2017 May

Uponor, which provides sustainable solutions for heating, cooling, infrastructure and building-services applications, has moved its UK headquarters from Leicestershire to Watford. UK managing director John Fahy (pictured) says, ‘Our new headquarters provides us with space to grow and has allowed us to create a customer-experience centre where visitors can get to know our solutions first hand and gain insight into the projects we’ve helped to deliver worldwide.

With hot water usage in hotels and leisure centres often characterised by extremely high peaks followed by longer periods of low demand, Pete Mills of Bosch Commercial & Industrial explains why a continuous flow system can often prove to be the most effective, efficient, and reliable option.

The Murelle One HE 25 kW wall-hung combination boiler from Sime features the elegance of the company’s signature Italian design. Premium-quality components include Giannoni’s condensing evolution stainless-steel and alloy heat exchanger with larger waterways. It is described as the most compact and energy-efficient boiler in the Murelle range.

In replacing an existing inefficient boiler, Wooldown Holiday Cottages in Bude, Cornwall, has taken the opportunity to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact by installing a Hoval BioLyt 36 biomass boiler to heat some of its holiday homes. Wooldown Holiday Homes was originally a full-board guest house but is now 16 properties operating as self-catering cottages.

Remeha’s Gas 220 Ace floor-standing range of condensing boilers achieves Class 6 for NOx emissions and has an exceptionally high output for their physical size. There are four models with outputs from 160 to 300 kW and modulating down to 20% of full output. Gross seasonal efficiencies are up to 97.7%.

Rinnai offers inline electrolytic scale-inhibitors for its continuous-flow water heaters in commercial installations. They significantly reduce the effect of limescale to maximise efficiency over the product’s life and are described as a low-maintenance way to project against the damaging and expensive impact of limescale on hot-water systems.

Upgrading the existing oil-fired LPHW and HWS circuits at a hotel operated by Amazing Venues group included the installation of four Mikrofill condensing boilers, two pressurisation packages and three Extreme HWS loading cylinders complete with unvented kits. The design for Stanbrook Abbey Hotel near Worcester was prepared by building-services consultants Energy Performance Solutions.

Balancing the need for safety with high-quality finish and practical design in changing and washrooms is a challenge for sports and leisure schemes. Nicki Cox of Reliance Water Controls explains.

Heatrae Sadia has launched a horizontal shower heat-recovery unit (SHRU) to complement its vertical unit. The new unit is easy to install and can be fitting in new or existing properties. These heat-recovery units transfer heat from discharged waste water into the incoming water supply, reducing the energy need to heat water. The horizontal SHRU is up to 30% efficient.

Andrews Water Heaters has updated and improved its long-established Size-it sizing tool for water heaters. It is now quicker, personalised and accessible online from any device to help specifiers select the most appropriate water heater from Andrews for a project

Lochinvar’s EcoSword range of low-NOx fully condensing gas-fired water heaters achieve NOx emissions below 37 mg/kWh across the entire range, so each model qualifies for the maximum three BREEAM points available. There are nine models with storage capacities from 163 to 388 l and hot-water recovery rates from 210 to 540 l/h through a 50 K temperature rise. They are aimed at small commercial and large residential projects.

These boilers at a high-profile Government site in Swansea have been given a new lease of life and brought up to the standard of any new boiler on the market with the replacement of their burners with dual-fuel burners from Riello. The site is managed on behalf of Telereal Trillium by Arthur Portelli of Oakbury Building Services Consultants..

The quality of water in an area, particularly its hardness or softness, necessitates a range of approaches to preventing corrosion in water heaters. Kevin Potter explains what you need to know.

Rinnai’s continuous-flow water-heating solutions can work with renewable-energy sources such as solar-thermal and air-source heat pumps. The concept is that the water heater tops up the temperature of stored water heated using renewable energy — but only when required.

Elco’s Trigon XL range of floor-standing gas-fired boilers achieves ultra-low NOx emissions complying with Class 6 (2018) requirements. There are seven models, with outputs from 150 to 570 kW, an 8 bar working pressure, 30 K ∆T and a very compact footprint.

Hamworthy Heating is taking its range of stainless-steel boilers and calorifiers, the ‘Stainless family’, to the road. Starting in June, the van will tour the country to show customers the benefits of stainless steel in the components of boilers and water heaters, as well as best-practice design for heating and hot-water systems.

This solar-thermal installation at Birmingham International railway station is being assessed as a potential pilot for a wider roll out of renewable energy across facilities operated by Network Rail and train operator Virgin trains. The installation comprises 10 evacuated-tube collectors and pre-heats incoming mains water at a typical 10°C to around 35°C, although it is expected to reach 55 to 65°C in high summer.

Rinnai recently stepped in to ensure a recent BBC ‘Countryfile’ event in the grounds of Blenheim Palace had a plentiful supply of hot water for its catering outlets using Infinity continuous-flow water heaters. John Webster, managing director of Prestek Services, is experienced in providing water for outdoor events at Blenheim Palace and was called in to provide hot water to the various catering operations dotted around the grounds.

Light commercial boilers with outputs from 40 to 70 kW can be used for a variety of light-commercial applications. But with so many models now on the market, how do you know if you are getting the right one for the job? Steven Evans of Potterton Commercial gives his top tips on the feature comparisons that will ensure you get the right boiler.

Hotels, by the very nature of their occupancy patterns, can be an energy-efficiency nightmare. Steve Browning of Trend Control Systems explains how a building energy management system (BEMS) can reduce expenditure on this resource while creating the perfect comfort conditions for guests.

Rinnai continuous-flow water heaters can be fully connected with building-management systems across multiple platforms — including popular protocols such as Modbus and BACnet. No longer need water heaters be isolated in lonely plant rooms.

Not only can modern approaches to lighting control in commercial buildings save energy, but they can significantly reduce the payback period — as Bastiaan de Groot of Feilo Sylvania explains.

Independent distributor Encon Insulation has set up a technical support team to work alongside its internal sales specialists and offer end-to-end technical advice from the earliest design stages of a project right through to on-site support and handover.

Grundfos Group has reported results for 2016 that saw net turnover increase and an improvement in earnings before interest and tax. Group president and CEO Mads Nipper (pictured) explained, It is estimated that the global pump market that we can serve remained flat in 2016. Our modest full-year sales growth means that we have bolstered our position as the globally leading pump-solutions provider.’

Viega now offers its Megapress G pipe connectors in the UK, bringing the benefits of the Megapress technology to those working with gas installations. These cold-pressed connectors have been tested and Kitemark approved for natural gas, LPG, heating oil. diesel and compressed air containing oil and technical gases.

Following the launch of its Hero assembly for fan-coil units last year, Danfoss has developed Hero Plant, a pre-fabricated flushing bypass arrangement for larger plant items such as air-handling units, heat exchangers and heater batteries. Hero Plant combines isolation, drain strain and flushing bypass assembly with Danfoss’s AB-QM pressure-independent control to create a ready-to-install solution that saves time on site and eliminates the need for hot works.

Airflow Developments’ DV245 Adroit MVHR unit is Passive House certified and designed for larger homes of up to 400 m2. Airflow is up to 929 m3/h at 100 Pa. Units can be controlled from a PC, table or smartphone. An Adroit unit can also be connected into house automation systems through the Modbus protocol and via the Adroit digital controller.

Studor has responded to market confusion about air-admittance valves for drainage systems and whether they can be used externally positively. Technical director Steve White says, ‘Both our own Studor Maxi-Vent and the Wavin-branded Osmavent 110 can all be used externally. The latest BBA Agrément Certificates clearly state this and specifically refer to their external use.’

Nuaire believes that its IAQ-BOX range of inline carbon filters is a step forward in both air-filtration and resistance levels for carbon-filter technology. These filters are designed to complement Nuaire’s MVHR range and remove 99.5% of nitrogen dioxide from the intake air, as verified by the BRE. They also remove pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, ammonia and VOCs — most of which are produced by vehicle exhaust emissions and through industrial processes.

Pegler Yorkshire has developed a service for delivering bespoke valve arrangement (modular valve solutions) with a fast response time to an order being placed with a merchant. The service aims to provide contractors with a bespoke modular-valve solution designed to specific drawings and required in a realistic time frame. Once an order is received from a merchant, a bespoke assembly can be delivered as early as seven days.

Caspian FF fan convector heaters from Smith’s Environmental Products are suitable for a host of commercial applications — from churches to office buildings. Described as the ‘chameleon of fan convectors’, the Caspian FF discreetly blends in with all room styles. Standard colour is white, with any other colour to special order.

Numatic, which makes industrial, commercial and domestic cleaning equipment, is saving 21.8% on its gas consumption following the installation by BG Energy Solutions of a Trend building-management system. Within the first year of operation, half of the initial investment had already been recouped.

Evinox Energy is working with EcoWorld Ballymore and Clarion Housing Group on the London City Island development to supply heat interface units and room controllers for apartments that are connected to the district-heating network. The company is also supplying metering and billing services for the social-housing apartments.

NG Bailey has installed six prefabricated plant modules, each weighing over a tonne, at Transport for London’s Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) train maintenance and stabling depot at Old Oak Common Lane in north west London. It will include stabling sidings for 33 of the 66 new trains. NG Bailey is responsible for around £14 million-worth of mechanical, electrical and plumbing services.

Nittan fire detection equipment has been installed at the UNESCO world heritage site Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, Italy as part of an integrated fire and security system. The devices have been installed in the Camposanto (cemetery), the cathedral, two museums and the administrative offices. There are 1000 zones and seven fire-detection control units. The fire-detection system has been integrated into a new security system that includes 150 CCTV cameras, a site-wide access-control system and intrusion detection. The ‘leaning’ Tower of Pisa is also on the site.

Grundfos Pumps’ approach to an FM company suggesting that it could benefit from energy checks on pump equipment in the various buildings it was responsible for maintaining coincided with the company having been asked to find savings beyond those already achieved on lighting and water use for a larger-size office block.

Controlled ventilation for the £16 million+ new Windermere Jetty, Museum of Boats & Stories is provided by ventilation louvres made by Gilberts Blackpool. The museum was designed by Carmody Groarke as part of a RIBA international design competition for Lakeland Arts.

The connected lighting load for the Watershed arts centre in Bristol has been reduced by 40% by an all-LED system developed and specified by Arup’s lighting team for the public, conference and office areas, with Trilux lighting for the back-office zone.

A fast response by Humidity Solutions to provide two mobile humidifiers enabled Process Systems Enterprise (PSE) to quickly restore comfortable, healthy conditions following a power failure. PSE supplies advanced process-modelling software and model-based engineering and innovation services to process industries. A power failure at its headquarters in west London recently disabled the climatic control in the building.

Toshiba air-conditioning systems are being installed offsite in modular construction units in China for shipping to the UK for assembly into prestigious new hotels. The manufacturer is working with modular offsite specialist CIMC on projects for two major UK and international hotel chains. The first hotels to be constructed by this method are in London, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

One of the winners of the Scottish Property Awards, the Student Accommodation of the Year category, features a complete pump solution supplied by Grundfos Pumps. The Holyrood North residence hall at the University of Edinburgh was the winner from nine shortlisted developments.

Natural ventilation for the new £3.5 million boathouse for Gonville & Caius College at the University of Cambridge is delivered by bespoke terminals designed and engineered by Gilberts Blackpool. Designed by bb+c architects with services designed by Max Fordham LLP, the system has six Mistrale 75 penthouse roof terminals.

The re-opened Phoenix Centre facility for special education needs in Wigan following extensive renovation includes LST (low surface temperature) radiators from MHS Radiators. M&E consultant NPS Group identified LST radiators as the most appropriate product, given that the occupants would be children of various ages, and MHS radiators supplied 39 Ambiguard radiators.

Interior and exterior lighting for the new Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics at Durham University is provided by Zumtobel luminaires. The £11.5 million development will provide 80 new offices for professors, lecturers, doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, support staff and visiting academics. There is also a 100-seat seminar/meeting room, social space and breakout rooms with video conferencing facilities.

New heating for the Grade I listed 18th century Town Hall in Liverpool is based on a bespoke solution developed by Smith’s EP. The solution is based on 20 Caspian Concealed fan convectors installed behind panels in the walls of a number of rooms in the building. Around four Caspian heaters were installed in three reception rooms, one ballroom, two dining rooms and a meeting room. Ducts are positioned so heat is effectively distributed.

The updated control infrastructure in one of New Zealand’s premier attractions, SkyCity Auckland, uses equipment from Trend Control Systems to maximise efficiency and create the very best comfort conditions. It is the tallest building in New Zealand, and its 328 m SkyTower has dominated the skyline for 20 years.

Trane has introduced a new web site for easy access to new and improved local European country sites. The site enables visitors to quickly find technical and other relevant information on HVAC services through one integrated platform. The site can also be accessed via mobile devices.

Conex Banninger, which makes plumbing fittings and valves, has introduced a CPD programme highlighting the multiple advantages of copper as a preferential fitting material. As well as highlighting the performance benefits of copper, the programme includes an update on current codes of practice and explains how using copper products helps meet increasingly stringent building standards.

Enlite, part of the Aurora Group, has published the fifth edition of its lighting-essentials catalogue. The introduction of 119 new products brings the total to over 380 value lighting solutions.

Saint-Gobain PAM UK, a leading supplier of ductile-iron and cast-iron drainage products, has revamped its web site. It is fully mobile-responsive, more user friendly and provides access to more downloadable information.

GDL’s architectural-systems brochure is available as a hard copy or as a download via the resource centre on its web site. The brochure includes extensive technical information on the wide-ranging product range, which includes weather louvres, architectural doors, penthouse turrets, louvre screens, cladding, balustrade systems and decorative grilles.