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The Wilo-Stratos ECO high-efficiency pump has been given an “excellent” rating by the leading German consumer’s association Stiftung Warentest. It came top in tests as the best in energy efficiency and in price/performance ratio, compared to all other small circulator heating pumps. The full results can be read in the recent issue (No. 9/2007) of the magazine “Test”.

“Stiftung Warentest“ was founded in 1964 by the German Bundestag and since then it has been undertaking the independent testing of products and services using scientific test methods in independent institutes, and it publishes the results in its magazines.

Total independence in the testing procedures, buying samples of products to be tested anonymously and ignoring advertisement claims for these products guarantee the independence of Stiftung Warentest and the results give consumers the greatest possible confidence that they can rely on the test’s quality judgements.

In the current heating pump test, the Wilo-Stratos ECO obtained the highest energy efficiency evaluation with a mark of 1.3. The tests carried out by “Stiftung Warentest” suggest that over a period of 20 years, in a typical single-family house application scenario, the product incurs electricity costs of only 238 Euros – or around £150 – just £7-50 a year. This suggests that the long-term electricity costs of the Stratos ECO are an impressive 23 per cent below the costs of the pump which made it into second place in the tests. Compared to the model that came last in the tests, Stratos Eco delivered a staggering 80 per cent saving in electricity costs.

The Wilo Stratos Eco pump also achieved an ‘excellent’ mark in the handling category – covering the operating manual, installation and commissioning, operation and maintenance.

Wilo is proud that it developed the first ‘A’ rated pump available in the marketplace and the latest Stratos Eco range comfortably achieves an ‘A’ rated status. ‘Stiftung Warentest’ also highlighted an average price for the Wilo-Stratos ECO that is lower than the prices of the main two competitor products they tested, confirming the value for money that these Wilo pumps offer.

Compared to all the small circulator heating pumps tested, the Wilo-Stratos ECO, with its purchase and operating costs of less than 600 Euros (£375) , is the most economical product over a 20 year life cycle.

Wilo recognises that the ‘Stiftung Warentest’ tests will arouse awareness in the marketplace not just in Germany but across Europe and in particular here in the UK:B “It will continue the acceleration in the Stratos Eco pump’s market penetration as people recognise the energy and cost-savings associated with the high-efficiency pump but perhaps most importantly in its CO2 reduction capability,” claims Wilo UK managing director Stuart Herritty.

The reference value table contained in “Test” is especially helpful: it compares the old energy-guzzling pumps, which see electricity costs amounting to 100 to 150 Euros per year (£60-£90 per year) in a three-person household consuming 520-800 KWh, with the new high-efficiency pumps, which add costs to an average household budget of only 11 to 29 Euros annually (£7-£18 per year) with a consumption of 60-150 KWh.

Not surprisingly, ‘Stiftung Warentest’ recommends that people do not wait until their old pump stops working to invest in the new pump generation. Wilo’s Dan Wild said: “These results confirm what we already knew to an extent, but the independent nature of these test results is a very real boost for us and the Wilo-Stratos Eco range in the UK. The dual advantages of saving electricity costs and the reductions in CO2 are highly topical here in the UK as we see energy savings and emission reductions driving everything we do in the domestic heating sector.”

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The appearance of ATG Access at IFSEC 2007 underlines the company's ability to provide effective security solutions and secure access control for every type of application.

Whilst maintaining its links to traditional bollard security with its latest fully accredited manual security posts the attention of visitors to the show will almost certainly be drawn to the impressive video footage showing the companies SP1000 automatic rising bollard.

Crash test footage showing one single bollard taking the impact of a 7.5 tonne truck travelling at 50 mph and stopping it dead will impress all who see it. The SP1000 was tested as part of the production of the PAS 68 standard and its test results exceed those in the American K12 standard.

Stand number 23245 will feature the answer to every level of security, from a single residential driveway right up to the anti-terrorist SP1000.

Call on stand to hear about the latest additions to the product range, a static bollard from the SP range which will sit in a shallow mount foundation of just 200 mm. This product has already been tested and performed a dead stop on a 7.5 tonne truck travelling at 30mph with zero penetration.

The company will also be releasing to market a revolutionary crash rated gate, manufactured using the latest high tech synthetic fibres and designed to offer a lightweight but very robust and secure access control solution. Both these products are masterpieces of engineering and are set to revolutionise the security industry.

For more details on this story, or any of the ATG Access product range, please contact their marketing department on 01942 685 522 or e-mail: ian.parry@atgaccess.com , visit their website at www.atgaccess.com for extensive product information or to see footage of the crash tests of the SP1000 bollard.

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The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency has granted the building products manufacturer, Hambleside Danelaw Ltd, permission to recycle at its Inverness factory glass reinforced polyester (GRP) returned to the Group from rooflights and other products that have reached the end of their use.

The monetary value to the Group of using the grinded waste in its manufacturing processes is significantly greater than the cost of disposing it, demonstrating again that there is sound commercial sense in businesses going green.

SEPA's go-ahead for Hambleside Danelaw's take-back scheme, which has been granted under the powers of the Environmental Protection Act, is the latest in a series of environmental initiatives which has seen the Group switch its electricity supply to renewable sources, including wind power from the Isle of Gigha.

The scheme allows Hambleside to take back end-of-life products for recycling in-house. The Group has recently installed machinery to process the waste from glass reinforced plastic, making the Dalcross facility the first commercial fibreglass recycling plant in the UK.

Hambleside Danelaw is now working on developing other quality products to make from the new high strength, high quality materials that can be produced from this recycling material. These products will be available on the market in the near future.

Slashing of landfill waste to almost zero impresses Lib Dem leader

The Group has also announced that it is on track to achieve by the end of 2007 a reduction in its total landfill waste from 904 tonnes in 2001 to approximately 3 tonnes – the latter being equivalent to the waste of the average British household. This achievement should be measured against the fact that Hambleside Danelaw is manufacturing circa 1.5 million square metres of roofing materials each year.

News of the impending landmark was passed to Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, Nicol Stephen MSP, when he visited the Dalcross facility recently to see for himself the various green initiatives that have led to the Group winning numerous environmental awards.

Ray Khan, Hambleside's Quality, Safety and Environment Manager, said: “SEPA's official go-ahead for our waste take-back scheme is further recognition that business in fast-growing Inverness is leading the way in Britain in terms of combining enterprise with social and environmental responsibility. And what's more, these green initiatives can lead to increased profitability.”

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With the launch of AMTECH 2008, the market’s leading software for Electrical Contractors, Consultants and Engineers has been completely re-written. Using advanced new technology, AMTECH 2008 is compliant with the new 17th Edition Wiring Regulations due for release by the IEE in January 2008 and includes a host of powerful new features.

Some of AMTECH’s most significant changes are to FastTest and ProDesign. FastTest 2008 is not only compliant with 17th Edition but now incorporates the very latest technology, new Data Security and, due to customer demand, advanced versions are also Multi-User Network Ready.

ProDesign 2008 is also re-written to incorporate the latest 17th Edition Wiring Regulations and includes a new Drawing Interface and Updated Data Entry feature.

The eagerly anticipated launch comes after significant consultation with clients. Sales director James Cooper said: “We have been listening and reacting to our customers’ needs, and with their help we have developed the most advanced version of AMTECH to date. It is easier to use, looks more professional and will help them to stay to stay at the top of their game.”

He added: “As part of this major new release, ProDesign and FastTest have been re-written incorporating the latest technology and are compliant with the new 17th Edition Wiring Regulations. We believe AMTECH 2008 is the most advanced design and Test & Inspection software ever.”

For a full AMTECH 2008 launch guide call free on 0800 028 28 28

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Krystal Racing Space Air rider Lee Jackson rounded off the 2007 Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship with two top ten finishes at Brands Hatch in October.

Still recovering from a chipped ankle bone and a dislocated thumb from a smash at the Bol d’Or in September, the 2005 champion fought his way to seventh place on the Saturday and a sixth on the Sunday, giving him 111 points to end the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship season in sixth-place overall.

Meanwhile, after being knocked back to 25th in Saturday’s race, team-mate Paul Veazey, who had recently recovered from his own injuries, achieved a 17th place finish, but was forced to retire from Sunday’s race with gearbox trouble.

Commenting on the Krystal Racing Space Air team’s season, Neil Afram, Managing Director of Space Air said: “Despite the team having a tough year, as principle sponsor we have been pleased that so many of our customers have been able to enjoy some exciting racing at various circuits around the country. I would like to thank team manager Tony Astle and all at Krystal Racing Space Air for their commitment throughout the year and congratulate Lee Jackson on a creditable finish in the Championship.”

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Wavin Plastics, the UK's leading supplier of water management system, has achieved Local Authority Building Control (LABC) approval for its AquaCell and AquaCell Lite innovative sustainable urban drainage systems.

The AquaCell range comprises of two different types of plastic infiltration modules, differing by their loading capabilities. A series of individual plastic infiltration modules can be clipped together to form an underground structure that can capture and store water. The water is then released at a controlled rate as either a soakaway into the ground or into a public sewer system or watercourse.

AquaCell Lite is Green in colour and specifically designed for non-trafficked applications such as parks, playing fields and domestic gardens. AquaCell is Suitable for installations both up to and exceeding 1.5 metres. Its distinctive Blue colour makes it easy to identify. AquaCell is designed for all configurations and applications, including both shallow and deeper installations and is ideal for all sizes of project including major attenuation schemes.

The LABC is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in building design and construction and is acknowledged as the UK's leading national building control service.

Denise O'Leary, customer marketing manager at Wavin Plastics, said: “Achieving LABC approval shows just how innovative the AquaCell product range is. As a company we strive to be market leaders. We believe our solution driven approach to water management is setting the example.”

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In summer 2007, Welcome Break approached Caravell (UK) to help specify refrigeration to present their new ranges of healthy snacks and drinks. The image they had in mind was clean, bright and premium with high visibility of product; the “Audi” of refrigeration.

Two months later and after several focus group meetings, an innovative refrigeration island has been installed for trial at Welcome Breaks’s Newport Pagnell site. The island features a polished stainless steel base with glass sides and tops giving maximum product visibility and the impression of space. At its corners the island has contrasting wooden shelves reminiscent of a high Marque car, giving the opportunity to present ambient temperature goods. The under shelf lighting has been chosen at the blue end of the spectrum to give cold, clean, premium associations.

In the first weeks of operation, sandwich sales have increased 23%. Welcome Break has now commissioned the next stage offering other products.

In the retail sector Caravell believes that refrigeration has to be carefully specified to meet its goals. Having a wide range of existing solutions and the ability to rapidly customise and innovate, Caravell (UK) believes it is the first choice refrigeration partner.

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Wavin Plastics is launching the new OSMA Tegra 600 to provide easy installation, inspection and maintenance to non-adoptable domestic and commercial drainage systems.

This innovative non-entry inspection chamber is a much safer and cost-effective alternative to traditional concrete ring manholes during installation and occupation.

Tegra 600 is constructed from strong polypropylene. It is much lighter and easier to handle on site than large concrete manholes, which need to be lifted into place by heavy machinery. The Tegra 600 chamber can be installed by hand and backfilled in a day, typically three times faster than a concrete manhole. The result of this speed and installation is a significant cost saving.

There is less of a health and safety risk with the Tegra 600 access chamber, which can be used to examine buried pipework more than 1.2 metres deep.

Pipe inspection and maintenance can be carried out from above ground, so there is no need for ground workers to enter a potentially hazardous environment to check drainage pipes and clear debris.

The robust Tegra 600 can be used for inspecting and maintaining 150mm, 225mm and 300mm pipes for surface and foul water drainage. It has moveable sockets that allow up to 7.5° pipe movement in any direction. This provides extra flexibility to successfully secure connections to pipe line and level.

Tegra 600 is available with straight, 30°, 90° and cross base configurations. It can connect directly to UltraRib but is also able to connect to Twinwall drainage systems, via an adaptor.

Wavin Plastics' head of marketing Michelle Fleming explains the advantages of the Tegra 600 for underground drainage work: “This is an extremely safe and easy-to-use inspection chamber that significantly reduces the installation costs associated with routine pipe maintenance.

“Using the Tegra 600 means far less risk to personnel, both during installation and service.”

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The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Transmitter GMW115 is a compact wall-mounted transmitter designed for ventilation applications needing CO2 measurements in the range of 0 … 2000 ppm.

The GMW115 incorporates the Vaisala CARBOCAP® Sensor, a silicon based NDIR sensor. It has a stable reference provided by an electrically tunable Fabry-Perot Interferometer (FPI), where not only the CO2 absorption is measured but also a reference wavelength. This type of a reference is a unique feature in the CO2 transmitters on the HVAC market.

The Vaisala CARBOCAP® Carbon Dioxide Transmitters have been recognized world wide already for 10 years for their excellent stability and reliability in a wide range of applications and field conditions.

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