Owners of buildings with air-conditioning systems are being urged to adhere to new inspection legislation or face fines. HVCA subsidiary, BESCA, warns that many owners are unaware of the European Union's Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD) and legislation in the UK requiring all air-conditioning systems of more than 12kW to be inspected, regardless of whether the system is in a commercial or domestic property.

Mitsubishi Electric's green initiative targeted at helping everyone reduce energy consumption has been acknowledged at the SEE Awards in Brussels as part of the 3^rd Annual EU Sustainable Energy Week.

As part of a new EU directive, incandescent lamps and other lighting products that are heavy users of electricity will be phased out from 1 September 2009. Starting with the most inefficient lamps, the ban will come into effect over a period of eight years until only energy efficient alternatives are available in the UK with the onus being placed on retailers and manufacturers to ensure only approved lamps are made available to purchase.

KNX UK, the association representing companies promoting KNX intelligent building technology, has published a new guide to KNX technology. ‘Putting the Intelligence into Building and Homes' is designed for building services engineers, specifiers and users of KNX technology in the commercial and residential sectors.

While the current economic crisis continues to make headline news, there are a number of areas within this industry which are still showing signs of major activity and one of the main ones is schools.

Keeping control of energy usage in buildings is a key contributing factor in protecting the environment. A building management system such as the Desigo range from Siemens can facilitate this control. It can provide a comfortable working environment for building occupants enhancing productivity, ensure compliance with current energy legislation and contribute significantly to reducing energy usage leading to a smaller carbon footprint. However all too often the capabilities of the BMS itself are not fully utilised and the potential benefits are lost.

All organisations must respond to change.  It's the same for trade associations like BEAMA and its members. In October 2008, we published our White Paper - an industry response to climate change, clearly laying out the contribution manufacturers of electrotechnical equipment can make towards helping the Government achieve its very challenging targets.

The Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) is pleased to announce the launch of ECA Bid (www.ecabid.co.uk), an online auction site where electrical contractors can buy and sell goods.

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has announced that five projects are the recipients of the ICE London Merit Awards 2009, the city's highest honour for civil engineering excellence.

LG Electronics' hugely successful air conditioning operation, which has held the world number one ranking since 2000, has been spun off from the company's other home appliance businesses to its own independent division, LG Air Conditioning Company.

REFCOM is to be the UK's mandatory F-Gas company certification body for the stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning (SRAC) sector, to allow businesses to comply with European Commission F-Gas Regulation No 842/2006. Formal appointment by the Secretary of State is expected in the next two weeks.

Shaun Foster has joined Baxi Commercial Division as Area Sales Manager representing both Andrews Water Heaters and Potterton Commercial in the North West. Shaun has extensive experience in the H&V Sector, having worked as a Sales Engineer for British Gas for 19 years during which time he completed extensive technical and managerial courses. He originally joined Baxi in the domestic sector in 2000, and has now returned to his preferred role working in the commercial sector.

Buro Happold has been appointed as the engineering consultant for the Barnsley Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. This follows the BSF experience already built up by the international multi disciplinary engineers, delivering a number of award winning educational facilities in Bristol.

Grundfos Pumps has been actively championing variable speed pumps for many years. The range of variable speed options has increased each year and although sales have continued to increase, their take-up, hasn't always lived up to the S to E (standard to electronic) programme goals they set for themselves.

SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for building services engineering, is advising those considering becoming a plumber, as a career change or looking for work, to beware of expensive, short plumbing courses that will not lead to the employment they expect.

Leading awarding body EAL has worked with the Electrical Contractor's Association (ECA) and SummitSkills to develop a suite of cabling qualifications, designed specifically for the electrotechnical sector.  EAL's NVQ qualifications in Installing Structured Cabling Systems at Level 2 and Electrotechnical Services Level 3 recognise competence in electrotechnical activities including pathways for installing and inspecting structured cabling systems and electrical installations.

Barry Gregory has become Managing Director of Riello Ltd, and is now responsible for all Riello's UK operations in both the residential and commercial burner markets. Barry has been with Riello for 17 years, most recently in the role of Technical Director.

SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for building services engineering (BSE), has published research that highlights the possible effects of the recession on the sector's workforce.

The 2008 KNX UK Awards were presented at the Association's AGM by President Iain Gordon and recognised winners in the categories of Product of the Year, Installation of the Year and KNX Champion.

An unusual initiative has been taking place across the country - a series of mock public trials of company directors. Organised by the Health and Safety Executive, the aim of the events (entitled ‘Guilty or not Guilty: what's your verdict?') is to highlight what happens when something goes wrong and a worker is injured.

Bredbury-based StudioTech, who specialise in sound and light installations for the retail sector, have just completed a £75K project at Springfields, an outlet shopping centre and festival gardens in Spalding, Lincolnshire.

Andrews Water Heaters, part of Baxi Commercial Division, has supplied two Queen's Award winning MAXXflo direct fired storage water heaters, together with a SOLARflo pre-heat system which have been installed at the new Nancy Astor Building, an £11 million development at the University of Plymouth.

Mita has provided a range of containment solutions for a new build school in the Scottish Borders - including bespoke floorboxes for the purpose-built music rooms.

Combining a 180m long ski slope with all the après ski bars, restaurants and retail outlets you would expect to find in a genuine Alpine village, Manchester's ‘Chill Factore ' has been a challenging construction project.

Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge has significantly reduced its energy consumption and carbon footprint by upgrading over 1000 existing lighting fittings using Chalmor's EasiFit T5 kit. As well as fast payback, a key factor in the choice of Chalmor was that this was the only conversion product on the market with EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) compliance - an important consideration in hospitals.

The Natural History Museum's new Darwin Centre is London's latest iconic project to benefit from the premium performance of Kingspan KoolDuct System of pre-insulated ductwork.

Institutions are increasingly concerned with their environmental impact, and new building programmes provide an obvious opportunity for adopting best environmental practice and using the latest technology to create greener buildings. Now, the award-winning Breezair evaporative cooling system from exclusive UK and Irish distributors, CoSaf Environments, has been specified for two major building projects in the higher educational sector for being the most environmental and cost effective means of cooling the buildings.

International multi-disciplinary engineering firm Buro Happold is part of the Narud Stokke Wiig Architects and Planners AS (NSW) team that was recently awarded the design commission for Oslo airport's major expansion programme. The ‘T2' development includes a terminal extension, a new pier, extensive remodelling of the airside and landside infrastructure components, as well as a significant package of enabling works to facilitate the overall delivery.

Over 800 McDonald's restaurants in the UK are being fitted with Trend intelligent building control systems, supplied and engineered by Powell System Engineering Ltd, a Trend Technology Centre.  The systems use Trend IQ3xcite controllers whose versatility has proved ideal in every situation, despite the wide variety of air conditioning and other plant they are called to control, and despite the variations in restaurants, which include drive-throughs and shopping centre sites, plus both purpose-built premises and  conversions.

The National Portrait Gallery has contracted with Powercall UK for 24/7 ‘power within the hour' emergency generator cover. Overcoming the challenges associated with a permanently installed standby generator such as insufficient space, capital expenditure, ongoing maintenance, and inner-city environmental issues the National Portrait Gallery now has a cost effective guaranteed solution to prolonged powercuts.

Energy costs have risen more than a 100% in the past 12-months and businesses are now bracing themselves for further electricity hikes with the introduction of new legislation to cut the amount of CO2 we omit.   CHP is almost twice as efficient as conventional power generation and can save companies up to 50% in electricity costs.

With budgets being cut and costs coming under more scrutiny than ever, it seems that the topic of incorporating energy efficiency aspects into the integral framework of commercial buildings may be a hidden victim of the credit crunch and as such is in danger of slipping down the building services agenda.  This is even though it is also becoming increasingly important for M&E designers and engineers to deliver solutions that will be able to prove their sustainable worth for years to come.

The recent increase in the uptake of commercial solar thermal systems in the UK has predominantly been driven by local authority planning consent requirements for up to 15% of the building's energy requirement to be derived from some form of renewable technology.  This has revealed a huge knowledge gap amongst designers, engineers and contractors within the heating and ventilation sector regarding the design of non-domestic solar thermal systems.

Using either carbon neutral bio-fuels or natural gas, a CHP plant captures and reuses the heat that other energy generators waste, employing it either directly as heating or, through absorption chilling, cold air that can also be applied to the delivery of building services, making this technology an extremely practical option for engineers.

With water shortages reported recently in Australia, in many of the Mediterranean countries and in a string of other countries across the globe, we are increasingly becoming aware of the fragility of this planet's future and our place within it. We have huge quantities of water on the blue planet, yet only 2% of it fresh water.  We have a growing population, set to hit nine billion by 2042 - that's 2.7 billion more than now - so not an inconsiderable rise in numbers.  Not unreasonably, they will all want drinking water, bathing water, better food and a better quality of life - all of which demand more high quality water.

So just what are they doing that is so right? Ken Lawlor's Dublin-based Sensible Acon is LG's distributor in Ireland and has a different approach to working with contractors and consultants that has seen a 300% sales growth with much more forecast. It has also led to Ken Lawlor opening up a London office.

Sontay has added a new series of zone and fan coil controllers to its comprehensive offering for 2009. The products are designed for easy installation and commissioning proving to be a valuable addition to any building management system. Versions are available with the choice of humidity, PIR, floating and analogue (0-10v dc) options together with stand-alone, Lon or BACnet MS/TP communication capabilities.

Designed specifically for use on UK homes, the Glow-worm Clearly Solar range includes everything necessary to create a flat plate solar thermal installation capable of delivering 50-60% of the homes annual domestic hot water.

SAV Modules has launched a new, improved version of the company's popular MonoLink Commissioning Module.

Airedale has launched a brand new range of high efficiency air cooled R410A chillers, the DeltaChill. A compact, quiet and highly efficient chiller, the DeltaChill has excellent part load efficiencies and configuration flexibility, as well as easy maintenance access.

Dimplex is launching a new range of solar kits which include a number of features to make installation easier and quicker. 

Fluke is offering a new Electricians Kit as a complete solution to testing and verifying domestic and commercial electrical installations.

CIAT Ozonair has launched a new packaged free cooling chiller range - called Aquaciat Free Cooling - which takes efficiency to a new level.  The free cooler section is totally self-contained with its own control centre and is delivered with the chiller as a complete package.  Easy to install - two simple connections are all that are required on site - the unit ensures instant communication between the chiller controller and the dry cooler.  This enables the operation of the units to be optimised for maximum economy.

The new Blue Box modular room controllers from Infranet Partners integrate temperature, ventilation and lighting control in a single unit.

The new Smile 3 controller can be used with systems using radiators, convectors and low temperature heating circuits such as underfloor heating.

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. 

Contractors and specifiers wishing to know more about Marshall-Tufflex's revolutionary new antimocrobial trunking systems can gain further information from a newly released product brochure.

Danlers manufacture a comprehensive range of passive infra-red occupancy switches for automatic lighting control. The products are easy to install, using the existing wiring in a building.

Armstrong has launched the Quantum variable speed chiller as a new addition to its HVAC range. The Quantum scores highly in all major specification criteria as it is extremely energy efficient, has very low maintenance requirements and is designed for extended long life. It has the lowest net installed cost in its class, and also offers the best lifetime cost - 43% less than a traditional chiller based on a ten-year calculation. Operation is also quiet and vibration free.

Daikin Europe has extended its Altherma heat pump heating and domestic hot water system with a new Monobloc version, which retains all the existing system advantages whilst simplifying installation.

Philips Lighting's new LED product catalogue is now available showcasing a comprehensive range of inspiring LED lighting solutions for every application ranging from retail and hospitality to commercial, architectural and exterior lighting. In addition, all Philips LED luminaires now come with a three year warranty underlying its commitment to providing high quality LED solutions with outstanding performance and reliability you can trust.

The 2009 edition of ABB's drives and motors catalogue is now available for end-users, system integrators and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The 48 page catalogue is free and can be downloaded directly from the website or a hard copy is available from the freephone Brochureline on 0800 783 7491.

Monodraught's new 40-page schools brochure highlights current legislation and guidelines concerning the building of Schools for the future with Regulations, legislation, Certification and formal Guides, and an explanation of BREEAM, CABE and the Building Bulletins relating to new school construction.

DL-ECO is an innovative range of downlights from Riegens Lighting that have been designed to incorporate a new generation of energy efficient, compact fluorescent lamps. By optimising the interaction between the lamp and ballast, Riegens has created a downlight with a greatly improved efficacy. 

Tyco Thermal Controls has launched Raychem TraceCalc Net Construction, an interactive online design tool for the heat-tracing of pipes to provide freeze protection and/or hot water temperature maintenance. This easy to use tool enables consultants, contractors and system specifiers to calculate heat losses, undertake the design work and generate an optimised Bill of Materials.

Chemical Process Solutions has launched a new range of all thermoplastic corrosion resistant gas to liquid heat exchangers for use in the process and laboratory industries.

Walter Meier (Climate UK) is now able to deliver Blue Box Tetris modular chillers within two working weeks of order, providing a rapid response for fast-track projects and emergency chiller replacement projects.

Click Scolmore has just released a New Product catalogue detailing all of the new additions to the popular Click wiring accessory and lighting ranges. Designed to complement the existing Click Scolmore literature, the New Product catalogue reflects the company's commitment to providing installers with the very latest solutions for all their electrical accessories and lighting needs.

The 2009 version of Specification Expert from nes combines higher functionality with significant enhancements to the content, as well as improvements to the user interface that save time and increase productivity.

Armstrong has launched a new range of twin-head pumps offering even greater energy efficiency and flexibility. The pumps are suitable for higher temperatures and pressures, as standard, than their predecessors. The range encompasses eleven pumps covering a range of duties from to 2.8l/s at 31kPa to 49l/s at 96kPa.

Seaward  has  extended  the  capabilities of its new PowerPlus  1557  electrical installation tester with the introduction of a complementary label  printer  for on the spot cable tagging and distribution board marking.

Designed to complement the wide range of sensors in CP Electronics' product range, the new MWS6-PRM PIR ceiling microwave presence detector provides automatic control of lighting loads with optional manual control.

The Voyager Sigma emergency lighting exit sign is the first product to be designed and manufactured at Thorn's new plant in Spennymoor, near Durham.

The updated Studio dimming system from Eaton offers advanced lighting control for both residential and commercial environments, combining the aesthetic and practical features of Eaton's stylish COPA (Clip-on plate) range of wiring accessories with the proven technical qualities of its successful Studio 3 commercial lighting controls.  The system offers compact and versatile single-channel and multi-channel lighting controls with options for pre-programmed scene selection and remote infra-red control.   A wide range of light sources can be controlled including linear and compact fluorescent, tungsten halogen and LED lighting.

AM Series fan convectors and Freshvector perimeter heating systems from Dunham Bush are ideal for meeting classroom requirements for both energy efficient heating and ventilation. Models are also available for use with lower temperature hot water sources such as condensing boilers and heat pumps.

Semitec's latest version of their CH pipe-clip temperature sensor is not only IP67 rated, it can also be supplied with twin NTCs to save the cost and time of fitting separate safety controls to hot or cold water systems.

The Daikin Ururu Multi residential and light commercial heat pump system supplies comfort heating, cooling and ventilation plus humidification - the latter without any need for an associated water source. The system transmits purified air, gently into one or two rooms via stylish indoor units, each fitted with a Daikin ‘two area' intelligent eye controller.  Low outdoor unit operating noise and enhanced energy efficiency stem from the incorporation of a swing compressor.  

Walter Meier (Climate UK) has launched a comprehensive service to help building operators identify the most appropriate and cost-effective solution to the challenge of the imminent HCFC phase out in line with EC Regulation 2037/2000.

The Universal Power Alert (UPA) device from Marsh Bellofram Europe Ltd provides a highly visual external indication of live power or stored energy conditions existing within an electrical enclosure. This inexpensive safety device helps prevent arc flash and possible electrocution for operating and maintenance personnel, by pre-verifying that full electrical isolation conditions exist before the access door or cover is opened to any enclosure containing electrical power devices.

Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is the biggest-ever school buildings investment programme in the country and aims to rebuild or renew nearly every secondary school in England. It has created a unique opportunity for building consortia, specifiers and local authorities to create learning environments for children that are safe and secure, and where the buildings are easily and efficiently controlled in a low-lifetime cost, environmentally responsible manner.

When the IT revolution commenced in earnest it was evident that the most able section of our society to absorb the new technology were the kids.  Their intuitive approach to all things new meant that the learning process was fast and easy for them, leaving the adults building technophobia barriers of "yes, but...why....how?"  In general we adults have now caught up, but there is a valuable lesson to be learnt in not underestimating children's ability to grasp large concepts, such as energy conservation, especially if it is presented in a child-friendly format.

Monodraught launched SunPipes in the UK 14 years ago and these proved an immediate success with schools both in the refurbishment of existing school buildings and to be incorporated into new school designs.  Architects and consultants were very quick to recognise the advantages of using SunPipes instead of conventional rooflights because of the advantages of eliminating the heat gain and heat loss associated with conventional rooflights and glare that occurs in many instances.  The reduction in energy consumption, by eliminating the need for electric lighting during daytime use, was also a significant factor but yet another advantage that cannot be overlooked is the health benefits associated with piping in natural daylight.

The ambitious BSF programme will see almost every school in England rebuilt or refurbished in the next 15 years. This investment is underpinned by Building Bulletin 101 which provides the regulatory framework in support of the Building Regulations for the adequate provision of ventilation in schools. It deals with the design of school buildings to meet the ventilation requirements of both The School Premises Regulations and the Building Regulations Part F (Ventilation).

CP Electronics has supplied lighting controls for use throughout the new state-of-the-art Wood View Learning Community, which includes the Whitleigh Community Primary School in Plymouth, Devon.

A new building for Bowbridge Primary School in Newark will incorporate a range of sustainability features including a Hoval biomass boiler, solar water heating, rainwater toilet flushing and a sedum roof. The building has also been designed to make full use of natural daylight and non-mechanical ventilation.

The new building for the Marlowe Academy in Ramsgate, Kent, has been designed to be extremely energy efficient to heat and cool.  Crucially it has a building management system (BMS) from Trend Control Systems, designed and installed by a Trend Partner company, Total Control Services Ltd, based in Tonbridge, Kent. 

Luxo has won a major contract to supply complete lighting schemes for six Dundee Primary Schools. The Company has provided McGill Electrical, the project's contractors, with an innovative lighting solution offering significant cost savings without compromising the quality of the fittings or the overall lighting requirements.

With the recent installation of a ModuSol solar package, new Purewell VariHeat condensing boilers and direct fired Dorchester water heaters, all supplied by Hamworthy Heating, Duppas Junior School in Croydon has invested in sustainable technology for the future.

Leicester Grammar and Leicester Grammar Junior Schools recently relocated to a purpose-built complex in South Leicestershire, which brings the two schools together on one 75 acre site to provide state-of-the-art educational facilities for boys and girls from the age of 3 up to 18.

"The Building Schools for the Future programme will provide world class learning environments to inspire and engage young minds" is what Gordon Brown said recently about the programme, which sums up its ultimate objective in a single statement.

Given that the government's has stated its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality for schools by 2016, it's clear that the education sector is to play a pivotal role in meeting the UK's overall emissions targets.

Most schools have sufficient year-round heat load to be ideal candidates for biomass heating. Around 90% of energy for school heating and hot water can be satisfied by biomass although this is a conservative estimate as, in real examples reviewed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), a boiler sized at 50% of the peak could deliver 95% savings in fossil fuel energy use.