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Work on the futuristic tower known as The Blade is well under way and rising to an impressive 128m, the complex is now Reading’s tallest office block and most significant office development for a decade. Billed as Reading’s most imaginatively conceived building, it will completely dominate the centre of the town on its completion next spring.

Located to the rear of Forbury Square, The Blade will comprise cutting edge office accommodation over 14 floors within a few minutes walk of Reading station. The landmark development by PMB Holdings and Aviva Investors will provide close on 110,000 ft², available in floors of 5,630 ft² upwards and will be accompanied by 32 apartments in a separate block.

Air conditioning for the tower will be provided by over 300 off 4 pipe Trojan horizontal, chassis type fan coil units, manufactured by Ability Projects Ltd, Wimborne, Dorset and installed in false ceiling voids on each of the floors. Installation was carried out by contractor, Bailey Ltd, Reading. Capacities of the fan coils are between 0.52 and 4.82kW (cooling) and 1.24 and 3.0kW (heating) and all units conform to NR38 operational noise ratings.

All units incorporate high level condensate alarms, supplied and fitted by Ability. Free issue actuators were wired by Ability and identified by colour coded labels – third party supplied free issue valves were fitted by others on site. The fan coil units are not fitted with condensate tray drain connections since the chilled water design conditions are such that condensate is not envisaged. Some units are also provided with factory fitted electric heaters and electric heating solid state relays for installation in areas in which LPHW pipe work cannot be connected. All units also feature fan failure air flow switches and 250mm dia. spigots.

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Laidlaw Solutions has recently been awarded the international environmental management standard ISO14001 as a result of its commitment to minimise its impact upon the environment. Laidlaw specialises in architectural ironmongery, doorset and handrailing systems and operates through 12 locations nationwide. It is one of the first companies within its sector to achieve this accreditation.

The company’s Environmental Manager, Adam Dorman commented “Laidlaw has set itself stringent standards to ensure that it continually reduces the environmental impact of its activities. These have become embedded into our working practices and procedures, and achievement of this accreditation is a formal recognition of the progress we are making. As the internationally accepted environmental management standard, ISO14001 provides a valuable benchmark for specifiers and clients as they assess supplier attitudes to environmental policy.

Management review and monitoring procedures will ensure that we now maintain continuous and sustainable improvement and that we comply with all environmental laws and regulations”.

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EES Data are providers of Contract Estimating and Management control software. The system is built around a number of core modules and is supplied with an extensive database of industry standard products. This industry designed Software includes Full Contract Estimating, Small Works Costing and Billing, Supplier and Quotation Request, Purchase Ordering and the option to bolt on the Plus range of management tools that cover Project Financial Monitoring and Control, Application for Payment and Valuation System plus a comprehensive Stock Control System.

The EES Data estimating and project management software is available direct from EES Data and is also available through Newey & Eyre and The BSS Group.

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The SceneMaster8000 is an easy-to-install and simple to programme dimming system from Leax Lighting Controls.

Offering unlimited circuits for scene controlled dimming, each rack in the Leax 8000 can be supplied with between 1-12 circuits. It is suitable for any combination of load types and can be programmed directly at the switch plates or from a laptop using specially developed Leax ControlMaster software providing the ultimate in control, configuration and programming.

The 8000 comes complete with an RS232 for interfacing with audio-visual equipment and it can be integrated with daylight linking control.

In addition, the system can control curtains and blinds and is compatible with non-lighting LonWorks® compliant products such as heating and ventilation.

It comes in a wide range of control plates with a wide range of finishes customised to suit the requirements of any interior scheme.

Whatever the lighting project, Leax has the solution.

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Wavin, the UK’s leading supplier of plastic pipe systems and solutions has extended its range of Electrofusion Fittings suitable for both potable and non-potable water applications. They are all 40 volt fittings and have 4mm connection pins. The list of available fittings is comprehensive and includes couplers, tapping tees, elbows, reducers, end caps and a duckfoot bend kit.

All fittings are WRAS approved; certified to BS EN 12201:2003 and meet DWI regulations 32, 30 and 27. Fittings up to and including 63mm diameter contain integral clamping to improve productivity and deliver the highest joint quality. The heating wire is covered to ensure it has no direct contact with the pipe, but direct contact with the fusion surface ensures a high quality connection. All fittings are barcode labelled for automatic fusion and limited path fusion indicators maintain pressure within the joint and offer a visual check as to the success of the jointing.

Cleanliness is essential with Electrofusion Fittings and although the standard installation methods are well understood, it is hoped the additional features offered by the range will deliver superior joint quality. Wavin also offers an Electrofusion product and installation guide, which is available on request.

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Unlike many other currently available instrument test boxes, the new Megger MTB7671 checks all of the key operating parameters of instruments under test. Users can, therefore, have complete confidence that the accuracy and performance of their instruments are maintained between routine calibrations, as required by the Guidance Notes that accompany the IEE Wiring Regulations.

Designed specifically to address the shortcomings of existing test boxes, which typically check only the primary functions of instruments, Megger’s new MTB7671 also checks vital parameters, such as the voltage applied by the instrument during insulation tests.

Not only are the limits for these parameters laid down in the IEE Wiring Regulations and EN61557 which is called for in the 17th Edition, making them a mandatory part of the test procedure, they also have a huge effect on the validity of test results. For example, if the insulation test voltage is too low, defective insulation may register as satisfactory – with potentially dangerous consequences.

The MTB7671 is capable of checking insulation testers, continuity testers, loop testers and RCD testers. Test functions are colour coded to ensure ease of use, and pass/fail limits are incorporated for all parameters where such limits are published. Instruments can, therefore, be checked quickly against a series of simple pass/fail indications.

For insulation testers, the MTB7671 provides confirmation that the instrument is producing the correct voltage and current, as well as checking calibration at five values from 0.25 megohm to 90 megohms. Continuity testers are checked for correct output voltage and current, and for accuracy of resistance measurement at 0.5 ohm and 5 ohm.

When checking loop testers, the MTB7671 provides a direct loop measurement from the outlet socket, which can be measured either with a trip or a no-trip test. It also offers loop plus 1 ohm and loop plus 180 ohm checks for verifying that instruments will give reliable results in TT installations. For RCD testers, the MTB7671 provides RCD values of 10mA, 30mA and 100mA. For each value, the five standard tests can be performed.

The test box is also provided with 230V output terminals to provide a quick check for instruments with voltage-measuring ranges, and its special design means that it can be safely used with either standard or RCD-protected supplies without the risk of tripping the supply.

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In 2005 Kubota became the first and is still the only mini excavator manufacturer to offer a complete security system as standard equipment on its machines.

Now the company has raised the standard even further with the introduction of its newly upgraded 'ANTI-THEFT PLUS' security system, which has also gained the certification of Thatcham, the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre.

It is the first construction equipment security system integrated into machines when they are built to achieve Thatcham endorsement.

The coveted certification is recognised by insurers and should result in substantial discounts on premiums for users of Kubota mini excavators.

'ANTI-THEFT PLUS' is now fitted as standard to all new Kubota machines from 1.5 to 8 tonnes.

Richard Harrison, Sales & Marketing Manager, Kubota (UK) Ltd – Construction Equipment, said: “It's s

atisfying to know that our new 'ANTI-THEFT PLUS' system is considered so secure it has gained the certification of Thatcham, perhaps the best known name in the business for vehicle security. This should be good news when it comes to insurance premiums, as well as providing extra peace of mind for hire companies, plant users and owner operators alike.”

Mike Briggs, Vehicle Security Manager at Thatcham, said, “This is a major step forward in the fight to combat plant theft and Kubota are to be congratulated on taking the lead as the first plant manufacturer to gain this certification for standard fit equipment.”

“In 2005 when we launched the original 'ANTI-THEFT' system we were the first mini excavator manufacturer to offer a key-based security system as standard. It's been a great success and to date we have no record of any Kubota machine fitted with it ever having been stolen by means of thieves tampering with the ignition,” added Richard Harrison.

The unique easy-to-use security system is based on an individually programmed key for each machine instead of the traditional universal starter key. The 'ANTI-THEFT PLUS' key has an identification code embedded in an IC chip that incorporates a state-of-the-art immobiliser system.

It starts and stops the engine like a conventional ignition key, and also opens the machine's cab door, fuel filler cap and engine canopy. Without it, the fuel, hydraulic and electric systems are fully immobilised. Any attempt to start the machine with an un-programmed key activates the system's alarm. There is also now extra guarding around the more sensitive areas of the machine operating system.

Two pre-programmed keys are supplied with each new machine. A third master key gives users the opportunity to easily reprogramme the machine with a new unique identity number, via buttons on the digital dashboard, if one or both of the original keys are lost or mislaid at any time.

Kubota is the UK, European and world leader in mini excavators and provides the widest range of machines available from a single manufacturer. Customers can select from 19 base models spanning the weight range from 850kg to 8 tonnes and including the largest selection of highly versatile zero tail swing machines.

Kubota also outstripped its competitors with the recent announcement that all its new machines will now carry a full 3 year warranty as standard. Typically most other manufacturers currently offer a maximum 2 year standard warranty period.

“The decision to extend the standard warranty to 3 years (or 3,000 hours) was another industry first for Kubota and confirms our confidence in the quality, reliability, durability and superiority of our minis.”

“Their outstanding performance, versatility, excellent residual values and exceptional dealer support, together with our unique new 'ANTI-THEFT PLUS' security system as standard, make Kubota mini excavators unbeatable value for money, particularly in these tough economic times,” concluded Richard Harrison.

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The Royal Yacht Britannia, the boat that helped to make The Queen the most travelled monarch the world has ever known, is now benefiting from environmental systems manufacturer Mitsubishi Electric’s range of air conditioning solutions – providing modern comfort in a traditional setting.

The yacht, launched in 1953, is now permanently berthed at Leith Harbour, Edinburgh, Scotland, and is open as a visitor centre, with additional conference hire and banqueting facilities.

In its day, the yacht could travel at speeds of 22.5 knots, using its extensive 125.65m length and 16.76m breadth to journey to locations worldwide. This was the ship that, even with its full complement of around 300 Royal Yachtsmen and Royal Household staff, The Queen named as the one place where she could truly relax.

In keeping with the traditional elegance of the yacht, Eric McPhail of refrigeration and air conditioning specialist Kooltech, selected and supplied a range of systems to provide comfortable conditions to blend into the background of the design.

The new installation includes two PUHY-P250YHM-A condensing units located in the ship’s funnel and ten PEFY-P63-VMS1-E fan coil units. Prior to installation, Kooltech treated the condensing units with Blygold at its Glasgow site – a treatment which applies a coating to provide long lasting corrosion protection to heat exchangers without affecting the heat transfer or pressure drop.

“One of the key issues when working on the Britannia was to maintain its glamour and traditional design, while providing the optimum comfort for visitors,” explains Bob Farrington, Kooltech’s Brand Manager.

“The purpose of the air-conditioned area on the yacht was to re-create the Royal Deck, which in the past was used for Royal cocktail parties, with a permanent awning and glazing.”

Britannia has a dedicated maintenance team, many of whom have a Royal Navy or shipyard background, all working 363 days a year to look after and preserve the yacht in keeping with her former glory.

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One technology that is being increasingly implemented for the ‘smart home’ is KNX (Konnex), or EIB (European Installation Bus) as it is also known. It is currently revolutionising electrical installations, and is relatively simple to understand, requiring only a bus line along which all bus devices (sensors and controls) may communicate. It is similar in many ways to the analogue addressable technology employed in fire and security systems.

The central feature is the embedded control protocol – with devices, such as sensors, actuators and smart controllers communicating with each other to perform circuit management functions to control a network of command modules, with devices from many manufacturers all capable of functioning on a single system.

Until recently, however, electrical accessories that were able to initiate or respond to the protocol were only available in mainland Europe, with corresponding ‘European only’ specifications. But with the recent coming together of Siemens and Electrium, Crabtree, one of the UK’s leading electrical accessory manufacturers, has now developed a collection of KNX switches as part of their existing stylish and functional Platinum range, available in any of the standard Platinum finishes for complete decorative coordination.

EIB/ KNX caters for all the intelligent requirements of a modern home including heating, cooling, lighting, enhanced security and remote access. The new Crabtree switches and sockets blend together seamlessly with any other wiring devices used in the home, whether part of the KNX bus or stand alone.

Jim Currie, Marketing Director of Electrium, commented: “The Crabtree Platinum KNX range of products allows consumers to continue to enjoy the aesthetics of having matching quality Platinum accessories within their homes, while also benefiting from sophisticated Siemens smart home technology. The fact that KNX technology has now made this range accessible to such a demanding market is very good news.”

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