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Hanson bricks add style to university extension
Story
The new £8m School of Computing and Informatics at Nottingham Trent University’s Clifton campus, is a four-storey building designed to provide the ultimate in practical, flexible working space. The layout includes a choice of general purpose teaching rooms, tutorial rooms, meeting rooms and social areas. The building also houses multimedia editing suites and specialist networked computer labs.
Adhering to a very high specification, the contemporary design ensures a mix of artificial and natural lighting to provide state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities in a high-tech, light-filled working environment.
Designed by Peart Bradley Architects, working with Rok/Sol specialist brickwork contractors, the material specified was Hanson’s Lincolnshire Red Sandstone Mix smooth red facing bricks. By choosing this brickwork, which in colour and overall appearance is reminiscent of the heritage of the Nottingham area years ago, the architects and builders have achieved a practical, solid modern building that represents the optimum in 21st century design and construction.
The building of the new Computing and Informatics Building was a significant part of a major regeneration project designed to update much of the university’s estate to meet the growing and ever changing needs of the faculty and students, both present and future.
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Replacement pump info… within 20 seconds!
Story
Anyone needing a replacement pump can now get all the information they need within twenty seconds of sending a text!
Leading European pump manufacturer Wilo UK has launched a new service allowing an enquiry to be sent by text message to the Wilo SMS replacement service – simply by texting the old pump details to 07500 041411. The appropriate replacement Wilo pump will be identified amazingly rapidly and the name and part number will be with the texter in a matter of seconds. In addition to the new Wilo pump that is right for the specific application, the text message sent back from Wilo will also contain the necessary technical data, the part number and information about any adaptors that might be required.
This new service is available around the clock, 365 days a year. The only cost to the user is the cost of a text message from his or her mobile phone service provider. The system can be used with any mobile phone and only the name or number of the defective pump type needs to be entered – the manufacturer data is not required.
Incredibly, the new Wilo intelligent system program makes a query possible, even in the event of typing errors in a text or the need to send barely legible and possibly as a result, partially inaccurate information from a covered or soiled defective pump casing. If some information is unclear or incomplete, suitable replacement pump types are listed and can still be selected. The database contains replacement information on all heating circulation pumps and glandless secondary hot water circulation pumps.
Wilo’s Kay Knight says this new tool is already making friends: “This is a really useful and impressive tool for our customers. What’s simpler than ‘bashing off’ a text to Wilo with the information you can get from a pump you need to replace? Twenty seconds later, all the information you need to ensure you replace it with the right new Wilo pump is there on your phone. It couldn’t be simpler!”
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THE NEW 3 IN 1 CONVERSION
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Envirograf have just launched Envir-e-flex the perfect answer to providing a 3 in 1 product for thermal insulation to L1B & L2B, airborne and impact sound and 70 minutes fire protection.
Envir-e-flex consists of a reflective fire protective panel with an attached non-itch sponge. The Envir-e-flex panels can be used in loft conversions between trusses requiring only a facing of 9mm plasterboard to achieve excellent U values. Envir-e-flex can be used between joists and also between floors in new build projects. Heat leakage in properties has become a crucial factor in trying to reduce the carbon footprint. Thermal improvements in properties have often resulted in excessive insulation being positioned to close to electric cables and therefore running the risk of electrical cables overheating and potentially causing a fire. Envir-e-flex is the perfect solution because it is produced in a depth to suit most joists and trusses whilst offering an important airflow for cabling and minimising condensation problems. Also new from Envirograf are Thermal Cavity Fire Barriers for improved thermal insulation and fire protection around doors and windows.
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The new radiator from Aeon – it's Supra Duper!
Story
Turning up the heat this winter is Aeon’s latest addition to its steadily expanding product range – the Supra. A perfectly designed modern replacement to the standard white panel radiator, Supra is sleek, stylish and engineered for maximum output.
A choice of brushed or polished stainless steel finishes, and tall columns with curved edges give this designer radiator its aesthetic appeal.
From high ceilings to cramped corners to narrow vertical wall spaces, the Supra has it covered. Available in an impressive 53 different sizes, this versatile essential is suitable for any space, in any room of the house. It is also the perfect excuse for updating an existing heating system.
Outputs range from between 276 watts and 3166 watts, and models can be used with all electric, hot water and dual fuel systems.
Prices start from £346 plus VAT for a Supra S63 (600 x 305 x 30 mm) which can be delivered within 4-6 weeks.
Radiators in the Aeon Collection are made from the highest-grade solid stainless steel. All designs in the hand-finished range carry a 20-year guarantee.
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Hamiltons Introduces Ballast Controller Grid Module
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Hamilton Litestat has recently added to its extensive GridIt wiring accessory range a 1-10v Grid Module for use with Analogue regulated Fluorescent ballasts. This manually operated high frequency ballast controller has been developed to offer specifiers enhanced versatility, as well as providing an effective and economical way to dim fluorescent lamps.
The Ballast Control module is ideal for commercial applications enabling contractors to build up the required plate configurations on site. Each unit is installed with a suitably rated 2 way grid switch in order to effectively switch and control up to a maximum of 20 amps.
A further addition to the Hamilton’s GridIt grid switch range is a 0 -10volt DC control for use with Hamilton’s Dimming System range. The control is used in conjunction with Hamilton’s analogue remote mounted dimmer packs, which offer an economic solution when having to dim higher loads up to 5000watts The manual control can be mounted along side other switches etc within a grid assembly but a phase barrier will need to be fitted in the grid wall box to avoid any cross interference from the different voltages. To match the plate, colour coded mounting kits consisting of metal infill and control knob are also available and supplied separately
Designed for installation into folded 35mm metal wall boxes, these modules comply with the requirements of BS4662:2006.
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LSE Building Preservation Waterproof Large Commercial Development
R-410A Inverter Unit Completes Daikin Mini Chiller Range
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High efficiency solutions for residential and light commercial projects
The extension of the Daikin inverter driven mini chiller range signals the company’s ability to cover any cooling/heating requirement up to 14kW for the residential and light commercial market. Furthermore, the new EWAQ/EWYQ unit returns some of the best ESEERs (European Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios) and COPs in the industry today.
The mini chiller range is able to supply chilled water between 5 and 220 C and hot water at between 25 and 500 C at ambient temperatures of 10 to 450 C and -15 to 350 C respectively. Also, as well as delivering significant energy savings, it offers easy installation, compactness, quiet operation and the provision of constant room temperatures.
Enhanced energy efficiency
Underpinning Daikin’s concern for the environment, the mini chiller range is equipped with am inverter controlled scroll compressor offering maximum efficiencies, particularly in part load conditions. The 3 phase 9kW model for example, returns ESEER ratings up to 4.73 in cooling mode and COPs up to 3.48 in heating mode.
In addition to limiting stop/start cycles and thereby reducing energy consumption, the use of inverter technology ensures precise and stable water temperature control and higher comfort levels, as well as minimising peaks in power consumption, especially during start up.
Connectable to a wide range of indoor fan coil units, this extension to the Daikin mini chiller range gives the company a complete and highly competitive line of equipment that is ideal for installation in residential dwellings, large villas, guest houses, restaurants, small nursing homes, sports clubs and smaller residential outlets.
Additional benefits
An integrated hydronic kit, comprising circulating pump, expansion vessel, safety valves and a standard main switch, enable the mini chiller to become an easy to install ‘plug and play’ system. Other features include compactness (1420 x 1420 x 320mm), silent operation (64dBA sound power) plus multiple options such as evaporator heater tape and pump up to 90kPa available head. Daikin concern for the environment is reflected in a reduced refrigerant charge of less than 3kg.
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FM Approval on complete Waterproofing System
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Bauder undertook the FM testing programme on its two single ply membranes, FPO & PVC, and used its ability as a manufacturer of both insulation and bituminous waterproofing sheets to combine all of the required elements of the flat roofing system from one manufacturer.
This means that Bauder are the only manufacturer to have a complete flat roof waterproofing system approved, rather than using component parts from different suppliers to piece together a solution. So from the self-adhesive bitumen vapour barrier or VB20 vapour control layer, with our high performance thermal insulation BauderPIR FA up to the synthetic waterproofing membrane in either FPO or PVC, all are now available from a single source manufacturer with FM Approval.
FM Global provides comprehensive commercial and industrial property insurance. Additionally, FM Approvals is a testing institute in which construction components, materials and systems are objectively assessed; it then recommends its clients to use the approved products and systems in any new build or refurbishment project
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Green Initiative Receives European Recognition
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Mitsubishi Electric’s green initiative targeted at helping everyone reduce energy consumption has been acknowledged at the SEE Awards in Brussels as part of the 3rd Annual EU Sustainable Energy Week in February.
“The Green Gateway Initiative® is not just about Mitsubishi Electric, it’s about helping anyone with a building reduce their environmental impact and it is very rewarding that this has been recognised at such a high level,” explained the company’s Green Gateway Manager, Martin Fahey.
Mitsubishi Electric was shortlisted in the ‘Market transformation’ category and Fahey explains that this is exactly what the environmental initiative is about: “As one of the country’s largest suppliers of heating, cooling and ventilation equipment, we know that our products consume energy. We also know that modern life and legislation demand a comfortable, controlled internal environment, so buildings must have some equipment.
“We are using our market position to call for people to examine this equipment and make sure that it is as controllable as possible and is working as efficiently as possible, all of the time. That way, they will achieve indoor comfort whilst lowering emissions and helping to cut their fuel bills.”
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New J501 Downlighter Junction Box from Ashley
Story
The NEW Ashley J501 Downlighter Junction Box ticks ALL the boxes like no other Junction Box can!
The IEE Wiring Regulations state that terminals shall not be subject to undue stress, i.e. taking weight of cables or fittings. Currently a high proportion of Junction Boxes are installed behind Downlighters or decorative light fittings, where moving the Junction Box in to position after wiring could cause stress on the terminations.
With the NEW Ashley J501 Junction Box, these obstacles can be overcome.
Ashley can provide a quick and easy means of connecting fixed wiring to flexible cables of downlighter fittings based on 3 main benefits:
- Easy to use
- Wide application suitability
- Compliance with latest regulations