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The Help for Heroes Rehabilitation Complex at Headley Court in Surrey is the first major project undertaken by the charity and incorporates many tried and tested products from MK Electric. Headley Court is where those seriously wounded on active duty are sent and the complex will house a superb swimming pool, two gyms and a research centre. It will provide a crucial centre for physical rehabilitation, the charity says.

The construction companies involved are working on a charitable basis which has significantly reduced the cost of the building. “This is a flagship job for SEC where we want the client to have the best building possible”, says project manager David Davis. “So we chose MK products because of their proven quality. In all my 15 years in this industry I have never yet been called back to a faulty switch or socket from their range”.

The Logic Plus range of wiring accessories was installed throughout the building. These are designed to complement modern interiors, offering an unobtrusive and sophisticated look totally in keeping with today’s design. Technically, they exceed British Standard requirements with patented features that make these products the most advanced and safest available. Logic Plus products are made from a high grade thermoset material which has an inherent antimicrobial property. In recent independent tests, the Logic Plus products were equal to, or exceeded, competitor ‘Anti-Bac’ products when tested for resistance to MRSA, E-Coli, Salmonella and Klebsiella Pneumoniae.

Grid Plus, a modular switching and monitoring system, was also installed. The comprehensive range of modules includes switches, indicators, dimmers, secret key switches, printed switches and buzzer units – making it the ideal system for public buildings. Easy to fit and change, Grid Plus modules simply clip into place from the front of the mounting frame.

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Leading pump manufacturer Wilo UK is celebrating a successful Pump Industry Awards 2011 after winning the accolade of ‘Manufacturer of the Year 2011’ and being a finalist in the ‘Technical Innovation of the Year 2011 – Projects’ category of the awards as well for the work it did as part of the comprehensive refurbishment of Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.

Wilo UK managing director Gary Mannus collected the awards from former news reader Selina Scott at the recent event and not surprisingly declared himself delighted with the awards his company had won: “It’s always good to be recognised for getting things right and I believe these awards do just that,” he said. “We’ve had an excellent couple of years, building the brand in the UK marketplace, investing significantly in our operation, expanding the team and getting out there talking to customers and responding to their needs. I’ve had an exciting time since I joined the business back in 2009 and we have detailed plans of how we intend to build on the successes this far and take the Wilo brand on to another level in the years ahead.”

Wilo UK offers a wide range of pumps for all applications from small domestic circulators to large commercial pumps. Pumps for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration, water supply and sewage pumps and lifting plants – the range is massive. Wilo also provides a comprehensive servicing capability.

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Crittall, Europe's largest manufacturer of steel windows has produced a 20 page corporate brochure which examines in detail the range of services and products it offers. The publication looks at the company's 160 year history from 1849 through the present day and highlights some of the iconic projects where its steel windows have been specified.

The company's expertise in Project Management is explained, a service that offers design, supply and installation as well as providing a first class after sales care.

Crittall's wide steel product range is examined and details are also provided on the company's Cold Formed Doors and newly introduced timber Composite range.

A useful guide to steel windows and how they meet the current Part L Regulations is incorporated and includes and easy to use 'Indicative U-values of windows and doors' chart.

The company recently won the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise for it export work and a section of the brochure is devoted to the company's international activities.

Concern for the environment is a fundamental aspect of Crittall's business; steel and glass – the core items in its windows – are the most recyclable building materials in use. The thin frames of steel windows have added advantage – more light can enter a building thereby reducing the need for artificial lighting.

Finally, the brochure looks at Crittall's production processes which have seen major recent investment.

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• Stand 236, Hall 20
• INFRARAIL 2010
• National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham
• 13 – 15 April 2010

At Infrarail 2010, Eaton, global technology leader in power management, will be showcasing power distribution, uninterruptible power supply and hydraulic solutions that allow users in the rail transport sector to maximise return on investment in both new works and upgrade projects.

Visitors to the stand will be able to see the broad range of solutions offered by the Eaton Corporation and, in particular, they will have the opportunity to find out about Eaton’s unique PowerChain Management initiative. This helps enterprises to achieve financial and operational benefits by proactive management of their power system as a strategic, integrated asset, throughout its lifecycle.

At the exhibition, Eaton’s Electrical Sector will be highlighting not only the distribution and protection products and systems for which it is already widely known and respected in the rail sector, but also the latest metering systems, which play a vital role in helping users to monitor and manage energy consumption. The metering systems are available for retrofitting in existing installations, and for integration with new equipment.

The emphasis from Eaton’s Power Quality Products & Services at the exhibition will be on uninterruptible power supplies that are particularly well suited for rail-related telecommunications applications. Available with ratings from 8 to 1,100 kVA, these innovative products feature advanced battery management to optimise battery life, and scalable battery run times for maximum versatility.

Also on the stand, from Eaton’s Hydraulics Group, will be system solutions and technical services that are applicable to broad range of rail applications, from maintenance to high-speed trains. These include Eaton’s intelligent valve technologies that enhance machine functionality, leading to energy savings and increased flexibility. Hydraulic hose solutions, available to suit virtually any application, pressure level or type of fluid will also be presented.

Throughout the three days of the Infrarail exhibition, experts from Eaton will be on hand to provide visitors with advice and guidance on selecting solutions for their own specific applications, with the emphasis on combining versatility and durability with value for money and energy efficiency.

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On the road now May 9th – June 8th!

As the celebrations continue to mark Beko's 21st anniversary in the UK, the company has launched a 5 week Roadshow to debut its latest products to all sectors of the trade.

One of the UK's leading suppliers of domestic appliances, Beko recently invited a number of its retail, distributor and trade customers to a special corporate event to celebrate its milestone anniversary in the UK and to be among the first to see the new Beko 21 range.

The Beko Roadshow now sets the stage for specifiers, contractors, designers and stockists of all sizes across the UK and Ireland to get their first look at the new collection, and to view the full product portfolio.

Since its appearance in the UK in 1991, the company has grown into a major consumer brand, has expanded into both private housebuilding and the public sector, and is fast becoming a major player in the built-in appliance market. Today Beko supplies 15% of all domestic appliances purchased by UK consumers. As one of the top 10 home appliance brands in the world, it is the UK brand leader in free-standing fridges, freezers, cookers and washing machines, and the UK's second largest appliance brand (DEC 2010 YTD GFK Data).

The new Beko 21 collection demonstrates the company's commitment to innovation, quality and design, combining simplicity of style with energy efficiency, features and ease of use to satisfy today's fast changing market demands.

Beko offers a full range of free-standing and built-in domestic appliances with a wide choice of styles, sizes and formats to meet every requirement. From refrigerators, freezers, cookers, hobs, ovens and hoods, to dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers, the company offers a one-stop-shop for quality, reliability and affordability.

Among its achievements to date, Beko offers A-rated freestanding cookers, A+AA-rated dishwashers and A+ frost-free refrigeration units, as well as the world's fastest, most energy-efficient 8kg washing machine and a market leading A-30% Built-in Oven.

“This roadshow represents another first for Beko,” says Amanda Castle, Marketing Manager. “It provides us with the opportunity to meet face-to-face with more potential customers, and to make them more aware of the brand and its benefits. The new Beko 21 range has been very well received by the trade to date, and this roadshow makes it easy for people to experience our extensive appliance range first-hand – at a venue convenient to them – and to approach us with any questions they might have.”

The Beko Roadshow will run from 9 May to 8 June. Readers interested in attending should contact roadshow@beko.co.uk

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In recognition on the demands made on lighting in today’s’ working environments ASD Lighting is pleased to offer an additional service from our Specification department. We now offer a free RIBA approved CPD seminar to architects and specifiers throughout the UK on providing adequate lighting to problem areas such as corridors and stairs; the “forgotten arteries” of a building.

The seminar aims to address these neglected areas and problems with poor design and installation. Stairwells and corridors are life lines that provide safe passage for everyday commuting between rooms and floors as well as escape routes to a safe environment when required. We examine not just the correct way of illuminating stairs and corridors but highlight common misconceptions when selecting fitting types. Stairwells are notoriously hard to calculate and this results in a lot of guess work and intuition; which in most cases, results in what appears to be a correctly lit environment but actually falls well below CIBSE guidelines.

The CPD seminars are an extension to the FREE lighting scheme design service offered to Architects & Specifiers in which we will design lighting schemes to meet installation requirements.

We offer an exceptional service and advice on products from our extensive range to resolve any lighting scheme design. We will help to identify the characteristics of the installation and then provide a computer aided model of the required lighting needs.

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Space Airconditioning plc, the UKs only Independent Daikin distributor, has re-launched the home of Daikin Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems – www.ventyourhome.co.uk.

The website redesign has taken on the same style as www.spacealtherma.co.uk so that the residential consumers can relate the domestic branding with ‘Space Air Solutions’, a subsidiary of Space Air plc. The site has a cleaner more modern outlook and contains a wealth of information on Daikin’s heat recovery ventilation VAM units but also why ventilation is necessary, and details on the Part F building regulations.

Mark Houghton, Commercial Director of Space Air Solutions commented, “There is an increasing awareness of the importance of ventilation in our homes. Better levels of insulation have reduced our heating bills but this can also contaminate our indoor air quality. Reducing the circulation of oxygen, leads to a potential build-up of pollutants such as carbon monoxide from gas cookers, vapour from paint, and house dust mites, causing mould and fungus problems. Simply opening windows is not the best answer.
The new look web site is a concise overview of ‘the problem & the solution’. The site shows the visitor that Space Air has been the one stop Daikin shop, since 1980. We provide the Daikin heat recovery ventilation unit (VAM) and all necessary components for a complete installation, and optional weather proofing if required.
The site has been written in a non-technical manner for easy understanding for all home owners”.

Daikin’s ventilation systems are easy to install, cost little to run (as low as 60 watts), and are low maintenance. The compact unit can be installed in any position, in the loft space or in a cupboard, and controlled using a HRV Remote Controller situated anywhere in your home.

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The new MR3-e has the right balance of controlled output, thermal management, and optical design resulting in a significant advantage in commercial lighting applications.

The MR3-e is available as a complete unit supplied integral within a brushed aluminium casing, or provided as a retro fit unit. The true benefit of the retrofit unit allows the option of simply replacing current Mr16 light sources with a quick-fit transition.

• Up to 90 minute fire rated fitting.
• Suitable for interior use only.
• Luminaire suitable for all timber joist ceiling.
• Part “B, C & E” compliant (acoustics).
• Suitable for mounting on normally flammable surfaces.
• Dimmer for 4 for 12 fittings.

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Heating engineers and installers are well aware of the damage that hard water can cause in heating systems and appliances – they see it pretty much every day of their lives if they work in hard water areas. But many are still to wake up to the very real opportunities that water softeners can offer them and their businesses.

Water softeners work in reverse to nature. Rain water is naturally soft and only becomes hard when it filters down through limestone type rocks, picking up hardness impurities as it goes. A water softener does the reverse of this, ‘washing’ hard water through a resin bed that takes out the ‘hardness’ salts – calcium and magnesium – leaving you with softened water, the way nature intended!

If your customers live in a hard water area – which is around 60% of the UK, especially in London and the south east, East Anglia and the Home Counties – they will already know about hard water. Scum in the kettle. Scaling up of showerheads, limescale marks in the sink and loo.

But if that’s what can be seen easily, imagine what damage is being done where you can’t see it, in heating systems, in washing machines and dishwashers, prime targets for hard water damage. Just a 1.6mm build-up of scale on the inside of heating system surfaces can cause a 12% loss in heating efficiency in pipes, in radiators and on heat exchanger surfaces in boilers. Scale will also form around the heating coil and eventually fill a hot water cylinder. It’s estimated that the annual amount of hard water used by an average family of four contains a whopping 70kg of scale. Untreated limescale simply means wasting energy, wasting money and having to replace appliances and heating systems.

The most welcome benefit for householders, is that having softened water in the home can reduce heating bills significantly – 15% reductions in energy bills are commonplace, often more – and importantly, having a water softener installed will reduce maintenance costs on those appliances. Good for the planet. Good for homeowners pockets.

As an installer, you can install a water softener at anytime. They are quick and simple to install – usually no more than half a day’s work for a competent plumber or heating engineer. Just a minimum water pressure of 1.7 bar (25psi) and access to the mains water supply, drainage and electricity are required. Many installers offer a water softener as ‘part of the package’ when they install a new kitchen or bathroom, because they know that a water softener will help keep the customers investment as good as new. But, if you are called to undertake remedial work that has been caused by hard water, particularly replacing a boiler, a radiator or sections of pipework – that’s an excellent opportunity for you to take the customer through the benefits of a water softener.

Once installed they are really simple to use and maintain. All you need to do is occasionally add salt to aid the regeneration process. Water softeners come in a range of different sizes. The one you recommend will depend on the size of the family and the property in which it will be installed.

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Marflow’s Martin Lowe is to deliver a seminar on post-occupancy energy efficiency through continuous commissioning at this year’s Sustainability Live exhibition.

Aimed at building managers, energy managers, facilities managers and building services engineers, the presentation will address the need for ongoing post-occupancy energy efficiency and the barriers to achieving this. In particular, it will use fan coil and chilled beam systems to exemplify the traditional difficulties of re-commissioning such systems in line with changes in building usage.

The presentation will go on to explore how more sophisticated control technologies can be applied to create a continuous commissioning approach that enables such systems to be easily reconfigured from a PC, without the disruption and cost of entering the ceiling void.

As a pioneer of this concept, Martin Lowe will chart the recent technological developments that have made this possible and outline the potential energy efficiency benefits it brings. These include aligning systems to changes in building occupancy and layout and the increased potential for retrofitting renewable heat sources to generate hot water for these systems.

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