Defra is in the process of introducing a new legally binding climate change and energy saving scheme called the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) which will have a major impact on around 6000 UK organisations within sectors such as banking, supermarkets, local authorities (including education), property, transport, manufacturing, health and insurance.

Roderick Pettigrew has been appointed to the new position of HVCA Deputy Chief Executive.

Under the arrangement, Mr Pettigrew will continue to fill his current post as head of the Commercial and Legal Department, but will also deputise for Chief Executive Robert Higgs, and have the authority to act on Mr Higgs’ behalf.

Faber Maunsell is giving eleven young people a tremendous opportunity to get into STEP (Structured Training Excellence Programme) and launch a career for themselves in engineering throughout its northern offices.

The Crime Risk Management team at BRE has developed a Safer Town Centres toolkit and consultancy service to help those involved in the night time economy reduce the problems of alcohol-related violence and disorder. 

At a time when the press is full of doom and gloom and many people certainly aren’t looking forward to a New Year, I would suggest there is merit in looking forward to the opportunities the future holds to ‘up our game’. Because I honestly believe that, while a downturn or recession is something that’s best avoided – if we can’t avoid it we have to make the best of it. And those opportunities exist wherever you reside in the supply chain.

Luminaire recycling specialist Lumicom and lighting maintenance company David Webster Ltd (DW), in conjunction with waste management specialist Sims Group, have initiated pilot trials to explore ways of improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of recycling waste street lighting lanterns.

Amtech Group, the market leading Building Services Software and solutions group of companies has acquired TSI Luckins, the market leaders in Data Services and pricing information. TSI Luckins will join the Amtech Power software, Estimation and NES brands already within the Group

Geoff Sheard, Vice-President – Fan Technology for Fläkt Woods, has been elected to the board of the Air Movement and Control Association International (AMCA), its first European director for some years. This not-for-profit organisation, founded in 1954 but claiming origins dating back to 1917, brings together the world's manufacturers of related air system equipment and has members in most industrialised countries.

For the 4th consecutive year, Grundfos Pumps are the recipients of a Green Apple Award.  The award was presented at The House of Commons where Grundfos was announced as the overall winner of the Gold Award in the Manufacturing and Engineering category. 

LG is now offering a CPD-accredited presentation to highlight the main points of VRF design. The presentation was first given at the London HEVAR show and the M & E Show at Olympia where it generated a huge amount of interest and a whole range of questions.

Trox Academy is now featuring new developments that have not yet been generally released to the market place covering the use of CO2 as a secondary refrigerant and energy savings that have been calculated by CIBSE approved software for VAV fan coils.

Faber Maunsell has completed its multidisciplinary role in the first phase of the £320million Sheffield BSF schools investment programme.

Sontay has appointed Donal Lynch to the newly created role of Sales Manager for Ireland.

An unprecedented wave of training across the refrigeration and air conditioning industry has begun, with the roll-out of the first of the new generation of F-Gas training and assessment courses.

The ABB standard drive for HVAC, ACH550, has become the first variable speed drive to receive the new European BACnet certification.  The drive has been approved and listed by BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL) as meeting the updated BACnet standard ISO 16484-5:2007.

The Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) has launched a new Guarantee Scheme which became effective on 1 January  2009.

There is still time to enter the 2009 Building Controls Industry Awards which are being staged in association with the BCIA (Building Controls Industry Association) and BSEE.

For the past decade, the UK building services industry, and the construction industry which it serves, has enjoyed a period of almost unprecedented growth. Fuelled by the meteoric rise in UK property values and general economic prosperity, the industry has seen solid year-on-year expansion for most of a generation. It has been a time when good companies have done well, and great companies have delivered remarkable returns for their owners and shareholders.

Following the success of Chris Hoy, Bradley Wiggins, Victoria Pendleton and the rest of the Team GB team in Beijing, Vent-Axia is helping to create the right environment for future cycling success at London 2012. The company is providing heat recovery, and a swathe of other ventilation technology, for facilities at the new Redbridge Cycle Centre, the first piece of physical sporting legacy linked to the 2012 Olympics.

Kings Cross Underground station is now in Phase 2 of its redevelopment, necessary to cater for the increased passenger flow resulting from commuter growth in the capital, and from the new neighbouring Eurolink terminal.

A nationwide leader in the provision of hearing healthcare is making full use of a Marshall-Tufflex system to facilitate easier and quicker fit-out of its branches.

In a bid to improve lighting levels whilst reducing energy consumption, Steinel’s RS Pro Sensor light fittings have been installed in the corridors of the School for Policy Studies at Bristol University, in line with the university’s Environmental Policy for reducing energy usage.

A business park on the south Cornish coast with a high level of energy efficient features to provide cost savings for occupiers has included Dimplex ground source heat pumps in its specification – and quickly achieved its renewable energy targets.

Luminaires from Riegens Lighting have played a vital role in improving the visual environment for the prestigious offices in 33 Cavendish Square, a landmark building situated just north of London’s famous Oxford Street.

Banpo Bridge in Seoul, South Korea used to be a rather ordinary connection across the Han River. But no longer thanks to a one-of-a-kind fountain feature that dramatically shoots jets of water from the sides of the bridge, and a Martin Exterior range lighting scheme that dynamically illuminates the water show after sundown. The extraordinary water and light display has become a major attraction in the capital city.

Off-site manufacture of a new boiler room for the University of Wolverhampton kept disruption to a minimum during the expansion of its Walsall Campus.

A combination of splits and VRF air conditioning units from the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) KX4 range has been selected by Arup consulting engineers for Leicester’s spectacular new £61 million theatre, opened in November 2008.

In a major schools investment programme, City Building (Glasgow) LLP is currently building 16 new primary schools in Glasgow for the City Council at a cost of over £128 million and each is to have its hot water services supplied through a heat-traced single pipe system using Raychem HWAT self-regulating heating cables. Smith Electrical, a Tyco Thermal Controls distributor partner, has been commissioned to supply and install the HWAT systems by the projects’ electrical controls contractor L-Tec Controls and Kentallen Group.

Sainsbury’s new flagship green store, which opened in Dartmouth in August, is the first UK supermarket to fit Monodraught 750mm diameter SunPipes in its main shop floor area, bringing all the benefits of natural daylight to the thousands of Sainsbury’s customers that shop there every week.

Customers at Europe’s biggest inner-city retail centre are being treated to five-star fire protection as well as luxurious designer shopping and first-class leisure facilities.

KNX, the world wide open standard for building and home control is fast becoming the building automation system of choice throughout the UK with high profile projects in landmark buildings and luxury homes. The KNX international standard brings together control technology from leading manufacturers, which works together seamlessly and, as we all know, the whole is inevitably greater than the sum of the parts. The international KNX Association has partnership agreements with more than 21,000 installer companies in 70 countries: KNX has unequivocally arrived.

Lighting today is very much an accepted – indeed almost taken for granted – part of daily life. It is essential at our place of work, indispensable at home and vital for our urban streets and highways. One area of application, though, is more about changing appearances and enhancing the visual landscape, both outdoors and inside – lighting for effect.

Bowesfield in Stockton-on Tees is one of the locations where the North East of England’s commercial regeneration has been most impressive. Having successfully completed two office developments there - both pre-sold in October 2006 - Rokeby Developments (Northern Ltd) acquired a further ten acre site on the 17 hectare development for three more office buildings. Two of the three buildings were pre-let; a 51,860 ft² headquarters building for engineering and construction group, Kvaerner, and a 15,339ft² office building for beer pump metering specialist, Brulines.  The third building, a 20,000ft² scheme divided into two units of 10,000ft², started on site as a speculative build.

Expectations are increasing among building occupiers in controlling their environment, energy use or the way they operate their business. Technology is now allowing events to happen that were unheard of only a few years ago; just look at the way media is enjoyed, such as photos, music and games, either using the latest gadgetry available or through the internet.  So why can’t all buildings be the same? Well the technology is available and the possibilities to connect the user to their building services are endless, all that is needed is the will and the desire to achieve them.

As a new build project, Ridi was able to join Swanke Hayden Connell Architects (SHCA) and consultant Buro Happold in the design process from the outset, ensuring that the lighting both brought about the optimum learning environment and contributed to a highly sustainable building. 

In the electrical sector the term ‘wireless’ is not perhaps the most useful one – becoming, as it has, a generic for all forms of  communications in which electromagnetic waves or RF (rather than some form of wire) carry a signal over part or the entire communication path; and is obviously particularly associated with radio.

Zucchini, one of Europe’s leading designers and manufacturers of power distribution systems for high power applications has published a definitive guide to their latest generation of busbar systems and cast resin transformers.

Now available from Redring is a comprehensive range of immersion water storage heaters – the standard heater for use in soft and normal water areas.

As expected, Thorn has unveiled its first LED product built from the co-operation between its parent, the Zumtobel Group, and leading US LED producer Cree. The Base LED downlight uses Cree’s pioneering colour-mixing technology and XLamp LEDs to excel in three critical areas: performance, energy-efficiency and colour quality. 

MK Electric, the UK’s leading manufacturer of wiring devices and accessories, is putting security firmly on the agenda with the launch of a range of lockable switches and sockets. Its Masterseal, Metalclad Plus, Edge and Albany Plus products will now all be available with key-operated locks to prevent unauthorised tampering of the power supply.

Seaward has introduced an innovative new concept in 17th edition fixed installation inspection and testing in the shape of the new PowerPlus 1557 Powersolution package.

Ellis Patents has drawn further attention to the issue of safely restraining high voltage cables by launching a range specific catalogue for its new Centaur cable saddles.

Finder has announced the introduction of the 7P Series of Surge Protection Devices (SPD), developed specifically to comply with BS-EN62305: Protection Against Lightning, providing protection against lightning strikes, or surges caused by short circuit and contact switching in electrical systems.

The newly launched HRV1 Q Plus compact whole house ventilation system from Titon is the most efficient unit of its type and size in the UK – and that’s official.

Dynalite has launched its new DDFCUC fan coil unit controller which is the latest addition to Dynalite’s building automation solution-set, and provides accurate air-temperature management in commercial environments, such as hotels and offices, while seamlessly integrating with complementary control systems.

Fozz Lighting has launched Mega, a spotlight attached to a stylish, contemporary short arm that will provide direct illumination whilst providing energy savings of over 78%. The flat based design of Mega makes it ideal for areas where focused illumination is required.

A unique combined busbar tap-off unit and fused cut-out distribution board has been developed by Eaton engineers to provide power for dwellings in high-rise apartment blocks.  It has been designed in collaboration with engineers from a London Borough for a refurbishment programme   Each tap-off unit incorporates the supply authority’s cut-out fuses for up to 21 flats.  

The new BEGA 7785 from Zumtobel isn’t just a lighting bollard, it also forms an attractive piece of street furniture to sit on.

Ansell Lighting has introduced the Spirit decorative wall mounted metal halide uplighter to address the market’s requirement for a high quality and attractively designed architectural solution for commercial environments.

The new Fläkt Woods air handling unit (AHU) brochure shows a comprehensive range of AHU options, designed to ensure that every application receives the precise air management it needs.

Hamilton Litestat has developed its new slimline Linea range to offer specifiers extremely versatile solutions which are able to address the more sophisticated demands of commercial applications. Its exclusive design which features split finishes, along with the company’s Patented CFX concealed fixing system, has minimised the plate depth to create a modern appearance that afford seamless styling and sophistication to add lustre to an interior design scheme.

The Sirius SAT is a totally new type of product to join the Potterton Commercial range, responding to a trend towards centralised heating and hot water solutions in multi-occupancy residential developments. Sirius SAT is a Heat Box range for the provision and control of heating and hot water within each dwelling of a residential block of flats that is served by a centralised plant room. This centralised method of heating results in reduced installation costs, fewer flues and visible plumage and reduced annual appliance service charges. Furthermore, it is easier to integrate Low and Zero Carbon (LZC) energy solutions, like the Andrews SOLARflo solar thermal system, whose benefits can be distributed to all the residents.

Dimplex has launched RouteOne, a comprehensive series of technical guides which covers key issues affecting different electric heating solutions for low carbon housing specification.

Alfa Laval has introduced the TL35, a new gasketted Plate Heat Exchanger developed for general heating and cooling duties in the oil and gas industries.

The new Fläkt Woods chilled beams brochure shows a comprehensive range of active and passive chilled beam options, designed to ensure that every application receives the precise cooling, heating and ventilation it needs

Econoflame R6000 is the new condensing ultra low NO_x premix commercial boiler from Stokvis Energy Systems. The R6000 range includes seven models with outputs from 142 to 539 kW.

In the face of growing pressures for building services engineers, public, commercial and leisure sector end-users to cut carbon emissions and reduce energy costs, Vent-Axia has introduced the Sentinel Totus D-ERV (Demand Energy Recovery Ventilation) system. Sentinel Totus integrates the company's proven on-demand control concept with efficient EC/DC motor technology and a state of the art counterflow heat recovery cell to achieve up to 90% energy recovery - the highest performance of any system on the market, and the UK's first D-ERV system to be independently rated and tested to EN308.

Kopex International has introduced a new leaflet on its Ex range of threaded connectors, reducers and enlargers.  Engineered in accordance with the latest ATEX/IECEx Standard 60079, these products are classed as equipment rather than components and can be fixed to an enclosure without the need for re-testing.

Now available from Redring is a comprehensive range of unvented water storage heaters. 

Purmo has made both its vertical and horizontal Faro radiators available in the UK, to complement the launches of its Vertical and Kos V radiators.  The Faro is distinctive, with unique curved, perforated side panels and stylised front, characterised by high heat outputs.

The new innovation from FlowCon (Essco Controls UK agent) is its range of pressure-independent automatic balancing valves.

Status Instruments has further established their leading position in industrial instrumentation design with the introduction of their ‘smart' SEM 160 series digital humidity and temperature transmitter. This unique product, which has a number of highly innovative features, offers exceptional accuracy and stability, making it ideal for applications in heating and ventilation, energy management, facilities management, storage, food processing and machine building.

Of particular significance to the commercial refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pumps and fire protection sectors, the new F Gas Regulations require operators to both monitor and prevent the leakage of Fluorinated (F) Gases. 

Kanmor has launched the new 374e universal heating controller and UK distributor Radiant Control Ltd claim it is the ultimate stand alone heating controller which will truly cope with typical light commercial heating applications and offers the end-user a number of significant benefits.

Schneider Electric has launched a new range of safety switches suitable for a broad span of hazardous areas (potentially explosive atmospheres). The switches are ATEX approved and are available as coded non-contact type (XCSDMC..Ex) or tongue operated type (XCSA/B/C..Ex) for detection of opening guards.

Honeywell has launched a new online resource for installers and specifiers of valves for water control, pressure reduction and regulation, backflow prevention and system balancing.  Its address is www.honeywellukwater.com

In its drive to be a Total Solutions Provider, leading power support company Merlin Power Management, has expanded its range of services with the introduction of Fixed Wire Testing.  Established in partnership with the market leader in the Electrical Safety Testing industry, the introduction of Fixed Wire Testing enables Merlin to offer customers testing on the entire electrical infrastructure of a building including cabling, LV & HV switchgear and UPS.

Delta Controls Inc has attained GOST-R certification for the DHMI - its new 7-inch touch screen Human Machine Interface (HMI).

Walter Meier's Defensor Mk5 incorporates an innovative and patented solution to the problems of limescale formation commonly associated with electric steam humidifiers - thus increasing plant life and reducing cost of ownership.

Wieland Electric Ltd's gesis IP+ pluggable electrical installation has been certified in compliance with ATEX standard 94/9 EG, meaning the product can be permitted for use in zone II hazardous areas.

Megaman's 15W Sensor Light incorporates an ingenious light sensor within a lamp, a must for the safety conscious homeowner and ideal for the dark winter nights.

Derungs Lighting, part of the Waldmann Group of Companies, has launched its Vanera Corridor and Bedhead ranges. Derungs is one of the world leaders for lighting systems and accessories intended for the healthcare market, combining innovative lighting techniques and a functional design to create state-of-the-art products.

CLICK Scolmore has completed its comprehensive range of media plates with the addition of the new 1 gang plate with single module aperture. Designed to provide a simple stylish mounting plate for telephone, data, TV, FM and speaker outlet modules. 

TridonicAtco has significantly improved the white light appearance of its LED's by reducing their colour tolerances. Part of the TALEXX brand, white LEDs from TridonicAtco are now fully reproducible with no discernible colour location discrepancies, and differences in white light perception have been significantly reduced.

At last help is at hand for that often tricky and difficult of jobs; pulling cable into pre-installed trunking or conduit. How often have you wished for an easier and less arduous way to overcome the problems of cable bending and snagging, or found that despite best efforts the conduit or trunking has some debris inside that stops or impairs the installation?

With firms and municipalities finding their budgets frozen the introduction of Cetus could hardly be more timely. For Thorn's brilliant new compact fluorescent downlight is inexpensive to buy, and enjoys low installation and running costs.

Schneider Electric has launched a new range of TeSys compact modular motor starters to cover a span of outputs up to 65A that come with cableless interconnectivity between modules and a completely new termination system.

The new Fläkt Woods chillers brochure shows a comprehensive range designed to deliver the right temperature while reducing total energy consumption. Its rugged all-weather units are designed to deliver high efficiency and low noise with long durability in outdoor installations.

Priva Building Intelligence has launched the Compri HX 6E, an Ethernet enabled intelligent controller designed especially for small and medium-sized projects such as schools, healthcare facilities, hotels, and offices.  Now these projects can enjoy all the benefits of a modern, completely programmable controller with the convenience of an Ethernet connection.