BSEE is joining forces with CEDIA (the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association) to run Engineering Smart Home Networks; a conference consisting of free seminars which will help building services engineers, M&E consultants and contractors find out how electronic systems, including audio-visual, data, lighting control, security and HVAC can be successfully installed and integrated into significant residential schemes. 

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) welcomes the appointment of Paul Morrell as the Government Chief Construction Adviser (CCA). The new role will provide a single point of contact between government and industry, and an internal focus for resolving cross departmental issues.

Vaillant’s commitment to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions has been reinforced by an endorsement by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) across its entire ecoTEC boiler range. This applies to 20 natural gas and 13 LPG boilers, including the ecoTEC exclusive, ecoTEC plus, ecoTEC plus 937, ecoTEC pro and ecoTEC commercial range.

Businesses, energy suppliers and credit insurers must work together to avoid a credit crisis says npower, as businesses face potential new challenges in securing energy supplies as a result of the recession.

As we welcome in the New Year it is a good time to take a look at the industry and what is happening in it.

One area which will continue to shine is that of building controls and we couldn’t talk about this area of the industry without giving you one final reminder that the deadline for entries for the 2010 Building Controls Industry Awards is Friday 29 January 2010. You do still have a few days to spare but don’t leave it until the last minute or you may miss the deadline.

Yan Evans, Technical Director of Baxi Commercial Division discusses whether or not there is a valid argument for a commercial sector heating equipment scrappage scheme along the lines of the proposed domestic boiler scrappage scheme that has recently been tabled as an early day motion by MPs.

Over recent years a number of new pieces of legislation have come into force regulating the amount of energy usage in buildings. These support the government targets on reducing the amount of carbon emissions in the UK by 80% on 1990 levels by 2050. Further important changes to this legislation are on the cards.

The EnOcean Alliance has published the first global, open specification for energy harvesting wireless sensors which ensures interoperability between products of different manufacturers: EnOcean equipment profiles (EEPs). The specification, devised jointly by the members of the EnOcean Alliance, is public and accessible for anyone. It contains 50 equipment profiles supporting the development of a variety of solutions for building automation, such as switches, remote controls, sensors, sensor combinations and data of every kind. Publication of the specification is the first step taken by the EnOcean Alliance towards an international standard.

Wolseley UK is the latest business to lend its backing to the Get Britain Building (GBB) campaign. Get Britain Building – launched in February 2009 – is a pan-construction industry campaign determined to get politicians of all parties to recognise the value of the sector to the nation and to use it to rebuild the UK economy.

Dave Dossett, BEAMA’s Executive Chairman has been elected as President of CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation).

Mr Dossett’s appointment is part of a new CENELEC focus designed to impact on future European standardisation and the organisation’s own direction, governance and expansion through a common Management Centre for CEN and CENELEC (CCMC). 

If every person who started a Construction Apprenticeship this year stood arm-to-arm, they would stretch all the way around the new Olympic Stadium in London over 53 times, according to the National Apprenticeship Service which has launched its seventh annual Apprenticeship Awards.

Dave Lacey has been appointed Commercial Director for Vaillant in the UK and Ireland.  He is responsible for the continued development of the Vaillant business, including domestic and commercial boilers, renewable technologies, controls and hot water cylinders.

The Carbon Trust and the Strategic Forum for Construction (SFfC) have formed a partnership to help construction companies meet the targets of the joint government and industry Strategy for Sustainable Construction.

CHP manufacturer Baxi-SenerTec UK has won this year’s prestigious Combined Heat and Power Association Public Sector Award. The award was given in recognition of the work carried out by the company in partnership with the London Fire Brigade (LFB) to supply Dachs mini-CHP units to fire stations throughout the capital.

AECOM has welcomed the news that Newcastle upon Tyne has been named Britain's greenest city.

A report by think-tank, Forum for the Future, looked at the sustainability of the 20 biggest cities, measuring factors such as air quality, wildlife and quality of life. Newcastle, which beat 2008 winner Bristol into second, performed well on many measures of sustainability.

Delivering effective school environments that meet low or zero carbon targets will be a major challenge, according to the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), in a response to the DCFS Consultation on Carbon Management for Schools.

A Pipe Center customer has been presented with a state-of-the-art Rothenberger Roscope video inspection tool after winning top prize in a competition organised by BSEE.

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.

As we start off another year, it’s good to have some resolutions in mind. Perhaps 2010 should be the year when we all put cutting energy waste on our ‘to do’ list.

As with all resolutions, it’s easier to stick to the goal if you have a good reason. The past twelve months have been tough for all businesses, so it is useful to bear in mind that every pound saved from energy bills goes straight onto the bottom line. The Carbon Trust estimates that UK businesses are wasting £7 million a day on poor energy efficiency.

CP Electronics lighting controls have been installed in the conference facilities at the historic Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) Football Club. With hospitality events playing a vital role at Wolves, CP’s Rapid System was chosen to provide a flexible, scene setting solution that would enable the rooms to be used for a variety of functions, from corporate presentations to weddings.

Dimplex air source heat pumps have been installed in a new hotel to help meet Building Regulations and Merton Rule criteria.

The new £2.6 million Travelodge with 53 bedrooms is the first in the Wiltshire town of Devizes for 200 years and has three Dimplex LA 28 AS air source heat pumps to pre-heat domestic hot water for the hotel.

A novel connection solution by C & J Supplies Chesterfield Limited, using Wieland Electric’s RST pluggable connectors has proved successful in preventing damage to dado trunking in wards at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

JS Humidifiers has supplied and installed two Neptronic SKE resistive steam humidifiers and reverse osmosis water treatment systems to a leading data centre, Citadel 100, in Dublin.

The steam humidifiers can supply up to 140 litres of moisture every hour to help control the humidity around the 7,500sq m data halls and the water treatment systems remove most of the minerals from the supply water prior to boiling.

Completing a series of installations that see its lighting control systems powering each of a trio of the world’s largest cruise liners, Helvar has supplied the recently launched vessel, Independence of the Seas with a comprehensive lighting control solution.

Lighting Technology is experiencing a period of rapid change. Not since Thomas Edison invented the light bulb in the 1870s have there been such radical developments as we see in lighting today, which is driven by the need to reduce CO2 emissions and protect the environment.

It has been a difficult period for the Building Services sector and like most of the areas within the Construction industry the recession has hit hard. Project funding has been cut along with capital expenditure. This combined with the problems in the general economy has inevitably led to redundancies and job losses and seen a huge talent pool created of people looking for work.

Tackling climate change is a key challenge for all. The move to a virtually zero carbon electricity system will be essential if the UK is to achieve an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050. Renewable energy, in particular, will play a vital role and the Energy Act of November 2008 sets out a series of provisions in order to help the government meet its targets.

I think it’s fair to say that if the building services industry let out a collective sigh of relief now we have seen the back of 2009 it would be fully deserved.

It was only two years ago when the house building boom of the early 90’s was showing its first signs of slowing down, giving us an indication that something was on the horizon. However, at this point the new build market remained stable, with 100%, even 120% mortgages still easily obtainable, meaning consumer confidence remained high.

The Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRCEES) is a carbon cap and trade scheme that is designed for non-intensive energy users in the public and private sectors. It is a complex piece of legislation that exposes a number of potential conflicts. Making it work will depend on input from facilities management specialists, such as the collection of data and energy efficiency advice and implementation.

Grundfos has become a well-known name in the supply of high quality pumps for commercial building services applications heating, air conditioning and pressure boosting but have not necessarily been the first name to spring to mind when considering wastewater pump suppliers. 

Dalkia is launching a wide range of energy efficient solutions to provide sustainable energy for users in the UK. Designed to reduce carbon emissions and cost, the services will provide new technologies for industry, healthcare and district heating and a wide range of other applications. The service confirms Dalkia’s position as a leading international supplier of energy solutions, backed by a new investment capability.

AmbiRad has launched two innovative brochures showcasing its complete range, including its latest controller, SmartCom3.

For optimum energy management control, SmartCom3 is the intelligent way to manage the energy you use. Developed in order to satisfy the growing need for higher efficiencies and to complement the development of efficient heating systems, SmartCom3 provides a true cost effective energy management solution.

Enter the Grundfos new web portal and see the all new web window that will help to simplify pump selection by making available to you for the first time a one stop shop for commercial building services professionals.

BSS Industrial has launched the most comprehensive drainage catalogue in the industry, detailing the 12,000 products now available through specialist BSS Drainage outlets.

The drainage product guide has been produced as an essential reference tool for customers wanting to benefit from the extensive range stocked at six BSS Drainage outlets. With clear, colour-coordinated sections, the catalogue will help customers to find the best product for the job whilst introducing them to the brand new services BSS Drainage offers.

The one-stop, high power solutions service operated by Zucchini, for consultants and contractors concerned with high power distribution projects, has become increasingly popular this year.

Hoval has now extended the capacity of its high-efficiency UltraGas condensing gas boiler range to 1MW. Single UltraGas units now offer capacities from 50kW to 1000kW, while twin UltraGas units offer outputs from 250kW to 2000kW – complete with common flue and optional pipework/header kits.

New from Danlers is the heater boost switch for the control of electric heating loads which automatically turns the load off after a selected time period has elapsed.

There are four different time settings to choose from (15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours). Pressing the button selects each time lag choice in turn.

The new Daikin VRV-Q system represents an innovative and highly cost effective upgrade for VRV systems still operating on shortly to be banned R-22 refrigerant. 

Scheduled for introduction to the market from February 2010, the Daikin replacement VRV-Q comes in nine heat pump and heat recovery models with capacities between 5 and 30HP and offers drastically increased efficiencies and hence, reduced energy consumption.

Lochinvar has launched the TT range of high efficiency condensing water heaters and boilers.

The TT is available as a heating boiler, or as a dedicated direct gas-fired water heater. Twin modulating pre-mix burners and a triple pass heat exchanger are the design principles of this product which operates at efficiencies of up to 97% (gross).

Here's the best news ever for specifiers and contractors in the general purpose floodlighting business. It’s the new Thorn Areaflood range, a complete matching series of discharge and compact fluorescent luminaires from 42W to 600W. The aluminium floodlight is based on the Champion sports projector, with an inclined front glass and integrated visor giving precise light control.

Now available from Powrmatic is a range of Powrmaster air rotation cabinet heaters designed to deliver high volumes of air at low velocity and low delivery air temperatures.

New from Megaman, is the slender GU9 Compatible 9W lamp which has been specifically designed for use in narrow fixtures.

Ideal as a direct replacement for 35W G9 halogen light sources, the GU9 Compatible provides a variety of benefits which includes massive energy savings of up to 80% and less heat emission than its halogen equivalent. 

Amtech Group has launched LUCKINSlive.com, the first ever free online information service for the entire building services industry, comprising mechanical, electrical and plumbing sectors.

LUCKINSlive is set to become the largest single source of information on up to 750,000 building services products; including brochures, specification sheets, images, videos and more. This information is free to access and is available 24 hours a day - with no login required.

GEM is expanding its product range with the launch of a state-of-the-art Ceramic Microfiltration System (CMF). Able to remove suspended and emulsified containments from wastewater without the addition of treatment chemicals, GEM’s CMF provides companies with a massive reduction in water and effluent costs. 

Despite what the industry may believe there is a viable alternative to heat recovery ventilation systems in dwellings and commercial buildings and it has been used successfully on the European continent for many years.

Rhoss spa, represented exclusively in the UK by the Coolmation Group, has launched its new innovative predictive control system, Adaptive Function Plus (AFP) and is now integrating it as the standard control system in its range of multi scroll compressor chillers and heat pumps.

Mitsubishi Electric has launched a new series of outdoor units for both the City Multi and Mr Slim air conditioning systems with the Zubadan range, which provide excellent heating performance even at outside ambient temperatures as low as -25ºC.

SAV Systems has launched a new range of Electro-Thermal Actuators purpose designed for accurate energy-efficient control of underfloor heating systems.

Soler & Palau has launched a brand new range of high efficiency, low noise level centrifugal plug fans - The BPF range. With a particular emphasis on structural rigidity and robust construction the range offers an unparalleled combination of performance, efficiency and low noise level. The BPF direct-drive backward curved range sets a new benchmark in plug fan assemblies for air handling unit manufacturers and other OEMs.

The Avant-garde collection of fan convectors from Dunham Bush offers significant energy savings over conventional fan convectors without sacrificing comfort and performance.

MHS Boilers has launched a new range of 24 light commercial and industrial biomass boilers with outputs from 30kW to 5.8MW. There are two types in the Combustor range – large commercial/industrial boilers with external fans and fuel delivery/de-ashing systems and smaller light industrial boilers with fully integrated fuel delivery/de-ashing systems.

The Powerstream Professional electric flow boiler from Redring provides a versatile and safe way of heating water, perfect for buildings without a connection to the mains gas supply.

Clearvision Lighting has adopted TridinicAtco's Talexx EM-AP light engine for use with its Kallista luminaire range. Clearvision is an ergonomic lighting company and one of this country's leading experts in creating artificial daylight environments, specialising in the workplace, education and healthcare sectors.

The latest addition to the Seaward range of hand held electrical installation testers is the IRT1557 combined insulation and continuity tester.

The new lightweight instrument is designed to meet the measurement requirements of the IEE 17th Edition Wiring Regulations and Part P certification.

A forthcoming and important European Commission Directive drawing up new requirements for calculating and expressing air conditioning equipment performance has already been pre empted by Daikin Europe and incorporated in its new Seasonal Inverter RZQ-E range.  

An innovative pre-warming system which helps ensure effective control of the internal environment has been developed by the leading natural ventilation solutions provider, Passivent Commercial Ltd.

The world’s most advanced heat pump, drawing on inexhaustible natural energy from the air surrounding it has been launched by Rotex, market leaders in green heating systems. The revolutionary Heat Pump Solar Unit (HPSU) hitemp represents the latest in technological advancement - promising to halve energy bills.

Purmo’s Ramo is a stylish panel radiator that is engineered with a concealed pipe system and integrated valve body to provide not only an attractive, minimalist design radiator but a product with installation versatility for the engineer. 

Reliability and simplicity is the hallmark of the Ultracom cxi/cx: this range of high efficiency condensing combis incorporates a stainless steel heat exchanger along with the option to add a plug-in analogue timer providing simple control of this high performance appliance. The top of the range cxi has the additional benefit of a back-lit digital display.

Collingwood Lighting has introduced the UL030 universal LED. Offering sleek aesthetics and a high powered LED output, its robust design and long lasting light source makes the UL030 an ideal IP68 light for exterior applications.

Osram has restructured its range of DULUX compact fluorescent lamps with pin bases in order to meet professional lighting requirements even more effectively. In addition, the lifetime and efficiency of the lamps has been improved. The range has been split into three categories based on the key benefits of each product and the packaging has been updated to clearly display each lamp’s unique feature. Thanks to this new segmentation, choosing the right light for any application has never been easier.

Glow-worm’s Flexicom cx is a compact and flexible range of high efficiency condensing combis, all SEDBUK A rated boasting a direct rear flue, along with the lowest emissions on the market. Flexicom is ideal for fitting in those hard-to-get-to spaces - and will fit into a kitchen cupboard.

Leading shower manufacturer Galaxy has announced that it is diversifying into water heating. Over the next year, Galaxy will be launching a number of vented, unvented and instantaneous water heating products that will be affordable and straightforward to install.

Andrews has introduced the first commercial internal wall mounted condensing gas-fired continuous flow water heater available on the UK market, the condensing FASTflo, which offers efficiency levels of up to 103%.

Dimplex is expanding its portfolio of low carbon heating solutions with the launch of SmartRad, a range of wall-mounted fan convector radiators offering a cost effective, responsive and energy efficient alternative to underfloor heating or conventional radiators for heat pump systems.