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With a zinc roof likely to be in place for 50 years or more, integrated solar /photovoltaic panels will almost certainly need to be upgraded well within that time. Without the ability to guarantee that the new panels will be of exactly the same size, replacement within a standing seam system could be unduly problematic and costly. VMZINC now offers a 'future-proof' system which enables panels to be seam-fixed to the roof. This makes them easy to install, maintain, gain access to and replace. They are securely clamped to the standing seam system without the need for it to be penetrated in any way. For more information call 01992 822288.

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Building on their many years of experience and success with the UF2000, Micronics has now developed its state of the art replacement the new U3000/4000. The Ultraflo brings simplicity to the non-invasive measurement of liquid flow, offering the user quick and accurate flow measurement with its easy to follow menu and simple set up. A cost-effective alternative to traditional in-line meter installation, plus dry servicing, providing minimum downtime and maximum availability!

The Ultraflo is a transit time ultrasonic flow meter designed to work with clamp-on transducers, to provide accurate measurement of liquid flowing within a closed pipe, without the need for any mechanical parts to be inserted through the pipe wall or to protrude into the flow system. It takes just a few minutes to install and there is no need to shut down flow or drain the system!

Programming the unit is carried out by selecting the options displayed in the main menu and by following the simple instructions in any of the user selectable languages. Signal strength, time and date, as well as flow information are all continuously displayed, keeping the user fully aware of the measurement process.

The U4000 version has a built in data logger, which can store 198,000 separate flow readings. Data can be stored in 5 second to 1 hour intervals. The data for each site is stored in the memory until it has been cleared. And the stored data can be displayed on the instrument in text or graph format. Downloading the stored data via the USB or RS232 output port is also possible.

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Putting energy efficiency at the top of its agenda, a prominent London based Christian organisation decided to invest in a modern heating system. After examining a range of options, it selected an advanced – and highly economical – solution from Reznor, the UK’s leading supplier of gas fired warm-air technologies to commerce and industry.

Alongside the environmental advantages of investing in a state of the art heating system, the religious centre was also hoping to reduce expenditure as its existing system consumed a great deal of energy. It also required climate protection for the retail literature contained in its onsite warehouse.

Reznor provides full engineering support to clients and liaised with the centre’s retained operatives to design and deliver a bespoke solution for the project. The final model was based around two of Reznor’s third generation UESA 055 continually condensing gas heaters and four of the company’s Maximisor 3000 heat recycling destratification fans.

As UESA heaters qualify for Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA), a government scheme aimed at stimulating the growth of energy efficient technology, the centre was able to claim 100% first year capital allowance on the heaters and their installation costs. This granted the organisation an improved cashflow and made the payback periods of the energy efficient technology even quicker.

Providing an output of 55kw, the two UESA heaters have a net fuel efficiency of 103%. This is due to the use of highly advanced heat transfer technology and a MacroChannel heat exchanger made from extremely conductive aluminium. The system is so effective that it not only meets ECA requirements, but exceeds them by almost 13%.

Installed internally, UESA offers further advantages for building owners. Its non-welded design and corrosion resistant construction grant it extended longevity. Advanced self-aligning burner technology with multi-try ignition results in reliability and reduces the need for maintenance. Controlled at the touch of a button and easily programmable, UESA ensures outstanding climate control for users of the building.

Maximizor 3000 fans were suspended from the roof to recycle the warm air provided by the UESA units throughout the varied structure. Providing additional air movement, they ensure the circulation of warmth for excellent comfort. Thermostatically controlled, the fans offer energy savings of up to 15% and are quiet in operation.

Reznor’s extensive line up of energy efficient heating systems proves a consistently popular choice with architects, installers and specifiers throughout the UK. Specially designed for use in commercial and industrial buildings, they provide comfortable, controlled environments in a range of structures, including sporting facilities, retail outlets, warehouses and other large enclosed spaces.

With Reznor’s leading technology installed, the Christian centre benefits from the very best in gas fired heating systems. Reducing the organisation’s carbon footprint and energy bills simultaneously, Reznor’s UESA and Maximisor units also offer easily managed comfort to users combined with frost and condensation protection for the valuable retail literature stored in the centre’s warehouse.

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More than 40 jobs have been saved following the successful takeover of Knighton based Benson Heating Ltd by one of Europe’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of heating, ventilation and environmental systems, the AmbiRad Group.

Benson Heating, which supplied oil and gas-fired heaters, went into administration at the end of May 2009, resulting in all 73 members of staff losing their jobs at the company's factory in Powys. Now, in a move which further strengthens its position within the HVAC sector, AmbiRad has restored sales and production at the facility.

To ensure growth and safeguard the company’s long term future the group is investing in new plant and making a number of workplace improvements, including office refurbishment and investment in IT infrastructure to increase efficiency.

AmbiRad’s MD, Mike Brookes, commented, “We’re delighted to have restored jobs in Powys, helping support the local economy and community, where manufacturing employment opportunities are all too limited. Response to the takeover from the workforce and client base has been exceptional. Trading in the period since acquisition has exceeded expectations and the company is now confidently looking forward to the future. With improving trading conditions forecast, together with ongoing support from the Welsh Assembly Government, further job creation is expected as we improve and expand our product base.”

Benson Heating’s products and services are highly complementary to the AmbiRad Group’s existing range of heating, cooling and ventilation solutions, which includes market leading brands including AmbiRad, Nordair Niche, Airbloc and Reznor UK. With this latest development AmbiRad will continue to provide one of the market’s widest and most versatile ranges.

Investment in product development is underway and will underpin an aggressive growth plan in home and export markets. This will also ensure compliance with ever tightening building regulations and legislation as well as successful integration within the AmbiRad Group.

In addition to the Powys site, AmbiRad has headquarters in Brierley Hill, West Midlands. Its Nordair Niche brand has sites in Stockport in Cheshire and Braintree in Essex. Reznor UK is based in Folkstone, Kent.

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The new FAKRO FYP-V U3 pro-Sky® high pivot roof window is of similar construction to a centre pivot window but with the axis of rotation in the top third of the frame. With its increased height of up to 200cm and raised pivot point, the lower part of the sash effectively functions as a top hung window. The added height provides a larger glazing area without the need to increase width, use vertical combinations or non-standard rafter spacing. A 94x200cm window therefore has the same weight and glazing area as a standard 134x140cm, providing an overall U-value of 1.4 W/m²K. Available in pine and PVC, the FYP-V utilises FAKRO’s patented topSafe® system and the V40P automatic air inlet which has an air flow rate of up to 48m³/hr. Suitable for pitches of 20°-65°, it can be used in modules with FAKRO solar panels and, like a centre pivot window, can be rotated (through 160°) for cleaning of the outer pane. The FDY-V U3 Duet pro-Sky high pivot roof window works on the same principle but with two sashes in a single frame. The upper sash opens in the same way as the FYP-V while the lower element is non-opening and has laminated internal glazing. The FDY-V comes in sizes up to 250cm in height.

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Kings Cross Underground station is now in Phase 2 of its redevelopment, necessary to cater for the increased passenger flow resulting from commuter growth in the capital, and from the new neighbouring Eurolink terminal.

The new facility will provide a new 5,000 sq metre concourse, over twice the size of the existing one, with new shops and restaurants. It will also provide new integrated transport links with international and domestic services from St Pancras, as well as for the London Underground lines converging there.

The redevelopment uses over 50 Crabtree Polestar Section 12 distribution boards to supply all the electrical services to the station and the shopping plaza beneath. These LUL approved boards are fitted with 25mm 16kA MCBs. Crabtree Metalclad wiring accessories with plain surface boxes are being used throughout the working areas; plain mounting boxes, because they can be custom drilled to LUL’s specific requirements while maintaining the integrity of the boxes. Capital metal plate satin chrome finish accessories are used elsewhere, in the office and shop areas. LUL specify Crabtree switches as they have labyrinth protection to the rear for extra safety, preventing inadvertent access to live parts when cabled, and reducing visible arcing.

The new open piazza in front of the station will be larger than Leicester Square, when completed. The 50 million passengers who will use the station each year will benefit from an entirely restored, lighter and more attractive station.

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Installation of Sabien Technology’s M2G intelligent boiler load optimisers at the headquarters of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), the United Kingdom's qualifying body for Mechanical Engineers, has reduced the gas consumption for heating and hot water by 17% – over and above the savings achieved by the building management system (BMS). This is equivalent to a reduction in carbon emissions of 25 tonnes per annum – with a payback of around 2.7 years.

Head of Energy Brian Robinson explained: “The Institution is very focused on the energy consumption of its buildings and we have reduced our carbon emissions by over 25% in the last two years. We initially asked Sabien to pilot the M2Gs and demonstrate the savings that would be achieved and, following the success of the trial, the units are now playing an important role in minimising our energy consumption”

“We were very pleased with the results of the pilot and the ongoing energy and emissions savings that will be achieved for the Institution. We were also very pleased with the support we received from Sabien, which ensured that the project ran smoothly,” Brian Robinson concluded.

Sabien’s CEO Alan O’Brien commented: “The IMechE contract has again demonstrated the significant savings that can be achieved by installing M2G. We work closely with mechanical engineers during the installation of our technology, so having delivered these results to their qualifying Institution further reinforces the merits of M2G that they see in the field. The combination of volatile energy prices and ever-stricter energy legislation is putting increasing pressure on organisations to improve their energy efficiency. The valuable contribution made by M2G towards achieving these objectives has now been proven in a wide range of applications under very diverse conditions.

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Las Ramblas, a new Spanish style tapas bar and restaurant in Bearsden, on the north side of Glasgow, has featured Hamilton Litestat’s Digital Mercury lighting control system to provide an effective scene setting solution that is designed to enhance the whole dining experience.

This is one of the latest restaurants to be opened by the Harlequin Leisure Group, which is one of Europe’s largest chains of indian restaurants. The group’s managing director, Sanjay Majhu said, “Having acquired restaurants next to busy units which we already owned, we needed a new cuisine that would not compete with these existing businesses. As tapas has become an exotic, versatile and popular way to enjoy a meal, we decided to develop a new arm to our restaurant business with the inclusion of this Spanish style restaurant and tapas bar.To suit the type of foods being served within this restaurant, our architect designed the interior so that it provided a flavour of Spanish culture.”

According to Bruce Nelson of Hamilton Litestat. “ Digital Mercury has been used throughout the building to highlight the various design features within this themed restaurant. This system has been used to dim the low voltage, LED and decorative luminaires which have been featured within the lighting scheme to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. It has also been used for general switching of non dimmable products.”

This system was specified by the Harlequin Leisure Group’s architect, due to its simple design which has made it easy to use, thereby enabling the client to alter the set scenes to suit their changing requirements. The control panels for the dimming system have featured Hamilton’s Hartland plates in a chrome finish in order to complement the interior finishes. To maintain the integrity of the architect’s design theme, all the other wiring accessories within the restaurant have also utilised the Hartland plate.

This simplified lighting control solution is able to create a limited number of scenes which are set, stored and recalled, all at the touch of a button. The programmable controllers, for this application, have used 4 buttons which are used to recall the set scenes along with six other buttons that are used to program the scenes by simply raising and lowering the level of lighting on each of the individual circuits. Once a scene is stored it can be recalled each time the required button is pressed. To create an attractive and yet practical feature these Digital Mercury wall plates have incorporated blue LED’s to backlight the control buttons.

To suit the specific requirements of this restaurant, the system has been programmed to feature a choice of four different settings. The first provides a cleaning/maintenance setting, which brings the lighting up to full power. The second offers a day time setting, which dims the lighting level by 15% to 20% to counteract the effect of the natural daylight that comes in through the large restaurant windows. The third button lowers the lighting level by 50% to create a pleasing ambience which is just right for romantic evening meals. The fourth button has been left free for future use. A single switch socket has been provided to turn on and off the non dimmable light sources.

To create wall wash colour variants utilizing the LEDs, the dimming system has been used to sequence through the Red, Green, Blue to produce the required variant of colour combinations from these light sources. These colour blends have been programmed into the system to enable the restaurant to recall the required scene for the appropriate time of day.

“ We are are very pleased with this lighting control system”, said Sanjay, “ It’s a great mood tool and our customers love the way that its adds atmosphere to the interior design.”

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Following official certification from BRE Global, Fendor – the UK’s leading specialist glazing company – has expanded into the fire stopping sector with the launch of a new group company, Fendor Fire Stopping Limited. The company’s expansion into the fire stopping market is a logical development says Chris Duffy, managing director. “We have been accommodating fire stopping practice and services for a number of years, including most recently a major office development in London and a further education project in Southampton” he says. “Now with launch of our new sister company we can uniquely offer both fire glazing and fire stopping to architects, designers and surveyors – backed by our award-winning record of supplying quality products and services through the Fendor brand name.”

Combining an extensive range of products with experience and expertise in all contracting sectors, Fendor Fire Stopping provides a complete one stop package which includes design and cost support through to installation.

‘’Fendor Fire Stopping Ltd complements perfectly Fendor’s existing activities in the health and security markets where we offer high quality steel and aluminum fire, security and glazing solutions” concludes Chris Duffy.    `
Fendor is ISO 9001:2000 approved company for design and installation.

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Bona’s Hardwax Oil was selected to finish a newly installed oak floor in a beautifully refurbished Victorian town house in Windsor. Berkshire based contractors, dFloor, installed 70m2 of unfinished engineered European Oak to the lower ground floor, which has now become the kitchen.

To finish the floor, dFloor recommended the application of two coats of Bona Hardwax Oil to give the soft, satin effect the client wanted, combined with a hard wearing surface which can be patch repaired in the event of any mishaps. The client was so impressed with the finish that the Oak staircase and all doors were also finished to match.

Bona Hardwax Oil is just part of the Bona range of products for finishing wooden floors. Depending upon the location, and how the floor is to look and perform, the Bona range also includes low solvent, water based lacquers, traditional oils, and unique Bona Naturale for a truly ‘unfinished’ look. Bona’s technical team is happy to advise contractors over the specification of the most appropriate finish, practical maintenance regimes and application techniques. Bona also runs a full programme of training courses for contractors, details of which which can be found at bona.com.

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