Products & Materials : Building Systems & Appliances News
DON’T MISS THE BIGGEST EVENT IN THE BUILDING CONTROLS SECTOR IN 2025!

Don’t miss the biggest event in the building controls sector in 2025!

BCIA AWARDS NOW OPEN FOR ENTRY! Anticipation is building towards the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) Awards 2025. Entries for the 10 award categories are now open, so place your nominations today! Following on from last year’s incredibly successful event and celebrating the best the building controls sector has to

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NIBE partners with Ziegler to enhance its delivery

NIBE partners with Ziegler to enhance its delivery

NIBE Energy Systems, Europe’s leading heat pump manufacturer, has enhanced its UK delivery service by partnering with the Ziegler Group, a global logistics provider that shares NIBE’s ethos of maintaining a human, customer-focused and sustainable approach at the core if its operations. NIBE deliveries now come from Ziegler’s brand-new state-of-the-art

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NEW JOHNSON CONTROLS REPORT SHOWS SMART BUILDINGS A COMPETITIVE EDGE FOR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AND RETAIL LEADERS

New Johnson Controls report shows smart buildings a competitive edge for commercial real estate and retail leaders

As the commercial real estate sector faces unprecedented challenges and against the backdrop of New York Climate Week 2024, the biggest annual climate event of its kind, the movement toward smarter buildings is top of mind. Building on a 2023 commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), a

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Fujitsu backing Luke Haile in 'Skills Olympics'

Fujitsu backing Luke Haile in ‘Skills Olympics’

Hot on the heels of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, a young engineer from the UK is aiming to fly the flag at this month’s “Skills Olympics’’ in France, with continued backing from Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK. Luke Haile, a refrigeration technician from Lightfoot Defence, will represent the UK

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The future of energy efficiency lies in breaking system barriers – Helvar Senses now commercially available

The future of energy efficiency lies in breaking system barriers – Helvar Senses now commercially available

Helvar, a leading innovator in intelligent lighting solutions, is excited to announce the official commercial launch of Helvar Senses, an advanced environmental sensing solution integrated into lighting controls. Building on insights gained from pilot projects across various industries, including a successful trial with Rejlers in Sweden, Helvar Senses is now available to the

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HiiLIFE appoints award-winning new sales director

HiiLIFE appoints award-winning new sales director

Technology provider HiiLIFE has announced the appointment of Oliver O’Hare as its first sales director. Hiring a new senior team member marks a significant step in HiiLIFE’s ongoing expansion, with Oliver bringing a wealth of experience in the engineering and HVAC sectors to the team. ​ HiiLIFE, provides bespoke luxury

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Baxi launches end-to-end heat network solutions service

Baxi launches end-to-end heat network solutions service

Baxi has launched a complete end-to-end range of products and services, including new AquaHeat heat interface units (HIUs), to provide a single point of contact for customers involved in heat network projects. From carrying out initial feasibility and design studies to supplying prefabricated centralised energy centres and HIUs to driving efficient

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Latest Issue
Issue 338 : Mar 2026

Products & Materials : Building Systems & Appliances News

DON’T MISS THE BIGGEST EVENT IN THE BUILDING CONTROLS SECTOR IN 2025!

Don’t miss the biggest event in the building controls sector in 2025!

BCIA AWARDS NOW OPEN FOR ENTRY! Anticipation is building towards the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) Awards 2025. Entries for the 10 award categories are now open, so place your nominations today! Following on from last year’s incredibly successful event and celebrating the best the building controls sector has to offer, the BCIA Awards 2025 will take place on Thursday 1st May 2025 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham. As one of the sector’s hottest yearly events, the Awards evening is one not to be missed – there are also plenty of seats and tables available, so make sure to secure your attendance. Recognised as the biggest awards in the building controls and Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) industry, the BCIA awards shine a spotlight on the talented professionals that make up the building controls sector. There are ten different categories available to enter, with some sponsorship opportunities also available. These are: Building Controls and BEMS Installer of the Year (sponsored by Trend Control Systems Ltd) This award recognises the building controls and/or BEMS installer that most demonstrates commitment, professionalism, and understanding of client needs. Engineer of the Year (sponsored by BCIA Operations Ltd) Awarded to individuals working for building controls manufacturers, consulting engineers, installers, or facility management companies who best demonstrate engineering excellence in BEMS and building controls. Young Engineer of the Year  This award is given to the individual aged 35 years or under who best demonstrates the achievements gained through successful participation in and completion of the BCIA Technical Training Programme and other building controls educational programmes. Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Group Horizon) An award given to the individual who best demonstrates the achievements gained through successful participation in and completion of an approved BEMS or building controls apprenticeship. Energy Management Award (sponsored by Priva UK Ltd) Awarded to a team, installer, or manufacturer in recognition of a project which demonstrates how building controls and/or BEMS have been installed to increase energy efficiency in a building or premises. Best Service & Maintenance Provider (sponsored by Western Automation) An award given to the company that best demonstrates outstanding levels of customer care in the provision of long-term maintenance and service contracts for building controls and BEMS. Technical Innovation of the Year – Products (sponsored by CIBSE) Awarded to the most innovative BEMS/building controls product development launched in the past 12 months. Technical Innovation of the Year – Projects This award is presented to the project team/installer that best demonstrates innovation and the deployment of smart technology to create a sustainable building/complex. Contribution to Training Award An award given to the organisation, company, or individual that has contributed to training on the design, installation, and/or use of BEMS and building controls. Outstanding Contribution of the Year Award (sponsored by BCIA) Unlike previous years and the other awards, this cannot be self-nominated – peers must nominate individuals who they believe have made a significant and consistent contribution to the building controls sector. This individual will have demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting the building controls and BEMS industry, such as helping to raise awareness of the importance of controls, supporting the BCIA in its work, or helping to raise standards in training and performance for our industry. The Management Committee will be looking for the nominating party to provide a statement, with a minimum of 100 and maximum of 300 words, that explains the clear contribution the nominee has made to the industry as a whole and/or association. This could include any differences or impact the contribution has had, how the individual’s work has changed processes, or how they have innovated or raised the profile of the industry. All award entries can now be entered using the online entry system, which allows you to start, edit, view, and download your entry before submitting it. The closing date for entries is Thursday 23rd January 2025 – there will be no deadline extension. BCIA President Stacey Lucas said: “The BCIA Awards are a fantastic event and a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on the talented individuals and organisations in the building controls sector. This year saw some absolutely incredible entries and I’m sure next year’s awards will be no different – the skills, innovation, and expertise shown on a daily basis by building controls engineers and companies continue to move the sector forward in a hugely positive way. “This year’s event took place in a brand-new venue, The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, and we’re delighted to say that the BCIA Awards 2025 will also be held there. Whether you have been a regular attendee of our awards evenings or you’re attending for the first time, it’s sure to be a thoroughly enjoyable evening – so mark the date in your diary now! “We have tickets and tables on sale, as well as various sponsorship opportunities, so don’t hesitate to get in touch! “If you’re looking for some inspiration for your 2025 entry, a series of case studies featuring this year’s terrific winners can also be found on the BCIA website.” To find out more and enter the BCIA Awards 2025, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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NIBE partners with Ziegler to enhance its delivery

NIBE partners with Ziegler to enhance its delivery

NIBE Energy Systems, Europe’s leading heat pump manufacturer, has enhanced its UK delivery service by partnering with the Ziegler Group, a global logistics provider that shares NIBE’s ethos of maintaining a human, customer-focused and sustainable approach at the core if its operations. NIBE deliveries now come from Ziegler’s brand-new state-of-the-art distribution centre in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex. The move to Ziegler is part of NIBE’s general growth strategy, and broadened routes to market, which also includes direct to merchant. As NIBE is solely focused on renewable technologies, reducing carbon footprints for its customers and within its own operations, Ziegler is a good fit, committed to improving sustainability, through a range of measures, including a move to zero emissions vehicles, reducing CO2, and the use of digital supply chain management solutions to improve efficiency and productivity. Paul Smith, MD for NIBE, said: “We are delighted to partner with Ziegler, the company has a proven track-record of reliability and success, and shares core values with NIBE. Ensuring the safe and ‘on time’ passage of our heat pumps and supporting equipment is essential to business growth and the satisfaction of our customers. As NIBE expands its offering and routes to market, we feel confident that Ziegler is the right delivery service provider to support our evolving requirements.” “Despite its size, the Ziegler Group is committed to a ‘family-run’ approach, with its numerous locations allowing the company to provide a local service, with great responsiveness and flexibility. This mirrors NIBE’s own values – we’re a global business with region specific operations; something we feel is essential to building customer relationships and providing the best possible service.” Logistics Manager, Darrell Noble from Ziegler, said: “Ziegler are thrilled to announce our exciting new partnership with NIBE, a market leader in sustainable energy solutions. We will proudly manage NIBE’s UK supply chain, ensuring swift and efficient delivery of their innovative products to customers. It illustrates Ziegler’s progression and growth within the industry with a focus on contributing towards driving the NIBE brand forward. We’re also delighted to be partnering with a sustainability focused business, reflected in our own efforts in supporting environmental change.” The process of ordering from NIBE won’t change, orders should be placed through its Installer Care team. www.nibe.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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British Library installs innovative solar tech to decarbonise heat – penning a brighter, greener future

British Library installs innovative solar tech to decarbonise heat – penning a brighter, greener future

The British Library and CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) have commissioned Naked Energy to deliver the UK’s largest solar heat project to accelerate the public building’s transition to renewable energy. The installation comprises 950 solar collectors across 712.5 m2 of the library’s roof space. It is expected to reduce the building’s CO2 emissions by 55 tonnes and generate 216 MWh of energy annually – the equivalent of powering and heating a community centre or swimming pool for a year. Naked Energy’s solar heat and electricity Virtu product range is the world’s highest energy density solar technology. The Virtu product range converts the sun’s energy into heat and electricity from the same collector. Naked Energy’s Virtu product range saves up to four times the amount of carbon as standard solar PV panels and are a key advance in decarbonising heat in sectors from manufacturing to hotels and leisure centres.  The technology will supply sanitary hot water and space heating for the British Library, benefitting staff and visitors alike. Also, in a rare application of solar technology, the collectors will also be used to help to maintain the precise temperature and humidity conditions needed to preserve the national collection cared for by the British Library.  The British Library is custodian of over 170 million items, ranging from newspapers and maps to sound recordings and patents, and is a living collection that gets bigger every day.  During the planning phase of the installation, Virtu solar technology secured planning permission on the Grade I-listed building, as its unique low-profile design does not disrupt the Library’s architecture and remains invisible from street level. The British design and engineering business recently received investment from E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions and Barclays in the first close of its Series B capital raise, totalling £17m.  The funding builds momentum for Naked Energy as they begin to accelerate the international rollout of their innovative solar heat technology in the face of rising global demand for renewable heat.  Christophe Williams, Founder and CEO of Naked Energy said, “It’s an honour to partner with such an iconic British institution and be a part of their journey to meet their net zero goals.  “The urgent need to decarbonise heat has long been under-recognised in the discussions over the UK’s move toward net zero. We hope that this project can serve as a catalyst to inspire others in the public sector to join the energy transition and move away from fossil fuels once and for all. “This project has been an immense undertaking and is an exciting step forward for the solar thermal industry in the UK.” Patrick Dixon, Director of Estates and Construction at the British Library, said, “The British Library is delighted to have benefitted from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.  “We have received two grants under the scheme, one of which provided the funds for our supply partners CBRE to work with Naked Energy to design and install this innovative technology on our Grade I Listed building in London.  “This project is part of the Library’s commitment to environmental action and we are pleased to have formally launched our new Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy during Green Libraries Week. “The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix Finance. It provides capital funding to public sector bodies to fund heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures.” Jon Benford, Managing Director at CBRE GWS, added,“We’re incredibly excited to be delivering the largest solar heat installation project in the UK for our client, the British Library, and supporting such an iconic British institution on their net zero journey. “Working towards net zero emissions in a Grade 1 listed English Heritage building comes with its own unique challenges, and we’re proud of the role this project will play in both preserving the past and protecting the future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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NEW JOHNSON CONTROLS REPORT SHOWS SMART BUILDINGS A COMPETITIVE EDGE FOR COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AND RETAIL LEADERS

New Johnson Controls report shows smart buildings a competitive edge for commercial real estate and retail leaders

As the commercial real estate sector faces unprecedented challenges and against the backdrop of New York Climate Week 2024, the biggest annual climate event of its kind, the movement toward smarter buildings is top of mind. Building on a 2023 commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), a recently released spotlight report, “Cracking The Smart Buildings Code: A Spotlight On Retail And Commercial Real Estate,” reveals that investments in smart buildings are essential for leaders aiming to enhance sustainability, security, and save money. “Smart buildings are not just a trend; there is growing recognition they are a necessity for modern commercial real estate,” said Vijay Sankaran, vice president and chief technology officer, Johnson Controls. “This report highlights the urgent need for integrated systems and expert partners to navigate the complexities of today’s commercial real estate market to achieve long-term success.” The digitalisation of buildings provides an immense opportunity to gain a clearer picture of the operation of facilities to create sustainable, healthy, and safe environments—a critical differentiator for both commercial real estate tenants and buyers. Notably, 75% of commercial real estate and retail leaders say smart buildings are important to accelerating their digital transformation efforts. Nearly two-thirds of leaders indicate smart buildings are important for reducing costs, accelerating sustainability initiatives, and driving business growth. These results reveal that retail and commercial real estate leaders are seeking outcomes that have a positive impact for building owners, occupants and the bottom line. Additional key findings include: Johnson Controls is optimised to be the leading comprehensive solutions provider for commercial buildings, as a one-stop-shop for leaders looking for a partner with the technology and industry experience to drive meaningful outcomes. The company delivers a diverse portfolio of solutions for a variety of industries, from schools to office buildings, arenas to hospitals. “As a leader in the smart buildings industry, we have a comprehensive understanding of how connected, data-driven solutions provide deeper insights into a building’s performance and how we can optimise equipment performance and enable proactive services,” said Julie Brandt, president of Building Solutions North America at Johnson Controls. “This report confirms what we’re already hearing from our customers, that smart buildings are foundational to the design, operation, and maintenance of indoor environments, ultimately driving value.” At the centre of Johnson Controls’ smart building strategy is OpenBlue, an industry-leading ecosystem of connected technologies, expertise and services. Combining data from across a building’s systems and using advanced digital experiences augmented with AI, OpenBlue provides actionable insights and controls that save more energy and reduce more emissions than possible with isolated systems. It also helps customers in simplifying carbon disclosure reporting and regulatory compliance with building performance standards. With deployments across the globe spanning commercial office spaces, healthcare, education, campuses and more, OpenBlue enables real-time data visibility across assets, people and processes, empowering customers to drive intelligent and proactive operations from a single pane of glass. To learn more about how Johnson Controls OpenBlue is transforming smart buildings, please visit: http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/OpenBlue. For more insights, download the full report, “Cracking The Smart Buildings Code: A Spotlight On Retail And Commercial Real Estate,” available now here: https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/insights/2024/white-paper/cracking-the-code-cre. MethodologyIn August 2023, Johnson Controls commissioned Forrester Consulting to evaluate the state of smart buildings. Forrester conducted an online survey with 3,445 respondents responsible for smart building strategy to explore this topic. All respondents were asked high-level smart building strategy questions and then more granular questions depending on their level of responsibility for sustainability, security, and/or building environmental systems. Respondents represented organisations in 18 industries and 25 countries. The study was conducted in a double-blind fashion. This spotlight is focused on a subset of 299 smart buildings decision-makers in retail and commercial real estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Ramboll launches District One platform to advance UK’s district heat networks

Ramboll launches District One platform to advance UK’s district heat networks

Heat networks in the UK are on the verge of a transformational development. Through the UK government’s 2050 Net Zero ambitions, targets are in place to increase district heat networks from 3% today to 20% by 2050, alongside the National Heat Network Zoning Policy, the number and extent of heat networks is expected to increase substantially. To effectively support with the delivery of the planned roll out of district heat networks, Ramboll has developed District One, an AI-optimised heat network design platform. District One will support landowners, energy companies, developers, and national and local government authorities explore potential heat network routes, using a bespoke spatial machine learning algorithm that rapidly generates intelligent designs. Using local data, District One is designed to assist with the installing of citywide heating and cooling network routes, significantly speeding up their design by identifying the best-suited areas for the installation of heating networks. The platform has already demonstrated its applicability, with District One having been used to create a combined multi-nodal district energy network consisting of 12 independently operating but connected systems. This case study showed that District One can increase the accuracy of a business case when deployed onto a citywide zonal programme by enabling existing infrastructure plans to be more quickly incorporated into modelling. Crucially the use of District One, which avoids reliance on the usual ‘rules of thumb’, enabled a far more accurate design and cost estimation of district heating network assets than would be typically expected for master planning projects on this scale. Commenting on the launch of the District One platform, Guy Milligan, Head of Department – District Energy at Ramboll said: “Heating and cooling networks will have a vital role to play in decarbonising the ways we heat our homes and communities, as well as providing a more affordable alternative to, for instance, individual gas boilers. “We expect to see a significant expansion of heat networks over the coming years, and are pleased to be able to support this through our development of the District One platform, which provides city-scale mapping, allows for more collaborative discussions between stakeholders and more informed decisions early on in the network planning process.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Fujitsu backing Luke Haile in 'Skills Olympics'

Fujitsu backing Luke Haile in ‘Skills Olympics’

Hot on the heels of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, a young engineer from the UK is aiming to fly the flag at this month’s “Skills Olympics’’ in France, with continued backing from Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK. Luke Haile, a refrigeration technician from Lightfoot Defence, will represent the UK at WorldSkills 2024 in Lyon (10-15 September) on equipment supplied by Fujitsu in France, having completed his training on similar kit donated by Fujitsu in the UK. The former apprentice, from Hampshire, won the WorldSkills UK-RACHPSkills UK gold medal in 2022, when Fujitsu was headline sponsor of the event. That victory earned him the right to compete at WorldSkills 2024, known as the “Skills Olympics’’. In keeping with their efforts to help develop the next generation of engineers, Fujitsu has maintained its relationship with Haile and continued to offer support by providing equipment for him to train on, under the guidance of Mark Forsyth, a WorldSkills UK training manager and owner of Coriolis International. Haile said: “Fujitsu General Air Conditioning has supported my WorldSkills journey from the very beginning. Its sponsorship during the early stages encouraged not only myself but other young and up-and-coming engineers. “Fujitsu’s backing extended far beyond sponsorship; offering me access to their technical experts and a wide range of advanced equipment to train on, as well as onsite visits. This invaluable support has not only sharpened my skills but also shaped me into becoming a better engineer. I am deeply grateful and am certain the friendships forged will extend beyond the WorldSkills final.’’ Martyn Ives, Commercial Director, Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK, said: “Fujitsu is extremely proud of its efforts to help improve standards across the air conditioning and heat pump sectors. We have formed partnerships with a number of colleges across the UK and we are delighted to have been able to help Luke on his way to Lyon. “We donated a wall mounted split system for Luke to train on and hopefully that training will help him to prove his worth against the best young engineers from around the world.’’ Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “We are extremely grateful for the continued support from Fujitsu towards Luke’s training programme for WorldSkills Lyon 2024 and for our National Finals which will take place in Greater Manchester in November. “We couldn’t be prouder of Luke and Team UK; they are fantastic role models.  We will use their participation at WorldSkills to boost the prestige of technical and vocational education, inspiring many more young people to take up technical and vocational training across the UK.” WorldSkills UK, a four-nation partnership between education, industry and UK governments, is responsible for selecting, mentoring and training Team UK for WorldSkills Lyon 2024.  Pearson, the world’s leading learning company is the official partner of Team UK for WorldSkills Lyon 2024.  WorldSkills Lyon 2024 will host over 1500 young people from 65 countries, who will compete in 62 different skill disciplines. To discover more about the Fujitsu product range, visit https://www.fujitsu-general.com/uk/ or email sales@fgac.fujitsu-general.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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The future of energy efficiency lies in breaking system barriers – Helvar Senses now commercially available

The future of energy efficiency lies in breaking system barriers – Helvar Senses now commercially available

Helvar, a leading innovator in intelligent lighting solutions, is excited to announce the official commercial launch of Helvar Senses, an advanced environmental sensing solution integrated into lighting controls. Building on insights gained from pilot projects across various industries, including a successful trial with Rejlers in Sweden, Helvar Senses is now available to the broader market. By incorporating smart environmental sensing into its offering, Helvar’s solutions now offer even more opportunities to optimise building performance, sustainability, and occupant wellbeing.  When it comes to enhancing building performance through lighting systems, a crucial element has often been overlooked – the potential to go beyond traditional controls. Lighting systems, which already serve as one of the densest sensor networks within a building, offer a unique opportunity to provide much more than light. With the addition of environmental sensing capabilities – such as monitoring air quality, temperature, humidity, and noise levels – Helvar Senses collects actionable data that can optimise not just lighting but overall building performance. This approach offers a scalable solution that is easier to manage and maintain compared to deploying standalone sensors. By integrating environmental sensing into the existing lighting infrastructure, building operators benefit from a unified system that reduces complexity, lowers operational expenditure (OpEx), and is simpler to maintain over time. By correlating data on occupancy and environmental conditions, building operators can make more informed decisions, leading to significant energy savings and reduced carbon emissions. For instance, integrating HVAC systems with Helvar Senses helps avoid siloed operations and enables better control over energy use by aligning air quality with occupancy patterns. Supporting Sustainability Goals and Building StandardsIn response to increasingly stringent sustainability directives such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and evolving building standards like BREEAM, WELL, and LEED, Helvar Senses offers a solution that helps minimise the “performance gap”– the difference between the predicted energy performance of a building and its actual energy usage. By providing real-time data, building operators can adjust systems to ensure that energy consumption is optimised according to real conditions, helping to meet both regulatory requirements and sustainability goals. Helvar Senses allows building operators to monitor key indoor environmental factors and thus better support the wellbeing of occupants. This is particularly relevant as organisations prioritise creating healthier workspaces that promote productivity and comfort. Customer Success with Rejlers  The deployment of Helvar Senses in real-world projects has already produced impressive results. One of these projects is with Rejlers, a leading engineering consultancy who chose to expand their system at their HQ Office in Gothenburg, Sweden. The team opted to include Helvar Senses in their lighting renovation and saw immediate benefits. Nicklas Stenberg, project manager and team leader at Rejlers, explained how the solution has improved their indoor environment: “After expanding the entire system with Helvar Senses, we now have an easy way to check temperatures and air quality inside the premises. Previously, if we felt the air was bad, we would complain without any data to back it up. Now, we can monitor the actual conditions and take action accordingly.”  Helvar Senses is empowering buildings to achieve greater energy efficiency while improving occupant wellbeing. By leveraging data from lighting sensors, Helvar Senses not only optimises lighting and energy use but also supports a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment. As companies strive to meet sustainability directives such as the CSRD, Helvar Senses offers a smart solution that drives measurable progress toward environmental goals. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Innovative fire alarm system helps save life of resident in serious house fire

Innovative fire alarm system helps save life of resident in serious house fire

An interlinked fire and carbon monoxide alarm system played a vital role in saving the life of a tenant living in a social housing property in Scotland.  Neighbours were alerted to the fire in Dalkeith, near Edinburgh, when home safety specialist Aico’s multi-sensor alarm was activated and began to sound. While the resident was initially unable to respond, neighbours who heard the alarms through the wall were able to wake them so they could get to safety.  The fire started in the main bedroom of the property, which is owned by Melville Housing Association, whilst the occupant slept downstairs.  The flames moved quickly through to the upstairs hallway and activated alarms which were interlinked and located throughout the property. Due to the AudioLINK+ function on the Aico alarms, the landlord was able to review the data following the incident, which showed a peak temperature within the home of 102C, with carbon monoxide levels of 450ppm (parts per million) – nine times the safe limit.        David Todd​​​​, Property Manager for Melville Housing Association, said: “After speaking with the fire service, neighbours and the tenants of the property, it’s clear that the smoke and heat detection is very likely to have saved the occupant’s life.  “The fire started in the upstairs of the property with all alarms sounding due to being interlinked.  “The occupant, who has complex needs, was unable to recognise the dangers, however neighbours alerted him by banging on the door and signalling through the window.  “Thankfully, the occupant was ushered away to safety and is now fine.  “The neighbours were alerted due to the noise from the alarms themselves. “With us being able to take readings off the smoke alarms, which showed temperatures of over 100C and carbon monoxide being nine times the safe limit, it left us in no doubt that the alarms were working, did their job, and played a significant part in keeping everyone safe. “The law on fire alarms means all Scottish homes need to have interlinked alarms, which this incident has proved is very important.” Neal Hooper, Managing Director at Aico, said: “Lives were saved, which is the most important thing. This really brings home the importance of life safety and of having things in your home which give you peace of mind every time you go to bed. “If the alarms had not alerted the neighbours and, ultimately, the tenants, a tragedy would surely have occurred. Instead, everyone was evacuated from the property and did not come to any lasting harm.  “Fire and carbon monoxide alarms are critical life safety devices and this example, along with many others, is testament to the hard work and dedication we give to our products to ensure they perform as expected when they are needed. “Too often people will wait until there is increased legislation and regulation before they are forced into taking life safety seriously. We do need better and clear legislation, but at the same time there are relatively inexpensive options which can be fitted to give you peace of mind.” All Aico alarms are manufactured in-house, and each alarm is individually tested multiple times before it leaves the factory. “This incident illustrates the importance of everyone having working, compliant smoke alarm and CO systems in their home. “People often think nothing like this will happen to them, but it can, and it’s important to stress to regularly test all of their alarms to make sure they’re working and to check their expiry date,” Neal added. Melville Housing Association has been working with Aico for a number of years and about 95 per cent of alarms in its properties have been supplied by the manufacturer. “Aico facilitates a number of roundtable events with housing associations which are very well received and where we are able to share important knowledge about fire safety including smoke alarms and fire doors,” David added.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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HiiLIFE appoints award-winning new sales director

HiiLIFE appoints award-winning new sales director

Technology provider HiiLIFE has announced the appointment of Oliver O’Hare as its first sales director. Hiring a new senior team member marks a significant step in HiiLIFE’s ongoing expansion, with Oliver bringing a wealth of experience in the engineering and HVAC sectors to the team. ​ HiiLIFE, provides bespoke luxury technology packages for the construction, hospitality, and residential sectors. The business offers a comprehensive one-stop shop for all technological needs, including audio-visual (AV) systems, home entertainment, lighting, audio solutions, white goods, climate solutions, and smart home technology. ​ Oliver said: “I was drawn to HiiLIFE by the company’s vibrant culture; the team is dedicated to working extremely hard, but also reward our efforts generously. The opportunity to continue working with Samsung HVAC equipment was another key factor, and it’s great to work in a new environment where we provide clients with one-stop solutions for all their technology needs. ​ “I’m enjoying the team approach we have at HiiLIFE, where everyone works together to drive sales. Our culture is to encourage and support employees in achieving their goals and creating a clear growth trajectory for the benefit of both the individual and the business.” ​ Oliver joined HiiLIFE from M&E contracting business, Chillflame Ltd. He joined Chillflame in 2014 and progressed from engineer to managing director within five years. ​ Oliver increased Chillflame’s annual turnover by 350% and secured several large-scale clients such as Public Health England, Porton Down. Under Oliver’s management, Chillflame also won Contractor of the Year: HVAC & Specialist at the RAC Cooling Industry Awards in 2022. ​ Oliver continued: “After thriving under the responsibility of leading a business and dealing with multi-million-pound contracts for the past four years, I’m looking forward to bringing that knowledge to HiiLIFE. I hope that my keen eye for detail and experience managing accounts, projects, and employees will land me in good stead for my new role.” ​ As sales director, Oliver’s focus will be expanding HiiLIFE’s market presence and driving sales growth. His primary aim is to foster strong, enduring business relationships while consistently achieving sales milestones. ​ Tom Brittain, Managing Director of HiiLIFE, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Oliver to the HiiLIFE family. His extensive experience and proven track record in growing businesses make him the perfect addition to our team. We are confident that his leadership in the sales division will help us achieve our ambitious growth goals and further establish HiiLIFE as a leader in luxury home technology.” ​ For more information about HiiLIFE and its bespoke packages, please visit www.hii-life.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Baxi launches end-to-end heat network solutions service

Baxi launches end-to-end heat network solutions service

Baxi has launched a complete end-to-end range of products and services, including new AquaHeat heat interface units (HIUs), to provide a single point of contact for customers involved in heat network projects. From carrying out initial feasibility and design studies to supplying prefabricated centralised energy centres and HIUs to driving efficient system maintenance and system optimisation, Baxi offers total customer support at every stage. Heat networks are an important part of the drive to decarbonise heat and hot water services in residential and commercial buildings. The government has a target to supply 20% of heat in buildings from heat networks by 2050, up from 2-3% today. Through the Heat Network Transformation Programme, which includes initiatives such as Heat Network Zoning and tighter industry regulations, it is ensuring that high-performance, low-carbon heat networks can contribute towards reaching net zero. With heat networks set to be implemented across a growing number of UK new build and renovation projects, Baxi is offering a raft of services to support customers with correct implementation. Perfect for use in new build or retrofit multiple occupancy buildings, campus heating systems and district heat networks, Baxi’s comprehensive heat network solutions and services will support residential, public sector and commercial property developers and building owners in delivering low carbon buildings. At the heart of Baxi’s heat network proposition is Baxi Packaged Solutions. Established prefabrication specialists, the business excels in designing and manufacturing pre-packaged plant rooms for centralised energy centres, as well as prefabricated utility cupboards for use in individual dwellings within the property. These typically use heating and hot water solutions from Baxi’s respected brands including Remeha and Heatrae Sadia as well as heat pumps from the wider BDR Thermea Group manufacturing facilities in Europe. As part of its heat network range, which includes thermal substations, Baxi is also launching AquaHeat, a new heat interface unit (HIU) for use in multiple occupancy projects such as apartments. The twin-plate HIUs are available in two outputs and can deliver indirect space heating and Domestic Hot Water (DHW) for new build and older homes. An indirect heat-only model is also available for use in commercial premises. Baxi’s heat network service is further enhanced by the UK launch of Mercurius Connected – a digital innovation developed and already available in Europe – that will be able to remotely monitor, troubleshoot and optimise the HIUs. Baxi is also drawing on expertise and experience from its parent company BDR Thermea, which acquired heat network specialist, Fortes Energy Systems, the market leader in manufacturing and supplying HIUs and thermal substations in northern Europe, last year. Baxi’s Integrated Thermal Solutions unit – headed up by Sales Director and heat networks advocate Stephen Hart – provides customers with feasibility studies and system design before installation, in addition to training, remote and onsite commissioning and ongoing service support. Stephen Hart said: “It is clear that heat networks will be one of the key routes to decarbonisation. Listening to our customers, it is equally evident that having a single point of contact will help them with the challenge of decarbonising heat and delivering low-carbon buildings. By offering an end-to-end heat network solutions service backed with expert advice – from design to after-sales support – we can make the process simple, straightforward and successful for our customers.” For more information on Baxi’s AquaHeat, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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