2018 August

MBS is partnering with EMEX 2018, the energy management exhibition which takes place at London’s ExCel on 21st and 22nd November this year. EMEX is the UK’s must-attend energy event for everyone wanting to increase their organisation’s energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

“In our features this month, the themes of integration and a collaborative approach are high on the agenda.

The Construction Sector Deal holds out promises of greater investment and more training for experienced operatives as well as new apprentices. But a lot is expected of the industry in terms of increased productivity and high quality outputs. Read for full details. 

The London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI) has developed the LETI Declaration and is calling on industry leader to pledge to use the Declaration over the next 12 months.

It’s time to re-subscribe to ensure you keep getting your copy of MBS magazine each month. And people who sign up between 1st August and 31st October will be entered into our prize draw.

The Heat Pump Association (HPA) has welcomed the latest emission conversion factor figures released by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

At a joint BSRIA and ECA event, Ant Wilson MBE, director of Aecom, called on construction to consider its important role in building a circular economy.

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment (APPGEBE) has produced a report which recommends the appointment of an ombudsman to oversee the rights of buyers of new homes.

Government has changed rules on Apprenticeship Levy funding so that large firms who pay the Levy will be able to transfer up to 10% of their funds annually to multiple supply chain partners.

Vodafone and Dell EMC have joined with energy and utility management specialist Utilitywise to develop a new Internet of Things (IoT) energy and building management platform. The value of shares in Utilitywise rose at the time of the announcement.

GDL has recently completed the design, manufacture and installation of its Intelishade ISEF-200 fixed horizontal blade elliptical solar shading system, on behalf of Henry Boot Construction, a prestigious, Grade I listed historic hotel with spa on the outskirts of Harrogate. The new spa features a landscaped roof top garden, an infinity swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool, thermal and treatment rooms as well as glass fronted saunas and outdoor hot tub to enjoy the Yorkshire countryside.

One of the issues facing developer Quora (Lewes) with its 3,600 m2, three-storey, mixed use development in the heart of Lewes’ historic town centre was to balance airflow for the large amount of plant needed for the project’s building services alongside aesthetics.

The World Cup is one of the most-watched sporting tournaments in the world that attracts an audience of over 3 billion people globally. With its roots back in 1930, this the 21st competition, is the first time that Russia has hosted the championship. Incorporating 11 cities that are spread across 1,800 miles and 12 football venues - many of which were purpose built – they together offer the capacity for 581,118 fans to watch the action first-hand.

Belfast-based Aircon Sales and Service has installed a combination of Panasonic GHP VRF 3-pipe, 2-pipe and Split Hi Wall type units to heat and cool the 130,000 sq ft, three storey property at the Concentrix Call Centre in Belfast.

St Paul’s Cathedral is a Grade 1 listed building, so its structure is subject to strict regulations. The cathedral’s failing boilers meant a refurbishment project would have to take those restrictions into account. Hamworthy provided a modular boiler system and two high performance calorifiers. The cathedral has reduced its gas consumption by close to 40% compared to using the old boilers before the refurbishment.

Rinnai has completed an installation at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire, replacing the old direct fired stored hot water system. Two HDC 1500i units were linked to solar panels as the main hot water heating source by contractor A P Mitchell.

Pump House has provided an external rooftop access ramp for a proposed route out of a building down onto the flat roof.

Jon Belfield, President of the Building Controls Industry Association explores how connected buildings can help to achieve a substantial reduction in carbon emissions and why innovative methods increase energy efficiency while also reducing running costs.

As housebuilders increasingly look to include ‘smart’ homes in their developments, as well as heating technology such as HIUs, Gary Perry explains why seamless integration is vital to optimise energy efficiencies.

Managing multiple buildings with controls can only be achieved by using the correct hardware, an effective protocol and a collaborative design approach, argues Paul Foulkes.

When specifying ‘air conditioning’ it’s important to consider all aspects of thermal comfort, including humidity control. Yet this important factor is often overlooked. John Barker explains its importance.

Nigel Coston explains why radiant panels provide the ideal conditioning solution in the challenging healthcare environment.

With the country still enjoying the best of a glorious British summer, Mark Grayston explains a whole new approach to energy efficient ways of cooling staff, guests and customers inside their buildings.

How smart design and collaboration met tight deadlines at Europe’s largest data centre to deliver energy-efficient cooling solutions.

Located on the River Great Ouse in Ely, the new Cambridge University Boathouse is a state-of-the-art facility that acts as a centre of excellence for rowing. It aims to use energy as efficiently as possible and maintain perfect comfort conditions for occupants and users.

With investment in leisure centres growing, M&E contractors must shape up to take on the challenges presented by increasingly complex facilities. Toby Buckley shares his insights from the M&E contractor’s point of view.

Craig Riley explains why modular buildings are a popular solution for today’s education market, and how the prefabricated buildings provide usable, sustainable classrooms.

Specifiers face a series of unique challenges when it comes to upgrading heating systems in historic buildings such as churches. Steven Evans highlights what needs to be considered to ensure projects go smoothly.

Amazon Filters is a leading manufacturer of permanent side stream filtration systems for initial clean-up and ongoing maintenance of closed loop water supplies to large buildings, and sectors such as airports, rail infrastructure, and sporting or entertainment arena.

Kestrel Mechanical Services of Sevenoaks has completed a refit of hot water heating systems at a care home in the South East of England. Rinnai HDC 1500i on natural gas were installed, including the scale inhibitor system.

Grundfos Pumps introduces a new range of high-flow CR multistage centrifugal pumps to replace the existing CR/N 90, 120 and 150. Like all Grundfos CR pumps, these models have been designed to support our customers under the three important cornerstones that the Grundfos brand is so closely associated with: reliability, efficiency and providing a pump solution that operates as a standalone or in a system.

Ventilation specialist Nuaire, has launched the Noxmaster wholehouse ventilation system for the retrofit market.

Air movement specialist Gilberts has further developed its hybrid system which uses internal heat to warm incoming air through wall façade louvres without using a heat exchanger.

Elco heating solutions is extending the warranty to its Thision S Plus and Thision L Eco ranges of light commercial gas condensing boilers.

Warm air heaters are subject to Lot 21 of the directive and radiant heaters Lot 20. Minimum efficiencies for warm air is now 72% and radiant heaters is now 74%. Crucially, these minimum criteria are applicable for both new installations and when replacing existing products. The ABX range of industrial air curtains is the solution for high doors and compliment the Nortek range of ErP-compliant heating appliances. ABX provides a barrier of high velocity air, stopping warm air escaping.

Designed for use within demanding HVACR and BEMS applications Mini Intuitive TDB, is a new powerful, compact PLC controller that can be used to control up to 560 points or devices. Using proven technology already found within the flagship Intuitive range, with an optional LCD screen, it delivers cost and space saving benefits. TDB, license-free PLC software, comes built-in as standard, with the desktop editor tool available for free download via the RDM website.

The Smoke Control Association (SCA) and IFC Certification have launched the IFC SDI 19 Certification scheme for contractors involved in the installation of smoke control systems. Those certified under the scheme will have relevant skills and knowledge including system design, commissioning of smoke control systems and fire strategy verification.

The new Siemens PX programmable Compact Controller with island bus complements the Desigo family. It is available in two versions, with 22 or 36 IO’s on board. It can be expanded with TX I/O modules to cover up to 16 IO datapoints. With up to two TXI2.OPEN, the compact controller offers third party integration options. The controllers use the truly open BACnet protocol and are available in either IP or BACnet over LON options. The IP controllers include a built in web communication for remote connection.