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The New Wire-Free, Radio Fire System from detectomat is a unique alternative to the costs, potential damage and business disruption associated with installing Fire Systems in existing buildings. And an ideal solution for retrofit and refurbishment applications in small to medium sized enterprises.

Interconnection of the various Fire System components including detectors, manual call points, sounders and control panels, which has traditionally been done in electrical cabling can now be done with wire-free radio. Installing cables in existing buildings has, in the past, meant ugly surface wiring or damage to decorations caused by the installation of concealed wiring. Installing concealed wiring is also time consuming and presents access issues and general disruption to ongoing business. This all meant an unwanted and unnecessary escalation of costs, which can now be avoided!.

Radio as a Fire System communication medium has been available for many years but at a high cost. Now, the unique RCP 6B system from detectomat offers a cost-effective wire-free, Radio Fire Alarm solution as an alternative to hardwired Conventional and smaller Addressable applications. And as an added benefit the system utilises detectomat’s unique range of Designer cover Smoke Alarms to complement traditional or modern contemporary interior designs.

The system comprises of a range of battery operated, self-contained fire detection and alarm devices including Heat and third party certified Smoke Alarms plus Manual Call Points, Sounder Beacons and other fire peripherials. These devices are radio connected with each other via a Fire Panel base station, which provides comprehensive alarm indication and control including monitoring of the system network integrity and battery conditions.

A unique solution within its application area, which has been reviewed and well received by a number of Fire Service and Fire industry professionals. For further information call 01579 321750, email detectomat@leighandersonassociates.com or visit www.detectomat.com .

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Potato Wharf in Manchester is a resplendent example of innovation blended with tradition. These two new residential apartment blocks comprising one and two-bedroomed apartments, were designed by MBLA Architects to complement the surrounding environment and to meet the highest possible contemporary construction standards. An eye-catching feature on the exterior of the blocks is the Douglas Fir cladding, with Sikkens Cetol BL21 plus coating used for both protection of the bare timber and for its aesthetic enhancement.

Colours dominate the two eight-storey high structures which are located in the Castlefield district of Manchester city centre overlooking the vast canal network that intertwines the city. These historic waterways have dictated the design of the blocks, with deep grey facades blending with the nearby iron bridges and splashes of colour on the exterior walls reminiscent of traditional canal barges.

The architects chose Douglas Fir cladding for its aesthetic appeal, and in order to provide maximum protection to the cladding Sikkens Cetol BL21 plus was specified as the optimum solution. “Cetol offered the best match to the bare timber and one that would accommodate the material's natural weathering,” comments Marie Gartland, Project Manager at MBLA. “Additionally, the environmental credentials of the coating matched our very stringent requirements, helping us to attain a very good Eco-Homes rating for this exclusive development.”

Sikkens Cetol BL21 plus is water based alkyd/acrylic coating which absorbs into the timber surface, offering full protection against the damaging effects of sunlight and weathering, and allows the flexibility necessary for the natural movement of timber.

The result is a stunning front faÇade for the two blocks that comprise Potato Wharf, with the eye catching Douglas Fir cladding enjoying protection and longevity assured by the Cetol coating for many years to come.

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Since 1996 Ductbusters have been providing a cleaner indoor environment by improving the quality of the air within a diverse portfolio of properties. There is in excess of 45 years collective experience in air handling unit maintenance, ductwork cleaning, ductwork repair, ductwork installation, ductwork disinfection as well industrial and commercial air cleaning. A full ventilation system risk assessment, report and recommendation service is also available.

A team of trained, directly employed Service Technicians operate on a nationwide basis, working to the latest industry standards, at times to cause your organisation the minimum of disruption.

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A Megger MFT1552 multifunction tester, which provides all of the test facilities needed to comply with the 16th and 17th Editions of the IET Wiring Regulations in a single instrument, was one of the major prizes won by Nathan Mabbett, of C A Sothers, who was recently named as Birmingham Electrical Training Apprentice of the Year.

The Megger multifunction tester, along with a cheque for £200 and a plaque, were presented to Nathan by Ruth Badger, who herself was the winner in last year’s The Apprentice television series.

In assessing Nathan Mabbett, who is a fourth year apprentice, the judges took particular account of his communication skills, initiative, ambition, technical knowledge and key skills gained. They also evaluated his presentation, and reports from his employers and his college.

“We are proud to support this prestigious award and to offer our congratulations to Nathan,” said Julian Grant of Megger.

“We believe that it’s important not only to invest in the development of new products and systems – an area where Megger is a world leader – but also in the development of people. Megger recognises that the future of our industry and, indeed of our economy, depends on the availability of well-trained, skilled staff. These awards highlight the efforts of Birmingham Electric Training in producing staff of the necessary high calibre.”

The Megger MFT1552 multifunction tester received by Nathan Mabbett is one of the highly successful MFT1500 series of instruments from Megger, all of which have been developed to offer busy electrical contractors comprehensive, efficient, dependable and cost-effective test facilities.

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The new Specifier Guide from Sikkens offers the most comprehensive source to date for the familiar brands of Cetol and Rubbol professional woodcare coatings. The 40 page, full colour brochure details the attributes and values of the Cetol translucent and Rubbol opaque product ranges, with easy to navigate tabbed pages for immediate and fast searching.

Sikkens has included its environmental policy in the brochure, explaining its contribution to a more sustainable environment through both the water borne and solvent borne ranges.

Each product description is supported with graphic illustrations and case study photos of some of the UK’s most innovative and traditional buildings to demonstrate the suitability of the coatings range for any application.

The guide also contains details of the 4041 international colour standard, as well as the Cetol Classic and Style Collections, detailing the outstanding selection of traditional and contemporary tones and hues now available for each product.

Inclusion of the unique DuSpec 2.0 professional woodcare specification system and Contract Partnership Scheme, enables specifiers a single and comprehensive source of invaluable guidance through the preparation of a woodcare specification.

Also included in the new literature is a comprehensive Sikkens Maintenance Schedule which gives details of maintenance cycles expected and shows at a glance the number coats required for all products in the range across a variety of substrates.

“The new Specifiers Guide offers the opportunity for specifiers to immediately access all information about the Cetol and Rubbol brands in one publication,” comments Richard Bradley of Sikkens. “This guide will facilitate the specification of woodcare coatings for any project.”

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ELGA Process Water has introduced a new range of small commercial water purifiers for glassware washing and similar applications in hotels and restaurants. Clearo™ reverse osmosis systems and are designed to feed dishwashers and glassware washing machines. The compact, self contained units produce up to 200 litres per hour of soft, high quality water directly from a mains water supply to provide a sparkling, streak-free finish on glassware and crockery.

The Clearo™ space saving design requires no chemicals and incorporates an integral storage tank and supply pump so that water is available as and when required at a consistent pressure. Installation is simple and the corrosion and chip-resistant cabinet is mounted on wheels for easy movement for cleaning and maintenance.

A particular feature of the Clearo™ is an automatic timed recirculation rinse which reduces membrane fouling and extends membrane life.

Clearo™ reverse osmosis units are fully supported by ELGA Process Water’s comprehensive after sales service to ensure long term, efficient operation.

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The European Offshore Wind & Transmission Forum 2009

Whenever renewable low carbon energy is illustrated it is usually with a picture of a wind turbine. Increasingly that wind turbine is pictured in an offshore location.

But that offshore location can be in an inaccessible or stormy location, and also needs to be wired up to where the energy from the turbine is actually needed.

Next week in Brussels energy experts and their stakeholders and suppliers will gather to learn best practice in terms of connecting up Europe’s fast-growing offshore wind power industry. From North Sea supergrid integration to help overcome intermittence and balance the system, through to financing, supply chain issues, the technical, maritime and climatic challenges, this will be the forum to attend if your future is connected to offshore wind.

If you would like to find out more about this event – which EnergyBusinessNet will be attending and reporting on – contact Valerie.giblin@greenpowerconferences.com

PG 21.5.2009

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Hind House’s position on the banks of the River Loddon, near Wargrave is on flood plain, so the design involved construction on raised columns. Living, guest and bedroom spaces have been created in ‘wings’ that adopt a pinwheel form. The steel framed, structure is clad in zinc and cedar, VMZINC’s standing seam cladding system in Quartz-Zinc® having been used, most notably the entrance section. This is pushed forward to receive an entrance staircase to an open, timber lined hood, with a glazed room to the side containing a guest suite and gym. The house, which was completed in December 2008, has recently won the RIBA Southern Region Award for design, the judges having commended its unique design and response to a difficult site subjected to seasonal flooding.

Architect Henry Goss of John Pardey Architects commented “For the Hind House project we were again looking to specify a palette of natural building materials. We have used zinc cladding before and so were familiar with its intrinsic benefits. Having assessed the performance and appearance of other metals, we find that those such as aluminium are not as robust, relying as they do on anodised or powder coated finishes. Unlike other projects, traditional ageing and weathering in the vernacular style was not the aim, as we wanted the project to retain a modern, showpiece appearance. We liked the colour range and texture of VM Zinc’s pre-weathered cladding and as we wanted to retain the contrast between the timber and metal colours, opted for a combination of the dark Anthra-Zinc and light natural cedar. The end result is restrained but distinctive. Zinc offers very clear benefits in terms of long-term performance, and the end result could not have been achieved using any other metal”.

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Every manager and engineer knows that you need to be able to measure a resource to manage it effectively and Process or Building Services flow lines are no different.

If you need to establish what’s flowing where in your process or monitor energy flow or water consumption the new Portaflow – PF330 and PF220 instruments offer an effective solution.

Process flows and hot or chilled water services are major areas of energy consumption in processes and building services and the first step in controlling and managing them is to identify what is being used and where, which is not a simple task on an existing site!

There is no simpler way than using one of Micronics Portaflow, Clamp-On range of portable Flow meters with integral loggers, which are acknowledged as the easiest to use in their class. Simple to apply and simple to use, a straightforward question and answer menu provides the facility to collect valuable information with the minimum of fuss or previous knowledge and minimum instruction. And when the information has been gathered it can be viewed on the instrument or downloaded for further analysis using industry standard formats.

Time is money and this new range of quick to install, Clamp-On, non-invasive instruments offers simple menu driven operation and provides a valuable return in information for a minimum investment in your valuable time! For further information call +44 (0)1628 811626 or visit www.micronicsltd.co.uk .

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Sleek and stylish are not words typically used to describe PVC-U cable management systems, but Marshall-Tufflex’s Odyssey truly merits the description, according to Kevin Keenan, director of chartered building services design consultants The Keenan Consultancy.

Mr Keenan’s comments followed the installation of the curved system in the company’s newly constructed Edinburgh city centre offices. So successful has Odyssey proved, the consultancy has since suggested it for projects it is working on – as consulting engineers, the firm is routinely called upon to make recommendations for M&E equipment and since the installation, Odyssey has been chosen on several occasions.

The electrical contractor on the office development was J Halliday Electrical Contractors, Edinburgh.

The pioneering design of Odyssey trunking is the result of extensive market research among specifiers to determine their ultimate wish list for design elements of a cable management system.

It is the first three-compartment PVC-U system with a completely curved outer profile. It also has adjustable internal/external bends and a built-in cable tray. Odyssey not only looks good, but is practical too.

One installer said of the system: ‘Odyssey is far quicker to install than traditional trunking systems. It is easy to clean and the new clip-on lid action allows the trunking to follow any surface irregularities, creating the superbly smooth lines that are its hallmark.’

The extensive range of moulded fittings has bend radius cable control for Cat 6 compliance, and is easy to install and totally secure. This minimises any need for external couplers, which adds to the system’s impressive visual appearance. Odyssey is also available with a conductive spray coating that offers extra protection from electromagnetic interference to data and communications cabling.

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