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The new £3 million Bramall Learning Centre at RHS Garden Harlow Carr stands out as a resplendent two-storey structure, surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens. The Centre has exemplary environmental credentials and as part of the theme of environmental sustainability, Timbmet was commissioned by joinery contractor, Dalton Joinery to source and supply FSC European Oak worktops for the interior of the new Blundell Library, which forms part of the construction. The specification called for timber that complemented the other sustainable materials used in the build process. FSC European Oak is a solid wood that does not deteriorate with age, rather it matures and improves to give a richer, deeper colour. Being solid, any surface damage in future to the worktops can be repaired simply and quickly.

Since it was opened in Summer 2010, the Centre has achieved its design aim to be amongst the most sustainable buildings in the country, achieving an excellent carbon zero BREEAM rating, proving its green credentials. According to David Dalton of the the consistent dedication to its responsible business commitment to pursue the principles of sustainable development in its operations. “Dealing with Timbmet is always easy due to their professionalism, knowledge and helpfulness,” he commented. “The Timbmet business manager sourced the exact products we required for this high profile and very meticulous project.”

The result is a visually stunning interior, with the worktops complementing the quality of the rest of the building, the entire fabric of which has been constructed primarily from natural and unprocessed materials. Head of RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Liz Thwaites is understandably proud of the sustainable achievement, commenting: “We are absolutely thrilled with the opening of the Bramell Learning Centre in Harlow's 60th year. Its creation is a tremendous achievement for all those involved.”

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Grant Shapps MP for Hatfield and Welwyn and Housing Minister for the Coalition Government, has opened a new Renewable Energy Centre at Mitsubishi Electric’s offices in Travellers Lane, Hatfield.

The company is a leader in the manufacture of residential air source heat pump heating and photovoltaic power generating systems which can reduce a home’s heating and energy bills and the local MP was invited in to officially launch the centre on Friday 10th December.

“At the moment, there are few homes in the Hatfield and Welwyn area that are benefiting from the lower fuel bills that these systems can offer,” explained Martin Fahey, Mitsubishi Electric’s Green Gateway Manager. “As a major employer in the area, we wanted to show our MP how simple and reliable the technology is, and how homeowners, housing associations and landlords can have the confidence to make the switch from gas and oil.”

Mr Shapps was shown around the new centre, which will be used to train thousands of plumbing, heating and electrical engineers over the coming year.

Mitsubishi Electric’s Green Gateway Manager, Martin Fahey explained to the MP how the company is ensuring the highest standards of training to provide reliable power generation and home heating. These high standards are also carried through to the company’s commercial heating and air conditioning products.

The MP immediately issued a report on his visit on twitter, the contents of which can be accessed at http://twitter.com/grantshapps . He has also included a photo of his visit available at http://twitpic.com/3emznw .

Mitsubishi Electric is fully committed to the Government’s Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) which sets out the high standards of installation and maintenance required for renewable technology. Mitsubishi Electric’s Ecodan air source heat pump and its range of Photovoltaic (PV) power generating equipment is both MCS accredited.

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Whether you are a design engineer, an installer or an end-user, if you have an interest in or a project requirement for underfloor distribution systems feeding desk and workstation furniture, then the new Underfloor to Desk Solutions brochure from leading cable management manufacturer Marshall-Tufflex is essential reading.

With Underfloor to Desk Solutions, Marshall Tufflex has not just produced a catalogue of products but compiled a product selection guide clarifying the various installation possibilities, with information on layout configurations, annotated images, diagrams, technical specification, guides and photographs showing various systems and options for underfloor power and data distribution to desk service outlets.

It is a brochure that offers specifiers and contractors a ‘one-stop shop’ for this type of installation and introduces some interesting new products alongside Marshall-Tufflex’s tried and tested ranges:

· MT32 Underfloor Distribution: a 32Amp pre-wired, plug and play alternative (or combination) to Powertrack, incorporating the new Marshall-Tufflex compact 32Amp connector.

· The MT32 Floor Box Distribution Unit (FBDU): FBDUs are installed at floor level and each one incorporates up to 5 independent protected circuits for supply to different zones, providing local isolation and facilitating ease of maintenance, inspection or reconfiguration.

· Desk Modules: a new range of Desk and Panel Mount Units designed with MT32 and powertrack tap-off in/out connectors, for fast installation plug and play connection.

· Floor layouts that achieve a far greater reach of floor area than is possible using conventional powertrack alone.

· Series 507 Powertrack: incorporating high levels of safety with snap-fit couplers and tap-offs that are key and colour-coded to streamline connections and avoid installation problems.

· Sustainable solutions with products and systems that can be re-used and re-configured for new or existing layouts.

· High levels of safety, with snap fit couplers and tap-offs that are key and colour coded to streamline connections and avoid installation problems.

· Sustainable solutions with products and systems that can be re-used and re-configured for new or existing layouts.

The product range includes Series 507 Powertrack and In-screed systems, MT32 Underfloor power distribution with time-saving pre-wired systems and Floor Box Distribution Units, Desk Modules, Grommets, PowerPosts and SnakeWay wire support systems.

Chris Scott, Marshall-Tufflex Product Manager says: “Early indications show that this brochure is being very well received by customers and suggests that it will be of great value to electrical engineers and installers.”

All system designs, dimensions and cable capacities meet the latest BS EN ISO standards and bespoke solutions are available through Marshall-Tufflex’s Specialised Applications department.

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The Brick Development Association (BDA) has appointed Simon Hay as Chief Executive Officer, following the retirement of Michael Driver at the end of February.

As a qualified architect, Simon joins from Ibstock Brick where he was an architectural technical advisor with a wide knowledge of manufacturing and design. He has worked at the forefront of modern brick development and technical advances for several years advising major architects and contractors in London and the South East.

With a wealth of experience extending over 30 years in both the private and public sectors, Simon’s broad manufacturing background has extended to the development of several current building industry leading products including, cladding and railing systems, leading interlocking slate systems and unitised prefabricated buildings. This breadth of manufacturing experience will assist the brick industry of which Simon is well versed. He has chosen to spend much of his career in manufacturing and, has a passionate interest in the historical relevance and future development of the industry.

Simon is a strong believer in sustainable construction and was one of the earliest contributors to this ethos. He also believes that sustainable construction must be allied with good design.

Alan Baxter, Chairman of the BDA comments: “We are excited to welcome Simon Hay into the role of BDA Chief Executive Officer. He is from a similar discipline to the outgoing CEO, Michael Driver, and will be in a strong position to further develop the good work Michael initiated.”

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MX SHOWER TRAYS – THE WIDEST RANGE, THE HIGHEST QUALITY

MX is the UK’s leading manufacturer of shower trays. It’s been established in Gloucestershire for more than 35 years. All MX shower trays carry a 25 year manufacturer’s guarantee and are made in England.

Optimum is MX’s latest ultra low profile shower tray. It’s the slimmest tray on the market at just 25mm high. It brings an impressive combination of adaptability, strength and light weight – which makes it suitable for most types of shower enclosure, makes it very easy to carry and transport, and results in it being immensely strong and reliable – borne out by its 25 year guarantee.

This patented low profile shower tray has been specially designed to complement all of the latest trends in the modern bathroom, helping designers to create an idyllic minimalistic, wet room type look without the installation costs.

Optimum is just one of a huge range of shower trays available from MX – visit www.mx-group.com for more information.

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Electrical industry folklore has it that lighting controls are complicated and suitable only for large projects. Not so. Thorn has introduced SensaModular, a simple ‘plug-and-play’ dimming solution for single room applications that is capable of taking in and responding to sensors and other interfaces, without the need for extra commissioning tools.

Central to the system is the SensaModular controller which processes the inputs from the sensors, photocells, scene plates, switches and hand held IR devices to operate up to three groups of luminaires, thus creating ideal conditions for daylight-linking, presence-linking and scene setting. The device can automatically detect and operate DSI or DALI ballasts, or any combination thereof (up to 50 DSI or 25 DALI ballasts per group), and two screwdriver adjustable rotary switches set the operation mode (‘On/Off’, ‘only Off’ or ‘On/Corridor’) and off delay time for the presence-link function. This makes commissioning quick, easy and safe. The controller comes in two sizes: for two or three luminaire groups.

Compared with traditional dimmer pack or building-wide solutions, SensaModular is easy to install via polarity-free 2-wire connections, using standard mains rated installation material.

The new range will open up completely new markets for dimming applications, particularly in offices, schools, leisure buildings and warehouses. Stefan Hauer, manager of Thorn’s indoor controls, explains: “With the latest advances in electronics it is now possible to offer controls for single rooms which can be remarkably cost effective and which will appeal to people who may never have thought of using lighting controls.

“Considerable interest is likely to be aroused for a wide variety of applications, driven by the ability to select from three methods of daylight-linking. For example, a large, zoned office is a place where two or three ‘look down’ multi-sensors, one for each luminaire group, can be quite useful. Alternatively, for smaller offices one ‘look down’ multi-sensor can be used for all groups. For applications with rows of fittings and/or high ceilings – such as sports halls and factories – simplicity of daylight control can be provided by one ‘look out’ photocell.”

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System filters have been much in evidence for the past few years as a means of offering a 'belt and braces' type response to debris circulating in a heating system. Whilst chemical water treatment will address the bulk of the debris in a system, even after careful use of a cleaner and an inhibitor, some debris will still be circulating in the system. To ensure that this doesn't cause grief, its best to get the debris out and this can be done quite simply through the use of a system filter.

The system filters available vary massively both in technology and materials – and to be fair, in the results they achieve and the reliability with which they operate. Some system filters remove just magnetic debris. Others claim to remove magnetic and non-magnetic debris. Some are manufactured from plastic others from brass. Choosing the right filter that will last as long as the system, is a key consideration when making that choice.

Sentinel has for some time been successfully selling its System Filter, providing a solid, reliable and cost effective solution to the need to shift all types of system debris from domestic heating systems. Its popularity with housing associations and local authorities who traditionally test their purchases pretty hard, suggests that it's a reliable and cost effective solution to removing muck and 'gunge' from systems.

The Sentinel System Filter, is a compact, robust, fully sealed brass unit, that's quick and easy to fit and will last the lifetime of the system, helping to eliminate those unwanted call backs, saving you time and your customer money. The unit removes all debris, not just magnetic debris, protecting the boiler and maintaining design efficiencies. With no moving parts, it will not clog and is very easy to clean and maintain, with no magnets to remove, no need to dismantle and no valves to shut off.

The Sentinel system filter has been designed to work alongside Sentinel X800 Jetflo cleaner. X800 is a powerful, highly active cleaning agent. Its unique composition allows it to act as a penetrating dispersant under neutral pH conditions. The formula also importantly contains agents to protect metal from corrosion. Sentinel products comply with the BS7593 Code of Practice for correct water treatment in domestic systems, which states that “Filters which collect magnetite may be beneficial as part of the flushing procedure. These should be used with a chemical cleanser to mobilise the magnetite and aid its transport to the filter”.

So ideally, installers need to cleanse the system with Sentinel X800 Jetflo, then fit a Sentinel System Filter. X800 and the Sentinel System filter have been specifically designed to work together in mobilising magnetite and other forms of heating system debris, to enable its removal from the system, thereby restoring system efficiency.

There have been a number of reports in recent months emanating from social housing providers in particular, suggesting that a number of boiler heat exchangers have become blocked due to dirt particles building up between the heat exchanger plates

Two London & Quadrant Housing Association owned properties and ten owned by Enfield Homes were identified to carry out 'system cleans' using Sentinel X800 Jetflo cleaner followed by treatment with Sentinel X100 inhibitor/protector. After the clean had been undertaken in each case, Sentinel System Filters were fitted in all properties to the heating systems on the return to the boiler, to provide long term protection from, and removal of, any circulating debris – magnetic or non-magnetic, left in the system.

Between four and six weeks later, samples were taken from each of the properties, where access could be gained, from both the system water and the 'blow down' from the installed Sentinel System Filter.

Analyses of the samples are presented below:

These results clearly show the benefits of fitting a Sentinel System Filter. Although the systems were cleaned, flushed and inhibited, there still remains the potential of some level of suspended solids still remaining in the heating system.

The use of a Sentinel System Filter removes this debris effectively and will continue to remove it for as long as it is in place, resulting in a very low level of suspended solids in the re-circulating water.

So it is clear that fitting a Sentinel System Filter as part of the water treatment regime offers the permanent, on-going level of protection required by social housing providers in the heating systems in the homes they own and manage. Having the Sentinel system filter in place eliminates unwanted call backs to contractors or a providers own direct workforce, to remedy problems associated with debris in circulating water in a domestic heating system.

The Sentinel system filter is clearly a solid, reliable and cost effective response to magnetic and non-magnetic debris in a heating system. And it doesn't leak and it certainly doesn't split!

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Thorn has developed a high-lumen output LED version of its already successful Cruz downlight. It uses active cooling technology to outperform compact fluorescent (CFL) in terms of energy efficiency and quality of light from a third smaller aperture.

Cruz LED delivers 2,000 lumens, with only 6% optical losses in either warm white (3000K, 51 lm/W) or cool white (4000K, 55 lm/W), equating to 2 x 26W CFL downlights.

The downlight is DALI dimmable and delivers 100% instant light with a rated life of 50,000 hours (70% lumen maintenance), which is five times that of a CFL.

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When, following a major downpour in the Worcestershire countryside, the elderly cast iron guttering on Steve Parson’s house became detached from the fascia boards over his bedroom window, he knew that the house needed surgery to survive! When he tried to temporarily straighten and reattach the now flapping piece of guttering, it became detached either side of the original problem as well, swinging alarmingly in the air and Steve realised despite not being ‘Mr Practical’ that the cast iron guttering – which was far heavier than he had anticipated before heading up the ladder to sort it out – could literally fall off, damaging the house and from his precarious position up the ladder – him! It was time to call in the experts!

The house, a solid if unspectacular, four bedroom detached red brick house, stood out in the countryside, open to the elements. There was no protection from the prevailing winds that came over the Malvern Hills and headed straight up the drive to the front of the property. It had been built by a farmer who had retired, sold the farm and built a retirement home in one end of one of his former fields. That was in 1954.

Now in 2010, the guttering needed replacing and as it transpired so did the fascia boards. Having been nearly decapitated by the old guttering, Steve had no desire to replace the old cast iron guttering and downpipes with new cast iron, and was impressed by the latest Elegance uPVC cast iron look alike system just released by Polypipe. He had assumed the job would need the half round version of the Elegance rainwater system, but the new profile, just released – the Elegance Ogee notched – which to him had a little more class, looked just right for the property and the decision was made. Polypipe had designed the Elegance system so that whichever profile was selected, the downpipes were the same, making ordering simple.

The new Ogee notched profile guttering provided a secure fit and countered the problem of gutters becoming dislodged from their retaining clips during warm weather due to heat expansion, making leaky joints a thing of the past. The leading edge of the Elegance Ogee gutter is notched and the system uses a flexible band clip to secure it. The lugs on the gutter are simply matched to the band clip and snapped into place.

In addition to the notches, Polypipe has included grooves midway between the notches which act as cutting markers when cutting the lengths of guttering. These benefits, in addition to the lightweight construction of the new guttering system, makes handling, assembly and installation as simple as possible for installers – and far less likely to decapitate unsuspecting homeowners who head up ladders to address any problems!

Tony and Nick from local firm Cladmaster replaced the rotten fascia boards to give the new rainwater system a sound, secure, and a good looking base and then the guys set about fixing the new guttering. They were pleasantly surprised by the lightness of the components and the ease with which it all went up. They instantly recognised the value of the notched design and told stories of the worst case scenarios they had come across with uPVC guttering expanding in warm weather – and whilst some of the claims seemed excessive and better with the telling, they saw this as a real benefit! They also liked the saw guide marks between the notches and found these helpful when cutting lengths.

Overall they were impressed with the look of the new system, the ease of fitting and the way it all slotted together so simply. There were a couple of pieces of guttering that didn’t want to clip in immediately but they soon sorted those along with the end stops which snapped in good and tight and were soon back on terra firma standing back admiring their handy work.

“I’m impressed both by the way it looks and that the guys who fitted it, who had not worked with this system before, managed to get it up and in place so quickly,” said Steve. “It’s not a modern house, neither is it an old one by the standards of some of the properties around here, but using the Elegance Ogee Notched system has added a bit of style and elegance to what is really a pretty robust, standard four bedroom home. It’s changed the first impression you get as you drive in through our gate and up the drive – it’s definitely added something extra to the property.”

Full details of the new extended Elegance rainwater, soil and vent range can be found on its own dedicated web site at www.polypipe.com/elegance and the new system is available from merchants now. Alternatively you can call 01709 770 000 quoting reference “ElegancePRcs” and request information, a product leaflet and price list.

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Two new series of 600×600 and 900×900 ceiling cassette fan coil units have been introduced by Daikin Europe for application to the higher end of the UK market.

Designated FWF-B (600×600) and FWC-B (900×900), both types are designed for 2-pipe and 4-pipe installations with capacities varying from 2.0 to 5.4kW (cooling) and 2.9 to 6.9kW (heating) for the FWF series and 6.0 to 8.9kW (cooling) and 8.0 to 12.1kW (heating) for the FWC series.

Both series include substantial advantages over earlier FWF and FWC models including improved performance, more stylish design, compatibility with a wide range of controllers plus numerous accessories such as fresh air intake kit, more comfortable air discharge and flow pattern and condensate drain pump as standard, obviating condensation even problems even when installation space is limited. Each type also comes with a visually attractive decoration panel in RAL9010 white.

New features relative to the FWC-B models include high efficiency DC motors consuming up to 4 times less power than comparable 900×900 AC driven units and a roundflow decoration panel producing uniform air flow and room temperature distribution.

Low operating sound levels of 30 dB(A) to 45 dB(A) at low speed depending on model size ensure the suitability of both type to virtually any application.

Daikin Europe products are distributed in the UK by Daikin Airconditioning UK Ltd and Space Airconditioning plc.

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