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Detectomat at Firex North 2010

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Detectomat will be exhibiting its unique wire-free Wireless detect – Fire Detection and Alarm system at the show, the SRC3000 wireless detect including the designer range of smoke detector/sounders.

The SRC 3000 is a unique wireless detect solution from detectomat –fast, easy to use and no wires, mess or disruption. Just quick, simple to use and stylish, from designer range detectors to control panel!

This unique Wire-Free, Radio Fire System is an ideal solution for retrofit and refurbishment applications in small to medium sized enterprises including office buildings, listed buildings, guest houses, restaurants, nursery schools, garages / workshops, large houses and houses in multiple, occupation.

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VM Zinc Zinc rainscreen and solar shading aids sustainability of Mint Hotel

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The new 11-storey, 583-bedroom Mint Hotel Tower of London is the largest to be built in the City for 35 years. The highly sustainable design by Bennetts Associates included 2200m2 of VMZINC QUARTZ-ZINC® panels built up in 3 zones. Horizontal, interlocking and spandrel panels were installed with moveable, perforated zinc solar shading screens but due to the close proximity of adjacent buildings, fabrication had to be undertaken by Sotech Architectural FaÇade Systems offsite. The separate metallic element which forms the 'skylounge' sits above adjacent rooflines and in addition to affording stunning views of the Tower of London and other iconic landmarks is a prominent feature in its own right. The pre-weathered QUARTZ-ZINC colour integrates perfectly with the building’s natural stone facades and will retain its consistency for decades while developing the natural, self-protecting patina for which zinc is renowned. The project has been awarded the Future Design Award for sustainability.

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LOCAL AUTHORITY NATIONAL INDICATOR 186 – EATON IS READY TO HELP!

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The latest additions to the popular Memera range of consumer units from Eaton’s Electrical Sector have integral energy monitoring facilities, making them a convenient and cost-effective solution for local authorities seeking to improve their performance against National Indicator 186, which targets their CO2 emissions. In properties where energy monitors with real time displays have been installed, it has been found that users are readily achieving sustained reductions in energy usage of between 5% and 20%, by simply changing the way they use electricity.

The Local Government Performance Framework has reduced the central government burden on local authorities, but has increased direct accountability. Underpinning the framework is a series of National Indicators (NIs) against which the performance of the local authorities is now measured. Among these is NI 186, which deals with the per-capita reduction in CO2 emissions in the local authority area, and effectively obliges local authorities to find ways of continually improving their emissions performance.

While CO2 emissions relating to energy used in domestic properties account for a significant proportion of the whole, reducing domestic energy use has, in the past, been difficult. Eaton’s new Memera consumer units with integrated efergy wireless energy monitors can now offer an effective and affordable way of addressing this crucial issue, by encouraging the behavioural changes required to effect these reductions.

Designed primarily for use in new installations and for incorporation during major refurbishment work when a new consumer unit is also being fitted, these new units feature a wireless energy-monitoring transmitter and sensor pre-installed by Eaton. This means that they take should take no longer on site to install than a standard unit and that the inconvenience and potential hazards associated with an unskilled person fitting current sensors around meter tails are also eliminated. In addition, with this arrangement the transmitter is powered internally direct from the consumer unit, and so needs no batteries.

The transmitter sends information wirelessly to an efergy remote display unit that can be mounted in any convenient location up to 40 metres away from the consumer unit. The display shows not only the amount of energy currently being used, but also the cost of that energy – a feature that has been found to provide a big incentive for homeowners to look for ways to economise.

The efergy energy monitoring system also stores historical data about energy costs, usage and CO2 emissions for up to 24 months. This not only makes it easy for homeowners to evaluate the success of their energy- and money-saving efforts over that period, but also could allow local authorities to check on the patterns and trends of energy use in specific properties.

Part of the well-proven and widely used family of Memera consumer units from Eaton, the new versions with integral efergy energy monitoring are available in both main switch isolator controlled and dual RCCB versions. When correctly installed, the consumer units comply fully with all applicable UK standards, and with the requirements of the 17th Edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations.

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Fakro Bespoke Fakro roof windows for Co-operative Pioneers Museum

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Loop Systems’ design for the rejuvenation of the Pioneers’ Museum in Rochdale included installation of 8 bespoke roof windows supplied by FAKRO GB. Being within a conservation area, the specification required windows to have a double mullion bar in RAL7022 to match the existing stone slate roof. Fitting of the windows also had to be flush within the roof line. Although this would ordinarily have been a straightforward process using FAKRO’s EZJ flashing, variations in slate thickness also had to be overcome.

Fakro regularly manufactures roof windows to bespoke requirements in addition to selling most of its extensive range in conservation style. Commissions for special detailing are normally completed quickly, as Fakro Senior Specification Manager Adam James commented. “The growing demand to meet specific design requirements can vary from a non-standard size to a particular frame colour or, as in this case, an additional mullion bar. Fakro has considerable experience of meeting such needs and with our exceptional timber quality and window U-values we are benefitting from a high level of word of mouth recommendation”.

Restoration of the Grade II Listed building attracted Heritage Lottery funding and was undertaken by specialist contractor William Anelay Ltd. The existing stone slate roof was stripped off, the underlying membrane replaced and the roof reinstated together with an upper floor which had been removed in the 70s. The project’s completion will be celebrated with delegates visiting from all over the world during 2012, the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives.

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Laidlaw Anti-ligature hardware for pioneering children's centre

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A prospector's guide to spotlighting

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The demand for an attractive, versatile and economic spotlight tailored to all display applications is fully met by the new range of Thorn Prospector luminaires. Designed to harness the latest LED and ceramic metal halide lighting technologies the spotlights offer consistent contemporary styling, in a choice of silver grey or white. With a choice of four beam distributions, plus track or pendant models, they are equally adapt at focussing tightly on individual displays, or washing large space with ambient light. The 12W LED option embodies Cree’s ‘True White™’ technology to produce warm-white light (2700K) with superior colour rendering (CRI > 90). The LED is mounted at the focus of the reflector for a concentrated, near-parallel beam. This achieves the lighting level of a 35W lv halogen lamp for just a third of the energy consumption.

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LED Lighting in Forecourt Canopies – An informed View

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Introduction

For over 12 years, Chalmor has been leading the way in forecourt energy savings. Chalmor’s Endurance induction lamp fittings offer proven technology; forecourt pioneers that installed this technology ten years ago still report no failures!

Canopy lighting costs and efficiency levels are coming under ever-increasing scrutiny, as companies spend anything between 30 and 60 per cent of their electricity budgets on lighting alone. Most petrol retailers are looking at three main options for their needs. These are inexpensive metal halide lamps, induction lamps and light emitting diodes (LEDs).

How they work

  • Metal halide (MH) lamps consist of an arc tube (also called a discharge tube or “burner”) within an outer envelope, or bulb. The arc tube may be made of either quartz or ceramic and contains a starting gas (usually argon), mercury, and MH salts. Traditional quartz MH arc tubes are similar in shape to mercury vapor (MV) arc tubes, but they operate at higher temperatures and pressures. Typically lamps have a life expectancy of 15,000 hrs and very efficient initially, but depreciate heavily over their life.
  • Induction is the process of transmitting energy via an electro-magnetic field. The light emitting gas inside the lamps is energized by passing alternating current through a coil, or inductor. Induction lamps are similar to regular fluorescent lamps, but they don’t have electrical contacts to conduct electricity from the fixture to the light-emitting gas inside the lamp. Additionally with a lamp life of greater than 60,000 hours and efficiency maintained throughout their life they are a popular solution.
  • LED lighting is based on semiconductor diodes. When a diode is switched on, electrons are able to recombine with holes within the device, releasing energy in the form of photons. This effect is called electroluminescence. The colour of the light is determined by the energy gap of the semiconductor. For commercial lighting, there are two main methods of producing high intensity white-light using LEDs. One is to use individual LEDs that combine red, green, and blue light to produce white light. The other is to use a phosphor material to convert monochromatic light from a blue or Ultraviolet LED to broad-spectrum white light, in a similar way to a fluorescent light lamp. The useful life of an LED is typically 50,000 hours, subject to the environment placed. LED’s are the least efficient of the three, but maintain their performance relativity well throughout their life.

Metal Halide v Induction

Although Metal Halide fittings may appear to be a cheap solution they have three major disadvantages, it is difficult to control fittings in line with occupancy and daylight, lamps are lower efficacy and shorter life compared to the other HID sources.

The below table: Shows typical energy savings achieved by installing Chalmor’s Endurance fitting and Chalmor’s Universal Lighting Controller (UNI –L) against Metal Halide fittings.

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A combined system guarantees watertight basement in high spec property

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Sourcing all the elements of a combined waterproofing system from one expert supplier is convenient, saves time and, most importantly, avoids any potential split responsibility issues. This was the approach taken by specialist basement contractors, MGA, in the construction of a very high specification new build London property comprising a multi level basement with swimming pool and gym. All waterproofing system components were supplied by Triton Systems whose team also oversaw their installation.

Because of the ‘variable’ water table classification and the very high value of the property, a combination of three types of waterproofing system was specified.

The complete below ground concrete structure, including the swimming pool, was formed using a watertight concrete system incorporating Triton Super Admix (BS 8102 2009 type B structurally integrated waterproofing).

As a primary method of waterproofing the structure, Triton TT Vapour Membrane (BS 8102 type A barrier waterproofing) was applied to the underside of the ground soffit. TT Vapour Membrane is a liquid applied, single component acrylic modified coating.

Platon cavity drain membranes provided the secondary waterproofing system (BS 8102 2009 type C cavity drained) and were installed to all walls and the floors of the lower level, draining to the Triton Aquachannel drainage conduit and pump system.

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FAKRO roof windows bring light to Highlands community care

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FAKRO roof windows have been used at the new £2.85 million Airdferry Resource Centre at Carr Brae, Dornie. Owned by Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association, they were specified by architects Bracewell Stirling whose requirements included non-opening 78 x 140cm windows. A spokesman for Bracewell Stirling explained. “Some of the roof windows were installed to provide natural light within a cantilevered walkway canopy. This links the centre to six elderly residents’ houses so we wanted to ensure that the balcony did not affect the quality of light in the homes. Although not a standard product for FAKRO, the company was able to meet our requirement without problem”.

Meeting non-standard design requirements is a key facet of FAKRO’s service as Senior Specification Manager Adam James explained. “The increasing use of roof windows has encouraged designers to look at different ways in which they can be used. We now receive frequent requests for special window shapes, flashings and colours while conversions are prompting the need for conservation style windows with features such as additional mullion bars. Other commissions have included provision of arc windows for curved roofs, stained glass decoration and special sash and frame colours”.

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Outdoor Heating

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Consort has upgraded their successful 1.5kW waterproof heater with the all new QZWP15N. The brand new heater has the added benefits of a replaceable lamp and a more robust construction. This heater is IPX5 rated making to totally weatherproof.

It utilises the high energy, shortwave output of quartz halogen lamps. Short wave high intensity radiant heat, like sunlight, provides warmth that can be felt the moment the heater is switched on. The polished aluminium reflector ensures the heat is directed to a specific area and the glass-free front ensures maximum thermal efficiency and a lamp life of 5,000 hours. It only warms the surfaces that it meets so there is no wasteful heating of air, and the heat is not affected by draughts.

These features make the QZWP15N significantly more environmentally friendly for heating outdoor areas compared to gas heaters, which are far less efficient as much of the heat goes straight up into the atmosphere.

The QZWP15N is clean, silent, and odourless, has very low glare, and is virtually maintenance free. The running costs are very low, working out approximately 1/3rd of the total running costs of gas systems.

The QZWP15N measures 480 mm x 120 mm x 120 mm, weighs 1.7 kg and heats an area of around 9 square metres. The heater is finished in black and fitted with a metal guard and the special bracket supplied can be wall or overhead mounted and adjusted to ensure an ideal installation.

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