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Daikin Europe has launched a new Sky Air® RZQG-L series of air conditioning units that pre-dates strict European Union imposed energy performance requirements and leads the way in seasonal efficiency.

The European Union’s 20/20/20 policy has set the energy performance bar high at 20% less CO2 emissions, 20% renewable energy and 20% reduction in primary energy use by 2020. Within this framework the EU Energy related Products Directive (Eco-design Directive) specifies minimum Eco-design requirements, such as improved energy efficiency, in energy using products. For air conditioning units below 12kW output, these requirements will be based on product seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER): a more realistic representation of performance than the current nominal energy efficiency (EER) rating method (**).

The Daikin name is synonymous with the introduction of high environmentally efficient equipment that pre-dates EU directives, bringing its Sky Air® Seasonal Inverter to the market in Spring of 2010. Daikin has now extended its market leading role in this respect by incorporating seasonal efficiency requirements into its new Sky Air® RZQG-L light commercial range. Sky Air® was chosen for this pioneering development because of its high potential environmental impact, since light commercial applications represent the greatest annual energy use due to their high sales volumes and high annual operating hours.

The new system delivers considerable improvements in terms of seasonal efficiency, optimised inverter control over the full temperature distribution curve providing optimum partial load performance, resulting in high ratings in ‘real-life’ operating conditions. Also, newly designed compressor, heat exchanger and improved auxiliary modes enhance its performance still further. As a result, optimised Sky Air® RZQG-L outdoor units deliver average seasonal efficiency improvements more than 20% greater than the current Sky Air® Seasonal Inverter in real life conditions and 50% greater than non-inverter systems.

Over and above its excellent seasonal performance the new Sky Air® series offers a wide operating range, the ability to re-use existing refrigerant piping, a ‘quiet night’ mode and is compatible with the newly designed seasonal Sky Air® indoor units, including the new FCQG round flow cassette and new FHQG ceiling suspended cassette.

Europe has for some time required objective measurements of equipment performance, which determine the minimum requirements that must be met by manufacturers and provide consumers with better information on air conditioner performance. The current measurement method – nominal efficiency – has limitations, resulting in a significant gap between announced performance and actual performance.

The more accurate measurement – seasonal efficiency – is determined by considering several rating temperatures for cooling and heating instead of just one and the integration into the calculation of operation at partial capacity instead of full capacity. Since most systems operate most of the time under a partial load, the new methodology gives a better indication of expected real-life performance. The new seasonal efficiency calculation will also take account of the power consumed by devices in auxiliary modes such as standby mode.

Daikin Europe products are distributed in the UK by Daikin Airconditioning UK Ltd and Space Airconditioning plc.

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Laidlaw Solutions Limited once again featured prominently in the 2010/11 Architectural Ironmongery Specification Awards organised by the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers and the RIBA. Held this year at Ironmongers Hall in the Barbican, Laidlaw’s Rose Lodge project in Hebburn, Tyne and Wear was judged overall 'Winner of Winners' as well as 'Best Public Sector Project'. Laidlaw worked alongside award winning healthcare specifiers Medical Architecture (MAAP) and Laing O’Rourke in the fit-out of the £6.1m Specialist Care Centre. Twelve en-suite bedrooms cater for the specific needs of acute, enhanced and supported care adults with learning disabilities so products from the specialist Laidlaw Orbis Anti-Ligature range were specified throughout. The company was also 'Commended' in the 'Hospitality and Residential Buildings' category for its work with specialist fit-out contractor E. E. Smith on Bespoke Hotels’ new Bermondsey Square Hotel project.

The GAI / RIBA Specification Awards are acknowledged as recognizing the best projects, regardless of budget or scale, with each award being made jointly to the architect and ironmongery provider. Laidlaw Solutions Group Managing Director John Jefferies commented, “These awards recognise excellence in what is undoubtedly one of the crucial elements of any commercial interior. The ultimate accolade afforded to us as 'Winner of Winners' is a reflection of the hard work put in by Laidlaw personnel throughout what was an exacting specification and scheduling process. The two Laidlaw projects highlighted illustrate the totally different scheduling requirements for projects large and small that Laidlaw now routinely manages throughout the UK.”

Receiving the awards with Architectural Ironmongery Division MD Peter O’Brien (far left) are Group Marketing Manager Shafiq Sharif, Regional Manager Clint Robertson, Ian Tyrens of Northumberland and Tyne & Wear NHS Trust and MAAP Project Architect Lianne Knotts. Completing the group are those involved in the Bermondsey Square Hotel project, Laidlaw Doorsets Major Projects Manager David Manley and Doorsets Division MD Ian Hopkinson and, on the far right E. E. Smith’s Senior Buyer Matthew Incles. Architectural Ironmongery Sales Director Simon Walden is also featured second right.

Laidlaw confirmed its commitment to the promotion of design excellence by sponsoring the Public Education Buildings Award category. Group Marketing Manager Shafiq Sharif concluded, “The GAI / RIBA Awards continue to increase in prominence and as one of the industry’s leading players we felt that sponsorship would help raise the profile of the event still further.”

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Marshall-Tufflex’s hi-speed MT32 plug and play 32Amp power connection system, contained within extra deep, bespoke underfloor boxes, has enabled the safe and secure supply of large volumes of power and data cabling to a new state-of-the-art school building.

Located in Grimsby, the new Oasis Academy Wintringham replaces an old, out-dated school building next door. Receiving high praise from the community it serves, pupils are able to study in a school that now boasts a technology block, a 21st century piazza, many new sports facilities and even a hi-tech dining suite complete with push button technology.

As with all new and refurbished schools, blackboards, paper and pencils are being replaced with the very latest Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and electronic learning facilities. This is creating a need for advanced cable management solutions to accommodate more complex data wiring and increasing amounts of networked devices.

National building services provider, NG Bailey, which was responsible for the installation and commissioning of all mechanical and electrical services for the new Oasis Academy building, needed an underfloor solution to accommodate non-standard, over-sized, interactive wire distribution boards and connectors. Lockable lids, for secure access to the boxes in a school environment, were also a priority.

“We do a lot of work in the education environment, where there is need for the safe delivery and management of large amounts of power and data cabling. We found MT32 ideal for that,“ said Kevin Cherry, project engineer for NG Bailey.

“We received MT32 units to a very tight deadline ready for plug and play connection on-site, which enabled us to stick to a robust on-site working schedule,” concluded Mr Cherry.

Cable management specialist Marshall-Tufflex supplied MT32 steel conduit and extra deep, special order 120mm floor boxes to provide an extra 20mm depth over the standard 100mm box. The boxes were supplied complete with tap-offs and lockable lids.

Main contractor for the project was Clugston Construction. Newey & Eyre was the wholesale supplier and NG Bailey completed all work from specification to final installation of all mechanical and electrical services.

MT32 is a prefabricated system that eliminates the need to manually hard-wire floor or accessory boxes, thereby reducing on-site installation times and making cost savings and demanding deadlines more achievable.

Supplied as an underfloor solution, floor boxes come pre-wired and pre-tested with male and female connectors and only need circuit testing before signing off. Because it is a plug and play system, MT32 can also be easily reconfigured should additional IT equipment, for example, be required or classroom layouts altered.

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Greg Jolliff has been appointed managing director of fan coil manufacturer, Ability Projects Ltd, Wimborne, Dorset in which position he takes over from Peter Lowther who has adopted the role of chairman.

Mr Jolliff, who holds a B.Eng in mechanical engineering from The University of Wales, College of Cardiff, is a founder shareholder of Ability, helping to set up the company on leaving Quartz plc in January 2001, initially as technical manager and later becoming technical director in March 2009. During the intervening years, Mr Jolliff played a major part in the design and development of Ability fan coil and ancillary products and systems.

In his new position as chairman, Peter Lowther intends to play an expanding role by devoting more time to identifying and developing export opportunities, sourcing complementary products and systems , investigating and evaluating new designs, growing the flourishing dealer desk market and moving the company’s state of the art MATRIX system further forward via the application of new technologies.

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Custom-built electrical power distribution products from Lewden Electrical Industries provide the ideal solution for projects where an off-the-shelf product will not deliver the required performance.

Lewden’s in-house design and build facilities enable the company to produce bespoke products for use in systems up to 415VAC, built around stock enclosures or using custom-manufactured enclosures to meet the needs of the project. Enclosures are available in a wide range of materials and colours and can be supplied for indoor, outdoor or extreme environments.

Calling on over 50 years experience, Lewden has supplied customised solutions for a wide range of sectors including industrial, commercial, military, marine, leisure and rail applications. Bespoke products include variations on the standard Lewden and Palazzoli ranges, switchgear up to 3500A, process control PLC based control systems, motor control centres and starters, transformers up to 200kVA, power factor correction, socket outlet-based distribution.

Recent projects include the design and manufacture of a mains/generator changeover electrical distribution system for NHS mobile operating theatres; temporary power distribution boxes, featuring a very lightweight design for use in submarines and laboratory electrical testing stations.

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Ecobuild 2011 provided an ideal opportunity for the BBA to present its range of services to over 50,000 visitors. The stand featured major displays on Agrément Certificates, Microgeneration and related certification and Thermal Modelling, and also covered the BBA’s testing and inspection activities and services.

More than twenty Certificates were formally presented during the exhibition, including Agrément Certificates, MCS Certificates and one Certificate of Competency for the BBA/TIMSA scheme, developed to ensure high quality U-value and Condensation Risk calculations. More information and a selection of photographs can be found on the BBA website, www.bbacerts.co.uk.

The BBA’s Sales and Communications Director Alan Thomas, was probably the most photographed person at the show and was delighted with the event, by declaring: “It was great to meet so many existing and prospective clients at Ecobuild and it was gratifying to hear so many positive comments about the work we are doing, and the value placed on our Certificates, from architects, contractors and building control personnel.”

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Air conditioning specialist Holborn Building Services Ltd is helping the Nationwide Building Society to upgrade the air conditioning systems in several retail branches, removing the old R22 systems, and replacing them with modern R410a units that offer more energy efficiency and central control.

R22 gas is being phased out because it has ozone-depleting potential yet there are still many thousands of systems in operation across a host of UK industries. Companies such as the Nationwide need to find ways of replacing these systems whilst keeping branch disruption and costs to a minimum.

Holborn has been working with Vinci Facilities, the Facilities Management provider for Nationwide's Retail Branch network, as part of the Building Society's ongoing program of energy saving initiatives and equipment upgrade.

“In most cases, Holborn has only had to replace the outdoor and indoor units and has been able to keep all of the existing piping and wiring,” explains Project Manager, Tim Smith of Vinci Facilities.

“This has meant business as usual inside the branch for Nationwide as we have been able to minimise the disruption to branch staff and also retain the integrity of existing decoration and wall finishes,”  adds Smith.

The use of new R22 gas is now banned and recycled R22 refrigerant is being phased out, so businesses that still rely on these old systems will have to consider ways of replacing these air conditioning units.

Many building and facilities managers will have to factor this replacement into their budgets over the next four years, but as Holborn Building Services Director, Nick Scragg explains, understanding the options available can mean that the impact and costs can be minimsed if the appropriate equipment, installed by an accredited installer is chosen.

“With systems like Mitsubishi Electric's Replace range, many R22 units can simply be removed and the pipework cleaned and reused.  This means that the work can be carried out around retail hours without incurring the additional costs of out of hours working,” adds Scragg. “This reduces the work and helps control replacement costs as well as minimising the impact on the branch, its staff and its customers.”

All of the Mitsubishi Electric equipment that Holborn is installing is listed on the Government's Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) Scheme, allowing Nationwide to offset the capital cost against its annual tax bill.  In addition, Holborn is able to offer extended warranties as it is an Accredited Mitsubishi Electric Installer.

“We are also taking the opportunity to install Mitsubishi's Procon A2M interface controller, which allows the new air conditioning to be connected to a web-based monitoring system,” Scragg says. “Using GPRS communication, this means that Vinci Facilities can remotely apply time schedules and limit set points for the Nationwide to constantly maximise efficiency levels.”
 
The web-based controller offers full data logging which means that the Nationwide can see how equipment is being used in each branch and set limits on upper and lower temperatures.  This helps to reduce energy use further and minimises equipment wear.

In order to establish what is needed for each individual branch, Holborn staff undertake a survey using a state-of-the-art audit tool from Mitsubishi Electric. This produces an energy/carbon reduction assessment, which highlights ways of reducing energy use further.

Holborn's energy assessment can also be used as a basis for an application for interest-free funding from the Carbon Trust for new equipment. Holborn, as registered contractors with the Carbon Trust, can even help with that process by submitting the funding application.

“For Nationwide and Vinci Facilities, the upheaval of R22 replacement is being minimised allowing the branches to operate as usual,” explains Scragg. “The added benefit is that with the modern Mitsubishi Electric equipment they also get much greater control and on-going monitoring to ensure the most cost efficient use of energy.”

The Holborn Group website, www.holborngroup.co.uk has details of all the company's services as well as downloadable case studies, product information and even a film of Holborn at work.

For further information on Mitsubishi Electric's advanced air conditioning and the complete range of Replace models, visit www.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/aircon

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The first 15 of a series of free to download details is now available from Klober via the architectural CAD database website, FastrackCAD. These cover key aspects of roofing, including cold and warm roof ventilation, dry fixing and airtightness, as well as timber frame ventilation. Each drawing is layered and includes an insertion point to manipulate on screen and position at will. Additions to the series will continue throughout 2011. Either go to www.fastrackcad.com for details or use the link from Klober’s new website www.klober.co.uk.

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Cable management specialist Marshall-Tufflex has launched a smart new range of pre-wired office furniture desk units as part of its Underfloor to Desk Solutions range.

The units provide a neat, safe and stylish method of delivering power to desktop devices such as computers and printers, replacing messy and potentially dangerous trailing power cables. Power can be delivered directly from Marshall-Tufflex’s MT32 plug and play 32Amp power distribution system or via Marshall-Tufflex’s Series 507 or any other powertrack sytem.

The system is fully segregated with Clean Earth (CE) and standard versions available, together with optional MCBs and RCD protection. The desk units comply with BS 6396 for Electrical Systems in Office Furniture and with BS 1363-2, where applicable. Colour coding indicates red for 3.15Amp and yellow for 5Amp.

The desk units are also compatible with a range of prefabricated wiring systems using standard 16Amp connectors and compact 32Amp connectors. Units are supplied as standard in black ABS and aluminium. However, aluminium units required with a silver-grey anodised finish are also available by contacting Marshall-Tufflex’s Technical Team.

Full details of the new office furniture desk units are available in Marshall-Tufflex’s newly launched Underfloor to Desk Solutions brochure, a full-colour 40-page brochure which comprehensively outlines where, when and how its underfloor to desk systems (including Series 507) work, with photographs, clearly annotated pictures and exploded diagrams detailing technical, specification and installation information.

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The World is a unique ship serving as a residential community and is owned by its residents. It has a total of 165 residential units including apartments, studio apartments and studios. The owners, from over 40 countries, can live on board the ship or join it as they wish as it slowly circumnavigates the globe stopping for a few days in ports along the way.

When its onboard Engineering Team found it necessary to replace a section of corroded steel pipe supplying water to the ship's laundry unit they contacted GF to obtain a solution. GF were please to recommend their INSTAFLEX PB piping system which would provide a reliable, fast to install and corrosion free solution.

Fortunately the ship had a planned call in the UK and it was possible for the required materials including 80 metres of 75mm pipe and the necessary fittings to be delivered to the docks ready for collection. Also, GF marine specialist, Andy Jenkins, was able to join the ship to discuss the installation and provide the necessary jointing training for The World's Engineering Team.

Due to the location of the existing corroded pipework the lightweight, flexible INSTAFLEX piping system with electrofusion jointing, proved ideal for the maintenance crew to install in the tight confines within the deckhead service ducts. Chief Engineer, Brian Hannah commented that “corrosion of steel piping systems is a continual problem on board ships. Replacing these systems, where possible, with GF INSTAFLEX which is easy to install and corrosion free is the ideal long term solution to this problem. In addition to the laundry area GF materials have also been used to replace piping systems to the swimming pools and the water treatment systems, which were also showing signs of corrosion.”

With corrosion of metal and copper pipework causing increasing problems for on board engineering departments piping systems from GF provide a cost effective long term solution.

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