2004 July
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02 July, 2004
Nine apprentices from contractor SES flew high over the crowds recently at SED 2004. They were given the opportunity when powered-access-supplier Nationwide invited the company to provide operatives for fully accredited IPAF and CPCS training to be given live at the show.
01 July, 2004
‘Lighting solutions’ is a 480-page comprehensive handbook of lighting technology from Cooper Lighting & Security. Its scope ranges from emergency luminaires and central battery systems to architectural luminaires and lighting control systems.
01 July, 2004
Kingspan Insulation has launched an 80-page updated edition of its two-in-one guide to its KoolDuct zero-ODP system of pre-insulated ducting.
Cassettes teamed up with ductable outdoor units
01 July, 2004
Hushon describes its cassette split heat-pump air-conditioning system with fully ductable outdoor unit as ideal for overcoming applications with excessive refrigerant pipe runs or where external plant location is difficult.
VDT lighting without dark ceilings
01 July, 2004
Cooper Lighting’s Moduspec T5 semi-recessed modular luminaire has been developed to meet the latest criteria for offices where VDTs are used. This luminaire combines efficient louvre-controlled downlighting with a gentle ceiling-wash effect created by a prismatic lens and perforated-panel arrangement.
Smarter than the average actuator
01 July, 2004
Features of a new direct-coupled actuator from Honeywell include self-centring shaft adapter ‘for plug-and-play’ installation, ability to mount in any direction, detachable wiring box for easy connection, rotation direction switch and position indicator.
01 July, 2004
Emerson Network Power has added 5 and 6 kW models to the Liebert Hiross range of Hiwall TT packaged air conditioners. The range provides cooling capacities form 5 to 21 kW and aims to give a complete solution to mobile network cooling problems.
Daikin upgrades its fan-coil units
01 July, 2004
Daikin has extended its range of fan-coil units. Floor-standing and ceiling-suspended/low-wall models are housed in modern-looking casings restyled by Italian designers and finished in RAL 9010 colour. There are also ceiling-concealed/floor-standing chassis models and large ceiling duct models.
Socket strainers for plastics pipes
01 July, 2004
Sediment strainers with socket union ends are now available as part of the Durapipe ABS and Corzan ranges. They complement existing versions in PVC-U, in grey or clear bodies, and polypropylene.
Eliminating pluming from condensing boilers
01 July, 2004
Glow-worm has tackled the problem of the vapour cloud that can surround the flue terminal from a condensing boiler with a kit that enables the flue outlet from a horizontal terminal to be raised by up to 6 m. It is based on 50 mm push-fit waste-pipe fittings.
Potterton Commercial has added condensing boilers to its Derwent Compact Plus range. Available as three floor-standing models with outputs of 55, 92 and 128 kW, the new boilers use the tried-and-tested Derwent waterway and a stainless-steel secondary heat exchanger to achieve a net efficiency of 103%.
01 July, 2004
An average COP of 5.7 is claimed for a range of water-cooled liquid chillers from Delrac.
WRAS approval for stainless-steel products
01 July, 2004
Stourflex stainless-steel products from pipework-expansion specialist J&P Supplies are now approved under the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS). They have passed the BS 6920 tests for extraction of metals and odour flavour tests for water.
Cost-effective testing of portable appliances
01 July, 2004
A portable-appliance tester meeting the minimum requirements to comply with statutory requirements is available from Martindale.
Condensing boilers have stainless-steel heat exchangers
01 July, 2004
Viessmann has made a clear entry into the mainstream UK domestic-boiler market with the launch of the Vitodens 200 range of condensing boilers. Two models are available, a combination and a system boiler. Both have modulating outputs from 8 to 26 kW and efficiencies of 96% (SEDBUCK A).
01 July, 2004
The Atlas range of unit heaters from Sabiana is now available with a 5-speed single-phase motor giving widely variable output and more flexibility and versatility.
Sola’s flexible approach to daylight in buildings
01 July, 2004
High levels of natural daylight can be brought into dark areas in buildings using Sola Skylights’ Sky Tunnel. They are easily installed in pitched or flat roofs in just a couple of hours.
A range of fully packaged air conditioners for retail applications has been developed by Airedale. They are designed for superstores, warehouses, department stores and other retail outlets.
Chillers designed for long life and low maintenance
01 July, 2004
Tricool’s TRE range of process chillers has been designed for longer life, reduced maintenance and the ability to perform in variable water conditions without compromising performance or specification.
KSB sets up online shop for pumps and spares
01 July, 2004
Pump distributor KSB has developed a web-shop providing a one-stop solution for customers to select pumps and spares and order them online. This development speeds up selection and product identification, pricing and ordering.
York extends Sonata chiller range
01 July, 2004
York is extending its energy-efficient range of YAES Sonata air-cooled chillers to cooling capacities of over 1300 kW at typical UK conditions. Further acoustic enhancements have reduced sound pressure levels to as low as 51.4 dB(A) at low fan speed and 10 m distance.
LG enlarges range of cassette air conditioners
01 July, 2004
A 3.5 kW air-conditioning cassette running on R410A refrigerant and providing both heating and cooling has been added to the range of LG Electronics.
Electrolytic water treatment for cooling towers
01 July, 2004
The Elgressy non-chemical treatment system for cooling towers combining electrolytic scale reduction and electro-chemical system for eradicating legionella is now available in the UK. Hundreds of these systems are installed around the world, and EWT Ltd has been set up in the UK to distribute them.
Keeping Center Parcs in hot water
01 July, 2004
Lochinvar has continued its association with Center Parcs with the supply of water heaters for the rebuilding of the holiday village in Elveden Forest, Suffolk, following a major fire in 2002.
01 July, 2004
Carrier’s largest Aquasmart air-conditioning system commissioned so far in the UK serves a prestigious office development in Glasgow. Nine Aquasmart systems each provide 80 kW of cooling to a total of over 200 factory-matched Carrier fan-coil units with factory-integrated controls.
Contributing to the energy efficiency of a new environmentally conscious school in Kent is an LTHW underfloor heating system. The Robbens system in Riverhead Infants School is expected to achieve energy savings of 10 to 15% compared to traditional radiator-based heating systems.
Almost 150 pumps have been supplied by Grundfos for the Ano Liossia Olympic Hall, the venue for wrestling and judo 9 km from the Athens Olympic Village.
ABB drives help boost energy efficiency of new hospital
01 July, 2004
Matched pairs of high-efficiency motors and drives serving the ventilation system in block A of the new hospital in Coventry will reduce energy consumption by over 1400 MWh a year when it comes into service in 2006. Such savings represent 50% compared to traditional control methods such as throttling valves and vanes. Similar savings are expected in two more planned blocks.
Fire-rated ductwork in Docklands
01 July, 2004
A £600 000 contract to provide smoke-extract and ventilation services for a new 14-storey office building in London’s Docklands has been completed by Fire Protection Ltd. The building is owned by Canary Wharf and leased to McGraw Hill.
Apreco helps Hong Kong hospitals fight SARS
01 July, 2004
By maintaining negative pressures in isolation rooms in leading Hong Kong hospitals, Apreco’s VARI-centric air-pressure stabilisers are helping to contain new SARS infections.
01 July, 2004
The global headquarters of virus-protection-software company Sophos features over 1000 m of linear slot diffusers with insulated plenums supplied by Gilberts. Linear bar grilles with narrow borders have also been installed, as well as chassis-type swirl diffusers.
Lighting that meets the energy-efficiency challenge
01 July, 2004
Harmonising natural and artificial lighting in the new headquarters of John Wiley & Sons has reduced the installed lighting load by 40%. John Attard gives the details.
Exploiting the economic benefits of heat pumps
01 July, 2004
The use of Calorex heat-pump technology to cool kitchens and cellars and put the extracted heat into domestic hot water has demonstrated its effectiveness in three applications.
The installation of Honeywell air cleaners in a Notting Hill restaurant have boosted takings in the smoking area by 14%.
London development becomes largest office PV system
01 July, 2004
The photovoltaic roof on a new project in London will cover around 600 m2 and generate enough electricity to power the public lighting areas of the Spitalfields Bishops Square project in London. It is set to become the largest office solar installation in the UK, thanks to a £180 000 grant awarded by the Energy Saving Trust and the DTI. The grant will cover 40% of the PV installation costs.
LG promotional activity races away
01 July, 2004
LG is continuing its successful partnership with Eurosport in sponsoring the LG Super Racing Weekends 2004, with the pan-European event coming to Donnington Park in late June. The sponsorship with Eurosport provides an ideal platform for LG Electronics to showcase its products on a European level. LG branding will be prominent on the awards podium, in pit lanes and on the circuit itself.
GSH swells its apprentice intake
01 July, 2004
Facilities management provider George S. Hall is increasing its commitment to training apprentices by allocating 45 places in its Building Engineering Services Training Programme (BEST) for 2004/05. The move reflects the need to bring new skills and talent into the industry to tackle the national shortage of apprentices undertaking structured training in various technical fields.
Production boost for flexible piping
01 July, 2004
To help meet the growing demand for polybutene pipe, Basell, a member of the Polybutene Piping Systems Association, has opened the world’s largest polybutene-1 plant in The Netherlands.
Inviron’s Washington branch in Tyne & Wear has started work on a £9 million contract for the Inland Revenue and Department of Work & Pensions at Benton Park View, Long Benton. The contract requires completion within 12 months of the start date and was awarded by main contractor Interserve Building Projects for the supply of M&E services for four new 3-storey office block and a restaurant.
Space Airconditioning’s sponsored motorcycle racer Jay Fernandez has secured his first win in the 2004 MRO Powerbike Tour Championship. His success came in the third race of the season at Oulton Park.
01 July, 2004
A range of innovative new lighting effects has been created for this Grade 2 listed church in Middlesbrough by consulting engineers Black & Veatch of Stockton. Utilising a multitude of colours, mosaics, picture representations and specially designed dimmers and fittings, the practice has enabled the Sacred Heart Church to introduce light settings for various pieces of music and events.
Management buyout for Beeston Heating
01 July, 2004
Beeston Heating is looking to a new future following a management buyout by Keith Steven, who has been appointed chairman, and Peter Nears, sales and marketing director.
CIBSE announces Carbon 60 winner
01 July, 2004
The winner of the competition to reduce carbon emissions from CIBSE’s headquarters buildings in Balham, London, by 60% is team from Fulcrum Consulting. Its members are Kate Crawford, Chani Leahong, Susie Woollett, David Frank and Nick Boid.
HBOS extends interest in GSH for three years
01 July, 2004
In an expansion of its successful business partnership, HBOS Plc has awarded George S. Hall a full-service facilities-management control for 1200 of its retail site across England and Wales.
Extended opportunities for apprentices
01 July, 2004
SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for building-services engineering, has welcomed the revamp of the apprenticeship programme announced by Charles Clarke, Secretary of State for Education & Skills.
Hills Integrated Systems (HIS) has received NACOSS Gold approval from the National Security Inspectorate for the installation of electronic security systems — including access control. CCTV and intruder alarms.
Move back to wet cooling boosts BAC Balticare sales
01 July, 2004
BAC Balticare, the sales, contracting and services arm of Baltimore Aircoil has reported 25% higher orders than last year for cooling-tower systems. This success is in the face of a flat air-conditioning market and lack of new projects in refrigeration and industrial process cooling.
Better energy efficiency from buildings has been declared by Energy Minister Stephen Timms as even more important than increasing the use of renewable energy in helping meet goals to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions set out in last year’s Energy White Paper. Speaking at ‘Resource 04 — low carbon showcase’ conference and exhibition at BRE, he called for a doubling of the rate of improvement in energy efficiency compared to recent decades.
Skills shortage or skills gap?
01 July, 2004
How does SummitSkills perceive the staffing situation in the building-services sector, and how is the recently formed organisation planning to tackle the issues? We found out from Keith Marshall and Simon Bartley.
Speculative flexibility and reliability
01 July, 2004
Even if speculative office buildings are not at the cutting edge of services design, better-than-statutory standards of energy efficiency can be achieved — as one of the City of London’s biggest speculative developments in recent years demonstrates.
Government must do more to tackle heat pump and electric vehicle barriers, Which? says
Which? is calling on the government to provide more support for greener home heating and cars, as new research shows cost and other barriers are putting people off making the switch.
New study reveals job stress affects 70% of construction workers
A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the University of Cambridge has revealed that at least 70% of people in the construction industry report feeling stressed at work, and this not only has a negative impact on job performance but also personal life. The findings highlight the urgent need for effective strategies to combat workplace stress.
