2017 October

Lord Rupert Redesdale talks exclusively to MBS about the important issue of the UK's energy challenge and how we might balance our energy requirements with the shift to renewable generation. 

From January 2018, Warm Air and Radiant Heating Products will be affected by European Regulations.

The DATA is one of six HIUs tested in 2016 independently to the new UK HIU standards, and demonstrated beyond doubt to offer greater efficiencies than any other system.

Combat understand that during the winter months, time is money and customers required their heating solutions yesterday. That's why Combat has increased their stock levels to ensure that your warm air and radiant heaters are on site when you need them. Our systems are manufactured in Wednesbury in the West Midlands, incorporating a lean manufacturing operation which allows us to reduce manufacturing and lead times to our valued customers contributing to our unrivalled customer service.

Rinnai’s Infinity HDC 1600e range optimises fuel use with advanced condensing heat exchangers combined with innovative down firing pre-mix burner technology. Whether the system is natural gas or LPG, every cubic meter of fuel is used efficiently, and Rinnai offers the reassurance of low-NoX functionality.

Boiler specialist Stokvis will be displaying its Evolution range at this year’s UK Construction week (NEC 10th – 12th October).

Star Refrigeration’s National Roadshow is hitting the road again in October, and the locations have been unveiled. Senior management members will be delivering free CPD sessions in Sheffield, Bristol, Glasgow, and London as part of the tour.

Cooltherm is introducing Geoclima’s new Circlemiser chiller to its range. The Circlemiser has been designed with energy efficiency in mind, with an increase in EER of up to 15%.

With less than 12 months to go before the Government’s new energy bill comes into effect, Ideal Commercial Boilers is urging property investors and landlords to act now to get their properties up to standard and avoid lost revenues.

Ideal Commercial Boilers has been awarded Supplier of the Year at the annual BSS award ceremony. The event is an opportunity for BSS to recognise the hard work and dedication of its key suppliers.

Specialist in hydronic fan convector products, Smith’s Environmental Products (SEP) is adding air curtains to its family of products.

Evinox has extended its best-selling range of ModuSat Heat Interface Units with the introduction of the new ModuSat XR and ModuSat XR- ECO Twin Plate models. Providing both indirect space heating and domestic hot water, ModuSat XR units are ideal for use in modern, efficient district and communal heat networks. All units deliver fast, dynamic domestic hot water response, and the ModuSat XR-ECO models also provide ultra-low DHW return temperatures to the primary heat network.

The Energy Management Exhibition (EMEX) is now in its third year and looks set for its biggest event yet. With 100 speakers lined up for 80 seminar sessions, the event has grown rapidly in a short time.

The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has appointed three new members to its management committee: Sandy Damm, Terry Sharp and Paul Wetherfield.

Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) president Tim Hopkinson (picture left) focused on showcasing excellence at the President’s Lunch event on 28th September. He also officially launched the Association’s Future Leaders initiative.

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) has launched the Society of Digital Engineering (SDE). At the launch on 12th September, CIBSE president Peter Y Wong said: “The formation of the Society of Digital Engineering demonstrates the importance of digital technology in the building services sector and the commitment of CIBSE to develop the art and science of digital engineering.”

The Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has launched the £246 million Faraday Challenge to boost UK expertise in battery technology.

The Heat Pump Association (HPA) has responded to government reforms to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

Grundfos Pumps has released half-year results for 2017 that show that the Group have gained global market share with a net turnover increase of 5.8%, as well as seeing EBIT increase to 26.9% in comparison to the same period in 2016.

The UK’s largest hotel, restaurant and coffee shop operator, Whitbread, will supply its own water and wastewater services. It has been granted a self-supply licence by economic regulator Ofwat following the opening up of the water retail market earlier in 2017.

Supermarket success story Aldi has committed to converting all of its UK stores to CO2 refrigeration. By the end of 2018 up to 100 stores will be converted, at a cost of £20 million.

Two of the national bodies for distributing and overseeing the country’s electricity market are working on proposals that will impact how businesses pay for their power – and how much.

Electronics giant Panasonic has its sights set on major growth in the UK and European markets. At the start of September this year, Panasonic made its first move with the acquisition of AMP Air Conditioning, one of UK’s largest distributors.

The Building and Engineering Services Association (BESA) has reacted in the strongest terms to Labour peer Lord Adonis as he dismissed fears over low margins in the construction industry.

Unitrunk’s innovative cable management solutions are set to inspire the next generation of technology entrepreneurs after being installed in an exposed soffit electrical fit out at Cambridge Science Park’s recently opened The Bradfield Centre.

Sheffield City Council has upgraded fire safety throughout its 1,134 sheltered housing properties using Aico’s Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm.

Air movement experts Gilberts, has applied its technical know-how to create the perfect atmosphere for a new indoor, underground shooting range.

ELCO Heating Solutions has supplied three Thision L Evo 120kW boilers on a cascade frame to Wentworth Place in Surrey.

MHG Gassero Wallcon boilers, along with MHG hot water cylinders, have been supplied to Bloomsbury Plaza in central London, which is undergoing a major refurbishment. An MHG pressure manager and vessel were also supplied as part of the package.

Zumtobel Lighting has supplied a variety of luminaires for ‘The Bower’, a complex £24 million office upgrade and extension project at Stockley Park near Heathrow.

Vent-Axia has helped Crawley Borough Council to improve the indoor environment of a tenant’s home by supplying a Lo-Carbon PoziDry Compact fan. Crawley Borough Council consulted Vent-Axia when a tenant’s home had a problem with condensation, mould and damp. Vent-Axia provided a Pozidry fan as a solution and within just two months of the installation the problem was resolved.

New energy efficiency regulations come into effect next year which could see thousands of commercial building landlords needing an upgrade to their building services. Sharon Oliver explores the issue and the potential solutions.

Rooftop solar photovoltaics remain a popular renewable choice for new build and retrofit projects. Chris Rigby explains why it’s important to plan the installation to make the most of roofspace and ensure that long-term maintenance is straightforward and safe.

Graham Hazell provides an update on the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme and looks at how proposed reforms could impact on the industry.

Reznor has worked with building envelope manufacturer, CA Group to develop a technology that provides fresh, heated air for space or process heating, while reducing energy use.

Swegon's Parasol is to all intents and purposes an active chilled beam, but in modular format with four way distribution. This means that not only does it have all of the features and energy benefits of a chilled beam, but with all the flexibility of fan coils.

The Heating Equipment Testing and Approvals Scheme (HETAS) is is urging chimney sweeps to brush up their knowledge and practical skills with the H009 Service and Maintenance Course ahead of the heating season. HETAS is the UK’s only specialist organisation approving biomass and solid fuel heating appliances, fuels and services.

Maximising the percentage share that CHP contributes to a system designed to operate at low temperatures is essential for optimum performance. Beata Blachut explains.

With no two heat networks ever the same, well-planned design and installation are crucial to ensuring a system performs to its potential. Pete Mills explains the top considerations for consultants embarking on a district heating project.

As in any trade or profession, there are days in the life of a building services engineer when the only thing that will do is a quick fix. For those occasions when the clock is ticking, the pressure is on, a solution must be found ... and found quickly. Paul Wightman of Albion Valves shares some simple and cost-effective tactics to tackle energy wastage.

The REMS Multi-Push is a compact, electronic flushing and pressure-testing unit with an oil-free compressor. It’s designed to help installers meet the European Standards EN 806-4 on the commissioning OF potable water installations.

Victaulic announces its new fire protection mobile truck tour of the UK. Travelling across the UK, the truck will stop at various locations in order to showcase Victaulic’s grooved piping system solutions.

Pegler Yorkshire’s Xpress Power Tools range offers a variety of tooling to support press-fit installations from 12mm to 168.3mm, as well as sprinkler systems. In addition, the range includes the popular combined package of AC0203 with 15mm to 35mm jaws in a single case.

Rehau is now able to supply polymer-based district heating solutions for larger projects in the UK following an exclusive deal with Aquatherm Sales UK.

Steve Schofield explains why it’s vital to consider lifetime costs when specifying pumps – and why over-sizing is to be avoided.

Grundfos pumps has assisted with delivery of containerised water to drought-striken Italy, with its packaged booster sets.

James Townley explains that effective water treatment is more than simply cleaning; it also protects pipework for better performance and life-time costs.

The British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association (BEAMA) has raised its concerns over hot water after a guest was badly scalded at a hotel earlier this year.

When a major London teaching hospital suffered a significant boiler breakdown, the challenge was how to deliver and install a new boiler quickly. Andrews Sykes Boiler Hire came up with the perfect solution – portable electric boilers.

The RDJ100 programmable room thermostat from Siemens Building Technologies is an innovative solution for domestic users, providing 24-hour room control for maximised comfort and energy efficiency. TPI (PID) control ensures high efficiency and accuracy.

Dave Lancaster discusses why hotel pipework specification should prioritise both the guest experience and the hotel’s operational considerations, including speed of installation, risk and cost.