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The Maxxflo condensing storage water heater is now available with 100 l of storage.

Maxxflo water heater in a smaller size

Andrews has introduced a smaller version of its Maxxflo condensing storage water heater.

Cast-aluminium heat exchangers feature in boilers from Clyde Combustions offering outputs of 80 to 630 kW.

Cast-aluminium boilers from Clyde Combustions

Boilers with cast-aluminium heat exchangers from Clyde Combustions deliver outputs from 80 to 630 kW. Modulex and Super Modulex boilers are pre-assembled floor-standing units with pre-mix modulating burners that turn down to 30%.

Unvented cylinders for DHW from Glow-worm have all connections at the front.

Unvented cylinders for domestic hot water

Cylinders from Glow-worm for unvented domestic hot water come in six sizes from 115 to 300 l. They operate direct from a mains water supply and recover in 20 minutes. Heat loss is as little as 70 W.

Door curtains for condensing boilers

Biddle Air Curtains has developed a door curtain using lower water temperatures, such as those available from condensing boilers.

A fine-textured finish for metal ceilings from SAS International improves lighting performance.

Improving the lighting performance of metal ceilings

A fine-textured paint finish is now offered by SAS International for its range of metal ceiling panels and tiles. SAS FT negates the chance of lighting hot spots associated with uplighting and glare occurring. It also increases the perceived flatness of a metal ceiling.

Almost totally recyclable and only 45 mm deep — the Menvier Planete emergency luminaire from Cooper Lighting & Security.

Emergency luminaire is self testing

The Menvier Planete emergency luminaire from Cooper Lighting & Security is only 45 mm deep. achieved by using super-thin cold-cathode lamp technology.

Condensate pump for Glow-worm boilers

The availability of condensate pumps for Glow-worm’s range of high-efficiency domestic heating enables them to be installed in locations without access to a gravity drain.

Extraction rates from 0.38 to 3.6 m3/s are provided by fans for light-industrial applications from Xpelair.

Xpelair offers fans for light-industrial applications

Xpelair now offers a comprehensive range of fans specifically designed for light-industrial applications ranging from commercial kitchens, bakeries, hotels, pubs and schools through to garages, factories and warehouses.

The understanding and skills needed for water treatment, including preventing legionella, are provided by courses developed by Logic Certification In this picture, the concentration of a treatment to kill legionella bacteria is checked.

Water-treatment training courses

A course on water treatment and preventing legionella has been developed by Logic Certification to enable those involved in installing and maintaining hot- and cold-water storage and service supplies to thoroughly understand how legionella bacteria are formed, the associated health risks and prevention using chemical water treatments. The course will also enable them to understand their duties and obligations as laid out in HSE document L8.

Software assesses compliance with Building Regulations

IES has launched its alternative to SBEM software (Simplified Building Energy Model) for assessing compliance with the new Building Regulations. VE Compliance has passed all the tests required. Its established thermal-simulation tool called ApacheSim has been developed to offer a more accurate and comprehensive route for assessing compliance with Part L2 2006.

Condensing boiler has 4-star NOx rating

A gas-fired condensing boiler with a 4-star NOx rating in accordance with EU Directive 92/42/EEC has been introduced by Gemonix-UK. Evinox boilers are available in six sizes with wide-ratio modulating outputs up to 484 kW.

Glyn Turner, new-product development manager with Ambi-Rad, with the burner specially developed for the company’s new range of U-tube radiant heaters. It produces a long flame to achieve a more even distribution of heat along the radiant tube.

Stepping up the performance of radiant heating technology

One effect of the Energy Technology List and Enhanced Capital Allowances has been to impose higher standards of efficiency for radiant heating — a challenge that Ambi-Rad has responded to.

Beyond just air conditioning

Multi-service chilled beams can be very effective at servicing office buildings, particularly in refurbishing existing buildings to modern standards. NIGEL ATKINSON explores their considerable potential

Carrying out tests of the performance and noise characteristics of fan-coil units that are likely to represent reality requires sophisticated test facilities. This is part of Carrier’s extensive European facilities at Montluel in France.

Proving the performance of fan-coil units

There are many ways of testing the thermal and acoustic performance of fan-coil units for air-conditioning systems. JULIAN JOWITT compares them.

Trox guarantees performance of fan-coil units at Unilever House

Trox has supplied over 600 fan-coil units and a range of grilles and diffusers for the refurbishment of Unilever House in London in a £600 000 contract.

To avoid having to upgrade the electricity supply, two gas-fired Sanyo VRF systems were supplied by McQuay UK for the headquarters of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue.

Gas-fired VRF reaches Scotland

Two VRF air-conditioning systems powered by natural gas have been installed at the headquarters of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue at Hamilton. The Sanyo units were supplied by McQuay UK to provide heating and cooling for the 420 m2 office complex. The overall system comprises two 3-pipe GHP units on the roof and 48 indoor units.

Air-conditioning specialist Axair Climate and Ability, a major manufacturer of fan-coil units, have launched a new partnership.

Axair Climate and Ability combine expertise

Axair Climate has moved into the market for fan-coil units by setting up a partnership with Ability, a major manufacturer of FCUs and based in Dorset.

Induction units for air conditioning are enjoying a return to popularity in the UK — especially in refurbishment projects.

A revival for induction units

Using induction systems to air condition a building may seem old fashioned today, but it can be the ideal solution for a range of applications, according to ROMAN NEMECZEK

Two packaged ammonia chillers provide air conditioning for buildings at the 21 800 m2 headquarters of Roche Products at Welwyn Garden City. They are on installed on a roof and have air-cooled condensers. Each chiller has a cooling capacity of 930 kW.

A renaissance for ammonia

With the use of many refrigerants coming under environmental pressure, attention is being focused on ammonia for air-conditioning applications. ROB LAMB explores the issues

Energy-efficient ductwork —Kingspan KoolDuct pre-insulated ductwork can save over 30% of the energy required to run a fan in an HVAC system, and thus its carbon-dioxide emissions. It can also reduce the risk of a system failing to comply with any pressure testing that is required by the new Approved Documents L2 of the Building Regulations.

Towards energy-efficient ductwork

JOHN GARBUTT highlights energy-efficiency issue for ductwork in the latest Building Regulations.

Existing boiler plant and heat-rejection dry cooler at roof level serve these water-cooled VRV units in Carolyn House in Croydon. They are part of the refurbishment of three floors with heat-recovery air-conditioning.

Approaching 20 years of VRF in the UK

The strength of VRV/VRF air conditioning in the UK has grown as the capability of these systems has evolved. MARK DYER examines this ever-growing market.

Vaillant has launched a range of split air-conditioning systems onto the UK market, which includes high-wall units and ceiling cassettes.

Vaillant moves into UK air-conditioning market

Vaillant is entering the UK air-conditioning market with a range of energy-efficient high-wall and cassette split systems. Well known for innovation and service in domestic heating, Vaillant is initially concentrating on the domestic and light-commercial market, before moving into the large-commercial and heavy industrial sectors.

The prefabrication of multi-service chilled beams in a factory reduces time spent on site — with all its safety, time-saving and cost implications.

Air conditioning, and more...

Multi-service chilled beams are more than air-conditioning units. They can combine various elements to produce a cost-effective, attractive, easy-to-install unit that maximises siting flexibility and minimises costs — says TERRY FARTHING

The core product in a range of new products from Carrier for the light-commercial and residential markets is the Xpower 1:1 Silentech split system.

Carrier launches light-commercial and residential air-conditioning products

Carrier is targeting the residential and light-commercial markets for air conditioning with a range of 10 new products. Many more are promised.

Kooltech builds up its Mitsubishi stock for the summer

Air-conditioning and refrigeration distributor Kooltech has placed a £2 million stock order with Mitsubishi to cover summer demand for the M Series and Mr Slim air-conditioning systems.

The application of air-conditioning equipment from Sanyo’s ECOi range enabled a wide range of conditions to be satisfied in this new facility of TD Packaging.

Sanyo equipment wraps up healthcare packaging project

J&J Design System Specialists teamed up with distributor DYSK air conditioning to provide a tailor-made air-conditioning solution for TD Packaging in Swindon, a large contract packer for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. The solution used Sanyo’s ECOi range to meet fluctuating loads in different production areas.

New colours and finishes have been added to LG’s Art Cool range of air-conditioning units.

Art Cool designs get even cooler

LG has added new colours, finishes and other features and benefits to its Art Cool range of air-conditioning units. Behind the slim profile and clean lines of Art Cool Wide, Mirror and Standard are efficient, effective and advanced air-conditioning units.

AET brings local control to Hiross Flexible Space system

Advanced Engineering Technologies has introduced a new controller for fan tile units for its Flexible Space concept featuring Hiross underfloor air conditioning, Nesite raised access flooring and Movinord demountable partitioning.

Samsung launches R410A VRF air-conditioning system

Samsung has launched an R410A version of its Digital Variable Multi VRF air-conditioning system. The launch of DVM2 is the first stage of introducing over a hundred new products during 2006.

The growing status of commissioning — Roger Clarke.

Commissioning gains NVQ status

The increasing importance of building services commissioning has been recognised with the launch of the first ever National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in the subject. This is a timely boost for the profession, says ROGER CLARKE

Fig 1. Dynamic balancing greatly simplifies the commissioning of wet systems. This Frese Alpha flow cartridge, for example, has a control range of 7 to 600 kPa.

Exploiting the benefits of dynamic balancing

Not only does the dynamic balancing simplify the commissioning of wet systems, it brings many design, installation and operating benefits. STEPHEN HART explains.

It is be important to involve the client during commissioning to realise the maximum potential of a building-services installation.

Responding to new regulations

STEVE AVERY explains the thinking behind Carrier setting up its own commissioning team and the benefits of a manufacturing becoming so closely involved with projects.

300 motorised balancing valves have been supplied by Crane for a hospital in south London.

Hospital benefits from motorised commissioning valves

The commissioning requirements of a new hospital in Lewisham are met by a range of valves from Crane Fluid Systems.

Oventrop’s Aquastrom T Plus valve brings important energy-efficiency and safety benefits to DHW systems.

Control valve brings more features to DHW systems

Oventrop has developed a valve that simplifies the commissioning of domestic-hot-water systems and provides significant energy savings by thermostatically controlling temperature and flow in the system.

SAV’s centralised commissioning modules can used to control the fan-coil units they serve with the addition of the new SAV Control Commissioning Module.

SAV adds to capabilities of centralised commissioning modules

SAV has added centralised control to its commissioning modules for fan-coil units. By centralising the control capability for up to six fan-coil units at the module, site wiring is simplified — with only a single cable being required to connect to the module to the building-management system. It enables commissioning engineers to perform a range of tasks from a central point.

Moving into a new era

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since the then president of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, Terry Wyatt, in a landmark presidential address warned the building-services industry that it had no long-term future unless it responded quickly to the pressure for change.

Government sets out plans for exploiting biomass as carbon-neutral energy resource

Government plans to exploit the potential for renewable energy have been published in a report launched by ministers from Defra and the DTI. It is the Government’s response to the Biomass Task Force, which made a series of recommendations in October 2005.

Morfitts nears completion of rugby stand in Leeds

Leeds Rhinos rugby hero Barrie McDermott paid a visit recently to the Morfitts site team, which is nearing completion of a £900 000 contract to install M&E and plumbing services in the new Carnegie Stand at Headlingly Carnegie Stadium in Leeds. Developed with Leeds Metropolitan University and situated at the eastern end of the stadium, this stand will accommodate 4550 spectators. It will also have 12 seminar rooms, a major facility for up to 350 people and a HelpZone. The stand will give the university a permanent base at the stadium and strengthen the strong relationship between the university and Leeds Rugby.

Contributing to a record turnover of Colt Group in 2005 is The Technocircle in Heerlen. Among Colt products installed are Caloris water-source heat pumps, a glazed rooflight, smoke control and natural ventilation.

Colt reports record turnover

Colt Group has reported record turnover for 2005.

SES helps refurbish Pimlico district heating

A 27 t boiler is craned into position by M&E contractor SES as part of the £2.5 million of building-services work in the refurbishment of the Pimlico district-heating scheme in London. The contract includes the installation of three new 27 t boilers, two CHP engines and associated equipment to the existing pump house on the north side of the River Thames. Each 17 t CHP engine can produce 2 MW of electricity, and each boiler is rated at 8 MW. They serve 3200 dwellings and 40 commercial premises with heating and hot water.

Inverness project delivers BREEAM rating of 84%

Robertson Property has scooped a major environmental award for its role in the development of the £13 million Scottish Natural Headquarters in Inverness. The building achieved a score of 84% in the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology for offices, which is said to be the highest score since the system was introduced in 1998.

New NVQs developed for building-services engineers

Two new NVQs have been introduced for people working in building-services engineering. Building Services Engineering Technology and Project Management NVQs at Levels 3 and 4 are based on standards developed by SummitSkills, the sector skills council for building-services engineering. They are awarded by EAL, the leading awarding body for engineering vocational qualifications.

M&E services for this skills centre in Glasgow for the construction industry are to be installed by Mitie.

MITIE helps address skills shortage in Scotland

Mitie Engineering has been awarded the M&E contract for the first phase of the £22.4 million redevelopment of Cardonald College in Glasgow. It will include a skills centre to help address the current skills shortage in construction. The first phase will see the creation of a new centre to train skilled workers for the construction industry, allowing the college to increase its intake by 20% in this area and provide much needed vocational training.

Under new management — Ambi-Rad has undergone a management buyout. From left are Chris Yates (manufacturing director), Simon Hartles (marketing director), Mike Brookes (managing director), John Fletcher (non-executive chairman), Frank Staniland (sales directors) and Paul O’Donohue (finance director).

Management buyout at Ambi-Rad

Ambi-Rad has undergone a management buyout for an undisclosed sum. The company says it is Europe’s number-one manufacturer of radiant-tube heating systems for the commercial and industrial markets and a major supplier of warm-air heating systems.

Buro Happold opens in Edinburgh

Multi-disciplinary consultancy Buro Happold has opened a new office in Edinburgh. It is in Morrison Street and will be the base for up to 15 multi-disciplinary engineers within the first year. Matthew Smith, group director, is head of the office.

Receiving yet more awards for Sage Gateshead are (from left) Peter Udall of Gateshead Council, Reg Tranter of Heyrod, John Holmes of One North East and Saeed Chaudhry of Mott MacDonald, consulting engineering for the building-services design.

Mott MacDonald shares in RICS award for Sage Gateshead

Consulting engineers Mott MacDonald shared recognition with architects Foster & Partners and Gateshead Council for the design of Sage Gateshead. The project has recently won the RICS North East Renaissance Award for Design & Innovation and the Award for Tourism & Leisure — bringing to 12 the number of awards since its opening in December 2004.

Hole-in-one dream at golf day

A hole in one was the highlight of the annual golf day of contractor Briggs & Forrester at the championship Collingtree Park Golf Club in Northampton. It was the achievement of John Hinton of John Hinton of WSP Consulting Engineers at the par-3 fifth hole.

Construction orders show consistent growth in private-commercial sector

New orders for construction projects in the private-commercial sector continue to surge ahead, according to figures from the Department of Trade & Industry.

Reacting to calls for the capping of self-certification schemes for competent persons — Bill Belshaw of BESCA.

BESCA chairman defends self-certification scheme for commercial work

The chairman of BESCA, the competent-persons self-certification scheme for commercial and domestic HVACR work has reacted to calls for the Government office responsible for the Building Regulations to cap further scheme applications to reduce confusion in the industry.