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Easy-Form® plus stretchable by up to 30%

Easy-Form® Plus is a highly durable, reinforced flashing which has been designed as a substitute for lead in building work. Incorporation of a metal mesh provides the perfect combination of flexibility and rigidity needed for vertical applications such as chasing into mortar on chimneys. Easy-Form Plus can be stretched by up to 30% without use of a lead forming tool or detriment to its smooth, lightly ribbed surface appearance. This makes life far easier when forming around heavily profiled tiles such as a Double Roman or Bold Roll.

Unlike some lead substitutes, Easy-Form Plus has a strong butyl adhesive backing which retains its high bond strength and enables the material to be used on most dry surfaces without a primer. Its release paper is cut along the length of the roll so that upstand work can be completed before removal of the remainder for forming over tiles. Easy-Form Plus is UV, frost and rot-resistant and can be used for bridging gaps of up to 5cm on pitches as low as 10°. It is available in terracotta red, dark brown and anthracite as well as traditional lead grey. Rolls are 5 metres in length and widths of 250, 300 and 450 mm are available.

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Academic institutions are busy places with complex estate requirements and the last thing they need is disruption to the smooth running of their plant. Manchester University Estates Department were faced with a problem. 3 blocks had been newly built including a large lecture theatre and reading rooms but there was insufficient metering for the 250mm+ pipework. Each block included a separate boiler house with a gas meter on each. Shutting down each system and draining it each time was time consuming, making it costly to undertake any repairs.

Assistant Mechanical and Energy Engineer Chris Cunningham called in contractors to remedy the problem but they failed to read the invasive heat meter manufacturers’ instructions correctly. Incorrectly installed invasive heat meters result in inaccurate data which can have considerable knock-on effects. Chris had used the Micronics U2000 and 3000 clamp-on flow meters previously and knew that they were easy to install and, above all, allowed simple, low cost measurement without the need to cut into the pipe, saving time and cost. He was confident that a Micronics product could solve the problem. This time, the Micronics Ultraflo U1000, a cost-engineered permanent/fixed on flow metering solution for measuring preset flow rate was specified. It provides accurate measurement of liquid flowing within a closed pipe, without the need for any mechanical parts to be inserted through the pipe wall or to protrude into the flow system. It takes just a few minutes to install by simply clamping onto the pipe, connecting the power and entering the pipe diameter – indeed no specialist skills or tools are required. Furthermore, there is no need to shut down flow or drain the system and no programming is required.

Chris was also pleased with the maintenance benefits offered by the non-contact technology.
“I would thoroughly recommend the use of the U1000. It is compact, rugged and has proved to be completely reliable.”

There are considerable opportunities to use the Ultraflo range of Micronics products in similar applications. It is an excellent alternative the use of mechanical meters and to cutting pipes. And provides simple, low cost flow measurement from outside the pipe. In addition, there is the advantage of dry servicing, providing minimum downtime and maximum availability.

For further information on this project or the Micronics range call Micronics on +44(0)1628 810456, or visit www.micronicsflowmeters.com.

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Decorative electrical wiring accessories, audio and lighting control manufacturer Hamilton Litestat has supplied a varied selection of its switch plates and sockets to renowned horse trainer Paul Nicholls’ new house in Ditcheat, Somerset.

Mr Nicholls’ new residence is a luxury 5,500 square foot new build comprising 23 rooms, all of which have been built and finished to his specification. The interiors are elegant and classically styled, with contemporary touches to bring them right into the 21st century. Maximum use has been made of natural daylight, with numerous large period-style sash windows looking out on to the Somerset countryside. However, electric lighting has also been used to best effect with an impressive chandelier installed above the main curved staircase. To complete the stylish interior, 90 sockets and 70 switches were specified from a number of Hamilton ranges, including the crystal clear Perception CFX and the traditional Cheriton in polished brass and chrome. Hamilton’s expert team was also commissioned to design and manufacture bespoke data plates for the building’s audiovisual system.

The house was constructed by Dunford Builders Ltd, with the electrical accessories installed by Elecpro of Street, Somerset. The accessories were ordered through Devondale Electrical Distributors of Glastonbury.

Renowned for training winning horses such as Kauto Star, Denman and Big Buck’s, Paul Nicholls’ famous stables are just a short distance way in the village of Ditcheat. Hamilton’s main manufacturing base in Mere is only half an hour away in Mere, Wiltshire, making this a truly Westcountry project.

Oliver Boon, branch manager for Devondale Electrical Distributors in Glastonbury, added: “Hamilton was chosen to provide the accessories because there were lots of bespoke plates required and we were confident that no one could do the job better both in terms of value for money, high quality and turnaround time.”

T: 01747 860088
E: info@hamilton-litestat.com
www.hamilton-litestat.com

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In the current climate of NHS cuts it is more important than ever for a Trust to use every means to save resources without direct effects on patients. Similarly, with the prevailing focus on reducing energy consumption because of climate change, it is vital to keep a close eye on energy usage and make efficiency savings wherever possible. One way of fulfilling both these ambitions is to keep stringent controls on the use of heat and domestic hot water consumption.

Managers at an acute, district general hospital, which provides healthcare services to over 270,000 people in north and mid Bedfordshire, wanted to understand their consumption of hot water which would in turn allow them to identify the requirements for replacing their equipment with the most energy efficient solution.

They called in ETA Energy Systems Ltd, Bedford-based consultants, designers and suppliers of specialised energy equipment and systems who work with the Carbon Trust to reduce energy usage. ETA specialise in determining that pumps, flow-rates and balancing valves are correctly set. Peter Richardson, ETA’s MD commented, “During our assessment of the Hospital’s needs, we established full weekly hot water consumption profiles allowing equipment to be accurately selected and specified for the replacement project. Having considered various measurement alternatives two Micronics PF330 meters were selected due to the ease of installation and the maintenance and service benefits delivered by this non-contact technology.” The specialist Micronics product, used for clean liquid monitoring, with its integral logger and software and non-invasive measurement represented significant savings on installation costs and less disruption than when installing an alternative in-line meter. The Micronics clamp-on flowmeter for liquids is portable and easy to use and offers continuity and long term reliability. It is robustly constructed and provides a quick and reliable means of measuring flow accurately.

In this example, the meters have been installed at a number of locations for a trial period in order to determine the appropriate size of the new equipment and to make sure that it is the most efficient possible for the task. Staff will be able to monitor flow rates and calculate energy and therefore cost and carbon footprint implications.

Micronics were selected as the supplier due to their extensive experience with clamp-on, ultrasonic, flow measurement technology and their competitive pricing in comparison to similar technology solutions or alternatives which would have required considerable construction work. This example demonstrates that the opportunity for replication and contribution to good energy management in similar schemes across the UK is extensive.

For further information on this project or the Micronics range call Micronics on +44(0)1628 810456, or visit www.micronicsflowmeters.com.

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Heron Tower has become one of the best known landmarks in central London. The 46-storey building has a VMZINC PLUS standing seam system on the two main roof areas, on the 38th and 41st floors. The building is among the tallest in which the compact, warm roof system has been used and as it needs no supporting ventilation views from the Drift Restaurant, Sky Bar and terraces are not affected by unsightly vents.

Precise wind loading calculations were needed, but the metal also had to be reflection-free. VMZINC’s pre-weathered mid-grey QUARTZ-ZINC® offers exceptional colour retention and was therefore the perfect choice.

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When Debenhams decided to close its department store in Exeter and move into the redeveloped Princesshay Shopping Centre, it was good news for both John Lewis and iron technology leader Saint-Gobain PAM UK, part of leading materials company Saint-Gobain. John Lewis acquired the Debenhams site and undertook a multi-million pound redevelopment to transform it into a prominent 67,000 sq ft department store, which was opened in October 2012.

Saint-Gobain PAM UK’s Ensign soil and rainwater system, which had been used throughout the £225m Princesshay development, was specified for the new £17m John Lewis store and the Ensign Soil project consisted of 13 stacks, each seven storeys high, for internal soil and rainwater systems. The main contractor was Midas of Plymouth and the Ensign system was installed by D A Wright of Tiverton.

Nigel Keegan of Saint-Gobain PAM UK commented: “Ensign is the only drainage system tested to a kitemark approved to BS EN 877 and offers specifiers, contractors and installers a fit-and-forget system which outperforms all rival materials. Ensign combines all the proven material properties of cast iron, which are unmatched in terms of fire resistance, acoustic qualities, strength and longevity.”

The industry-leading Saint-Gobain PAM UK Ensign system consists of pipes and fittings from 50-600mm diameter for above ground specifications and 100, 150-600mm diameter for below ground. Connections can be effected by cast iron mechanical joints or Saint-Gobain’s innovative EEZI-FIT range of push-fit socketed fittings and couplings, designed to combine all the benefits of cast iron with the simplicity of push-fit assembly.

For further information on Saint-Gobain PAM UK’s Ensign range, visit www.saint-gobain-pam.co.uk/soil-press.

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In the wake of Typhoon Haiyan in the Phillipines, Klober’s Ann Leeson has decided to raise money in support of much needed Red Cross aid. As someone who is from the Philippines and still has family there, Ann’s thoughts have added poignancy. She commented, “Having had all the understandable concerns about immediate family when news of the typhoon broke I felt immense relief mixed with considerable sadness when I found out that they were safe. Those of friends were not so lucky. I decided to see if Klober would support me in raising money in as short a space of time as possible. In doing so, I hope to be able to support a second charity by having my hair shaved off. Assuming I receive approval that my hair is suitable, the Little Princess Trust will use it to make real-hair wigs free of charge for children who that have lost their own hair through cancer treatment”.

To donate just go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=ANNLEESON

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Lewden Palazzoli has launched its range of Unibox aluminium junction boxes to provide IP66 and IP67 ingress protection for switching, instrumentation and control gear in outdoor/indoor and industrial applications. Available in 7 sizes and designed for ease of installation with a complete set of internal supports, Unibox provides a sealed, robust, light weight and convenient enclosure conforming to EN 60670, EN 60529 and EN50102.

Unibox has been designed for a quick and safe installation with a choice of a DIN rail or steel mounting plate. The DIN rail can be fixed horizontally, vertically or diagonally without the need for additional accessories. Sealing the enclosure to give IP66/67 rating can be achieved in seconds as the design allows perpendicular screwdriver access to the main screws. A further design feature enables earth connection to be made externally if required, whilst still conforming to IP66/67 protection.

Manufactured in light weight aluminium, with a non-toxic polyester finish and surface treated in anti-corrosion fluor zirconium, Unibox is able to withstand temperatures from a range of -40°C to + 100°C, and even +150°C over short periods. Boxes are available in all RAL colours upon request.

Lewden Palazzoli manufactures a wide range of enclosures in different materials and designs within its large range of electrical products and power distribution solutions. More information from www.lewden.com.

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With recent rapid demand for domestic micro-power generation installations, a requirement for an efficient and integrated off-the shelf wiring and connection solution has become paramount.

As a consequence, Wylex, the UK’s leading circuit protection manufacturer, has introduced a new range of enclosures and devices designed specifically for solar voltaic and other domestic micro-power generation switchgear applications. The new dedicated products are intended to help installers to economically and efficiently install such systems, including solar photovoltaic, rated up to 4 kW.

The new Wylex range removes the need for an assortment of additional enclosures, while also ensuring that switching and circuit protection logically conforms to the special considerations needed to protect and manage cables that have power supplies connected at either end. The new Wylex products include AC and DC isolators, combination DC/AC photovoltaic isolators in single enclosures, dual supply photovoltaic and grid mains switches and a complete range of photovoltaic ready 17th edition consumer units with integral generated power supply Isolator, PV MCB and MID meter pre-wired and connected.

The equipment is designed to allow installers to make parallel power connections simply and easily, whether to an existing, or completely new installation. It also helps electricians ensure that supplies are properly connected to a dedicated circuit at the consumer unit and not share a final sub-circuit. Installation times and hence costs are also considerably reduced by reason of the simplification of wiring provided, and the reduction in the number of enclosures required.

To further support this business opportunity, all dedicated PV solar equipment has been assigned a lower vat rate of 5% and can therefore provide a real cost benefit on final quoted prices. This lower rate also applies to the fitting of PV Solar ready installations. For details of the full range of products available and advice and guidance on the including typical installation diagrams, a copy of a new publication entitled Solar Photovoltaic Switchgear Solutions is available from Electrium Sales Tel: 01543 455000 or by visiting www.electrium.co.uk.

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For more than 100 years, copper shingles have been used on large areas of Harrods’ roof. Restoration work on the Knightsbridge store resulted in VMZINC craftsmen being commissioned to create new moulds from existing profiles in order to reproduce shingles to the highest standards of authenticity. All have been individually stamped and installed by specialist hard metal contractors Albany Brent and NDM (Metal Roofing & Cladding) Ltd.

VMZINC Ornaments have a tradition of zinc and copper ornamental work for roofs which dates from the first half of the 19th century. Its extensive list of commissions is now showing a steadily increasing number in the UK. Such rare belief in the retention of key metalworking skills enables historic buildings to be restored and elements of the roof retained as key building features. In addition to standard products such as finials and weather vanes, VMZINC manufactures decorated rainwater goods and balustrades as well as dormer and bulls eye windows, cupolas, gutter fronts and ridge caps.

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