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Hospitals are missing the key sources of MRSA infection by focusing on obvious “dirty” areas, an expert has claimed. Instead, cleaning should be targeted on “hand touch” sites in wards, such as door handles, bed rails, lockers, and electrical switches, surrounding patients, said Dr Stephanie Dancer from South General Hospital in Glasgow, writing in the medical journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

Evidence showed that these were the places most likely to harbour the antibiotic resistant MRSA superbug. Yet they were generally poorly cleaned, said Dr Dancer.

Crabtree’s range of anti-microbial electrical switches and socket outlets has been specially developed in conjunction with BioCote® to incorporate a unique silver additive specifically to help overcome this problem. The silver contained in Crabtree accessories is a natural antimicrobial, with a high efficacy against bacteria, mould and fungi.When micro-organisms come into contact with the silver, their ability to reproduce is inhibited and they die.

Responding to the study, the Government’s chief nursing officer, Professor Christine Beasley, said: “Infection control is a complex problem that needs a range of solutions and the fact is there is no single remedy.

Carl Kimberley, Electrium’s Marketing Manager said: “The Crabtree brand has always represented good design and safety, and we at Electrium are proud to now be a small part of the solution in the battle for infection control in our hospitals.”

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Megger’s latest MFT1553 multifunction tester, which brings Bluetooth wireless connectivity to one of the UK’s most popular and successful ranges of test instruments for electrical contractors, has achieved the outstanding accolade of winning all three major industry awards for excellence and technical innovation in a period of just eight weeks.

Megger collected the first award for its groundbreaking MFT1553 from the Association of Electrical Contractors of Ireland, where it was recognised as the AECI Product of the Year. This was swiftly followed by success at the Electrical Industry Awards held in London, where the MFT1553 was the winner in the Test and Measurement category.

Finally, in the last major awards event of the year, held under the auspices of SELECT, Scotland’s trade association for the electrical, electronics and communication systems industries, the MFT1553 was again successful in winning the Best New Product category.

In each of the three awards, the judges were impressed by the Bluetooth capabilities of the MFT1553 multi-function tester, which make it fast and easy to transmit test results directly in to an electrical test certificate on a PC or held-held devices such as a PDA or even a smart-mobile phone without the need for inconvenient wired connections.

Safety was held to be another important benefit as, with no electrical connection between the instrument and the computer or mobile device, complete isolation is guaranteed. In addition, the judges at the Electrical Industry Award commented that they believed the MFT1553 to be by far the most innovative product in its category.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have won these three awards,” said Megger’s Julian Grant. “This is an unprecedented achievement that not only rewards all of the hard work that the Megger team has put into developing the MFT range, but also confirms the success of our policy of listening to our customers and producing products that genuinely meet their needs.”

“Our MFT range has achieved outstanding sales success ever since it was launched three years ago,” he continued. “We believe – and the award judges clearly agree – that the addition of Bluetooth support will ensure that it continues to go from strength to strength.”

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With the launch of its innovative new Composite range, Crittall Windows now offers the trade a perfect blend of timber and aluminium windows and doors, suitable for installation in both new build and refurbishment.

One of the world’s leading window manufacturers – and the largest manufacturer of steel windows in Europe – Crittall has been designing and producing high quality windows and doors for over 150 years. It is this expertise which the company has applied to its major expansion into the composite window sector.

Crittall’s new Composite range simplifies the specification process for architects, builders, contractors and installers: the company is the only supplier to offer a UK-based design, manufacture and installation service to ensure continuity, quality and logistical support.

This new range, designed for application in the health, education, commercial, housing and hotel sectors, includes a wide choice of windows and opening styles, as well as Composite light duty doors suitable for balconies and patios, plus thermally broken aluminium heavy duty doors suitable for main entrances and emergency exits.

Crittall’s Composite range successfully combines the warmth and natural beauty that timber lends to interiors with the high performance and minimal maintenance that aluminium brings to exteriors.

Selected from sustainable sources of natural hardwood and softwood, the timber complements the modern design of the window profile, and can be lacquered or painted as required to suit the interior. Specifiers can choose between laminated European redwood or solid European oak.

Similarly, the aluminium exterior can be coloured as required to add a contrasting feature or to blend in with a building’s overall design. Performance, durability and low maintenance are ensured because the aluminium is coated in-house with Crittall’s DuralifeTM polyester powder coating. This tough, high quality finish increases resistance to the adverse effects of exposure to the elements.

Crittall’s new Composite range offers the optimum in weather tightness, and also meets the requirements of BS7950:1997 for resistance to forced entry, while excellent thermal performance is ensured through compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations. This means that because wood is a natural insulator, the windows remain warm to the touch indoors whatever the outside temperature.

These new windows and doors are easily incorporated into both modern and traditional building fabrics. Design improvements in dimensional accuracy and stability – combined with the patented monolithic construction which ensures a strong, mechanical connection – have eliminated the need for adhesives, clips and veneers. In addition, the aesthetic effect is enhanced by the elimination of knots and finger joints.

The Crittall Composite range offers a choice of window types and opening styles, including fixed light, side hung (inward and outward opening), top hung (outward opening), bottom hung (inward opening), and tilt and turn.

Standard window hardware includes matt silver anodised finish handles, concealed multi-locking, folding openers, friction arms and butt hinges, while additional options include trickle ventilators, remote operation mechanisms, polished chrome or gold and painted finish handles, restrictors and locking handles.

Door types and opening styles include single and double, outward or inward opening, while door hardware includes pull handles, emergency exit devices, lever handles, magnetic locks, electric strikes, and Europrofile cylinder locks.

For additional customer service, the windows can be factory or site glazed with 28mm insulating units, while options to ensure safety, security, solar control and privacy are also available. If and when required, Crittall’s Composite windows can also be quickly and easily reglazed from the inside, thus eliminating the need for expensive access equipment or scaffolding.

For extra customer reassurance, Crittall Composite windows and doors offer a design life of 40-plus years. In addition, Crittall Windows has just been granted ISO 14001:2004 accreditation, declaring that the company operates in an environmentally responsible manner – preventing pollution, reducing waste and improving its environmental performance year-on-year.

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Daikin has upgraded the design of its RZQ Super Inverter (1 phase) and RZQS Comfort Inverter, developed for use in offices, shops and restaurants, thereby increasing efficiencies throughout both ranges. In the case of the RZQS100 for example, cooling and heating efficiencies are improved by up to 23% and 11% respectively over those of the earlier model. Both RZQ and RZQS units continue to support the connection of a wide range of indoor units and retain their wide temperature operating range.

RZQ Super Inverter — high efficiency and installation flexibility

The new RZQ-D Super Inverter currently returns the highest COPs and EERs on the market with energy label 'A' ratings in most configurations and like previous RZQ units, it also has an extended operating range in -15° C to 50° C (cooling) and 15.5&deg C down to -20° C (heating) outdoor ambients.

The unit is flexible with respect to piping diameter and although it utilises R-410A refrigerant, it also allows the re-use of existing R-22 or R-407c field piping with piping lengths up to 75m possible. This ensures easier installation and lower installation costs when upgrading existing buildings. The RZQ is also suitable for technical and computer room cooling.

RZQS Comfort Inverter: improved efficiency

The new RZQS Comfort Inverter also has higher COPs and EERs than previous models, with energy label ratings of 'B' in most configurations. It retains its predecessor's extended operating range – with cooling at outdoor temperatures up to 46° C and heating down to -15° C – and supports multiple indoor units.

Built to last

Both units feature the Daikin emphasis on quality construction with special acrylic pre-coated fins to prevent corrosion on the heat exchanger and resist severe weather conditions. The outdoor units – available in 3,4,5,6 HP models – are fitted with high quality Daikin swing or scroll compressors, renowned for their low noise, high energy efficiency and trouble-free operation.

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Alan Green, Gino Priora, Luigi Moretti and David Josephs of Lewden : Palazzoli

Following Lewden’s highly successful joint venture with Palazzoli as their UK distributor. Palazzoli has now entered into a full partnership with Lewden. Palazzoli will be highly involved in the future growth and development of the LEWDEN : PALAZZOLI brand, at the same time supporting the investment in Lewden’s continued manufacture of traditional core products and its ever growing, “Custom Build” business.

“This is a significant show of confidence by Palazzoli,” said Lewden Managing Director, Alan Green, “they see the U.K. market as having growth potential and are committing to the future of both brands, their products and the U.K. work force. This investment by Palazzoli will support a strengthened product offer, and provide greater emphasis in our Sales and marketing activity. Service to our customers will continue to be the focus, providing quality solutions to a variety of applications, while our commitment to the Electrical Wholesaler will be further endorsed by the Palazzoli expertise”.

In Italy, Palazzoli who have been established over 100 years, is a market leader and major manufacturer of high quality industrial Electrical Equipment, specialising in Industrial Installation, Automation, Marine and ATEX (Hazardous Area) products. The opportunity to consolidate common products will enable Lewden to continue to compete in the hard fought industrial plug and connector business while, at the same time, introducing a much greater range of products to the U.K. Electrical Distribution market.

A successful launch of the new LEWDEN : PALAZZOLI “MultiMax” range of plugs and connectors (IEC 309) has already taken place, and the “CAM-ST” Surface Rotary Switch range is currently being presented to the market and receiving considerable interest and demand.

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Vaisala introduces a new version of the weather transmitter, the Vaisala Weather Transmitter WXT520. The WXT520 measures wind speed and direction, liquid precipitation, barometric pressure, temperature and relative humidity – all in one instrument.

The wind speed and direction measurement is based on the ultrasonic Vaisala WINDCAP® Sensor, which ensures accurate readings from any horizontal wind direction without blind angles and corrupted readings. Barometric pressure, temperature, and humidity measurements are combined in one separate module using capacitive measurement for each parameter. The module can be changed without any contact with the internal sensors.

The precipitation measurement in the WXT520 is unique as it measures accumulated rainfall, rain intensity and duration, all in real time. It is based on the maintenance-free Vaisala RAINCAP® sensor that gives more detailed information on precipitation compared to traditional precipitation gauges.

The WXT520 housing with the mounting kit is water resistant and classified as IP66. The transmitter has a new interface card that fulfills the more demanding EMC/ESD requirements in the Marine IEC60945 standard. The WXT520 complies with the EMC standard EN61326-1; Industrial Environment. The transmitter is ROHS compliant.

A number of optional features are offered for the WXT520, for example, heating, a bird spike kit, a USB connection, and a new surge protector. The wind and rain sensors can be equipped with heating to improve the availability of correct measurement data also in severe weather conditions. The bird spike kit helps to deter birds from the WXT520. The USB connection facilitates the connection to a PC as a service connector, or when the PC is used as a terminal device. The Vaisala Surge Protector WSP152 is designed to protect the host PC against surges that may be entering through the USB port.

The power consumption of the WXT520 is very low; it can use solar panels as an energy source.

The WXT520 is suitable for weather stations, dense networks, buildings, golf courses, marinas, harbors, and hotels – almost anywhere where real time weather data is needed.

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Building Services Consultants, Pick Everard, recently completed the design of all the lighting for a major Education PFI project for five new schools in Derby. The projects were Sinfin Primary School, Hardwick Primary School, Lakeside Community Primary School, Merrill College and Da Vinci Community College.

A large proportion of luminaires, with a value of about £380,000, were supplied by Concord. Lighting designer Carl Ackers, of Pick Everard, comments: ‘One of the main reasons Concord was specified was because we considered them as a quality manufacturer, offering an excellent product and service proposition at a cost-competitive price’.

The lighting scheme had to meet the main objective of the lighting design for the new educational facilities. The design had to create a bright, vibrant and visionary learning environment for all areas within the schools. The schemes also had to be highly energy efficient, so all the lighting is controlled by an automated lighting control system, with both photocells and occupancy sensors, to maximise daylight use and to dim and switch off luminaires when not required.

The main Concord luminaires used on the Derby project were:

• The Ovation 65 system was used wherever suspended lighting was required in areas without a dropped ceiling. Ovation proved to be a flexible system for these applications and enabled fully automatic dimming, daylight linking and presence detection. The Ovation system could also be installed in continuous lengths, with flexible length ‘dummy’ sections, where required.
• The LED 100TE luminaire was specified as a highly effective downlight solution within the corridors, due to its small size, low recess depth and cost-effectiveness – an important consideration in all the circulation spaces.
• Lumiance Pento pendants were used in the double-height circulation spaces and some of the dining halls, using various lamp wattages from 1x32W to 4x32W, to maintain a common design theme.
• In most teaching spaces with dropped ceilings, the Equilibro range of fittings was the chosen solution. Again, all luminaires are dimmable and connected to the automatic lighting control system.
• In more utilitarian areas, such as storage and service rooms, Sylpack and Sylproof Pro fittings were employed.
• The circulation spaces and play areas around the exterior of the schools needed lighting too, for both safety and visual comfort – here the Monitor wall light played an excellent role, due to its powerful 70W CDM-TT lumen package and high IK10 impact rating.
• In one location there was a special need to bridge a gap in the ceiling created by a light well. Concord’s Channel system was employed to great effect, due to its slim, unobtrusive profile, which didn’t obstruct the view.

Project lighting design: Pick Everard, Building Services Consultants, working with Concord

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'Best Manufacturer Of The Year’ For Project Slam'

And more good news – Wilo, has added another award to its bulging trophy cabinet! It was recently named ‘Best Manufacturer of the Year’ by Lorne Stewart to Project SLAM – the tri-service initiative to upgrade progressively the worst single living accommodation in the British Armed Forces to ‘Grade 1’ physical condition by 2013. The aim of the project is quite simply to provide servicemen and women with the quality of living accommodation they deserve.

Sales Director Dan Wild is understandably delighted with the award: “It’s quite amazing when you think that we were brought into this project to replace and turnaround the poor service they were getting from the original supplier. We’ve turned around the situation with a lot of hard work and by living up to the high levels of customer service we provide to our customers and we’ve been able to supply everything for the project in partnership with Pipe Center, Slough and Constant Air Systems, proving that putting in place the right partnerships can be key to quality delivery.”

Wilo’s Sue Claydon accepted the award for Wilo from Lorne Stewart Strategic Development Director Gary Edwards: “My colleague Mark Wilkinson and I have been working hard to ensure that Wilo’s involvement in Project SLAM is up to our usual high standards and we’re delighted that we have been singled out for this award. It means a huge amount to us and is further evidence of the growing awareness of the overall offering that Wilo is making in the UK – and the growth of our business in response to the quality of our products and the quality of the service we offer to our partners.”

Wilo’s wide range of high efficiency pumps, incorporates models from small domestic circulator pumps right through to large commercial pumps, for virtually every end use. Full details of the range – and of the challenge to find the oldest working Wilo small circulating pump in the UK can be seen at www.wilo.co.uk or by calling Wilo on 01283 523 000.

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