2011 December

Spirax Sarco claims that its newly opened UK Steam Technology Centre is the only training facility in the UK with a fully operational steam system having SCADA control. This enables it to enhance the quality of training across the company’s range of steam engineering courses and support live technology demonstrations.

Rinnai has embarked on a major promotional campaign, starting with extensive TV advertising in and around the Gillette International Rugby League Four Nations and Rugby Super League 2011/12. The games are televised live on BBC and Sky Sports. Rugby League attracts up to 30% more viewers than Premiership Rugby Union.

Fire-protection specialist Fike has gained LPCB approval for all detectors and panels in its innovative TwinFlexPo range, which offers versatile and cost-effective fire-alarm solutions for small and medium-sized applications. The TwinFlexPro system was developed specifically to provide flexible and effective fire protection for applications such as private hotels, guesthouses and homes of multiple occupation (HMOs).

E.ON is moving in to the supply of communal heat networks and has chosen Evinox as its preferred supplier for heat interface units — a key part of such systems. Jeremy Bungey, head of community energy in E.ON’s sustainable-energy business commented, ‘Customer service is paramount to E.ON, and we believe that the Evinox heat interface unit provides the best solution for heat customers within our community energy projects.’

Siemens has launched two new lower-torque ranges of damper actuators to enhance its OpenAir range. The 2 Nm rotary actuators are available in both spring-return (GSD…) and non-spring-return (GQD…) versions The compact design makes them ideal for under floor or ceiling void applications as well as for installations where space is limited. They can be either AC or DC powered and are available in 2-position, 3-position or DC 0 to 10 V control versions.

Big Foot Systems offers the complete non-penetrative mounting system for photovoltaic panels on a flat roof.

Filtration and air-management specialists Sirius Products have developed a range of canopies designed to improve the containment-efficiency of the hood by up to 15%. This system delivers a constant stream of high-pressure low-volume air directly into the canopy itself, creating a negative pressure along the front lower edge. Consequently, the rising convective heat and smoke created by cooking processes is drawn into the hood and towards the high-efficiency grease filters, leaving a pleasant, productive and smoke-free kitchen environment.

Aereco’s BXC extract unit for mechanical extract ventilation is based on intelligent presence detection to provide ventilation as required. The Eyebooster module detects infra-red radiation through an angle of 100° through a Fresnel lens. When a variation in infra-radiation is detected, the extract shutters are opened and ventilation provided.

Condair Mk5 resistive steam humidifiers from JS Humidifiers offer close humidity control and maintenance costs that can be up to 65% less than other electrode-boiler humidifiers. These humidifiers manage scale so that it is easy to remove, thereby eliminating the need for expensive disposable boiling cylinders. Outputs range from 5 to 80 kg/h, with full modulation of the output.

Xpelair’s mixed-mode system for natural and low-energy ventilation and heating has been specified and installed at a new school in Wales. The £9.5 million Williamstown Primary School in Rhondda is aiming to secure an A-rating for environmental standards. There are 12 classrooms, unit for special educational needs, hall, community room, IT facilities, library, soft play area and an outdoor environmental studies area. There are also a football field, changing rooms and multi-use games area.

The new kitchen ventilation system for The Stag Inn at Mentmore in Buckinghamshire, a popular and well regarded pub and restaurant, is based on a fan from Elta’s PowerPlus DCV range with a pre-programmed Eltadrive frequency inverter converting single phase to 3 phase. The installation work, including canopy and ductwork, was carried out by Systemair Fans & Spares of Nottingham.

Basing ventilation rates on relative humidity is an effective way of achieving good ventilation that is energy efficient and with low maintenance requirements — explains Colin Hone.

Lots of fresh air to make for a healthy building doesn’t have to be matched with a high energy bill — if heat in exhaust air can be recovered. John Kelly looks at the issues.

What are you up against when faced with providing good indoor air quality? Alan Macklin reviews the challenges.

Passivent natural-ventilation systems have been incorporated into a showcase project to demonstrate the practicality of developing low-energy commercial and office buildings. The Greenpower Centre is the new headquarters for Greenpower Education Trust. It has been developed by a partnership comprising architect Emission Zero, Fordingbridge and Passivent to provide a learning environment and testbed for low-emission technologies. The building has achieve a A-rated Energy Performance Certificate.

Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery for the refurbishment of heritage property overlooking London’s Hyde Park into prime residential accommodation is provided by Xcell 400 units from Xpelair Ventilation Solutions. The systems for The Lancasters Grade 2 listed building in French Renaissance style were specified by Mecserve Consulting Engineers. The project involved converting the building into 77 grand apartments.

Can natural ventilation in urban schools satisfy the requirements of the Department for Education? Carl Sutterby describes the results of modelling a number of solutions.

R22 is still a mainstay for much of the installed base of air conditioning in the UK. However, with its phase-out gathering pace towards 2015, it pays to take action now. Marc Diaz offers guidance for planning your strategy.

The installation of a biomass at Whitchurch Community Hospital in Shropshire is expected to halve its carbon emissions, while providing space heating and hot water. The Hamworthy Biomatic boiler has an output of 250 kW and was installed during a period of cold weather last Winter, so it immediately had to work round the clock using up to 20 t of wood a week. The hospital has 38 beds.

As part of a conversion from oil to mains gas, two 350 kW gas burners from Ecoflam have been installed at Pencoed Swimming Pool near Bridgend. The burners were specified by Bridgend County Borough Council, whose senior mechanical engineer Nigel Baker says, ‘We’ve used various Ecoflam burners before, so we knew they would have the right product for the installation. After consulting their technical team, the Max Gas burners were clearly the best option and have helped make the conversion from oil to gas a great success.’

Refurbishment often provides a viable alternative to replacing HVAC plant with new equipment — with significant cost and environmental benefits. Kim Rose explains.

Vokes Air has developed an online energy-consumption calculator for air filters. Entering requirements enables the energy consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions of current and optimised systems to be compared. The calculator also indicates the energy consumed and CO2 emitted during the manufacture and disposal of air filters.

Air-source heat pumps installed as part of a replacement heating system for the oldest working-men’s institute in Wales helped reduced running costs by 55% in the first year, signalling a payback of 10 years. Two Dimplex LA40 air-source heat pumps were installed by installer partner WDS Environmental during the cold Winter of 2009, with back-up heat provided by two gas-fired boilers.

With funding and legislation coming together to support potentially the most significant building-refurbishment programme in decades, heating specialists are gearing up for an extensive programme of boiler retrofits, controls upgrades and new hot-water solutions. Ron Barker explains how this will change the industry.

Demonstrating the benefits, including improvements in the potential performance and energy savings, from the retrofit installation of sustainable water treatment to existing buildings is a major factor in the take-up and case for investment. Being able to demonstrate what is flowing where, not flowing or, even, flowing backwards can go a long way to establishing confidence with potential customers that your company knows what it is doing.

An immediate 17.3% reduction in electricity consumption has been achieved following the installation of a voltage optimiser at Peasley Cross Hospital in St Helens. Before the installation of the equipment from Streamline Power, the average voltage on site was 246.3 V, peaking at 252.8 V —close to the legal maximum of 253 V. The voltage optimiser has reduced the voltage to 223 V, balanced the incoming phases and controlled the incoming voltage to within 0.5% of target.

Energy savings of 55% have been achieved following the replacement of existing cooling plant with new Turbomiser chillers at the west London data centre of Colt Technology. The new chillers have also improved reliability and reduced maintenance costs.

Effective maintenance and refurbishment are about delivering a comfortable environment in buildings — and reducing energy consumption and emissions. Mike Russell and Graham Child take an in-depth look at what should and can be done.

Insurance provider Naturesave offers a policy covering small-scale renewable-energy installations such as solar PV, wind and hydroturbines, up to 750 kW. The policy also guarantees green energy revenues. The policy covers renewable-energy installations for schools, small businesses and community organisations and insures against loss of incomes in the event of mechanical breakdowns or material damage.

Hager’s Klik.system plug-and-play lighting-control system is simple to install and program and can be used for digital and standard lighting installations. This prefabricated wiring solution includes lighting marshalling boxes with four to 12 outlets, conduit box/surface connector for a single luminaire, prewired pluggable occupancy sensors and prewired plugs with 3 or 5 m leads.

Clyde Energy Solutions has upgraded its CG range of wall-hung condensing boilers with a new electronic controller. They are now easier to integrate and control via their built-in system or via an external BMS. Higher outputs can now be achieved, with the ability to cascade up to 12 boilers, giving a total output of 2160 kW.

The Levytator curved escalator developed by City University has the potential to use half the energy of conventional designs, according to a research paper presented to the UK Symposium on Lift and Escalator Technologies. This escalator is based on a continuous loop of curved modules that can follow any path upwards, flatten and straighten out before descending again — carrying people all the time.

Shorts Environmental, which specialises in low-carbon building services, offers a complete energy-saving and sustainable package for heating and cooling plant to serve HVAC systems in all types of property — industrial, commercial and residential. The company’s services include the design, supply, installation commissioning and after-sales maintenance support service.

Rinnai’s Heavy Duty HD50i Internal water heater is a wall-hung, gas-fired continuous-flow water heater that can deliver hot water at 13 l/min through a 50 K temperature rise. It has a 125 mm concentric flue that can be extended up to 15 m, less 1 m for each 45° bend. These water heaters can operate with pressures from 1 to 10 bar, so they are suitable for mains cold water and systems with boost pumps. Incoming water temperatures of up to 60°C are accepted, making the HD50i suitable for secondary return systems.

Steinel’s XLed floodlighting uses just 20% of the energy required by a halogen floodlight to deliver a wide spread of bright, white light all around a building. And the lamps have a life of over 50 000 h. These floodlights are built from robust aluminium and come with 10 or 25 LED lamps.

Lochinvar’s HSV Thermal Store produces commercial hot-water supplies from renewable energy while also eliminating the risk of Legionnaires’ Disease. This thermal store can combine up to three separate renewable-energy sources with a conventional boiler — and also occupies much less space than standard solar water systems.

Shenton Group has launched a range of standby diesel generators and associated control systems that meet the life-safety requirements of BS EN 8519:2010. PhoenixPower generators are available in sizes from 20 to 800 kVA and have been specifically developed to provide secondary power for life-safety and fire-fighting systems.

Pegler Yorkshire now offers a multilayer pipe system that can achieve a bend radius of just three times its outside diameter in sizes from 14 to 26 mm. Henco pipe is made using a layer of butt-welded aluminium with inner and outer layers of high-density polyethylene. The aluminium gives the pipe high temperature and pressure performance and shape-retaining properties. It also provides an oxygen barrier.

Bitzer Orbit 8 scroll compressors are now available for use with R410A. They have capacities from 39 to 103 kW and are designed primarily for air- and water-cooled rooftop air-conditioning and chiller OEM applications. These compressors are claimed to be up to 10% lighter than competitive models across large parts of the range and an operational sound level that is some 3 dB(A) lower than the comparable competition.

PowerPerfector offers a finance scheme that enables its voltage optimisers to be installed free and paid for from savings on the electricity bill. The company can guarantee that payments are less than the savings, improving cash flow.

To help prevent water pipes and boiler condensate pipes freezing, which stops a condensing boiler operating, ATC Semitec recommends a suitable trace-heater assembly fitted with an integral and very reliable Matsuo MQT frost thermostat to provide a permanent solution.

Amtech has added major new features to its range of end-to-end software solutions. Enhanced packages include Extreme Estimating, ContractMaster, Service Manager and the Financial Suite.

Trend Control Systems has developed a web-based energy-management package for users of its building-management systems. Called Trend Energy Manager, it is a powerful tool for highlighting and investigating energy waste within a building. It is available through Trend’s extensive network of value-added resellers, who will supply it for installation on the customer’s own server. It can also be hosted on an end-user’s behalf by Trend’s energy-support and solutions team.

Energy-efficient heating and cooling for the new store in Wakefield of Menkind, the men’s goods and gadgets retailer, is provide by a twin split-heat-pump system from MHI’s FDC range using inverter technology to control compressor output. The equipment was supplied by 3D Air Sales and installed by Optional Maintenance of Sheffield.

Konstructa Hire has developed a site office building with an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate, said to be the first in the UK. Energy-Saver Plus site accommodation is said to offer a 76% reduction in carbon emissions and energy usage compared to a traditional site cabin. It has been designed specifically in response to the Strategic Forum for Construction and the Carbon Trust Initiative, which proposed a 15% reduction in carbon emissions from construction-site processes by 2012.

Escape travel distances in the event of fire have been increased beyond the maximum of 7.5 m specified in Approved Document B in Chettles Yard student accommodation by the installation of SE Controls’ Shevtec extended-travel-distance system. This approach to smoke ventilation makes possible fewer staircases and uses smoke shafts less than half the area of a conventional 1.5 m2 shaft required for a natural-ventilation system as set out in Approved Document B.

Lighting loads in communal areas of residential apartments of Wales & West Housing Association have been reduced by 80% following the replacement of lighting with LED fittings. In addition, controls avoiding lighting being on 24 h a day have reduced on times by about 80%. In a typical 2-storey development of 40 apartments, £3000 a year has been cut from the electricity bill.

A state-of-the-art educational facility at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford has achieved a ‘Very good’ BREEAM rating with the help of an innovative method of providing an automatic pump-down for Mitsubishi Electric City Multi heat-recovery systems (R2). This system was developed by Mitsubishi’s value-added reseller Pacair and business solutions partner Kelvinair. Both companies worked with M&E contractor Airedale Mechanical to ensure the effectiveness of the system would meet BREEAM criteria.

A caravan site near Burnham-On-Sea has replaced its 12-year-old hot-water storage systems with 10 Rinnai Infinity continuous-flow water heaters. Four were installed in each of the ladies and men’s shower blocks and two in the laundry room. Warren Farm offers accommodation for 300 static caravans and 500 pitches for touring vans. It won the ‘Loo of the year’ accolade in 2006 and 5-star awards in 2008 and 2009 for its commitment to providing customers with washroom facilities that are functional, well maintained and clean.

In the first two months of operation, the 61 kW solar PV installation for the offices of Dimplex near Southampton produced nearly 19 MWh of electricity. Karen Trewick, marketing communications manager for the company, says, ‘As we run solar PV training courses here, it’s ideal to have a working installation on site.’

Naco, part of the Ruskin Air Management Group, has supplied bespoke louvres to a stunning new home featured on Channel 4’s ‘Grand designs’ programme. Sylvan Glade is a highly unusual home in Kent. Aesthetics and design considerations were key to the specification, so Naco’s products has to meet exacting standards of form and shape determined by the architect.