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State of the art fan coil units manufactured by Ability Projects Ltd, are playing a significant role in air conditioning services at the recently opened research and teaching facility of Oxford University Department of Earth Sciences.

The innovative facility, built in under two years at a cost of £38 million can accommodate around 300 students, researchers, academics and administrative staff. Based around highly services laboratories, lecture and conference rooms and library etc, the flagship centre is designed to emphasise and promote a greater understanding of the Earth’s geological processes.

A combination of Ability 4-pipe EVO260 ceiling chassis and EVOVERT vertical fan coil units with capacities of 3.64 to 7.6kW (cooling) and 2.32 to 4.75kW (heating) are distributed throughout the complex. The wall mounted vertical cased units are installed in the IT rooms to supplement the downflow cooling provided by the ceiling units. Ability EC-DC Evolution fan coils offer reductions in electrical input of 75% and above compared to similar capacity AC driven equivalents plus infinite speed control and minimal heat generation. The adoption of energy efficient cooling and heating technologies provides up to 35% of the site’s requirements.

According to the company’s agents, Air Systems Ltd, Ability EC fan coil units were specified by the consultants due of their low running costs and also because Ability were able to modify fan inlet and discharge plenums to suit the diffuser/plenum requirements dictated by the high cooling loads and air volumes inherent in the project.

All fan coil units are fitted with DC speed controllers for manual speed control plus 240v/24v transformers for 24v control package power supply.

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Leading architectural ironmongery provider Laidlaw Solutions has combined quality and affordability in its new Washroom Solutions range. Fittings manufactured in satin or polished stainless steel and polyester powder-coated steel have been designed to suit most commercial environments and complement the company's brand leading doorset, door furniture, handrail, access control and signage systems. Products include hand driers, towel and soap dispensers, toilet roll holders, baby change units and a comprehensive selection of items for disabled users. A core range of economy fittings such as mirrors, bathroom cabinets and grab rails completes the package.

For environments ranging from hospitals to schools and restaurants, Laidlaw washroom fittings will suit most applications, design styles and budgets. The scope to include such accessories as part of the doorset ironmongery package provides greater assurance of design compatibility and guaranteed performance. To comply with the requirements of Approved Document M, the range includes drop down rails, grab rails and shower seats.

The various Orbis ranges of architectural ironmongery provide a comprehensive choice of door fittings. Products include pull and lever handles, door closers and holders, push and kick plates, mortice, cylinder and cam locks, hinges, hooks, floor springs and emergency exit hardware. To add the finishing touches to any project a comprehensive range of signage includes a bespoke design service.

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The NHBC'S newly published ventilation requirements apply to all home starts from 1st January 2011. Klober examines the implications….

The issue of how best to control condensation in roof spaces has been debated ever since vapour permeable underlays (VPUs) were introduced. Recent cold winters, however, have put the performance of some VPUs in the spotlight following an increasing number of calls concerning roof condensation to the NHBC.

The risk of condensation in new homes is at its greatest during the drying out period. Until now, 'unventilated' roofs have been considered acceptable for VPUs supported by BBA or similar certification. However, by stating that supporting ridge or high level ventilation equivalent to a continuous opening of 5mm must now be provided, the NHBC has decided that such certification can no longer be considered adequate.

It is important to highlight, however, that this is only relevant when seeking the NHBC warranty, and applies only to VPUs and not to air-open underlays. Unlike VPUs, however, there are currently only two proprietary air-open membranes available, the best performing being Klober Permo Air.

Klober's portfolio of products uniquely covers all 3 ventilation options.

• An air-open membrane with no ventilation (Klober's product is Permo Air)
• Vapour open membrane with high level ventilation (Klober products are Permo Forte/Light/Ecovent with Roll Fix Ridge, or Vent Tiles)
• Vapour closed membrane with eaves and ridge ventilation (Klober products are Sepa Forte/Light with components)

A comprehensive range of air barriers, vapour control layers, tapes, sealants and sealing collars also provides scope for airtight construction for the most complex roofing specifications as we move towards zero carbon house building.

Klober MD David Arendell added “Ventilation best practice is of course no less relevant to refurbishments, particularly in situations such as public sector housing upgrades. Airtightness may not yet be a requirement and ceilings are less likely to be well sealed in cold roof design. However, it should be considered in order to limit condensation risk within the roof void. In terms of ventilation of the roof space it is ironic that by seeking to reduce long-term maintenance costs, the widespread use of ventilated dry ridges and hips by housing associations has reduced the likelihood of problems with VPUs.”

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Space Airconditioning plc, the Guildford based Daikin Distributor, holds registration under the environmental standard ISO14001:2004, in the unique category of “Distributors of air conditioning equipment and manufacture of ancillary components”.

Despite the challenging business conditions of the past two years, Space Air has remained committed to taking all reasonable steps to reduce the environmental impact of its commercial activities. The ISO 14001 Standard forms an important part of Space Air’s objectives and so the Directors were delighted when the annual external audit approved certificate renewal with a highly complimentary report on the management of the system and environmental targets achieved to date, the auditor concluding with “This is one of the best environmental systems I have audited”.

Perhaps the most impressive achievement was energy efficiency improvements recorded for the Daikin VRVQ air conditioning system installed earlier this year to replace the existing older VRV system.

Detailed metered records indicating minutes run and kW/hrs consumed by the new VRVQ system were compared with corresponding periods in previous years for the original system and showed a remarkable average 28.6% reduction in monthly kW/hr consumption!

A Space Air spokesman commented, “In addition to various other measures we have undertaken to reduce our environmental impact, the external auditor was particularly impressed by the very significant energy savings achieved by the VRVQ system. Although we need to look at a full year of recordings to get a fair comparison, the results so far are extremely encouraging, not only in terms of meeting our own objectives but also in reinforcing the efficiency benefits of VRVQ for the many customers considering replacing existing R22 or R407C VRV systems.

VRVQ has specifically been designed to enable older VRV systems to be replaced without the need to renew the existing pipework and in some cases, retain the existing fan coil units. VRVQ can therefore be installed relatively quickly, at considerably reduced cost and site disruption. The additional benefit is substantially lower running costs. We are already reaping the rewards and our customers can do the same.”

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In one of its most significant product launches in recent years, Eaton is introducing Memshield 3, a new generation of final distribution boards and associated circuit protection devices for commercial, industrial and public buildings. Memshield 3 forms a vital element in Eaton’s PowerChain Management® solutions which offer an integrated approach to the efficient distribution and control of electrical energy in buildings, from the main supply intake to the point of use.

Memshield 3 breaks new ground in the range of functions it can perform. It retains all the features that have made Memshield 2 the preferred choice of electrical contractors for more than 15 years but introduces innovative features that will enable specifiers and installers to offer an even wider range of power distribution solutions in modern buildings. In particular 125A Type B boards are now offered with a 250A option in the larger sizes while 250A boards can be used instead of MCCB panelboards for some applications.

Memshield 3 distribution boards are offered in Type A (single-phase) and Type B (three-phase) versions with up to 24 outgoing TPN ways. Single-pole and triple-pole miniature circuit-breakers, available in ratings up to 63A, have a 10/15kA short-circuit rating (10kA to IEC 60898 and 15kA to IEC 60947-2). Previously these devices were offered as two separate ranges with 10kA and 15kA short-circuit ratings. Memshield 3 RCBOs are offered in a choice of trip sensitivities, from 10mA to 100mA and have a 10kA short-circuit rating to IEC 61009.

Type A distribution boards are now offered with a higher-rated, 125A switch-disconnector incomer in five sizes from 4-way to 16-way. They embody a number of special safety features including unique full-form blanking modules for unused ways (which also provide secure shrouding of unused busbar stabs) and fully shrouded neutral busbars. The main busbar assembly can be removed for easier installation. An optional coupling kit allows two Type A boards to be linked together vertically to increase the number of ways.

Type B boards come in two ratings – 125A and 250A with up to 24 outgoing TPN ways.

Memshield 3 also breaks new ground with its new 250A Type B ”High Load” distribution boards. Two of the outgoing TPN ways are designed to accommodate larger – 80A, 100A or 125A – miniature circuit-breakers. This means that the boards can handle larger individual loads or even feed additional distribution boards; a 250A Memshield 3 board can sometimes be used in place of the more expensive MCCB panelboard to feed downstream boards.

Visually Memshield 3 has a more modern styling than its predecessor with rounded edges. The boards are slightly larger to provide ample wiring space, even when using RCBOs to meet the latest requirements of the 17th Edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations.

Among installer-friendly features that are retained from the Memshield 2 design is the welded end plate construction which prevents distortion of the enclosure when mounting on an uneven surface, even when the gland plates are removed. Doors are removable, making it easier to fix the boards, and hanging the doors is easier because one hinge pin is longer than the other so that the two hinges do not have to be aligned together.

Another time-saving feature offered with Memshield 3 distribution boards is the availability of a ‘Cable trunking interface kit’ for use when boards are mounted on cable trunking. Contractors often make their own interface plates to protect the cables from damage caused by the sharp cut edges in cable trunking. Eaton’s plastic interface can also be used as a template when cutting and drilling the trunking.

Separate transient voltage surge suppression (SPD) units, developed to meet the requirements of the new lightning protection standard BS EN 62305, are included in the Memshield 3 range. These provide Type 1/Type 2 protection as part of a coordinated solution.

Eaton’s innovative Smart metered split-load distribution boards, introduced earlier this year, are also offered in the new Memshield 3 styling, along with separate meter packs and Type A boards with integral metering. These all help meet the energy conservation requirements of the UK Building Regulations Part L2 by providing separate measurement of grouped lighting and power loads. The Smart boards use a unique smart summing meter in conjunction with a high-integrity busbar with embedded voltage transducers. This provides separate measurement of the two grouped loads, plus total load.

“We held contractor clinics around the country while developing Memshield 3. These revealed a number of features of the existing design that were even more important to our customers than we realised” says Mike Lawrence, Eaton’s Product Line Manager for Commercial Assemblies. “We believe that in Memshield 3 we have a worthy successor to Memshield 2 that sets new standards in final distribution board design.”

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Mitsubishi Electric is using the Ecobuild Show (1-3 March 2011, ExCel, London) to highlight the energy saving potential of advanced heating, cooling, ventilation and power generating equipment, whether for new build or retro-fit.

“We all know the importance of reducing energy consumption and the impact this can have on cutting fuel bills and there is a real potential to tackle the problem of existing buildings using advanced energy saving equipment,” explains Donald Daw, Mitsubishi Electric's Commercial Director.

The company's stand (S2030) will show off the latest developments in domestic and commercial heating, with the Ecodan® range of products that can help achieve renewable energy targets, cut fuel bills and provide reliable, renewable heating for almost any building. Ecodan provides low carbon heating and hot water, with domestic models available in 5kW; 8.5kW and 14kW units and the commercial range starting from 25kW.

Also on the stand will be advanced Photovoltaic (PV) Arrays which can not only lower overall power consumption but can also help generate an income through the Government's Feed In Tariff (FIT) by selling excess energy back to the grid.

Mitsubishi Electric is unique in the world of PV because it manufacturers all of the individual components – the cells, the panels and the inverters – and is also the first manufacturer in the UK to develop a complete PV Pack, designed specifically for residential properties with pitched roofs.

As our homes become more energy efficient and air tight, ensuring appropriate ventilation is increasingly important and the company will be showcasing its DC Lossnay heat recovery ventilation system, which addresses the need to provide energy efficient ventilation to well-insulated modern homes.

One of the major advantages of the Lossnay system is that in summer, when houses have heated up during the day, a special bypass mode can be used to bring in cool fresh air at night, eliminating the need for mechanical cooling.

Mitsubishi Electric has taken a stance against any major growth of air conditioning for the UK's homes because it is unnecessary and unsustainable.

In the commercial sector though, the company is a strident advocate of the increased use of advanced air conditioning to provide energy efficient buildings with a comfortable internal environment. On the stand will be the new City Multi YJM-A outdoor unit which offers some of the highest levels of efficient simultaneous heating and cooling available.

“Legislation is increasingly driving the way we use energy in our buildings and rising fuel prices mean that there has never been a better time to find ways of improving things,” explains Daw. “With this comprehensive range, we are providing energy efficient equipment that can help achieve this.”

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Among the many heritage refurbishment projects being undertaken by traditional metal roofing contractors, VMZINC is now providing specialist advice to a growing number of architects. Experience drawn from regular restoration work using zinc throughout Europe has led to the company supplying materials for projects such as St Mary's Church Plas Power and the highly acclaimed Clapham and Sheffield Bandstands.

St Mary's Plas Power is of late 19th century construction and still owned by the Fitzhugh family. As the last remaining privately maintained chapel in Wales to hold regular services, Heritage and CADW funding was obtained to replace the original zinc roof and rainwater system, dating from 1875. Use of pre-weathered zinc not only captured the style of the decades old patina but provided a colour which will continue to age normally.

By contrast, the £1.2m refurbishment of Clapham Common's Grade II listed bandstand involved VMZINC in the manufacture of a bespoke, 62-section natural zinc roof and central finial. Designed by Thomas Blashill, then architect to the London County Council, it was erected in 1890 and is believed to be the largest of its type remaining in the UK. In 1995 it had been placed on English Heritage's 'Greater London Buildings at Risk' but had fallen into serious disrepair. Among factors affecting zinc's specification by architects Dannatt Johnson were its resistance to corrosion, weight and the ability to meet a highly complex roof design. 1:1 roof replication was undertaken, manufacture being divided into sections for cutting and shaping. Plaster prototypes were also used to create drilled sections and to design the punching moulds. A finely crafted curved wooden structure was built to support the zinc covering and the end result is an exceptional illustration of zinc's versatility.

Renovation of the derelict Grade II listed Victorian bandstand in Weston Park Sheffield formed part of a £2.7 million Heritage Lottery funded project to create the city's first municipal park. It is again thought to be the only surviving example of such a design, VMZINC's 0.8 gauge natural zinc having been fitted using sliding caps, one of the earliest techniques for constructing a zinc roof. The material was laid hollow, supported by timber boarding, and wired to the wrought ironwork frame. Archive photographs were used to ensure all original detailing was accurately replicated. Work was carried out to English Heritage Best Practice standards for conservation and restoration, with components being hand crafted.

Zinc has proved to be equally suited to church projects in which a combination of styles was required. There is no better example than the Community Centre Annex to St Pancras RC Church Lewes. The sweeping curves of the pre-weathered, standing seam zinc complement the traditional Victorian style in which clay plain tiles and brick have been used.

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Whether you are a design engineer, an installer or an end-user, if you have an interest in or a project requirement for underfloor distribution systems feeding desk and workstation furniture, then the new Underfloor to Desk Solutions brochure from leading cable management manufacturer Marshall-Tufflex is essential reading.

With Underfloor to Desk Solutions, Marshall Tufflex has not just produced a catalogue of products but compiled a product selection guide clarifying the various installation possibilities, with information on layout configurations, annotated images, diagrams, technical specification, guides and photographs showing various systems and options for underfloor power and data distribution to desk service outlets.

It is a brochure that offers specifiers and contractors a ‘one-stop shop’ for this type of installation and introduces some interesting new products alongside Marshall-Tufflex’s tried and tested ranges:

· MT32 Underfloor Distribution: a 32Amp pre-wired, plug and play alternative (or combination) to Powertrack, incorporating the new Marshall-Tufflex compact 32Amp connector.

· The MT32 Floor Box Distribution Unit (FBDU): FBDUs are installed at floor level and each one incorporates up to 5 independent protected circuits for supply to different zones, providing local isolation and facilitating ease of maintenance, inspection or reconfiguration.

· Desk Modules: a new range of Desk and Panel Mount Units designed with MT32 and powertrack tap-off in/out connectors, for fast installation plug and play connection.

· Floor layouts that achieve a far greater reach of floor area than is possible using conventional powertrack alone.

· Series 507 Powertrack: incorporating high levels of safety with snap-fit couplers and tap-offs that are key and colour-coded to streamline connections and avoid installation problems.

· Sustainable solutions with products and systems that can be re-used and re-configured for new or existing layouts.

· High levels of safety, with snap fit couplers and tap-offs that are key and colour coded to streamline connections and avoid installation problems.

· Sustainable solutions with products and systems that can be re-used and re-configured for new or existing layouts.

The product range includes Series 507 Powertrack and In-screed systems, MT32 Underfloor power distribution with time-saving pre-wired systems and Floor Box Distribution Units, Desk Modules, Grommets, PowerPosts and SnakeWay wire support systems.

Chris Scott, Marshall-Tufflex Product Manager says: “Early indications show that this brochure is being very well received by customers and suggests that it will be of great value to electrical engineers and installers.”

All system designs, dimensions and cable capacities meet the latest BS EN ISO standards and bespoke solutions are available through Marshall-Tufflex’s Specialised Applications department.

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Grant Shapps MP for Hatfield and Welwyn and Housing Minister for the Coalition Government, has opened a new Renewable Energy Centre at Mitsubishi Electric’s offices in Travellers Lane, Hatfield.

The company is a leader in the manufacture of residential air source heat pump heating and photovoltaic power generating systems which can reduce a home’s heating and energy bills and the local MP was invited in to officially launch the centre on Friday 10th December.

“At the moment, there are few homes in the Hatfield and Welwyn area that are benefiting from the lower fuel bills that these systems can offer,” explained Martin Fahey, Mitsubishi Electric’s Green Gateway Manager. “As a major employer in the area, we wanted to show our MP how simple and reliable the technology is, and how homeowners, housing associations and landlords can have the confidence to make the switch from gas and oil.”

Mr Shapps was shown around the new centre, which will be used to train thousands of plumbing, heating and electrical engineers over the coming year.

Mitsubishi Electric’s Green Gateway Manager, Martin Fahey explained to the MP how the company is ensuring the highest standards of training to provide reliable power generation and home heating. These high standards are also carried through to the company’s commercial heating and air conditioning products.

The MP immediately issued a report on his visit on twitter, the contents of which can be accessed at http://twitter.com/grantshapps . He has also included a photo of his visit available at http://twitpic.com/3emznw .

Mitsubishi Electric is fully committed to the Government’s Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) which sets out the high standards of installation and maintenance required for renewable technology. Mitsubishi Electric’s Ecodan air source heat pump and its range of Photovoltaic (PV) power generating equipment is both MCS accredited.

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The new £3 million Bramall Learning Centre at RHS Garden Harlow Carr stands out as a resplendent two-storey structure, surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens. The Centre has exemplary environmental credentials and as part of the theme of environmental sustainability, Timbmet was commissioned by joinery contractor, Dalton Joinery to source and supply FSC European Oak worktops for the interior of the new Blundell Library, which forms part of the construction. The specification called for timber that complemented the other sustainable materials used in the build process. FSC European Oak is a solid wood that does not deteriorate with age, rather it matures and improves to give a richer, deeper colour. Being solid, any surface damage in future to the worktops can be repaired simply and quickly.

Since it was opened in Summer 2010, the Centre has achieved its design aim to be amongst the most sustainable buildings in the country, achieving an excellent carbon zero BREEAM rating, proving its green credentials. According to David Dalton of the the consistent dedication to its responsible business commitment to pursue the principles of sustainable development in its operations. “Dealing with Timbmet is always easy due to their professionalism, knowledge and helpfulness,” he commented. “The Timbmet business manager sourced the exact products we required for this high profile and very meticulous project.”

The result is a visually stunning interior, with the worktops complementing the quality of the rest of the building, the entire fabric of which has been constructed primarily from natural and unprocessed materials. Head of RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Liz Thwaites is understandably proud of the sustainable achievement, commenting: “We are absolutely thrilled with the opening of the Bramell Learning Centre in Harlow's 60th year. Its creation is a tremendous achievement for all those involved.”

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