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As well as being classed as ten times more durable than standard silk emulsions, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt has now been reformulated to make it ten times more stain resistant as well. This means that the new Dulux Trade Diamond Matt can be kept clean and fresh from common stains for five years as opposed to 2-3 years with a standard emulsion without losing its attractive matt finish, saving both time and money by eliminating the need for expensive redecoration.

Dulux Trade conducted comprehensive testing on the newly formulated Diamond Matt, comparing it with standard vinyl silk in a red wine staining experiment. Results proved that the vinyl silk emulsion was significantly more stained than the Diamond Matt formulation, which was almost blemish free.

Stephanie Brown, Brand Manager for the Dulux Trade Diamond range comments: “Dulux Trade Diamond Matt along with the other products in the Diamond range, offers a breakthrough in coatings technology that delivers long term cost savings and outstanding performance that significantly and genuinely extends maintenance cycles. With the new enhanced resistance to stains, Diamond Matt keeps surfaces looking better for even longer, withstanding heavy wear and repeated cleaning.”

Not only does the Dulux Trade Diamond range deliver in its top quality performance and exceptional durability, but being water-based as opposed to solvent-based means it is also simultaneously reducing the carbon footprint of decorating jobs. With a prolonged lifespan and strong sustainability credentials, specifiers now have the means to extend interior maintenance cycles and ultimately reduce costs, whilst reducing the impact on the environment at the same time. The Diamond range is also already fully compliant with the pending EU VOC 2010 regulations.

The Diamond range proves that superior results can be achieved for all interior areas without compromising performance. Being water-based, it is quick and easy to apply, reducing downtime on job sites. It is also extremely resilient, making it perfect for large scale projects and areas that require a specialised finish and high endurance. These characteristics make the Diamond perfect for communal areas, corridors and high traffic environments, such as schools, retail and leisure developments and hotels for example.

Continues Stephanie Brown: “The full Diamond range from Dulux Trade has also received an exciting new look to reflect its added features and benefits. With a premium product, comes a premium new can design, which adds gold and silver into the equation and proudly reinforces its new credentials.”

The range includes Dulux Trade Diamond Matt, Diamond Eggshell and Diamond Satinwood. The full Diamond range is available in the widest colour choice in the market, with over 10,000 to choose from.

Dulux Trade offers full specification support tailored to individual requirements. This ensures the correct preparation is highlighted and the products specified are the most appropriate for the location, environment and substrate type. For larger painting projects, Dulux Trade Colour Consultants are also on hand to provide help and advice on colour choice using unique colour specification software.

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23rd May 2007: A new, purpose-built Hospice in Hertfordshire providing palliative care to people with life-limiting illnesses is proving a blueprint for other establishments in the UK and Europe, thanks to its unique building design and innovative approach to fire safety. This approach was inspired primarily by the leadership of Nurse Alison Briant, supported by the local fire service, together with leading fire specialists, Chubb Fire. Chubb Fire is part of UTC Fire & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX)

In early 2007, the Hospice of St Francis moved within Berkhamsted to the new site. In the old building, they had been independently audited as being ?high risk? in terms of their fire safety provision ? an assessment that Alison was determined to address with the move. An additional concern was how to deliver training to over 500 volunteers who are an integral part of hospice care. A full written fire risk assessment from Chubb Fire identified not only the fire safety equipment required, but also the role that staff could play in its plan to ?prevent, detect, contain and escape fire.?

?I have used Chubb Fire since 1980 when I started out as a pupil nurse,? Alison explains. ?Some of the Hospice staff were sceptical as there are cheaper brands on the market, but I was able to convince them that Chubb Fire offers a total service, including risk assessment, advice and guidance, which was exactly what we needed. I was given charge of the project, among a myriad of other projects, and wanted to work with a business that I could trust, that would deliver what was promised, and that would give us best advice in terms of current and future legislation.?

The Hospice cares for 14 in-patients at any one time and also provides out-patient care to a number of people. The relocation to a new building has given visitors and patients a purpose-built facility with its own grounds, a patient outreach programme and two reception areas ? one for patients and another for staff and fundraisers.

?We had an independent assessment at our previous site in 2005, and unfortunately we were classified as high risk in terms of fire safety,? Alison continues. ?Coming from the NHS to a charity organisation, I was rather concerned that this should be the case.

?Since then, with the move to the new site, we have put in place action plans to include equipment, evacuation plans and a comprehensive training programme in order to ensure that we are better equipped to deal with any fire related incident. Some 20 staff have been trained as fire marshals, and we now have the reassurance that we can get all the people out of the building, in less than three minutes.?

Following Chubb Fire?s advice, extinguishers have been installed alongside a fire detection system throughout the premises. Chubb is also running an ongoing maintenance programme and has given advice on the Fire Safety Order, providing up-to-date training materials and videos in order to ensure that the Hospice is compliant with all aspects of the new legislation.

?As a result of the combined efforts of the building design team and the work the hospice has carried out with Chubb Fire and the local fire brigade, we have been independently assessed and classified as ?low risk? so the change has been dramatic?, Alison adds.

?One example of the way the new building is equipped for health and safety is that all the patients? bedrooms have doors leading straight out into the gardens. Should the need to evacuate arise, patients on their beds simply need to be pushed through the double doors, which is not only much quicker and less labour intensive, but also allows for maximum consideration of their comfort levels.

?We are very flattered that other hospices in Switzerland and Denmark have visited and will be returning home with the intention of using our health and safety provision as a model. The transformation of the hospice was a massive undertaking, and it has been a long, hard process, but the rewards and peace of mind are immeasurable.?

The local fire service and Chubb Fire have been instrumental in achieving this, particularly local leading fireman Danny Allsopp and Chubb Fire account manager Simon Morgan who have helped and advised us every step of the way.

Suzanne Donovan, Marketing and Communications Director of Chubb Fire, comments: ?We are delighted to have been involved in such a worthwhile project. We have been able to add value by helping an organisation grapple with the current legislative requirements. The fire safety provision at St Francis Hospice is an ongoing project and we look forward to being of assistance in the future?.

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Dulux Trade is continuing to lead the way in the development of water-based products with the launch of Weathershield Quick Drying Exterior Undercoat.

When used in conjunction with Weathershield Quick Drying Satin, which offers a fashionable mid-sheen finish, it will form a complete water-based exterior trim system.

Furthermore, just like all Weathershield products the new Quick Drying Exterior Undercoat is specially formulated to offer long lasting protection, this means less frequent maintenance and less paint usage over the lifetime of the building.

Available in Pure Brilliant White and the full range of tinted colours in 1, 2.5 and 5 litre cans, Weathershield Quick Drying Exterior Undercoat is touch dry in two hours and ready for recoating in two to four hours. This means that appliers could complete the job in a single day.

The product features great opacity, offering superior coverage, and excellent flexibility, which means it flexes with the wood to prevent cracking. It also provides up to six years protection, adding to the durability of the surface it is applied to and reducing maintenance cycles.

Commenting on the new product, Nicolas Guichard, Brand Manager for Dulux Trade Weathershield, said: “As a reaction to the drive towards sustainability, specifiers and appliers are increasingly selecting the most environment-friendly options available to them. Using water-based products instead of the traditional solvent-based paints is one step forwards, as the former have a lower carbon footprint due to the replacement of oil-based solvents with water.

“Weathershield Quick Drying Exterior Undercoat is the first water-based undercoat in the range and we are recommending that appliers use it before Quick Drying Satin. If appliers also use Weathershield Aquatech Preservative Basecoat +* on bare woods, they can call upon a completely water based-system.”

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Oil is the Number 1 fuel choice for domestic heating and cooking in ‘off mains’ areas across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Today over two million homeowners and householders enjoy the benefits of oil heating… and in some parts of the country, more homeowners and householders have chosen oil, than mains gas, solid fuel, electricity and LPG combined!

The majority of oil heating systems in the UK are fueled by Kerosene – a highly refined, low sulphur fuel, similar to that used in jet aircraft. When installed and maintained correctly, heating oil is an also inherently safe fuel choice. Unlike mains gas or LPG, oil is not even flammable at standard room temperatures. Affordable, safe, and clean burning, oil heating is an environmentally responsible fuel choice.

Harlequin 1100ENV Bunded Oil TankAt the heart of any oil heating installation is an oil storage tank, providing a safe and secure store of fuel on-site. And at many domestic oil storage installations, Single Skin Oil Tanks are now becoming a thing of the past. Instead, they are being superseded by a new generation of environmentally preferred, Bunded Oil Tanks.

Unlike Single Skin Oil Tanks, a Bunded Oil Tank consists of a tank within a tank and incorporates inbuilt protection against pollution. The oil is stored in the inner tank, whilst the outer tank – or ‘bund’ – acts as a failsafe. So in the unlikely event of a spillage, surplus fuel will be safely and securely contained within the bund and an environmental pollution incident will be avoided.

Bunded Oil Tanks have been proven to dramatically reduce the risk of oil pollution and have long been the norm in many mainland European Union countries. So it’s perhaps not surprising that across the United Kingdom, government legislation now requires that the majority of new and replacement tanks at domestic premises, should be Bunded Oil Tanks. Similar requirements also exist in the Republic of Ireland.

Research undertaken by Harlequin in 2007, demonstrated that over 90% of new and replacement domestic oil tanks, should be Bunded. Installing a Single Skin Oil Tank where a Bunded Oil Tank is required is represent a criminal offence, punishable by heavy fines. However, with a new generation of Bunded Oil Tanks available, designed especially for domestic installations, you can relax… regulatory compliance has never been easier!

Harlequin PG1300 Polyrock Granite Bunded Oil TankHarlequin’s Bunded Oil Tank range is growing all the time and currently consists of 46 different models, available in a choice of 13 different capacities, from 350 litres to over 10,000 litres.

Irrespective of model or capacity chosen, all standard domestic models are supplied complete with factory fitted fill, inspection and vent points; a choice of outlet position; a spillage detector; and even a remote Apollo electronic oil tank contents gauge which allows you to monitor the level of oil in your tank outside, from the warmth and convenience of being inside! And to make sure your oil is as secure as it is safe, every Harlequin Bunded Oil Tank is supplied complete with lockable manhole access and lockable fill point as standard. So whether you live in a country cottage or a castle, there’s almost certainly a Harlequin Bunded Oil Tank to suit.

Harlequin’s unique Polyrock Bunded Oil Tank range builds upon the success of the Standard Bunded Oil Tank range, but allows you to choose from a choice of Sandstone or Granite effects.

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‘Easy reference’ guide for Grasslin and Tower product ranges

Grasslin and Tower products are becoming increasingly sought after by heating engineers, plumbers, installers and electricians across the UK, and merchants and electrical wholesalers will be pleased to know that there’s a brand new, easy to use catalogue of the product ranges out – and available now.

Already the leading brand of heating controls in the UK – programmers, thermostats, time switches and general switches – courtesy of their wide usage by virtually every heating appliance OEM in this country, people working at ‘the sharp end’ of the heating and electrical business – both specifiers and installers – are increasingly turning to Grasslin and Tower products as they discover the quality and reliability factors built into these products, already recognised by major names in their industry.

Bryan Gates is sales and marketing director responsible for the Grasslin and Tower brands in the UK: “This new catalogue comes in a new easy to use and easy to update ‘mini ring binder’ format that has already been received very warmly by those needing to use it on a regular basis. It offers stockists and users of our product ranges very easy access to the products we offer along with prices and technical data they may need.”

Further information on the product ranges can be found by clicking on www.grasslin-controls.co.uk.

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Opening its doors to the public on 30th October 2008, Westfield London is set to become the largest shopping centre in Greater London at approximately 150,000 sq m. The £1.6bn landmark Westfield London regeneration project will accommodate some of the world’s finest brands and will house more than 265 specialty shops, over 40 places to dine, a 16-screen cinema, a health and beauty retreat and a gymnasium.

Dulux Trade, part of ICI Paints, the industry leading manufacturer of quality paint systems, is working closely with Westfield London on this exciting regeneration project. Through an innovative service package including products and support for the development, Dulux Trade is delivering sustainable and cost saving benefits to support Westfield’s project objectives.

Ralph Blacklaws of Commercial Constructions at Dulux Trade explains: “Our work with Westfield highlights our capabilities when operating on major construction projects in the UK. Westfield London provided a specific opportunity to develop an innovative service package to include the full range of Dulux Trade products as well as recycling provisions and the Dulux Trade Environmental Wash System. Our track record on quality products, added value support and industry leadership in sustainable solutions are all demonstrated on this project. This successful partnership is working on site and providing real benefits for the environment.”

Dulux Trade Diamond Quick Drying Eggshell is being used across all common areas of the project. This tough, durable, water-based paint incorporates Dulux Diamond technology, making it ten times more stain resistant than standard water-based eggshell finishes and ten times tougher than vinyl silks. Its quick drying formula and low odour compared to solvent based paints makes it ideal for use in high traffic areas where minimal disruption but maximum durability is required.

“The Diamond range helps to reduce maintenance cycles and associated costs due to its increased durability,” continues Ralph. “This, alongside the reduced VOC content of water-based paints, adds to the sustainability of the product and ultimately the development. This was vital for the Westfield London project.”

For a development of this size, maximising labour time spent on the job is a key consideration and Dulux Trade has ensured that paint stock and sundries are available on-site 24/7 via the manned on-site paint shop, a modular Dulux Decorator Centre (DDC). The DDC is also responsible for providing a dedicated team on-site at all times, supplying a full range of decorating products and services to the Westfield project. Having the benefit of fully trained staff on-site means Westfield is able to save time on the project through minimizing travel off-site.

In addition, by working closely with Westfield London, the sub-contractors using paint products are canvassed to ascertain their requirements. A delivery programme is then operated ensuring maximum use of “full load” deliveries to the store whenever possible. The deliveries that are made, are restricted to outside work hours, reducing site traffic and interruptions and avoiding impacting work progress.

This coordinated approach eliminates generating unnecessary carbon emissions caused by taking multiple deliveries from different contractors or travelling to different suppliers, saving an estimated 350,000 miles of travel.

Dulux Trade is also committed to recycling one hundred percent of its paint cans on the Westfield site. Blue branded collection bins are located around the site so that ground wastage is avoided. Dulux Trade estimates that 50,000 cans of paint will be used in this project, which if stacked together would reach a staggering 11.5km in length, highlighting how crucial this recycling scheme is to the development.

Dulux Trade has also strategically placed its unique Environmental Wash Systems around the site to provide an environmentally responsible way of washing out painting tools, such as brushes, trays and rollers. The first of its kind in the UK, these systems convert waterborne paint washings into clear water and solid waste, allowing for easier and safer disposal. This has become an indispensable part of the Westfield project’s decorating clean-up process.

Gary Peck, Senior Procurement Manager for Westfield said: “We approached ICI Paints to come on board with Westfield to develop a Westfield London innovative package. At Westfield London we operate at the cutting edge of construction delivery, constantly looking for new ways to do things that can deliver tangible time and cost benefits. This is exactly what has been jointly developed with the ICI Paints team. The dedicated on-site service means installation Sub Contractors can save time and money, as there is an on-site paint shop with excellent communication lines along with upfront specification developments, which ensure the right products are being used.”

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EFFECTIVE, SIMPLE TO INSTALL AND WON’T DO MASSIVE DAMAGE TO THE BUDGET…

There’s an answer to limescale formation that is gaining fans across the world –but like so many good ideas, it started life here in the UK.

Straightforward to install, KAL-GUARD+ is an electrolytic scale inhibitor that delivers a water treatment process to manage limescale within a system. The unit incorporates a simple to use, yet sophisticated controller to match the level of water treatment to suit the local water hardness conditions, and in independent testing at Cranfield University has been shown to reduce limescale formation on heating surfaces by up to 80 percent.

WATERMATIC provides products to combat limescale and corrosion in commercial and industrial premises. As well as being ideal for use in the hospitality and leisure industries, KAL-GUARD+ is also successfully used in factories, nursing and care homes and government buildings across the UK and Europe. The company implements an ongoing research and development programme to create innovative solutions that fulfil the requirements of many organisations for low cost of ownership with minimum environmental impact.

WATERMATIC is the commercial division of Sentinel Performance Solutions Ltd. (www.sentinel-solutions.net). WATERMATIC satisfies the commercial and industrial needs of its customers by providing an environmentally friendly range of products designed to save both money and energy. None of the WATERMATIC products use chemicals or produce harmful waste products – but they do ensure clean, state of the art energy efficient systems.

WATERMATIC can provide lime-scale water treatment for up to eight-inch pipework. Potential savings can be identified to the customer as well as independent testing and usage reports provided. The knowledge and experience gained in thirty years of water treatment has helped to provide solutions for a diverse range of clients including, hospitals, airports, hotels, leisure facilities, nursing homes and many others.

Physical corrosion protection is also available as 'in-line' units effective against corrosion in steel and galvanised steel pipework as well as mixed metal systems.

Water is the very life-blood of a building and, like the real thing, it has to circulate effectively and perform efficiently. Corrosion and limescale all pose a threat to a building's water systems but with the appropriate preventative measures and/or treatment, water systems can provide optimum performance throughout their life.

There is now a raft of legislation relating to the performance of water systems, ranging from the Building Regulations promoting energy efficiency to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to the Health & Safety legislation that imposes a Duty of Care on all building operators. In addition, any organisation that needs to control its overheads also needs to control its water systems. Corrosion reduces performance and leads to premature plant failure, and limescale reduces efficiency.

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Consort Claudgen’s new wireless controlled panel heaters offer the potential of great energy savings. Electricity consumed by the heaters is reduced by up to 75% as the set temperature is approached; thereby ensuring the room temperature is maintained as efficiently as possible. The discrete CZC1 controller can operate numerous heaters, is very easy to operate providing a 7-day timer, economy set-back and frost protection amongst other functions, all clearly seen on the digital screen. The contemporary styled heater range includes six heat outputs from 500W to 2kW, all available in dove white or stainless steel.

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MAPEI’s Mapedrain System includes a range of products for the installation and grouting of porphyry and stone paving slabs, a floor finish which is often subject to damage and deterioration from the elements, particularly surface water puddles, freeze/thaw cycles, efflorescence and the formation of grass and moss.

Mapedrain System combats these problems with products suited to installing highly permeably laying beds and a finished floor covering with excellent drainage properties.

Mapedrain System, safe, durable and easy to use includes Mapedrain Mortar for laying drainage beds to create a permeable, solid substrate suitable for bearing loads. Mapedrain EasyClean, a complementary product for application to the surface of porous floors, prior to grouting with products from the Mapedrain range in order to simplify the cleaning process. Mapedrain Binder, a solvent-free binder for drainage mortar and grout, Mapedrain 1K Grout a polybutadiene drainage grout for stone floors and Mapedrain 3K Grout, an epoxy resin-based drainage grout for stone floors, are all resistant to freezing and adverse weather conditions and are not subject to the formation of grass and mould. They also share good mechanical strength and excellent drainage properties. In addition Keracolor PPN has been developed specifically for grouting heavy duty floors and those subject to heavy traffic. Characterised by high wear resistance and high mechanical strength with practically zero water absorption.

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Herb specialist Scotherbs has moved into a new state-of-the-art facility in Longforgan, near Dundee, which features the latest environmental control technology from Mitsubishi Electric fitted with the expertise of Carlisle Refrigeration.

The purpose-built factory enables Scotherbs to increase production rates of the extensive range of fresh, washed and prepared culinary herbs, whilst housing all processes into one building with improved energy efficiency. The building has a large temperature controlled area, plus a high care area with filtered air to F9 En779 standard. Both areas take advantage of the heat recovery capabilities of the Mitsubishi Electric City Multi VRF system.

“The biggest advantage of City Multi is the fact that it can provide cooling down to a preset point, which meets with our production requirements to ensure our products are kept in peak condition during the manufacturing process,” said Fiona Lamotte, Managing Director of Scotherbs, which is Scotland’s premier grower of fresh culinary herbs.

“Adding in heat recovery means that we are able to offset energy use from different parts of the building to provide the ideal environment for both our staff and our products in the most sustainable way possible.”

Scotherbs has been growing and sourcing fresh, washed and chopped culinary herbs, leaves and salads for supermarkets, wholesalers, the catering trade and discerning consumers for over 20 years and is now one of the UK’s largest suppliers.

Carlisle Refrigeration installed PEFY-P140VMH-E ducted units served by a PUHY-P300YGM-A outdoor unit, with four Lossnay heat recovery units. In addition, five DX refrigeration systems were installed for the chill storage rooms, and Carlisle Refrigeration fitted ventilation serving the office areas and the full site electrical installation, and a wireless temperature monitoring system.

“The system really benefits from the inclusion of the Lossnay units, which are incredibly efficient at extracting heating or cooling energy from outgoing air,” explained Campbell Wark from Carlise Refrigeration. “This reduces the overall energy needed by the building’s systems which is important when you need to maintain such strict temperature control.”

Carlisle Refrigeration has been serving the refrigeration needs of its customers throughout the North of England and Scotland since 1973. It is a specialist in commercial, industrial and transport refrigeration and air conditioning solutions, with a 50-strong team of mobile engineers with fully equipped vehicles.

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