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Permo® air, the most breathable air-open roofing underlay available, has been used in the refurbishment of Islington Arts and Media School. The late Victorian building had been in poor internal condition and in need of complete refurbishment and the target was set to achieve a BREEAM 'Very good' rating. Mark Walker of BDP Architects commented, “We needed an air open roofing underlay to solve the problems posed by the existing roof construction and Permo air's performance met our requirements. We also found that Klober's technical support set it apart from other roofing manufacturers, not least because they provided us with U-value calculations and a condensation risk analysis”. The project was undertaken as part of Islington Council's redevelopment work under the Labour Government's 'Building Schools for the Future' initiative. The work was protected from cuts as it was contracted before policy reversals in mid-2010.

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Wilo’s new Stratos PICO and Wilo-Smart A small circulators are proving to be the stars of the Wilo range in 2011.

The Wilo Stratos-PICO – the most energy efficient small pump you can buy, offering up to 90% energy savings over a standard pump – and the new Wilo-Smart A energy saving pump, offering up to 80% energy savings over a standard pump have captured the imagination, especially as low efficiency, uncontrolled pumps will be banned in the EU from the end of 2012. From 2013, low efficiency and standard stand-alone circulators will be banned from the marketplace. As of 2015 the minimum requirements will be tightened further and their scope extended to include boiler integrated circulators as well – those sold as part of a combi or system boiler set up.

This regulation on circulators will shift the market towards the intelligent, high efficiency circulators that Wilo has been championing for years, capable of adjusting their performance to meet the specific needs of the heating system. There are about 140 million small circulators in Europe running constantly, whether they are needed or not, resulting in a huge waste of energy and massive and unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions, generated for no good reason.

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VMZINC Shingles in PIGMENTO Red have been used on Module 1 of University Campus Suffolk's landmark development at Orwell Quay in Ipswich. The first of 6 phases has provided predominantly student accommodation within the rapidly transforming Ipswich Waterfront. The subtle red of the zinc provides a distinctive focal point which, because of its naturally developing patina, will not require recoating. PIGMENTO colours are chromate-free and achieved by adding mineral pigments to pre-weathered QUARTZ-ZINC®. This preserves the naturally grained texture of pre-weathered zinc without affecting its environmental properties.

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Stelrad Radiators has launched ‘The Radiator Book’ – an impressive new publication that provides specifiers and installers, with the full Stelrad range of radiators – photographically and technically – providing every piece of information they could want – all in one place. It’s already being suggested as the number one radiator specifying source for designers, architects and installers across the UK.

“We have thought long and hard about this,” says Marketing Director Chris Humphreys. “We wanted to show all our products in one publication because sometimes people are not aware of the extent of our full range. We wanted to show how the radiators look in situ, so people can select the style they want and give them the technical details as well. So that’s what ‘The Radiator Book’ provides and initial response to it has been – quite aptly – extremely warm.”

Amongst the first to comment on ‘The Radiator Book’ is TV celebrity and property renovator supreme, Sarah Beeny. Sarah recently selected a range of Stelrad radiators for her renovation project at Rise Hall in East Yorkshire: “The Radiator Book from Stelrad seems to me to be an invaluable aid for people looking to select radiators for their homes or projects – it’s so helpful having all the designs there in one publication along with the technical information, so you can make an informed decision on what’s best aesthetically and practically.”

‘The Radiator Book’ vividly illustrates the massive range of options that Stelrad offers its customers – from standard panel radiators, through its premium panel radiators, its decorative ranges and its towel rail options. It also highlights the levels of expertise within the business, with the huge amount of technical information Stelrad is happy to share with customers. Stelrad prides itself on its core values – availability – at any one time, the company has in excess of 200,000 radiators in stock ready to be delivered – the range – ‘The Radiator Book’ illustrates this graphically – with the widest range of radiators available in the marketplace – the reliability of the products – based on exceptional design and manufacturing skills and value for money – with its highly competitive pricing strategy.

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The launch of the CellGuard™ window by leading specialist glazing designers and manufacturers Fendor, marks a step change in the design of custodial fenestration, and is the latest addition to the company's extensive security portfolio.

Following the success of its products in the secure healthcare sector, Fendor embarked on an extensive research program in order to determine what type of system would offer optimum performance in the security market and improve on current light transmission and dated designs.

The result is a new approach to custodial fenestration which has been developed, tested and approved in conjunction with the Home Office for use in Police Custodial Suites.

The large single pane solution eliminates the need for bars or blocks traditionally associated with this type of window product, improving light transmission by a third when compared to traditional designs.

CellGuard™ comprises a unique framing system which secures technologically advanced glass developed to withstand prolonged and sustained assault. Apart from the systems inherent strength and performance its design has taken into consideration recent guidelines on the ingress of daylight into custodial rooms, achieving 67% light transmission while meeting the performance specification required for Home Office use in Police Custodial Suites

The single pane solution complies with these requirements without compromising security, as well as fulfilling the requirements of current building regulations in terms of U-values and BREEAM ratings, achieving a U-value of 1.9W/(m2K ) or lower.

In addition, enhanced performance requirements, such as fire rating and blast resistance, can also be achieved using CellGuard™.

“The development of CellGuard™ has been one of our most technically challenging projects to date and this patent applied for system meets all the criteria set out within Home Office Police Building Design Guidance” comments Fendor managing director Chris Duffy.
“The system delivers, not only in terms of security but also from an aesthetic standpoint, creating a less institutional environment for detainees, visitors, staff and the wider community”.

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One of London’s newest luxury hotels is home to bespoke key card switches that perfectly complement its other electrical wiring accessories after Hamilton Litestat was commissioned to design and manufacture a special adaption from its Sheer CFX range of switch plates, sockets and lighting controls.

The Grange St Paul’s, which is located in the heart of the City’s financial district, is one of the area’s newest five-star hotels in which everything has been designed to elevate guests to new levels of luxury and elegance, down to the smallest detail.

Decorative electrical wiring accessories manufacturer, Hamilton Litestat, supplied its Sheer CFX range of switch plates and sockets throughout all of the hotel’s 400+ rooms; the ultra slim plates and patented concealed fixing system making stylish design statements out of what are often overlooked items within interior schemes. A bright chrome finish was chosen throughout to complement the hotel’s contemporary interior and a specially adapted key card switch, which integrates with a KNX building management system, was designed by Hamilton’s wiring accessories experts in the same chrome finish to meet the hotel’s energy saving specifications whilst blending aesthetically with the other accessories. The card switch also features a blue LED locator and an adjustable time delay, ranging from 10 seconds to five minutes.

“Our Sheer CFX range is one of our slimmest profile designs and has proved popular in very chic, contemporary settings because it sits almost flush to the wall, offering a particularly sleek appearance with no visible fixings,” said Ian Hamilton, Managing Director. “Whilst the range already holds a wide variety of switch plates, sockets and lighting control plates, we are always able to adapt products or design bespoke items from scratch, in order to fulfil specific requirements without losing the overall look and feel of the chosen design.”

This wiring accessories order for the Grange St Paul’s Hotel was supplied through the Islington branch of Senate Electrical Ltd.

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MX Group continues to take the shower sector by storm, with yet more impressive new offerings from its latest new product launch.

MX Group has launched its impressive new Atmos range of thermostatic mixer showers into the marketplace – with most models carrying TMV2 approval. All fully thermostatically controlled and with separate flow and temperature controls, they are all suitable for high and low pressure systems. They all come with either a three or five year manufacturer’s guarantee.

This new range is impressive both in looks and performance and provides an excellent choice of showers for any bathroom, with a selection of very traditional and modern, innovative designs to compliment exactly the look of any bathroom or wetroom. Within the range, there’s a selection of straight and curved riser rails, exposed and concealed valve options, traditional showers or those with diverters allowing a choice of a separate multi-mode handset or a large overhead spray – it’s always nice to have a choice!

Group Marketing Manager Sasha Davies says: “MX has a growing range of range of Thermostatic Mixer Valves. These TMV2 and WRAS approved valves mean that MX has now become a very influential player within this market sector.”

With more than 7 million products or components heading out into the market each year, from the MX Group, it’s a company to reckon with. A leading shower tray manufacturer, and a major supplier of shower accessories, it’s building an enviable reputation as a major player in the thermostatic mixer shower and electric shower markets too.

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Fendor’s new Blast and Ballistic Systems Division is filling a gap in the market for specialist safety products, with orders rapidly being won. Derek Quinn, technical manager and Steve Simpson, design and projects manager who manage the division, say interest is ‘worldwide’ . The recent closure of one of the biggest players in the security market has opened up major opportunities for the Fendor. “We are servicing demand from all over the world for our products and services,” comments Derek, whose expertise in blast resistant and ballistic products includes working with the military in Afghanistan and Singapore, as well as securing UK and other Government embassies. “We have launched new initiatives, including the new BlastLine system, new doors and windows, and we have set up a comprehensive testing programme” he says. m/f…

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“In today’s climate our services are in great demand,” explains Steve Simpson. We ensure that all requirements fit the client’s individual needs, from designs and drawings to pre-site meetings and risk assessment . ‘’ One of the most recent projects is the design and supply of a large consignment of blast resistant fenestration for a gas field off the coast of Australia.” Other projects included MillBank, the House of Lords offices as well as products for a number of long term clients such as Geo Houlton &Son for Nippon Goshei and the Thurston Group. Fendor’s MD, Chris Duffy sees the new department as a major long term investment with the potential to bring new jobs to the North East where

Fendor are based in addition to supplying a very demanding market. “Together, Derek and Steve have over 25 years of experience in blast resistant and ballistic products, and we are more than confident that we can deliver a premium service on a global level,” he comments. “This new venture for Fendor, and the interest that it has generated reinforces Fendor’s reputation within the safety industry and opens up new opportunities in a contemporary and relevant marketplace.” Ends

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Thorn’s all-new PopPack, the 16th generation of the world’s best-selling light fitting, is poised to change how contractors view fluorescent lighting. Suddenly, instead of the standard batten fitting which has been unchanged for decades, there is a luminaire with a quicker installation sequence, easier electrical connection, rapid authentic emergency conversion and straightforward presence and daylight detection. All in addition to T5 or T8 lamps and a wider range of attachments for commercial and industrial requirements.

Traditionally, contractors use a cumbersome mechanical fixing method that involves holding a fluorescent spine in one hand whilst trying to fasten it with the other. Thorn has devised a considerably faster two-stage method. First, two circular mounting studs (supplied) are fixed to the ceiling, or BESA box. Then the spine pushes into place with captive “twist to lock” yellow snap ratchets sliding onto the studs. Two other refinements with new PopPack – the flat spine maximises potential finger access for electrical connection and a rear channel effortlessly routes cable to the mains entry point. No wonder contractors are able to install nine new fittings in the same time it used to take to fit four.

An ingenious LED 3 hour non-maintained emergency module plugs directly into the end of any new PopPack, thus eliminating the need for separate emergency versions. The ‘plug and play’ theme continues with a presence detector and daylight sensor module.

Finally, a compact version that takes a 55W TC-L lamp will be introduced later this summer. Only 610mm long it produces a similar light output to a 1500mm fitting with 58W T8 lamp.

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