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Rockwool, the world’s leading manufacturer of non-combustible stone wool insulation solutions, has won the contract to supply around £600,000 of insulation materials for BSkyB’s new state-of-the-art building project near Heathrow in West London, which it is set to be Europe’s most sustainable broadcast facility for Sky Sports and Sky’s entertainment channels.

The insulation project is expected to be completed by the end of 2009, with the whole 23,000 sq/m, £233m centre due to be completed in 2011. BSkyB is the UK’s largest subscription and pay-TV provider, with more than nine million subscribers in the UK and Ireland.

Rockwool’s insulation material will be used to insulate all the mechanical services such as pipework and ductwork within the building. Rockwool’s insulation material has thermal properties which are important in fulfilling BSkyB’s green aims for its new headquarters. The insulation is comprised of an open fibrous structure, which makes it ideal for absorbing and regulating noise, which is crucial in a broadcasting environment.

Andy Halsall, Director of UK Sales at Rockwool, said: “BSkyB has made it clear it wants to have the greenest headquarters possible and Rockwool’s insulation materials will be important in achieving that. Increasingly major corporations recognise that they need to develop sustainable buildings in order to limit their structures’ Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) and Global Warming Potential (GWP).”

Ron Turner from Abbey Thermal, the thermal insulation contractor, said: “We selected Rockwool after completing an exacting tendering process. It was the only product that met our rigorous standards for acoustic and thermal performance while offering the highest levels of passive fire protection. The insulation meets all our criteria for sustainability, not only is it manufactured to very high ‘green’ standards, it can be recycled when the building comes to the end of its life cycle reducing the pressure on landfill.”

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Every now and then the security industry throws out a story with a jaw dropping wow factor, keep reading because this story is it for 2009.

Granted, reading it here won’t be the same as when you witness the video footage, but when you do, remember you read it here first.

You know those crash tests we all stop and watch at IFSEC and other shows, the footage of trucks crashing into security bollards designed to stop terrorist attack? Well if you are at IFSEC this year make a point of taking a walk over to Stand C40 where ATG Access will be showing their latest and most spectacular crash test. Even if you are not at IFSEC then take a look at the video because if you are interested in physical security then you are going to want to see this.

One single ATG Access SP1200 Automatic Rising Bollard has stopped a fully laden 30 tonne truck travelling at 50mph, yes that was 30 tonne at 50mph. There is nothing to compare this test to, a testing site representative who witnessed the test said “at this time this is the highest energy level ever tested to in the world, this product has performed to a level which surpasses our own original specifications.”

When the truck struck the bollard the energy produced was around 7400 kJ just for illustration this is roughly equivalent to the energy of a 1.5 tonne car travelling at over 220mph.

Words are sometimes not enough to illustrate a point, just take a look.

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Buildings old and new, suffer with sound penetrating through thin walls. With the additional expansion of timber-framed property, the problem of sound absorption in walls now needs to be urgently addressed to meet current Building Regulations. The Envirograf Acoustic Protection Cover offers excellent sound absorption properties and has been recently accepted by Robust Details. The cover is made of 15mm thick sponge for housing both switch and socket boxes. Tested to BS EN ISO 140-3 (1995) and rated in accordance with BS EN ISO 717/1 (1997) meeting acoustic criteria.

The cover can be combined with the highly successful Envirograf fire protective gaskets for electrical sockets and switches to meet the revised 16th Edition IEE regulations. The Envirograf gaskets are used by many socket manufacturers and suppliers including Marshall Tufflex, BG Electrical, MK Electric and Rexel Senate and they will offer up to 4-hour fire protection in metal boxes and 70minutes integrity and insulation in a dry wall installation. The covers and gaskets are available for Single, Double and Twin socket fittings.

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VW Caddy van prize for oldest one found before 30th June 2009

Wilo, the leading European pump manufacturer is on the look out for the oldest operating Wilo small circulator in the UK! And whilst finding one will be interesting in itself, for the installer or contractor who finds the oldest one still working in the UK there’s an extra special reason for being pleased – he or she will drive away in a brand new VW Caddy van!

Wilo has launched a similar competition in Germany recently and the oldest found so far there is 54 years old – still running flawlessly! Wilo’s Dan Wild says they don’t expect to find one that old in the UK but you just never know: “Clearly Wilo UK has not been in existence as long as Wilo has been trading in Germany so to find one that old would be amazing, but we are confident we’ll find one that is thirty years plus and still working so watch this space!” he says.

Clearly a pump that’s still working several decades after installation is doing so because it was and is a quality product, but because technology has moved on, however well the old pump is operating, replacement by a brand new, high technology, high efficiency Wilo pump will be overdue! Saving energy, reducing emissions and energy costs, using up to 80% less energy to run it, for starters.

There will be regular quarterly prizes for the oldest found during the search – with installers winning a Wii if they have the oldest one at the end of January and April 2009 but the finder of the overall oldest will be presented with the van for their efforts after the 30th June closing date.

Wilo is running the competition in conjunction with a major awareness campaign across the UK, making installers and specifiers aware of the facts behind the on-going growth of Wilo pump sales in the UK. Very definitely the second largest player in the UK marketplace, with pockets of the UK where it is by far the most popular brand – Northern Ireland for example – Wilo is seeing increasing take up of its energy efficient small circulator offering, particularly since the launch of the Wilo-Stratos ECO pump which offers up to 80% energy saving over standard uncontrolled pumps, that still operate extensively and expensively in millions of homes across the country.

“From research we’ve undertaken, it’s clear that many installers and specifiers had no idea that we invented the first small circulator pump and that we are the leading supplier of small circulators to combi boiler manufacturers across Europe,” says Dan Wild. “We manufacture more than 5 million small circulators a year in Europe and there are more than 3.5 million Wilo pumps operating either in combis, system boilers or independently in conventional heating systems in the UK. The numbers are phenomenal and we recently saw the Wilo-Stratos ECO independently tested as the most energy efficient small circulator you can buy, anywhere – tested by one of Europe’s leading consumer groups. It’s all good news and we need to get the message out and about to those who think there’s only one brand of pump in the UK – there’s a second – and its taking chunks of the marketplace year on year, as we grow, year on year.”

Installers looking to win the VW Caddy van need to search for Wilo pumps still operating in their customers homes and if they find one that has clearly been doing the business for a good many years, they need to take a photo of the pump in situ and take a note of the serial number which will allow Wilo to check exactly when it was manufactured. They can go to the Wilo UK web site at www.wilo.co.uk and send the information via the web site with the photo of the pump to Wilo’s head office.

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The Tehalit C60 range of 3 Compartment Trunking offers numerous features to make your job easier. With comprehensive stocks in the UK you can be assured of quick delivery whatever your project requirements.

The C60 Range is very easy order, it has simple part reference numbers, the base and lid is supplied complete and is available in 2 metre and 3 metre lengths as standard. As well as being easy to order, it’s just as easy to install. The bases are pre-punched and there are also push-out knockouts between the compartments, so there’s no need to drill through to fix to the wall.

The compartment knockouts fit into the base to aid alignment. And for those awkward corners that are not truly at a 90-degree agree, Tehalit also offers adjustable moulded corners to get that perfect fit.

The Tehalit C60 Range is also easy to cable. With its 170mm x 60mm deep profile, it allows more space for cabling, it minimises the potential damage to cables by providing smooth elongated knockouts between compartments. Data cable bend radii respected, maximising data integrity. The Outer compartment cable retainers are supplied as standard with trunking (2 per metre).

You can choose from 3 different base and lid profiles, they are available either complete or separate. Corner cover kits plus joint covers are also available both internal and external.

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For those seeking a roof window which combines good eco-credentials with added flexibility of use and security, Fakro's FPP preSelect® is unique. It is made using only close-grain, knot-free, redwood pine from FSC approved sources, while every element of the window can be stripped out and recycled. At the flick of a switch in the frame, opening can be changed from top hung to centre pivot operation. The window’s patented, topSafe® technology offers the highest standard of security and safety currently available (Class 3 – EN 13049), its micro-opening facility enabling it to remain secure even when open. An additional steel reinforcement profile is built into the lower part of the sash, while improved lock reinforcement and screws driven into the sash at an angle prevent hinges being broken. With an overall glazing area around 10% bigger than windows operated by a handle in the upper part of the frame, the FPP provides an overall U-value of 1.4W/m2K.

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We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who visited us on our stand at the recent Healthcare Estates show in Harrogate. The stand marked a significant step towards a new era of advanced multi-outlet and multi-functional electronic controls. Moving on from our established range addressing self-harm prevention, hand wash hygiene, cross-contamination and safe water temperature, the new products boast exciting energy and communication features.

Under the ‘Take Control’ banner, ECO-Logic UK unveiled a Safe Room communication panel designed especially for secure room facilities. The panel offers low voltage lighting, cell call, emergency call, and limited telephone, television and audio links, with remote management control. In another product launch, MC Modular was featured to run alongside the existing ECO-Logic UK control package. MC Modular capability enables the inclusion of Air Movement, Security Locking and Heating Controls, together with BMS Links. The eye-catching ECO-Logic UK stand also displayed innovative Bathfill and Showering products, which can now link to remote central control points, for example nurse and management stations.

A new compact and fully welded ECO Pipetank design was also unveiled and enjoyed much interest from architects and designers alike due to its unique space saving benefits. This innovative product will be introduced in 2008 alongside a new ECO-Logic flushing valve.

Meanwhile, ECO-Logic UK achievements have been recognised in a recent award from Medilink West Midlands for Growth in Sector. This award was given to recognise company sales growth and technical advancement in intelligent control systems for Healthcare. At a glittering ceremony, satirical comedian and GP Dr Phil Hammond presented the prestigious awards, created to recognise the most outstanding business accomplishmentsn across the West Midlands. Judges praised all five winners for their drive, passion and investment in medical technology. With more than 1300 medical manufacturers in the region, competition for the awards was fierce.

MedilinkWM’s Communication Director, Michelle Dalton said, “These awards are an excellent chance to celebrate the huge variety of skills, expertise and experience in this sector and recognise the huge impact the medical manufacturers in the West Midlands are having on national healthcare services”. Each winning company will now go forward to represent the region in the national Medical Technology Awards. All in all, these are exciting times for ECO-Logic UK, who are now poised for excellent growth in 2008.

MedilinkWM’s Communication Director, Michelle Dalton said, “These awards are an excellent chance to celebrate the huge variety of skills, expertise and experience in this sector and recognise the huge impact the medical manufacturers in the West Midlands are having on national healthcare services”

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There’s a new twist to the tales of Aeon’s stainless steel Twister radiator technology. Twister720 has joined the family alongside the Twister180, Twister360 and Clipper.

Boasting three synchronised twists along each of its bars, the new Twister720 design reveals alternating brushed and polished surfaces that create a sculptural, ripple effect.

Its contemporary appearance makes Twister720 particularly suitable for any modern living space. Yet it is also versatile enough to look striking in a more traditional environment.

Numerous applications, both horizontally and vertically, are possible for this unique, pioneering style. Available in 200cm height/length only, Twister720 can be ordered with five, seven or nine bars (more than nine bars by special order). Outputs range from between 775 watts and 1395 watts.

Prices start from £604 plus VAT for a five-bar Twister720 (220 x 60 mm) which is suitable for hot water systems and can be delivered within 4-6 weeks. The nine-bar Twister720 model is also compatible with electric only and dual fuel systems.

Radiators in the Aeon Collection are made from the highest-grade solid stainless steel. All designs in the hand-finished range carry a 20-year guarantee.

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For 2009’s Ecobuild, single ply and green roof specialist Flag-Soprema Ltd presented its Soprema systems for the first time. These include the Duoflex lightweight structural waterproofing, Sopralene elastomeric and Alsan liquid waterproofing systems, all of which were shown together with the company’s diverse range of extensive and intensive green roofs. At 70m2, both the stand and the products on display reflected the diversity and increased size of the range. The company’s TPO single ply membrane range, manufactured using an innovative formulation of non-toxic EPR modified polyolefin liner is rot-proof, puncture, UV and wind shear resistant, and highly adaptable to structural movement.

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Pioneering Daikin VRV climate control technology for commercial buildings is extended with the introduction of new and upgraded VRVIII models with higher COP/EER ratings for both heat pump and heat recovery ranges.

Heat pump range

Efficiency has been increased in the heat pump range with a redesigned small footprint 8 HP model with a COP of 4.50 (+5,4%) and EER of 4.29 (+6.5%) and the addition of a high COP 12 HP model with a COP of 4.37 (+10%) and an EER of 3.89(+12%). Combinations of existing small foot print models and the upgraded 8 HP model offer improved energy efficiencies in variety of configurations, whilst overall efficiency throughout the high COP range also benefits from the inclusion where possible of the new 12 HP high COP model.

Heat recovery range

The extended VRV heat recovery range also benefits from the high COP upgrade and returns the best efficiencies currently available on the market and this is the first time that Daikin has introduced a high COP heat recovery range alongside a small footprint modular range. Upgraded 8 HP units with a COP of 4.31 (+5%) in cooling mode and 4.38 (+2%) in heating mode plus 12 HP units with a COP of 3.84 (+4%) in cooling mode and 4.24 (+1%) in heating are available in stand-alone format. The modular series benefits from the addition of an upgraded 8 HP model and a new high COP 12 HP model.

All the new models also feature automatic refrigerant charging and testing, saving time and ensuring an optimum refrigerant charge for top performance.

Continuous heating

Combination systems using heat recovery models also provide continuous heating during defrost and oil return cycles since only one outdoor coil at a time is defrosted, allowing the other units to continue to provide (reduced) heating capacity to the entire system, resulting in a higher integrated heating capacity and a significant increase in user comfort.

Year round cooling

VRVIII heat recovery models also feature a year round cooling option (known as technical cooling), allowing cooling even at ambient outdoor temperatures down to -20° C and supporting piping lengths to 165m or 1,000m in total. The technical cooling facility can be set up in the field. Rapid changeover from cooling/heating is also possible whilst the ability to control each zone separately – heating or cooling only those rooms where it is needed – keeps operating costs down to a minimum.

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