Increased investment in sporting facilities throughout the educational and leisure sectors makes value for money a vital aspect in the area of building services for the professionals who manage a sports complex, their architects and M&E consultants.

A combination of Holophane’s column mounted amenity lighting luminaires, compact floodlights and in-ground luminaires have been used to create a visually stunning nightscape around the Palace of Art in Glasgow.

Building services for the refurbished training facilities at Guys Dental Hospital, designed by consulting engineers Faber Maunsell, include data links to ‘phantom’ human heads used by dental students for practicing their skills.

Apollo Fire Detectors Limited has won a number of prestigious projects in the Republic of Slovenia,among them the main airport in the capital Ljubljana.In excess of 11,000 Apollo conventional and intelligent fire detectors have been installed at sites across the Republic within the last three years.As well as Ljubljana Airport, applications include Slovenia’s largest Trade Centre,a number of pharmaceutical sites owned by LEK/Novartis and apartments at the holiday village of Zagori Novi Vinodolski on the Croatian coast.

Alan Harbinson and David Herd have accepted invitations to become Partners of Buro Happold.

The Leeds office of White Young Green(WYG),have been commissioned by Aire Valley Leeds to prepare an Environmental Improvement Plan for the Hunslet Stourton Corridor which is located within the regeneration area.

Ackermann DeskPods have been installed throughout the brand new Home Office headquarters in Marsham Street,London SW1,providing office accommodation for up to 3,450 people.The new £311million building not only houses staff from the previous headquarters building in St Anne’s Gate SW1 but also from other departments of the Home Office. The building,located on the site previously home to the Department of the Environment,has been designed by internationally acclaimed architect Terry Farrell.Ackermann DeskPods were chosen for their quality,reliability,ease of installation and competitive price,as were all the other Ackermann products,MK wiring devices and Commando connectors installed in this project.

The Construction Industry Council has expressed delight at London’s success in being awarded the hosting of the 2012 Olympic Games by the International Olympic Committee in Singapore.

Innovative construction work by Swindon-based building contractors E W Beard has helped The Kindersley Centre at Sheepdrove Organic Farm, Berkshire,to win a special ‘Sustainability’ award from the Civic Trust.

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is a flagship NHS Trust hospital and was the first large PFI(Private Finance Initiative) healthcare facility to be built in Britain,with an important academic role as a medical school and teaching hospital attached to the University of East Anglia.The hospital provides 66 types of patient services with a staff of 5,500 treating nearly 600,000 people from Norfolk and from further afield.

Matrix Control Solutions Ltd has installed a PRIVA Compri HX4 building controls system at The Marine in North Berwick.Located on the shores of the Firth of Forth,The Marine is a Victorian hotel in the grand style.Its ideal location is within 20 minutes drive of no less than 18 golf courses located around the beautiful East Lothian coast including St Andrews the very home of golf.

Supplied and commissioned by Space Airconditioning plc,the UK’s first Daikin watercooled VRV-WII system has been installed by Adcock Refrigeration of Norwich.

Warning that the construction and building services industries could undermine their recent years of progress,the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA)has called for a complete review of the multitude of workforce registrations schemes along with changes in attitudes to quality.

UK businesses are backing the Government's objectives in tackling climate change,despite the increased costs associated,according to a new,regular survey of commercial energy users launched today.

Faber Maunsell and Hugh Broughton Architects have been named winner of the British Antarctic Survey(BAS)competition to design the Halley VI Research Station in Antarctica.

When she was launched in 1843,Brunel’s SS Great Britain was the world’s largest screw propelled,wrought iron,steamship.Built in the Great Western Dockyard in Bristol,she had a distinguished history as the world’s first ocean liner,carrying emigrants to Australia and as a troop ship during the Crimean War but came to an ignominious end as a storage hulk in the Falkland Islands.Now she is back home in Bristol and nearing the completion of an £11.3m restoration supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Warspite and the Personnel Administration Centre are two of the most recent new buildings to be commissioned at HMS Collingwood,the Royal Navy’s School of Communications and Weapon Engineering,Fareham, Hampshire as part of an ongoing programme of expansion.All the heating,cooling and domestic services valves for the two new buildings are of Oventrop supply.When completed,in 2011,the expansion at Fareham will result in a doubling of the trainee numbers.

Over 2,000 Barclays and Woolwich branches will soon be running on greener energy as Barclays makes its largest ever single purchase of electricity generated from renewable sources.

The Electrical Contractors’Association (ECA) has called for a major simplification of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations (RIDDOR).

Tower Hamlets Council has granted planning permission to Canary Wharf Group for a major new three million sq. ft gross (approx) commercial office and retail development at Riverside South. This permission follows a review by both the Mayor of London and the Government Office for London.

The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has called for a major simplification of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations (RIDDOR). In particular, ECA wants RIDDOR to stop asking employers to report occupational diseases or illnesses. The ECA also wants to see much simpler reporting of dangerous occurrences.

A new landmark bridge,designed by Hakes Associates Architects in association with Buro Happold,was recently granted planning permission from Bristol City Council.The Mobius Bridge at Finzels Reach,Bristol,will provide a pedestrian and cycle connection from Finzels Reach to Castle Park.

In moving to its new UK headquarters in Canary Wharf,international news and information group,Reuters,has adopted a sustainable approach to building use that addresses the company’s needs while making optimum use of existing services.Faber Maunsell carried out the building services and structural design for the project.

Domestic scalding incidents are widely publicised, and the use of TMVs(Thermostatic Mixing Valves)to provide ‘safe hot water’ in domestic properties has recently received considerable media attention.According to Heatrae Sadia Heating,providing safe hot water in commercial applications is equally as important,and the use of TMVs is vital to protect people from both scalding and the effects of harmful legionella bacteria.Marketing Manager David Webster explains.

An important element of achieving and maintaining a sustainable building is to ensure energy efficiency at every level of the building’s services.Maxine Turczak of Megaman explains how compact fluorescent lamps can now be used in a much wider range of applications than ever before.

The application of Variable Speed Drive (VSD) technology can reduce the annual energy consumption of HVAC plant by up to 30 percent, resulting in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. Andrew Layland, Director of Field Sales (UK and Ireland)at York International,recently recognised by the US Environmental

David Hearne,Market Sector Manager for Yorkshire Fittings,looks at how commissioning valves can aid consulting engineers when designing modern heating and cooling systems for commercial buildings.

The launch of the BCIA in May 2004 brought two organisations (BCG and CSSG) together to form one unified industry association which promised great things for the controls industry.One year on I spoke to BCIA President Doug Robins about what they have achieved and what we can look forward to seeing from them in the next 12 months.

Building and engineering disputes are generally acknowledged to be difficult to deal with.When projects do go wrong,they really do go wrong.They are amongst the most complex and expensive actions to pursue in litigation and/or in arbitration.This is often due to the combination of complex technical issues,voluminous documents,the detailed and technical evidence involved,the extensive number of parties involved and the substantial sums that can be at stake in cases of this nature.

Keith Marshall, Chief Executive of SummitSkills, looks at what winning the 2012 Olympic bid means for the building services engineering sector and how the vast skills requirement will be met.

Fläkt Woods is extending their range of intelligent fans,by increasing the ventilating solutions available with their revolutionary intelligent control system.

TSI announces the new TSI Model 8375 Modular Air Balancing Tool.This exceptionally versatile testing device for the HVAC test and balance and the industrial hygiene professional features a multi-purpose digital manometer that can be used with a variety of common test and balance tools.Available tools include a capture hood,a relative humidity and temperature probe,an air flow probe,a pitot probe,static pressure probes,and a velocity matrix.The optional velocity matrix provides fast readings of 16 measuring points simultaneously,making it ideal for a wide variety of measurements in fume hoods,Biological Safety Cabinets,and HVAC systems.

CP Electronics have launched the MWS4,a long-range microwave detector that covers an adjustable range of up to 60 metres, making it ideal for energy saving applications in large open spaces.Designed to complement the wide range of sensors in CP’s product range, the new MWS4 standalone sensor is simple to install,requiring only mains input and providing a volt-free output contact.

Cablofil has launched a completely new and innovative self contained fire stop protection system for data-communications cabling and low voltage wiring networks.

Now available from LG is the Multi M –a multi split system which offers an ideal comfort cooling-only or heat and cooling option with stylish Art Cool or wall mounted indoor units.This energy efficient system is suited to prestigious houses,apartments,restaurants, executive office suites and retail sites requiring aesthetically pleasing units.

The ElectroVap MC electrode boiler humidifier from JS Humidifiers can now be used in a master/slave system with up to 11 units chained together providing up to a massive 990kg/h of steam to an air handling system.

Lennox have launched EcoAir,an innovative range of air handling units providing a compact, cost effective solution to most types of air conditioning application. The units come in six standard sizes with airflow rates from 1,000 to 25,000m3 per hour.

Scorpion Power Systems has expanded its midrange of Powerhouse generators with the introduction of a series powered by Scania engines.Competitively priced,the new range is readily available in 11 models varying from 212kVA to 550kVA.

Rinnai UK has launched the 1510,its highest output fanned flue gas convection heater yet.This new addition is the first upright oscillating heater in the company’s popular range.

Following recent announcements of new developments,Daikin Europe N.V. enjoyed a record order intake for chillers in May.The next stage in the development programme is the upgrade of the entire screw range to stepless compressors.

Danfoss are now offering free of charge,HVAC Planet,a completely updated and expanded software CD rom,for HVAC engineers and consultants, superseding their renowned HVACity CD.

JS Actuators have launched their new range of fast-acting actuators with rotational speeds as low as 1.5 seconds,designed for critical environments where the speed of the actuator is essential.

It is now even easier for the acclaimed Ex-Or MLS Managed Lighting System to be reprogrammed to meet the changing needs of office users,following the launch of a new hand-held remote control programmer.

Adding to an already strong portfolio of energy-saving HVAC products,Vent-Axia is considerably extending its range of air curtains for commercial applications.

Jaga Heating Products has delivered another true innovation in the UK heating industry with the launch of Oxygen.This revolutionary new intelligent radiator not only delivers powerful yet energy-efficient heating output but also creates a balanced cycle of clean fresh air in any room where it is used.

To date,radio-based temperature sensors have found only limited use in building heating and air conditioning control systems,being generally regarded as too expensive.This situation is now set to change following the introduction by Trend of the TW/S wireless space temperature sensor and receiver,which are not only competitively priced,but also in the majority of applications are actually the lowest cost solution.

Wilo has introduced a new generation of electronically regulated, glanded pumps - the single pump the Wilo VeroLine-IP-E and a double pump – the Wilo VeroTwin-DP-E.These pumps have been adapted to meet future demands and replace,with immediate effect,the popular IP-E and DP-E series.

MK has launched a new enhanced version of Prestige Plus three compartment Dado trunking,resulting from months of consultation with installers,specifiers and end users.The result,arguably the most compact and robust three compartment trunking yet available,is particularly suitable for use in schools,hospitals and laboratories, and incorporating new features that offer benefits to the installer while at the same time enhancing the aesthetic appeal for the end user.

Kopex International’s comprehensive range of electrical conduits are designed to offer optimum performance in a wide variety of demanding applications in food manufacturing and processing plants.The company’s Superscreen Conduit System has been specifically designed to meet the strictest standards for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)and provide protection from stray interference for food processing and other essential machinery.

Yorkshire Fittings has launched Proflow,a comprehensive range of commercial valves for every application.

Mitsubishi Electric has announced the launch of its new range of Lossnay air-to-air heat recovery units, which have all received ECA (Enhanced Capital Allowance) approval because of their advanced energy efficiency.

Following an in-depth review of its customers information requirements and research into the latest innovations in web technology, Kittiwake have announced the launch of their new corporate website at www.kittiwake.com

Chimera is a new colour changing system from Whitecroft Lighting which allows the designer to create stunning effects and striking visual environments.Using the latest LED technology the Chimera range combines a long operating life and high output within a compact design.

Designed for users whose business profitability depends on its critical loads remaining operational day and night,Socomec’s range of Static Transfer Switches (LTM) is a vital component in ensuring this level of reliability.The range has recently been extended to include the Integrated LTM;designed to be installed in switchboards and power distribution units,it’s ideal for switching between UPS systems in data centres,financial,medical and industrial applications.

Andrews Water Heaters have introduced the Maxxflo stainless steel, high efficiency condensing storage water heater,designed to meet the requirements of today’s energy efficient market.This latest addition to the Andrews product portfolio is in line with the demands of the new Building Regulations Part L2.It is expected to take its place alongside the Andrews R300 condensing non-storage water heater range in the Government’s Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme.

The Micro-Environment Control System (MECS)from JS Humidifiers, which supplies air at any temperature or humidity between 15-45°C (±0.1°C) and 30-98 percent rH (±1percent rH),is now available with an on-board computer.

IQView from Trend is a new,easy to operate,touchscreen user interface designed to control building management systems.

For ventilation and air conditioning engineers,instruments that provide fast accurate measurements and automatic calculation of key values are essential.Testo's new range of anemometers offer just that - easy to use,reliable instruments for everyday measurements of air velocity in ducts and local exhaust ventilation.

Aermec’s NRC range of air cooled water chillers, designed for siting in internal plantrooms,has been extended with nominal cooling capacities from 46kW up to 264kW, previously 97kW.Aermec products are distributed in the UK by AiAX.

Maidstone based b2b media owner, Datateam Publishing is delighted to announce the appointment of Andrew Castle to its Senior Management Team.