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Ability Projects Ltd, Wimborne, Dorset, has introduced an updated ‘commission-less’ version of its acclaimed EC Matrix fan coil unit.

The ‘commission-less’ Matrix II fan coil unit is unique, in that its individual air volumes per duct run and design heating and cooling water flow rates are loaded into the terminal controller strategy during manufacture at the Ability factory. Thus, when units are installed on site, they are able to sense their surroundings and adjust automatically to provide and maintain the factory preset air volume and water flow design values. Furthermore, after a fit out, any value within the control strategy can be altered and transmitted to either a single fan coil, a group of fan coils, or the entire building system can be re-set in seconds through the software alone.

The original Matrix was also unique in that, although it incorporated EC infinitely variable fan technology, it controlled fan speeds individually rather than as a unit. Thus each fan, serving only one discharge grille, enabled an installer to commission and balance the air volume in each duct by fan speed alone, rather than by expensive volume control dampers.

Matrix II however, has two important extra facilities. First, instead of adjusting fan speeds up and down, the required air volume per duct run is typed directly, as a value, into the software. If for example, the design specification calls for 75 litres per second per duct, then precisely that is entered. Once installed, each fan coil will establish exactly the correct air volume as a total and along each individual duct, irrespective of the external static pressure of the ductwork system. Subtle variations between ductwork runs do not matter because the fans self compensate.

Matrix II also allows maximum water flow rates to be self regulating. The design water flow rates for both heating and cooling are entered into the Matrix software along with the air volumes. When installed, the fan coil control valve – a two port pressure independent unit — modulates between 0% (closed) and 100% (design water flow rate). This concept may appear similar to other valves of comparable style but the vital difference is that the water flow rate can be adjusted at any time through the software or the BMS, without the need for access to the fan coil itself. Flow rates are set with an accuracy of +/-2% on the maximum flow rate, and often even closer. The commissioning process therefore, becomes one of mere ‘checking’ rather than ‘setting’.

Thus, as well as banishing volume control dampers, Matrix II also removes the need for flow regulating devices, double regulating valves or similar, in the hydraulic system.

Like its predecessor, Matrix II also helps limit energy consumption. Its use of purpose designed lap top software, enables air volumes to be gradually reduced or increased in parallel with thermal load – as well as allowing the fan coil to react to an ‘unoccupied/occupied room’ situation by relaxing cooling and heating set points. Thus, when a person enters a meeting room for example, the fan snaps into its normal occupied mode and from then on its speed tracks and matches thermal demand precisely, saving energy and generating less noise. Conversely, once the room empties, the fan reverts to set back mode and maintains the room in a ‘holding’ condition. This software and all Matrix features can be integrated into any BMS system.

Ability offers factory demonstrations and will exhibit Matrix II at Ecobuild in March

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Following the announcement of a successful impact test of its Shallow Mounted bollard, The Bollard People, ATG Access are pleased to report the latest innovation in technology to allow high security solutions to be installed in areas where underground services or lack of space for excavation may cause a problem.

The brand new SupaSlim™ foundation is a remarkable piece of engineering work, the PAS68 rated test saw a bollard arrest a 7.5 tonne (15000lb) truck travelling at 40mph (65kph) – the bollard was installed in a foundation of just 112mm.

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Metstrut has supplied over 14km of its cable ladder systems for use in the flue gas desulpherisation plant at West Burton power station.

Metstrut’s technical team helped with the design of the cable ladder requirements, adapting the system where needed and manufacturing some sections with specialist bends to accommodate difficult angles.

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Metstrut has supplied the cable management systems for the massive new Airbus factory at Broughton.

Equivalent to the size of 12 football pitches, the plant has received the equivalent of 5km of Metstrut 125 deep cable ladder, plus metal framing systems to carry the armoured power cables.

Metstrut was chosen not only because of its competitive products but because of its ability to meet strict deadlines over the length of the programme.

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The stage at Leicester’s famous De Montfort Hall withstands a continuous programme of productions. When Operations Manager, Jim OMahoney, tried to find a flooring contractor prepared to sand and reseal it, he discovered many were unwilling to ‘curtain off’ the Hall’s recital organ to protect it from sanding dust.

However, Leicestershire based contractors, Heritage Wood Floors, carried out the refurbishment successfully by using Bona’s portable DCS (Dust Containment System) to achieve a completely dust free sanding operation, eliminating the need for the curtaining off process.

The Heritage team sanded the maple strip floor, working up through the grit stages to achieve a completely smooth finish. Edges were sanded by hand using an edge sander, which was also connected to the DCS system. The surface was also vacuumed between each sanding to remove any loose particles of grit. The DCS draws the dust away from the sanding machine, the belt and the floor during the sanding process, so the abrasive performs more effectively. When sanding is complete, the air, the floor and the sanding machine itself remain clean and virtually dust free, a huge plus point for contractors and their clients – particularly when working in dust sensitive areas such as museums, hospitals, schools and residential premises. The system is suitable for use when sanding all types of wooden floor including wood composition floors

Following sanding, the Heritage team applied four coats of Bona Traffic waterborne lacquer to achieve a matt appearance and a highly durable, yet easy to maintain, surface.

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Torvill and Dean won’t be the only ones dancing to Bolero following the launch of Aeon’s curvaceous new radiator.

A bold marriage of vertical rectangular brushed stainless steel columns contrasted with horizontal tubular bars, Bolero is undoubtedly a stylish sculptural design. However, with outputs of 526 – 1419 watts it also ensures that warmth is a high priority.

Ideal in kitchens and bathrooms, where the horizontal sections can be used as towel rails without compromising on heat delivery, this radiator is set to define new standards of contemporary heating. Bolero is available in three heights, 636mm, 1066mm and 1506mm, all 300mm wide. It is suitable for a variety of room sizes and is suitable for electric, hot water and dual fuel installations. Prices start at £833 + VAT.

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Queen’s Award winner Hambleside Danelaw will launch at Ecobuild 2009 two highly innovative roofing products that exploit the potential of natural daylight to slash energy bills and generate revenue-earning electricity.

Leading the way is a market first: a micro-generation rooflight. Designed in partnership with Solar Source Ltd, the Hambleside Insulator PHOTO VOLTAIC rooflight can offer a U value as low as 0.8 W/m2K and incorporates a micro-generation system that will make a significant difference to energy costs through direct use or tariff feed-in. The UK Government recently announced plans to encourage tariff feed-in following the example set by European partners.

Insulator PHOTO VOLTAIC is ideal for use in industrial or warehousing constructions and is easily installed into the roofscape, being in plane with the overall roof area. With patents pending, this product offers three functions: natural daylighting, insulation and micro generation, which makes it a first for the rooflight market.

Another market first will be the launch by Hambleside of a new self-contained artificial lighting control system. The Insulator LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM permits the artificial lighting to be automatically controlled through dimming or switching off according to the amount of measured natural daylight entering the building through an Insulator rooflight.

Developed in partnership with Setsquare Ltd, this light control system utilises the unique properties of the transparent light-enhancing honeycomb which is a feature of Insulator. Clients will immediately see a reduction in their energy bills as savings in lighting control usage normally reach 40%.

Visitors to Hambleside Danelaw’s stand (no. 2375) at Ecobuild will have the opportunity to interact with these new products.

FiberTite and Dryseal systems get a green roof on top

Hambleside’s third product launch at Ecobuild results from teaming up with a nursery to offer a green roof system for the company’s top-performing FiberTite and Dryseal single ply and GRP roofing membranes.

Insulator TIMax – a new translucent GRP insulated wall panel

The fourth and final launch at the show will see a new translucent GRP insulated wall panel arrive on the UK market. Insulator TIMax features translucent glass fibre filaments, which provide a good level of thermal insulation with U values at 1 W/m2K, and the translucent properties of the fibre elements allow natural light into the building.

Robin Jeffery, Hambleside’s vice chairman, said: “Four product launches at Ecobuild demonstrates Hambleside Danelaw’s unrelenting commitment to innovation and sustainability in spite of the recession. With the massive potential savings on energy bills, the new products are proof that sustainability makes as much sense economically for the client as it does for cutting carbon emissions.”

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The ability to supply a vital switchboard in record time helped secure Eaton the order for a new PLC-controlled main switchboard for North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (Cheshire & Merseyside Area) as part of a major refurbishment of its electrical power supply. In a second order, Eaton supplied an emergency generator and new uninterruptible power supplies from its Powerware business.

The specification called for switchboard delivery within ten weeks of the official order. This put tight time constraints on Eaton, who were able to supply the switchboard on time and subsequently provided the diesel-generator and Powerware UPS units in the second phase of the project.

The electrical contractor, Hayes Electrical & Building Services of Paul Street Liverpool, had to install the new switchboard as a freestanding unit in such a way that the existing switchgear (a loose-mounted busbar and MEM Exel and Glasgow fuse-switches) could be removed in stages as the new switchboard became operational. A new 236kVA feeder will be provided by Core Utilities to replace the old 110kVA supply.

The new switchboard comprises essential and non-essential services sections. In the event of a power supply failure, a bus coupler opens automatically to isolate the non-essential loads. The majority of essential services are equipped with uninterruptible power supplies to ensure continuous power while the emergency generator starts up. The 150kVA diesel generator starts up automatically and loads are progressively connected, to avoid stalling.

Eaton supplied a 1,000A fully type-tested Form 4 Type 6 switchboard with a 50kA, 1 sec fault rating. Incoming and outgoing cables have top entry. The main incomer and bus coupler are both 400A MCCBs. The generator supply is provided through a 250A automatic changeover switch. A phase failure relay ensures that the generator will start up in the event of loss of supply in any phase (with the old system the generator would only start up if power was lost in all three phases).

The supply included all circuit-breakers, which are from Eaton’s new Series G range. These are generally 125A electronic MCCBs with adjustable thermal and fixed magnetic operation. Essential-side MCCBs open automatically in the event of loss of power but incorporate electronic time delays so that they re-close at 30s intervals to avoid stalling the generator. Full metering, with direct-reading instruments, is provided on all essential and non-essential circuits. Transient voltage surge suppression is also provided on essential and non-essential panels.

Hayes Electrical and Building Services is a major electrical and building contractor for the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Terry Hayes, Managing Director of Hayes, says “With the technical, professional support and assistance which we have received from Eaton we have been able to install a sophisticated switchboard panel into a restricted working space. This enabled us to deliver a 21st century distribution system into a Victorian Building which houses the sophisticated Control Room Integrated Systems which the North West Ambulance Services requires and relies on to carry out their essential duties.

The equipment was supplied through the Liverpool branch of Newey & Eyre.

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