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We’ve all seen the ring pulls in disabled WC’s and the warming lights above the door outside, and they work perfectly well if there is going to be somebody close by at all times to notice if the over door light or audible alarm goes off. Perhaps it is just because there needs to be someone there to notice the alarm that the valuable protection these systems can provide is kept to the bare minimum and restricted to the WC. But what about other areas of the building such as waiting rooms, changing rooms, etc? The new emergency assist systems can provide additional security and assurance for all users of premises who may at some time or other be alone and vulnerable – disabled, elderly, lone workers, visitors and residents. They are stylish, integrated emergency call systems that range from a single alarm station in, say, a private home or WC to systems that monitor alarm calls over multiple zones at a single control panel. The latter are ideal in a building such as a care home or business with, say, an unstaffed waiting room, disabled W.C., laundry room or changing room and maybe a T.V. room. Whichever approach you choose – single station or multi-zone – you should expect to buy the complete kit in a box as with the Timeguard Emergency Assist range.

Simple activation
How do they work? Quite simply, anyone in need of assistance activates the alarm by pulling the emergency pull cord, activating a flashing lights and audible alarm both outside the room itself (light/alarm units are usually installed just outside or over the door) and, crucially, raising the alarm at the control panel as well. The control panel can be installed in a nearby, permanently-manned room. A simple push button resets the system. Up to four rooms can be monitored at a single control panel, installed in a suitable permanently manned area, ensuring that help will be on its way wherever in the building an emergency arises. A simple flashing light or alarm outside a WC is of little use if no one sees or hears it. The control panels for the new Timeguard range provide “Automatic Fault Detection” and display a warning light in the event of a fault. Also, an optional battery back-up kit is available that will keep the system running during AC mains failure.

Available Kits
Singe zone Timeguard kits comprise a 2-gang control panel, a pull cord and reset button for installation in the room, a unit with a bright flashing light and an audible alarm for installation outside the room, typically over the door and a “Disabled” sticker. The multi-zone kit includes a four channel master control panel featuring flashing lights to identify each zone, 2 x audible overhead door alarm units and 2 x disabled stickers. Extra components are available separately to build up as the installation requires. Connection between control panels and all other system components call only for simple two-wire low voltage links. So how do they look? In a word – good! Timeguard has recognised the importance of good design in helping installers to sell in the concept of emergency call systems to a far wider marketplace. It s new stylish slimline range is available in white plastic and stainless steel finishes to complement any interior.

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A programme of maintenance and energy efficiency practice at the University of Sussex in Brighton has involved the installation of Crittall steel windows throughout the Falmer campus. As part of an energy drive to save both costs and the effect upon the environment, the Crittall W20 profiles are being installed in four buildings across the site, replacing the existing windows which were the originals from when the university was first created in the early 1960s.

The University of Sussex was amongst the first wave of similar educational establishments to be founded at the time and it was awarded the Royal Charter in 1961. Since then, it has grown to be classed amongst the top 150 universities in the world as confirmed by the 2008 Times Higher Education University World Ranking.

The decision to replace the single glazed windows with contemporary, modern and high performance double glazed weatherstripped units was made by the Estates and Facilities Management Division in conjunction with surveyors, BLB Surveyors and management contractors, Sussex Building Co. The work involved a like for like replacement following recommendations from the local planning authority, initially for four buildings two of which are Grade 2* listed.

According to Neil Troak, Head of Maintenance at the University, the replacement has not only aesthetically made a big difference, but it announces the university’s dedication to energy efficiency. “As the original windows were supplied by Crittall the new windows were a perfect match,” he comments. “However, the thermal performance and environmental credentials of the new W20 profiles means that in terms of energy efficiency, they meet our strict environmental criteria. Also, out of all the work being done on the campus to improve the external fabric of the buildings, the window replacement scheme went smoothly and completely to plan thanks to the expertise of the Crittall team and the contractors. The result is exactly what we wanted and we are in the process of planning for more of the buildings on the campus to have their windows replaced.”

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A newly installed Daikin air cooled scroll chiller, which adds to the 1800kW of cooling previously provided by 5 existing Daikin screw chillers at the ‘state of the art’ Northampton factory of Uniq plc subsidiary, Uniq Prepared Foods, supplies top up cooling for a new food production area.

Uniq plc has a turnover of around £750 million and manufactures a wide range of well known chilled and frozen food products, which it supplies to retail and food service customers throughout the UK and continental Europe.

Uniq Prepared Foods is an award winning supplier of high quality sandwiches, wraps and deli products, principally for a major high street retailer and several airlines. An enviable combination of cutting edge automated technology and a highly skilled workforce enables the company to match quality to quantity to ensure that its products are produced to the same exacting standards.

Late last year, a new chiller was required to provide additional cooling for the conversion of some main bulk storage areas into a new sandwich production facility. Specialist contractor, ITEC Industrial Services Ltd, Halesowen, West Midlands, was engaged to engineer and install the new chiller plant – a 260kW EWAQ260 R-410A air cooled unit — supplied by Daikin Airconditioning UK Ltd.

The new Daikin chiller provides chilled glycol at 00C to the cooling coils of a specially designed McQuay air handling unit, which supplies the production area with precisely controlled tempered fresh air.

ITEC managing director, Bob Garner, comments: “It is vital that air conditioning systems for this type of application prevent the ingress of micro organisms and retard or prevent their growth. Also, they must not be the primary cause of contamination and must prevent cross contamination and air turbulence. This can only be achieved by high levels of filtration, draught free air distribution, careful room pressurisation and the provision of cool air temperatures between 10 and 120C.”

“ITEC has considerable experience of supplying chilled water systems for food engineering and other process cooling applications and the good part load efficiency, precise water temperature control, advanced technology and reliability inherent in the Daikin EWAQ range represented an ideal solution to the requirements of this particular application.”

The EWAQ260 is top capacity model of this recently introduced range of Daikin air cooled chillers, has an EER of 2.70 at full load and excellent part load efficiencies. Designed for the supply of chilled water at temperatures down to -100C, it is fitted with micro processor control and a new Daikin ‘Pcaso’ controller with user friendly and powerful LCD interface.

The McQuay air handling unit delivers high levels of air filtration up to H11 standard and incorporates ‘free cooling’ motorised modulating dampers to enable fresh air to be used for cooling during low ambient conditions. At Uniq Prepared Foods, the conditioned air is delivered via ceiling mounted textile ‘socks’, which run the length of the production area and gently distribute it evenly and without turbulence and draughts.

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New control system will enhance grid reliability and extend link’s life span

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has been selected by Hydro-QuǸbec, Canada, for an upgrade of a high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) converter station. The 25-year-old 1000-MW (Megawatts) Chǽteauguay back-to-back HVDC station will be equipped with ABB’s control and protection system, MACH 2.

“ABB’s well-proven HVDC control technology, MACH 2, will improve the performance and extend the life of the converter station,” said Peter Leupp, head of ABB’s Power Systems division. “Upgrading of HVDC plants is a good illustration of ABB’s long term commitment to the protection of investments in the transmission industry.”

The MACH 2 system is the world’s most commonly used control system for HVDC and FACTS (flexible AC transmission systems) with over 400 systems in operation. It is used in all types of HVDC installations from small, but very demanding, HVDC Light installations, to large, 3,000-MW power links. ABB has the widest experience of control system upgrades in the HVDC industry. Recent upgrade projects delivered by ABB include the Square Butte and the CU HVDC links in the U.S., the two Skagerrak HVDC links in Scandinavia and the on-going refurbishment of the Apollo converter station of the Cahora Bassa HVDC link in Southern Africa.

Hydro-QuǸbec generates, transmits and distributes electricity, mainly using renewable energy sources. The company provides electricity to customers in QuǸbec, other parts of Canada, as well as to northeastern parts of the U.S. and is one of the world’s largest producers of hydroelectricity.

The new control and protection system in Chǽteauguay will be commissioned during April and May in 2009, with an outage time of only seven weeks. Since the station comprises two blocks and each block will be renovated separately, the station will maintain at least half of its capacity during the installation period.

ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs more than 110,000 people.

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Manufacturer of high quality resin surfacing systems, Addagrip, has introduced a series of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars designed for Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Contractors, Housebuilders and Building Services Engineers.

The presentations offer guidance on surfacing options and encompass information on both the resin bonded and resin bound porous systems. The presentation is conducted by experienced technical engineer, Tim Hopkins from Addagrip, giving attendants the opportunity to gain bespoke project advice through a question and answer session included in the presentation.

The seminar also includes information on important changes in the rules and regulations that cover the general principles behind surface water drainage and the use of resin bound surfacing in sustainable urban drainage systems. As Addagrip is a company that recognises the importance of environmental impact of its operations, the CPD presentation also includes guidance on environmental issues, the use of recycled products and land restoration.

Commenting on the CPD presentations, Roger Critchley, Managing Director of Addagrip said, “Relationships with our customers, specifiers, agents and suppliers are of great importance to us. The CPD seminars not only aid our endeavours to be approachable, supportive and helpful, but also give us the opportunity to listen and develop further understanding of our customers needs.” Addagrip manufactures a range of exterior surfacing products including Addastone, Addaset and Addagrip Eco Pave, which use a range of sustainable and recycled aggregates to provide a low maintenance and hard wearing surface with the appearance of natural stone. Addagrip’s high quality exterior resin surfacing systems can be used for a range of applications from domestic drives and paths to parks, monuments and heritage sites.

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Ability Projects Ltd has secured the order for almost 600 Matrix EC fan coil units for the initial phase of the Masdar Institute in Abu Dhabi. The 2 pipe cooling only units, which are for installation in laboratories and accommodation blocks, have capacities uo to 7kW. The institute is part of Masdar City, a prestigious six square kilometre development designed by Foster and Partners, which seeks to use 100% renewable energy, generate zero waste and be carbon neutral.

The unique feature of a Matrix EC fan coil unit is its capability to independently adjust the air volume delivered by each duct on the same unit. This gave Masdar designers the option of using a single unit to condition two spaces, where in the past two units might have been required. This feature, combined with the energy savings afforded by EC motors, made Matrix the natural choice for such an energy conscious project.

Matrix units at Masdar employ both demand and occupancy dependent fan speed control — developments first marketed by Ability in 2005. Demand dependant fan speed allows the fan speed and therefore the air volume, to vary commensurate with thermal demand. The upper limit is what would (in the past) have been the design fan speed and the lower limit is a percentage reduction determined by the designer.

Occupancy dependent control is a feature whereby the fan coil set points are allowed to move apart and adopt a holding strategy while the space remains unoccupied. With both features operating in tandem, the fan coil is activated only when personnel enter the room, at which point the fan speed imperceptibly modulates to deal with the current cooling load and no more. On the Masdar project specifically, many units will also receive control signals from window switches, enthalpy sensors, time clocks and key cards.

Peter Lowther, managing director of Ability Projects states, ”I am absolutely delighted that all the hard work we have put into advancing EC fan coil technology has been recognised as worthy for use on such an internationally ground breaking project. Our products have been used on many Breeam Excellent projects in the UK but this project takes both Ability and Matrix onto the worldwide stage.”

Whist Masdar City exploits the best of modern technologies, surpassing all the highest standards currently demanded by internationally recognised organisations, its design also incorporates many traditional design techniques to help reduce energy consumption still further. Shaded walkways and narrow streets reduce glare and solar gain while the diagonal orientation of the urban layout makes the best use of cooling night breezes and lessens the effects of hot daytime winds. Other traditional features such as wind towers and solar shades help further improve comfort levels.

The Masdar Institute will soon offer Master’s and Doctoral level degree programs focusing on the science and engineering of advanced energy and sustainable technologies. It has set its sights on being the centre of high calibre renewable energy and sustainability research, capable of attracting researchers and scientists from around the world.

Peter Lowther concludes – “the fact that Matrix will help condition the space in which some of the world’s greatest thinkers will assemble to research energy security, sustainability and climate change, underlines its unique operational flexibility and remarkable energy conservation characteristics. This project opens up an exciting opportunity for the advanced technological concepts inherent in Matrix and already widely recognised among leading UK building services designers, to be illuminated under an even brighter international spotlight.”

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Tyco Electronics has extended its popular Dorman Smith Modis 25/32 modular distribution system with a Form 4 Type 6 MCCB Panel Board. This compact, flexible solution can be utilised either as an integral part of a Modis switchboard system or used as a floor-standing self-contained unit.

Available in 8 or 10 ways with front or rear access, the MCCB Panel Board also has the ability to be stacked, increasing its range of options to 8, 10, 16, 18 and 20 ways. With a busbar rating of 1000A and a withstand rating of 50kA 1sec., the Form 4 Type 6 MCCB Panel Board accommodates the YA3 range of SP and TP MCCBs (20-250A).

Providing an economic power distribution solution, the unit is designed to take into account the L2 building regulation requirements for energy metering. In recognition of these requirements the doors have knock outs for fitting the Crompton Instruments Integra 1630 digital metering system and an optional extra kit for mounting the range of Crompton Instruments current transformers is also available.

Tyco Electronics device, Tyco Electronics, Dorman Smith and Crompton Instruments are trademarks. Crompton is a trademark of Crompton Parkinson Ltd., and used by Tyco Electronics under licence. Other trademarks are property of respective owners.

About Tyco Electronics

Tyco Electronics Ltd. is a leading global provider of engineered electronic components, network solutions, wireless systems and undersea telecommunication systems, with fiscal 2007 sales of US$13.5 billion to customers in more than 150 countries. We design, manufacture and market products for customers in industries from automotive, appliance and aerospace and defense to telecommunications, computers and consumer electronics. With approximately 8,000 engineers and worldwide manufacturing, sales and customer service capabilities, Tyco Electronics’ commitment is our customers’ advantage.

About Tyco Electronics – Energy Division

The Energy Division of Tyco Electronics is a global manufacturer of products and systems for the electrical power industry. Its products are extensively employed by power utilities and equipment manufacturers, in rail transport systems and in industry around the world.
The Energy Division of Tyco Electronics offers a wide product range from brands such as AMP, Axicom, Dulmison, Raychem, SIMEL, Bowthorpe EMP, Crompton Instruments, Dorman Smith, including cable accessories, connectors and fittings, switching and power management devices, lighting protectors, surge arresters and insulators.

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VMZINC® is expecting a record entry for its fourth bi-annual competition for the ARCHIZINC TROPHY. The awards showcase projects from all over the world and acknowledge the aesthetics of design, the relationship between buildings and their environment and the way in which zinc is used in an innovative and original way.

The Archizinc Trophy demonstrates VMZINC®‘s commitment to promoting zinc in architecture and illustrates the depth of design diversity that architects have created as use of VMZINC systems as key construction materials grows throughout the world.

Projects fall into four categories: Private Housing, Collective (Public Sector) Housing, Municipal Buildings and Commercial Buildings. There is also a Special Jury’s award, an Environment award, an Innovation award and the Tradition award.

Entry forms can be downloaded from www.vmzinc.com. A hard copy has also been sent to 70,000 registered architects throughout the world with FOCUS ON ZINC n° 11, distributed recently. VMZINC® publishes this magazine in French, English, German and Spanish and distributes it in over thirty countries.

The deadline for entries is 31st December 2009.

The jury is made up of 13 international architects who will meet to decide the winners in March 2010, with Award winners being presented with their ARCHIZINC Trophy at a grand ceremony in June. Projects will feature in a special issue of FOCUS ON ZINC, to be published in October 2010, providing a unique opportunity for publicity throughout the world.

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Mitsubishi Electric has announced a new I/O Interface which will deliver the precise control and advanced energy saving functions normally associated with much more expensive BEMS interfaces.

The I/O Interface is fully compatible with both the M Series and Mr Slim ranges of Mitsubishi Electric air conditioning products with features that allow for more intelligent centralised control. Businesses will therefore be able to reduce energy consumption without compromising on the occupant’s level of control or comfort.

“This will make control of different premises much easier for organisations to manage and will also allow companies to more closely monitor and control their energy use,” explained Mitsubishi Electric’s controls expert, Sebastien Desmottes.

The new Interface, which is available immediately along with the more standard control inputs and outputs, offers two new energy saving modes which were previously only available on much more expensive control solutions – bringing high level functionality to a much wider market.

‘Auto Off’ – the first of the two modes, sets the auto mode for a predetermined period of time, before reverting back to fan only to save energy. The time can be set to two hours, one hour or half an hour. This could be used to turn the air conditioning on at a set time of the day – say 8am and two hours later, the unit would switch to fan only mode.

If staff on site need to reactivate the system, a simple button will reset the unit for another two hours. This ‘Auto Off’ function prevents the user turning on the system in the morning and leaving it running all day regardless of need and has obvious energy saving potential.

The second mode – ‘Set point’ – allows the temperature to be used to activate the air conditioning, with the fan only running if the ambient temperature falls or exceeds a specified temperature, e.g. below 19°C or exceeding 23°C.

In this example, the I/O Interface could still be programmed to switch the air conditioning on at 8am but the air conditioning will only function if the temperature drops below or exceeds the predetermined limits. This ‘Set point’ operation is a version of the ‘Night set-back function’ which was previously available on much more advanced control systems.

“The Interface has three digital inputs (On/Off, Function Lock and Energy Save), three analogue inputs (Setpoint, Mode and Fan speed) and four digital, relay-driven outputs (Run, Fault, Thermo and Mode) with individual LEDs to show if the relay contact is open or closed,” explains Desmottes.

As well as BEMS and energy-saving functions, new outputs have been added to allow simple interlocking with third party heating to ensure that heating and cooling equipment don’t run at the same time. Mitsubishi Electric has been running a prototype at its Hatfield offices for several months to demonstrate the different operating performances to customers and has also installed demonstration systems at other live premises to highlight its suitability – especially for retail operations.

“Energy use is a major cost for businesses today and carbon reduction targets mean that companies must be able to demonstrate that they are controlling consumption,” adds Desmottes. “This new interface makes the straightforward control of individual sites much more affordable and will make the energy consumed by the air conditioning much more predictable.”

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