A recent report that recommends moving further towards an employer-led education and skills system has been hailed as a major turning point for the building services engineering sector by SummitSkills.

An industry training facility has been set up by Trox UK under the directorship of Terry Farthing. The Trox Academy has been formed to offer training both to its employees and customers.

The HVCA has become a signatory to the Construction Commitments charter developed by the Strategic Forum for Construction in relation to the 2012 Olympic Games.

Viessmann has purchased Mawera, the leading Austrian manufacturer of biomass boilers and biomass powered CHP stations. Mawera, based in Hard, close to the German/Austrian border, employ 160 people and has a turnover of 30 million Euro. They specialise in the biomass market and have been awarded prizes for innovation by the Austrian and Bavarian state governments.

The curse of the ancient prophets Jeremiah and Cassandra was to foresee the future, tell the truth – and to be roundly ignored. Until relatively recently, the same tragedy befell environmentalists the world over.

With the launch of the IQ Assured Accredited Partner scheme, it is now easy for users of Trend building management systems to find suitably qualified service and maintenance providers. Over recent months Trend has signed partnership agreements with 29 companies, all of which are able to offer the full range of services that make up the IQ Assured support programme. All elements of the latter are also available from Trend’s own service division.

Hays Building Services, part of the UK’s leading specialist recruitment consultancy to the built environment, has appointed Tim Cook as Managing Director.

The Business of Change: Assessing Challenges, Defining Opportunities and Building Cities of the Future is the theme for the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers’ (CIBSE’s) National Conference 2007.

If you work in the construction industry, big changes are coming from April when the new Construction Industry Scheme comes into effect. Contractors and subcontractors should be aware of the changes, as it will affect the way payments are made.

Throughout 2007 Grundfos Pumps are offering an even more extensive range of training courses at their UK Headquarters, than has ever been available.

Access Technologies has appointed Owlett-Jaton, the UK’s largest stockist of fasteners, fixings, ironmongery and hardware to the distributor and merchant trade, as the country’s exclusive wholesaler for the Beamclamp range of secondary steelwork fixings.

A former Regional Sales Manager, Rob Boland, has rejoined Tyco Thermal Controls as UK Sales Manager (Specialist Channels). Rob and his team will be responsible for supporting architects, consultants and contractors with application-specific electric heating solutions and fire-rated and performance wiring systems.

MGE UPS Systems has signed a distribution agreement with Ingram Micro UK to increase the number of MGE product lines available throughout the UK IT channel. The two organisations have an established partnership in several European countries and see their new partnership in the UK as a natural step forward to building on their success.

The Humidity Group within HEVAC has produced the third in their series of expert Code of Best Practice documents. The series of COP’s have been produced as part of the Humidity Group’s aim of improving the understanding of the importance of correct humidity in a range of applications across the HVACR sector.

With energy security of supply and climate change fast becoming two of the major drivers of political activity at the beginning of the 21st century, the association representing the energy management industry is rebranding to take account of the changes.

Guests at the spectacular Kilworth House Hotel in Leicestershire have always enjoyed the highest levels of comfort and luxury, and now, with the installation of a Mitsubishi City Multi R410A air conditioning system by air conditioning and mechanical services experts, AC2000, the staff at the prestigious venue can also enjoy a comfortable working environment, whatever the weather.

Duck producer, Cherry Valley, is not only renowned for looking after the welfare of its ducklings it also ensures the best possible working environment for its staff. When temperatures at one of the company’s hatcheries reached in excess of 35ºC during the peak summer months, the company looked for a cost effective and ecologically friendly way of providing the staff and chicks with a cooler environment. The solution came with the Breezair Evaporative Air Cooling system from Seeley International (Europe).

Based just thirty miles east of Edinburgh in the coastal town of Dunbar, Belhaven Brewery is the largest regional brewer in Scotland. From its historic brewery it produces a portfolio of branded beers that it has sold since its formation in 1719.

Mott MacDonald Pettit, part of the global management, engineering and development consultancy Mott MacDonald, has been appointed by Quinn Group as engineering consultant on a £40 million wind farm project.

Honeywell Excel Web controls installed by Zalti Control Systems have transformed the HVAC system at the headquarters of the Vernon Building Society in Stockport into a building management system providing easy operation and superior HVAC control.

Worthington Nicholls Group plc installers of air conditioning, heating, ventilation and chilled water systems, has secured contracts to provide installation and maintenance for new and replacement air conditioning systems with five new hotel group clients.

Oil-fired storage water heaters from Andrews have been incorporated into an innovative renewable energy commercial solar powered water heating system recently installed at County Hall in Bedford. Bedfordshire County Council has strong environmental improvement policies and each year selects as many projects as possible that fulfil this commitment.

Chloride Power Protection has been chosen as the preferred supplier by the T5 buying club for the supply of all critical power protection systems for BAA’s new Terminal 5 at Heathrow. Its wholly-owned subsidiary Chloride Harath will also take responsibility for on-going service and maintenance, supported by Chloride’s proprietary LIFE.net remote monitoring and diagnostics package.

Cold Control, the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration company, were recently called upon by their local butcher to help in the development of a new site. CJ Read, a butcher in Medstead, Hampshire who was trying to create the largest, most modern butchers in the South.

AMEC has been awarded a multi-million pound contract by rail operator Union Railways North to provide the mechanical electrical and piped services for the new Network Rail Thameslink line station beneath St Pancras in central London.

Fläkt Woods is providing the ventilation solutions for the new Westfield and Hermes £340 million Westfield Derby shopping centre redevelopment.

If the answer is yes then read on because it could be the first step towards them winning one of the first Building Controls Industry Awards which are being held in association with the BCIA (Building Controls Industry Association) and BSEE. But hurry because time is running out...

In May 2006 Adam Sacre from Ashdown Control Services Ltd won the BSEE Special Award in the Building Controls Industry Association Training Awards for his commitment to the industry and for his continuing struggle to succeed and better himself through training and his own determination. I spoke to Adam to find out why training has been such a success for him and what his plans are for the future.

New European fire standards due to be adopted into UK Building Regulations this year (2007) are set to transform the UK fire damper market, potentially making the popular shutter-type fire damper used in countless UK installations redundant.

On 15 July 2006, Building Automation Solutions Limited (BAS) completed the acquisition of the UK Building Automation Unit (BAU) business from Siemens Building Technologies UK (SBT). This transaction created the largest independent controls company in the UK, providing building management systems, energy solutions and support.

With up to 80% of our time being spent indoors, good comfort and a constant supply of clean, conditioned air is essential to ensure a safe and healthy environment in which to live, work and play. Air curtains can greatly contribute to a high level of indoor air quality in our working lives, and, through doing so, increase the energy efficient performance of a building.

It is no secret that the germicidal waveband of UV ‘C’ can be used to kill a range of pathogenic micro-organisms by disrupting their DNA chain. But it is only recently that UV disinfection in the form of second generation designs has been able to satisfy even the most sceptical.

In the building industry there has always been a tendency to specify a lighting system that provides the client with all they require, only to be cut back to the bare essentials or, at best, a lower specification when the rest of the project has exceeded the budget.

When it comes to computerised estimating systems, M & E installers and contractors have a diverse range of needs. The most successful installations are invariably those where the company has taken the time and trouble to analyse its own specific objectives and ensure it finds a supplier capable of meeting these both in the short and long term.

Building Regulations Approved Document E 2003 (ADE) outline a variety of improvements that are now required for both new buildings and converted buildings to meet the latest Building Regulation guidance for the passage of sound. Some of the most notable changes are as follows:

SYL:Fire is the most compact and easy to-install fire-rated downlight in the UK. Designed by Concord:marlin, the leaders in architectural lighting, SYL:Fire offers the contractor and specifier the best light fixture to meet the latest Building Regulations Part B, C, E, L and P.

The latest range of floor sockets from Hamilton Litestat has provided a functional and aesthetically pleasing design that is able to enhance both commercial and domestic environments.

The latest addition to the Sonos range of sounders, beacons and sounder beacons from sound signalling specialist Klaxon Signals is a general purpose AC electronic unit designed for fire, security and industrial applications.

Welcoming visitors into commercial premises is given an additional boost with Xpelair’s new ScreenHeat external door, hot air unit. The ScreenHeat range of fan powered doorway heaters create a hot air curtain at the building entrance as well as reducing cold draughts.

CCL Lindab has extended its service to the heating contractor with the introduction of a Stainless Steel Flue System suitable for both domestic and commercial applications. Manufactured from 430 grade stainless steel in 24 gauge thickness in a wide range of diameters from 102 to 508mm, the system can be used with gas or oil fired boilers and industrial air heaters.

The RECORDsplice fibre-optic splicing system from the AMP Netconnect Business Unit of Tyco Electronics is an innovative system which features an integrated cleaving and installation tool. The new connectivity solution is equally suited to use with indoor LAN/Campus installations and outside plant networks.

Airflow has introduced new harmonised colours and finishes to its stylish iCON range of domestic ventilation fans, acknowledged by the electrical and building industry as the new benchmark for design, quality and product specification.

From its Flexicool range, Fläkt Woods has launched a remarkably energy efficient chilled beam known as IQID, it is an integrated system for ventilation, cooling and heating, fulfilling most needs for indoor climate.

Kingspan Insulation has launched the latest edition of the comprehensive ‘all in one’ guide to the Kingspan Kooltherm Duct Insulation System which comprises a range of rigid phenolic insulation products.

Seaward Electronic has introduced a new easy to use software package for the fast and accurate recording of electrical installation test and inspection data. As well as ensuring the accurate recording of all test records and site details, the new Windows-based PowerGuard Pro enables contractors to view and print out a complete range of documentation for all types of commercial and residential electrical installation work.

Xpelair has announced the launch of its new industrial range targeted at its existing blue-chip client base, UK refurbishment and new-build and key overseas markets. With energy saving firmly in mind the new range includes innovations such as Xpress high pressure inline fans, Airblade laminar flow entrance air screens and the option of variable speed drives on Xpelair ModulAir air handling units.

Daikin Europe N.V. has introduced a new range of inverter driven R-410A Sky Air heat pump units. Known as the RZQS series, the units are available in three models (3, 4 and 5HP) with capacities from 7.1 to 12.5kW (cooling) and 8.0 to 14.0kW (heating).

Simple on-screen instructions and a large ultra-clear ‘Line Of Text’ display mean setting up and operation are obvious in the Honeywell CM900 energy-saving slimline programmable room thermostat. It gives clear English language prompts at every stage so, whatever the user does, it is obvious exactly what is happening and what they need to do next.

Polypipe Commercial Building Systems, part of the Polypipe Group, has announced the launch of its new Polypress system, the latest addition to its plumbing and heating range of products and systems. The new Polypress system has been specifically designed for potable hot and cold water plumbing and heating systems for use in commercial applications.

ebm-papst has introduced their award-winning EC technology into a range of backward curved centrifugal fans, more commonly known as Plug fans. These fans are extensively used by manufacturers of Air Handling Units and provide numerous benefits in performance and efficiency.

Honeywell has launched three stylish and inexpensive new thermostatic radiator valves, supplied in convenient RadPlan packs with matching lockshield valves which are ready to fit. The fresh new designs are the fluted VTL120, contemporary white/chrome VTL220 and elegant all-chrome VTL330 – each with the reassurance of unrivalled Honeywell reliability.

The new, highly comprehensive technical catalogue from Rada, Kohler Mira’s commercial division, now also features shower, washroom, bathing and hand washing products available from all of its four market leading brands including Kohler, Mira and Daryl.

Instant Axess is a unique system which provides users with a single web page control of hundreds or thousands of doors spread over hundreds or thousands of sites. The controllers which are fitted to each site are inexpensive and plug straight into the internet via an ethernet router. There is no requirement to have a PC running Windows and an Access Control database application on site.

Save It Easy retrofit e-ballast units, now available from Energy Conservation Solutions Ltd, enable fluorescent lighting users to re-lamp with high efficiency T5 and T8 tubes without the need for new luminaires.

Airflow Instruments has introduced the newest air measuring tool, the Model LCA301 rotating vane anemometer. This enhanced instrument replaces the LCA30VA, LCA30VT and LCA6000 RVT meters, which are discontinued effective January 1, 2007.

Airflow Instruments’ LCA301 anemometer measures air velocity, air volume and temperature. The LCA301 features a reversible vane head, allowing users to easily read the display whether measuring supply or extract flows.

Sontay has added the AB-QM series of automatic balancing valves from Danfoss Randall to its extensive range. Renowned for their quality performance, these automatic HVAC balancing valves provide Sontay customers with access to an easy to use, high quality range, proven to reduce installation and commissioning time and costs.

Often, occasional heat is required in those out of the way places. BN Thermic prides themselves on being able to solve most heating problems. In fact, they have introduced not one, but four possible solutions. Using the power-efficient principle of radiant heat, the new HT-2000, mounted on a tripod extending from 0.65 to 1.63m, provides an instant 2kW of heat, where you want it.

EMI or Electromagnetic Interface manifests itself in many ways and can be conducted by radiation or through mains cable and earthing connections. The impact of this can be critical to the performance of vital equipment that may be used in many different market sectors – from hospitals and nuclear plants through to military installations or establishments and many other demanding environments.

Dimplex has expanded its range of new products for the commercial market. There are now over 80 models available for this sector, with new industrial and architectural air curtains and compact commercial fan heaters joining the range.

Andrews Water Heaters is launching a renewable technology based solution - indirect solar hot water heating solutions for commercial applications as a complete ready-to-install package. SOLARflo comprises glazed flat plate solar collectors, roof mountings, a duplex stainless steel hot water cylinder, control unit, pump station, expansion vessels, and first fill of water/glycol solar heat transfer fluid.

Increasing problems with the reliability of electrical power supply in the winter have increased the use of generators, especially in facilities such as hospitals, factories and isolated farms, country houses etc.

Kalika Communications has launched Geronimo, the first in a new generation of intelligent, vandal resistant, IP65 weatherproof, heavy duty telephones. Remaining fully functional even in hostile or remote locations the Geronimo has been designed to give service providers complete peace of mind that their telephone service will continue uninterrupted.