Monitoring carbon-dioxide levels in a building enables ventilation to be controlled according to occupancy and to maintain indoor air quality — efficiently. Bill McConnell examines the benefits that can be obtained.

As part of the conversion of a barn in Pershore, Worcester, a Vaillant solar system has been installed to help meet the demand for domestic hot water. The family for which the conversion was being carried out consulted with Vale Heating, which specified installing a Vaillant solar auroTherm system to provide 50 to 60% of the hot-water requirement.

With today’s overriding concerns about energy efficiency, is the building services sector missing a great opportunity to make their buildings more efficient.

Energy-efficient heating and cooling for a hospital in Poole is provided by a Daikin VRV heat-recovery air-conditioning system.

A low-energy approach to reducing temperatures in outpatient waiting areas in an east-Midlands hospital is provided by EcoCooling evaporative cooling used as part of a balanced-ventilation system. A typical EcoCooler rated at 30 kW can reduce electricity costs by over £2000 a year and carbon emissions by 10 t compared to an equivalent refrigeration-based system.

A fresh approach to adiabatic cooling can provide an ideal solution where new or additional comfort cooling is required. Chris Ree explains how.

Among a range of green-engineering solutions serving a flagship primary school in Altrincham is Passivent natural ventilation. Other features include solar panels, rainwater harvesting and a wind turbine to generate electricity.

Energy-efficient heating and hot water for the new Olympic Pavilion at the Trailfinders Sports Club in Ealing are provided by stainless-steel condensing boilers supplied by Clyde Energy Solutions.

To provide heating for the refurbished Roman Catholic church in Sligo, Ireland, Toshiba Super Digital inverter wall-mounted units have been installed.

Simply delivering energy-efficient products as its contribution to reducing the threat of climate change was not enough for Sanyo, which has adopted the Think-Gaia concept to direct its future development.

The role of system installers in the market for controls and building-management systems is growing, according to figures compiled by the Building Controls Industry Association — but service and maintenance work shows a sharp decline.

A new SeaChange controller for underfloor heating can provide independent temperature control of heating zones in underfloor heating schemes. This controller, from SC Controls, operates with a SeaChange control system to deliver a demand-based environment. This level of integration ensures boiler plant and associated heating pumps operate only when there is a demand from the heating zones.

A ceiling-mounted presence detector that can be surface- or flush-mounted onto a British Standard switch box has been introduced by CP Electronics. The SPIR-F/C detector monitors the zone and switches on automatically when occupancy is detected and off a preset time after the area has been vacated. The time delay can be adjusted from 10 s to 30 min. If there is sufficient natural light, a built-in photocell keeps the lighting off.

National wholesaler WF Electrical now stocks a broad range of HVAC equipment from many leading manufacturers, giving installers access to huge stocks from a large number of branches for next-day or same-day deliver. Customers can also buy from any branch using a national account.

A building-management system designed and installed by Campbell Control Services using equipment from Priva Building Intelligence is providing precise control of temperature and humidity to help protect 100 years of screen history at the Scottish Screen Archive in Glasgow.

When the question, ‘Are integrated/open systems the smart move?’ was presented to a panel discussion at the recent conference of the Building Controls Industry Association David Kitching of Siemens Building Technologies was in his element in presenting a resounding ‘yes’.

Helping to halve the energy consumption of new buildings in the City of London compared with similar buildings is the installation of a £1.8 million shell-and-core building-management system by Integrated Control Systems. The project includes 201 Bishopsgate and the Broadgate Tower.

Following the installation of a Honeywell Enterprise Buildings Integrator (EBI), RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire can strengthen the control of its site-wide building-automation system to increase energy savings.

Grasslin reports that its Famoso heating controls are increasingly being chosen as installers and specifiers follow the lead of major boiler manufacturers that have selected these control devices for heating systems using their boiler.

KNX, formerly called EIB European Installation Bus) is an international standard that enables products from different manufacturers to be integrated and programmed into a single installation. This open standard for home and building control complies with EN 50090, EN 13321-1 and ISO/IEC 14543.

Trend Control Systems has selected BSRIA to test its individual zone controllers as part of the process of applying for eu.bac certification. Only products that are tested by an authorised laboratory can now obtain this certification and carry the eu.bac mark. The mark is an expression of energy-efficient performance, and quality assurance, and Trend plans to be among the first in Europe to apply it to its controls.

Achieving the best results from a natural ventilation system requires optimal control of a number of parameters. John Fallon explains the importance of a fully integrated approach.

As an experienced energy manager, Darren Jones believes that too much faith is placed in the building-management system to achieve the efficient operation of building-services systems. He argues the need to get away from the central supervisor and find out what is actually happening in the building.

The UK has an ideal climate for solar heating, and consulting engineers are more involved than ever in harnessing this valuable natural resource, says Paul Jakeway.

Poor-quality water has a serious adverse effect on piped services, as Tony Frost explains.

You cannot avoid cooling in many buildings, so it is important to deliver that cooling with the minimum use of energy — which is what recent developments by Trox achieve.

IDS Refrigeration has declared that it will only supply refrigerants to contracting companies which employ engineers suitably trained and qualified to work on air-conditioning and refrigeration systems.

With A-level results due this month, a new crop of students is about to hit our universities — making it a good time to remind the industry of CIBSE’s student bursary scheme. It was set up in 2004 to support students who might not otherwise embark on a course in building-services engineering. In the past, bursaries have been made available for undergraduates and graduate students.

The world distance record for an AA-06 (37 000 ft3) balloon has been broken by Toshiba-sponsored David Hempleman-Adams by crossing the Atlantic in an open wicker basket. This is the smallest gas balloon ever to attempt this flight, with a basket 4 ft square. The new record is 3434 km

New ideas for summertime cooling of buildings are among projects being researched at Loughborough University by a new professorship for innovative energy use sponsored by E.ON. Prof. Dennis Loveday, a leading expert in buildings and their energy systems, has been appointed to the post, which has been established under the Research Chair Scheme of the Royal Academy of Engineering. The research programme focuses on developing new innovative ways of producing, distributing and using energy in a climate-friendly way.

Trend Control Systems has emerged as overall winner of the prestigious 2007 Manufacturing Excellence Awards. The judges’ summary of this manufacturer of building-management systems remarked on ‘an outstanding record in product innovation, process innovation, customer focus and business development’.

Following a fund-raising event at one of the most high-profile projects in the north of England, M&E company SES has given over £13 000 to local charities. Construction workers involved in Bridgewater Place in central Leeds were challenged to race to the top of this 32-storey landmark — over 600 steps. SES electrician Richard Dobson won with a time of 4 min 11 s.

Emcel Filters celebrated its 50th anniversary last month by sponsoring the county cricket match between Sussex and Durham at the beautiful Horsham ground. Founded by the present chairman Dennis Marshall, the company designs and makes specialist air filters and filtration equipment for many diverse applications.

Building-services consultancy Foreman Roberts is under new ownership following a management buyout by its 8-strong management team led by managing director Stuart Alexander. As part of the long-term succession plan, the deal will see control transferred from Barry Shaw and Richard Kennedy to the existing directors — backed by private investment. Barry Shaw will continue in an advisory role.

As part of a training initiative with Lyon University in France, Carrier has launched a training facility to provide courses for 75 university students a year and to fulfil its training needs for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Lyon University donated the training facility, which is near to Carrier’s French factory, while Carrier supplied the equipment.

Michael Dickson, founder of consulting-engineering practice Buro Happold, has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Engineering from the University of Bath.

Daikin Europe has reported 24% growth for its latest financial year, with consolidated net sales of u1.5 billion. Factors contributing to this growth includes the extended summer weather last year, tax incentives related to energy efficiency, the continuing strength of the construction industry and product innovations by Daikin.

Honeywell has moved into lighting control with the acquisition of Ex-Or. The company develops, manufactures and distributes intelligent, energy-saving lighting controls and will become part of Honeywell’s business unit for environmental controls and combustion. Ex-Or will retain its brand and continue to trade as Ex-Or.

BSS, which distributes pipeline and heating solutions, has signed its biggest and most important contract to date with Aspire Defence Capital Works. BSS will be one of the main suppliers to a 9-year building programme that will provide 11 500 new and refurbished rooms for soldiers. The Aspire Defence Project also includes a 35-year facilities-management role.

Ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia has positioned itself to become a major player in the UK air-conditioning market by forming an alliance with air-conditioning manufacturer Samsung.

Balfour Kilpatrick has been awarded a £4 million contract to supply and install all M&E services for a new-build hotel and retail development in the heart of Edinburgh’s old town. The development on the George IV Bridge, will include a 136-bedroom Missoni hotel. Work is due to start on site early in 2008 with completion for early 2009

Bitzer has made significant investments in its production facilities at Milton Keynes to improve production of LH condensing units dressed for the UK market and refrigeration racks built for other Bitzer Group subsidiaries.

Lochinvar has launched a new initiative to raise funds for the National Energy Foundation by making a donation to the NEF for every product in its latest range of water heaters sold during 2007.

Toshiba Corporation is sponsoring the Rugby World Cup 2007, to be held in France, Wales and Scotland this autumn.

SAS CoolCeil chilled ceilings have been specified for all six floors of a prestigious new development in Dublin. Formerly known as Comlstock House, 75 St Stephen’s Green has been extensively refurbished and extended to provide 10 000 m2 of state-of-the-art office accommodation.

As part of the complete transformation of The Bury retirement home at Codicote in Hertfordshire, Broag 210 gas-fire boilers have been installed to provide space heating and hot water. The Bury comprises a 16th-century manor house with 1980s annex and is owned an run by the Johnnie Johnson Housing Association.

Energy-management specialist AEC has helped reduce gas used by heating systems at the Tower of London by 28%, equivalent to 160 t of carbon dioxide a year.

The £4.5 million contract awarded to NG Bailey for the Milton Keynes Stadium has been completed on time to enable Football League 2 team MK Dons to use it from the start of the new season. The stadium is owned by Inter MK and can stage major sporting and music events.

Alldales is supplying, installing and commissioning 50 inverter drives for air-handling units and plant-room fans serving plots three and four of the More London development on London’s South Bank. Assisting in the rapid completion of the interior infrastructure is the small-form factor of Alldale’s drives, reduced cabling requirements and integration capability.

A single Geminox condensing boiler with an output of 100 kW serves 21 apartments in Vincent Square, London, for the Dominion Housing Group via 21 Geminox Modusat Satellite heating units.

This new visitors’ centre of Ness Botanic Gardens in Neston, South Wirral is designed as a low-energy building and heated by two Broag Quinta 85 gas-fired boilers. They achieve a gross efficiency of 99% with flow/return temperatures of 40/30°C and ultra-low NOx emissions.

To reduce the energy used by lighting in new school buildings, Ex-or lighting-control systems are being installed in schools throughout England. Lighting can account for up to half the electricity consumption of a typical school, and a lighting-control system can halve this consumption — reducing a school’s overall energy use by a quarter.

An island of working comfort has been created inside the Great Hall of Church House in Salisbury by an Even-Heat underfloor heating system. It heats a platform inside the hall to provide comfortable conditions for administrative staff — even though the ceiling is 10 m above them.

The hot-water requirements of the new National Tennis Centre of the Lawn Tennis Association at Roehampton are met by a Lochinvar copper-fin water heater and two storage tanks. The equipment provides hot water for showers in the changing area, the residential facilities, medical suite and kitchen.

Eaton wiring accessories with clip-on plates have been installed at a major business park in south east London to meet disability requirements.

One of Europe’s largest mobile cranes was called in when the complexity of installing rooftop equipment for the air-conditioning system installed as part of the refurbishment of Ofwat’s Birmingham headquarters became apparent.

Keraflo has supplied control valves for water-storage tanks at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium to ensure that the 130 000 litre tank prior to the booster set is filled as quickly as possible. These delayed-action valves ensure high flow rates.

What is believed to be one of the largest emergency-lighting systems in Europe with centralised monitoring and testing includes a wide range of equipment supplied by Ventilux. The company supplied emergency luminaires, central-battery supplies and a centralised system for testing and monitoring for the Paradise Project in Liverpool This massive development by Grosvenor comprises 30 major buildings, including banks, department stores, hotels and residential accommodation, in 42 acres between Liverpool City Centre and the Albert Dock.

Recent independent tests of the quality of pool water in a leisure centre showed a dramatic improvement following the installation of a Hanovia medium-pressure UV system. The test were carried out at Lightwaves Leisure Centre in Wakefield by WRK Design & Services Ltd.

Kingspan’s preinsulated KoolDuct system has been installed in the new £6 million student centre of the University of Lincoln, and left exposed against open ceilings painted black as part of the design.

Hager’s Klik digital connection system (DCS) for lighting control has been installed in the new headquarters of Angus Council to meet amended Scottish Building Regulations. This 3-storey building accommodates 300 people.

Combined-heat-and-power plant installed at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle has reduced carbon emissions by over 2800 t since it was installed.

Mitsubishi Electric’s latest product catalogue of air-conditioning products now includes a price list.

Glow-worm has issued comprehensive technical literature on its Ultracom range of boilers, which includes a users’ step-by-step guide to using the range’s new digital programmer. This information is available in printed format or on a DVD.

The 2007 catalogue of European valve manufacturer Hora is available from Slaney Direct. The product range covers HVAC control valves, mixing valves and electric linear and quarter-turn actuators.

Vortice has developed a program to simplify the sourcing of ventilation products. The FastFan program enables users to browse or search directly for industrial, commercial and domestic fans from the company’s entire range of inline, centrifugal, axial and roof fans.

Legrand’s latest catalogue of products and systems for electrical installations and information networks runs to 504 pages. It includes all the company’s 40 000-plus variants for the commercial, industrial and residential segments and is available in printed format (A4 and A5) and on CD-ROM.

Extensive improvements to the car-parks web site of Flakt Woods have made it easier to get updated information on the company’s car-park ventilation systems.

Anders Heating has launched a new web site with online resources for green heating solutions. The site shows the full scope of the business of Anders Heating. It also provides technical information and a large set of previously asked questions, with their answers.

Rafiki Protection has made available a free pocket-sized guide to the design of fire-alarm systems. This guide is in line with BS 5839 safety standards and offers a clear explanation on all aspects of designing fire-alarm and detection systems. It explains the categorising of fire-alarm and detection systems and covers sounder devices, smoke devices and heat devices.

Included in TSI Instruments’ redesigned line of Airflow Instruments for ventilation testing is the new TA460 thermal anemometer for accurately measuring air velocity, air flow, temperature, humidity and pressure — all at the same time. The five measurements are shown on the large graphic display.

Floor-standing indoor air-conditioning units from Daikin use R410A and come in three sizes. All FVXS-F models can be used in ‘pair’ and ‘multi’ configuration and have particularly high COPs and EERs when coupled to Daikin’s new RK/XS outdoor units, with all models have category A energy-efficiency ratings.

Glow-worm has added to its range of domestic heating boilers with the introduction of Flexicom 30 kW heating-only boiler and 30 kW sealed-system appliance.

Daikin Europe has introduced energy-efficient and updated inverter-driven R410A split air-conditioning combinations. FTK/XS-F and RK/XS-F units are available in heat-pump and cooling-only versions in 50, 60 and 71 classes.

The Ecovector fan convector from Smith’s Environmental Products is designed to closely resemble a radiator but deliver the performance of a fan convector. There are two models, and they are said to run so quietly that it difficult to tell if a unit is on. Features include simple controls and a built-in thermostat.

Crane’s PosiFlex full-bore elastomeric expansion joints can accommodate all types of movement in pipework — axial expansion and contraction, lateral, angular, torsional and vibrational — simultaneously and without embrittlement or fatigue. Large pipe movements are absorbed with minimal face-to-face dimensions.

Johnson Controls has launched a heat-pump version of the popular York Tempo range of chillers to supply warm and chilled water for air-conditioning applications.

Thermal Technology’s Recupopak range of ventilation/heat-recovery units is based on a single section containing fans, filters, energy recovery and heat-pump circuit to provide heating and cooling. The heat pump uses low-noise scroll compressors and heats or cools incoming fresh air according to the season.

Daikin Europe has completed its Sky Air Super Inverter Series of air-conditioning units with a new 140 class unit and updated 100 and 125 class units.

Gardner Energy Management has added to its range of venturi steam traps five sizes for screwed pipework. Sapphire units come in five sizes from 15 to 50 mm and are made from corrosion-resistant stainless steel. The three smallest sizes have a strainer and unions as standard

Grundfos has introduced a complete series of re-engineered close-coupled and long-coupled pumps that comply with EN733 and ISO2858.

Panasonic’s Flexi System air-conditioning range uses inverter technology for maximum efficiency and thermal performance. There are single and double-split options (with one outdoor unit serving two indoor units) delivering 5.6 to 12.5 kW of cooling and 7 to 14 kW of heating.

Autodesk has unveiled a preview of Autodesk Impression software in Europe to help architects and other CAD users create illustrative presentation graphics from DWG and DWF files. This software eliminates the work previously required to develop compelling images from CAD drawings.

Marshall Tufflex’s MT32 power-connection system uses a compact 32 A connector that provides a complete solution all the way from the power inlet to the final outlet. — whether it be underfloor, perimeter trunking, dry-lined construction or a multitude of other applications. The concept requires no on-site wiring and significantly reduces installation time. All components are pre-wired and pretested.

Air Diffusion has launched a range of adjustable-swirl diffusers for heating and cooling. The range includes motorised models which can be used with the ADT-1 differential thermostat to set up an automatic system.

The Cirrus KC range of direct/indirect suspended luminaires from Riegens Lighting combines a specially developed optical system with very slim panels to offer decoration and illumination. The development of this range is based on research into Circadian Rhythms, signals that body clocks produce to indicate when to be active and when to sleep.

Charles Austen Pumps has applied its expertise in condensate pumps for air conditioning to develop a version for use with condensing boilers.

Mitsubishi Electric has introduced control panels to make life easier for air-conditioning and electrical contractors who have previously faced the difficult issue of installing energy meters. Installing them has always been complex because there is a lot of wiring between current transformers and energy meters (a current transformer has a current in its secondary winding proportional to the current in its primary).

Hydromag physical water conditioners from Hydrotec are available in eight sizes to handle flows from 0.1 to 30.5 l/s. They are WRAS approved and compliant with impending EU legislation for EMF radiation.

Xpelair has introduced a comprehensive range of small-scale wind turbines. The launch of this range follows a major investment in Eclectic Energy, a long-established manufacturer of wind turbines.

The new Crowcon Hydra addressable gas detection system provides a novel way of detecting toxic gasses such as CO2, NOx and petrol vapour from vehicle exhausts in underground car parks.

Following the introduction of legislation banning smoking in public buildings, Frico has introduced a range of weatherproof electric heaters for outdoor use.

EC Power, which supplies micro combined-heat-and-power systems, has announced that its range of engines will run on renewable biofuels. The 13 kW(e) model can run on biogas and the 17 kW(e) diesel unit can run on 100% biodiesel.

Walney UK has been given the UK distribution rights of the ProjectClima range of designer radiators. They are built using a variety of tiles in different shapes, colours and finishes. The customer has complete control over the design or can order from an existing gallery of designs.

As part of its range of renewable-heating products, Nu-way has launched a ground-source heat pump for domestic use.

Heatline’s air-source heat pump can generate hot water with a COP of 3.25. The storage tank has a capacity of 300 l and takes 7 h to heat to its maximum temperature of 55°C. The unit can be installed in a garage, loft space or utility room.

Fire and rescue work can be hot and dirty, so when the heating and hot-water system at Bolton’s Central Fire Station was renewed, it was important to ensure high efficiency as well as meeting the station’s considerable heating and hot-water loads. Four Viessmann Vitodens 300 condensing boilers at 66 kW each were installed in a cascade system.

Merlin Power Management has launched a new concept in generator servicing called Powercare Premier. Combining remote generator monitoring, refuelling and a rapid response 24/7 service package, Powercare Premier provides companies with a cost effective fully integrated solution for the care and maintenance of their standby diesel generator.

Over 500 Crane Dominator units are being installed as part of the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems within the new 10-storey headquarters of the Northern Rock Building Society in Newcastle

Building automation is now easier and less expensive with cost-reducing variants of Excel Web, a freely programmable building-automation controller from CentraLine by Honeywell.

A new training academy for Chelsea Football Club has the entire heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems controlled by Hattersley valves.

Ideal Boilers is kicking off the summer by launching a host of promotions on its popular range of IMAX commercial appliances.

QHi Group’s Exertherm continuous thermal monitoring system is now supplied with lifetime calibration and a lifetime warranty.

Pump manufacturer KSB has announced the arrival of its new mini-Compacta lifting unit, designed for a wide variety of applications.

Life at EWEtopia is more comfortable for the little lambs since the Big Sheep decided to install a new heating system. With a Reznor V3 UDSA downflow heater to warm things up, mums, dads and their offspring are ‘flocking’ to see what it’s all about.

Lenze has taken out cost and complexity from vector-based motor control in the new SMV frequency inverter.

The new Cablestik cable holder from Thorsman keeps cables clean, tidy, untangled and readily accessible while carrying out panel wiring and electrical installation work. Convenient and easy to use, Cablestik is free standing with a high loading capacity and allowing support of multiple cable reels simultaneously.

LG is now offering full and comprehensive training courses on all aspects of Art Cool installation. The course is specifically tailored to contractors which supply and install the Art Cool range.

The new Spygas Freon from Telegan Gas Monitoring is designed to help air-conditioning and refrigeration engineers detect Freon leaks and check pipe-joint tightness in hard-to-reach or dark areas quickly and safely.

Redring’s Aqualoy stainless-steel range of large unvented water storage heaters incorporate a low-noise immersion heater in response to customer demand and can deliver a flow of 55 l/min. They can supply a shower without the need for a separate pump.

Climate-control specialists Tekion has launched a franchise division — Tekion Climate Controls — and appointed its first franchisee, Chris Petty from Huddersfield.

An air-sampling smoke-detection system from Wagner UK’s popular Titanus range provides early-warning smoke detection for the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Norwich. Titanus ASD system were chosen for their ability to detect fires at a very early stage, often before smouldering is visible and smoke develops, providing the highest level of protection for this historic building.

An air-sampling smoke-detection system from Wagner UK’s popular Titanus range provides early-warning smoke detection for the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Norwich. Titanus ASD system were chosen for their ability to detect fires at a very early stage, often before smouldering is visible and smoke develops, providing the highest level of protection for this historic building.

Lighting is a major user of energy in commercial buildings — and much of that energy is used unnecessarily. Neil Jones highlights the benefits of controlling lighting.