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The rise and rise of the system filter in recent months has seen the introduction of several new units to the marketplace, most with fancy technical names and many appearing superficially to do the same thing in a differently shaped unit, relying heavily on magnets as the only active ingredient in the solution they offer.

First introduced as a belt and braces additional ‘maintenance’ unit to ‘mop up’ any remaining debris circulating in the system water after the system has been cleaned and inhibited, system filters have become very much a part of the required kit when replacing a boiler. Sadly, the impression given by some manufacturers is that a magnetic filter will do the whole job of keeping a system flowing effectively and efficiently. The real concern has to be that if there is the huge amount of magnetic debris you see attached to the magnets in some advertisements, the system clearly hasn’t been cleaned or inhibited properly. The filter is not a substitute for authentic water treatment as required by the Building Regulations Compliance Guide. A system filter needs to be part of the clean, protect and maintain regime that is what quality water treatment is all about.

Many thousands of filters installed on systems in the UK simply address the magnetic debris and whilst that’s half the problem solved, it’s also arguably half the problem ignored. The higher costs of all metal based products from around the world has not ignored the cost of magnets and the magnets included in some system filters have noticeably reduced in size in recent months, reducing their level of effectiveness, but this has not been alluded to in sales and marketing materials by the companies involved in this practice. It’s been necessary to keep the production costs of the units at or around the cost they were before the magnet costs escalated, but there is no mention of a reduction of magnetic field, strength or size on the packaging! Or any reduction in their levels of effectiveness, perish the thought!

Many magnetic based filters have been sold on the back of impressive sounding claims about the high ‘first pass’ rate of debris removal – with stunningly high rates of removal within the first hour reported by some manufacturers. However, perhaps a better measure of a filter’s performance is over the first 24 hours after installation. After 24 hours of operation, the vast majority of circulating debris should have been collected. Interestingly filters that are wholly reliant on a magnet, have their performance compromised as the magnetic field strength deteriorates due to the magnet itself becoming coated with the initial debris – a victim of their own success perhaps and a good reason to focus on the effect of the unit for the first hour! To maintain performance the magnet must be regularly cleaned – not just once a year.

Sentinel has just launched its brand new technology system filter – the Eliminator – which utilises ground breaking Quadra-CycloneTM Technology to rapidly remove all circulating debris – both magnetic and non-magnetic – from a central heating system. Powerful centrifugal forces spin the debris down whilst simultaneously forcing clean water up through the centre, ensuring superior separation and a quick and effective clean. It’s similar technology to a well known brand of vacuum cleaners, but this time the technology is used in a water based environment rather than one based on cyclonic air movement.

With limescale a key cause of boiler failure and heating system problems in hard water areas, a magnetic filter is ignoring a major cause of problems from non-magnetic circulating debris. As you would expect from Europe’s leading water treatment specialist, the Sentinel Eliminator doesn’t ignore this key issue, addressing it head on. It may be less of a problem by volume compared to magnetic debris, but it’s still a significant problem, nonetheless.

The Eliminator is the only new unit that offers new technology that actually works. Quadra-CycloneTM Technology offers four individual cyclones that each help separate the debris, drive it down to the collecting chamber at the base of the unit where four small but powerful magnets retain the magnetic debris – they are not there as the sole method of trapping the debris, simply to retain it whilst the now clean water is forced back up the centre of the cyclone and back into circulation. Unfortunately cyclonic action in other manufacturers units simply doesn’t deliver. In fact it tends to see the water recirculated in a way that en route, sees the water picking up debris that has been attracted to the magnet in the centre of the cyclone and recirculated as dirty water around the system – rather defeating the object.

It is clearly important to understand the way the filter you select works. If a customer asks the question, it is far more encouraging to be able to show them that the system filter you have installed does what it says on the can! It isn’t enough any more simply to utilise the system filter as a means of adding additional income to the bill. It has to be actively ensuring lower energy bills, generating lower emissions and using less energy as a result of its installation. And especially if you work in an area that suffers the rigours of hard water, you should be able to show that the filter you recommend removes both magnetic and non-magnetic debris.

When you select the system filters you want to include in the heating systems you work on, question them. Are they really doing what they should be doing to provide the best maintenance of that heating system, day in day out? Or are they just doing a sterling job for half an hour? Take a closer look and choose wisely. The new technology on offer from Sentinel is carefully designed and cleverly presented to offer the best solution to circulating debris in heating systems. Peace of mind for you and your customer and no call backs to systems you’ve installed. It all makes good common sense.

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Amtech, the market leading developer of software for the Building Services Industry, has brought together all its software and services under a single new brand.

The new Amtech brand encompasses familiar names from the industry including, Luckins, Estimation, National Engineering Specification (Nes) and AMTECH Power Software. The result is an end to end solution – from Specification Writing and Design through Estimating, and Procurement, to Inspection and Testing and Service Management. The solutions are designed for engineers and contractors of all sizes, from a company with decades of experience in supplying software and information services to the building services industry.

To coincide with the launch of the new brand, Amtech is also developing a major new Contractor Directory to help contractors gain more exposure and win more work. This new site will be launched in the New Year and will be provided as a free service to all M & E contractors.

To celebrate these significant milestones, Amtech has also announced a major free prize draw, giving contractors an opportunity to win a brand new Mercedes van, complete with sign writing and up to 5 years free servicing! In association with Mercedes-Benz and Intercounty Truck and Van Ltd.

All you need to do to enter is visit Amtech’s new website at www.amtech.co.uk and enter your details into the new Luckinslive.com Contractor Directory – it’s as simple as that!

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The Wallis Building, which offers workspace for technology innovators and entrepreneuers in the former St Mary's School in Nottingham's Lace Market, has been refurbished with stunning new carpet tiles from Heckmondwike FB.

Developer Bildurn Properties was looking to create a contemporary and eyecatching environment and consulted with John Butler Contracts to recommend a durable yet aesthetically pleasing range of floorcoverings.

90m2 of Heckmondwike Array Fibre Bonded carpet tiles was chosen in attractive Lime, which was complemented by 15m2of Broadrib in Willow.

Array is the latest addition to Heckmondwike FB’s creative flooring range and is proving popular for both commercial and education environments. On this project, a stunning effect has been achieved by use of the Array tile with its striking lime green surface pattern throughout. This perfectly complements the Broadrib in Willow which was provided in contrasting stripes throughout the ground floor area.

Claire Menzies from Bildurn Properties said: “We really wanted to create a modern, high tech feel to the floor covering, as we are looking to attract IT and technology-based businesses to the centre. Heckmondwike had the most vibrant range of colours and we knew of the durability of their tiles as we have used them on other projects. We are really pleased with the result which has helped us to create a fresh, dynamic and appealing working environment for aspiring entrepreneurs.”

John Butler from John Butler Contracts who installed the carpet tiles, said: “We worked closely with Bildurn Properties to come up with an eyecatching concept for their flooring that would create a contemporary, high tech feel to this innovative workspace. The striking Array and complementary Broadrib tile work really well together and their durability and performance mean it will offer them very low maintenance, as well as many years of service.”

Heckmondwike FB’s Array and Broadrib carpet tiles are British-made and provide long term durability and performance.They offer excellent value for money and are supplied with a 10-year limited wear warranty and that means that they can be specified in complete confidence.

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There was a time when radio linked self-contained smoke and heat alarms for installation in residential applications were difficult to install and ugly! No more, detectomat has launched Cascade, a new system of commercial grade self-contained alarms with a range of Designer cover options, which are quick and simple to install!

They offer a significant saving on installation cost and an attractive solution: select the combination of smoke and or heat alarms required, install them by screw or adhesive pad, plug-in the radio module and long life lithium battery supplied and it’s done. Automatic radio linked alarms with no expensive techies or test gear required. Plus no damage or redecoration and they’re self-monitoring i.e. if there’s a problem they tell you what and where for simple rectification.

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Beko, the UK’s leading appliance manufacturer is supporting The Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport , Hampshire , with a charitable donation to its ‘ Saving HMS Alliance Appeal ‘ – the largest by a consumer brand to date.

The Alliance Appeal is a fundraising drive to raise enough money to Save HMS Alliance, the Second World War era submarine that is the memorial to 5,300 British submariners who lost their lives in the service. Launched in 1945 HMS Alliance enjoyed a distinguished 28 years in active service, followed by retirement at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum. Her current position berthed above the waterline of Portsmouth Harbour has caused serious corrosion to the 67 year old vessel and has the left the submarine in need of conservation costing almost £7m.

The donation was organised by members of the Koc family, as conservation is a fundamental principle of the Turkish conglomerate that owns Beko plc.

Ragip Balcioglu , Managing Director of Beko Plc comments, “ Beko manufactures appliances that make life easier for the consumer ,and take the work out of housework, to enable families to spend more time together doing things they enjoy. The Royal Navy Submarine Museum is a great place for families to visit at weekends and during school holidays so we’re delighted to be involved in the renovation of this great museum piece , to preserve it for future generations .”

Vice Admiral Sir Tim McClement, KCB,OBE, chairman of the Royal Navy Submarine Museum said , “ We could not preserve the living history that is embodied in HMS Alliance without the financial support and backing of charitable donors such as Beko , so we are extremely grateful for the company’s bequest “ .

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Europe’s leading radiator manufacturer – Stelrad – is at EcoBuild 2013. You’ll find Stelrad on stand number N2720.

Stelrad offers the most comprehensive range of radiator designs – including the company’s new, Radical serial feed radiator that offers a genuine 10.5% energy saving over standard parallel feed radiator models, its stunningly good looking panel radiators and its designer radiator range, but inevitably, much of the interest of visitors to EcoBuild 2013 will be drawn towards the new Radical radiators that have taken off in popularity in recent months.

Radical features highly on the stand, has caught the imagination and has been specified to complement energy efficient heating systems across the country – both in domestic and commercial installations. In particular it has been selected to operate alongside renewable installations, proving that radiators can and should be the obvious bedfellows of solar thermal, ground and air source heat pumps and other compatible renewable heating systems – rather than there being an understanding as some would have you believe that UFH was the obvious response to renewables. Radiators continue to take the vast majority of heat emitting opportunities in both new build and in refurbishment projects in the UK.

Radiators will remain the ‘heat emitter of choice’ for the foreseeable future for most people and the advances made by Stelrad in the development of radiators that can complement renewable systems so effectively makes this virtually a ‘cert’.

The benefits of radiators being installed on renewable systems are many. Firstly, once installed, assuming the heating system has been properly installed – including being flushed and inhibited as required by Part L of Building Regulations – no maintenance is required. And secondly of course being on the wall, the heat they emit is not affected by coverings of any type, compared to underfloor heating where the heat emitted can vary widely depending on the floorcoverings utilised. In addition, many installers feel uncomfortable with using underfloor heating on upper floors.

On the Stelrad stand at Ecobuild, its popular vertical range of radiators will be appeal again – aesthetically pleasing but also highly practical, offering larger heat emitting surfaces that perfectly match the requirements of renewable heating systems that operate at a lower temperature than traditional ‘boiler driven’ heating systems. And of course, vertical radiators free up valuable horizontal space when considering furnishing and decoration.

Importantly Stelrad vertical radiators have been designed to be used vertically, offering highly effective heat dispersion from the specially designed free flowing waterways, which leave absolutely no cold spots on the radiators.The Stelrad vertical radiator options offer a variety of design solutions, from standard panel radiators, to flat fronted Planar and Compact with Style models.

Stelrad’s impressive range of low surface temperature (LST) radiators – designed for applications where young, elderly or vulnerable people will be in close proximity, or for public buildings where safety is paramount – have caught the imagination and these will be on display at EcoBuild. Sales of the range have built steadily and the arrival of the vertical LST range has boosted interest still further. Pop along to the stand to take a closer look.

Full details of the exciting Stelrad Radiator range can be seen on its stand at EcoBuild – on stand N2720 – or found on their web site at www.stelrad.com where you can download pdfs of a wide range of brochures, or of course by calling on 0870 849 8056.

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See it at EcoBuild on the Polypipe stand no: N2110

Water is the most precious commodity we have on this planet and there’s plenty of it. Sadly, less than 2% of what we have is fresh water.

We need it for the basic necessities of everyday life – we drink it, we need it to maintain good hygiene, it’s required for the manufacture of most of our food and for pretty much every key product in our everyday lives. There is no alternative

Here in the UK, as a result of global warming, we are seeing changes to our rainfall patterns. We’re getting our rainfall in longer heavier bursts than before and as a result we have seen huge quantities of rainfall causing flooding as the rainwater infrastructure has been unable to cope with it, before those vast quantities of valuable water eventually disappears as run off, into rivers and out to sea.

Polypipe Building Products has launched a range of new solutions into the rainwater harvesting marketplace that will be on view at EcoBuild between 5th and 7th March 2013 at Excel in London, targeted specifically at the domestic and residential market, in response to the growing acceptance that the time has come to stop using high quality drinking water to flush down the toilet, wash our cars and water the garden.

With some forecasts suggesting that the south coast could be experiencing a Mediterranean climate by 2050 – others suggesting this could arrive much earlier – water could become a very expensive commodity and any help available from naturally occurring sources of water should be met with open arms. The UK’s position as an island, with prevailing winds for much of the time heading at us from the south west across the Atlantic Ocean – and a warm current into the bargain – does give us a number of benefits and Polypipe is one company that believes that preparing now, by conserving precious rainwater supplies, would not be a moment too soon to take rainwater harvesting seriously.

Polypipe, the UK’s leading building products company, offers Rainstream – a range of rainwater harvesting options designed for everyone – with three straightforward options. Ideal for new build, for retrofit and already seeing major interest from the self-build marketplace, Rainstream is a very simple straightforward rainwater harvesting ‘package’. You can even see it on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS0RnXF_5pM .

The Rainstream system is available as a gravity fed or a pressurised system. Within a gravity fed system, water is pumped from the Rainstream Tank to a header tank in the loft. The water is then fed to each appliance by gravity. Pressurised systems use a pump to feed water directly to the appliance or appliances on demand. The units come pre-assembled ready for installation – you can select from a wide range of tank sizes to meet your specific needs – and the rainwater harvested by the system goes through a three stage filtration process, down to 130 microns. Installation of a Rainstream system from Polypipe will reduce mains water usage by around 50% – a valuable saving particularly if you’re on a metered water supply. The control panel is small and neat and the only evidence that a house has a rainwater harvesting system on the property.

For more information click on to www.polypipe.com.

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A stunning combination of VMZINC QUARTZ-ZINC® and PIGMENTO® vertical interlocking faÇade panels have been specified by architects BDP in their design of the £80 million University of York campus expansion at Heslington East.

BDP was invited to masterplan and design the individual buildings, the cladding inspiration for which was explained by Project Architect Andrew Lees. “Our vision for the design was prompted by the rural surroundings and specifically by the lakeside location. We felt that the elevations should reflect colours which stemmed from flora such as bulrushes. Though we were not initially familiar with the Pigmento colour range we subsequently realised that their subtle shades of grey, green and red would enable us to create a colour palette which was visually analogous to the rhythm of multi-stemmed plants”.

Initially the cladding specified was coloured fibrous cement panels. During the detailed design stage, however, the VMZINC system proved to be a more economical solution with the added benefit that installation could take place during winter months. 3-metre long panels in 375mm and 400mm widths were used to suit the structural modules with a continuous 20mm ventilated air gap behind the boarding of the entire faÇade.

The architects are particularly pleased with the way in which the zinc responds to changing light conditions and viewing angles of the multi-facetted facades. Andrew Lees added, “A particularly satisfying feature of the zinc is the crisp shadow gap that is achieved between adjacent panels. This gives the skin of the building a textured sophistication and the ability to form a continuous ‘wrap’ around both the straight and curved sections of the faÇade”.

Housed in two wings overlooking the existing lake and embracing a courtyard garden The first phase has undergraduate and postgraduate software laboratories and two more in which the Human-Computer Interaction research group undertakes much of its work. A fully glazed atrium connects the wings at all levels while a glass link leads to the seminar and common room pod which nestles in the centre of the courtyard as a garden pavilion. This organic timber structure acts as a counterpoint to the zinc clad wings that surround it.

The last words go to fellow Project Architect Tony Robinson who said, “The VM Zinc product was the making of Computer Science and Law and Management Buildings” Elizabeth Heaps, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University added, “The buildings are absolutely stunning. They are so striking and aesthetically they are just brilliant”.

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Stunning 18th century Banwell Castle in Somerset had suffered a fire in 1905 when the fire brigade were battling away for a full 2 days. Aware of this unfortunate history and wishing to install the best possible fire protection system, the Parsons family embarked on a search in 2009 and selected the Detectomat SRC 3000. They then contacted Argos Fire Protection, who they knew worked with Detectomat. The landmark gothic building, finished in 1847 was designed by the same architect who designed the House of Commons and has great historic value. The Grade 2 star listed castle is now run as a bed and breakfast and is also open to the public as well as being a family home. The stone walls are so thick that there is no chance of a mobile phone signal and they knew that they had to be able to hear any alarm through the thick walls – the Detectomat alarm can be heard all over the building. Furthermore, they were determined to avoid unsightly wiring which would mar the beautiful stone interiors.

The Detectomat SRC 3000 wireless detect system includes optical smoke detectors with integral sounders, break-glass call points and heat detectors. The Parsons family had seen it advertised and knew of similar properties which had chosen it because of the advantages of being wire free, which not only include avoiding damage to historic walls and ceilings but also cost. Because installation is so fast, labour charges are kept to a minimum and there is very little disruption to day to day business – essential in a busy tourism business. The Parsons family obtained listed building consent for the work from North Somerset District Council so avoided paying VAT. Argos were selected because of their many years experience. They were also impressed that Argos offer a radio survey, which gives the customer complete reassurance, and rigorous service visits every 6 months in accordance with British Standards.

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Durham Castle is the hub of University College. It is part of the Durham World Heritage Site and a Grade 1 Listed Building. No other college in the British Isles can have a more ancient or impressive home.

A £5 million refurbishment at the 11th Century Castle, which houses 339 Durham University students, commenced in July 2011 and involved the refurbishment of the bedrooms, dining areas and other facilities, whilst retaining many of the original features of the building.

The final phase of works saw the residential parts of the Castle being reconfigured and upgraded to reflect 21st Century student accommodation, with the majority of bedrooms now including Taplanes en-suite bathroom pods.

Michelle Crawford, Bursar, University College, said: “We are delighted with the refurbishment and the Castle’s facilities have been transformed from 1* to anticipated 4* Visit England grading. The Great Hall, servery, kitchen and bedrooms look fantastic, and provide a great community setting for students to live in and a majestic venue for weddings”

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