2021 October

Trane is launching the new Sintesis™ eXcellent GVAF chillers, designed to meet the stringent requirements of high temperature data centre applications.  The upgraded GVAF chillers are part of the Trane Sintesis™ eXcellent portfolio, certified by Eurovent as the most efficient air-cooled chillers available on the market.

Manchester’s new Tower of Light structure has been officially switched on, marking a milestone in the development of the city’s new Civic Quarter Heat Network. 

The Government released its long-delayed Net Zero Review and Heating and Hot Water Strategy last week. As the UK’s building stock is responsible for such a high proportion of the country’s Carbon Emissions, the Building Services sector in both domestic and commercial arenas will both be hugely impacted by the strategies and front and centre in the response. 

Global professional services firm RPS has launched a new STEM initiative – the RPS Climate Careers Zone. Hosted in a virtual city inspired by COP26 goals, the zone’s design enables young people to take control and shape their future. Empowering and informing career choices, students can use the zone to understand how they can be part of the change they want to see.

It’s likely that people will be returning to offices soon so now is an ideal opportunity to address the issue of air quality inside our buildings. How can you prepare buildings for the arrival of staff, whether in co-working spaces or as the sole tenants asks Mark Grayston, Product Manager, Mitsubishi Electric.

Digital technology has opened up significant opportunities for the reduction of energy consumption in air conditioning systems. Variable Air Volume (VAV) systems in particular have derived enormous benefit from digital control. If your current control methodology is based along traditional lines however, Ian Thomas of Trox Uk suggests there could be valuable additional energy savings waiting to be unlocked. 

Engineering alliance Actuate UK organizations support the CBI statement on Business rates, which, together with other Trade Associations, is calling on Government to take long-term action in the forthcoming Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review.

IDEAL Industries has developed a new range of test and measurement equipment designed to offer electricians quality, accuracy and consistency at a competitive price.

The IOR has just released a new guidance note on the Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations and Pressure Equipment Directive (GN36) outlining the requirements for installers of RACHP systems. 

A range of ECS cards are available through the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) for the Network Infrastructure industry.

Coolair Equipment Limited has appointed Deane Flint to its Board of Directors.

Hitachi’s newest 4-way cassette unit design panel, the Silent Iconic, has already picked up three international product design awards – the iF Design Award 2020 in the Product category, the Good Design Award 2020 and the Red Dot Best of the Best Product Design 2021 – and is now available in the UK.

Ideal Industries has built on the success of its In-Sure Push-In, Lever and SpliceLine Connectors with the launch of its innovative Gen II Lever Connector.

Fernox has expanded its range of industry-leading chemical products with the launch of the new, smaller volume 265ml Protector F1 and Cleaner F3. 

Now available from Rinnai is a range of CIBSE approved CPDs for designers, specifiers and building services consultants & engineers working on any type of commercial site requiring limitless flows of temperature accurate hot water for personal hygiene, laundry, food production and all other cleaning and disinfecting regimes. 

Riser shafts feature so prominently in high rises, yet when it comes to understanding what they are and why they are needed from a fire protection perspective, there are misconceptions. There are, for example, problematic misunderstandings in relation to fire protection rules during and post-construction and the difference between intumescent paint and fire encasement. 

Fire safety has been at the forefront of conversations around building architecture and construction since the tragedy at the Grenfell Tower in 2017. With a recent fire at a New Providence Wharf tower block, which used the same cladding as the Grenfell Tower, fire safety is once again in the headlines.

Incidents of scalding caused by hot water are on the rise, but there are easy ways to minimise this risk, including tempering valves and thermostatic mixing valves. Here, Richard Bateman of RWC UK looks at the issues and the solutions, giving tips about correct installation and maintenance.

Preassembly is on the rise in the construction industry. Its growing popularity doesn’t come as a surprise given the benefits it has to offer including consistent quality, greater flexibility and customisation, and less waste onsite. Preassembly is making everything simple, offering specifiers, contractors, installers and architects a solution that is driving efficiency across a project’s supply chain.

Rupert Coggon of Tenmat is saying we are currently facing two major, life critical issues, which will influence how buildings will be ventilated in the future. Whilst the reduction of indoor virus spreading is at the top of everyone’s minds, the risk of rapid vertical spreading of fire is not far behind it, and neither issue can be resolved without affecting the other.

Michael Castle of Antenova Ltd takes a look at the wireless technology powering remote-controlled services in smart cities

Frank Bakker of SolarEdge looks at ways to better manage energy 

When it comes to protecting human lives, fail-safe performance and quality of products are essential. Emergency lighting must work – at all times, and it must be reliable.

September data revealed another growth slowdown in the construction sector, with output volumes rising to the smallest extent for eight months.