Story

Leading steel window company Crittall has launched two RIBA-approved CPD (Continuing Professional Development) modules aimed at architects and designers.

One presents ‘A strong case for specifying exterior steel windows and doors’, while the other addresses ‘Inspirational interiors – specifying steel partitions and screens.’

RIBA CPD assists professionals working in the design disciplines to manage their own development of skills, knowledge and experience on an ongoing basis.

The presentations, which each last for about an hour with full supporting material, are aimed at architectural practices and other specifiers who wish to bring their staff up to date with the latest developments in the field of steel fenestration.

“We welcome approaches from architects and others who would like us to arrange CPD sessions to share technical details and development trends in the field of our steel windows, doors, partitions and screens,” said Crittall Sales Director Russell Ager.

As the world’s longest established manufacturer of steel windows, with a history dating back to 1849, Crittall is in a unique position to impart detailed information about the use of steel fenestration and its continued evolution to meet exacting modern glazing requirements while offering design solutions across all market sectors and relevant to both restoration of historic buildings or state-of-the-art new build.

The growing use of steel for internal partitions and screens, becoming sought after in many high-end residential, commercial and retail settings, will be addressed in the second of the two CPD presentations.

For details of how to attend these two CPD modules please contact:

hq@crittall-windows.co.uk

View Crittall's profile:

Story

Condair, the world’s leading humidification specialist, is expanding its product portfolio with a range of advanced commercial and industrial dehumidifiers.

The new Condair dehumidifier range comprehensively covers both desiccant and condensing technologies with extensive standard capacities from 0.5kg/h to 182kg/h (@20°C/60%RH). Custom units are also available, which are capable of providing even greater dehumidification or operating under specific or extreme environmental conditions required by an application.

Condair desiccant dehumidifiers use a silica-coated sorption rotor to absorb moisture from the air. This type of technology is ideal for low temperature conditions or applications that require very dry air, below 50%RH. The dehumidifier’s sorption rotor is regenerated with a heated airflow and the wet, hot air is vented externally. As standard, electrical heat exchangers are used for this regeneration process but gas-fired, steam or hot-water heat exchangers can also be used, either alongside the electrical heater or instead of it, to reduce energy and operating costs.

The desiccant dehumidifiers, from Condair, are designed to allow additional modules to be seamlessly attached on either the process or regeneration airflows. These modules provide pre or post-cooling, post-heating or air-cooled condensation removal. Being able to customise the system with these modules allows air to be delivered to an area or room at a precise temperature as well as the correct humidity. The air-cooled condensation module removes the need for external venting of the wet regeneration airflow, making the system even more flexible in its operation.

Condair condensing dehumidifiers use a refrigerant circuit to remove moisture from the air, as it condenses on cooling coils. This type of technology is ideal for lowering humidity to around 50%RH. Features of the range include hot-gas defrost as standard, to control icing on the cooling coil and ensure efficient operation at lower room temperatures. Temperature neutral models are also available that have a secondary, externally located condenser. This allows some of the heat generated by the refrigerant circuit to be vented outside and the dry conditioned air to be delivered back to the room at the same temperature as the incoming humid air.

Both desiccant and condensing dehumidifiers can be operated as stand-alone systems, providing dry air directly to a room’s atmosphere, or attached to a duct network to distribute conditioned air to a wider area. Due to the extremely large capacities available in the Condair range, a single unit is often capable of serving a whole building.

Condair Group is the world’s leading specialist in humidity control and evaporative cooling, with energy efficient, hygienic and innovative technologies for commercial, industrial and heritage applications. Condair is represented in the UK by Condair plc, which offers system design, manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning, maintenance and spares. Condair plc is the new name for JS Humidifiers following the organisation’s rebranding in October 2014. You can find out more by visiting the company’s website at www.condair.co.uk.

View Condair's profile:

Story

Saniflo – inventor of the macerator with more than 60 years’ experience and the number one in the UK macerator market – is launching a raft of new products featuring new technological advancements for the domestic and commercial plumbing sectors, a new product catalogue available now and an extended warranty for domestic products. The hassle-free, plug and play range is designed to be the best on the market featuring ease of installation and maintenance with new and improved noise and vibration reduction.

Firm favourites from the domestic range to have undergone improvements include Saniflo Up, Sanitop Up, Saniplus Up, Sanivite, Sanishower, Sanipro Up, Sanipack Up and the Saniwall Pro designed with Grohe cistern technology. An extra bonus across all new products in the domestic range is a special three-year extended warranty period – on top of the two-year standard warranty – once the product is registered. This unbeatable warranty period reflects Saniflo’s confidence in the new designs.

The easy to understand range of new Saniflo macerators and pumps is the most comprehensive to date with improved technology and quieter units with easier access than ever before, and as the outlet pipes remain identical, product replacement is swift and straightforward.

For the commercial sector, industry professionals will love the new and improved versions of commercial sector essentials Sanispeed +, Sanicubic 1, Sanicubic 2 Pro, Sanicubic 2 Classic, and Sanicubic 2 XL Single Phase and Sanicubic 2 XL Three Phase.

The new 2017 product catalogue features domestic and commercial products in an easy to navigate format, giving industry professionals all they need to specify the right product for each project, no matter how small and simple or large and complex a project may be.

Saniflo UK Customer Services and Marketing Manager, Ann Boardman, comments: “We’re very excited about the opportunities of 2017 after an impressive 2016, plus the launch of many innovative, fantastic new and improved products, the release of our new brochure with at-a-glance overviews of the entire range, in a stylish and simple to follow format and, of course, the extended warranty for domestic products.

“This is our strongest new product launch ever and we’ve got the all the macerators and pumps the sector needs. We may be market leader, but we continually innovate and improve our technology to ensure our products remain the best available, in terms of design, functionality, technology, cost effectiveness and longevity.”

To order your copy of the new Saniflo domestic and commercial product catalogue visit www.saniflo.co.uk

View Saniflo's profile:

Story

Specialist installer SEH Commercial has completed its first major installation using the REHAU Polytec 50 aluminium clad curtain walling system.

The Suffolk based company has successfully installed a 20m high replacement curtain walling section across the common stairwell area in the high profile eight storey, 1960s Greenlaw Court apartment block in Ealing, West London.

Successfully tested to the tough CWCT standards for weather performance and Passivhaus certified and approved, the REHAU Polytec aluminium clad curtain walling matches the aesthetics of the steel curtain walling which was in place previously, but offers much improved thermal performance and minimal requirements for maintenance.

REHAU Polytec 50, which uses a conventional transom/mullion construction with box steel stick sections faced internally with PVC profile and externally with aluminium, was specified by Cooley Architects.  SEH and REHAU’s commercial sales manager Kevin O’Neill worked closely with architect Gebina Ham, director at Cooley Architects, on the specification and recommended REHAU Polytec 50 because it could meet both the planning department’s requirement for slim sight lines and the residents association’s requirement for cost effectiveness.

Alongside the curtain walling, SEH also installed more than 130 windows in the 34 apartments in the Greenlaw Court block fabricated in the flush fitting REHAU TOTAL70R fully reversible window system.  These replaced the original steel windows from the 1960s, replicating the overall appearance and opening options but offering the block’s residents improved thermal performance, better acoustics and greater security.

The curtain walling, windows and 32 balcony doors in a REHAU TOTAL70 outer frame were all fabricated by leading REHAU fabricator Climatec, based in Southend.

The window, door and curtain walling replacement at Greenlaw Court was part of a much larger refurbishment project managed entirely by SEH which also included concrete repairs, asbestos removal, electrical and service alterations and building decoration.

The feedback from the Residents Association has been very positive, not just on the performance of SEH during the refurbishment programme but also on the fact that the building is now much more air tight, with lower traffic noise and improved thermal efficiency.

View Rehau's profile:

Story

The use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) became mandatory on 4th April 2016. All stakeholders working on publicly funded projects are now expected to use (BIM) to level 2.

The intention of the BIM initiative is to help fulfil government targets for reducing waste in construction. Minimising waste that occurs as a result of inefficiencies, abortive work, discrepancies, inefficiencies etc in the supply chain, is a fundamental objective of the BIM approach.

Electrium is supporting this initiative by ensuring that its customers can easily access BIM files for Crabtree, Wylex and Volex Accessory products by requesting this via the Electrium website.

For more information please visit www.electrium.co.uk/contact-us

View Electrium's profile:

Story

Crittall Holdings has announced the acquisition of the Trade and Assets of Fendor – a leading UK company with expertise in the provision of high security, ballistic and bombproof fenestration. The Newcastle-based company is also a major supplier of windows used in custodial and mental health institutions and the petrochemical industries.

The acquisition creates Crittall Fendor that will complement the Essex-based Crittall Group of companies in a number of significant ways. It expands the range of products and markets served, and offers geographical benefits in assisting Crittall Windows with its North of England and Scottish operations.

Thanks to its strong technical reputation on both sides of the Atlantic Crittall is ideally placed to expand market share in the US where, for example, Fendor has recently passed rigorous fire testing of products aimed at the oil and gas industry.

Association with the Crittall brand will also benefit Fendor’s range of specialist products within the UK.

Stuart Judge, Managing Director of The Crittall Group of Companies, said:

“This is a win-win situation for Crittall, for Fendor, and for all our customers. We are now able to offer an unparalleled range of fenestration from steel windows, doors and screens for residential and commercial use to specialist security glazing that meets the stringent requirements of industrial, medical and government clients.”

Graham Dotchin from Tait Walker Corporate Finance, who advised the shareholders of Fendor said:

“It is great news that Crittall Fendor have been able to secure this competitive advantage and that it is committed to retaining the North East facility, grow employment opportunities for the region and ensure that the end users of the products continue to benefit from them”.

Crittall is continuing to develop plans involving its Windows and Fabrication divisions and is committing significant investment in both systems and machinery. The Group’s diverse and geographical spread is enabling it to build a wider and increasingly stable footprint in both the UK and export markets for the future.

www.crittall-fendor.co.uk

View Crittall Fendor's profile: