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David Bellamy and The Green Organisation have recognised roofing products manufacturer Hambleside Danelaw Ltd as 'Green Heroes' in tribute to the Group's environmental best practice.

The recognition is for companies, local authorities and communities who have previously won Green Apple Awards and who have taken their commitment to the next level by helping others to support the environment.

Hambleside Danelaw has won three Green Apple Awards, the last of which was for the Group's Stormforce 225 high performance GRP valley trough range in November 2006. The manufacturing processes for the range involve reduced waste and the replacement of virgin raw material by materials generated from recycled products. With a life expectancy in excess of 45 years, the valleys can be recycled at the end of their service.

Hambleside Danelaw was recently given Planet Positive™ certification by leading carbon solutions company dcarbon8 because its design and production processes embody an environmentally responsible footprint which is imperative to receiving certification. The Planet Positive™ mark will inform contractors that Hambleside's business carbon footprint, the volume of greenhouse gasses generated by the company's manufacturing and distribution processes, is more than offset by activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

After receiving the Green Heroes award from David Bellamy at a ceremony in London, Robin Jeffery, Hambleside's vice-chairman, said: “Although more suppliers and contractors in the building industry are taking sustainable development seriously, the battle is far from won. Even when there is an understandably strong temptation to minimise costs, builders should always check the environmental performance and quality standards of the materials that they are sourcing. This avoids additional repair and maintenance costs for the building occupier later on.

“Hambleside Danelaw and like-minded building product manufacturers will continue to promote the message that 'it pays to go green'.”

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Worcester has one of the most comprehensive ranges of oil-fired boilers in the UK having extended its range of floorstanding oil-fired boilers this year with the introduction of a further twelve high efficiency, SEDBUK ‘A’ rated Greenstar Camray boilers suitable for internal and external installations.

The Greenstar Camray, Utility, Utility System and External boilers, which are available in outputs of 12/18kW, 18/25kW and 25/32kW, have been added to the existing Greenstar Heatslave, Utility and Danesmoor ranges and are the first condensing boilers from the Camray stable.

Latest internal models have been designed with either the same or smaller dimensions as standard efficiency Danesmoor or Camray boilers making them an obvious choice for homeowners wishing to upgrade to a high efficiency, SEDBUK ‘A’ rated boiler.

Compared to the regular Camray models, the new generation Camray boilers offer increased siting flexibility and feature a range of advancements including advanced Riello RDB cross-firing burner technology and optional plug in time control for maximum efficiency.

The latest range of internal Camray models has been designed to be highly insulated and remarkably quiet in operation, making the boilers suitable for installation in the kitchens, utility rooms, cellars or boiler houses.

The Greenstar Camray 12/18 model is suitable for a small to medium sized, one bath flat, house or bungalow whilst the 18/25 model is suitable for a medium sized house and the 25/32 model is suitable for a large sized, two bath apartment, house or bungalow.

In addition to the internal boilers, three new Greenstar Camray external models are also available for increased siting flexibility in properties with restricted floor space. Available in outputs of 12/18, 18/25 and 25/32, each model is built with a secondary heat exchanger technology to maximise efficiency and features a high quality insulated weatherproof cabinet (IP45 ingress protection rated) with built-in frost protection.

Martyn Bridges, director of marketing and technical support, said: “The Camray brand is a favourite amongst many installers who are impressed by its outstanding design, performance and value for money.

“At Worcester, we recognise that high oil prices will increase consumer demand for high efficiency oil-fired boilers, which is why we are committed to advancing our Greenstar oil-fired boiler range into the condensing era. All the new Camray and Heatslave models being introduced will exceed the legislation requirements put in place in April 2007, and are SEDBUK A rated for efficiency.”

The Greenstar Camray series is suitable for connection to a fully pumped primary water system. A gravity hot water system is not compatible with the Greenstar Camray oil series.

For more information on Worcester’s product range call 08705 266241 or visit www.worcester-bosch.co.uk

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Three Altherma air to water split heat pump systems, supplied by Daikin Airconditioning UK Ltd, specified by Helix Consulting, Dunfermline and installed by Enviroheat Ltd, Carnock, Fife, provide heating for a new special young persons centre in Croftmalloch, Whitburn, West Lothian. Opened at the end of October, the centre is an integral part of the West Lothian Children’s Services Plan 2005/08 and provides a secure and disciplined yet friendly family environment for up to 6 young persons at any one time.

The single storey building comprises young persons and staff bedrooms (one with wheelchair facilities), lounges, kitchen/dining room, family room, office and a general common area plus toilets and bathrooms etc.

The heat pumps are connected to under floor heating that is provided to most rooms – some 240m2 of the 270m2 building in fact. The systems are designed on a water flow temperature of 420C (Altherma can provide water at 250C to 550C), which is supplied by two type 006 and one type 007 systems (6.8kW and 8.4kW nominal heating capacity respectively). The systems each comprise an outdoor unit (ERYQ) and an indoor unit (EKHBH) known as the ‘Hydrobox’ and located in the plant room along with the under floor heating manifolds. Nominal COPs of these units are 4.34 and 4.05 respectively.

The compact inverter driven outdoor condensing units are mounted at high level on an outside wall of the building and can operate in external ambient temperatures as low as -200C. Although Altherma can also be used for the supply and temperature regulation of domestic hot water, in this particular installation it is dedicated solely to the heating circuit.

The Hydrobox includes a built in user interface set to the required flow temperature, a programmable 7 day timer, a weather compensator and a number of other useful features. For complete flexibility the Altherma system can also be connected to most room thermostats on the market, providing the user with the choice between a single room thermostat or a fully programmable controller.

Altherma is enjoying rapidly increasing use throughout the UK and its inherent energy efficiency, low CO2 emission levels, clean operation and low investment characteristics enabled the consultant to satisfy West Lothian Council that it represented a genuinely flexible and cost effective alternative to a traditional gas boiler, even more so since the cost of laying on gas to the site would result in yet further expense.

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Global building solutions company CEMEX have supplied their ReadyPave™ Chelsea Setts concrete block paving for a college theatre refurbishment project. The Athlone Hall, originally constructed in the1960’s, is the performing arts centre for Framlingham College in Framlingham, near Woodbridge, Suffolk and is both a theatre and concert venue. The interior of the building has undergone a complete refurbishment programme by specialist theatre design consultants, Theatretech, but the exterior walkways and disabled access also required reconstructing to meet current legislation requirements. A paving system was required which would harmonise with the surrounding areas and also provide safe access for pedestrians and the less physically able.

“We were looking to create an appearance in sympathy with the splendour of our original buildings and yet make a fresh, dynamic impression to this state of the art theatre. The paving has helped us to achieve this by enhancing the exterior through the use of a wide range of quality materials in addition to providing a safe and practical environment for our pupils and visitors”, said Andrew Payn, the Operations Director at Framlingham College.

ReadyPave™ Chelsea Avenue Setts were chosen in Burnt Elm and laid in a formal bond pattern to provide a traditional appearance which complements the architectural styles of the period College building and the Athlone Hall. The 60mm thick block paving system is capable of coping with both heavy pedestrian traffic and low speed cars and commercial vehicles.

CEMEX manufactures a wide range of building materials including Block Paving, Architectural Masonry and Dense and Lightweight blocks, as well as a wide range of Concrete Roof Tiles and associated fittings.

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M&E contractor Longcross Engineering has become the 15,000th licensee of AMTECH’s FastTest Test & Inspection software

In extending its use of AMTECH’s FastTest software to increase productivity, Longcross Engineering, the M&E division of Longcross Group, has recently purchased the 15,000th licence for this market-leading Test & Inspection software. The event was celebrated with the presentation of champagne and a specially commissioned trophy to the company’s Testing and Commissioning Manager Tony Taylor.

“Using FastTest is a quick and efficient way of producing accurate, validated test certificates and gives us around 40% time savings compared to other methods,” Tony explained. “The ability to print certificates onto plain paper makes the production of extensive certificates very cost-effective and there are a number of useful tools to increase productivity. New users also find it very easy to use, so they’re up and running in a short space of time,” he continued.

Longcross has been using AMTECH’s FastTest and ProDesign packages for several years and increasing the number of FastTest licences is proving invaluable in managing a rapidly growing portfolio of M&E contracts. “Making smart use of technologies such as FastTest helps us to maintain high levels of service to clients across a wider range of projects,” said Operations Director Daryl Fortune. “With prestigious clients such as Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and HM Prisons, the quality and consistency of our service is a number one priority,” he added.

Tony Taylor’s department is responsible for verifying testing and commissioning data from all of the company’s electrical installation projects. “FastTest takes care of a lot of the routine work and has dramatically reduced the amount of paper we have to handle. This enables us to respond to customers’ needs faster and more efficiently,” he concluded.

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Fiat Light Commercial Vehicles in the UK is changing its name and logo, as of today (Friday 29 June).

The new brand name is Fiat Professional, and the new logo underlines both the brand’s identity as a part of Fiat Group Automobiles, and its obvious international vocation.

The word Professional highlights the brand’s aspiration to give the image independent status, while at the same time accentuating its ability to respond to the needs of professional customers. The most obvious proof of this is the fact that it has represented a day-to-day ally in the working world for over a century, with a role in the economic and social development of many countries.

Fiat Professional in the UK comprises 162 dealers, more than 70 of which are specialised, working to strict standards regarding the display of new and used vehicles, with workshops specialised in maintenance and repairs, and qualified sales personnel with specific training.

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The Proudfoot Group, a Scarborough-based independent retail chain, and innovative lighting solutions company Sola Skylights are pioneering the use of energy-efficient natural lighting and other ‘sustainable’ practices, taking advantage of the Seamer store’s need for renovation to develop an exciting new type of retail outlet – the ‘eco-store’.

Refurbishment of the 61-year-old store (the chain’s first) has already started and, according to Terry Petch, Project Manager for the renovation (also manager at another Proudfoot store), once the renovation is complete (ETC end of July 2007), the 4,000-f2 store will be a model of eco-friendly energy efficiency. Plans include using space-age insulation materials, heat exchange pumps which produce three kW of power for each kW they use, ultra high-efficiency refrigeration compressors, a solar-powered water heater, and on the roof of the store, solar cells and (if the town council gives permission) a wind turbine to generate electricity. In addition, a total of 28 ‘Sky Tunnels’ will channel daylight down to the store interior, reducing energy costs, creating a pleasant atmosphere for customers and staff – and showcasing the store’s products in natural daylight.

Petch made the decision to use Sky Tunnels after discussing the options with Sola Skylights’ Peter Wood – concluding that their flexible-tubing skylights would not only be much easier to install than comparable systems used on a previous project, but also would cost significantly less. Not a difficult choice, then.

“There is a growing demand for products that are low on energy use, and we focus on making it not only easier, but more cost-efficient, for builders and contractors to meet that demand,” says Wood. “Sola’s Sky Tunnels can be fitted in a variety of types of rooms and buildings, and we are hoping we can convince more architects and developers in general that it is a good idea – and not as complicated or expensive as they might think – to use natural instead of artificial light.

Another high-tech solution being implemented in the store’s conversion is the use of Tri-Iso 10 (also known as Triso-Super 10), an extremely thin, yet thermally super-effective insulation material. Based on a material originally developed by NASA (later adapted for building use by ACTIS), a 30-mm thickness is equivalent to 210 mm of mineral wool, making it possible to incorporate exceptional thermal efficiency without sacrificing aesthetic considerations in the design and execution of the ‘green’ re-fit.

“We opened one of the country’s very first supermarkets, so it is most appropriate to be once again leading the way, developing an entirely new, environmentally friendly type of supermarket,” says The Proudfoot Group’s Joint Managing Director, Ian Proudfoot. While they’re at it, they appear to be the “early adopters” of an entirely new approach to building, as well.

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For over 20 years EES Data have provided estimating software and database information services to many of the UK's leading Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Contractors.

EES Data now offers three levels of professional software for Estimating and Project Management. Each system has been designed to be easy to use and is upgradeable to the next version.

System Level 1.
The EES Data LITE System designed for use as a starter package for the smaller contractor. Includes Basic Estimating, with a Printable Book of Installation Guidance Times.

System Level 2.
The EES Data PRO System designed for use by the larger contractor. Estimating for all types of Commercial or Industrial projects, including major installation works in excess of a million pound in tender value. This system includes all the features that the larger contractor would expect in a heavy weight estimating package including B of Q take off.

System Level 3.
The EES Data PRO+PLUS System designed for use by the larger contractor includes all the features of System 2 detailed above PLUS Project Management Control. This system includes Application for Payment, Job Cost Monitoring and Stock Control.

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Ground breaking LumiTec technology is behind Light & Space, the latest innovation from Dulux Trade. This pioneering new colour range reflects up to twice as much light*, making rooms look and feel more spacious and contributing to potential energy savings.

Light & Space uses cleaner tinting recipes and paint components resulting in surfaces that are more reflective and less absorbent of natural or artificial light. As such, significantly more light is effectively reflected and distributed around a space.

Smaller windows and energy efficient, or lower wattage, light bulbs are increasingly being used throughout building design and fit outs, following demands by Building Regulations Approved Document Part L that as little energy as possible is lost through the building fabric and fittings. However, this does affect the levels of light in a room. Dulux Trade’s new Light & Space colour range has been developed to combat this problem.

Tests have shown that when comparing Light & Space with a standard paint of similar hue and chroma it is possible to have up to 20%** smaller windows and yet still achieve the same levels of light within a room. When it comes to distributing artificial light, Light & Space has also been proven to achieve the same average level of illumination, using up to 20%** less lighting energy.

Ian Bradshaw, Group Brand Manager for Dulux Trade, said: “Now lighter doesn’t have to mean whiter. The innovative new Light & Space colour range means that, for the first time, designers aren’t restricted to using white paint to brighten up a room. With 27 colours available, designers aren’t just contributing to the demands of Part L, it will also be easier to meet Part M guidelines at the same time. A truly functional, aesthetically superior solution.”

Light & Space can be specified in Diamond Matt or Flat Matt finishes.

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Weatherite Building Services has installed kitchen extract canopies at Waitrose supermarket in Bloomsbury, London.

WBS were awarded this contract – worth over £19,000 – by J A Sylvester Mechanical Services Ltd to design, manufacture and install the canopies in the store’s kitchen area. This project follows Weatherite’s successful completion of similar works at Waitrose stores in Droitwich and Cheltenham.

Each canopy contains an ultra violet light that uses ozone technology to break down and destroy residual grease and odour, ensuring that no cooking smells are emitted from the building.

Mike Turton, sales director, WBS, commented: “Having researched the different odour control methods, we selected the UV solution for Waitrose as this met the planning conditions and provided the best solution.

“Not only does the system comply with the local authorities stringent requirements, the reduced build-up of grease in the ductwork means that there is a greatly reduced requirement for ductwork cleaning.”

Mike added: “From the simplest hood design to the most sophisticated energy saving ceiling ventilation system, we can provide the complete solution for all types of kitchens.”

WBS is part of the £40m Weatherite group, one of the UK leaders in air conditioning and air handling equipment.

More recently WBS has expanded its activities to cover other sectors of the building services market, including heating, ventilation, boiler house refurbishment, water, control systems and electrics, as well as all aspects of commercial air conditioning systems. WBS now offers a single source choice to its customers which includes project management, design, installation and commissioning capabilities.

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