Doug Robins has moved to Priva Building Intelligence as Business Development Manager, from AES Controls where he held the position of Project & Technical Director. His remit is to take the company to the next level of its UK business expansion by working with consulting engineers, contractors and end-users, promoting the expertise of the Priva Partner network.

The environmental unit of White Young Green (WYG) has reached completion on a flagship business incubator building in Rotherham. The £9.75 million facility named the Innovation Technology Centre (ITC) is the most recent building to be built on South Yorkshire’s Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), which is a hub for companies operating in the aerospace, automotive, energy, environmental, sport, defence and construction industries.

Honeywell has announced the acquisition of ActivEye Inc of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., a provider of video analytics software and technology for security and surveillance applications. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

There is an obvious need for the industry to be more energy efficient and pay more attention to the ways in which energy is both used and wasted but should the industry be doing more and do we have the products on the market to meet our needs?

When disposing of used light sources, building operators have the choice of crushing them before they are removed from site, or employing a contractor that will take away intact lamps for processing.

BEST (Building Engineering Services Training) managed apprentice, Matthew Lander has sailed through the final selection stage for the 2007 WorldSkills competition and will represent the UK in the Air Conditioning & Refrigeration category in Japan.

Hoare Lea Consulting Engineers has appointed Dr Antonino Saporito as Head of Environmental Modelling. Antonino Saporito holds a PhD in Engineering Systems and Design and Energy Studies from London South Bank University and a degree in Architecture (Energy & Technology in Buildings) from the University of Palermo, Italy.

LG has been confirmed as the global leader in air conditioning for the seventh consecutive year – and last year was the third one LG had shipped more than 10 million air conditioner units worldwide.

The Air Curtain Industry Group of HEVAC has produced an Air Curtain Guide on the benefits, applications and requirements of air curtains to assist specifiers during the selection process.

Emerson Network Power has appointed Giordano Albertazzi as Vice President Service EMEA. In his new role, the manager coordinates all Service activities in the EMEA region. Besides extensive operations all across Europe, the Service Business of Emerson Network Power relies on over 1,000 professionals around the world, working as direct employees of the company in 100 service centres that provide support and assistance to 35,000 customers in 70 countries.

The first Energy Efficiency Centre in the South East opened with aplomb when the Queen’s representative, Lord Lieutenant Allan Willet, cut the ribbon on the state-of-the-art premises at the Plumbing Academy. Based in Edenbridge, Kent, and approved by City & Guilds and BPEC, the specially built 10,000 sq ft centre is the latest offering at the award-winning Academy.

The Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) has voiced its full support of the Government's draft Climate Change Bill to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, announced by Environment Secretary, David Milliband.

The success of the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has led to the introduction of an Associate Membership, targeted at professions working within the building controls industry, e.g. consultants, M&E contractors, architects, and building occupiers/ developers.

The recipient was Shaun Gilding of Trend Control Systems Ltd who was enrolled in the ‘Fundamentals of HVAC and Building Technology’ module being held at the headquarters office of Trend Control Systems Limited in Horsham. “Who would be awarded the 1,000th certificate was a lottery right up to the end of the day,” explained Keith Doherty, BCIA Trainer, “as each module requires that the delegates pass an examination before a certificate is awarded.”

After a number of excellent years showing increasing year-on-year growth as a major multi-segment pump solutions provider in the UK, Grundfos Pumps has broke through the £100m sales turnover barrier in 2006.

The HVCA and the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) are implementing a series of energy-saving initiatives designed to improve the carbon footprint of Esca House, their jointly-owned head office in Bayswater, West London.

Adrian Morris has moved from internal sales to product manager for Andrews Water Heaters responsible for Standard and Hi-Flo direct-fired storage units, FASTflo continuous flow appliances as well as having some involvement with SOLARflo, the newly launched commercial solar thermal water heating system.

Most of you either currently work on residential based projects or will have had some involvement at some point. You cannot miss the advertisements by providers of guarantees or warranties on residential development sites. You may even have been required to provide a professional consultant’s certificate.

Employing the inbuilt web browser capability offered by Priva Building Intelligence, AES Controls, in conjunction with mechanical and electrical specialist EIC, has successfully integrated the building management systems (BMS) at two separate schools within the premises’ IT networks, providing a valuable lesson in the use of data communications.

The Building and Facilities Services Division of AMEC has secured a major facilities management contract with The NEC Group, Birmingham.

Potterton Commercial's prefabricated heating solution, the Paraskid, has been installed at St Saviours School in Ealing as part of a refurbishment programme which needed to be completed within the school holidays.

TridonicAtco has supplied a wide selection of control products to Ridi Lighting to provide enhanced lighting control in the company’s new UK headquarters. Ridi will also be offering an integrated package of luminaires and TridonicAtco controls to its own customers where a high level of lighting is controlled.

Harrow College is to have a new building by 2010 with a budget of £80m, awarded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). This is the largest amount the LSC, the body that funds further education, has ever approved for a single building project.

Heating costs have been cut and the latest standards in modern air conditioned space have been created by the installation of four large Toshiba VRF systems at Leat House, a large 1300m² office building in a business park on the outskirts of Newbury’s industrial area.

Textile ventilation socks from Euro Air UK are providing heating and cooling at the premises of leading digital print company Real Digital International. Textile ventilation was selected by consulting engineers J E Evans Associates for its ability to maintain a comfortable, draught-free environment with low cost of ownership.

Luminaires from Whitecroft Lighting have played a vital role improving the visual environment of over 1,200 people employed at the O2 Call Centre in Bury, Lancashire. Feedback from employees suggested that the overall visual environment was poor and a survey identified that the lighting was part of the problem.

The Hong Kong Airport Authority has awarded Colt International a natural smoke ventilation order, which the company describes as: “Probably the largest in the world in the last year.” More than one thousand Colt Kameleon automatic glazed smoke release ventilators have been integrated into the skylight system of Hong Kong International Airport’s SkyPlaza, a HK$2 billion (£130 million) office, retail and business complex.

It seems that the pressure to work smarter, more efficiently and more productively is never-ending, so how can building services contractors achieve these improvements in both installation and maintenance work, and still turn in the profits they require to remain viable?

Being able to deliver an integrated system within the commercial building services sector has become the subject of increasing attention in recent years. With all the advances in technology and a much greater demand that buildings deliver the highest levels of internal comfort to their occupants whilst at the same time exerting as little impact on their local environment as possible – has the need to deliver the ideal M&E solution ever been greater?

Ventilation is the process by which fresh air is introduced and stale air is removed from an occupied space to improve air quality. During the past 20 years, demands on industrial ventilation have increased with legislation, in the field of occupational safety and air quality, becoming stricter. When combined with evaporative cooling, industrial spaces have a year-round system that balances ventilation with natural cooling.

As an established air conditioning distributor, in looking to expand into the higher-end commercial and VRF (variable refrigerant flow) sector in 2004, like any other business in this position we had to assess two key issues.

The large number of unqualified people looking to take advantage of the demand for sustainable technologies is a real source of concern. Growing demand for solutions like geothermal heat pumps and solar water heating is creating a buoyant market for the services of firms able to design and install them. However, these emerging solutions will only deliver energy savings and reduced carbon emissions if they are properly integrated with existing conventional services.

Dimplex has updated its commercial products brochure to give full ‘at a glance’ technical information on its expanding range of heating products for the commercial sector. Now including over 80 products over four categories, the brochure offers a heating solution for most commercial or industrial installation.

The new DU144 automatic bypass valve from Honeywell provides a reliable and cost-effective means to satisfy the boiler bypass requirements of Good Practice Guide 302, part of Building Regulations Part L1 in England and Wales.

New from Fläkt Woods is an upgraded Econet energy recovery system, with changes that have made it 70-75% efficient (50% more efficient than plate heat exchangers) and more versatile than any HVAC system currently available.

Friedland has extended the capability of its Response security range with the introduction of a wireless smoke alarm. The unit allows the user to monitor activations from their Friedland Response control panel and it will also work as a stand-alone alarm.

Polypipe Commercial Building Systems has launched a new technical manual for its HDPE product range. Encompassing a complete sales and technical guide, the HDPE technical manual, which is aimed towards specifiers and installers, has been specifically created to showcase Polypipe Commercial Building Systems’ extensive range of HDPE products, systems and fittings that sit within its larger soil and waste portfolio.

Rada, the commercial division of Kohler Mira, has launched a completely new website that provides the most comprehensive overview of its commercial washroom and showering products in addition to providing extensive technical, installation and best practice information.

The EasiCool is now available in a new DX water cooled version with the addition of an optional integral plate condenser, creating a completely packaged, pre-charged DX water cooled system within the unit.

BSS has partnered with Yorkshire Fittings to launch the BOSS DZR Brass Venturi Valve - a unique solution to commissioning modern heating and chilled water systems. The new BOSS DZR Brass Venturi Valve is a significant addition to BSS’ own-brand portfolio.

Armstrong has launched the IPC 11550 integrated plant control system. System designers face an ever-growing need to address the global demand for reliable, energy-efficient and cost-effective solutions. With this in mind the Armstrong IPC 11550 ultra-efficient chilled water plant control system ushers in a new era of efficiency.

Bitzer’s range of Euroscroll compressors has now been extended with the ESH7 Series. A new ESD7 series has also been introduced and optimised for use with R410A. Euroscroll compressors are suitable for air conditioning and medium temperature refrigeration systems. They also offer significant advantages when operated in a parallel compounding configuration.

Mitsubishi Electric has introduced a virtual controller which can be operated from your PC desktop and looks and behaves just like the real thing.

Contractors juggling the many demands of projects are being reminded that help is at hand in the form of Marshall-Tufflex’s one-stop-shop for all cable management solutions. For working within its Complete Solutions department is a specialist team of experts ready and willing to project manage contracts small and large.

The new Autolux Universal Controller from Chalmor is a highly flexible, competitively priced 7-channel controller that provides a combination of timed switching, occupancy and response to changing light levels.

Air curtains, radiant heaters, fan heaters, convectors and controls – the Frico 2007 catalogue contains an overview of the company’s extensive heating range, which encapsulates the competence and experience Frico has gained over 75 years within the heating sector.

Potterton Commercial has developed a CD ROM containing literature, technical manuals and data sheets for all of the company's products, as well as interactive animated 3D CAD drawings which will enable architects and specifiers to design virtual plant rooms on their computers.

New from Cooper Lighting and Security is the Menvier Evoled range of exit signs, which offer the long-life and low-maintenance benefits of LED technology, together with high energy efficiency and a stylish design.

Fluke has introduced the Fluke 922 Airflow Meter, a rugged tool designed to provide an easy-to-use solution for ventilation monitoring and diagnostics applications in the field. Combining differential air pressure, air velocity, and air flow measurements into a single meter, the Fluke 922 enables technicians to conveniently monitor air pressure across key HVAC components and to help maintain a comfortable environment by checking for optimum airflow balance.

A unique and attractive Roundflow R-410A ceiling mounted cassette with a 360O radial airflow pattern will shortly be unveiled by Daikin Europe N.V. The new cassette is available in thin body FCQ-C and high COP FCQH variants for integration with Sky Air systems and thin body FXFQ-P for use with VRV systems.

Energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly buildings are at the heart of the new CentraLine by Honeywell brand. It combines well-proven technology with innovative new thinking in a range of fresh new products, from field devices to controllers and management systems. All are designed to be easy to operate, reliable and employ future-safe technology standards.

Carrier Air Conditioning has produced an eight page full colour brochure covering its new Aquasmart Plus control system for control and management of water-based air conditioning systems, including the generation of energy reports and the use of BACnet, LONWORKS or other protocols.

Vimpex has launched the FlashDome LED beacon as part of its MT family of electronic sounders and sounder/beacons. The sleek low profile design has been modelled on the class-leading Banshee sounder and complements the EN54 Part 3 approved MT range which includes the FlashTone combined sounder/beacon.

Carrier Air Conditioning has introduced six gas-fired rooftop packaged air conditioners. These 48AZ models complete its comprehensive range of new high performance, energy efficient rooftop packaged equipment designed to replace out of date, R22-using products on the roofs of supermarkets, factories, hotels, and public building all around the UK.

Glow-worm has launched a condensate pump to further enhance siting flexibility on its expanding range of High Efficiency domestic heating boilers – the newest addition being the Flexicom range.

Alfa Laval has introduced the Cetetherm Mini IS district heating sub-station designed to provide hot water and heating to single-family houses and flats that have a direct connection to a district heating circuit.

BSS has introduced a new selection of thermostatic radiator valves to its selection of own-brand BOSS products. The range includes manual radiator valves, thermal heads, TRV bodies and accessories, providing customers with a hardwearing and stylish collection to meet with a wide variety of installation applications.

The new Gasman CO2 detector from Crowcon is small, light and easy to use. Weighing just 130g – the lightest on the market – it is extremely durable, with high impact resistance and dust/water ingress protection to IP65.

Royal Philips Electronics has announced a number of new energy saving lighting solutions with the potential to save very significant amounts of energy.