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Products from the Dulux Trade Ecosure range of high performing sustainable paints have been used in the refurbishment of Natural Retreat's lavish eco friendly holiday accommodation in Richmond, North Yorkshire. Dulux Trade Ecosure Matt and Ecosure Quick Drying Eggshell were chosen to revamp 20 eco residences, as part of the hotel company's continuing dedication to implementing responsible practices within its accommodation.

Natural Retreats provide high quality, self catering holiday homes in ten idyllic locations across the UK and Ireland. Known for its superior standards, the contemporary residences indulge guests in the finest luxury without compromising on environmental principles.

The Richmond site, set in the stunning surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales, is brimming with eco initiatives, including green build technology and a wildlife management plan. What's more, it has been awarded the Green Tourism Gold Award for its sustainable credentials and design. So when it came to redecorating it's 20 holiday homes, it was only natural that environmental awareness was at the heart of the specification process.

Rob Fradley, Head of Construction and Maintenance at Natural Retreats, explained: “In all aspects of our accommodation we aim to be as sustainable as possible. For example, we use low energy appliances and lighting, and buy energy from 100 per cent renewable sources. Therefore, it was only appropriate that we specified a paint which had the lowest environmental impact.”

To help ensure its properties maintain their renowned eco credentials, Natural Retreats approached Dulux Select Decorator, MRQD Contracting, to recommend products that would deliver both on sustainability and performance.

Mark Rigby, Proprietor of MRQD Contracting, said: “When it comes to places to stay, Natural Retreats is one of the leaders of its kind. So to meet the company's high standards, we specified coatings from the Dulux Trade Ecosure range. Not only does the range have outstanding sustainable credentials, the products deliver a high quality, long lasting finish, making them ideal for a popular location, which receives a large number of visitors.”

Dulux Trade Ecosure Matt was specified for all interior walls and ceilings in the retreats. Developed in conjunction with independent sustainability experts, Forum for the Future, Ecosure Matt has been specifically formulated to have 35 per cent less embodied carbon than standard Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt products. In addition, the paint contains virtually zero VOCs and its packaging comprises at least 25 per cent recycled content.

To provide a natural finish, Dulux Trade Ecosure Quick Drying Eggshell was applied to all of the woodwork. Created to provide a tough, durable finish, Dulux Trade Ecosure Quick Drying Eggshell offers good opacity and adhesion. In addition, it has 10 per cent less embodied carbon and 20 per cent less VOC content than standard eggshell products.

Rob Fradley comments: “The benefits of the Ecosure coatings are impressive. Not only have they contributed to reducing our environmental impact, they have dramatically enhanced the design of the rooms and helped create a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere for our guests to enjoy.”

Following the success of the North Yorkshire site, Dulux Trade Ecosure paints will now be used on all other Natural Retreat locations across the country. Rob Fradley concludes: “As a company, we are committed to caring for our surroundings and strive to continually improve our ecological performance. The Dulux Trade Ecosure range of paints has exceeded our expectations and proved the perfect product. The coatings demonstrate that you don't have to compromise on luxury and quality in order to be environmentally friendly.”

For more information on Natural Retreats, please visit www.naturalretreats.com or call 0844 384 3166.

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Iron technology leader Saint-Gobain PAM UK, part of international materials company Saint-Gobain, has supplied its Timesaver Heritage soil system to the refurbishment of an 18th Century building in Cornwall.

The contractor for the project, City Interiors, won the contract to repair and refurbish both the interior and exterior of Trewin House, near Saltash. The company called upon Saint-Gobain PAM UK to ensure the replacement of the external drainage system ran smoothly.

Nigel Keegan, Technical Sales Manager for South West England & South Wales at Saint-Gobain PAM UK, commented: “City Interiors wanted a soil system that restored the original appearance of the building more so than the existing PVC soil pipes. Using the Saint-Gobain PAM UK Timesaver Heritage system also gave the manor house superior strength capabilities compared with the original system.”

Saint-Gobain PAM UK’s technical team visited the site a number of times to offer technical support and advice to City Interiors, and ensure optimal installation.

The order was supplied by Drain Center of Plymouth.

For more information on the products and services offered by Saint-Gobain PAM UK, visit www.saint-gobain-pam.co.uk

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Iron technology leader Saint-Gobain PAM UK, part of leading international materials company Saint-Gobain has been awarded the contract to supply its acclaimed cast iron pipes to the construction of Center Parcs’ newest complex, in Woburn, Bedfordshire.

Woburn Forest will be the fifth Center Parcs site in the UK, comprising 625 private lodges and a 75-bedroom hotel. The £250 million development, which is due to open in spring 2014, is being built by local contractors Bowmer & Kirkland with Derry as the M&E contractors. The site will boast a hotel and restaurants, along with a 17,000m² lake at the heart of the village.

Saint-Gobain PAM UK will provide its Ensign Soil range for the above ground installation, and Ensign Drain range for the below ground drainage for the hotel and restaurants. Cast iron pipes were selected for their high performance capabilities, strength and acoustic performance.

Gary Zumeris from Saint-Gobain PAM UK commented: “This is a highly prestigious contract for one of the largest leisure projects currently ongoing in the UK. The contractors were impressed with the benefits that the cast iron pipes offered for commercial installation.”

For more information on the products and services offered by Saint-Gobain PAM UK, visit www.saint-gobain-pam.co.uk

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Iron technology leader Saint-Gobain PAM UK, part of leading international materials company Saint-Gobain, has launched a new online training module for its acclaimed Classical range of cast iron rainwater and gutter systems.

The module covers a range of topics including the different markets for cast iron rainwater systems, the complete Classical, Classical Plus and Classical Express product ranges, and installation and maintenance of the products.

It also highlights the benefits of cast iron over plastic-based alternatives, including authentic appearance, longevity, acoustic qualities, ease of installation, and sustainability, with Classical products being made from 97 per cent recycled material.

Participants are invited to take a short test at the beginning and then again after taking the course to see how much they have learned.

Mike Rawlings, Marketing Manager – Soil & Drain at Saint-Gobain PAM UK, explained: “We believe it is vital to promote the many benefits of cast iron the marketplace. This easily accessible training module provides an overview of the Classical range and its key attributes, enabling merchants, specifiers, contractors and users to be fully informed when helping customers make specification choices.”

The training module can be accessed, along with further information on the Classical range, at http://www.saint-gobain-pam.co.uk/training/index-classical.cfm or by emailing mike.rawlings@saint-gobain.com

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REHAU’s PROFILA data cable management system has been installed throughout many of the classroom areas at the newly built Ark Academy in Wembley.

The 180 x 65mm system was chosen by outsourcing company MITIE for the power and data cabling on the basis of its quality, durability and ease of installation.

John Eagan, Project Manager at MITIE, said: “We were very impressed with the REHAU product, particularly the ease and speed of fitting. Features such as flexible internal and external corners meant an excellent quality of finish could be achieved in much less time than with other similar systems.

“We also liked the simple solution for achieving Part M compliance on the project using high visibility modular inserts around the socket outlets.”

2,640m of PROFILA data trunking has been installed in classroom areas in both the 2 storey primary school and the 3-4 storey secondary school built on the same site in the shadow of Wembley Stadium.

The trunking was supplied via REHAU distributor Edmundson Electrical in Chelmsford who worked alongside the team at REHAU’s regional sales office in Slough to provide fast and efficient deliveries and expert advice on fitting and handling.

The Ark Academy is a non selective, non denominational all-through school, with separate primary and secondary school facilities. It is part of the ARK schools network, an educational charity.

The architects on the project were Studio E and consultants were Arup.

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The UK’s number one major domestic appliance brand Beko, has announced it is to become an Official Supporter of The FA Cup, the world’s most prestigious domestic cup competition.

The partnership, brokered by Sports Revolution, will run through until the end of the 2013-14 football season and grants Beko an extensive range of image rights, advertising and promotional opportunities around The FA Cup. Beko joins a number of blue-chip partners of The FA Cup, whose lead sponsor is Budweiser.

“We are delighted to have Beko on board,” says Sean McAuliffe, The FA’s Head of Business development. “They have an excellent pedigree in sports and football sponsorship and their popular product range appeals to football fans and their families everywhere.

“Through this partnership Beko has secured rights to a competition which will give them sustained exposure across the year – and enables them to connect with local communities throughout the country.”

Ragip Balcioglu Managing Director of Beko plc. added: “We are genuinely excited to be supporting the FA Cup Final. Its heritage and reputation for being inclusive made it a hugely attractive proposition for the brand, and will provide us with a strong platform to communicate to our core target audience of families.

“Our investment in perimeter board advertising across Premiership grounds for the last four years has consistently built brand awareness, whilst the Beko Mums United Facebook activity launched in 2011 proved to be a successful component in our marketing support. We look forward to building on our existing sports sponsorship credentials through the new partnership with the FA Cup.”

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Iron technology leader Saint-Gobain PAM UK, part of leading international materials company Saint-Gobain, has unveiled its new YouTube channel, a dedicated online platform designed to showcase the capabilities of its cast iron drainage, rainwater and guttering solutions through informative video packages.

Visitors to Saint-Gobain PAM UK’s bespoke YouTube channel can access a number of helpful videos, which illustrate why the company’s drainage solutions are among the safest on the market in terms of fire resistance, the benefits and principles of siphonic drainage and a step-by-step guide to the company’s Ensign EEZI-FIT push fit above ground drainage system, highlighting why these systems are faster to install than others on the market.

Mike Rawlings, Marketing Manager – Soil and Drain at Saint-Gobain PAM UK, commented: “Optimising our online presence is key to our business development strategy. As the market leader in cast iron drainage, we are dedicated to providing an optimised online experience for specifiers, contractors and installers. We believe visitors to our YouTube channel will find the videos both enlightening and practical.”

Saint-Gobain PAM UK’s new YouTube channel is available at www.youtube.com/user/SaintGobainPAMUK

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Dulux Trade coatings have been used in a pioneering project for Interserve Construction Limited at Watermead Business Park, Leicestershire. A range of high performance paints, including Dulux Trade Diamond Matt Light & Space and Diamond Eggshell, were used on the interior of the building, which is one of only three Passivhaus offices in the country.

Interserve's new regional £1.5 million office was designed by CPMG architects of Nottingham, and constructed by Interserve in partnership with the park developer, Raynsway Properties. As part of the Passivhaus standard, a number of specific measures were included in the design of the project, such as earth tubes, increased levels of insulation and airtightness and an ultra-efficient Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery plant, all of which help contribute to the building's overall Zero Carbon energy performance. To complement these elements, the project team also required a range of paints that would further boost the environmental credentials of the office space.

Jason Smith from paint contractors, Swirlforce, who worked on the Interserve office, explains: “Working in partnership with the Dulux Trade Specification Account Manager, Janet Robertson and Interserve, we developed a bespoke collection of coatings to meet the exacting needs of the project. One specific requirement, for example, was to maximise natural light within the building, so it was a natural choice to recommend the Dulux Trade Light & Space colour range.”

The first of its kind, the Dulux Trade Light & Space colour range is created through a unique combination of innovative optical brighteners, highly reflective paint components and cleaner tinting recipes. In comparison to conventional emulsion paints, the collection absorbs an average of 50 per cent less light, enhancing luminance and making rooms feel bigger, brighter and less gloomy. For the Interserve project, Dulux Trade Light & Space was used in White.

“To ensure the benefits of Light & Space were realised for as long as possible, we used the Diamond Matt formulation, meaning it can be cleaned and scrubbed without burnishing, it looks good for longer,” added Jason.

As it is up to ten times more durable and ten times more stain resistant than standard vinyl silk emulsions, Dulux Trade Light & Space Diamond Matt can help increase maintenance cycles and ensure a strong return on investment.

Alongside maximising natural light within the office environment, a further necessity was to ensure safety and security within the building. Jason continues: “As the building plant areas are exposed steel work and timber, the project team wanted to build in extra fire protection measures into the heat recovery plant room. As such, we used Dulux Trade Pyroshield Durable Matt.”

Pyroshield Durable Matt is a water-based finish, specially formulated to inhibit the spread of flames on previously painted surfaces. Using Pyroshield, substrates can be upgraded to achieve Class 0 rating (as defined by British Standard BS476).

Further Dulux Trade coatings were also used throughout the landmark project, including the Dulux Trade Metalshield range for the office's exposed steel roof trusses and Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood for all trims, including skirting and architraves.

Concluding, Gordon Kew, Director, Regional Building at Interserve, who led the project, said: “Our previous offices were becoming increasingly outdated and were also performing poorly on energy usage. As such, when we came to designing our new facilities, sustainability was a primary focus. We are delighted with the finished building, and the Dulux Trade coatings have played a part in us achieving our overall vision of a modern, bright and energy efficient office.”

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Installers can now offer customers the opportunity to enjoy power shower performance even in areas of low water pressure with the latest range of pumps from Mira Showers – the UK’s leading manufacturer of showering products and accessories.

The advantage to the user is plain: installing a pump is cheaper and less disruptive than upgrading the entire water system to high pressure; and the pumps will work with any make of shower mixer, not just Mira. The pumps also provide an opportunity to both the installer and stockist: a single quality manufacturer and a single source of stock.

The pumps’ performance can boost even the lowest water pressure to luxury standards. The 3.0 bar model produces up to 60 litres per minute, the 2.0 bar model up to 35 litres per minute and even the smallest, the 1.5 bar pump, pushes water flow up to 32 litres a minute – enough water to fill an average bath in three minutes.

This range of pumps also answers the three most common drawbacks to installing a pump – noise, size and duty cycles. Many householders complain that entry-level pumps create unacceptable levels of noise, but Mira’s have been engineered to cut this out with quiet motors, anti-vibration hoses and rubber feet that stop noise transferring to floorboards. The design also prevents air getting stuck in the system.

The pumps are also among the smallest on the market and so can be discreetly housed in an airing cupboard, under the bath or in any other suitable space. The 1.5 bar and 2.0 bar models measure only 300mm (L) x 160mm (W) x 205 mm (H).

Many budget pumps need a rest period after they have been used for certain time –this is known as the duty cycle. One competing brand, for instance, has to be switched off for 60 minutes after being on for 15 minutes – enough to cause early morning rows as the family tries to get ready. But the two smaller pumps in the Mira range – 1.5 bar and 2.0 bar – only need 30 minutes off after every 30 minutes, while the 3.0 bar model is continuously rated with no rest period required at all!

For ease of installation the pumps will come with four flexible hoses and are ‘push-fit’, so joining them to the pipe work is simple while integral isolating valves ensure that any maintenance can be done without flooding the bathroom.

For peace of mind, the guarantee for the 1.5 and 2.0 bar models are guaranteed for two years, while that for the 3.0 bar models is guaranteed for three years; and . This covers parts and labour with work being carried out by Mira’s team of highly professional service engineers.

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As industry leaders of Test & Inspection software it’s no surprise that AMTECH has updated its latest FastTest range to reflect the needs of its customers, in response to an ever changing industry. Now more competitive than ever, these latest changes include key functionality and much lower prices.

FastTest offers a fast, professional solution that is used by more electrical contractors than any other software! Quick to set up and easy to use, FastTest has been specifically designed to help electrical contractors increase their productivity in everyday tasks. Packed with an impressive list of time saving features you begin to realise how FastTest really got its name!

The latest FastTest range comprises three core packages – FastTest, FastTest Plus and FastTest Pro. Backed by first class customer care and technical support, it’s clear to see why FastTest is the number one choice.

If you want to know why so many electrical contractors choose FastTest, visit AMTECH’s brand new Test & Inspection microsite www.electrical-certification.co.uk

Leading the way with the 17th Edition Amendment 1, AMTECH is now offering free webinar places with all purchases of its latest range. Seminar bookings will be also be available shortly to ensure you get up to speed with the latest developments!

AMTECH also offers a vast range of integrated electrical software including electrical design, cable calculations and protection co-ordination – all scalable to all sizes of company.

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