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Cruz: that’s the name given by Thorn to a new range of technically advanced die-cast aluminium downlights, which give class leading light outputs with great glare control.

It takes four major lamp types from 13W CFL to 150W HIT in 10 body sizes. Sources can be positioned either horizontally for general light distribution or vertically for a spotlight effect.

There are also 15 attachments, ranging from the floating trumpet to an IP54 cover. A Gyro version is also offered for directional effects (0-60°).

Installation is made easy by a patented ‘sec-lock’ holding arm, which retains the downlight – problem-free – in place. Fixing is further aided by the availability of low height units for 100mm void depths and ‘plug and play’ versions.

Digital dimming, with or without DALI, is available, as are emergency options.

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Literature is now available on Ancon’s range of low thermal conductivity wall ties. These ties minimise heat loss through thermal bridging, improving the energy efficiency of a masonry cavity wall. The use of these ties can reduce insulation depth and wall footprint.

In addition to a number of stainless steel wire wall ties, the range includes the Ancon TeploTie which is manufactured from pultruded basalt fibres set in resin. This BBA-approved product is available exclusively from Ancon. It has a thermal conductivity of just 0.7W/mK, making it the most thermally efficient wall tie on the market.

Ancon continues to lead the wall tie industry. The company now has a BBA-approved, low conductivity wall tie for cavities from 50mm to 300mm.

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Polypipe Ventilation will be exhibiting at Ecobuild (2nd – 4th March) for the first time, where they will display their market leading Domus range of energy-efficient ventilation ducting systems. The company will also be launching the new Polypipe SAP Q rated Mechanical Extract Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) unit.

Polypipe Ventilation is at the forefront in delivering energy-efficient solutions and plays a vital role in helping customers to achieve the higher levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Polypipe supplies high quality ventilation systems with multiple configuration and installation options which together lead to enhanced air flow performance and prevent unwanted energy loss through air leakage.

This level of efficiency is all the more important when ducting is used with other energy-efficient heating and ventilation systems, such as Exhaust Air Heat Pumps, which are becoming increasingly popular. Polypipe will showcase its Domus ducting solutions supporting these systems at Ecobuild, with product displays and system examples.

In addition, Polypipe Ventilation will use their recently launched VSPweb On-line Planning tool to demonstrate how quick and simple specification of energy-efficient ventilation systems can be, opening up this market for a wider range of mechanical installers and specifiers. On-stand demonstrations will guide visitors through the easy-to-navigate selection screens to show how to select both the correct duct package and the most suitable SAP Q listed appliance for a property, saving considerable time and effort. The end result is a summary of the property / unit and a single order code to make purchasing the correct Duct Pack simple, which can be done from a professional network of approved Ventilation Solution Providers (VSPs).

Neil Tilsley, Managing Director of Polypipe Ventilation, comments on the company’s commitment to sustainable ventilation solutions: “We’ve been working in partnership with major specifiers and installers of energy efficient air distribution systems for some time now, continually researching ways of improving energy efficiency. This recently led us to a major re-tooling investment to ensure our ducting products have a cleaner more consistent finish and are manufactured to even more exacting tolerances, guaranteeing uniform shape and a superior fit. This means less air leakage which drives improved system performance.

“These factors are becoming ever more important as heat recovery systems continue to grow in popularity. Whole-system efficiency plays a major role in optimising energy saving capabilities. The combination of a highly efficient heat recovery unit with high quality ducting can contribute greatly to achieving these aims.”

The Polypipe range now features the widest selection of plastic ventilation ducting products in Europe, including an extensive range of fittings and outlets to ensure installations benefit from the quickest ducting route with the greatest ease and efficiency. Specifying premium, engineered ventilation ducting reduces sourcing, design, installation and operating costs.

The addition of the new Polypipe MVHR unit now means that Polypipe can provide a complete ventilation package to meet the most demanding of energy efficiency targets.

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In addition to its range of standard Orbis door signage products, architectural ironmongery market leader Laidlaw Solutions now offers a bespoke service for interior and exterior commercial signage. 10 -14 days turn round In addition to standard interior requirements, custom-made dual language, tactile warning and Braille text signage can be supplied as part of a full door, hardware and access control package. In addition to using stainless steel letters/numbers in a variety of thicknesses, signs are produced in PVC and aluminium, while traditional engraved brass nameplates can also be supplied. Existing fittings can be matched and supplied in any standard RAL, BS or Pantone colour.

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Growing international concern for the environment has led to an increase in demand for environmentally conscious, energy saving product solutions for the industrial, commercial and retail sectors of the refrigeration market. That said, the rapid increase in the application of refrigeration to corner shops, convenience stores and petrol station forecourts in residential areas has highlighted the need for constraints on equipment operating noise and size.

Daikin Europe NV has met this situation by developing the ZEAS range of compact, high efficiency, low noise and low operating cost condensing units for deep freeze and medium temperature applications. Two parallel ranges are available, each with 7 models and 1, 2 or 3 compressors, with capacities of 12.2kW to 37kW for medium temperature (-100 C to 320 C) applications and 5.41kW to 15.1kW for low temperature (-350 C to 320 C) applications.

ZEAS therefore, offers highly flexible freezing or cooling for cabinets and single or multiple evaporators or variable refrigeration loads in ambient temperatures from -150 C to 430 C with evaporating temperatures from -450 C to 100 C. Low operating noise levels plus a night set back mode, compact footprint and easy installation characteristics make ZEAS the ideal medium capacity solution for supermarkets, wholesale, retail and convenience stores, cold and freezer rooms, petrol station forecourts and food processing areas etc.

Daikin has harnessed and applied the experience and technology inherent in its VRV system — which revolutionised the comfort cooling industry – to commercial refrigeration applications. The end result is a system that can supply optimum cooling to multiple terminal units with precisely the degree of cooling required. Advanced inverter control of the semi hermetic scroll compressor varies output according to required cooling load, even in partial load conditions, maximising energy efficiency, decreasing carbon emissions and reducing operating costs. Furthermore, the use of DC motors (on the fans as well as the compressor) minimises the frequency of stop/start cycles and underpins excellent unit reliability throughout an extended operating life.

A new economiser function also increases cooling capacity and hence efficiency, without any resultant increase in unit size, whilst the use of R-410A, currently the best refrigerant available as regards the environment, ensures optimum energy efficiency and minimum capital cost.

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Assembly Square is an office development by BAM Construction on Cardiff Bay, where the aggressive saline atmosphere had led to a marine paint finish being specified for all of the external metal fire doors.

Unfortunately the need to use the fire exits for temporary access had led to many of the doors suffering damage to their black gloss finish, and even some denting of the leaf panels. Faced with the possibility of having to replace these expensive and very heavy doorsets, BAM Construction opted to task Plastic Surgeon with the challenge of restoring them to a pristine condition.

Plastic Surgeon’s proprietary two-pack filler was used to build up the profile where necessary and then rub down to achieve a completely level surface, before spraying them with the special marine grade paint obtained from the door manufacturer. A total of a dozen doors weighing approximately 70 kg each were successfully repaired prior to the building being viewed by prospective tenants.

The Bristol region of BAM also employed Plastic Surgeon’s services to save the stylish aluminium framed windows enclosing the penthouse apartment to the Tramsheds residential development in Bath. The windows concerned were not only large, but situated at high level, prompting the architect to specify the use of electric motors for their operation. These had initially been installed in the wrong position by a sub-contractor, leaving a series of small but unsightly screw holes.

With the penthouse already occupied, Plastic Surgeon worked under the supervision of a BAM project manager to ensure the holes were invisibly mended using a similar technique of filling, rubbing down and colour matching; this time in green.

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To provide the market with a very modern plate finish, UK electrical accessory manufacturer, Hamilton Litestat has just launched its exciting new ‘Piano Black’ range. This features a high gloss black plate finish with contrasting bright chrome edge and rocker switch to address the latest design craze for Japanese influenced black lacquered finishes. These coatings have recently increased in popularity and are now being featured to produce cutting edge design on kitchen units and electrical equipment such as televisions and sound systems.

Featuring Hamilton’s new Linea-Rondo CFX plate, which offers the benefits of dual finish, minimal depth and secret screw fixing system, it affords seamless styling and sophistication. Manufactured using the finest materials and production standards it provides a breath of fresh air for top end interior designers.

The patented CFX Linea face plates consists of 4 pillars, with each one having a small metal clip which is designed to hold the face plate firmly to the back fame neatly concealing the fixing screws. As the Linea CFX accessories incorporate a separate back frame and face plate they allow the specifier to choose whether to use the same finish on both elements or to use different ones to create a sublime contrasting option such as that featured on ‘Piano Black’.

By designing this new product development on a ‘family theme’ Hamilton’s has made it possible to maintain design continuity throughout the whole of the wiring scheme and, at the same time, offer flexibility to meet an installation’s more sophisticated demands.

To this end, the range incorporates an extensive range of accessories to suit almost all installation requirements. These accessories include trailing edge dimmers, dolly switches, a hotel switch card along with digital television sockets and a range of sockets including a single gang 5amp double pole unswitched socket and shaver socket.

Where specials are required such as air conditioning, volume or other controls, which are not included within the range, Hamilton Litestat offers a bespoke service. These special plates can feature third party inserts, thus maintaining design symmetry throughout the installation

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Laidlaw Solutions’ Orbis Anti-ligature range of stainless steel door furniture has been used extensively at Rose Lodge, a specialist centre for the assessment and treatment of working age adults with a range of learning disabilities. This is the latest of a number of projects undertaken by Laidlaw alongside specialist healthcare architects MAAP and Laing O’Rourke for Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.

MAAP Architects’ brief was to create modern and safe facilities that respect the privacy and dignity of service users. The local NHS Trust also required the building to be future-proofed to a 'medium secure' level, so anti-ligature products included Bedroom, Washroom and Communal Room Locksets, all with primary or secondary barricade features. Acute, Enhanced and Supported Care facilities will be provided using a 'Swing' bedroom layout to allow flexibility of admissions. The environment will be one of intensive use, so choice and performance of door furniture was key. Laidlaw Business Development Manager Clint Robertson commented, “The interior emphasis in such secure environments has changed dramatically and the extended range of co-coordinated Orbis Anti-ligature door furniture has provided greater design scope. Long-term performance of door furniture for clients such as this is critical, so the 10-year guarantee is invaluable.”

The £6.1m centre will provide intensive help and treatment for health problems such as epilepsy and is supported by a team of health professionals and specialists who will determine each individual’s complex needs. Construction was undertaken under ProCure21 procurement for publicly funded NHS Capital Schemes, the fast track timber framed construction being undertaken by Laing O’Rourke. Their Project Manager Joe Jefferson, added, “Laidlaw performed extremely well, contributing enormously to the scheme. They were a very influential part of the delivery team, enabling a successful conclusion to the project”.

The project has been submitted to the 2010 RICS Awards for the 'Community Benefit'' category.

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