Story

The Aquatic Centre in Atlanta; the Athletes’ Village in Sydney; the Velodrome in Athens; just a few of the many Olympic facilities and structures where, since the 1950s, Mapei’s products have been used. And this year is no exception; once again their high quality, top performance ranges have been chosen for the Beijing Olympics 2008.

Mapei’s flexible and durable adhesive, Adesilex G19, has been used to install the athletic track in the ‘Bird’s Nest’, Beijing’s National Stadium, as well as for the Indoor Stadium track. Developed specifically for the installation of floor coverings subject to heavy and intense traffic, the two-component polyurethane adhesive perfectly adheres to both the underlying substrate and to the synthetic rubber covering and can resist tangential stress when the tracks are in use. It is also resistant to humidity, heat and atmospheric aggression, vital attributes for the forthcoming Olympic Games.

Whether it be ceramic, porcelain or stone tiles, for covering floors or walls of hotels, stadia, airports or swimming pools, Mapei’s fixing and grouting products have also long been used; the Media Village in Athens and the Olympic Village in Turin are just some examples. This year, porcelain tiles in an indoor swimming pool have been fixed using Granirapid, an adhesive with extraordinary bonding and fast setting properties. The tile joints have been grouted with Keracolor GG in White, mixed with the liquid polymeric additive, Fugolastic, to improve flexibility and reduce porosity and water absorption and achieve the right resistance even under severe conditions of use.

The swimming pool, which has been built as a leisure facility for competitors, is part of Beijing’s ‘Shooting Range’ venue and it is here where 1,400 m2 of indoor tennis courts can also be found. Mapei Ultraplan an ultra-fast hardening self-levelling compound for 1-10 mm has been used to obtain a perfectly flat substrate, able to receive four coats of Deco Turf flooring.

With its comprehensive range of products, its technical assistance and commitment to research and development, it is no wonder that Mapei continues to give winning performances at the Olympic Games.

The new Mapei brochure ‘Mapei and Sports Facilities around the World’ is now available on request.

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.

View Mapei's profile:

Story

A comprehensive and imaginative refurbishment programme has recently been completed by managing agents, LaSalle Investment Management on behalf of owners, Coal Pension Properties Ltd, to No 25 Victoria Street, London SW1. Property Consultants were Drivers Jonas. The ‘revitalised’ building, which includes over 47,000 ft² of grade ‘A’ office accommodation, has a good BREEAM rating and offers top of the range Daikin VRV heat recovery air conditioning as well as high quality finishes, new raised floors, suspended ceilings and reception area etc.

The complex comprises 8 open plan office plus 2 basement floors, which house services plant, storage rooms and car parking. A total of 15 VRV systems were installed by specialist air conditioning company RS Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Ltd, Cambridge, on behalf of mechanical and electrical services contractors, EMCOR Engineering Services Ltd, Hatfield, Herts.

The VRV systems have capacities from 40 to 101kW (cooling) and 45 to 113kW (heating) and supply both open plan and reception areas with conditioned air via 218 Daikin FXSQ ceiling concealed indoor fan coil units connected by low pressure ductwork to a combination of linear perimeter grille and multi cone ceiling diffusers. Each fan coil unit is able to operate independently, controlling local room temperature by means of a return air sensor located in the ceiling void. Fan coil unit installation layouts are configured such that each floor with the exception of the ground can be divided into 2 separate self contained tenant wings. All VRV outdoor condensing units are mounted on the roof of the building.

Fresh air for the fan coil units, tempered to 160 C (where necessary), is supplied from air handling plant fitted with run around cooling coils and heater batteries. Each floor is supplied at the rate of12lit/sec/person based on an occupancy level of 1 person/10m2 plus an allowance of 25% to cater for increased future tenant demand.

Internal temperature conditions are:
Summer 230 C +/- 2 deg C db
Winter 200 C +/- 2 deg C db
at an external ambient of:
Summer (max) 300 Cdb, 200 Cdb
Winter (min) -40 C, 100% RH

Five Daikin I-controllers, each allocated to the control of 3 floors, are linked to wall mounted remote room temperature controllers throughout the conditioned areas, the overall VRV installation being monitored and controlled by a Daikin I-manager located in the BMS office in the basement.

View Daikin's profile:

Story

Eric Anderson joins Electrium as National Sales Manager, Siemens Industrial, taking on the responsibility for selling and promoting a complete range of circuit protection devices, heating controls and intelligent building solutions. Eric has almost thirty years experience in the electrical manufacturing and wholesaling industry, having worked previously with a number of other major players in the European electrical industry.

Eric will be managing a growing team, and an extensive portfolio of products and solutions in his new role, and will be committing considerable energy and resource to achieving a very aggressive growth plan in the months ahead.

?The recent incorporation of Electrium within the Siemens group benefits both organisations, bringing World leading solutions within the product portfolio,? says Eric. ? I still intend to maintain the same tried and trusted route to market via distributors and system integrators.

The many challenges presented by the current universal need to save energy and reduce carbon emissions will provide great opportunities for the application of Siemens? products and technological expertise?

Eric is married with two daughters and currently lives in Shropshire.

For further information contact Electrium Sales on 01543 455000.

View Electrium's profile:

Story

A YEAR since its launch, Tensar International’s innovative TriAx™ geogrid has won a hat trick of awards.

Adding to its UK triumph at Civils 2007, where it was awarded the prestigious accolade of ‘Product of the Year’, TriAx has now scooped two further European wins just six months since the start of its international roll-out.

Gold medals were achieved at the Brno International Building Fair – marketed as Central Europe’s largest Building Fair hosted in the Czech Republic – as well as Autostrada 2008 in Kiecle, Poland. Out of the 800 exhibiting companies and eight award winners at Autostrada, TriAx was the only geosynthetic product to receive recognition within road construction and took home the coveted ‘Product & Technology’ category.

“The higher performance and cost advantage TriAx offers for ground stabilisation applications is becoming internationally acknowledged,” comments Jacek Kawalec, Tensar Regional Manager for Central Europe. “Its outstanding benefits provide engineers with a great opportunity to create better road structures for less cost and international interest has been intense”

Unlike conventional geogrids – comprising square or rectangular apertures – TriAx has a unique triangular structure which offers proven performance benefits for a variety of ground stabilisation applications.

Extensive research has refined TriAx’ unique design features, resulting in a new kind of geogrid that increases aggregate confinement to offer greatly improved soil stabilisation properties. Such performance benefits are ideal for projects involving unpaved roads and permanent paved roadways, as well as combating differential settlement on weak or variable sub-grades. Economies are achieved through either savings in aggregate layer thickness or extensions in pavement service life; with cost, time and environmental advantages.

Jacek Kawalec continues: “TriAx has been six years in the making and represents what we believe to be the most significant innovation in geogrid technology for decades.”

View Tensar's profile:

Story

ECO-Logic are the leading provider of electronic water controls, fittings and sanitaryware to secure markets in the UK. Our comprehensive range has been developed specifically to reduce the risk of self-harm and vandalism in secure environments whilst providing Total Management Control over water usage, lighting and other services.

Our range includes sensors, sanitaryware and outlets to control showering, washing and flushing – all with security options.

• Robust One Touch and Non Touch Sensors
• Run-time choice with autostop
• Tamper proof cut-outs and reuse delays
• Shutdown controls for critical areas
• Local and multiple manual lockout controls
• ECO BMS Computer Network links
• Screwless anti-ligature fittings
• Interface controls for call systems, lighting, heating and ventilation
• Remote control options
• Secure sanitaryware

View ECO-LOGIC UK's profile:

Story

Detectomat will be exhibiting its comprehensive range of modular Fire Detection and Alarm systems at the show including detectomat’s unique designer range of heads.

The stand will also feature – New radio/wireless system options across the range and the New Fusion detector utilising multi-sensor and criterior technology for faster detection of fast burning fires and reduced false alarms.

For New build or major refurbishment the detectomat Designer Range of Detectors can be selected to make a design statement, complement modern interior designs or blend in to more traditional interiors.

And for retrofit situations detectomat’s wire-free solutions can provide fast installation with minimum disruption and damage to the building fabric and decoration.

Small, Medium or Large applications, New build, Refurbishment or Retrofit installations – detectomat has an attractive cost-effective solution to fit the bill.

View Detectomat's profile:

Story

Wavin Plastics, the UK’s leading supplier of plastic pipe systems and solutions, has introduced a range of valves aimed at reducing flood risk to property.

The new OSMA Anti-flood valves are designed for surface and waste water applications and are a simple and effective way to reduce flood risk caused by backflow through the drainage system.

“With 10 per cent of homes in the UK at risk of flooding1, this is a timely extension to the Wavin OsmaDrain Below Ground range and will assist homeowners in reducing the risk of flood damage to properties,“ comments Wavin Plastics spokesperson, Jill Derrick.

The new product design features an internal ‘valve’ or ‘flap-gate’ for automatically cutting-off backflow. There is also a stainless steel rodent protection guard. The units are quick and easy to maintain and come complete with a built-in closure lever.

These new Anti-flood valves are available in two sizes – 110mm and 160mm. Built for durability, the outer unit is manufactured in polypropylene, components are stainless steel and there is an internal rubber seal. Both products are compliant with the requirements of EN 13564-1 and Building Regulations, Part H1 – Section 2.8-2.12. Whilst ideal for surface and waste water applications, the new Anti-flood valves are not suitable for foul water applications.

View Wavin UK's profile:

Story

The new North Kent flagship police station, opened last month in Thamesway near Northfleet, features more than 230 Titan 4 pipe chassis type fan coil units, manufactured by Ability Projects Ltd, Wimborne, Dorset.

The £30million, 4 storey 11,500m2 complex, designed around a central atrium complete with public rest areas and restaurants, includes a number of state of the art anti crime facilities including a 40 cell custody suit, vulnerable witness interview suite, and separate custody and front counter entrances. An environmentally conscious geothermal heating and cooling system – thought to be among the largest in the UK – is designed to help reduce energy consumption.

The fan coil units will be supplied with low temperature hot water (500C in and 440C out) from condensing boilers and some of the heating coils are re-circuited in order to achieve design duties at low temperatures. Chilled water is supplied via a chiller. The fan coil units have capacities of 1.3 to 3.2kW (heating) and 1.6 to 3.7kW (cooling), are fitted with free issue controls and multi spigots and have noise ratings of NR35. Installation is by Meica Services Ltd, Ashford, Middlesex.

View Ability Projects's profile:

Story

In response to rapid growth in the number of showers installed in new build homes, Mira Showers is introducing the all-new Mira Select. Sporting a brand new look with smooth shapes and easy to operate flow and temperature controls, the new Select mixer shower combines proven Mira technology and features to offer a quality volume product, competitively priced. The new Select, which carries TMV2 approval, has been designed specifically for house builders following extensive research and testing, and complements Mira Showers’ existing range of showers designed with and for developers.

Finished in hardwearing chrome, the separate flow and temperature controls offer the user more flexibility and a better shower experience, while an adjustable maximum temperature stop (factory set to 43°C) gives added safety. The valve’s full brass body and inlets, combined with tried and trusted Mira fittings and flexible installation gives the house builder, contractor, installer and end user confidence, while the thermostatic control and TMV2 approval give total safety and peace of mind, particularly in situations where the young, elderly and infirm are involved.

The Select valve is available in exposed or built in versions, with a choice of variable handset and fittings or rigid showerhead. It is suitable for all water systems and has a pressure range of 0.1 to 5 bar (maintained) and 10 bar (static). The valve can accept falling, rising or rear entry supplies, while the variable inlets on the exposed valve (149 to 154mm) aid installation.

The valve and fittings are sold separately which increases choice and helps installation and stocking. The fittings set comprises an adjustable spray handset, 1.25m hose, clamp bracket, soap dish, slide bar and hose-retaining ring.

Available now from merchants and stockists, the all-new Mira Select is guaranteed against faulty materials and workmanship for two years from the date of purchase and is backed by Mira Showers’ excellent Customer Care after sales service.

For full details of all Mira Showers products call 0845 600 6472 or visit www.mirashowers.com.

View Mira Showers's profile:

Story

Vaisala HUMICAP® Humidity and Temperature Transmitter Series HMT330 has been upgraded with LAN and WLAN communication options and a display alarm.

With the new Ethernet communication options you can connect the transmitter into a computer network providing a virtual terminal connection between the transmitter and a PC. Communication is then possible using for example Telnet software. Each transmitter is given an IP address, making it a uniquely addressed device in the network.

The LAN and WLAN options make it easy to add a new humidity transmitter to an existing Ethernet network. Also, applications that do not allow holes through walls and ceilings, or the installation of new cables, benefit from this solution.

Display Alarm

A new display alarm function is now a standard feature in Vaisala humidity transmitters equipped with a built-in display. With this function the user can set alarm trigger limits for two distinct measured quantities. When the trigger limits are exceeded, a real-time alarm appears on the display. More information: www.vaisala.com/HMT330.

View Vaisala's profile: