CASE STUDIES
When BBC Studios and Post Production relocated to Elstree, they brought everything, except a compressed air supply. With heavy mobile seating platforms to move and a studio floor that couldn’t afford a scratch, they needed a clean, reliable air solution fast. Air Energy delivered one.
Unlike their previous home at Television Centre, Elstree had no existing compressed air infrastructure. The team relied on air skates — load-bearing pads that float heavy equipment on a cushion of air, to reposition large audience seating platforms between shoots without damaging the studio floor.
That process put two non-negotiables on the table: the air had to be completely clean and dry (any moisture or oil on the studio floor creates a health and safety risk), and the solution had to be portable enough to move between studios as needed.
Air Energy started with an audit — calculating platform weights, required lift pressures, and peak air demand — before supplying two trial units to validate sizing. It’s the kind of groundwork that prevents problems further down the line.
Following a successful trial, the BBC team selected the CompAir L18FS airstation: a self-contained unit combining a rotary screw compressor, integrated refrigerant dryer, and air receiver in a single compact package. Footprint is reduced by 55% compared to separate components, and the receiver is inspection-free for up to five years.
The unit was then mounted onto a trailer, making it straightforward to relocate across the Elstree site as productions demand.
BBC Studios and Post Production now has reliable, on-demand compressed air wherever they need it, clean, dry, and consistently at pressure. Studio floors stay protected, seating moves safely, and the production team has one less thing to worry about.
Overview
Client
BBC Studios and Post Production LtdLocation
Elstree Film Studios, Borehamwood, UKApplication
Powering air skatesProducts
CompAir L18FS airstationCustomer Benefits
On-site, on-demand air
While the Television Centre is being redeveloped, BBC Studios and Post Production, the BBC’s commercial facilities arm, relocated its London studios™ business to Elstree and provided HD TV studios at BBC Elstree and Elstree Film Studios in Borehamwood. Unlike the studios at Television Centre, which had its own compressed air ring main, the new studios had no on-site air production capability so a fast, simple solution was required to provide on-demand air.
Air skates were used to move heavy loads, such as audience seating across studio floors so that no scores or imperfections are created to the surface. Not only does this help to minimise the likelihood of damage and the cost of repair, but also maintains a level, even surface, which is essential for smooth camera control.
Air is discharged directly on to the studio floor from the air skates, meaning that the compressor selected also had to guarantee clean and moisture free air at all times, as any water or oil present in the air could present a health and safety risk.
An initial audit was carried out to assess compressed air demand, which calculated the maximum weight of the audience platform and the necessary operating pressure to achieve the lift required. Air Energy then supplied two trial units to the department to help select the correctly sized compressor to match air demand.
Following a successful trial, the department selected the CompAir L18FS airstation; a complete, cost-efficient unit that provides compressed air at up to 7 bar. The oil-lubricated, screw compressor is mounted on the air receiver and packaged complete with a refrigerant dryer, reducing the unit’s footprint by 55%. Simple to use and maintain, the receiver is inspection-free for up to five years’ operation. The department has also mounted the complete unit on to a trailer for easy transportation between studios.
Following a successful trial, the department selected the CompAir L18FS airstation; a complete, cost-efficient unit that provides compressed air at up to 7 bar.
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