Tesco High Wycombe Refurbishment

KE Fibertec supplied a fabric duct ventilation system for the refurbished Tesco supermarket in Denmark Street, High Wycombe.

The project formed part of a wider regeneration programme in High Wycombe town centre, with the reopening of the refurbished Tesco store marking an important milestone in the widertransformation of the area.

The ventilation system was required to serve the main sales floor, providing effective air distribution across a large open retail space while working within the constraints of the existing building layout, exposed ceiling services and available installation height.

‍Project background

The initial enquiry was received in July 2025 for the full refurbishment of the Tesco store in High Wycombe.

The project team required fabric ducting to serve the main sales floor, with the original enquiry based around multiple duct runs of approximately 30 metres.

The key design requirements included:

• A total airflow requirement of 7.9 m³/s
• Approximately 2.63 m³/s per duct based on three duct runs
• Consideration of both round and semi-round duct profiles due to height restrictions
• Confirmation of fixing details
• Heating-only operation, with air temperatures ranging from approximately 20°C in summer to 30°C in winter
• A practical, lightweight system suitable for installation within an exposed retail ceiling
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There were also refrigerated display areas beneath parts of the duct routes. As these fridge units were fitted with doors, there was no significant risk of short-circuiting air into open refrigeration cases.

‍Design development

The design initially considered a D-shaped fabric duct profile to maximise available height beneath the low ceiling. This option used inject orifices for air distribution and would have required a double suspension arrangement.

As the project developed, additional ceiling space was made available. This allowed the final design to move from a D-shaped duct to a circular fabric duct, mounted at approximately 4.5 metres to the top of the duct.

This change provided several benefits.

The circular duct reduced the approximate system weight from 1.92 kg per metre to 1.33 kg per metre, helping to reduce the load on the suspension system and simplify handling onsite.

It also meant that single fixing points could be used to suspend the duct, rather than the double fixing arrangement required for the D-shaped profile.

The increased installation height also made it possible to use 18 mm DireJet nozzles for longer, more controlled air throws across the sales floor.

To further optimise the design, the duct runs were designed to reduce in diameter after approximately 10.5 metres. This helped minimise both material weight and cost per metre, while stilldelivering the required airflow performance along each run.

KE Fibertec solution

KE Fibertec supplied a white textile duct system manufactured from MultiWeave material.

The final system included:

• Circular fabric ducting
• MultiWeave material
• White duct colour
• 18 mm DireJet nozzles
• Internal Safe360 rings
• Diameter reductions along the duct runs to optimise weight and cost
• Single-point suspension due to the final circular profile
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The result was a lightweight, custom-manufactured air distribution system suited to the practical demands of a retail refurbishment. The system was designed to provide effective air distribution, simplify installation and maintain a clean visual finish within the exposed ceiling environment.

‍Why MultiWeave was selected

MultiWeave was selected because the project required a fabric duct system that could combine airflow performance, low weight, durability and a clean appearance. In addition, the multiple permeabilities of MultiWeave allow for a much closer control of the percentage of air being distributed through the nozzles. This means the velocity entering the 'occupied zone' (where customers/employees will be) can be precisely controlled for ideal comfort conditions.

For a retail sales floor, the ducting remains visible from below, so appearance was an important part of the design. The white MultiWeave material helped the system integrate neatly with the exposed ceiling layout, while avoiding the heavier visual impact of traditional metal ductwork.

The lightweight nature of the textile duct system also supported the installation requirements of the project. Fabric ducting is easier to transport, lift and handle on site, which is particularly useful in refurbishment environments where access, ceiling coordination and installation time are important considerations.

‍Air distribution with DireJet nozzles

The final design used 18 mm DireJet nozzles to provide controlled air distribution from the circular duct.

Because the duct could ultimately be mounted higher than originally expected, nozzles became the preferred air distribution method. The DireJet nozzles allowed the supply air to be directed across the retail space with longer throw characteristics, supporting the heating-only design requirement.

This was particularly important for the main sales floor, where air needed to be distributed effectively across open areas without creating uncomfortable air movement at occupant level.

The final nozzle arrangement helped deliver a practical balance between air throw, comfort and visual appearance.

‍Internal Safe360rings

The ducts were supplied with internalSafe360 rings to support the circular shape of the duct.

This was important in a visible retail environment, where the duct needed to retain a neat and consistent appearance even when the air supply was off.

The internal rings also help reduce the risk of the duct “popping” when the air supply is turned on too quickly. This supports smoother start-up behaviour and helps maintain the finished appearance of the system throughout normal operation.

‍Installation feedback

The system was installed by Intoheat, who provided positive feedback following completion:

“Yes all good thanks, received compliments on the installation and our ventilation team also mentioned how easy the system was to install.”

This feedback reflects one of the main advantages of textile ducting on refurbishment projects. The system is lightweight, easier to handle on site and can simplify installation compared with heavier traditional ductwork.

In this case, the final circular duct profile also allowed the use of single suspension points, further supporting a straightforward installation approach.

Project outcome

The completed installation provides Tesco High Wycombe with a clean, efficient and practical air distribution system for the refurbished main sales floor.

The final circular fabric duct design helped reduce system weight, simplify suspension and allow effective air distribution using DireJet nozzles. Internal Safe360 rings helped maintain the duct shape when the system was off, supporting a consistent visual finish in the exposed ceiling environment.

For a prominent town centre retail refurbishment, the KE Fibertec solution offered a lightweight and installer-friendly alternative to traditional metal ductwork, while delivering the required heating air distribution across the sales floor.
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Key project details

Project: Tesco High Wycombe refurbishment
Location: Denmark Street, High Wycombe
Application: Main sales floor ventilation
Contractor: Intoheat
System type: Circular fabric ducting
Material: MultiWeave
Colour: White
Air distribution: 18 mm DireJet nozzles
Internal support: Safe360 rings
Installation height: Approximately 4.5 m to top of duct
Design requirement: Heating-only air distribution
Original design consideration: D-shaped duct due to height restrictions
Final design: Circular duct after additional ceiling space was made available
Approximate final duct weight: 1.33 kg per metre
Design optimisation: Diameter reduction after approximately 10.5 m to reduce weight and cost per metre

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