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Ancon AMR is a fabricated steel reinforcement that locates in bed joints to strengthen masonry panels without thickening the wall. The longitudinal wires are flattened to less than 3mm to ensure good mortar cover is achieved, even when the product is lapped.

Ancon Masonry Reinforcement (AMR) is manufactured in five wire diameters and four widths. It suits a wide range of structural load conditions and wall widths up to 215mm.

It is manufactured in stainless steel and galvanised steel and supplied in a standard length of 2700mm. Stainless steel provides the greatest corrosion resistance, life-cycle costing benefits and is 100% recyclable.

New to the range is AMR-CJ, which can be used in the construction of collar-jointed walls. The product consists of flat ties welded to flattened longitudinal wires and is supplied in a standard width of 175mm to suit a wall width of 215mm comprising of either standard bricks or 100mm blocks.

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Polypipe – the UK’s leading domestic underfloor heating specialist – has issued an invitation to all dedicated UK underfloor heating installers to become Polypipe Underfloor Heating Registered Installers.
Dave Raynor heads up the Polypipe Underfloor Heating business and says the current members are finding membership useful and most importantly, lucrative: “We aim to recruit installers to receive regular information from us and importantly for them, leads for new business that we generate through our marketing activity and provide to registered installers in the areas where those leads come from.

“Our key role in setting up the Registered Installer Scheme was to help raise the level of professionalism for the installers, to help them to impress the customers with the way in which they dealt with the enquiries and the way in which they were able to respond to that customer’s very specific requirements.”

A newly registered installer receives an impressive and very professional folder full of helpful ‘tools of the trade’ that will help him to raise his game significantly. These include items such as a highly professional customer presentation pack that they can show to any potential customer, highlighting who Polypipe are and their track record in underfloor heating, the different underfloor heating options available, how underfloor heating works, the process that Polypipe goes through to ensure that the customers get exactly what they want, the benefits they can expect from their underfloor heating and details about the warranties they get – for example, the pipework comes with a 50 year guarantee!

The folder includes pre-printed and impressive Customer Enquiry pads, checklists, proposal forms and contract forms. It also includes useful postcards that the installer can put through neighbours doors saying “I’m installing underfloor heating for your neighbour – if you want to know more, give me a call”. It includes the latest brochures and price lists as well so there is always an impressive piece of literature for the installer to take out and go through with a prospective customer.

“We’ve put a lot of thought into the pack,” says Polypipe’s Martin Dootson.  “It’s a very impressive package to sell a very impressive product and we’re looking for more very impressive installers to join the Registered Installer Scheme and benefit from the package we can offer. Membership is free but we do ask installers to demonstrate that they have the knowledge and skills required to install underfloor heating.”

Polypipe is the leading domestic underfloor heating specialist in the UK exactly because of the care it puts into selling these products. For full details visit the Polypipe underfloor heating website at www.ufch.com. Alternatively call Polypipe on 01709 770 000 or visit its stands at the many exhibitions they will be at during 2010.

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Twinfix aluminium framed canopies continue to be the product of choice at many schools. Nurseries, in particular find that a canopy situated adjacent to a classroom enables small children quick and easy access to sand and water play, a vital part of early years’ learning.

The complete process of design, manufacture and installation is undertaken by Twinfix with each canopy being designed to suit the needs of the individual school. Canopies can incorporate pitched or curved roof glazing, vertical side screens and colourful padded post protectors. Where required, roller shutter doors can be fitted, enabling toys to be safely locked away when the building is not in use.

Canopies can be ordered with a selection of tints and grades of polycarbonate roof glazing. The photo shows opal multiwall polycarbonate glazing complementing an aluminium powder coated turquoise structure that wont rust or require future repainting, helping to cut down on maintenance costs. Where clear visibility is required through the roof glazing clear solid polycarbonate can be fitted.

The roof glazing panels are a Twinfix patented design that conform to the Health & Safety Executive’s recommended drop test for ‘Safe’ roofing assemblies. This means that should anyone gain access on to a canopy roof they will not harm themselves by falling through the glazing.

These canopies require little in the way of maintenance apart from an occasional wash down and will look good for years to come. They are fully recyclable at the end of their long life span.

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The future of controlling room temperature is set to change thanks to the latest technology developed by market leader Pegler Yorkshire. Using its expertise in radiator valve control the company has created a revolutionary new product that can save up to 30% of space heating costs and can significantly contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions.

Room temperature control has successfully been managed by TRVs for many years, yet taking this further, Pegler Yorkshire’s innovative product not only controls temperature but now time, which means the radiator is only on at times actually required by the end user. Developed under the renowned terrier brand, and recommended by the Energy Saving Trust (EST), the terrier i-temp is a programmable radiator control (PRC).

“This is an exciting new product for Pegler Yorkshire,” commented Sindar Singh product marketing manager Pegler Yorkshire. “Significant investment combined with heating experience has been used to develop this innovative PRC to address important issues such as heat wastage, reducing carbon emissions and most importantly saving money.”

The terrier i-temp allows the time and temperature in each room to be fine tuned with no change to the master programmer. This energy saving advancement prevents heat wastage as the end user can focus heat within individual rooms when required. For example a typical user would normally heat the whole house in a number of time periods, but only use rooms at certain points of the day, the terrier i-temp can be set to reflect this ensuring no heat wastage in other rooms which results in inevitable energy saving.

This revolutionary new product is just a simple upgrade to an existing heating system; the PRC simply attaches to most brands of thermostatic radiator valves. It upgrades to the majority of existing TRV bodies, with adaptors provided within the pack. Products available include the terrier i-temp i30 PRC for vertical fitted valves and the i35 PRC for horizontal mounted valves. Both products are available with thermostatic valve bodies if required for a completely new installation.

Innovative products can sometimes be daunting for users however being “end user” friendly has been key for the development of the terrier i-temp that is why programming has been simplified in a walkthrough process, it also offers pre programmes for bedroom and sitting room or a customisation program. Either way the PRC can be installed or programmed within minutes. There are many additional features for example hidden temperature limit for future potential energy saving, window opening detection, set back and comfort settings and child lock features.

This PRC will provide huge benefits for all types of applications both domestic and commercial. It can play a significant role in reducing the carbon emission score for existing housing stock, social housing, care homes and multiple apartments with a central heat source. In addition, compared to other energy saving installation methods, terrier i-temp upgrades to existing valves quickly which will save time and money, its performance payback could be realised within just eight months.

“With heating identified as one of the highest domestic carbon emitters it was apparent that there was a real market niche to address this topical issue,” commented Sindar. “Considerable data collection has taken place with a full energy saving trial conducted, in conjunction with Longhurst Housing Trust. Two identical three bedroom terrace new build houses were used, one fitted with TRV’s and one with terrier i-temp. Results were compelling and demonstrated that terrier i-temp represents significant cost saving benefits on gas usage.”

The terrier i-temp is the first of its kind to be recognised as an Energy Saving Trust recommended product.

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FAKRO’s FTT U5 Thermo triple glazed roof windows were among products chosen for use at Scotland’s first ever 'Housing Expo', at Balvonie Braes south of Inverness. 52 architect-designed homes on the 5 hectare brownfield site included some built along 'Passivhaus' principles, showcasing the very latest in sustainability. With an overall U-value of 0.94W/m2K, the FTT will make a major contribution towards energy saving when the Highland Housing Alliance makes 27 available for sale or rent.

With their high quality, slow growing redwood pine frames, FAKRO roof windows like the FTT Thermo are being used increasingly as a key element of interior design. The 52 Housing Expo properties were all competition winners and have interiors co-ordinated by leading household names in modern design. Each is unique and promotes eco-friendly living, with many exceptional examples of how to use the roofspace. For more details of inspiring ways to use FAKRO roof windows in new build or refurbishment projects, ring 0845 021 3030 or e-mail fakro@web-response.co.uk for a copy or download of their Product Selector and Price List.

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Watermatic, part of the Sentinel Group, is increasingly offering many large businesses a way of reducing their energy consumption by reducing limescale build up in their systems. Untreated limescale in hard water areas of the country – that’s more than 60% of the UK – results in a need to use far more electricity than should be required for clean, scale free plant and hot water systems.

Watermatic’s KalGuard ‘+’ units are in particular proving hugely beneficial to hotels, nursing homes, leisure centres, food processing businesses, offices and retail outlets – the latest being ASDA. One of the UK’s leading supermarkets, ASDA has begun to utilise KalGuard ‘+’ units in their supermarkets to reduce limescale build up in direct hot water systems, and the kitchens and food preparation areas in their stores.

One of the first stores to benefit from a KalGuard ‘+’ unit is the store in Andover in Hampshire. The unit was installed in March 2008 and has been operating for more than 24 months.

Nicholas Riley, Mechanical Services Engineering Manager, Retail Development at ASDA says he’s happy with the outcome so far: “Many of our stores operate in hard water areas of the country and it plainly makes sense to try and address the issue of limescale at the point where the water supply comes onto our premises from the mains. At Andover, we have been able to mount the KalGuard ‘+’ unit at the mains supply inlet.

“All major businesses are looking for ways of reducing energy usage and CO2 emissions and in the current climate looking at their CRC commitment. Initial feedback from people working in the stores suggests that KalGuard ‘+’ is doing what we were told it would do and is providing the level of water treatment required to ensure that limescale build up does not become a major issue for us.”

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Eleven operating theatres at a leading South West hospital have been fitted out with a new and unique cable containment system developed to lead the way in the fight against harmful and potentially deadly bugs, providing hospitals managers with an additional weapon in their battle against infection.

Cat 6 compliant Odyssey Bio has been tested to ISO 22196;2007 and is proven to exhibit reductions in bacterial viable counts by more than 99.99%. It is a most effective weapon in the battle against superbugs and cross-infection when used in conjunction with meticulous cleaning and personal hygiene routines.

It is also the first three compartment PVC-U cable containment system with a fully curved profile to be manufactured from a material with antimicrobial properties. It uses a proven silver-ion based technology to neutralise bugs that come into contact with it. Tests show that bacteria such as MRSA, E-Coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and salmonella are reduced by at least 99.99% after only 24 hours.

Importantly, because the antimicrobial ingredient is mixed into the PVC-U rather than applied as a surface coating, it continues to work even if the plastic is scratched or damaged, and will remain 100% effective throughout the life of the trunking as it does not leach out or suffer any reduction in performance over time.

Odyssey Bio proved perfect for 11 operating theatres at the Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, an acute general hospital that is part of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust. It was installed as part of a strict, on-going process to control the spread of infections and specified by Plymouth Hospital NHS Trust’s Electrical Estates department. Dodd Group, the resident electrical contractor on site, installed the sleek trunking, favoured for its aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-clean curved profile.

The cable management is part of an upgrade to the monitoring system linking essential patient data during an operation – such as blood pressure, pulse, and heart rate – to a central information processing unit. Installed in vertical lengths from floor to ceiling, Odyssey Bio provides an alternative to chasing cabling into walls, a process that can generate undesirable bacteria.

Fears that a trunking system might be a potential dust and dirt trap were quickly dispelled: “We had expected something far heftier but people don’t notice it unless it’s pointed out to them,“ said Paul Cookney for Theatre Estates, Plymouth NHS Trust, about Odyssey Bio. “It has such a low profile with the advantage of no edge. It is a superb product that has provided us with a cheaper and more effective method of managing cables. We are very pleased with it.”

Placing enormous emphasis on quality, safety and the effective care of patients, Plymouth Hospital NHS Trust has been named as one of the 40 top performing trusts in the country for the 6th year running. It provides services to 460,000 people in Plymouth, East Cornwall and South-West Devon, as well as specialist treatment for up to two million people from across Devon, Cornwall and Dorset.

Rob Ellis, Head of Electrical Estates for Plymouth NHS Trust, said: “We have a long working relationship with Marshall-Tufflex and the introduction of Odyssey Bio re-affirms that partnership. It is a product that is likely to come to the fore in the control of infection as Trusts up and down the country tackle the continuing threat of virulent infectious diseases.”

Odyssey Bio is a highly complementary addition to Marshall-Tufflex’s portfolio of cable management systems. Owing to the major contribution it can make to hygiene, it is also expected to be well received in other health conscious environments, such as nursing and care homes, medical centres, dental surgeries, schools and sports complexes, and indeed anywhere where there is a likelihood of cross-infection.

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Further weight has been added to VMZINC’s credentials in respect of sustainability with 3 key assessments of performance. The award of a BRE Green Guide A+ rating for the company’s Standing Seam roofing system on boards was accompanied by the Overlapping Panel system achieving an environmental profile score of 0.84 UK Ecopoints from the BRE Centre for Sustainable Construction. This took account of 13 key issues over a 60 year service life while further weathertightness tests, following Centre for Window and Cladding Technology procedure, confirmed that water penetration, wind resistance and impact resistance all far exceeded BS EN curtain walling standards.

Ecopoint 'issue headings' are:-

1. Climate change
2. Fossil fuel depletion
3. Ozone depletion
4. Freight transport
5. Human toxicity to air
6. Human toxicity to water
7. Waste disposal
8. Water extraction
9. Acid deposition
10. Ecotoxicity
11. Eutrophication
12. Summer smog
13. Minerals extraction

By comparing each environmental impact to a “norm”, all can be measured on the same scale. BRE has taken as its norm the impacts of a typical UK citizen, making assessments based on “normalised” data which gives all the measured issues the same importance. BRE has undertaken an extensive study to identify weightings for the range of sustainability issues.

The resulting environmental issue weightings have been used to weight the normalised environmental impacts to provide the Ecopoints score.

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