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Following an international colour workshop with UK, French and German architects, Marley Eternit has launched a new Natura range of fibre cement decorative cladding panels.

Instead of featuring the same colour throughout, as the Natura Plus range does, the new Natura range comprises nine colours that are available as a varnish on a lightweight Anthracite (dark grey) core and a further five varnish colours on a natural (light) grey core.

UK architects Cany Ash and Robert Sakula from Ash Sakula Architects in London were joined by Konrad Wohlhage from Leon Wohlhage Wernik Architekten in Berlin and David Trottin from Peripheriques Architectes in Paris for the workshop.

They analysed the cladding colour ranges available from Marley Eternit and sister companies in Europe and expressed a preference, even when a range contained bold primary colours, for shades of the more natural colours.

They suggested strengthening the natural identity of the fibre cement substrate by using colour varnishes on the base material – and that is what is now available with the new Natura colours.

Cany Ash of Ash Sakula Architects said: “Robert and I particularly felt there should be more subtle ranges of colours so we were quite interested in the darker base sheets and thought that each one of these could then have a range of surface colours.

“Then for instance, if you wanted a green building you could have it with different base colours and top shades. Cladding manufacturers like Marley Eternit need to have as wide a range as possible. It’s good that they asked us for our opinion.

“There is colour in every material but we are trying to use the more natural colours. What we like about Marley Eternit is its natural-looking products, the fact you can see the way it is put together.”

Prof Jan Krause, one of two Eternit architects in Germany and organiser of the international colour workshop, said: “The strong recommendation by the invited architects was to keep to our material, be unique, and work with varnish colours on the fibre cement substrate so the original character will always be visible.”

The Natura range is low-maintenance and resistant to fire (Class O performance), weather, insects, mould growth and fungi.

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Contractor Pro, the new computerised estimating and invoicing system from Luckins, is designed specifically for smaller contractors working on domestic or light commercial jobs.

The system enables busy contractors to compile accurate, professionally presented estimates and invoices at the touch of a few keys. Contractor Pro users will be able to: win more work by responding quickly to every enquiry; improve profit margins by basing their quotations on accurate cost information; spend less time on tedious paperwork and more time on site; boost cash flow by invoicing promptly as soon as the job is complete.

Contractor Pro contains a selection from the Luckins product database (as used by most of the UK’s national wholesalers, distributors and contractors) and contains up-to-date trade prices and industry standard installation times for literally thousands of products. Discount data can be easily imported and the new related items feature, made possible through Luckins’ close relationship with manufacturers and suppliers, ensures that nothing is omitted when pricing each job.

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Eye-catching vibrancy, contemporary styles and minimal maintenance combine to add a touch of class to the new, top-of-the-range, Taralay Premium collection of vinyl floorcoverings from Gerflor.

Achieving new levels of flexibility, comfort and protection, Taralay Premium offers specifiers a huge choice of quality floorcoverings which are ideal for high-traffic retail outlets, schools, hospitals, offices and restaurants. The luxury range comprises eight design options: Forum, Arctic, Costa Rica, Zenium, Metallica, Fusion, Brazilia and Indiana.

The Taralay Premium range is tough enough to handle high-traffic areas and boasts visually striking designs. The new portfolio features the well-proven advantages of Protecsol®, Gerflor’s unique no-polish-for-life surface treatment and, together with Sanosol® anti-fungicidal and bacteria protection, long life good looks are ensured along with excellent whole lifecycle performance.

Meeting growing demands for greater environmental accountability, Taralay Premium is 100% recyclable and manufactured using environmentally sustainable raw materials and production processes. Independent tests show that the environment lifecycle performance of Taralay Premium is extremely good when compared to other flooring materials; even those made from “natural” materials.

The broad choice of vibrant colours in the Taralay Premium range is designed to allow for harmonious, warm ambiance in all types of environment. They are available with optional acoustic Very-High-Density (VHD) backings offering excellent resistance to static and dynamic loads as well as good sound absorption.

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JS Air Curtains has updated its range with 10 new units being added to its 2008 catalogue. The range is now the widest available in the UK and includes air curtains for all applications from economic electric units to powerful industrial models that will seal huge doorways up to five metres high.

The new additions to the JS Air Curtains range includes the economic HeatScreen, which has a hand held remote control and starts at less than £300, the Mini Optima, an attractively styled low noise air curtain, the Rotowind for use on revolving doors and the Kool, an industrial unit for use on cool stores and freezers.

The 2008 catalogue features an easy-to-use selection guide that allows users to shortlist the most suitable models for their requirements based on their door height, preferred mounting option and heating type.

As well as an extremely wide range of standard air curtains, JS also offers a bespoke design service. JS works with clients to produce individually tailored air curtains that can blend-in with the architectural style of an entrance or stand out as a feature. They can incorporate other services like motion detectors, CCTV or emergency lighting enabling these elements to be hidden.

JS’ in-house installation division also provides a smooth, hassle-free installation and commissioning service that walks the customer through from design specification to post-installed product training.

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Building products manufacturer and multi-environmental award winner, Hambleside Danelaw, has marked the official opening of its new state-of-the-art factory in Daventry with the publication of a new set of recommendations for developers and contractors to follow when ordering building materials that meet high environmental standards.

The new manufacturing facility for roofing and ventilation products was opened today by local MP, Mr Tim Boswell, who has actively supported the Group’s campaign for government measures to encourage the construction of sustainable public and commercial buildings.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Hambleside Danelaw’s chairman, David Yellop, said: “Today is the culmination of three years of management planning and the hard work of our staff to consolidate the production activities which at its peak reached nine smaller factories in Daventry into this modern, 50,000 square feet production and distribution facility. This will enable Hambleside Danelaw to distribute some 4 million roofing product units each year.”

The Group has published a new environment brochure which shows how the product manufacturer, designer, contractor, sub contractors and the developer can now work together to ensure that buildings constructed to the highest possible environmental standard, not only at the point of handover to the occupier, but throughout the service life of the building. Developers and contractors who are involved in new build and refurbishment projects should ask the following questions:

1. Are the manufacturer’s environmental policies independently verified?
2. Does the manufacturer incorporate its environmental policies into a wider corporate social responsibility policy?
3. Does the manufacturer have a greenhouse gas emission offset scheme?
4. Is that offset scheme independently certified and transferable to the customer?
5. Are the manufacturer’s carbon offset calculations independently verified?
6. Will the manufacturer take responsibility for products disposal at end of service life?
7. Does the product in use have a positive environmental impact, for example, replace lead, or provide a high degree of insulation?
8. Do the manufactured products have an element of sustainable or recycled materials used within their production?
9. Is it possible to source the products within the UK?
10. Can the products be traced back to the manufacturer for future reference and identification?
11. Do the products have a long service life built into their design to minimise replacement during the building’s service life?
12. Is there a clear, traceable route for the recycling of the product at end of life?

Pdf copies of the brochure can be downloaded from:
http://www.hambleside-danelaw.co.uk/environmental-affairs.html.

Latest R&D to focus on solar energy and emergency relief

Referring to the Group’s commitment to innovation which earned it a Queen’s Award for Enterprise last year, Mr Yellop said: “We are presently conducting research and development to harness the benefits associated with solar energy into building products – an exciting project that is likely to change the way we construct domestic and industrial roofs in the future. We are also working with agencies associated with disaster relief to manufacture and supply easily portable shelter accommodation to assist in the world’s areas of disaster.”

Chairman thanks local council for support

David Yellop added: “For an organisation, whose roots started to grow in 1966 from a desk, telephone and typewriter, we have much to be proud. None of our achievements would be possible without dedicated management and a staff which loyally worked with us over the years.

“We wish to express our particular thanks to the Daventry District Council for their investment and regeneration of Middlemarch and for working so closely with us to provide this new home of production and to achieve the smooth transition of our operations.”

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Mitsubishi Electric (Stand E432) is using the EcoBuild exhibition to demonstrate the future of energy efficient heating with its advanced Ecodan™ air source heat pump boiler.

Designed specifically for the UK residential sector, the ultra efficient low carbon heating system can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 35% (*) compared to a modern gas condensing boiler and can help new homes achieve Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, which the UK Government has introduced to set minimum standards for sustainability in energy use within the residential sector.

The average UK household produces over 5 tonnes of CO2 per year with space and water heating accounting for more than 73 per cent of this and many different alternatives to gas are competing to prove their green credentials in this market.

With a conventional gas boiler, one kilowatt of energy delivers less than one kilowatt of heat to a building. With an Ecodan heat pump boiler, one kilowatt of energy delivers a heat output in excess of 3 kilowatts – that’s a 300 per cent increase in energy efficiency – and that is set to grow as the technology develops. Heat pumps are movers of heat energy – they upgrade naturally occurring low temperature heat into useful high temperature heat to reduce primary fuel consumption.

Other alternatives to gas are often unproven, depend on how brightly the sun shines or how hard the wind blows, are far too expensive, require complex equipment, or in the case of biomass boilers, leave the homeowner with waste to dispose of.

The Ecodan unit runs off a normal domestic electric circuit and is easy to install, although Mitsubishi Electric is stressing the need for exacting standards of installation coupled with modern levels of building insulation to ensure the greatest efficiency.

“One of the easiest ways of achieving a significant reduction in CO2 emissions would be through the greater use of heat pump technology which extracts free energy from the surrounding air,” explained Jason Tinsley, Product and Technical Manager for Mitsubishi Electric’s Heating Systems Department. “This energy that surrounds us is a key sustainable resource that doesn’t currently factor into many people’s thinking.

Mitsubishi Electric is holding free seminars on the Ecodan heat pump boiler in Hatfield, Herts. For further details call 01707 282882.

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The Bollard People, ATG Access, the UK manufacturer of high security and counter-terrorist bollard systems is pleased to announce the award of the contract to manufacture and install 168 high security static bollards and 2 automatic rising bollards to add to existing vehicle security at Heathrow Airport.

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Mitsubishi Electric’s bold and ambitious programme to help the country reduce carbon emissions has been recognised again with nationwide acclaim at the prestigious Regenerate Awards 2007, held on 3 December 2007.

Jointly organised by leading magazines Building, Building Design and Property Week, the Awards celebrate schemes, organisations and individuals that have delivered successful projects to help regenerate society.

In their summing up the judges explained that: “Mitsubishi pipped the other innovations to the post here for its clever carbon reduction system. At a time when sustainability is paramount its heat pump boilers cut CO2 emissions by up to half. In addition the company’s radical 10 point sustainability plan sets out a framework to reduce CO2 by more than 3 million tonnes a year – the equivalent of removing 830,000 cars from the UK’s roads.”

The company secured the ‘Innovation of the Year’ Award with its Green Gateway Initiative™ which Mitsubishi Electric is using to call for a fundamental rethink in the way people heat and cool both residential and commercial properties.

The plan includes technological developments and new thinking combined with simple behavioural changes such as better maintenance regimes or not using the thermostat as an on/off button. All of the initiatives are focused on creating a significant impact on CO2 reduction in the UK’s buildings by reducing energy consumption and the energy bills of both consumers and businesses.

The gala evening at London’s Grovesnor House Hotel was attended by around 1,200 people from the industry including developers, funders, public sector development agencies, contractors, house builders, housing associations, local authorities, politicians, architects and planners.

The Green Gateway Initiative, which was launched by the company at the House of Commons in June, has already secured the RAC Cooling Industry ‘Environmental Pioneer’ Award 2007, the EDIE ‘Carbon Reduction’ Award and been short listed in the Defra and Independent sponsored CEED Awards in the Education category.

The programme highlights the significant savings can be made in both commercial properties and our homes if advanced heat pump technology is used to provide space heating and hot water instead of traditional gas-fired boilers. The latest heat pump boilers harvest free energy from the surrounding air and are three times more efficient than gas boilers at heating buildings whilst emitting up to 40% less CO2.

“We have to control and minimise the energy that we all use in our buildings if we are to combate CO2 emissions,” explained Donald Daw, Divisional Commercial Director for Mitsubishi Electric, who collected the Award on the night. “We undertook this initiative because we felt that we could use our position in the market to influence the way we heat and cool our buildings in the UK and we are delighted that the judges have recognised this with this award,” he added.

Further details on the 10-point initiative can be found on the dedicated website www.greengatewayinitiative.co.uk.

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The Bollard People, ATG Access, the UK manufacturer of high security and counter-terrorist bollard systems used extensively in the UK and internationally, has announced the latest addition to its SP range of anti-terror bollards, a unique, revolutionary shallow foundation bollard.

According to ATG Access they will protect approaches to buildings, drop-off and passenger loading areas at airports, ports, shop fronts, sports arenas, office buildings and other locations where vehicle bombers have no obstacles to stop them.

With a foundation of only 20cm (8 inches) deep versus a typical 1.5 m (5 feet), ATG’s shallow mount bollard removes the major concern of underground services for planners and specifiers and can be installed on pavements, on top of bridges or in locations where other ordinary products may be impossible to install.

Engineering spokesman for ATG Access David Sutton said “The future of high security lies in shallow foundation products, in modern city centres the need for ultra strong products which are buried to a minimal depth is phenomenal and our SP range is streets ahead of the competition, we are extremely proud to have engineered a product that can perform to this level in such a shallow foundation”.

The bollards were tested in accordance with the PAS68 standard. They were succesfully impacted with a 7.5 tonne (15,000lb) truck travelling at 40mph (65kph). You can view the footage of many of ATG’s impact tests online at www.atgaccess.com.

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