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Effective heating controls are a vital part of an efficient central-heating system. Heating controls manufacturer ESi says it makes huge sense to look more closely at the options.

ESi offers a range of programmers from a simple 1 Channel version to a 3 channel Multi-Purpose Programmer which enables housing providers to comply with Part L of the Building Regulations by providing separate timed heating control for living and sleeping zones in a home, whilst also providing timed control of hot water. These programmers also feature a “Landlord” option to encourage social housing tenants to allow access for annual maintenance, often a real challenge for landlords.

ESi has developed a unique new electronic dual Cylinder Thermostat – a revolutionary new energy saving product. It is a direct and economical replacement for traditional mechanical dual cylinder thermostats. It offers real safety and energy saving benefits and provides accurate temperature control with a clear and informative LCD display. Hot water can be stored at any temperature between 25 and 65 degrees C. It has the added advantage of a weekly automatic one hour “boost” that can be set at a time that is best for the homeowners. This “boost” lifts the temperature of the water in the cylinder to above 60 degrees C to eradicate any legionella bacteria. This results in substantial energy saving compared to traditional systems storing the hot water at a constant 60 degrees C.

Most homes in the UK still tend to have a single heating zone – and the only control in the rooms is by thermostatic radiator valves. When a new central-heating system is installed, it’s possible to fit a full zone control that has different pipe loops and separate thermostats for two or more areas. This can offer significant energy savings.

ESi offers a range of zone valves which are a direct replacement for existing valves if they fail. These are very quiet in operation and now come with an industry leading five-year warranty. They are easy fit components, with a simple clip on/off detachable actuator head and an option of a ‘plug and play’ cable.

Take a closer look at ESi’s offering at www.esicontrols.co.uk.

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Marshall-Tufflex’s new Cable Management catalogue is the must-have resource for specifiers and electrical contractors wanting the latest product and technical information at their finger tips.

The 328-page catalogue details a raft of new product and system developments from the UK’s market-leading manufacturer and supplier of cable management systems, together with in-depth information and images of its established range.

Innovations include:

• Sterling Curve – a development of the ever-popular Sterling range, this data compliant containment system with a curved lid looks great, is easy to clean and impossible to clutter. The triple compartment profile measures 167mm x 50mm and is available with an antimicrobial BIO option.
• Firefly – an innovative clip system that holds power and data cables in place in the event of fire, keeping escape routes free and accessible. For use within or outside mini trunking, maxi trunking or conduit. Compliant with BS 5839-1.
• Data mounting frame for all-curved Odyssey profile – developed in response to customer requests. Available in a standard finish or as a BIO antimicrobial system to control harmful bacteria.
• Fittings with built -in bend radius control (Sterling Profile 1 and Sterling Curve).
• A new range of Power and Data Desk Modules added to the Underfloor to Desk range
  Moulded single piece fittings for Profile 2 – new single piece moulded couplers, end caps and internal/external bends for Profile 2 that are easier to install and give a neater finish.
• Wire Basket – Standard and Fast Coupling Wire Basket systems. The Fast-Coupling system is quick and easy to assemble in just 4 seconds, with no tools required thanks to an integral push-fit coupler which connects the basket lengths together and gives the system excellent strength and rigidity.

The 2016/17 catalogue also includes detailed information on a number of key Marshall-Tufflex products, for example MT Supertube, Cable Protection Guard and GRP systems, information about colours and finishes available, advice on accessing the Specialised Solutions service and the Same Day Collection service.

“Our latest catalogue is essential reading for those specifying and installing cable management systems,” said Richard Beale, Marshall-Tufflex Commercial Director. “Not only does it contain information on our latest product developments and full details on our existing ranges it also outlines our technical support, customer service and work in the community around our manufacturing sites in East Sussex. We know that when you buy a Marshall-Tufflex product there are high expectations and we don’t take this lightly. We work hard to ensure our products meet the highest standards and are totally committed to customer satisfaction.”

Pick up the new catalogue from leading electrical wholesalers or view/order via:
www.newcatalogue.co.uk

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Trimble Delivers Next Generation Version of its
Amtech ProDesign for Electrical Contractors and Engineers

Featuring Improved Workflows for Electrical Contractors and Engineers

Trimble has introduced the next generation of its popular electrical design software, Trimble® Amtech ProDesign, which enables contractors to perform full electrical design and calculations to British Standard 7671.

ProDesign is an innovative solution for the design of low- and medium-voltage projects of all sizes, complete with robust calculations, comprehensive manufacturer specific data and sophisticated reporting to provide a complete design environment. It enables users to produce schematic drawings of electrical systems quickly and easily while providing alternative design scenarios with the click of a mouse. ProDesign also makes it easy to verify the design is compliant with current UK electrical engineering standards and best practice.

Building on the success of its previous generation, Amtech ProDesign provides improved workflows to manage the complete engineering process from initial design to commissioning, as well as enhanced capabilities for touchscreen use. Engineers can expect improved productivity while managing circuit loads within a consumer unit and distribution board.

“Amtech ProDesign is an ideal solution for the UK electrical engineer to manage electrical design and calculations,” said Martin Holmgren, director of marketing and engineering for Trimble’s MEP Division. “The next generation Amtech ProDesign allows electrical engineers to significantly improve productivity while staying on top of today’s demanding standards.”

Availability

Amtech ProDesign is available now through Trimble’s MEP Division in the UK. Additional information is available at: http://mep.trimble.co.uk.

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A combination of a primer and non-slip, waterborne lacquer from Bona has been used to renovate the oak plank floor in a busy food service area at the Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa, Leeds. The Bona technical team wrote the specification to meet the performance criteria required by the hotel and the treatment was carried out by John Garner, a Bona certified contractor. The Bona finishes used were supplied by Taylored Flooring of Cheadle, Cheshire.

Bona Intense primer delivers a subtle grain enriching effect on medium to dark species and was chosen to replicate the look of the original floor.  Slip resistance, especially when the surface is wet, was an important requirement as the floor is installed in the hotel’s busy conference café where food and drink is served throughout the day.  Bona Traffic HD Anti Slip was therefore the obvious choice of finish with its combination of high durability and low level slip potential. The slip resistance of this new formulation lacquer surpasses the HSE’s low level slip classification of 36+ when tested using the Pendulum (CoF) test.

Prior to the primer and lacquer treatment, John Garner used high performance Bona Ceramic adhesives to sand the pre-finished surface back to bare wood then finished the sanding process using Bona Zirconium mix anti-static abrasives.

Floors finished with all versions of Bona Traffic HD can be put back into full use after just 12 hours – making these lacquers the perfect choice for commercial areas where avoiding downtime is a key requirement.

Gordon Jackson, General Manager at the hotel said, “Our conference café is an incredibly busy area where guests from our 21 meeting rooms congregate to enjoy our fabulous all-day offering. It’s important that it looks fresh and inviting throughout the day and we’re delighted with the lift that this treatment has given the area.”

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Glebe House is a development of 3-storey apartments off Abbey Foregate in Shrewsbury, built by Morris Homes on behalf of Severnside Housing. FAKRO L-shaped roof windows with bespoke elements were specified for the project to take the glazing area from the roof into the wall. This is done by combining a traditional roof window installed at the eaves with an adjoining element for the wall. Top windows and flashings were in standard grey but the two lower elements and flashings were made in white to match ground and first floor windows.

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LG has launched its new range of residential air conditioning equipment,
the Econo, (ref: E09EM / E12EM), the Libero-S, (ref: P09EN / P12EN / P28EN / P24EN), and
the Libero-R, (ref: D09RN / D12RN / D18RN / D24RN).

All have had an upgrade and now come with Wifi options and a ten-year smart inverter compressor warranty, reflecting the reliability of LG units, as well as a stylish redesign to add to its successful ARTCOOL Stylist, the Mirror and the Prestige units.

These new energy efficient units are simple to install and come with easy to use controls and a large magic display allowing you to check the unit’s energy usage. They’re easy to open and simple to clean which lengthens the units’ lifespan. Features include very low noise levels – just 19dB for the 9k and 12k models, fast cooling and heating, smart control – with Wifi option- and Gold-finTM coating protecting the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger from wear and corrosion.
These new units incorporate high pressure blade fans which provide indoor air flow rates 15% higher than conventional systems. The outdoor unit features high efficiency wings that create high efficiency cooling and heating and a 9m long power airflow corridor that provides a cooling response that is faster and more powerful.

Brochures can be downloaded from partner.lge.com/uk, or you can email LG HVAC.marketing@lge.com for more information.

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Co-operation between leading pump manufacturer Wilo UK and Burton-upon-Trent based MCS approved installation company Renewable Heat UK has seen an existing anaerobic digestion plant on a livestock farm expanded and extended to maximise the benefits it offers the farm– Broom House Farm at Oakethorpe, north of Derby.

Renewable Heat UK saw a number of opportunities in the project and with the support of Wilo products, set about introducing new elements to the existing system to show huge improvements in the systems’ output. The newly expanded system saw the inclusion of nine energy saving pumps – Wilo Yonos-MAXO and Wilo Stratos models – that are amongst the most energy efficient pumps on the market.

The new improved anaerobic digestion system offers a raft of benefits that are all making a huge difference to the farm. Now all organic matter produced on the farm can go directly into the digester. This includes cow muck, old bedding, old feed, hedge clippings from around the farm and any other organic matter generated. The system draws methane off the top of the system using it to fire an engine generator that generates 250mW of electricity – 10% of which powers all the electricity required by the farm with the other 90% going to the grid – producing enough electricity theoretically, to supply a small village. The engine in the system has no radiator – it directly heats a large header tank to dissipate the heat, and this water is then pumped around the site using the Wilo pumps to share the heat across the site.

The low methane slurry that is the waste product of the anaerobic digestion can then be spread on the fields, benefitting from an 80% reduction in smell as a result of the anaerobic process that has resulted in a major reduction in complaints from the farms neighbours. In addition the fertiliser is activated far more quickly on the fields after digestion, rather than having to lie on the fields for some time waiting to start the assimilation process.

But the benefits don’t stop there. The heat generated by the system’s engine sees the drinking water for the cows heated to 30 degrees C which has resulted in an 8-10% better milk yield and the cow shed is heated to 20 degrees C resulting in faster growing, healthier calves on the farm as well. Healthier animals require far less antibiotics, reducing cost and other fears regarding the long term use of such drugs on animals which contribute to food supplies for human consumption. The cows also benefit from better quality feed as in the past feed was put out and left for the cows to eat. Now fresh food is put out every day and the old feed goes into the digester.

Rob Ridley says the partnership with Wilo has paid off handsomely: “We were delighted by the help Wilo was able to provide and the farm is benefitting hugely from the newly extended anaerobic digestion system. It’s a model for livestock farms across the UK that could be benefitting from a similar holistic approach to raising stock, maximising milk yields, generating high quantities of electricity, much of which goes to the grid providing additional income for the farm. It’s not just a win, win situation it’s a ‘win to the power of four or five situation’ when you step back and take a closer look at all the benefits the system offers the farm.”

“We were delighted to be involved in the project,” says Wilo UK’s Morgan Warren-Ross. “It’s always rewarding to be involved in a project that offers something slightly different, and the success of this one is far reaching and offers serious opportunities for other livestock farms to learn from the installation and to benefit from additional income streams.”

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Dealing with waste on a drilling rig out at sea is no easy task given the constant exposure to the elements. Any solution has to be highly durable, reliable and more than up to the job.
Fugro GeoServices Ltd is a specialist overwater drilling and marine construction contractor operating in nearshore and offshore locations all over the world.  The company designs, develops and operates its own equipment and has a fleet of jack-up barges and bespoke geotechnical and construction drills for site investigation and construction work in hostile and technically demanding environments.
Recently the company investigated the use of modular accommodation facilities on a rig for a specific contract; one that would need to cater for up to 24 people at any one time. A fundamental element of the specification was a sufficiently robust pump; capable of dealing with waste from multiple toilet and bathing facilities. A search and competitive benchmark of solutions available on the market led Trevor Roberts, Services & Facilities Manager at Fugro to Saniflo’s commercial range and – more specifically – the Sanicubic XL. After assessing the XL he specified 3 units; 2 to work on board and another as a back-up.
“Even though my background is in plumbing I hadn’t realised that Saniflo offered a range of professional pumps and macerators. The XLs have proved to be perfect for our needs. They are sited in a spot on the platform that is flat and level and were incredibly simple to install because they sit flush to the surface.
Due to the design of the platform, however, we weren’t able to run the pipes beneath the unit due to lack of available fall. This proved not to be a problem because the XL has outlet points that enabled us to run the pipes upwards to where they are needed.”
The substantial 120 litre tanks are deck-mounted right in the centre of the platform exposed to the crashing waves of the sea and high winds. Yet the overall dimensions of the unit (0.95 x 0.7m, combined with its base weight of 55kg, have proved sufficiently ample and durable for the application whilst IP68 rating offers protection against dust, dirt and moisture. For extra security the installation used robust 4” pipes that run flat across the deck from the XL whilst high quality plastic pipes are connected from the sanitaryware to the inlet pipes on the box.  All these factors proved critical for the safe operation of the unit, along with the audible warning system and dual pump system;

“A number of key features on the Sanicubic XL persuaded the team here that it was the right product for the job. We were really impressed with the alarm – even though it’s never sounded, it offers us complete peace of mind that any problem can be quickly alerted to us. The guys on the rig carry out a daily check to make sure the pumps are working via the control panel on the warning system. Another indispensable feature was the provision of dual pumps which ensure continuity of use in the unlikely event of one pump failing.”

Prior to the installation of the units on the drilling rig a training session was delivered by Saniflo’s technical support team at Falmouth Docks in Cornwall. This included a full strip-down and rebuild so that the units could be effectively maintained by the service team on the rig.  Thanks to exceptional service and support from Saniflo, a further pump was specified to deal with grey water waste from the kitchen. The Sanispeed features a robust pump for grey water discharge; in this case water from multiple appliances and two big kitchen sink. To overcome the lack of space for pipework along the floors; the pipes were installed over the top of the kitchen, connected to the Sanicubic XL and then pumped 32m along the deck in 110mm steel pipe for treatment in the waste management plant on the deck. From here the grey water is evacuated in to the sea.

“Both are great systems and work superbly. Having previously gone to bigger tank suppliers – who recommended large metal tanks at several times the cost – I am very happy I discovered the commercial range from Saniflo. The team has been more than helpful, the training was priceless and the units are working effectively and efficiently. I would certainly use these products in a future specification.”

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Micronics flowmeters were used at Heathrow’s Terminal 4 to survey the energy usage in the heating system. The facilities staff at Heathrow Airport, Terminal Four have a five year plan running from 2014 to 2019, entitled Quinqennium 6 and this plan included the redesign of the heating system, which currently runs at medium temperature hot water (120oC). They required the system to run at a lower temperature in order to be more cost effective, more environmentally friendly, and crucially, safer. To enable this, they needed to log all data during the winter of 2014 so they called in Balfour Beatty, the Delivery Integrator for all building works for Heathrow Airports Ltd, to carry out an energy flow investigation.

Luke Hirst, Balfour Beatty’s Project Manager heard of Micronics from Nick Wells of Power Plan Limited, a Kent company who specialise in the supply, planning and installation of secondary power systems who had used  Micronics flowmeters at Terminal 5 and was particularly impressed that there was no need to cut into the pipework. This would have been extremely disruptive to the Airport, necessitating the temporary shutting down of the whole Terminal heating system. Micronics recommended the use of the U1000 and U3000 flowmeters, with energy calculators and data loggers. They offer a quick and reliable flow measurement solution. They are configured for pipe size so only nominal configuration on site is required, minimising intervention. The easy to follow menu made it a very cost-effective alternative to a traditional in-line meter. Furthermore, dry servicing is possible so that downtime is kept to a minimum which is especially important for the smooth running of such a busy terminal.

Luke Hirst was enthusiastic about Micronics flowmeters. “Operation has proved exceptional. The surveys were carried out without affecting the terminal. As a result of the survey the design of the replacement heating system is being carried out now. We will definitely use Micronics flowmeters on future occasions when the need arises to carry out another survey.”

For further information on this project or the Micronics range call Micronics on +44(0)1628 810456, or visit www.micronicsflowmeters.com.

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The White Collar Factory will be a mixed-use area of workspace, residential and retail, designed by architects, AHMM. The development, sited on London’s City Road, comprises a new 16-storey office tower, a new public square and refurbished existing buildings to the rear.
The new 2-storey basement has been waterproofed using a Type C system applied internally, to provide drained protection in accordance with BS 8102: 2009. The waterproofing system has been supplied by Triton Systems.
During demolition of the existing structure, the sub-contractor (Dunne Group) worked closely with Triton’s CSSW qualified technical team, to design the most appropriate and cost effective waterproofing system that was subsequently approved by all relevant parties as the most suitable protection against potential ground water ingress. 2,000 m2 of Platon P20 cavity drain membrane was subsequently specified for all earth retaining basement walls on both levels and the ground bearing slab at lower level. BBA certified Platon P20 membrane is a high capacity drainage membrane recommended for use where it is important to significantly reduce the risk of blockages behind the membrane caused by lime deposits.
Prior to the installation of the membrane, all fresh concrete at earth retaining elevations was treated with Triton’s Anti Lime solution. This treatment hardens and dust proofs the concrete as well as locks in free lime to further reduce the risk of blockages in the drainage elements of the system.
Any water entering the construction at upper and intermediate basement levels is gravity drained behind the studded P20 membrane down to a waterproof concrete bund/upstand which provides a 100mm cavity, onto which internal block walls can be built.
A series of 40mm holes at 900mm centres were drilled within the bund to allow any water to drain down behind the membrane installed to the walls at lower level. The bund was also waterproofed with Triton’s cold liquid applied TT Vapour Membrane (TTVM) that will prevent potential damp patches being visible on the internal block wall faces. A band of TTVM was also applied around the perimeter of the lower soffit dressing down behind the P20 membrane installed to the external walls and sealed with Triton Corner Strip (butyl tape).
In line with the requirements of BS 8102: 2009, removable panels were installed in the bund to allow access to flushing ports. These allow the system to be regularly maintained and flushed through to ensure a clear passage of water is maintained to the sump/pumps that are set within the lower floor slab.
Vertical joints in the Platon P20 were sealed using Platon Sealing Rope and Brick Plugs, with all wall/ floor junctions sealed using Platon Corner Strip Tape – a wider waterproof butyl tape. Platon Sealing Rope was used to seal joints in the P20 membrane that was loose laid to the floor slab.
Water draining from the system to the lower floor slab is drained via gulleys in the slab to the installed sumps. These gulleys also incorporate rodding eyes at approximately 12LM intervals to allow for maintenance of the system.
The P20 membrane on the floor has been screeded over ready to accept finishes and the construction of internal walls.

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