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A new development in the East Midlands is one of the first in the UK to specify the highly innovative Ensign EEZI-FIT range of cast iron drainage systems from Saint-Gobain Pipelines.

Highcross Court is a new build development of 144 luxury flats in five blocks adjacent to and above the Shires Shopping Centre in Leicester city centre.

Mechanical and electrical consultants for the project, Buckinghamshire-based Silcock Dawson & Partners, specified cast iron for the above ground drainage due to its unrivalled appearance and acoustic performance.

Despite pressure to switch to plastic drainage systems because of their perceived lower cost, the many benefits of the new EEZI-FIT push-fit range and its ability to avoid joints in the floor screed, convinced the developers to stay with cast iron.

Saint-Gobain demonstrated the EEZI-FIT product to plumbing contractor Sleaford Building Services who were highly impressed by its quality, ease and speed of installation, and environmental advantages over plastic alternatives.

Barry Exton, a Director of Sleaford Building Services, explained: “The EEZI-FIT range incorporates a unique manifold waste connector fitting with an extended bottom connection spigot that due to its extended length clears a floor make up/screed of up to 300mm and therefore negates the installation of a joint in the floor constructions with the obvious issues this has the potential to cause. We used a large number of these fittings to connect to sanitaryware appliances and a particular benefit was the use of the low level manifold inlets providing a solution to ensure invert and gradient levels were achieved even from low outlet shower trays.

“The fact that the EEZI-FIT components simply push together made for a very fast installation while the quality of the range – which retains all the proven benefits of cast iron drainage systems – is very clear.”

Derrick Brookes of Saint-Gobain Pipelines added: “This installation shows clearly how the EEZI-FIT range solves many of the issues facing modern developers. EEZI-FIT offers rapid installation alongside all the established benefits of cast iron in terms of durability, performance, appearance, fire resistance, acoustic qualities and recyclability.

Versatility and suitability of the range for both residential and commercial applications is already generating significant interest from specifiers for a number of projects. We believe EEZI-FIT is set to become the range of choice where ease of installation is required without compromise elsewhere.”

Ensign EEZI-FIT is Kitemark approved to BS EN 877 for gravity, sanitary applications and manufactured under BS EN ISO 9001: 2004 Quality Assurance.

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Megger?s new MFT1553 On-site takes electrical testing to a new level. Instruments that transfer test results automatically to a laptop computer or other hardware running a test certificate generation program are nothing new ? but this new multifunction installation tester and certification software package from Megger takes this one step further.

Now, it is no longer necessary to have a cabled connection between the test instrument and the computer. With Megger’s MFT1553 package, all data is transferred via a wireless Bluetooth connection.

The benefits include faster testing, with no cumbersome connections to worry about, the elimination of data leads that are easily lost or damaged, plus the completion of certificates there and then on site on a lap-top, PDA or smart-phone, eliminating the need to note down readings.

The MFT1553 multifunction tester included in the package is the latest addition to Megger’s hugely successful MFT1500 range. The MFT1553 offers tests covering all the requirements of both the 16th and 17th Editions of the IEE Wiring Regulations, and is supplied, as standard, complete with a calibration certificate.

The PowerSuite software in the MFT1553 On-site package is among the most versatile of its type, and is available in versions for use on almost any hardware platform from a smart mobile phone to a full-blown PC. In addition to Windows, operating systems such as Symbian S60, and PalmOS V5 are fully supported.

The software includes over 25 certificates from the IEE, ECA, NICEIC and ELECSA, and also provides facilities for the generation user designed certificates.

Taken together, the components of the MFT1553 On-site package provide a comprehensive testing solution for contractors which offers safety, convenience and value for money, unmatched by any other product or combination of products currently available.

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Hambleside Danelaw’s award-winning Insulator rooflight has become the first and only British rooflight to be labelled as an energy-efficient construction product under the EU’s GREEN-IT scheme.

Specifiers, especially those for public sector new build projects, will also be interested to learn that the Group’s tile roof ventilator range has been added to the WRAP procurement guide for construction materials that incorporate recycled content and help to reduce waste.

The latest seal of approval for Insulator’s capacity to save on end-users’ energy bills and cut their carbon emissions comes as BRE makes a renewed push to promote the GREEN-IT database as a tool for UK specifiers. The WRAP guide is used by government departments and local authorities to stop 8 million tonnes of waste materials from the household, industrial and commercial waste streams going to landfill.

Hambleside Danelaw’s almost unrivalled track-record in the sector for developing sustainable products has been further boosted by a report from the independent consultancy dcarbon8 which shows that the company slashed its carbon footprint by over 20% in 2006-07.

Commenting on these latest announcements, Robin Jeffery, Hambleside Danelaw’s vice-chairman, said: “Earlier this year a committee of MPs criticised procurers in the public sector for their lack of a sustainable approach in building new schools and hospitals. Schemes like GREEN-IT and WRAP with approved product databases easily accessible on the internet will make their job much easier in helping to meet the Government’s latest commitment to cut the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. Hambleside Danelaw is aiming to have more of its products on these lists.”

Hambleside Danelaw also announced today that its next generation of Insulator rooflights with a unique further energy-saving innovation will be unveiled at the Ecobuild show in London on 3-5 March 2009.

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The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) has joined forces with AMTECH Group Ltd on the promotion of the National Engineering Specification (NES).

The NES software packages, nes Specification Expert and O & M were acquired by AMTECH Group earlier this year. As the UK's leading building services software company, AMTECH Group is fully committed to maintaining the support currently enjoyed for the NES products.

Under the new agreement, CIBSE will exclusively endorse the National Engineering Specification (NES) software, training and associated customer services – the only specification system to have adopted a ‘greening' policy – recommending the products & services for use by building specialists.

CIBSE Chief Executive Stephen Matthews said: “We are delighted to be working with AMTECH and look forward to exploring further opportunities for future collaboration and developing a first rate specification system focused on engineering excellence and sustainability.”

AMTECH Commercial Director David Bell added: “This is the first stage in an enhanced relationship between AMTECH and industry-leading bodies such as CIBSE that will bring major benefits to all parties. Since we acquired nes Specification Expert in mid 2008 we have already established an advisory panel of CIBSE members.

“Drawn from leading consultants, contractors and construction clients, the panel will help us design the route map for the product’s future direction and ensure it fulfils its true potential. In parallel, we have already invested significant resources into Specification Expert, leading to major new features and enhancements,” he continued.

AMTECH Group is the UK’s largest supplier of specialist software to the building services industry and the only company to offer a true end-to-end solution. Through its AMTECH, Estimation and NES brands the company’s product portfolio encompasses solutions for specification, design, calculations, sizing, pricing, procurement, project management, accounts management, ongoing service and maintenance and test and certification.

“This comprehensive product range, combined with the enduring partnerships we have with the industry, will enable us to continue developing leading-edge solutions that deliver true benefits. Not just benefits for users but also for the industry as a whole; removing cost from construction and helping UK consultants and contractors to compete more effectively on the world stage,” David Bell concluded.

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Cityroofs’ solutions transform living space on podiums, balconies and terraces. Using Aquadyne technology, green roofs and facades are created using panels manufactured entirely from recycled plastic. The Aquadyne sheet acts as wick, water store and diffuser, primarily to assist with storm attenuation drainage. Its properties enable plants to be grown, fed and irrigated, the soil-less structure creating herbaceous growth without the risk of soil slippage. Dense, evergreen, self-seeding, non-invasive varieties with creeping root structures such as birds’ foot trefoil or rupturewort require little more than annual inspection. Whilst independent tests have shown that 22 sq m of Aquadyne will save approximately 1 tonne of CO2, it is also extremely lightweight when saturated Such lightweight green roof structures can remain green all year round with irrigation but if preferred, traditional sedums can be used without irrigation, retained water being taken from the roof deck to the roots by capillary action.

Non-irrigated modular systems can collect sufficient rainwater in their reservoir to support growth for 3 weeks or more. Used with the Dreen range of paving products, designs can be created for hard and soft landscaping and mixed use environments. Aquadyne’s high inherent strength enables it to be used for storm attenuation under Pardak slabs too. Designed for vehicular traffic, Pardak avoids need for visible surface drainage in shared pedestrian / car environments.

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Vaisala has introduced new versions of the ultrasonic wind sensor, the Vaisala WINDCAP® Ultrasonic Wind Sensor WMT52, and the weather transmitter, the Vaisala Weather Transmitter WXT520. Both instruments use ultrasonic technology for measuring horizontal wind speed and direction. In addition the WXT520 measures liquid precipitation, barometric pressure, temperature and relative humidity – all in one instrument.

The maintenance-free ultrasonic Vaisala WINDCAP® Sensor, in both the WMT52 and WXT520, ensures accurate readings from any horizontal wind direction avoiding blind angles and corrupted readings. In the WXT520 the Vaisala RAINCAP® sensor measures precipitation, providing data on accumulated rainfall, rain intensity and duration, all in real time.

Both the WXT520 and WMT52 have a housing and mounting kit that is water resistant with an IP66 classification. The transmitters have new interface cards and they are ROHS compliant.

A number of optional features are offered, such as, heating, a bird-deterrent spike kit, a USB connection, and a new surge protector. The wind and rain sensors can be equipped with heating to improve the availability of correct measurement data also in severe weather conditions. The USB connection facilitates the connection to a PC as a service connector, or when the PC is used as a terminal device. The Vaisala Surge Protector WSP152 is designed to protect the host PC against surges that may be entering through the USB port.

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Estimation’s QuoteMaster quotation management module now incorporates advanced tools for managing Net Price Agreements (NPAs), increasingly used by suppliers to fix prices on key items for a pre-agreed term.

QuoteMaster provides an interface between the supply chain and Estimation’s Central Price File of materials used throughout Estimation’s software as well as to their Estimating and Procurement modules. This enables contractors to quickly prepare a list of materials, and then submit it electronically to suppliers as a request for quotation.

QuoteMaster interfaces to everyday tools such as Microsoft Excel and Word, into which suppliers can enter their prices for the contractor, so any need for proprietary item or vendor codes is eliminated. This also means there is no need for special product data or software. This overcomes the headaches from lack of industry wide unique product references.

As quotations are returned by suppliers, these are imported electronically into QuoteMaster, where the inbuilt adjudication screens assist the contractor in making easy comparisons and adjudicating between quotes received from multiple suppliers.

Once the contractor has finalised the choice of supplies, QuoteMaster posts the Net Prices from the supplier into the Estimation software, ready to be used when preparing estimates and raising purchase orders.

To make life even easier, Net Price Agreements are stored, ready to be refreshed at any time. So as the current agreement is drawing to a close, it is quick and easy to resend the Request for Quotation to suppliers and refresh the Central Price File with their latest Net Price Agreement.

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A wide range of Mapei products have recently been used in the construction of The Braid, Ballymena’s new Museum and Arts Centre. Consarc Design Group, Belfast, designed this prestigious flagship project, which has been developed with support from the Heritage Lottery fund and the Arts Lottery Fund. The new Museum explores the history of mid-Antrim from earliest times to the present day.

A system of Mapei products including levelling compound, adhesives and coloured grout was selected to prepare substrates and install and finish ceramic and porcelain wall and floor tiles. Tiling contractors, J & R Keys Tiles Ltd of Ballymena, supplied and installed the tiles on behalf of the main contractor, Patton Construction.

Mapei Latexplan, a premier two-component levelling compound was used to smooth mechanically abraded screeds to receive the tiled floor finishes. The low odour, protein-free product is self smoothing and suitable for levelling differences in thickness from 1-10mm.

A variety of tile types and sizes were specified for the project and Mapei were able to provide perfect product solutions for all of these. In the reception area and other ground floor locations 550m² of Imola Time Porcelain Tiles 1200×600 were installed with Mapei Granirapid in grey. A two-component, rapid setting adhesive, Granirapid is particularly suitable for installing large format porcelain and stone material which are subject to heavy traffic.

Mapei Keraflex Maxi white was used to install 700m² of Kronos 600×600 Lux white porcelain floor tiles on the first and second floor areas. Keraflex Maxi is a super single part flexible S1 adhesive suitable for thin or thick bed fixing of ceramic, porcelain and stone materials.

Mapei Keraquick, fast-setting flexible S1 adhesive was used in the toilet and bathroom areas including shower stalls to fix Pilkington Matrix tiles in cream to floor areas and Vogue tiles in a vibrant purple on the walls.

The most challenging areas to be tiled were the staircases and lift interiors which were all based on a steel frame. For this application Mapei Keralastic proved the ideal solution, the two-component polyurethane adhesive is particularly suitable for installing ceramic and stone materials on metal substrates.

All tile joints were finished with Mapei Ultracolor Plus fast-setting and drying cementitious grout for joint widths from 2-20mm which was suitable for both walls and floors. It’s DropEffect® Water-repellent and BioBlock® anti-mould properties make it ideal for wet areas including power showers. Available in 26 different colours there was a shade of Ultracolor Plus for all of the tile applications.

Mapei is the world’s largest manufacturer of adhesives, sealants and chemical products for building. With over 70 years experience, Mapei is a specialist in the production of quality products for the installation of all types of wall and floor coverings, and has a vast range of admixtures and repair products for concrete and building materials.

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