2008 February
NG Bailey continues its acquisition programme
16 February, 2008
NG Bailey has strengthened its ICT and building-services capability with the acquisition of s2s. This company is an IP security-focused managed-services provider with a turnover of £7 million.
BESCA approved to accredit energy assessors
16 February, 2008
BESCA (Building Services Competence Accreditation Ltd) has been approved by the Department for Communities & Local Government to operate an accreditation scheme for energy assessors.
16 February, 2008
Taking a break from testing and inspecting all fixed electrical systems at the Rothera Research Station of the British Antarctic Survey are Jason Faulkner (left) and Asa Downing, two electricians from the Ipswich branch of Inviron Building Systems.
John Miller, president of the Heating & Ventilating Contractors’ Association has restated the association’s commitment to reforming and reshaping the industrial-relations culture across building-services engineers — and to the work being undertaken to harmonise employment terms and conditions across the mechanical and electrical sectors.
ADCAS revisits the issue of non-standard duct sizes
16 February, 2008
In the face of mounting evidence that some system designers are increasingly using non-standard sizes of ductwork, ADCAS (Association of Ductwork Contractors & Allied Services) is renewing its initiative to rationalise the standard sizes of circular ductwork.
Energy Institute reaches agreement to issue Energy Performance Certificates in Scotland
16 February, 2008
The Energy Institute (EI) has signed a protocol with the Scottish Buildings Standards Agency (SBSA) to recognise suitably qualified members from the EI’s register of energy consultants to be accredited to issue Energy Performance Certificates in Scotland.
To promote building-services engineering as a career, four winners of last year’s National Training Awards organised by SummitSkills, have visited their former schools to act as ambassadors for the industry.
Ecobuild maps the way to a sustainable future
16 February, 2008
Ecobuild returns to Earls Court in London from 26 to 28 February with over twice as many exhibitors as last year and more free seminars - over 75 compared with 60 last year.
Maximising the efficiency of warm-air heating
15 February, 2008
Energy-efficient warm-air heating of large commercial and industrial buildings can be effectively achieved using recuperative plate heat exchangers within air-handling units. Andrew Patch explains.
With a heating/cooling capacity of 360 kW, the ground-source heat-pump system at the new Stockport Academy is the largest such system designed by Buro Happold. James Dickinson, David Bell and Elaine Bissell outline the scheme and associated plant.
The ups and downs of new construction orders
15 February, 2008
New construction orders in the year to November 2007were virtually the same as the previous year, rising by just 1%. There was a 3% rise compared with the previous three months and a rise of 5% compared with the same three months a year earlier — according to figures from the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform.
Virtual-reality game aims to show the realities of climate change
15 February, 2008
The National Energy Foundation has launched a virtual-reality computer game in schools across England as part of a programme to change attitudes to climate change.
Fläkt Woods sales team pedals its way to charity fund raising
15 February, 2008
Fläkt Woods sales team pedals its way to charity fund raising
Aqua Mechanical Services wins major Colchester project
15 February, 2008
Willmott Dixon Construction has appointed Aqua Mechanical Services as M&E design and install contractor for the redevelopment of Colchester Institute.
15 February, 2008
BSRIA has opened a subsidiary office in Beijing in China to act as a local hub for China and the wider Asia region. The office will provide dedicated market research and a window to other BSRIA services.
Calorex is Copeland manufacturer of the year
15 February, 2008
Copeland Compressors has named Calorex Heat Pumps as its manufacturer of the year. The award is for outstanding performance across a broad business spectrum.The award caps a year for Calorex that saw this energy specialist smash through the million kWh mark of measured ground-source heat-pump performance data by extending its award-winning range of units.
Haden Young MD raises £30 000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care
15 February, 2008
Haden Young’s managing director David Beck (right) recently donned overalls for two days on site as part of Marie Curie Cancer Care’s ‘Back to the shop floor’ campaign at the new Birmingham Hospital Project, where Haden Young is designing and installing all building services — and raised £30 509 for the charity. The cheque was received by Christine Brown, Marie Curie community fundraiser (left) and Ann Brown, nurse of the year.
Davis Langdon appointed to City College, Norwich
15 February, 2008
Project and cost consultant Davis Langdon has been appointed to provide consultancy services on the planned £215 million revamp of City College in Norwich. The firm’s Norwich office will provide project management, CDM co-ordination and cost-management services on the project, which will increase the capacity of East Anglia’s largest college from 16 000 to 20 000 students.
Balfour Kilpatrick wins Durham school contract
15 February, 2008
Balfour Kilpatrick has won a £4.6 million contract to provide M&E services for a new replacement secondary school in Durham. The 3-storey building will accommodate 1450 pupils and replace the existing building of Johnston School.
DCLG approves CIBSE's scheme for low-carbon energy assessors
15 February, 2008
CIBSE’s scheme for low-carbon energy assessors has been approved by the Department for Communities & Local Government. CIBSE accreditation is now accepted as a qualification for the following work.
The new age of Energy Certificates for Buildings
12 February, 2008
Do you know your EPCs from your DECs? John Fallon unravels the jargon and outlines the two new types of certificates, when they apply and their significance.
Delivering Energy Performance Certificates for buildings
12 February, 2008
Energy Performance Certificates for Buildings will not just happen from April. Hywel Davies explains how readers of Modern Building Services can become involved in assessing the energy performance of buildings and issuing certificates.
Exploiting the benefits of renewable energy
12 February, 2008
Before going for renewable-energy sources to improve a building’s energy certificate, make sure your building is ready first, says John Bailey.
Sophisticated control for natural ventilation
12 February, 2008
A method of controlling natural air movement to ventilate buildings is recognised by the Energy Technology and, therefore, qualifies for Enhanced Capital Allowances.
12 February, 2008
Display Energy Certificates for buildings are intended to stimulate reductions in their energy consumption. Lisa Wilkinson discusses the role of monitoring an targeting to improve the operational rating of buildings.
Hamworthy selects Roth collectors for commercial solar solution
12 February, 2008
Hamworthy Heating now offers Roth solar panels as part of its renewables option for commercial heating and hot-water systems.
Progressing with the Code for Sustainable Homes
12 February, 2008
The Code for Sustainable Homes will soon start to have more effect — as Robin Wood explains.
Progressing with the Code for Sustainable Homes (not this one)
12 February, 2008
The Code for Sustainable Homes will soon start to have more effect — as Robin Wood explains.
Natural ventilation stays the course at athletics centre
10 February, 2008
12 months’ experience of using a natural cooling and ventilation system in the Lee Valley Athletics Centre (LVAC) has included performing well during hot summer weather.
10 February, 2008
The SBEM technical manual is now available for downloading from the SBEM web site. This manual looks at the requirement for a calculation methodology for the UK that complies with Article 3 of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which has been developed into the National Calculation Methodology.
10 February, 2008
Electrak International has launched a new web site. It provides up-to-date information on the company’s powertrack, floor boxes and desk modules. There is also a 6-minute movie showing full details of the company’s products and systems.
10 February, 2008
Rafiki Protection has made available a free pocket-sized guide to the design of fire-alarm systems. This guide is in line with BS 5839 safety standards and offers a clear explanation on all aspects of designing fire-alarm and detection systems. It explains the categorising of fire-alarm and detection systems and covers sounder devices, smoke devices and heat devices.
10 February, 2008
Wolseley has prepared a guide covering its wide range of sustainable product choices. It has been prepared by Wolseley’s Sustainable Building Centre and includes heating and ventilation products, insulation, lighting, renewable technology and bathrooms and toilets.
10 February, 2008
Victaulic has redesigned its corporate web site to reinforce its global reach and focus on design solutions for today’s variety of construction challenges.
10 February, 2008
JCC Lighting’s latest catalogue (number 21) of lighting products contains over 500 pages of products and accessories and is the company’s biggest to date, containing everything a contractor needs for all lighting applications.
Understanding anti-scald products
10 February, 2008
Intatec has developed an e-learning web site covering the accurate specification and installation of anti-scald products. This online training programme covers the essentials of anti-scald, including TMV2 and TMV3 applications, with information presented in easily digestible sections.
10 February, 2008
Legrand has launched an engineering manual on CD-ROM containing detailed information on how to plan and safely install cable-management systems from its Swifts, Salamandre and Arena-Walsall ranges.
Siemens controllers hit the eu.bac mark
10 February, 2008
Design RXC controllers from Siemens Building Technologies for terminal units are among the first devices to achieve certification and be allowed to use the eu.bac logo (see page 33 for more information on eu.bac). This accreditation proves that these controllers provide energy-efficient control and can be a major factor in reducing a building’s carbon footprint.
Occupancy sensors control lighting in self-storage warehouse
10 February, 2008
To controlled lighting in little-visited areas of its self-storage warehouse in Bridgwater, UK Storage has installed Danlers PIR occupancy switches.
Keep Keen scores a winner at new Doncaster stadium
10 February, 2008
Keep Keen Controls has installed a control system from Priva Building Intelligence at the new £32 million Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster. The controls design included interfacing with 150 Mitsubishi split air-conditioning systems.
Honeywell brings a Smile to weather-compensated control
10 February, 2008
Honeywell’s Smile controller provides weather-compensated heating control in buildings that are too small for a building-management system but too large for domestic-type controls. It provides similar capabilities to the Honeywell Aquatrol 2000, which has provided weather-compensated heating control for many years.
Advancing the capabilities of DALI lighting control
10 February, 2008
The first project in the world to use Helvar’s Digidim router for controlling lighting is the total refurbishment of the landmark Blekholmen premises in Stockholm, taking DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) to a new level.
Balancing the challenges and realities of integrated systems in 2008
10 February, 2008
David Epps offers a perspective on building controls that not only deliver balance-sheet value but that help companies deliver on their HSE and CSR policies.
The BACnet solution for the effective management of building systems
10 February, 2008
The BACnet protocol for building systems does not impose a cost premium for achieving open functionality. Steve Loughney explains.
Monitoring lifts using a web browser reduces costs
10 February, 2008
Liftstore’s CMS Anywhere software monitors the performance of lifts in a building and provides alerts to potential problems and breakdowns.
Wireless technology opens up more control opportunities
10 February, 2008
By eliminating wiring costs, wireless sensors can increase the scope and flexibility of building-management systems — especially if they do not need batteries. Armin Ander explains.
A certification scheme for HVAC controls
10 February, 2008
Chris Monson explains the philosophy behind a European-wide scheme for certifying the performance of building controls.
Hamworthy moves into biomass boilers
10 February, 2008
Hamworthy Heating has joined forces with Rural Energy to offer a comprehensive and practical solution to using biomass boilers.
Hoval moves into the solar hot water business
10 February, 2008
Hoval’s SolKit is a highly efficient solar system for generating domestic hot water for commercial and residential applications. It comprises solar collectors with bracketry and flashing kits for on pitched roof, in-pitched roof, on flat roof or on the wall. The system also includes a stainless-steel cylinder, sophisticated plug-and-play digital-control system, pre-mixed heat-transfer fluid and all connections.
Country club has energy efficiency down to a tee
10 February, 2008
Replacing two old cast-iron boilers with two Ultramax 381 gas-fired condensing boilers from MHS has reduced energy costs for a private golf and country club in Cornwall by 16%. The payback period for the China Fleet Country Club will be within 3.5 years.
The role of energy-efficient ventilation
10 February, 2008
With buildings generating almost half of the UK’s carbon emissions, building services consultants have a unique role in both creating and assessing a low-carbon environment. Nygel Humphrey explains how energy-efficient ventilation can contribute to this vision.
More refrigerant bans possible, says government
The government could tighten up the rules that restrict the use of global warming refrigerant gases including speeding up phase-out programmes and introducing new bans, according to a spokesman from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Baxi research suggests schools strongly support heat decarbonisation
A survey conducted by Baxi of 200 state school estates managers, consultant engineers and M&E contractors has found that while enthusiasm for Net Zero and support for low carbon heating systems in schools is thriving, persistent barriers remain.
