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As was one of the first UK industrial sectors to publish its sustainability policy, the brick industry established key performance indicators as early as 2002 to assess its progress in matching the targets and aspirations defined in its own sustainability strategy.

The Brick Development Association (BDA) which represents the majority of the United Kingdom and Ireland's clay brick and paver industries has now published the Industry's sustainability credentials in a leaflet entitled; “Brick: Building A Sustainable Resource For The Future”.

Sustainability is not just about recycling or the use of carbon-free materials. Nor is it just about the embodied energy accrued through the processes of sourcing, production and transport. It is about the whole-life energy consumption of a product. The crucial additional element in any sustainability calculations is how much it costs to look after a product once it has become part of a building. This is where brick scores against competing materials.

The brochure provides crucial information for everyone involved in the specification of brick and masonry walling systems, including architects, engineers, planners, specifiers, developers, builders and property developers. All the facts laid down in it are fully supported by research and independent assessments.

Katherina Lewis, Marketing Manager for the BDA says, “We're keen to show the industry why brick is best and why it ticks all the boxes as a natural building material. The BDA continues to invest heavily in promoting the benefits of brick and by publishing our sustainability credentials in this way helps to support the brick industry by dispelling any misconceptions about using brick, including cost, durability and environmental issues”.

“Brick: Building A Sustainable Resource For The Future” can be viewed and downloaded from the BDA's website at www.brick.org.uk/sustainabilitythefacts.

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'clean and protect' saves money, energy, emissions and maintenance costs

All heating systems, however large or small, will work better with good quality circulating water in them. That's simply a fact. It's accepted by every boiler manufacturer, renewable heating manufacturer and under floor heating manufacturer – there's really no one who will argue with that.

Whether it's a traditional heating system driven by one or more commercial boilers, with radiators as the means of emitting heat, or a renewable heating system driven by a solar thermal system or by a ground source or air source heat pump with under floor heating as the main source of sharing heat – water treatment products will ensure that the system operates as efficiently as possible, saving energy use, saving money and reducing emissions – it's all about cleaning and protecting the investment in a heating system.

A clean system is an efficient and reliable system and ensuring the system is clean at the outset and inhibited or protected to keep it that way, is an important consideration. Renewable systems offer their own challenges with solar thermal systems needing to cope with extremes of temperatures from well below freezing up to in excess of 230 C and heat pump installations needing to be prepared to resist microbiological growth as bacteria and fungi thrive on the glycol content of the glycol based heat transmission fluid.

So having agreed that water treatment is a sensible necessity, it makes sense to use the best water treatment products you can buy. There's little point skimping on what for most systems, will be a very small part of the total system outlay. By using cheap water treatment products, you may in fact be putting the heating system it's in, at risk. By selecting high quality products you also buy into the opportunity to purchase a wider range of products, ones that offer increased robustness to deliver better protection and value added products such as test kits that allow you to quickly and simply test a system to see if it already has water treatment products circulating and also the level of dosage required to give the system the right level of protection.

Building Regulations accepts that water treatment is essential in the heating systems in our homes, so it's easy to recognise how important it is for larger living spaces to benefit from water treatment protection – nursing homes, sheltered housing developments and the like, or for commercial and industrial properties – schools, hospitals, municipal buildings, factories, offices – where you simply can't risk the heating system shutting down because of blockages, or debris in the circulating water, or in renewable systems, if the glycol-based circulating fluid degrades prematurely and fails to deliver the efficient heating it's designed to deliver.

The benefits of using high quality water treatment products – recommended by leading heating and equipment manufacturers by name – are many and various but put simply, they save money, save time, reduce CO2 emissions, result in the use of less energy and a vital argument that sometimes gets overlooked – significantly reduce the maintenance costs associated with heating systems and their components.

For commercial users, these products can contribute towards reducing a company's CRC commitment costs and with a larger than anticipated emphasis towards commercial premises in the recently announced Renewable Heat Initiative (RHI) – it could have a major role to play here too.

All boiler and renewable heating manufacturers – domestic or commercial – accept that the two key problems they face are poor quality installation practices and poor quality circulating water and glycol based fluids in the heating systems. They address the first problem by investing significantly in training programmes for the people who install their boilers and they encourage solutions to the second by recommending by name the water treatment products they want to see used alongside their products.

Making your heating system operate energy efficiently, day in, day out in this day and age, is essential. Extending the life of the heating system is vital. Using good quality water treatment products clearly makes huge sense.

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REHAU has launched a new anti-microbial option for both its PROFILA data and COMPACT data cable management systems.

It has been designed specifically to help reduce micro organisms which may cause harmful infections and diseases in environment such as hospitals and schools. REHAU’s cable trunking incorporates BioCote’s silver ion antimicrobial technology which inhibits the growth of bacteria and mould.

Tests have shown that products incorporating this technology at the time of manufacturer help to reduce levels of bacteria including MRSA, E-Coli, Salmonella and Listeria on surfaces by up to 99%.

A pilot study carried out by BioCote and the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust compared bacterial counts in two outpatient departments. One of the departments was furnished with products incorporating the BioCote silver ion technology, which is now being used by REHAU. The other contained standard, untreated items. The results of the 18 month study, which was published in the Journal of Infection Prevention, showed that bacteria counts in the BioCote treated environment were 95.8% lower than those in the untreated department.

REHAU’s new antimicrobial trunking provides an additional level of protection against microbial organisms which can also cause product deterioration, discolouration and bad odours.

Boris Romero, REHAU’s New Product Development Manager, said: “REHAU has a successful track record in the Health and Education sectors with large scale contracts at many BSF projects including the London hospitals, the largest hospital redevelopment project in the UK. This new initiative will strengthen our position still further and meet increasing demand from clients and end-users for safe and hygienic solutions.”

The new PROFILA data and COMPACT data anti-microbial trunking are now available for volume orders. For further information, contact REHAU on: 01989 762600 or visit www.rehau.co.uk

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REHAU's Chief Executive Martin Hitchin met with Jesse Norman, the MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire, earlier this week to discuss the government's support for the Renewable Heat Incentive.

Martin Hitchin said: “The Renewable Heat Incentive has delivered a welcome degree of certainty to the sustainable energy sector and we certainly hope to see further similar positive announcements as the coalition reveals more about its energy strategy in the coming months.

“Companies like REHAU, which are committed to investing in the development of both renewable and sustainable energy technologies, are looking to the coalition for long term support and it was very gratifying that Jesse Norman, who had previously supported the RHI, took the time to listen to this point of view.”

During the meeting, Martin Hitchin gave details of REHAU's plans to invest in its production facilities in North Wales and also repeated the company's commitment to the Herefordshire region, where its Ross on Wye HQ is based.

Martin continued: “REHAU is one of only a small number of international companies to have its UK headquarters in Herefordshire and we are very much committed to the future wealth and prosperity of the region, as this meeting with our constituency MP demonstrates.”

Jesse Norman MP added: “Renewable heat is a very important industrial sector of the 21st century, and REHAU is exactly the kind of technology-based international business that we need more of in Herefordshire.

“I am very excited by several of their new technologies, and by their long-term commitment to the county. And I am absolutely delighted that a Herefordshire business is using world beating ideas to meet global energy challenges.”

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The need to know what's flowing where in building services is fundamental to well managed services, good energy/water management, reduced consumption and costs. Whether it's LPHW, Hot water services, Chilled Water, Liquid Heat/Energy flow or Potable water, when you're looking to improve efficiency and reduce consumption and associated costs at some stage in the process you need to know what's flowing where!

Clamp-on, ultrasonic flow measurement is an excellent technology for temporary investigations or permanent flow measurement solutions. Instruments are available to operate on a standalone basis, often with integral logging facilities and the facility for information to be uploaded or permanently connected to aM&T systems.

The potential application of the technology as an Energy Management tool is significant. And it's been utilised by a wide range of organisations including Luton Borough Council, Network Rail, Kings College, Ricoh Arena, University of Manchester and many others. Micronics is the longest established UK Company specialising in the design, manufacture and application of Clamp-on, ultrasonic flow measurement. Applications include, verifying the operation of existing meters, establishing flow and consumption patterns, checking the correct sizing of installed pumps, sizing water filters and permanent meters as part of an aM&T system. But the potential for wider use in both existing and new build is significant and to aid this process Micronics are currently providing CPD presentations to Building Services organisations across the country with the aim of increasing understanding, general awareness and wider application of the technology. If you would like further information on Clamp-on, ultrasonic flow metering, an on-site demonstration of the technology for your specific application or would like to arrange a CPD presentation for your organisation please visit www.micronicsflowmeters.com .

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Daikin Europe N.V. announces the introduction of VRV®III-Q the second generation of its Replacement VRV®III cost effective upgrade solution for systems based on the banned R-22 refrigerant. VRV®III-Q enables existing R-22 heat pump or heat recovery systems to be upgraded state of the art R-410A systems. Since the existing installation piping and in many cases also the indoor units can be retained, the installation minimum downtime and new investment is needed.

Cost effective and easy

From the onset of the R-22 ban, Daikin presented the market with a cost-effective solution in its first generation VRV®III-Q system, with which existing piping and in many cases the indoor units, could be retained. The new second generation, larger capacity outdoor units (up to 48 HP) have a reduced footprint, which is smaller than corresponding R-22 outdoor units, allowing their one-to-one replacement. As a result, existing power supply connections can also be retained.

VRV®III-Q is designed to operate the lower pressures suitable for existing R-22 piping whilst maintaining high energy efficiency. The use of automatic charging and cleaning obviates the need for new piping required in the past for system upgrades due to oil and contaminants in existing piping – even in the case of previous compressor breakdown. In many cases, only the outdoor units need to be replaced, allowing phased replacement, spreading of investment costs and minimal disruption to business operations.

VRV®III-Q is available in capacities of 5 to 48 HP (heat pump) and 10 to 30 HP (heat recovery) models. All existing Daikin R-22 and R-407C VRV® installations can be replaced and many non Daikin R-22 or R-407C installations can also be upgraded with this system. In addition to possible efficiency gains of more than 40%, system capacity can be increased without changing the refrigerant piping, allowing the system to adapt to increased cooling and heating demand.

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

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Swish has now set 2011's environmental targets for its manufacturing and distribution operations. Under its ISO14001 Environmental Certification Swish has set and met challenging annual targets since early 2007.

Swishhas managed to reduce its carbon footprint by 3.5% in 2010 as a result of setting environmental targets under ISO14001 (based on Carbon Trust Level 1 methodology).

Swish SHEQ Manager David Watts said, “Since 2007 we've reduced the waste which goes off-site by a total of 72%, and this year we are looking to make at least a 10% reduction on 2010 levels.”

David says the company is proud of its efforts. “Any production scrap is recycled and most of our other waste like cardboard, paper, packaging plastic etc is picked up by specialist contractors and recycled.”

“But we don't just dump the rest in landfill,” he adds. “Since the beginning of 2010 anything we can't recycle has been picked up by a specialist contractor that sorts it out for us.”

The Swish environmental targets for 2011 are:

• Landfill -10%
• Electricity -6%
• Water -2%
• Transport Diesel -2%
• Heater fuel to show no increase in 2011

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Crabtree Weatherseal accessories are waterproof to IP56 making them ideally suitable for any extremes of the UK climate, particularly a winter such as the one we’ve just survived. The IP56 rating confirms the products are proof against rain, including hailstones and snow, dust and small particles of dirt, in fact almost any medium that, for reasons of safety, should be kept firmly outside of the working mechanism of both socket outlet and switch. They are also available with an integrated RCD for even greater protection, in line with the latest 17th edition which specifies them in new and refurbished installations more widely now than ever before.

With April showers and more to cope with this spring, the IP56 rating of Weatherseal is paramount, and achieved by the surround to the socket being fitted with a specially formulated substance, impervious to water and dust. It differs from the gel-like substances used by other manufacturers as it is made from a new, specially developed and highly effective material, helping the switch retain its IP 56 rating after repeated use. When a standard 13A plug is fitted in the socket the lid can be easily closed, the whole outlet is sealed off against dust and dirt particles.

But for maximum safety outdoors or in a similarly hostile environment, Weatherseal waterproof RCD protected 13A sockets should be used.  In those parts of a house or annexe, such as a conservatory or utility room, or in a stand-alone building like a workshop or garage, where water might be sprayed for instance when washing down cars, they are key. In commercial applications where dust or oily deposits are present, their use is equally important.

The Weatherseal range from Crabtree is very affordable, and offers switches rated at 20A.  Socket outlets come as single un-switched, and twin switched DP 13A or 13A BS7288 RCD protected outlets also available. In common with many other Crabtree products, Weatherseal can be customised on site by using most items from the standard or Euromodule range.

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Acknowledged as one of Britain’s leading manufacturers of wiring accessories and circuit protection equipment, Crabtree’s diverse product range is renowned for its outstanding quality and excellent value for money. With over 200 pages, Crabtree’s new catalogue for 2010 provides contractors with all the relevant information required to select the right Crabtree product for the job, with the specific features and benefits of each range clearly detailed.

The product sections enable contractors to easily identify the items they require, while the technical pages provide all the necessary information regarding specifications, dimensions, capacities, performance and the standards and approvals to which the products conform. Typical installation layouts are illustrated for different types of consumer unit to assist contractors with circuit protection design in conformance with the 17th edition. In addition to product selection information for each range, the catalogue contains data that includes wiring diagrams and assembly instructions, all designed to help simplify on-site installation.

Recently introduced products include colour-coded additions to the unique Biocote? anti-microbial accessory range, energy-saving card switches, and an extension to the range of Part M accessories, including a new Seeklight that is suitable for use with all Crabtree light switches. The circuit protection section now includes Crabtree consumer units, benefitting from new style MCBs, RCBOs and spine backplate units, with many additional configurations now available. There are also additions to their associated modular control devices, including new-style time switches.

Advance information regarding the new Transform décor range is also included in the new catalogue, allowing a preview of the exciting possibilities this adaptable new product will bring to the marketplace. Overall, the catalogue provides a comprehensive and essential practical reference book, which should always be kept at hand by every electrician.

Copies of the new Crabtree Catalogue are available from Electrium sales, by phoning 01543 455010 or by visiting www.electrium.co.uk

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The 2011 Technical DVD is now available and contains all current databooks, installation, service, operation and parts manuals across our entire air conditioning range. Manuals include those relating to the new Zen products through to City Multi YJM-A VRF systems and our comprehensive controls options, to name but a few.

Also available is the new M Series MXZ Multi-Split Systems brochure. MXZ multi-split heat pump systems are an economic answer to multi-room applications and ideal for shops or small commercial buildings. Utilising R410A refrigerant and flexible enough to suit a number of applications, the range includes models that will run up to eight indoor units per single outdoor unit, between 5.2 and 15.5kW. With vastly reduced power consumption, inverter control and with increased pipe length and height differences over its R407c predecessors, the M Series MXZ range is extremely efficient and versatile, helping to make system application easier.

To get your copy of either of these, please call your local sales office today.

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