Story

Matching the existing brickwork was the major challenge for a recent project undertaken by Lead Hill Developments and Beswick Homes. The plans called for the extension and refurbishment of a large Edwardian house into 10 luxury apartments.

Given the combination of new build and refurbishment, it was critical to match the original brick in order to maintain consistency throughout the new build, while at the same time retaining the Edwardian style of the original house.

The existing brick being a rich red, Hanson’s Wilnecote Smooth Red brick was specified, as its colour and soft, smooth texture most closely matched the bricks used on the original house. In addition, the new bricks had to be produced in 73mm format, again to match the size and appearance of the Edwardian brickwork.

Located on the outskirts of a traditional village, this development stands within its own substantial landscaped grounds and is approached via its own private entrance. With this project more than doubling the size of the original house, it stands as an imposing example of the successful mix of old and new, and the way modern construction materials can recreate the past for a new generation.

View Hanson's profile:

Story

View Daikin's profile:

Story

As metallic finishes continue to drive the showering market, the launch of Triton’s striking new T80xr Chrome and T80xr Satin/Chrome electric showers look set to expand the popular appeal of its bestselling model even further.

Incorporating up-to-the-minute chrome styling and ergonomic slim-line design, these two new additions to the range give consumers the choice of two very different contemporary looks – whilst continuing to offer installers the same advanced features and ease of installation as other models in the XR range.

The T80xr Chrome’s sleek, all-chrome fascia, control and power selector dials and push start/stop button make this easy-to-use shower ideal for customers looking to make a statement in the bathroom.

Or, for those preferring a more subtle design option, the T80xr Satin/Chrome electric shower offers a chic, matt chrome fascia with eye-catching all-chrome dials and start/stop button, to produce an equally striking overall look that will complement any modern bathroom.

Additional features of the T80xr Chrome and Satin/Chrome electric showers include an easy-grip, numbered temperature dial to ensure straight forward temperature selection, a push start/stop button and cold, economy and high power selections for an even wider choice of showering options. An all-chrome shower kit includes an easy-to-fit, riser rail and hose, and a five-mode showerhead. Rub-clean nodes on the showerhead make it simple to clean after use.

Lorna Fellowes, managing director for Triton showers comments:

“The bathroom has become such an important statement room in the home, and these two new T80xr Chrome and Satin/Chrome models not only provide the perfect options for customers completely revamping their bathroom to those simply wanting to replace an existing electric shower with a more up-to-date model.

“By combining the latest electric showering technology with contemporary style, the T80xr Chrome and T80xr Satin/Chrome models provide the looks, functions and ease of installation that is sure to continue the T80xr’s runaway success.”

The T80xr Chrome and Satin/Chrome models are available in 8.5kW, 9.5kW and 10.5kW versions and have a two year guarantee.

As with all Triton showers, the new XR chrome additions come with the reassuring backing that a big brand offers along with unbeatable customer service and after sales support, that means installers can simply ‘fit and forget’. Triton’s technical team is also on hand to answer installation questions before, during and after installation, and the XR showers are available on a next day rapid replenishment service if ordered before 5pm.

View Triton's profile:

Story

The Board of Directors at P.J. Carey Plant Hire are totally committed to putting safety first and have taken action to deal effectively with the extremely important issue of site safety, particularly in connection with excavator quick couplers.

Following industry wide concern over the safety of semi-automatic couplers, which culminated in the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) securing an agreement with all leading European quick hitch manufacturers not to supply new semi-automatic hitches into the UK market, leading plant hirer P.J. Carey took the decision to replace all their semi-automatic couplers with the fully automatic model from Hill Engineering.

Although the HSE directive did not go so far as to ban the use of semi-automatic couplers, as an industry leader P.J. Carey considered that by adopting a proactive approach, this positive replacement action would safeguard site personnel and actively demonstrate a firm commitment to enhancing safety on all their sites.

Sean O'Donnell, Director of Wembley-based P.J. Carey Plant Hire, said: “As a responsible plant hire company we are completely driven by safety and we were determined to find an effective solution to the semi-automatic quick coupler problem, and therefore made the decision to change all our hydraulic quick couplers to fully automatic models.”

Mr. O'Donnell was given the daunting task of evaluating all the quick coupler products currently available, in order to identify the fully automatic hitch that completely satisfied their safety requirements.

“When faced with this task I focused on identifying a product specification that fully addressed all the specific areas of concern,” said Mr. O'Donnell. “This was a lengthy and detailed process, but one that we considered absolutely essential in order to ensure exactly the right product choice.”

“The product that finally came out on top, and which completely satisfied all the main selection criteria, was the new Hill Auto-Loc 3 fully automatic coupler from Hill Engineering Ltd.”

“In addition to addressing the technical and user issues, Hill Engineering were able to offer a 'new for old' coupler exchange at reasonable cost.”

“Hill also provided full hands on product training covering all aspects of the coupler change-over, including replacement of decals, coupler controls and hydraulic circuits. This ensured that the new coupler installations fully complied with the companys health & safety requirements.”

“All in all I am confident that we have dealt with the serious issue of operator safety in a timely and effective manner and can now concentrate on ensuring we continue to provide our customers with a service that's second to none,” concluded Mr. ODonnell.

One Call Hire Also Endorses Hill Auto-Loc

Another major plant hire customer endorsing the new Hill Auto-Loc 3 quick coupler is Enfield-based One Call Hire. Managing Director, Anthony Fitzpatrick, said “We have been working with Hill Engineering for several years and all our excavators of 13 tonnes and over purchased over the last three years have been fitted with the Auto-Loc coupler.”

“We were so satisfied with the company and the product that we have now committed to changing our complete fleet to the very latest Auto-Loc 3 fully automatic model and last December took advantage of Hill's 'new for old' programme, placing an order for 200 Auto-Loc 3 couplers for machines in our fleet under 13 tonnes,” added Mr. Fitzpatrick.

Hill Engineering Continues To Put Safety First

In 2005 Hill Engineering, acknowledging that safety is paramount in the attachments world, recognised a need to develop a fully automatic, user friendly coupler, with built-in devices designed to prevent accidental release of attachments.

The company's entire R & D budget was immediately directed towards advancing coupler technology and to the establishment of a dedicated coupler testing facility. Following extensive field trials the 'Safety First' Auto-Loc range of quick couplers was introduced in 2006. Since then Hill has continued to refine the Auto-Loc and are confident that the very latest Auto-Loc 3 version is the safest and most reliable coupler of its type on the market today.

Ian Hill, Managing Director of Hill Engineering, said: “We have listened to our customers and incorporated improvements to provide a product that is more operator-friendly and even easier to use.”

Hill Engineering want to play their part in encouraging the industry to make the change from semi-automatic to fully automatic couplers and are offering a 'new for old' programme, whereby existing semi-automatic couplers can be traded in against a new Auto-Loc 3 coupler at reasonable cost. Also included is the provision of hands on product training for appointed trainer/operators and installation training for service fitters.

Hill Engineering remains fully committed to site safety and for the past two years has been involved, along with other coupler manufacturers, in the working groups established by the HSE to define the proposed changes to the EN474 legislation.

“All quick coupler manufacturers and users should recognise a shared responsibility to ensure an altogether safer working environment for all,” commented Ian Hill.

Originally established in 1994, Hill Engineering moved to new £4.5million, 85,000sq.ft, purpose-designed, state-of-the-art premises in 2006, whilst retaining its original nearby factory as a dedicated research & development facility.

Hill also produce a range of heavy duty excavator buckets, enabling them to provide a top quality hitches and buckets package for its customers throughout the UK and Ireland, as well as internationally across Europe and the USA.

All Hill products are ISO 9001 and CE accredited and as a customer focused organisation with a flexible approach they can tailor equipment to meet individual customer requirements.

Hill Engineering Managing Director, Ian Hill, concluded: “We constantly strive to design and manufacture top quality products to the highest possible world-class standards, with safety always an over-riding consideration.”

View Hill Engineering's profile:

Story

View Ability Projects's profile:

Story

WITHAM – December 11, 2007 – The new multifunction DIN-rail mounted Crompton Instruments DINtegra 1260 digital metering system from Tyco Electronics’ Energy Division, provides programmable measurement, display and communication of up to 50 major electrical and power quality parameters, including true rms system values.

The new DIN-rail mounted enclosure offers a simple menu-driven user interface on the front panel. The set button enables simple programming, configuration and adjustment of selected communication options. Parameters are displayed on a high contrast, 5-line, 3-digit LED display. Programmable pulsed outputs, digital inputs and RS485 communication port, all as standard, enable direct connection to SCADA systems using the Modbus RTU protocol.

DINtegra 1260 series devices offer uncomplicated measurement of three phase voltage, current, frequency, Watts, VAr, VA, energy kWh, power factor, min/max values and total harmonic distortion.

Designed for all low and medium voltage applications such as switchgear and distribution systems, control panels, utility power monitoring and process control, DINtegra 1260 series devices offer programmable VT and CT ratio capability. Direct connection up to 300Vac L-N (500V L-L) with 5A CT inputs.

Furthermore, DINtegra 1260 digital metering systems offer optional dual pulsed outputs. Each output can be user programmed to represent import or export kWh, import or export kVArh or kVAh. Output pulses can be customised by the user programmable pulse rate divisor (opto isolated, open collector type).

An added feature is digital inputs which can be used to monitor the status of other electrical equipment eg. Thermostats, circuit breakers, water meters, pumps, etc.

Tyco Electronics and TE logo are trademarks.
Crompton is a trademark of Crompton Parkinson Ltd., and used by Tyco Electronics under licence. Other trademarks are a property of respective owners.

View Tyco Electronics's profile:

Story

A brand new European and US partnership brings The Bollard People and The Bollard Guys together as ATG Access and Calpipe Security Bollards announce the signing of an exclusive manufacturing license agreement.

ATG Access security bollards are world famous for the quality of manufacture, reliability, maintenance and after sales support. The US marketplace has tremendous potential for the continued growth of the ATG Access range of products, this agreement is also a massive step towards providing the US marketplace with the quality of product and after care they deserve.

CEO of Calpipe, Dan Markus said “This Licence deal provides great benefits to both companies, the potential marketplace in the US is huge and the signing of this agreement gives ATG Access the US manufacturing partner they sought to further their international expansion”.

The ATG Access/Calpipe partnership will manufacture a full range of bollards providing solutions at every level of security and traffic management.

Traffic management solutions are accredited at the very highest level and are widely used in Europe and throughout Asia to allow temporary secure access or to close off an area to all but authorised (tagged) vehicles.

The anti terrorist range provides a benchmark for the rest of the industry, armed with PAS68 and Department of State K rated products at the highest level the SP bollards provide the ultimate protection against terrorist attack.

Unique Shallow mount technology will allow the installation of a K4 rated bollard in a foundation of just 4 inches.

Glenn Cooper, President of ATG Access added “This Licensed manufacturing deal brings together our cutting edge technology and engineering innovation with Calpipes obvious great position in the US marketplace, we are truly excited by the opportunity to provide the US with the product and service they have been looking for”.

View ATG Access's profile:

Story

Daikin Europe has extended its Altherma heat pump heating and domestic hot water system with a new ‘Monobloc’ version, which retains all the existing system advantages whilst simplifying installation.

Whereas the original Altherma system comprised an outdoor heat pump and an indoor ‘hydro’ unit, the new Monobloc model contains both within the outdoor unit. Thus, all the main hydraulic components required for a heating system – circulating pump, expansion vessel, back up heater and built in Daikin controller – are located within the same enclosure. Installation is therefore considerably simplified without compromising the benefits of the original system.

Only water piping needed

Since the entire refrigeration circuit is contained in the outdoor unit, no refrigerant piping need be installed, obviating the requirement for specialist handling of refrigerant and enabling the new system to be installed by any heating specialist. Installation time is thereby, reduced and installation costs are lowered right across the board.

A number of additional features are incorporated to ensure against freezing of the water circuit in the outdoor unit. This is accomplished by activating the system circulating pump and electric back up heater when outdoor temperatures are at or below freezing point. The electric back up heater can also provide extra heat to the water circuit, ensuring adequate indoor temperatures, even on the coldest winter days without increasing system size.

Original Altherma benefits retained

The Monobloc Altherma retains all the plus features of the standard system. Energy efficiency for example, is extremely high with up to 5kW of heating output for every 1kW of electric input (COP of around 5.0). The system is ideally suited for integration with under floor heating and LTHW radiators and can be configured for cooling as well as heating by the addition of fan coil units. It also supports the full range of modern domestic hot water boilers and can be interfaced with third party solar panels for increased efficiency in domestic hot water production.

View Daikin's profile:

Story

Building upon the success of the Ecosure range, the experts at Dulux Trade have launched its ‘eco paint’ in an exciting new finish, Ecosure Quick Drying Eggshell, to offer appliers and specifiers a product that delivers the sustainability credentials of Ecosure and the performance benefits expected from Dulux Trade in an attractive mid-sheen product.

This new addition to the Ecosure range ensures that neither specifiers nor appliers need to compromise on performance, colour or finish choice when specifying more sustainable decorating products from Dulux Trade. Available from April 2009, in Pure Brilliant White and over 10,000 colours, Ecosure Quick Drying Eggshell boasts high opacity and great durability, which means that fewer coats are needed to achieve the desired colour density and maintenance cycles can be extended.

The sustainability credentials of Ecosure Quick Drying Eggshell were measured during development using the Environmental Impact Analyser, a cradle to factory gate analytical tool produced in conjunction with leading sustainability charity Forum for the Future. The results confirmed that Ecosure Quick Drying Eggshell contains low embodied carbon – 10 per cent less than standard water-based eggshell paints – and minimal Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). Like the other products in the Ecosure range, this new addition is packaged in cans manufactured with a minimum of 25% recycled materials and builds upon the work Dulux Trade undertook with Forum for the Future during the groundbreaking development of Ecosure.

The latest addition to the Ecosure range represents a genuine ‘Step Towards Greener’ and reinforces the commitments made by Dulux Trade to increase sustainability whilst maintaining the highest standards of performance.

View Dulux Trade's profile:

Story

State of the art fan coil units manufactured by Ability Projects Ltd, Wimborne, Dorset, are installed in the new landmark Watermark Place Thames side complex close to Cannon Street Station on a site defined by its maritime heritage.

The prestigious and highly specified commercial development, situated in an enviable open river side area, offers 540,000 ft2 of flexible Grade A office accommodation and retail space in a key area of the City. Comprising a group of lower elevation buildings facing the river with taller 12 storey blocks to the rear, this imaginative scheme is being developed by Watermark Place Oxford One Investments Ltd and UBS Global asset Management. The complex has been specially designed to achieve a low carbon footprint and is expected to be awarded an ‘excellent’ BREEAM rating.

Air conditioning for the development comprises almost 1,000 Trojan EVO270 4 and 2 pipe EC/DC horizontal chassis type fan coil systems, supplied via centralised chillled and LPHW systems – capacities for the fan coils are 1.7 to 4.0kW (cooling) and 1.0 to 1.6kW (heating).

Trojan EVO EC/.DC fan coil units offer a reduction in electrical consumption of up to 89%, infinite speed control, minimal motor heat generation and about double the operational life expectancy of comparable AC driven units. All units at Watermark Place have been subjected to exhaustive thermal and acoustic testing at Ability’s purpose built in house test centre to meet an operating sound requirement of NR33 at 30 Pascals resistance.

Units are also fitted with extended condensate trays and valve commissioning caps and supplied with ‘free issue’ Honeywell controllers and Frese Optima self balancing and fully modulating valve sets, handed and angled towards the rear of the unit and complete with removable support and cover. The valve sets also incorporate test points.

View Ability Projects's profile: