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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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Vent-Axia, leaders in air management technology, has published its new handy-sized product selector and price guide to provide essential technical information on the company’s extensive product range.

An invaluable, simple to use source of information for wholesaler and contractor, the comprehensive, new A5 guide features product and pricing information on the company’s high quality residential and commercial product range. It covers toilet, bathroom, kitchen and utility room fans, unitary heat recovery units, commercial fans, the cooling range, heating products, whole-house systems, controllers, sensors and accessories and the company’s Roof Units product range. These product groupings are categorised by colour-coded sections in the guide to help navigation and speed up selection, estimation and specification.

Vent-Axia is the UK’s leading provider of air management technology, with over 70 years experience supplying industrial, commercial and domestic ventilation and is the company behind the innovative Lo-Carbon™ collection of energy saving ventilation solutions. Committed to protecting health at home, at work and at leisure, protecting property from the damaging effects of condensation, removing stale air, creating thermal comfort and protecting the environment, Vent-Axia delivers on all fronts.

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Leading plant hire company L. Lynch Plant Hire has marked its switch to new generation dual pin capture quick hitches by calling on other construction industry personnel to help improve site and equipment safety – and prevent serious injuries and fatalities.

Lynch, with headquarters based in Stanmore, Middlesex, is holding a series of Quick Hitch Safety Road Shows to highlight the benefits of its new hitches and to address safe on-site working practices – particularly when using different types of quick couplers – with all appropriate staff including both equipment users and non-operator personnel.

The company is currently investing around £1.4m in replacing the fully automatic hitches on its entire 500-strong excavator fleet with industry-leading Auto-Loc 3 dual pin capture quick hitches manufactured by Ireland-based Hill Engineering, through Hill’s ‘new for old’ exchange scheme, and will complete the upgrade by February 2010.

Hill is also supporting Lynch in the road shows to explain how the advanced technology in its fully automatic Auto-Loc 3 model works, by not only doing away with the need to manually insert a locking pin, as with semi-automatic hitches, but also providing fully independent locking.

This means that if the operator fails to connect the attachment properly with the back pin, the front pin will remain securely locked in place, ensuring that the attachment does not accidentally become detached.

Lynch Plant Hire director Rob Lynch has already hosted around a dozen road shows on sites operated by major contractors such as Skanska, Bam Nuttall and Balfour Beatty.

He said that not only was there interest in how the automatic dual pin capture hitches work, but participants were also extremely keen to find out how they can help to reduce site and equipment accidents.

He said: “Automatic dual pin capture hitches are the single-most important progression in quick hitch safety because they ensure that both pins are totally secure, which all but eliminates the chance of unintentional bucket or attachment separation.

“However, they are not an absolute solution because, as always, there still remains the potential for human error, either from the machine operators themselves or somebody outside the cab getting too close to working equipment.

“Safety on site is everyone’s responsibility, so it was clear to us that while Lynch can certainly play its part by continually upgrading our equipment and operator training to the very highest possible industry standard, we should work closely with contractors and on-site personnel to help establish correct and safe operating practices.”

The Lynch Quick Hitch Safety Road Show takes a three-pronged approach, by outlining the correct procedures for safe hitch usage, establishing the need for proper and responsible hitch maintenance and determining the correct management and performance of people in and round the excavator.

The issue of quick hitch safety still remains high on the industry agenda following a spate of injuries and deaths over the last few years due to buckets becoming accidentally detached and striking workers – a problem generally attributed to incorrect operator use.

In a bid to improve site safety, a number of major contractors, such as Skanska, have already banned all non dual pin capture hitches. This exceeds the agreement between the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and the main European quick hitch manufacturers, which means that new semi-automatic hitches will no longer be supplied to the UK market.

Lynch operates an excavator fleet comprising of one-tonne to 45-tonne machines from Volvo and Komatsu and has an unblemished safety record stretching back 30 years. It provides its operators with extra quick hitch training, even beyond that already undertaken as a matter of course by Hill, as well as carrying out special training for outside contractors using its machines.

All qualified Lynch operators are issued with a Lynch Quick Hitch Competence card, which they carry alongside their Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) card for inspection on site.

L. Lynch Plant Hire was established in 1980 and has since grown to become one of the leading names in the UK plant hire industry. With three main depots across the UK, its machines are currently in use on major highways, rail and utility projects.

Rob Lynch said: “The events held so far have been extremely successful in spreading the site safety message, as well as helping us to further evolve our quick hitch operating and safety procedures using the feedback we continue to receive.

“We are extremely proud of our excellent safety record, which is a legacy of always insisting on proper in-depth training, together with a continuing investment in any measures that will help prevent accidents and save lives.

“This is why we have chosen to replace all our existing hitches with Hill’s dual pin capture automatic models. Not only are they fully tried and tested products, but Hill has provided us with a first-class service – nothing has been too much trouble for them.”

Not only does the Hill Auto-Loc 3 automatic hitch ensure that there is no need for an operator to leave the cab to change attachments, it also allows them to visually confirm from within the cab that the bucket or other attachment is securely locked in position.

It complies with all existing UK and international safety standards and legislation by ensuring attachments can only be released when the boom is in a safe working position and it is also universal, allowing the fitting of a mixed range of attachments such as hammers and rippers.

Ian Hill, Managing Director of Hill Engineering, said: “As a leading quick hitch, bucket and excavator attachment manufacturer, we share Lynch Plant Hire’s dedication to improving safety on the UK’s construction sites and so had no hesitation in participating in the road shows to ensure the proper use and maintenance of our hitches.

“A strong commitment to improve quick hitch safety has developed within the industry, particularly after a number of high profile incidents over the past few years in which failure to properly use traditional models has, in some cases, resulted in serious injuries and fatalities.

“At Hill Engineering safety has always been an overriding priority, which is why we developed the Auto-Loc range of quick couplers incorporating dual pin capture technology back in 2005. With the proven track record of safety and reliability, we believe the Auto-Loc range to be the safest and best-engineered quick hitch on the market today.

“We very much welcome an initiative such as the Lynch Quick Hitch Road Show, which sends out the message that by using the best and most up–to-date equipment technology, combined with comprehensive training and the implementation of correct on-site safety procedures, there is no longer any need for lives to be put at risk.”

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Mitsubishi Electric’s Commercial Director, Donald Daw has put the company’s belief in the energy-saving value of air source heat pumps to the test recently by taking part in a special ‘Dragon’s Den’ style presentation involving Grand Design’s Kevin McCloud.

The Channel 4 star was part of a panel which included Professor David Strong, Chair of the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes, and David MacKay, Chief Scientific Advisor, Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

The trio quizzed Mitsubishi Electric and three other companies (the Mark Group, Knauf Insulation, and BEAMA) who have come up with new and innovative ideas to make homes more energy efficient.

“The panel didn’t pull their punches just like the real Dragon’s but I think heat pumps came out very well because they are one of the few technologies that are flexible, affordable, and scalable enough to really make a difference to the majority of our homes,” commented Daw.

“However, the real winner was the idea of everyone working together to find a whole house solution rather than believing that one single technology can be the answer in every situation,” he added.

The event was one of the highlights of the Civil Service Live expo held at London’s Olympia on the 6th – 8th July attended by over 10,000 visitors.

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Two products from Mira Showers – the UK’s leading manufacturer of showering products and accessories – have been awarded the prestigious Waterwise Marque, acknowledging their contribution to improving water efficiency. The Minilite Eco and Miniduo with Eco handset are ‘environmentally friendly’ showers designed to significantly reduce water and energy consumption, by as much as 75%, while still delivering superb performance.

Waterwise is an independent Non-governmental organisation dedicated to reversing the upward trend in how much water is used in the home and workplace; and is the leading authority on water efficiency.

The Minilite Eco which – as the name suggests – combines the company’s compact Minilite with the efficiency benefits of a 6 litres-per-minute (lpm) flow regulator; while the Miniduo is united with the innovative Eco showerhead. Importantly, both shower combinations assist in meeting the requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Both the valves are half the size of ‘standard’ ones – without any compromise in shower performance; are thermostatic and are available in both chrome built-in and exposed variants. The Minilite Eco has a simple, single sequential control; and is complete with a Mira fittings kit.

The Miniduo and Eco showerhead is just as it states: the Miniduo concentric valve combined with all the water saving benefits of the Eco showerhead. Operation is by separate ‘Select & Forget’ controls for temperature and flow.

The Miniduo also has 110mm pipe centres; and is suitable for easy retro-fitting onto pipe centres between 133 -153mm with the use of an adjustable elbow kit.

The Eco showerhead’s unique design reduces the amount of water normally used by up to a massive 75% (compared to a standard Logic showerhead at 0.5 bar pressure). The ‘ecoefficient™’ technology uses the Venturi principle, by which air is introduced into the flow without a pump. Mixing air with the water spray creates larger droplets filled with air bubbles. The droplets explode on impact and produce similar coverage to conventional, finer sprays giving the impression of increased volume of water and a refreshing shower. Not only does this offer the user huge savings in water, but in energy too – as less hot water needs to be heated.

The adjustable showerhead also provides a choice of three aerating spray modes – Start, Soothe and Force – which allow the user to ‘customise’ their shower ‘experience’.

Mira’s ‘eco’ Minilite and Miniduo with Eco handset delivers a win-win situation for all concerned. The user gets a high quality, high performance shower that is both water and energy efficient and therefore saves money on water and fuel bills; while developers and social landlords are able to meet the requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes as well as delivering their buyers and tenants a superbly effective and economical shower.

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The London Development Agency (LDA) in conjunction with The Building Centre Trust has selected Vent-Axia’s Air Minder heat recovery unit for No.1 Lower Carbon Drive, a two-bedroom life-size eco-house recently built in Trafalgar Square to showcase energy saving devices. An initiative from the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone’s Climate Change Action Plan, the building is constructed in the shape of a quaint, pre-war two-storey house, and made national headlines at the start of December when it was erected right next to Nelson’s Column.

Filled with fun and interactive exhibits that illustrate what Londoners can do in their home to tackle climate change, No. 1 Lower Carbon Drive, is divided into six zones, covering energy, ventilation, appliances, water, recycling and insulation. Within the ventilation zone Vent-Axia’s low carbon Air Minder has been selected as the product of choice to demonstrate the benefits of Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) in the modern home. The house was constructed by Hub Design through project manager Max Turner in conjunction with Andrew Scoons of the Building Centre Trust.

“At Vent-Axia we are committed to producing energy saving technology which reduces electrical consumption and, ultimately, our carbon footprint. Using proven heat recovery technology, our Air Minder system can reduce the heating system requirement in a property to save upwards of 500kg of carbon per annum,” explains Kevin Sargeant, Managing Director of Vent-Axia, leaders in air management technology.

The Air Minder combines continuous ventilation with the most advanced heat recovery system available. Sized correctly it will gently ventilate a property at a rate of about half an air change per hour, removing moist air and unpleasant smells from the kitchen, bathrooms and toilets and extracting it to the outside. Heat is extracted from this air by the unit and used to warm fresh filtered air which is drawn into living spaces such as bedrooms and living rooms, providing continuous ventilation even when the house is sealed up for the day.

No. 1 Lower Carbon Drive was opened by the Mayor to launch London Green Homes service, part of the Mayor’s Climate Change Action Plan – a comprehensive programme of initiatives to reduce carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2025. The flagship London Green Homes service is unique to the capital and will offer a free comprehensive telephone advice service, a free website and a paid-for green ‘concierge’ service to provide a hassle-free tailor-made package of carbon saving lifestyle improvements.

No 1 Lower Carbon Drive was on show in Trafalgar Square until 16 December. It is scheduled to move to several locations across London before remaining at the Building Centre in Store Street, London as a permanent display.

Vent-Axia’s Air Minder is part of Vent-Axia Lo-Carbon™ collection of energy saving ventilation solutions. The aim of the Lo-Carbon initiative is to offer the latest low carbon ventilation technology in order to reduce building energy consumption and so carbon emissions. Vent-Axia Lo-Carbon™ will be showcasing its collection of energy saving ventilation solutions on Stand E356 at Ecobuild 2007, 26-28 February, where the company will also allow visitors access to its comprehensive information resource the VA Knowledge Bank.

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