2009 October
Visit Big Foot’s new-look website today
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Another Sanyo installer offers CO2 heat-pump training
Specialist installer training for Sanyo’s carbon-dioxide-based ECO heat-pump heating system is now provided by Air Conditioning Accessories of Leeds. The company was appointed a Sanyo distributor earlier this hear and has invested in a dedicated facility in its premises, which includes a working demonstration of this high-efficiency technology that is challenging the traditional gas boiler in domestic and small commercial applications.’
Access hatches for projects with tight budgets
MR Site Services now offers a low-cost low-profile access hatch for projects with tight budgets. Quantum Eco hatches comprise a fully welded 1.2 mm stucco embossed aluminium outer lid with 2 mm aluminium inner skin and 2 mm base frame with specially designed heavy-duty hinges and gas-assisted strut for ease of opening.
Danlers’ latest innovation is a 50 by 25 mm PIR occupancy module which can be suited into Eurodata plates or built into luminaires.
KNX course now listed in CIBSE CPD directory
KNX UK is now listed in CIBSE’S directory of CPD course providers. The full range of KNX CPD courses is listed for the next two years.
Rotex uses solar energy efficiently
Rotex Solaris solar thermal flat collectors can transform up to 80% of utilisable solar energy into usable heat. Their high thermal efficiency, in combination with the rapid direct storage of heat in a Rotex Sanicube Solaris hot-water storage tank, ensures high levels of energy exploitation with relatively short periods of sunshine.
EnergySaver HVAC plate heat exchangers from APV
Toshiba takes to the road with R22 seminars
The fantastic success of Toshiba’s seminars about replacing R22 held at its Leatherhead head office prompted the company to take its presentation on the road. Over a 10-day period, Toshiba held up to three seminars a day in an articulated truck suppled by RIBA.
Waterloo signs up Barkair
Waterloo Air products has teamed up with Barkair as part of an expansion drive to maximise sales coverage and support across the north east of England. Carl Gipson, sales director with Waterloo, says, ‘Despite tough trading conditions, the market for air terminal devices is showing resilience. We are confident that Barkair will provide us with a stronger presence and support our future growth plans.
JS offers humidification CPD
JS Humidifiers offers a new CPD seminar on humidification and psychrometrics to consultants, specifiers and contractors. It covers the reasons for humidification, the different types of cold-water and steam humidifiers and the cost comparisons between them.
Seafront beach huts are transformed with green roofs
Blyth Valley Borough Council has turned beach huts into beach gardens using bespoke Diadem green roofs from ICB, complete with Alwitra single-ply waterproofing membranes.
Mitsubishi Electric is to supply up to 1200 Ecodan residential heating systems to Scottish Gas as part of the Scottish Government’s energy-assistance package. These heat pumps can help reduce a home’s CO2 emissions by up to 50% and running costs by at least 30% compared with modern gas-fired boilers. The contract runs until the end of March 2010.
Edinburgh’s Usher Hall installs P4’s LED edge-lit signs
Edge-lit sign luminaires using low-energy LED lamps are being installed as part of the £30 million refurbishment of the Usher Hall in Edinburgh. They are Omikron luminaires for P4’s Design Range.
Solar photo-voltaic panels from Mitsubishi Electric are now eligible for grants of up to 50% towards installation costs under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
Kingspan Water has published a guide to the recently published British Standard on rainwater harvesting. It offers an overview of the principles covered in BS 8518:2009 — including design, installation, compliance, regulations and maintenance.
Eaton-Williams offers online AHU selection software
Eaton-Williams has launched a web-based selection program for air-handling units aimed at architects, specifiers and contractors. Users can quickly and easily design their own solutions for air-handling equipment.
BSS Industrial’s new prefabrication service
This new brochure from BSS Industrial gives information on its partnerships with key manufacturers across the industry to provide a flexible off-site prefabrication solution to customers. The service aims to facilitate choice across pipework, brackets and modules with the establishing of a network of solutions partners to give customers the option to mix and match specification requirements, without needing to compromise.
Ravenheat’s new boiler web site
Boiler manufacturer Ravenheat has developed a new web site for specifiers, installers and customers. It shows the full product range, including gas-fired boilers such as Combiplus and Combistore, which deliver higher flow rates than other traditional gas boilers. This is of particular benefit in helping to meet and exceed minimum measures set down in Code Level 3 for Sustainable homes.
Differential-pressure-control valve for HVAC systems
Hattersley has launched a differential-pressure-control valve for HVCA systems with variable-speed pumps. These DPCVs have an operating range from 10 to 100°C. They are PN16 rated and can be set on installation to a maximum differential-pressure limit from 20 to 100 kPA to maintain the control authority of 2-port control valves.
Plate heat exchanger packages
Stokvis Energy Systems has introduced seven ranges of packaged plate heat exchangers comprising over 200 units. These Econoplate units can be used for a range of applications — from the straightforward generation of hot water to heating swimming pools and complex process-heating.
Intrinsically safe addressable manual call point
KAC’s new intrinsically safe addressable indoor manual call point has been tested and approved by LPCB for use in Zone 1 hazardous areas. The MCP5A-IS is available as flush- or surface-mounted versions and enables the manual initiation of an addressable fire-alarm system to be implemented from within the hazardous area where potentially explosive gases are occasionally present during normal operations.
Hattersley launches WRAS-approved ball valves
Hattersley has launched a new range of WRAS-Approved (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) DZR brass ball valves. There are six compression sizes from 15 to 54 mm and eight threaded sizes from 0.25 to 2 in. Handle options include extended stem lever, T handle, lockshield and quarter-turn lever.
Merlin maintenance service ensures ultra-reliable CHP
Merlin Power Management has introduced a new concept in maintenance for its Powertherm CHP system to ensure reliability and availability by constantly renovating and re-engineering components before their projected replacement date. Called Infinium24, it is based on the system used for passenger aircraft to ensure 99.999% safety and reliability.
Overdoor heaters from CEH
The ODH and RDH ranges of overdoor heaters from CEH are available with outputs from 3 to 9 kW to suit single and standard doors of standard height.
Non-touch water control for healthcare
Rada’s Acu digital thermostatic mixing valve is specifically designed to provide non-touch-controlled hand-washing facilities for the total range of healthcare applications. The enhanced aesthetics of Acu helps de-institutionalise the hospital environment and deliver improved hand hygiene, water control and management.
Replaceable bellows elements do not have tie bars
Supaflex offers a range of bellows for systems based on Kevlar and without tie bars. They are applicable to systems with working pressures up to about 8 bar and minimal elongation. They can be used at constant temperatures up to 120°C, and research has shown that they will withstand intermittent temperatures up to 176°C.
Replaceable bellows elements do not have tie bars
Supaflex offers a range of bellows for systems based on Kevlar and without tie bars. They are applicable to systems with working pressures up to about 8 bar and minimal elongation. They can be used at constant temperatures up to 120°C, and research has shown that they will withstand intermittent temperatures up to 176°C.
Delmatic makes emergency-lighting monitoring easier
Delmatic’s photocell for monitoring emergency lighting can test, monitor and log emergency lighting. It relays performance data to a PC for logging and pass/fail analysis. Part of the company’s Metro package for monitoring and testing emergency lighting, this photocell can be used with any light source.
Glow-worm enters heat-pump market
Glow-worm is strengthening its position in the renewable-technology market with the launch of the Clearly Heat Pump range of air-to-water heat pumps. Outdoor units use R410A and require just an electricity supply and heating flow/return connections. The refrigeration system is sealed.
The latest long-life compact fluorescent lamps from Aura is the Unique-T triple-tube CFL. They have an average life of 42 000 h, which is about nine years in a normal office environment — compared with about three years for a standard product. Aura now offers over 700 long-life products.
Air conditioning is a picture...
LG describes its Art Cool range of indoor air-conditioning units as still the best alternative to the off-white box on the wall. The Art Cool Gallery unit has been a big hit with hotels as it can be mounted like a picture on the wall, with the option of hidden pipework and cables.
Radiant-heating panels for secure applications
S&P Coil Products has developed a version of its ThermaTile Plus radiant heating panel for secure locations such as hospitals, prisons and police stations. This dual-purpose anti-ligature and plasterboard panel has a design that enables it to float within the anti-ligature/plasterboard frame to allow for expansion and contraction as the panel heats and cools.
Marflow cuts commissioning time for hydronic systems
Marflow Hydronics’ single-station balancing (SSB) methodology provides a fast and effective approach to balancing variable-flow fan-coil and chilled-beam systems. It is an accurate alternative to proportional balancing, which is not suitable for variable-volume systems.
Hattersley launches WRAS-approved ball valves
Hattersley has launched a new range of WRAS-Approved (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) DZR brass ball valves. There are six compression sizes from 15 to 54 mm and eight threaded sizes from 0.25 to 2 in. Handle options include extended stem lever, T handle, lockshield and quarter-turn lever.
WRAS approval for pressurisation units
Armstrong’s 3750 range of pressurisation units have received WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) approval. This approval confirms that these units comply with UK water-authority regulations and that, once installed, there is no need for annual inspections.
WRAS approval for pressurisation units
Armstrong’s 3750 range of pressurisation units have received WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) approval. This approval confirms that these units comply with UK water-authority regulations and that, once installed, there is no need for annual inspections.
MK Electric has revamped its range of Euro and LJU6C data, telephone and blank modules to make it more usable in terms of application, installation and aesthetics. All modules are now available in MK white to match Logic Plus and white Edge and Aspect finishes, enabling data and telecom applications to be integrated with popular ranges of wiring devices in a seamless fashion.
Secure controller prevents abuse of water in at-risk applications
The control of water to sinks, showers and WC pans for secure applications such as mental-health units and police holding cells can be provided by an integrated system developed by Douglas Delabie. A control box serves four stations , such as hot and cold supplies to wash basins and/or showers and WC pans. It is operated by touch-pad controls and has an integral transformer to step down the mains to 12 V.
Run Standby panel can be controlled from mobile phone
Mitsubishi Electric has launched a Run Standby (RS) panel to replace existing models to control up to eight systems using Mr Slim or M Series air-conditioning products. The RMS SMS panel replaces RS1/RS2/RS3 panels with a solution that is smaller and up to a third cheaper than previous models. The new panel also has an optional SIM-card facility to give full control over a mobile phone and send text messages to report errors.
Ex-Or’s multi-function LightSpot presence detector can control not only lights and washroom functions but also air conditioning or the testing of emergency lighting — in what is said to be a first for the lighting-controls industry.
Intrinsically safe addressable manual call point
KAC’s new intrinsically safe addressable indoor manual call point has been tested and approved by LPCB for use in Zone 1 hazardous areas. The MCP5A-IS is available as flush- or surface-mounted versions and enables the manual initiation of an addressable fire-alarm system to be implemented from within the hazardous area where potentially explosive gases are occasionally present during normal operations.
Stokvis Energy Systems has introduced seven ranges of packaged plate heat exchangers comprising over 200 units. These Econoplate units can be used for a range of applications — from the straightforward generation of hot water to heating swimming pools and complex process-heating.
Differential-pressure-control valve for HVAC systems
Hattersley has launched a differential-pressure-control valve for HVCA systems with variable-speed pumps. These DPCVs have an operating range from 10 to 100°C. They are PN16 rated and can be set on installation to a maximum differential-pressure limit from 20 to 100 kPA to maintain the control authority of 2-port control valves.
Hamworthy adds new features to Milborne boiler range
Hamworthy has made significant improvements to its Milborne range of wall-hung condensing boilers, which are available with four outputs from 38 to 100 kW.
Hitachi claims high efficiency for air-conditioning units
Hitachi claims EERs of 6.0 and COPs of 6.13 for its S-Series RAS SX8 range of room air-conditioning units. Noise levels are down to 20 dB(A), and the indoor units can destroy airborne bacteria to create a healthier environment. They can provide heating and cooling from 2.5 to 5 kW.
VES offers new heat-recovery solution
VES’s EcoBox provides an approach to heat recovery in ventilation systems that already have a fan system or where fans cannot be close to the heat-recovery unit. They are based on a plate heat exchanger that can achieve 50 to 60% heat recovery.
Full range of VRF air-conditioning from LG
LG’s suite of VRF air-conditioning products includes a comprehensive range of indoor units (cassettes, ducted cassettes, wall-mounted units, floor-standing cased and uncased units) — including the Art Cool range. The Multi V 2 range of condensing units is available in 4, 5 and 6 hp sizes, all using a single-phase power supply. The Maxi VRF range is available as 2-pipe heat-pump and 3-pipe heat-recovery systems.
Eco switch harvests energy award
MK Electric’s Echo wireless self-powered switch has won the award for the best application of energy harvesting in a product at the IDTechEx Energy Harvesting Awards. The award for Echo, which does not require a battery, acknowledged its commercial success to date as a wireless switch in commercial and residential premises grows.
Attractive radiator also has an attractive price
This unusual radiator from MHS Radiators comes with a recommended retail price starting at £650. The contemporary crossover design is based on steel tubes.
Buderus stainless-steel condensing boilers have been installed to replace failing boilers in the 9-storey head office of M. W. Kellogg in Greenford. The existing boilers in the 16 500 m2 building were suffering from corrosion and showing signs of leaking. Scion recommended their replacement rather than remedial action. Kellogg is a full-service engineering, procurement and construction contractor primarily serving the hydrocarbon market.
Underfloor heating serves historic railway station
Underfloor heating supplied by JG Speedfit has been installed in the Grade 2 listed Cromford Railway Station close to Sir Richard Arkwright’s first successful water-powered cotton-spinning mill in Derbyshire. The system was specified following a successful previous installation on the site. Heat is supplied by two high-efficiency Ultracom boilers donated by Glow-worm.
Four new appointments at BCIA
THE Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has appointed a new Vice-President and three new additions to its Management Committee.
Engineering services alliance welcomes retentions reporting legislation
Engineering services alliance Actuate UK has warmly welcomed the new secondary legislation which will require reporting of cash retentions held by the large construction companies under the Reporting Regulations.