confirming dimensions, installation supervision for critical lifts, and coordination with other trades. Commissioning support includes performance testing protocols, control system integration, and operational training. Post-installation, we provide performance optimisation, troubleshooting support, and modification design as requirements evolve. This continuous engagement ensures designs translate successfully from paper to operational systems. Our engineers remain accessible throughout projects—typically 5-10% of major projects require design clarification or minor modifications during execution. This responsive support prevents delays and ensures project success.