2013 August

Triumphantly celebrating the ‘delivery’ of a Rinnai water heater the top of mount Snowdon to raise money for Cairan’s Cause is the 14-strong team that took turns to carry the 15 kg heater. Ciaran’s Cause aims to supply schools and sports centres with heart defibrillators. You can make a donation using the first link below.

Rural Energy now offers sophisticated control for its Herz wood-pellet and wood-chip boilers up to 300 kW. The Herz T-Control provides an interactive way of managing the functionality of biomass boilers and is operated using a touchscreen. T-Control enables a biomass system to be controlled from anywhere, using an app for remote PCs, tablets and mobiles.

DW Sports, the fitness club and retailer, is adopting wireless BEMSs designed, installed and commissioned by WEMS International. Trials at three sites have shown energy savings of over 17%, and DW Sports is embarking on a phased roll-out programme.

Jason Ng of Honeywell ED&S is concerned that modernising the office environment often overlooks adapting the lighting to suit.

Allen Martin Conservation’s Eco Plus intelligent building-management system has a built-in web server and input-output devices to provide real-time monitoring controlled locally or from a web-browser interface anywhere in the world. The system also provides real-time monitoring via a touchscreen display, PC or the company’s popular Eco View display monitors.

The installation of a Trend BMS in the flagship Rome store of Italian supermarket chain Unicoop Tirreno has seen energy consumption reduced by 26% over the first eight months. The extrapolated potential saving of Eu30/m2 a year gives a payback of just 12 months and enables the 2900 m2 Coop Colleferro store to meet all its major objectives in terms of comfort, cost and carbon-saving targets.

Whilst a building management system (BMS) is key to the control of mechanical and electrical equipment within larger commercial buildings, a number of additional considerations have to be made in the case of retrofit installations. Pete Mills of Bosch Commercial & Industrial Heating, explains the best measures to take when incorporating energy-using products into an existing BMS to manage emissions.

Two members of the KNX UK Association worked closely together to deliver a challenging home-automation project at a home with an equine centre in the Scottish Borders. The project demonstrates how an electrical contractor in the early stages of using KNX can offer clients all the lifestyle and energy-saving benefits of the technology.

Helvar’s launch of the 434 EnOcean Gateway enables EnOcean controls and sensors to be integrated into a Helvar DALI lighting network. This gateway can be mounted on a wall or ceiling and is connected to a DALI network via a standard 2-wire cable. Up to 20 EnOcean switches can be integrated into one 434 Gateway, opening up the potential for integration with other BMS technologies such as automated blinds and HVAC.

Saving money at the start of a project by trimming the BMS specification will condemn a building to long-term higher energy bills, explains David Smithson of Siemens Building Technologies Division.

Faast fire-alarm aspiration sensors from System Sensor Europe are now equipped with direct Modbus connectivity, enabling them to be integrated directly into building-management systems.

Wireless humidity sensors in the testing bays at Ford’s Dunton Technical Centre can readily be re-positioned as required in response to work being carried out. It is one of Europe’s largest automotive R&D centres, and measuring relative humidity is a key part of emission testing. The humidity sensors are from Sontay’s SonNet range of wireless sensors.

Honeywell Building Solutions has completed upgrades to the business-critical control systems and IT network of the 42 acre Liverpool One shopping, residential and leisure complex — delivering significant commercial, operational and energy benefits. Honeywell designed, installed and commissioned this major system upgrade within a stipulated 6-month timescale.

Building management systems (BMS) have traditionally been viewed as only viable in large buildings and estates — but Schneider Electric believes that in the current environment, it is the mid-market that represents a whole new untapped potential for energy management. Steve Harris describes how a small BMS could provide the perfect way forward.

The range of Symaro sensors measures the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) contained in the room air, acquire temperature, humidity and pressure and — as multisensors — also acquire combinations of measuring variables. The extended portfolio of sensors for indoor air quality, temperature and humidity now includes models for flush-mounting.

Rinnai offers CIBSE/CPD training courses to give specifiers and designers an insight into the energy-saving properties and benefits of continuous-flow water heaters. The company’s seminar on energy-efficient on-demand water heating can be presented at Rinnai’s headquarters in Runcorn or at a venue convenient to delegates.

Fujitsu’s J-II mini VRF air-conditioning system now qualifies for Enhanced Capital Allowances. There are three outdoor models in the range, with nominal cooling capacities from 12.1 to 15.5 kW and heating from 13.6 to 18 kW.

Newey & Eyre is partnering with Schneider Electric to launch a series of briefing events across the country on the Acti 9 final distribution system for electrical installations. These training seminars will be held in September 2013, and Schneider Electric’s team will provide full training on the Acti 9 concept.

Daikin’s RTD range of controls enable its entire product portfolio to be integrated into building-management systems by using the Modbus protocol. Designed for a wide range of applications, including hotels or offices, the RTD’s pre-programmed functions ensure systems operate efficiently while maintaining high levels of comfort. There is also a controller for Altherma heat pumps.

Grundfos’s GTI range of variable- and fixed-speed booster sets are suitable for a wide range of commercial and industrial applications. The range includes sets with one and two pumps and integrated tanks. They are suitable for category 5 applications, as defined by the backflow-prevention requirements of the Water Regulations. and can be installed in new and retrofit projects.

The Thision L range of light commercial boilers from MHS Boilers can now be supplied in a cascade system with combined outputs of up to 1140 kW. With a turndown ratio of 6:1 and extremely low NOx emissions, these cascade systems provide an ideal solution for a wide range of commercial applications such as schools, healthcare facilities and retail outlets.

Brill Energy has used the Enphase micro-inverter system on a 28.5 kW Solar PV installation at STM Power Transmissions in Winsford, Cheshire — one of the largest micro-inverter-controlled systems in the north of England. The Enphase system enables more electricity to be generated than installations based on string inverter.

Xylem Water Solutions UK has extended its range of circulator pumps for light or commercial applications with the Ecocirc XL range. These circulators have been designed for applications such as heating, domestic hot water, cooling, solar and ground-source heat pumps.

Riello’s RS-RL-RLS range of monobloc low-NOx burners are now available with outputs up to 12 MW with the introduction of two new models. These burners are suitable for gas, light oil or dual fuel. Advanced combustion technology achieves NOx levels conforming to Class 3 EN 676.

Aurora’s Sola M10 integrated fire-rated downlighter has its driver on board and high-voltage LEDs. There is no capacitor, making these fittings less susceptible to high ambient temperatures. Other features of this single-point light source include CrystalCool thermal management, LEDChroic optic and multiple high-voltage LEDs.

Waterloo Air Products’ HDFG heavy-duty floor grille is designed to withstand heavy load in high-technology installations such as data centres. It is also suitable for applications with heavy foot traffic. These grilles are made using robust high-grade aluminium extrusions, minimising the risk of zinc whiskers, which can be a problem in older ‘legacy’ type data centres.

Rinnai’s Infinity Plus range of solar water-heating solutions includes solar storage vessels and both flat-plate and evacuated- tube (pictured) solar collectors. Both types of collector work best when facing due south. However, evacuated-tube collectors will outperform flat plate when it is only possible for them to face east or west.

BSS Industrial has added a range of thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) to its Boss range. TMVs mix hot water (hot enough to kill bacteria) with cold-water before delivering it to taps, showers and bidets. The combined BossMix TMV2/3 range has a tamper-proof flat-faced body for easy maintenance and is compatible with 15 and 22 mm compression fittings.

The FloCon Series R series of valve assemblies from SAV Systems provides compact and economical protection for downstream thermostatic radiator valves and terminal units (radiators, fan coils, radiant panels etc.) in variable-volume heating systems. These assemblies make downstream circuits totally pressure independent and easy to commission.

Guidance on avoiding overheating in buildings is provided by CIBSE Guide ‘TM52: The limits of thermal comfort: avoiding overheating in European buildings’. It is available on CIBSE’s online knowledge portal and will be followed soon by ‘TM49: Probabilistic design summer years for London’. Both guides offer information to help avoid uncomfortable conditions for occupants.

The capabilities of evaporative cooling as an alternative or supplement to mechanical cooling is discussed in a document prepared by the Humidity Group of the HEVAC Association. It gives an overview of evaporative cooling and how it can be incorporated into cooling systems, a comparison of mechanical and evaporative cooling, descriptions of the different types of products available and outlines typical applications of the technique.

Uponor UK, which supplies indoor-climate and plumbing solutions, has launched a new web site with improved accessibility and a wider array of in-depth information on its product ranges and heating and plumbing solutions. There is a new download centre, online access to Uponor’s product catalogue and virtual solution guide, and a wide rage of case studies of projects.

S&P Coil Products has developed an online CPD on improving indoor air quality and reducing energy costs with ultra-violet air and object purification. It is accredited by RIBA. The course can be completed in an engineer’s own time, and there is a set of questions at the end to enable them to download a CPD certificate.

Airedale International Air Conditioning has developed a new web site. One of the company’s strengths is the depth and breadth of its range, and the new web site has been designed to provide customers and international business partners (the company exports to over 60 countries and has factories in three continents) with a wider range of tools and resources as a basis for more informed product selection.

Aurora Lighting’s full range of solutions has been consolidated into a single catalogue, ‘Green’. Along with the new website auroralighting.com, ‘Green’ serve is the one-stop shop for all four elements of lighting — power, control, lamps and luminaires.

Mitsubishi Electric has published a brochure focusing on the benefits of effective ventilation systems in buildings — including lower running costs and CO2 emissions, whilst delivering a fresh and comfortable internal environment. The brochure highlights the company’s range of Lossnay mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), which can work effectively on its own or with a building’s air-conditioning system.

Time-served cast-iron boilers in a school in south west London have been replaced with Mikrofill’s Ethos condensing boiler package to provide an effective solution. Access to the boiler house of North House of Linden Lodge School was awkward, and there was limited space.

Grundfos Pumps has delivered a tailor-made water-boosting system for 8 Canada Square in London’s Canary Wharf, the global headquarters of HSBC Group since it was completed in 2002. This 45-storey building was designed by Norman Foster’s team and at 200 m high is the second-tallest building in Canary Wharf. The system replaces one that was starting to experience problems, and Grundfos worked with Vear M&E Services to develop the new solution.

Durapipe’s HTA pipework has been installed in a physiotherapy and rehabilitation clinic at Upton Hospital, Slough, to deliver hot and cold water from three new boiler houses to existing sanitary ware in three wings of the hospital. It has been installed in sizes from 20 to 40 mm.

New boilers at Hampton Court Palace are expected to reduce energy costs by £4000 a year compared to the boilers dating from the 1970s that they have replaced. Senior maintenance engineer Darren King explained, ‘The old boilers weren’t very efficient, had very little control and sourcing spares was becoming difficult — so it was clearly time to replace them.’ Their replacements are two Hoval UltraGas condensing boilers.

ADT Fire & Security has installed its Medicall 800 Nursecall system at the new Cranleigh Health Centre in Surrey. The system was specified by EIC and includes staff attack, double panic buttons and disabled WC alarm equipment. It will enable staff to respond to patient calls quickly and efficiently throughout the new building.

Replacing incandescent lighting in the auditorium of the Bloomsbury Theatre in London with Firestar Mini LED downlights from Tamlite lighting will significantly reduce maintenance man hours and replacement lamps. Energy consumption will also be reduced.

Airedale and aql, which operates two data centres in Leeds, are collaborating to design and build a district-heating scheme using heat rejected from these data centres. Dr Adam Beaumont, CEO of aql, explains, ‘Our latest with Airedale is to investigate the feasibility of building a prototype district-heating scheme providing several hundred kilowatts of heating by “recycling” waste heat from our data centres.’

A lighting upgrade for the Wintergarden food court at the Bluewater shopping and leisure centre in Kent has improved the atmosphere and reduced installed power density and operational power density. Designed by Lighting Design International, the new installation uses a Helvar lighting-control system to control light levels and set scenes.

The £1.5 million transformation of the Peirson Building at the University of Worcester into a multi-functional learning and support space has overcome previous environmental problems, which included ineffective ventilation and temperatures in excess of 30°C because of the south-facing facade and wide use of PCs.

JS Humidifiers has supplied a Condair CP3 steam humidifier for the school-hall organ at Christ’s Hospital School near Horsham to ensure it resonates correctly and remains in tune, whatever the weather. This organ is of huge historical importance and great artistic merit. About a quarter of its pipes date from the original instrument of 1830. It was renovated in 1902 and again in 2012, when a restoration specialist recommended installing humidification.

Renewable energy is playing a key role in reducing the carbon footprint of a new facility at one of the oldest schools in Newcastle upon Tyne. Services for the new junior school and nursery of Dame Allan’s Schools include a Dimplex solar-thermal hot-water system and a ground-source heat pump to provide space heating. The systems were designed and installed by Dimplex accredited installer Geowarmth Heat Pumps.

A high-capacity solar thermal system at Colchester United’s new training facilities helps to supply hot water for around 80 showers a day. There are eight roof-mounted Oventrop OKG-CS22 high-capacity flat-plate collectors with an anti-reflective glass to increase transmission by 5% over regular glass.

Energy costs for the Daikin VRV IV air-conditioning system at the new Range store in Warrington are expected to be 47% less than for a VRV III system with standard cassettes. The installation for the shop floor comprises seven twin-module VRV IV heat-pump condensing units and 71 self-cleaning Roundflow cassettes. They are under the control of a Daikin RTD intelligent retail control system.

Some 9000 m of the TracPipe flexible system for gas has been installed by Watkins Group to supply gas hobs in 120 apartments of the 250-unit So Stepney in east London. The gas supplies are for housing-association apartments.

The first UK installation of Geberit’s Sovent space-saving drainage and ventilation solution for high-rise buildings is the Premier Inn in Birmingham. Since there is no need for a 2-stack drainage system, Sovent takes up less space in the service riser while servicing bathrooms in this 140-bedroom hotel efficiently, quietly and without the risk of unpleasant smells.