While all organisations have an imperative to reduce their carbon emissions, the education sector is under particular pressure because of the government's commitment to make all schools carbon-neutral by 2016. As a result, there is considerable emphasis in both the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and the Primary Capital Programme (PCP) to include renewable energy sources in building designs.

The dedicated test cell at the Trox Technical Centre has been totally rebuilt due to the massive demands for fan coil system research and development.  This demand has been brought about by the need to measure energy savings accurately as in the case of VAV fan coil development work, the need to verify performance data on a project by project basis, and to enable further product research to be undertaken.

Two new Quality Assurance Managers have joined The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) to ensure the quality of the certificates being lodged by CIBSE Low Carbon Energy Assessors (LCEAs) and further raise standards within the industry.

REFCOM has signed an agreement with the Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirming its appointment as a mandatory F gas company certification body for businesses operating in the stationary refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat-pump (SRAC) sector in Great Britain.

EMCOR Group (UK) has been awarded a three year extension of its facilities management contract with one of London's most iconic institutions, the Natural History Museum.  EMCOR Group (UK) has provided mechanical and electrical engineering services across all of the Museum's sites since 2001, ensuring the Museum has a solid infrastructure in which to preserve and display many of the 70 million specimens under its care. 

Being able to control all of the systems and services in a building is now seen as one of the most efficient ways to manage your energy use and reduce your carbon footprint, but while we are all aware of this in theory do we actually know where to turn to make it happen?

Lighting in the built environment can be responsible for up to 40% of a building's electricity costs - and a similarly high proportion of its CO₂ emissions. So lighting is an obvious target for those seeking to reduce carbon emissions; but usually only when the costs of implementing the means of reduction will pay for themselves. This explains the attractiveness of some so-called quick wins that ultimately compromise the quality of the original lighting scheme.

With buildings accounting for 40% of the world's energy use, building control systems must now play a vital role in facilitating energy efficiency.  While BREEAM-accredited buildings might be the built environment's ideal, the reality is that the vast majority of existing building stock is out of step with the latest in green design.

Wieland Electric has appointed Glasgow-based Sinelco as a stocking distributor for its comprehensive range of safety products, including the 4000 series of safety relays as well as safety sensors and emergency stop buttons. Sinelco will also have access to Wieland's innovative Samos Pro modular safety system.

CIBSE and HVCA have issued a joint statement on air conditioning inspection training, warning potential trainees that they may not be able to be accredited to work as air conditioning inspectors after undergoing certain training.

Following its recent acquisition by Royal Philips Electronics, the newly named Philips Dynalite is looking ahead to bigger and better things. Now a key element of Philips Lighting's Lighting Electronics Business, Philips Dynalite has been designated a ‘Centre of Design Excellence' and is tasked with developing smart engineering control solutions for Philips worldwide.

BRE and partners Duany, Plater-Zyberk, Turnberry Consulting and the University of Hertfordshire are the proud recipients of a Charter Award from the US-based Congress for New Urbanism.  The award relates to their work on the development of a masterplan for growth in Hertfordshire in line with Government targets for the East of England region.

The IOA's Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control, which has recently been revised and updated, is regarded as a significant qualification for those wanting to pursue a professional career related to acoustics and noise control.

Sanyo has introduced an approved installer scheme for its ECO C02 high efficiency heat pump-based heating system.

Dear Editor

Cavendish Engineers wanted to take the time to inform BSEE on how impressed and surprised we have been as to the impact the building control awards has made to our company. This is the first time that we have entered the awards, so we were delighted when Cavendish reached the finals for the ‘Best Service and Maintenance Provider award.'

Marflow Hydronics has appointed Mark Burns as sales & marketing manager, with particular responsibility for developing the company's sales and marketing strategy in line with new product developments. Mark has over 25 years experience in the HVAC industry and has held key positions in companies such as Vaillant, NuAire and AHED.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Europe (MHIE) is stepping up its air conditioning presence in mainland Europe with the appointment of London-based industry specialists to co-ordinate continental sales, focusing on growth of the KX6 VRF range. It has appointed Des Franklin and Louis Sullivan to strategically develop product sales and international key account business through the network of 27 MHIE distributors who cover Europe from Hamburg to Marseilles. Both have extensive experience of the air conditioning distribution business and the MHI product range, having previously worked for a UK distributor of MHI equipment.

In a year that has seen Monodraught develop new distributors overseas, the company is announcing a series of board and sales appointments to strengthen the management team.

Live trials of Mitsubishi Electric's unique PWFY water heating system have proved that it is far more cost-effective and produces far less CO2 emissions than traditional methods with demonstrated savings of 78% in both running costs and emissions over the previous system.

When Train to Gain (T2G) funding was launched in 2006, many businesses applied for funding but were subsequently turned away. The original process appeared to be unnecessarily complicated without clarity on how the funding could be accessed, often taking weeks, if not months, to be assessed and accepted.

A combination of energy efficient Brilliance T5 fluorescent light fittings and BlueWave two-channel controllers from Chalmor is helping Myerscough College near Preston save up to a predicted £39,000 per annum on lighting costs. The savings on carbon emissions, combined with a fast payback, enabled the College to qualify for a substantial energy efficiency grant from the Learning Skills Council (LSC).

Trox UK working in conjunction with SES have supplied a range of recessed and exposed chilled beams to the rebuilt Newcastle City Library, part of a £40m private finance initiative project.

Philips has supplied Yorkshire based GHD, the market leading manufacturer of styling irons, with  an LED lighting solution for their recently opened prestigious offices in the centre of Leeds. The lighting specification was developed by Litetask along with John Sheffield, a director of Bradford based electrical contractors, Southern & Redfern who carried out the installation. 

CP Electronics Mini PIRs have been installed to great effect in the impressive Eagle Tower building in Cheltenham. Offering prime location offices in the Montpellier district of the town, the tower is acknowledged to be one of the most prestigious addresses in Cheltenham.

A building management system (BMS) supplied by Priva Building Intelligence Ltd has been installed at Addiewell prison in Livingstone by Campbell Control Systems. 

SAS International's bespoke metal ceiling tiles, concave coffered tiles with light apertures, bulkhead panels and column casings were specified for the main concourse ticket gate refurbishment programme at Europe's largest ticket line, and one of London's main railway destinations - Waterloo Station.

Marwell Wildlife, a wildlife park dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and natural habitats, has opened a new restaurant called Café Graze which employs the latest green technology, including Monodraught Windcatcher natural ventilation systems and Sunpipe natural lighting. An ungulate building housing Congo buffalo and bongos has also been fitted with Windcatcher systems, ensuring that animals and humans enjoy healthy, naturally ventilated environments whilst keeping energy usage to a minimum

"One of the finest bespoke rugby stadia in Europe" is The Scarlets' claim, which can really be appreciated when seeing the magnificent stands, hospitality and training facilities at the team's new Parc y Scarlets ground in Llanelli.

RST plugs from Wieland Electric have enabled electrical contractor Cool Controls to quickly upgrade refrigeration fan motors at around 50 Tesco stores in Ireland, saving on energy and ongoing maintenance costs.

Luminaires from Riegens Lighting have played a vital role in the overall design of 30 Crown Place, a 23,225 square metre development designed by Horden Cherry Lee and RHWL Architects with a 16 storey tower element and lower-rise eight storey block attached.

Elesta's System Partner, Clarkson Controls, has completed the installation of an Elesta composite BMS control system for the new Huntingdon Library and Archives.

Buderus has commissioned its largest ever multi-boiler heating system in the UK at Wandsworth Town Hall. The installation features two cascade systems, each comprising 12 Buderus GB162 100kW output boilers.

With the detrimental impact of the recession being felt across the UK housing sector, there is one niche area of the market that has performed well and is continuing to demonstrate its resilience in the face of the downturn. Properties in the £5 million plus price bracket in both London and the Country are part of a sector where supply is tighter and where the market is supported by a larger proportion of cash buyers and super-rich purchasers.

The need for businesses to become more energy efficient and cut energy bills is making smart meters an increasingly attractive solution for managing energy use. As the Government announces every home and business in Britain will have a new smart meter installed by 2020, Alan Roadway, product manager for ABB, explains what is possible with smart meters and outlines some of the benefits they can bring for commercial and industrial users.

Public sector spend on building projects, in particular educational and health facilities, has been one of the few glimmers of hope for the construction industry this year - even after the government put a squeeze on some of the funding available.

As workplaces have become increasingly computerised and automated our working lives have become increasingly dependent on a vast array of electrical and electronic gadgets, gizmos and appliances. All of which has led to a much greater reliance on the distribution of power and data around buildings and a demand for more ways of accessing this power and data.

The credit crunch is at the top of the news agenda and whilst there's no doubt that we are all becoming sick of the dreaded ‘R' word, it is having a major impact on the commercial building market.

The clock is ticking. The Government has set clear targets for buildings to become carbon neutral. With new homes and new schools facing a 2016 deadline, public sector non-dwellings required to become zero carbon by 2018 and other non-dwellings needing to comply by 2019.

The OECD report highlighting the economic impact of counterfeiting and piracy features a section regarding electrical components and with the report including special mention of its Electric Dragon campaigns, it is important for those in the supply chain - and building services professionals - to play their part and be vigilant.

Building automation using KNX is an established standard for controlling functions such as heating, lighting, sunblinds, ventilation or safety technology. The control of these is achieved seamlessly through the use of KNX technology, a system that offers significant advantages over other alternative approaches to building automation and control.

We Brits know a thing or two when it comes to developing new technology.  It was a Brit, Michael Faraday, who discovered electromagnetic induction, the principle behind the electric transformer and generator in 1831, then another, Joseph Swan, who first demonstrated his incandescent electric light bulb in 1878. A pedigree like this makes it all the more perplexing that the UK electrical industry stands so far behind our European colleagues when it comes to adopting a building control protocol that is more flexible, future proof and cost-effective than traditional hard wired systems.

At the beginning of the new millennium, my company, GES Digital went looking for new opportunities and came across KNX (at that time known as EIB).

The O2, Dublin is a redevelopment of The Point, which famously hosted the premier of Riverdance in the interval of the Eurovision Song Contest, and remained Ireland's premier music venue, with an iconic status for the nation. The re-launch of the venue has seen Live Nation retain parts of the original building, whilst enhancing the seating capacity, facilities and acoustics of the auditorium, transforming the site into a cutting-edge and exciting performance space. Through the tie-in with O2, Live Nation has completely branded the venue, creating the ability to reach out to audiences through mobile phone media.

KNX smart home technology is assisting in religious abidance at a home in Leeds where the main criteria of the installation was that the lighting in the house should be controlled for a period of 25 hours so that the family could comply with Jewish Sabbath rules relating to creating or extinguishing fire (switching on any electrical item is considered to be a form of fire creation).  The installation has been completed by KNX UK member Application Power Hire (APH) of Leicestershire.

A KNX systems integrator turned KNX manufacturer when the owner decided to build the world's best lighting control module after years of installing other manufacturers' sub-optimal, proprietary products.

The rising cost of energy, the need for commercial viability and the protection of the climate call for more transparency in energy consumption. The general practice of annual energy bills does not help in this matter. Changes are on the horizon only with respect to the supply of electricity. By using intelligent energy meters, electricity consumers could view their consumption as it happens and would be in a better position to control it. With KNX, more detailed choices regarding the responsible use of energy are possible, not only for electricity but also for heat, water and fossil fuels such as oil and gas.

From the outside, Fratelli's café and restaurant in Ponteland, a popular suburb of Newcastle, looks small.  However, Tardis like, on a mezzanine floor, it has space for 250 covers, kitchen, bars and a large lounge area.  What it does not have is any free space for water heating plant.

When Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council decided to combine two schools and a nursery under a single roof in a new £7million building, it was decided to fit fans and air handling units from the Elta Group to make the building as energy-efficient as possible.

As part of its drive to reduce carbon emissions across its estate, the National Trust has replaced two oil-fired boilers at Sudbury Hall in Derbyshire with 2 x 150kW STU wood pellet biomass boilers manufactured by Hoval.

North Glasgow College has utilised Pilkington Pyrostop fire resistant glazing for a brand new state-of-the-art learning facility in its campus in the Springburn area of the city. This £42million, 16,900m² development incorporates a central atrium space, with Pilkington Pyrostop used to protect its occupants and contents from fire whilst allowing natural light into the building.

The latest generation Intersoc desk power systems from Electrak now provides the advantage of accommodating international sockets - in any configuration.

New to CLICK Scolmore's popular CLICK MODE and CLICK POLAR series is a new range of brilliant white Pullcord Switches designed for use in conjunction with optional decorative covers. Simple to use and yet extremely effective, the cover simply slides over the moulded housing, with the decorative bell pull supplied replacing the existing white version. Available in a choice of polished brass, polished chrome and satin chrome finishes, the covers are guaranteed to complement existing fixtures and fittings.

The Volcano IP54 from Ansell Lighting has brought to market a contemporary designed and energy efficient bi-directional amenity luminaire. It not only creates an attractive patterned wall wash effect, but also takes into account the need for energy efficiency and low cost of maintenance to minimise its impact on the environment.  This architectural lighting effect has been achieved by incorporating three LEDs - two of these are featured at one end of the fitting and the third at the opposite side to produce opposing beams of light.

Thorn's suspended Planor upgrade uses upcoming technology, the MicroPrism optic, to guarantee lighting quality.

The Size IT electronic sizing programme from Andrews Water Heaters has been updated to reflect a number of new developments both within the industry and in regards to the latest Andrews products and solutions. As a result this innovative software now includes new products, easier user options and, for the first time, LZC (Low/ Zero Carbon) technologies.

The new, versatile Metro One Ten Solo lighting control module from Delmatic not only offers fast and cost-effective compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations; it also has the capacity to be upgraded to provide full addressable control. As such, it offers a high level of flexibility for building operators to meet their lighting control needs now and into the future.

GM Techtronics has launched their latest generation of Dial2Open model, which enables users to access, activate and monitor unattended residential, corporate and industrial properties by remote control.

A member of the KNX UK Association, Durable Technologies has introduced the DLC 1000 lighting control module.  It is an innovative and very flexible lighting control module for commercial lighting control applications and is specifically designed for use with KNX building control technology.  It is the first KNX product to be approved by The Carbon Trust. 

Holophane Lighting's new ecapsule is a simple to retrofit energy reduction system, designed for use with the company's Prismpack and Prismalume hi-bay luminaires, which enables 0-10V dimming of 320W to 400W metal halide lamps down to 25% of initial lumens. As such, ecapsule has the potential to reduce the energy consumption of existing installations by up to 50% with typical paybacks within 12 months.

Xpelair has launched an innovative, high performance MEV central extract unit reducing the projection off the wall or ceiling by 25% compared to most conventional units.

Most designers and contractors acknowledge the fierce competition between fan coils and chilled beam systems.  The VAV fan coil goes a long way to addressing the difference in carbon emissions between the two systems.  Putting this aside there are significant financial benefits going down the multi service chilled beam route.

LG's Multi V Sync is a heat recovery system which operates both cooling and heating simultaneously to give users cost savings and energy efficiency - no matter the season and space.

Siemens Building Technologies, Fire Safety, has announced a new controller which combines video technology with a fire alarm system.  The new Sinteso Video Fire Controller (VFC) transmits and/or records images from the incident after an alarm or an event is triggered.  This helps fire and security officers identify and analyse the source of the alarm and react to it in the most efficient way, often avoiding unnecessary evacuations.

BSS Industrial has launched a brand new website to provide customers with instant access to product information, quotations and branch locations.

A new generation of filter to remove suspended matter from water supplies is now available from Kamco. Rust, scale, sand, and earth particles greater than 90 micron are removed from water supplies whether they are cooling systems, wells, or bore-holes.

The new Aldabra towel warmer from Purmo will cast a spell over any installer looking for something to enchant their customers.

In CCTV applications where the product location makes them difficult and costly to maintain, you want to ensure any components used are completely reliable.  They must give a consistent and accurate performance over a long life-time.

JS Air Curtains is launching the new Zen air curtain with bespoke fascia panels that can carry designs such as corporate logos or slogans and functional elements such as clocks and signage.

When it comes to lighting urban spaces, traditional issues such as safety and aesthetics are being sidelined by more pressing economic and ecological concerns, e.g. energy efficiency and sustainability.

Renewable energy and ground source heat pump specialist Econic has a new website.

New, Low Wattage Ventronic is the latest addition to the popular Ventronic range from leading metal halide lamp and control gear manufacturer, Venture Lighting Europe. Incorporating a wide range of additional functions, designed to provide improved performance, reliability and versatilty this innovative new electronic ballast has also been engineered to offer dimmable options, providing maximum energy efficiency when used with controls such as timers, occupancy sensors and daylight sensors.

The latest addition to the CLICK Scolmore range of MODE slim line plate accessories are 45A accessories with white rocker switches. MODE accessories provide a modern solution to virtually any domestic wiring requirement. The 45A range includes a comprehensive selection of wall and ceiling switches plus cooker control units that all work aesthetically well with the other products in the CLICK Mode range.

MHS Boilers has launched a new range of direct gas-fired swimming pool condensing boilers and water heaters. The Ultramax 600 range are sister products to the company's hugely successful and popular R600 condensing gas-fired central heating boilers.

Incorporating an air purifier, the new CIAT Ozonair Coadis Medical Comfort is the first comfort unit on the market specifically designed for hospital rooms.  It meets the most demanding air quality requirements, providing optimum health safety.  At the same time, it provides patients with the best levels of thermal and acoustic comfort, while optimising performance throughout the building.

Mitsubishi Electric has launched a new range of Mr Slim models incorporating Power Inverter technology to offer even more flexibility and choice for small to medium sized applications.

With 278 pages, the new CLICK lighting catalogue from CLICK Scolmore is bigger and better than ever and includes the complete range of lighting accessories featuring CLICK Flameguard, Fumagalli and other popular CLICK lighting products.  Encompassing innovative new designs, as well as refinements to a number of established ranges, the catalogue contains a huge selection of interior and exterior fittings for flush or surface mounting and guidance on their use.  All CLICK lighting fixtures have been designed to utilise the very latest light sources to provide optimum performance and maximum energy savings.

Just launched by Tridium is the M2M JACE. This combined monitoring and control platform brings better control, a reduced carbon footprint and significant energy savings within easy reach of building owners and operators of multiple sites or single facilities. 

The new NEOflo range extends still further the impressive selection of high efficiency storage water heaters available from Andrews. These innovative stainless steel appliances minimise environmental impact by incorporating the latest in condensing water heating technology and controls, thereby ensuring optimum performance and ease of use as well as economic running costs.

Zip Heaters (UK) Ltd has launched the new Hydroboil Plus on-wall instant boiling water heater range designed to set a new energy efficiency standard for the provision of hot drinks in the workplace. The range features a unique combination of energy saving features to keep power usage to an absolute minimum.

Established across mainland Europe as a source of innovative controllers enabling KNX engineers to make best use of the open protocol to design more intelligent buildings, Theben is making its products and technical support services more easily available in the UK through its London-based daughter company Timeguard Ltd.

Torin-Sifan has added to its portfolio of low carbon products with the launch of a range of energy efficient EC Centrifugal Backward or Forward Curved Motorised Impellers. Designed for a variety of applications including ducted ventilation, warm air heating; telecommunications cooling and building management systems, the impellers feature a low carbon 230v EC motor which is key to the range's highly efficient performance. Torin-Sifan's EC Centrifugal Motorised Impellers are also extremely versatile featuring on-board electronics with 0-10v speed control capabilities.

Daikin Airconditioning UK Ltd has introduced a highly energy efficient domestic hot water (DHW) module, which, when connected to the refrigerant circuit of a Daikin VRVIII HR heat recovery system, enables hot water to be produced from surplus heat recovered from the VRV to be transferred to a building's domestic hot water or heating water circuits. Since no energy is required to heat the water during heat recovery, it is effectively produced free of charge, generating considerable savings in overall system running costs. 

Keston has entered the air source heat pump market with the introduction of Airgen; it's extremely quiet, highly efficient range of air source heat pumps, designed specifically for UK applications.

Hager claims that its new light sensitive occupancy sensor fills a gap in the UK lighting control market for a mid level option.

Finder has introduced a compact 2 pole, 8A relay interface module for safety critical circuits.  Conforming to the EN50205 type B standard, the 48.12 features forcibly guided changeover contacts (1 NO and 1 NC) to enable positive monitoring of switching contact states and large physical separation between adjacent contacts to remove any risk of flashover.

Safety valve specialist, Reliance Water Controls, has a new generation of thermostatic mixing valves available to help combat the risk of scalding in domestic and commercial bathrooms. The Heatguard DC2 offers TMV2 approved protection suitable for bathers in the home; the Heatguard DC3 is TMV3 approved, complying with the NHS D08 healthcare specification and ideal for the hospital or care environment, where users are amongst the most vulnerable.

With each year in Europe an alarming 5 -12% of patients contracting a nosocomial infection (hospital acquired infection, contracted during or after hospitalisation), the new specialist range of water controls from Douglas Delabie, under its Chavonnet banner, is sure to be of interest for healthcare professionals.

Halton Foodservice has announced significant upgrades to its Reactocell ultraviolet air treatment cassette, which integrates into ventilation canopies to remove and neutralise grease vapours and small particles from kitchen extract air. Upgraded elements range from new plug and play controls through to increased treatment capacity, longer life lamp and reduced cost of ownership.

The AM88 fan convector from Dunham Bush uses a fresh air spigot to ensure pre-heated fresh air is introduced to the space at the appropriate volumes, irrespective of weather conditions. The same facility is also available for use with Avant-garde fan convectors, optimised for use with condensing boilers, and the recently launched LST range of low surface temperature fan convectors.

Chalmor's new Resilience is a contemporary-styled slimline fitting that combines energy-saving T5 fluorescent lamp technology with robust construction and ingress protection to IP65. Resilience is available in 28W, 35W, 49W and 54W single or twin lamp configurations with multi-wattage control gear options and integral emergency lighting if required.

Renowned for innovation and quality engineering, Vaillant is recognised as the UK's leading manufacturer of domestic heating solutions.  However, Vaillant also offers a range of high efficiency commercial system boilers.  Both the ecoTEC 46 and ecoTEC 65 are high efficiency, SEDBUK ‘A' rated appliances, which produce a heating output of up to 65 kW.  Each model features a fully modulating class 5 low NOx burner and fan.

A docking frame has been introduced for use with the Harting Han-Modular(R) industrial connector system, allowing connector assemblies to be used in situations where housings are not required - in racks in switch cabinets, for example.