The Open Metering System initiative of the manufacturers associations figawa, KNX and ZVEI has published an open, manufacturer independent, interoperable device and interface definition called an Open Metering System Specification.

Npower has launched a new tool enabling businesses to help forecast future energy consumption to save money, reduce carbon and better manage participation in the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC). 

The winners of the SkillPLUMB and SkillELECTRIC 2008 finals, hosted by SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for building services engineering, have represented the UK at WorldSkills 2009 in Calgary in Canada at the world's largest international skills competition.

This month sees the launch of the Building Controls Industry Awards 2010 which are being held in association with the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) and BSEE.

When it comes to site safety there are hundreds, if not thousands, of potential hazards and risk limitation processes attributed to heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) work.  These vary from simple things, such as dust creation and the process of clearing it, through to immediate life threatening examples, such as exposure to poisonous substances and how to protect the user and others from it.

It is now generally accepted that the only way the UK is going to achieve its carbon emissions targets is by tackling the energy wastage in existing buildings. This is because, while legislation such as Part L of the Building Regulations does a lot to control the energy consumption of new buildings and major refurbishments the fact is that the turnover of building stock is too low for this to make a major difference. In addition, the latest Part L consultation document makes no reference to the consequential improvements that will drive upgrades to the energy performance of existing buildings

Matt Johnstone, Dimitri Harrisis and Matt Heaman from Hoare Lea's Bristol office together with Nigel Jones, a client from Guernsey, have raised £4000 for the Meningitis Trust by cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats.

Green energy product manufacturer Stiebel Eltron has launched a new leasing scheme to make its renewable energy heat pumps more affordable.

KNX UK's application for entry into the CIBSE Directory of CPD Course Providers has now been accepted and the full range of KNX CPD courses will now be listed in the CIBSE Directory for the next two years.

HCP, a division of SAS International, has been recognised by the Construction Products Association for its innovation in the design and manufacture of its radiant heating panels.

The deadline for the Lighting Design Awards is approaching fast, and for the first time since the awards began, you can enter on-line. Once again, the ceremony will be held in the opulent ballroom of the prestigious London Hilton on Park Lane and will be attended by architects, lighting designers and manufacturers.

Grundfos Pumps has established a new industry, water & waste water team combining the industrial end-user, water distribution and water utility teams.  Customers will now have access to a larger team of 26 full-time pump professionals who are all dedicated to delivering the highest standards of service across the extensive range of Grundfos products.

BSRIA is now UKAS accredited to carry out acoustic testing and consultancy on all types of buildings for Part E of the Building Regulations.

MK Electric's echo has picked up the award for ‘best application of energy harvesting' in a product at the inaugural IDTechEx Energy Harvesting Awards thanks to its commercial success to date. The wireless, batteryless and self-powered range of switches is gaining rapid market acceptance and volumes are set to grow as wireless switching becomes the norm in residential and commercial applications.

As the Government announces its white paper plans for reducing carbon emissions, Jet Environmental has urged UK industry to adopt jet air induction systems more widely if they wish to reduce the predicted 17% increase in energy bills over the next decade.

Multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy, AECOM has appointed John Redding and Shaun Edwards to the growing development team based in the Newcastle office.

BSEE and the BCIA have once again joined forces to bring you The 2010 Building Controls Industry Awards, an awards programme designed to bring together the entire building controls industry in a celebration of the companies, innovations and people that are achieving the highest professional standards and helping to drive this dynamic industry forward.

Over the past few years, legislation has placed increasing emphasis on reduction of energy use in commercial buildings. The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and Part L of the Building Regulations (2006) require building designers and managers to make efforts to minimise energy use, and to measure how much energy is being used - and where.

The Icon, Luton's newest four-star hotel, is ensuring energy efficient climate control from the bar to the bedrooms with a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heat recovery air conditioning solution and a range of Split Systems from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Europe (MHIE). The project by local property developer Franco Anacreonte has involved the refurbishment and joining together of two substantial office buildings to create a luxury hotel close to the town centre.

Megaman's Liliput energy saving lamps are being used throughout the luxurious Celtic Manor Resort. Introducing these extremely small lamps into a variety of applications around the hotel has enabled Celtic Manor to maintain its energy saving ethos whilst retaining the aesthetics of the interior decor.

Stockport Academy is a £24m state-of-the-art secondary school specialising in science-based subjects.  The four-storey building replaces Avondale High School and accommodates 1150 pupils. It provides a broad range of community resources covering ICT, sports facilities, public meeting spaces and a library.

S & P Coil Products Limited (SPC) has supplied heating equipment to the new visitors centre, Hafod Eryri, at the top of Mount Snowdon, the highest building in England & Wales at 3,560ft (1,085m) above sea level. The new summit building replaces a building once described by Prince Charles as ‘The highest slum in Wales'. 

The award winning Runshaw College has significantly reduced its energy consumption by installing an advanced lighting control system from Schneider Electric.

Curtins Consulting has been appointed as structural and civil engineering consultants on a £174 million project that is set to transform Wolverhampton City Centre. Plans for Phase One of the project have been submitted and if all goes well it is hoped the scheme will start on site as early as October.

Rehau has completed an innovative project in the coastal town of Kinsale in Ireland using tidal sea water as the energy source for a ground source heating installation.

Demonstrating once again its ability to create innovative technical solutions, Fläkt Woods has provided a scented air system for the world's first Scent Opera, which premiered at the Guggenheim Museum in New York.

Calor has brought a historic castle into the 21^st Century with the installation of a renewable system and LPG to fuel its hot water and heating.

Eaton switchgear and distribution boards have been used for the new Mersey Ferry Terminal, one of many prestigious construction projects linked to Liverpool's reign as European Capital of Culture in 2008. 

Building services engineers will often find themselves in the unenviable position of trying to meet a variety of demands, all of which are considered to be equally as important and at times will often appear to have conflicting requirements.

All buildings consume energy and the more we regulate both internal air quality and energy consumption levels, the more building users will demand equipment and services that can satisfy both modern living and environmental concerns.  Is there a way to minimise the impact of a building's services yet still provide the levels of comfort and control expected?

In recent years engineers have been able to offer both client and architect energy saving devices when designing open plan offices, warehouses and even hotel rooms. However at the actual switching position the architect has always been left with a large non-aesthetic multi gang grid switch (e.g. an eight gang switch plate).  Now the engineer can offer the architect an eight (or sixteen) gang switching device on a single faceplate.

Developing a new product can be a long and arduous task, especially for companies with out-sourced manufacturing facilities in far-flung locations. As we do everything under one roof here in the UK we are ideally placed to turn ideas into new products quickly and efficiently - a position that enables us to develop products for specific projects.

Today's building owners (residential and commercial) are increasingly demanding advanced levels of controllability over their facilities. As a result, automated control systems, dedicated to services such as lighting, temperature, audio visual (AV) and blind control, are becoming commonplace. Somewhat ironically, the proliferation of such control systems is being shadowed by the increased requirement for highly energy-efficient performance.

Today's building services sector is focused on creating buildings that are as environmentally friendly as possible. Using sustainable construction materials or installing the latest smart technology systems that monitor and encourage environmental performance are just some examples of steps taken to ensure a building meets the latest environmental green criteria. While these examples centre on what goes into buildings to make them more sustainable, all too often it's waste coming out of buildings, either during the installation phase or through ongoing maintenance, that many contractors fail to consider properly.

Commissioning valves, check valves, ball valves and strainers from Crane Fluid Systems, a brand of Crane Building Services & Utilities, are being installed in the heating and cooling system of a prestigious new school development in Devon.

Vaillant has been working closely with The Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation, its development partner Shepherds Bush Housing Association and Sandwood Design and Build Ltd on the sustainable redevelopment of 18 flats for ex-servicemen, part of the Chiswick War Memorial Homes estate at Burlington Lane, Chiswick, London. 36 Vaillant solar flat plate collectors have been fitted at the project, along with 18 auroSTOR 200-litre cylinders and 18 ecoTEC plus 618 system boilers.

The innovative Freshvector combined perimeter heating and natural ventilation system from Dunham-Bush is being used to provide space heating in two new buildings at The King's School in Peterborough. Freshvector uses specially developed vents with motorised dampers and attenuators in the wall of the building to allow fresh air to be drawn across the high level heating elements using the stack effect. As a result, the fresh air is pre-heated and draughts associated with conventional ventilation are eliminated, while noise levels are very low.

In a move to reduce energy and life cycle costs, the Royal Academy of Arts (RAA) in London has replaced ageing air conditioning and humidification plant with Defensor Mk5 humidifiers and Hitachi Samurai chillers from Walter Meier (Climate UK). The products were specified by consulting engineers Peter Deer Associates Ltd (PDA), in conjunction with John Ellis, the Royal Academy's environmental consultant.

ATAG is raising the bar for eco-friendly, super high efficiency boilers, with the launch of its new A Series condensing combination and system boilers.

Setting new standards in office lighting, Waldmann's latest floor standing luminaires, tycoon comfort and tycoon classic, combine a highly effective glare-free design with minimised power consumption. Special reflectors and a coin prismatic structure (CPS) on the lower luminaire cover provide precise optical efficiency for direct lighting. The indirect lighting component is also impressive, providing a new dimension in functional and creative lighting.

A new 12-page brochure issued by Polypipe Terrain has focussed the spotlight on the benefits offered by the Terrain HydroMax siphonic roof drainage system which the company launched recently. The high-velocity system offers an efficient and proven way to remove large quantities of water from commercial building roofs. It is part of Polypipe Terrain's wider ‘Roof to River' approach to rainwater drainage, collection and management which is also explained in the new brochure.

MHS Radiators has launched the Gemini radiator, a contemporary crossover style tube-on-tube steel radiator, with an amazing RRP from as little as £650.

The Linosa from Purmo is a new concept in towel warmer design, with decorative strips in either brushed steel or wenge wood finishes, which adorn the upright columns of the radiator's ladder frame and add an extra touch of visual excitement. 

A warm welcome will be given to customers passing through doors fitted with CEH over door heaters. The ODH and RDH units are low cost and easy to install, an easy economical way to give that welcome.

Crane Fluid Systems, a brand of Crane Building Services & Utilities has launched a new range of DZR brass ball valves for water, heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems.

Weak points in the building shell or leaks in heating and ventilation systems can lead to high energy losses and increased costs. With the new thermal imagers from Testo, energy losses can be precisely identified and documented. Even the smallest temperature differences can be recognised with extreme accuracy with the high temperature resolution of the new Testo thermal imagers.

An ideal choice for electrical contractors who offer portable appliance testing (PAT testing) alongside other services, the new PAT320 testers from Megger combine convenience and ease of use with rugged construction and very competitive pricing.

New from Thorn, unique in its styling, Adelie is a highly distinctive post top mounted luminaire. It combines a ring of 32 x 1.1W LEDs with a funnel shaped canopy to create a soft indirect light in parks and building surrounds.

The Supaflex Division of Interflex Hose and Bellows is always keen to promote new ideas on bellows technology to building services engineers.

Zumtobel's innovative Aero II Hybrid luminaire breaks new ground in combining the best features of LEDs and T16 fluorescent lamp technology in a single pendant office luminaire.

Now available from LG is the full suite of VRF products with a comprehensive range of indoor units - cassettes, ducted cassettes, wall mounted units, floor standing cased and uncased units and, of course, the Art Cool range.

Draeger is offering a free copy of the new DrägerTubes & CMS-Handbook to anyone with a need for short term gas detection.  Available whilst stocks last, this 15^th edition is packed with the latest information on more than 350 DrägerTubes and represents a definitive guide to the selection and use of short term tubes in line with current legislation.

MK Electric has revamped its range of Euro and LJU6C data, telephone and blank modules to make it more usable in terms of application, installation and aesthetics.

HWM's SonicSens is a versatile ultrasonic level sensor with a five year battery life, designed for easy installation and ready to output results either locally or via a range of telemetry options. The SonicSens combines precise ultrasonic measurement with a connected MultiLog data logger to store, interpret and transmit results, making it suitable for a wide variety of level-sensing and flow monitoring situations. The option of cellular wireless telemetry and the long battery life mean that the device is ideal for remote installations where constant access is difficult and traditional communications unsuitable.

The ASI Glass module range from Schott Solar combines energy generation with striking aesthetics to offer an integrated solar glass system, suitable for a wide variety of applications, including semitransparent façade glazing, roof glazing and rain screen cladding.

Merlin Power Management, the maintenance arm of the shentongroup, has launched a pioneering new concept in maintenance for the group's innovative Powertherm CHP system.  Called Infinium24, the maintenance programme is a scientifically designed and monitored perpetual renewal protocol that constantly renovates and re-engineers components before their projected replacement date.

For a limited period, customers purchasing a new Fluke 1652B or 1653B Multifunction Installation Tester can claim £100 or a free Fluke 115 Digital Multimeter (DMM) when trading in an old tester. After purchase, the customer simply completes a voucher and sends either an old multifunction installation tester or two single-function installation testers, plus proof of purchase of the new tester, directly to Fluke to make the claim. Full terms and conditions of the trade-in can be downloaded from the Fluke web site at: www.fluke.co.uk/moveup.

Schneider Electric has made it quicker and easier for contractors to specify its Canalis range of busbar trunking with the launch of CanFast; a user-friendly, online design and quotation package, which can be accessed through the company's website.

Whether you are a design engineer, an installer or an end-user, if you have an interest in or a project requirement for underfloor distribution systems feeding desk and workstation furniture, then the new Underfloor to Desk Solutions brochure from Marshall-Tufflex is essential reading.

Rehau has launched new BMS integrated Intelligent Controls for its underfloor heating and cooling systems.

For the first time in the underfloor sector, the controls are fully compatible with BMS systems in Modbus based open protocol.

Marflow Hydronics' Single Station Balancing (SSB) methodology has been designed to provide a fast and effective approach to the balancing of variable volume fan coil and chilled beam systems. As such, it is a cost-effective and highly accurate alternative to proportional balancing, which is not suitable for variable volume systems.

Douglas Delabie, the specialist supplier of thermostatic control solutions and accessories for the commercial market, continues to progress installations as part of the Government's emphasis on improving prison cell facilities.

Glow-worm has introduced whole house Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery into its growing range of renewable energy solutions.

Mitsubishi Electric has launched a new Run Standby (RS) panel that replaces existing models to control up to eight systems on the Mr Slim or M Series range of air conditioning products.

Vent-Axia has become the first manufacturer to launch a complete range of low energy DC residential fans, following an expansion to its Lo-Carbon series of energy efficient ventilation products. Having undergone significant investment in its UK manufacturing base Vent-Axia can also now provide its pioneering DC technology at a new lower price point making its Lo-Carbon range the energy efficient and affordable option.

For a limited period, customers can purchase a brand new Fluke 6500 Portable Appliance Tester starter kit at the same price as the popular Fluke 6500 alone.

In the fast-evolving lighting field, consultants and installers need to stay ahead of the game to save clients time and money.  Lightrak KNX, the modular lighting-control system, designed and manufactured by Electrak is a perfect example of that ethos.

Delmatic's Metro lighting management system includes a comprehensive range of sensors, including occupancy detectors (passive infra-red and microwave) and multisensors for plugging-in to lighting control modules or linking to DALI or LON networks.

Hire specialist, Watkins Hire, can now offer customers even more choice when specifying temporary heating and hot water solutions following the launch of the HeatGen 22, a 22kW electric heating and hot water boiler to the company's extensive hire range.

The AMP Netconnect XGA copper cabling system from Tyco Electronics has been significantly improved by the introduction of two new key components: the AMP-TWIST 6AS SL Jack, which combines easy and quick termination with the highest transmission performance; and the new line of XGA copper patch cords, delivering performance beyond 600 MHz.

In a first for the lighting controls industry, the new Ex-Or Multi-Function LightSpot presence detector can now control not only the lights and washroom functions, but also air conditioning and emergency light testing.

RDM has launched a new product that dramatically expands the capability and application range of its plant and building control technology.

VES is proud to announce the release of their new Ecobox heat recovery solution.

The Ecobox is a plate heat exchanger that eliminates cross contamination of fresh air. It is ideal for confined areas with no space for fan units, or if you already have a fan system in place.

Eaton-Williams has launched a web-based air handling programme that puts architects, specifiers and contractors in control of their air handling selections.

The Condair GS gas-fired steam humidifier from Walter Meier (Climate UK) can be used with natural or propane gas and features an innovative 360 degree full circle burner technology to deliver a thermal efficiency level of over 90%.

The Dimplex range of air source heat pumps is popular with specifiers, consultants and developers, with a new range of high efficiency models extending the range to meet the demand for energy efficient heating and hot water in both commercial and residential builds, including multi-dwelling developments.

Stokvis Energy Systems has unveiled a comprehensive range of packaged plate heat exchangers suitable for a wide range of commercial and public sector building applications.

Abacus Lighting is putting the finishing touches to its new range of high performance, security LED Quartz bollards which is set to revolutionise the street scene with its unique clear Louvre optics.

Groundbreaking micro-CHP (combined heat & power) technology is available for the first time in the UK following a new Anglo-Japanese agreement.

Carlo Gavazzi has launched a new versatile, reliable management and control system targeting small to medium or high power solar photovoltaic (PV) plants.  The new controller is designed to enable the plants to meet growing demand for clean sources of energy by maintaining efficient operation, maximising performance and strengthening the Return on Investment.

The event is part of Working Buildings 2009 which is comprised of three co-located events: M&E; Total Workplace Management, the UK's largest FM and estates event and Energy Solutions Expo, the UK's fastest growing energy management event. Hundreds of the industry's leading companies will be showcasing their latest developments at the extensive exhibition including Baxi Commercial Heating, Vent-Axia, Comelit Group S.p.a, ADT Fire & Security Plc and Buderus.

Day 1

09:45 Introduction by Chairman: Robert Higgs OBE, Chief Executive, HVCA

The Business of Sustainability

09:50 Climate Change & the Role of the Building Services Engineers

Stephen Matthews, Chief Executive, CIBSE

The Coolmation Group will focus on its comprehensive range of services for the M&E sector at the forthcoming M&E, The Building Services Event. In the light of tightening regulations, R22 phase-out and growing end-user demand to upgrade existing, and increasingly inefficient chiller installations, visitors will be able to explore Coolmation solutions which cover chiller and air conditioning equipment hire, service and sales.

Cistermiser Ltd will display their high quality range of products and solutions for the treatment and cost effective management of water. Their display will include their range of Hydraulic Urinal Flush Control Valves, the Infrared Urinal Flush Control Valve, the Direct Flush, infrared sensor controlled urinal valve, the Easyflush Wave and Walkaway, no touch dual flush WC cistern valves, as well as the Novatap and Novaspout, a hands free infrared sensor activated taps, with proven water saving qualities.

Monodraught will be using its stand at this year's M&E Show to feature a production version of its Cool-phase intelligent passive cooling system, which exploits the latest Phase Change Material (PCM) technology to change the internal temperature of a room according to weather conditions outside.

Keraflo Ltd will be showing their top quality delayed action float valves at the M&E Show. The Keraflo WRAS approved range of float valves are designed to provide an accurate and efficient method of controlling the level of stored coldwater in tanks. Keraflo will display two of their float valves, the maintenance free K Type delayed action float valve, suitable for tanks without raised valve chambers, which can be set accurately in a number of positions actuating the valve at a predetermined difference in water level and the KB Type which is a fully variable delayed action float valve suitable for tanks with or without raised valve chambers.

Vent-Axia, is bringing its innovative Lo-Carbon range of energy efficient ventilation products to M&E - The Building Services Event. Visitors to the stand will see exciting additions to the comprehensive range, including Vent-Axia's Sentinel Kinetic MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) system, the Sentinel Totus D-ERV (Demand Energy Recovery Ventilation) system, and the versatile Quadra domestic fan.

At a time when heating technology is developing quickly to meet the changing needs of the market, Buderus are showing their range of commercial heating boilers, renewables and controls systems at this years show.

Baxi Commercial Division has a prominent stand, once again directly opposite the CPD Theatre from which it will be launching no less than five new products and exhibiting a selection from its established range of high efficiency commercial heating and low/zero carbon (LZC) solutions. Yan Evans, technical director of Baxi Commercial Division and various product managers will be on hand to explain the new concepts as well as the features and benefits of all the solutions on show.

The EnOcean Alliance, together with supporting partners Distech Controls, EnOcean GmbH, Ivory Egg and PEHA, will demonstrate a broad range of EnOcean-based self-powered wireless products for intelligent building automation on their stand.

CoSaf Environments will be launching Seeley International's revolutionary cooling product, Climate Wizard, on its stand. The state-of-the-art product is the most advanced, energy cooling technology ever produced, delivering outstanding cooling performance with previously unheard of energy savings.

Setsquare Ltd will be addressing the needs of lighting in schools on their stand at the M&E Show, focusing on the correct lighting and its control.

Developing a new product can be a long and arduous task, especially for companies with outsourced manufacturing facilities in far-flung locations. As we do everything under one roof here in the UK we are ideally placed to turn ideas into new products quickly and efficiently - a position that enables us to develop products for specific projects.

All buildings consume energy and the more we regulate both internal air quality and energy consumption levels, the more building users will demand equipment and services that can satisfy both modern living and environmental concerns. Is there a way to minimise the impact of a building's services yet still provide the levels of comfort and control expected?