Story

Any business using more than 6000 megawatts of electricity needs to register on the Government’s Carbon Reduction Commitment scheme (CRC’s) by April 2010. The CRC is a cap and trade scheme introduced by the Government with a target of reducing carbon emissions by one-third by 2050. The scheme demands that around 5,000 organisations, those that consume over 6 GWh/year and who operate half hourly metering join, and participants will have to purchase carbon allowances based on the Information Packs they receive from the Environment Agency.

Initially organisations will need to accurately monitor their energy use emissions and record that information into a database designed to perform all monitoring and targeting functions. Whilst this starting point targets the biggest users of electricity, its just that – a starting point with the aim of the scheme is to encourage business across the board to use less energy and generate less in the way of CO2 emissions. It’s the start of ‘the polluter pays’ tax approach that will gather pace here in the UK and across Europe in the next five years.

Most businesses know the CRC is coming – very few have done much about it yet! The time to prepare is now and Watermatic, part of the Sentinel Group, offers many large businesses a way of reducing their energy consumption by reducing limescale build up in their systems that results in a need to use far more electricity than would be required for clean, scale free plant and hot water systems – in particular, hotels, nursing homes, leisure centres, food processing businesses, offices and retail outlets – are realising that Watermatic has a proven solution to at least part of their immediate problems.

So how much electricity does a business use? Debenhams, for example, uses 233,000 megawatts of electricity a year in its retail outlets and offices and at £12 per tonne for a so called ‘allowance tonne’ of CO2, that’s some bill to pay at the end of the year. Not surprisingly, as a business, Debenhams is looking for ways of reducing its energy usage and carbon footprint, to reduce its CRC’s bill.

Rob Hill who heads up the Watermatic Division : “Businesses in the UK are suddenly faced with a major incentive to reduce electricity usage and to reduce their overall carbon footprint. They knew it was coming but it appears to have been put on the backburner by many businesses that are now having to face up to the consequences of not preparing or acting quickly enough.

“We can help businesses through the supply of our KAL-GUARD+ equipment packages which have been independently proven to reduce scale build up in water systems by up to 80%.”

Straightforward to install, KAL-GUARD+ is an in-line powered electrolytic water treatment device that delivers a proportional release of Zinc to manage limescale within a system. The unit incorporates a simple to use, yet sophisticated controller to match the level of dosing to suit the systems water hardness conditions producing a measurable “residual” effect throughout the system, and as a result in independent testing at Cranfield University has been shown to reduce limescale formation on heat transfer surfaces by up to 80 percent.

Amongst businesses that have already installed KAL-GUARD+ equipment to protect their systems and reduce their energy consumption are well known names such as Birds Eye, BMW, Whitbread, Asda and KrispyCreme Doughnuts!

WATERMATIC provides products to combat limescale and corrosion in commercial and industrial premises. As well as being ideal for use in the hospitality and leisure industries, KAL-GUARD+ is also successfully used in factories, nursing and care homes and government buildings across the UK and Europe. The company implements an ongoing research and development programme to create innovative solutions that fulfil the requirements of many organisations for low cost of ownership with minimum environmental impact. None of the WATERMATIC products use chemicals or produce harmful waste products – but they do ensure the maintenance of a system’s cleanliness and energy efficiency and have WRAS accreditation.

WATERMATIC can provide lime-scale water treatment for up to eight-inch pipework (216mm). Physical corrosion protection is also available as 'in-line' units and are effective against corrosion in steel and galvanised steel pipework as well as mixed metal systems.

Water is the very life-blood of a building and, like the real thing, it has to circulate effectively and perform efficiently. Corrosion and limescale all pose a threat to a building's water systems but with the appropriate preventative measures such as KAL-GUARD+, water systems can continue to provide optimum performance throughout their life.

Rob Hill again: “The Government’s Carbon Reduction Commitment scheme (CRC’s) is concentrating the minds of many major companies that will be immediately part of the scheme from early 2010 and many smaller companies are aware that they will be part of the scheme before too much longer. It simply makes sense to prepare in good time and take actions now that will contribute to the reductions in carbon emissions for which you are responsible, reducing the costs to business and vitally reducing the costs of maintenance now!”

View Watermatic's profile:

Story

ATG Access will be exhibiting at Counter Terror Expo 2010.

14th-15th April.

National Hall, Olympia

Stand E25

View ATG Access's profile:

Story

View Daikin's profile:

Story

Opening mid 2008 and adjacent to BA’s new Terminal 5, the £180 million Sofitel London Heathrow is set to become one of the largest luxury airport hotels and convention centres in Europe. Mirroring the design principles of the neighbouring terminal, this five star hotel is being built on a grand scale with five towering steel and glass atria, which will make the structure instantly recognisable. And Crabtree was chosen to provide all the electrical switchgear and accessories upon which this five star hotel will depend.

Focusing on the concept of ‘the gateway to the world’ as the design inspiration, KCA International Designers, who have previously designed the interiors for Burj Al Arab, Dubai and the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, have embraced the theme of Continent and Country throughout the property. Antarctica takes the central focus in the hotel’s reception areas with a dramatic water fountain centrepiece, which cascades out from a mirrored ceiling onto floodlit ice blocks, which funnel refractive light on the surrounding surfaces. This was one of the reasons why Crabtree Platinum accessories were specified here, and indeed throughout the whole hotel; the high polished chrome finish was chosen to best complement the overall interior design. In all, over £80,000 worth of Platinum accessories was used, in meeting rooms, other public areas and in bedrooms for switches, power data and telecom sockets, and shaver points in the luxurious en-suite facilities.

This 605 bedroom hotel, which will be the third largest meetings and events venue in the UK, will have a total conference capacity of over 2,800 people and will boast 45 meeting rooms, ranging in size from a full-scale conference suite accommodating 1,700 theatre style, to a presidential board room with adjoining salon privé for 14 – all ensuring maximum flexibility. The layout of the hotel’s conference facilities will enable events to be zoned so that they can be held in complete privacy. Larger spaces, such as the Arora Suite will be able to accommodate anything from major product launches and ceremonies to fashion shows. All have been exclusively equipped with Crabtree Platinum accessories

The hotel will also have a 100-seat fine dining restaurant, Brasserie Roux. The Brasserie under the guidance of astronomic legend, Albert Roux will provide diners with the best of French regional cooking amidst a bustling, yet informal backdrop. The restaurant will boast an exclusive boardroom for private use, as well as a ‘Chef’s table’ giving guests the opportunity to dine within the heart of the kitchen, where the same high quality polished chrome accessories are also to be found.

All this five star luxury must rely on an infrastructure that supplies power safely and reliably throughout the building. With over 35 years experience in the design & manufacture of Low Voltage Switchgear, Kane Engineering, in conjunction with Crabtree, supplied the main incoming LV switchboard feeding a series of System Powerstar boards which in turn supply more Loadstar distribution boards. One Crabtree consumer unit then provides managed power to each pair of bedrooms throughout the hotel. In all, the total value of the electrical distribution equipment and accessories supplied for this project is valued at £400,000.

The main building contractor for this outstanding project was Laing O’Rourke, with Mechanical and Electrical subcontractor Crown House Engineering.

Set to become one of the world’s most prestigious airport addresses, Sofitel London Heathrow will be the only hotel to be directly linked to Terminal 5 via its own connecting bridge. It will probably be the largest luxury hotel to be built in the UK before the 2012 Olympics.

View Crabtree's profile:

Story

ATG Access carries on thier International success winning yet more prestigious contracts to provide security solutions.

ATG landed major contracts from:

?Media City
?Bahrain
?Qatar
?Australian Embassy – Kuala Lumpa
?West One
?Belgium
?France

These follow recent completed projects at the British Embassy – Athens, Bahrain and Qatar Financial Centre – Qatar

View ATG Access's profile:

Story

The prestigious Paragon office building, close to Bristol’s historic St Nicholas market, is one of just a mere handful in the south west of the country to be granted a BREEAM “excellent” rating. Air conditioned throughout by Ability Projects MATRIX I EC/DC fan coil units, the £35 million development is a key component of the city’s regeneration programme.

Offering some 75,000ft² of grade ‘A’ office accommodation with ancillary retail space, the 6 storey Paragon also features the high level of insulation and ‘air tightness’ required by BREEAM. Air conditioning is supplied to the office floors by 94 concealed ceiling cassette, 4 pipe MATRIX I EC/DC fan coil units with maximum nominal cooling and heating capacities of 5.06kW, operating at NR34 noise rating at 30pa Pascals resistance.

The Matrix fan coil system is unique in the UK in providing infinitely variable speed control of the entire fan coil unit as well as each fan within it, enabling each air duct to be balanced for air volume through fan speed alone, thus removing the need for costly, noisy volume control dampers and their time consuming installation. Matrix I fan coils are also designed to adjust the overall air volume according to room occupancy, thermal demand or a combination of the two.

The Matrix I system is fitted with a BACnet open protocol intelligent controller, factory pre wired to the fan coil and complete with dedicated software. Developed specifically for use on Ability Matrix fan coil units, this controller not only incorporates modulating valve control and on coil temperature sensing etc – it also offers system users wireless, lap top access to all fan coil features and settings without the need for access to the ceiling void. The air conditioning as well as other advanced mechanical and electrical building services including under floor heating, ventilation, flexible power services, intelligent lighting, open protocol BMS and other services were engineered by Crown House Technology.

View Ability Projects's profile:

Story

ATG Access is proud to announce the acquisition of the exclusive sales and marketing rights of the entire bollard range of Edgar Allen Ltd.

The acquisition not only gives ATG Access the exclusive worldwide rights to sell the range but the flexibility to offer its clients a complete range of perimeter protection for all levels of security.

The bollards this deal encompasses are:
? The Westminster
? The Citadel
? The Excalibur 90
? The Excalibur 125

and the soon to be announced London City Bollard.

The entire Edgar Allen range is available with the ATG Access shallow mount system which requires as little as 112mm foundation depth.

Managing Director of ATG Access, Glenn Cooper said “this deal is a positive step for both ATG Access and Edgar Allen, our expertise will push this great range of bollards out to the global marketplace”.

View ATG Access's profile:

Story

In response to increased demand for fully integrated hydronic solutions, Marflow Hydronics is to change its name to Marflow Hydronic Systems from 1st January 2010.

“Although this is a relatively small change to our name, it marks a significant shift in our approach to the market; and one that reflects feedback from our customers,” commented Marflow Managing Director Paul Fennell. “Marflow has been pioneering the use of innovative new valves and electronic controls, combined with advanced pre-fabrication techniques, for the last few years.

“Now we are able to offer fully engineered solutions that greatly facilitate installation, commissioning and ongoing management of fan coil and chilled beam systems. The resulting time and cost savings are proving very popular with specifiers, installers and end clients,” he added.

In parallel with its recently launched Single Station Balancing and Continuous Commissioning strategies, Marflow will continue to offer its popular Filterball, Terminator and Xterminator products as individual products or as part of a pre-fabricated, engineered system.

View Marflow Hydronics's profile:

Story

Hamilton’s Litestat’s Digital Mercury lighting control system, along with Hamilton’s new Linea CFX lighting wiring accessory range, have been featured within Glasgow’s first architectural lighting showroom which is located in the centre of the city.

This showroom, which is the brainchild of David Shaw, the proprietor of Design Lighting Services Ltd, has been set up as a joint venture with architectural lighting manufacturer Wever and DucrǸ. Since its opening in April this year, the showroom has already become a Mecca for Glasgow architects, designers and consultants as it provides seven themed areas which have been designed to show the different lighting styles to their best effect.

These themed areas cover garden lighting, restaurant lighting, retail lighting, gallery lighting, a test area for designers featuring 8 different types of luminaries, and another area that is used to display architectural retail luminaries. In each of these themed environments Digital Mercury has been used to demonstrate how effectively lighting control can be used to create set scenes and mood lighting effects.

According to David Shaw, “Hamilton’s lighting control system was chosen as it has both the finish and quality to suit our client’s high specification requirements. As it utilises digital technology it allows greater design versatility to suit the more sophisticated demands of commercial and top end domestic lighting projects

“In particular, visitors to the showroom have been impressed with the colour choices that are achievable with compact fluorescent, halogen and LED light sources. When used in conjunction with a DMX controller, Digital Mercury is able to use LEDs to create wall wash variants. This lighting effect is achieved by sequencing through the Red, Green and Blue colours to produce the colour combinations that are required to enhance the visual appeal of the interior architecture or to set mood lighting scenes.”

The simplicity of the Digital Mercury system, which utilises intelligent dimming, has enabled users to set and store lighting scenes, without the requirement for commissioning by specialist engineers. As it can be operated by a number of controller options, including push button and infrared remote controller it offers a very versatile solution.

To provide a complete package, which offers both the lighting control system along with high quality designer controller plates, the showroom has utilised Hamilton’s new and exclusive Linea CFX wiring accessory range. This plate range features split finishes and a patented concealed fixing system to provide a stunning visual impact that is ideal for top end projects. To maintain design continuity these plates can be used for both the Digital Mercury controllers and the rest of the standard accessories within the room, thereby maintaining design continuity throughout the interior design scheme.

To conclude David said, “The reaction to this new showroom has so far been excellent, with architects and designers alike being surprised at the versatility of this simple dimming system and its ability to satisfy their clients’ more sophisticated application demands. The reaction to the new Linea range has also been very good, due to its outstanding characteristics and slimline plate which provide a real WOW factor within higher value projects.”

View Hamilton-Litestat's profile:

Story

Clarehill Plastics Limited, manufacturers of Harlequin Oil Tanks has called for all new and replacement domestic oil storage installations in the United Kingdom, to be afforded the same degree of environmental protection as installations in many mainland EU countries.

At present, Building Regulations throughout the UK require that prior to the installation of a new or replacement domestic oil storage tank, a Risk Assessment is undertaken to determine whether or not a spill from the installation would pose a risk to nearby groundwater sources. In the event, that such a risk exists then secondary containment should be afforded to the installation, either by the installation of a Bunded Tank or the construction of a masonry bund.

However, according to Harlequin's John Switzer, all too often the risk based approach is simply not working.

“Theoretically, the risk based approach has much to commend it, but in the real world it is cumbersome, clumsy, unfit for purpose and cannot be relied upon to provide the level of environmental protection that any reasonable person would expect. Firstly, it fails to provide any protection whatsoever to unknown and unsighted water sources; and secondly it is impractical, requiring that a detailed visual inspection be undertaken of an area not less than 50 x 50 metres. At many domestic properties, it simply is not possible to have access to such a vast area, with the result that even Building Control Officers are reportedly falling foul of the very Regulations they are responsible for implementing.

“It is our opinion that in the real world, the whole premise of the risk assessment is fundamentally flawed. Fuel storage requirements at commercial, industrial and institutional installations require that externally positioned, fuel storage installations with an installed capacity of 200 litres or more are afforded secondary containment. Ironically, such sites will often incorporate pollution prevention features such as interceptors, spill kits and spill control procedures which are rarely found at domestic installations. Therefore, the implications of a comparatively small spillage at a domestic storage installation can be more severe than a larger spill at a commercial installation. However, current fuel storage requirements at domestic installations fail to recognise this reality and therefore fail to provide domestic oil storage installations, with the same level of environmental protection that commercial installations enjoy.”

In England and Wales, there is a longstanding requirement that all new and replacement domestic oil storage installations must either be installed by a member of a recognised competent persons scheme, or receive approval from Building Control. However, a small yet significant number of oil storage installations continue to be undertaken 'beyond' the regulations and with scant regard for the environmental consequences of such installations.

A review by Clarehill Plastics Limited of 200 domestic single skin oil tank installations in England and Wales, installed in the past 7 years revealed that in 85% of instances, a single skin oil tank had been installed where a Bunded Tank was required.

In light of the understandable concerns over domestic oil storage installation requirements, proposals have now been put forward for the introduction of compulsory secondary containment at new and replacement domestic oil storage installations, as part of a review of The Building Regulations in England and Wales being undertaken by The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). Ahead of its submission to the review, Clarehill consulted with a number of leading oil storage tank resellers and installers to get their feedback on the current risk based approach to domestic installations.

“The feedback from resellers and installers alike was pretty consistent. There is an acknowledgement that in the real world, the risk based approach to domestic oil storage installations is not working and cannot work.

“Many installers and resellers with whom we spoke have already began to adopt a 'Bunded Tank Only' approach to all new and replacement oil storage installations. Quite simply, they see Single Skin Oil Tanks as being typified by unknown risk and the potential for almost limitless liability, in the event they unwittingly install the wrong type of tank at the wrong installation. It's not going too far to say that an increasing number of installers are actually ahead of the Regulations in many instances. Only this week, a major national oil tank reseller formally discontinued the supply of Single Skin Oil Tanks. “

“Of special concern, are reports of a small but significant element of rogue installers who bypass the current risk based approach and use the continued availability of single skin oil tanks to install an uncontained single skin tank, where a Bunded Tank is required. It should be stressed that few if any of these installers are accredited oil storage technicians. More often than not, they are simply 'handymen' who turn will turn their hand to fitting just about anything from gas boilers to oil tanks, so long as the money's right! The attitude amongst such people is essentially that regulations are somebody else's concern and if, or more likely when, something goes wrong – they are unlikely to be hanging around for too long. Understandably, responsible installers are increasingly frustrated that by doing the right thing and ensuring compliance with prevailing Regulations, they render themselves uncompetitive against a small number of cowboy installers.”, explains John.

In light of the feedback from resellers and installers, Clarehill's submission to the DCLG commissioned review, calls for the current risk based approach to domestic oil storage to be replaced with a requirement for the compulsory provision of secondary containment at new and replacement domestic oil storage installations. As well as bringing domestic installations in England into line with existing requirements at most non-domestic installations, the proposals also begin to align fuel storage regulations in the UK with the higher standards that have for some time prevailed in many mainland EU countries. And of course, if secondary containment were to become the norm, then life is made harder for cowboy installers. The proposals contained within Clarehill's submission have been endorsed by the training, standards and registration agency for the oil heating industry in the British Isles, OFTEC – The Oil Firing Technical Association.

Another benefit of a move to secondary containment at all new and replacement installations, is an overall cost saving to the economy in England and Wales of c.£12.5m per annum and a potentially even greater saving to the total UK economy.

“Consisting of a 'tank within a tank', Bunded Tanks by default will cost more than a comparable Single Skin Oil Tank. Bunded Oil Tanks already comprising over 70% of domestic oil tank sales in England and Wales. The incremental cost of switching the remaining 30% of tanks to Bunded models would be c.£88.2m over the next decade. However, according to figures prepared by the world renowned London School of Economics, the gross benefit of the introduction of compulsory bunding at domestic oil storage installations over the next 10 years would be £213.8m. By subtracting the Gross Cost from the Gross Benefit, it is apparent there is a potential saving to the oil heating industry of £125.6m over 10 years, or c.£12.5m per annum. If the same analysis were to be undertaken for Scotland and Northern Ireland, then the total saving to the UK economy could be over £20m per annum.

“So, whilst oil pollution costs the environment, pollution prevention needn't cost the earth and is economically beneficial.”, concludes John.

View Harlequin's profile: