Market leader Ideal Heating has launched its first UK heat pump production line as part of a huge investment in low carbon technologies. Ideal Heating has been manufacturing many of the country’s best-selling boilers for over a century at its headquarters in Hull. Now the business is undergoing a major
Stannah are pleased to announce the launch of a new Midilift cabin platform lift ranges. These new lifts offer the market more cabin sizes, door options, finishes and accessories, and a strengthened after-sale proposition. Mark Chapman, General Manager of the Platform Lifts and Microlift Division, said: “I am very excited
NIBE Energy Systems is delighted to have contributed to the opening of a new mobile heat pump facility as part of a collaborative effort to unlock essential training opportunities in Scotland, with a particular focus on addressing training gaps in remote and rural areas where there isn’t college training provision.
Brigade Electronics – a market-leading provider of vehicles safety systems – has launched AI Intelligent Detection Cameras to the UK market. The latest addition to Brigade’s portfolio of safety solutions, AI cameras are a new generation of active blind-spot detection that utilise artificial intelligence to recognise humans within a predefined
Ventilation systems manufacturer Zehnder Group has revealed its new factory in Maidstone as the company committed to remaining and investing in the Maidstone area. Faversham and Mid Kent MP, Minister of State for the Department of Health and Social Care, Helen Whately and The Worshipful the Deputy Mayor of Maidstone,
Following the Climate Change Committee (CCC)’s latest Progress Report to Parliament stating the UK is falling behind on its building decarbonisation goals, Elta Fans is calling on the building solutions supply chain to utilise available resources, such as TM65 reports and take measures to decarbonise current construction processes. The committee
From wildfire smoke to air pollution-ridden cities, buildings must focus on healthier indoor air quality amidst outdoor air crisis fueled by climate change Honeywell has recently released strategies to keep indoor air quality (IAQ) in buildings safer when the outdoor air index reaches unhealthy levels. According to the EPA[i], exposure
Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK has supplied climate control equipment to keep the workforce comfortable during construction of the £700million Sunset Waltham Cross Studios in Hertfordshire. The development is intended to attract globally recognised film, TV and media brands to the area, along with an ambition to create 4,800 new
Paul Marsden, Technical Specification Manager at Baxi, has been appointed as the new chair of the Society of Public Health Engineers’ Industry Working Group. SoPHE aims to provide a higher profile and focus for public health engineers within the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) as well as within
Schlüter-Systems, as a leading manufacturer of tile installation products, also offers both conventional underfloor heating (UFH) and an electrical undertile heating alternative suitable for diverse applications: the manufacturer’s two CAD-enabled options for the 21st century – BEKOTEC-THERM and DITRA-HEAT E. The first is a hydronic system that can be installed
Market leader Ideal Heating has launched its first UK heat pump production line as part of a huge investment in low carbon technologies. Ideal Heating has been manufacturing many of the country’s best-selling boilers for over a century at its headquarters in Hull. Now the business is undergoing a major transformation as it engineers the green heating solutions to support the UK’s drive to net zero. Ideal Heating’s transition to renewable heating solutions will play a key role in the UK’s green industrial revolution. A huge decarbonisation of housing stock must take place for the UK to achieve net zero status by 2050, as homes account for more than a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions. Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, visited Ideal Heating’s Hull factory to mark the start of heat pump production by the company in the UK. The new heat pump production line forms part of a £60m investment programme at the Hull site, which includes a heat pump manufacturing facility, an expanded distribution hub, and a research and development centre to pioneer the heating technologies of the future. Ideal Heating has also invested more than £2m in its flagship training centre – one of the heating industry’s largest and best-equipped training facilities and whereup to 5,000 installers every year can gain the skills to install and service heat pumps. As the UK market leader in both the domestic and commercial heating sectors, Ideal Heating is now leading the industry towards a greener future, supported by its parent company, Groupe Atlantic, a global heating industry leader. Shaun Edwards, CEO of Groupe Atlantic UK, Republic of Ireland and North America, said: “The transition to low carbon heating solutions including heat pumps is the biggest transformation in the business since we moved from coal to gas-fired boilers in the 1930s. “The major investments we’re making at our Hull site send out a very clear signal about our commitment to the net zero transition and to re-modelling our business to meet the needs of our customers today and into the future.” Lord Callanan’s visit to the Hull site marked the start of heat pump production. He also officially opened Ideal Heating’s £2.2m National Training and Technology Centre in Hessle, on the outskirts of Hull. On his arrival at the training facility, Lord Callanan addressed Ideal Heating staff and said: “Ideal Heating is by far the most advanced of the traditional gas boiler manufacturers and it’s great to see all the developments that are taking place in terms of manufacturing, production and training. “Everyone at Ideal Heating is doing a fantastic job, so I’d like to say well done and keep it up.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Stannah are pleased to announce the launch of a new Midilift cabin platform lift ranges. These new lifts offer the market more cabin sizes, door options, finishes and accessories, and a strengthened after-sale proposition. Mark Chapman, General Manager of the Platform Lifts and Microlift Division, said: “I am very excited that the Platform sales team can start talking about this new range with customers in the UK. Customers can choose from a more extensive range of platform lift car sizes, finishes and materials – and we are offering a two-year warranty, including four service visits per year for added peace of mind on every model. We trust they’ll be as excited as us about these new arrivals”. The new range of lift cars, finishes, structures and materials offer greater choice, so you’re guaranteed to find a model that can fit in even the tightest space. All models require a minimal pit for when limited depth or headroom makes other lifts difficult, and of course, offer DDA, Part M and Section 4.2 compliance where needed. The new cabin platform lift range is as follows. Plus, complete technical data is now available in the Stannah technical area to ensure easy specification for ongoing and future projects. Don’t forget the much-loved Midilift Plus and Piccolo models which are continued to be supported in the field and with existing Stannah orders. Over the years, Stannah have supplied over 50,000 commercial lifts in the UK, a mix of bought-in and own-manufacture; many still provide reliable service and have ongoing support thanks to the strong network of service branches across the UK. Please take a look at the new cabin platform lifts – contact Stannah to find out more. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NIBE Energy Systems is delighted to have contributed to the opening of a new mobile heat pump facility as part of a collaborative effort to unlock essential training opportunities in Scotland, with a particular focus on addressing training gaps in remote and rural areas where there isn’t college training provision. The initiative is the result of a collaboration between Energy Saving Trust, Energy Skills Partnership (ESP), South Lanarkshire College and NIBE Energy Systems, and has been fully funded by the Scottish Government. The facility was officially launched by Mr Graeme Dey, Minister for Higher Education, Further Education and Minister for Veterans at South Lanarkshire College on 2nd August. Hosted by South Lanarkshire College, the BPEC approved training and assessment centre will be a shared resource available to all Scottish colleges. Installers can visit the centre to undergo training and certification on heat pumps, as well as obtain their Water Byelaws/Regulations and Domestic Vented and Unvented Hot Water Storage qualifications. It is designed to provide flexible training opportunities across the country and encourage the industry to gain the skills needed to decarbonise homes and buildings in line with Scotland’s plans to become Net Zero by 2045. The Scottish Government has stated that the availability of an inclusive, diverse and capable supply chain will be key to delivering on their ambition for the decarbonisation of heat in buildings. They estimate that an additional 16,400 jobs will be supported across the economy in 2030 as a result of investment in the deployment of zero emissions heat in new and existing buildings. This initiative will play a key part in achieving these objectives. NIBE Energy Systems is proud to have assisted with the design of the centre and to have provided the facility with some of its latest air source and ground source heat pumps so that installers can gain hands-on-experience with innovative, low carbon heating technologies. Phil Hurley, Managing Director of NIBE Energy Systems said: “We’re so pleased to have been a part of this project. We have made it our mission at NIBE to do as much as we can to empower installers through removing barriers to training and unlocking opportunities. Heat pumps will play a key role in decarbonising homes and buildings in Scotland, and we can’t roll them out without installers. “The Climate Change Committee has outlined that net zero has the potential to create between 135,000 and 725,000 jobs by 2030, but that the availability of workers in the sector must increase to meet the demand for low carbon technology. Flexible training facilities like this will be fundamental in making sure they can access the skills and qualifications they need, and we’re honoured to have provided the facility with NIBE heat pumps so that they can get to grips with the technology as they learn.”
Brigade Electronics – a market-leading provider of vehicles safety systems – has launched AI Intelligent Detection Cameras to the UK market. The latest addition to Brigade’s portfolio of safety solutions, AI cameras are a new generation of active blind-spot detection that utilise artificial intelligence to recognise humans within a predefined detection zone and warn drivers visually and/or audibly before a possible collision occurs. Compared to traditional vehicle cameras, Brigade’s AI cameras have a range of improved features and offer enhanced visibility at both the front and rear of the vehicle. Experts in the industry are praising the launch of AI cameras as a major breakthrough in commercial vehicle safety. Thierry Bourgeay, Senior Product Manager at Brigade Electronics, commented: “The introduction of AI cameras in the UK by Brigade Electronics is set to make a significant impact on the commercial vehicle safety landscape. Their advanced features and capabilities make them an invaluable tool for fleet operators and drivers, ensuring that our roads are safer and more secure than ever before.” Peter Squire, Managing Director at Brigade Electronics in the UK, said: “Artificial intelligence is revolutionising safety for fleet operators and drivers and our AI Intelligent Detection Cameras are a great example of this. Our AI cameras require no configuration software, so they are quick and easy to install, making them ideal for busy fleets across a range of industries, including transport, logistics, construction, and passenger vehicles like buses and coaches.” The key benefits of Brigade’s AI Intelligent Detection Cameras are: To find out more about Brigade’s AI Intelligent Detection Cameras and its portfolio of products, please visit https://brigade-electronics.com/commercial-vehicle-safety-products/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ventilation systems manufacturer Zehnder Group has revealed its new factory in Maidstone as the company committed to remaining and investing in the Maidstone area. Faversham and Mid Kent MP, Minister of State for the Department of Health and Social Care, Helen Whately and The Worshipful the Deputy Mayor of Maidstone, Martin Cox, attended the opening of the manufacturing plant, which will bring new work opportunities to the local area. Most of the staff live within 12 miles of the site, including the factory’s operations manager, and every employee has access to a local free electric bus service to help them get to work. The launch will also open up job opportunities for local residents, with a focus on skilled and experienced professionals in the manufacturing and engineering fields. Chairman of the Board of Directors for the 120-year-old Zehnder Group, Dr Hans-Peter Zehnder and Zehnder UK Managing Director, Tony Twohig, welcomed guests for an exclusive tour. The new factory site has been designed to meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability and will incorporate the latest energy-efficient technologies to minimise its environmental impact. New machinery, such as plastic moulding machines, cooling systems and a fully electric vehicle fleet, including forklift trucks, also work to the latest energy efficiency ratings – lowering Zehnder’s carbon footprint. Helen Whately MP, said: “It’s great to have Zehnder in Maidstone and continuing to invest in our local economy. Its new factory is impressive, combining innovative technology with sustainability. “Investments like this are just what our area needs. They bring good jobs and opportunities, and mark Kent out as a place to do business. I wish Zehnder every success for the future.” The modern manufacturing facility represents a significant investment for the company. Factory operations manager Conrad Thrower said: “This new facility will offer us increased production capacity and more efficient technology to expand our product lines and services.”
Following the Climate Change Committee (CCC)’s latest Progress Report to Parliament stating the UK is falling behind on its building decarbonisation goals, Elta Fans is calling on the building solutions supply chain to utilise available resources, such as TM65 reports and take measures to decarbonise current construction processes. The committee states the industry lacks urgency in its pace of reaching 2050 targets and needs more help to decarbonise its operations. It stresses the importance of establishing UK Environmental Reporting Guidelines and the Net Zero Transition Plan Standard, both of which will set it as a requirement for businesses to disclose the use of carbon credits1. On top of that, the industry is being encouraged to take action in decarbonising building solutions to futureproof construction for future generations. David Millward, the Group Product Manager at Elta Fans, highlights the importance of collaboration in the supply chain within the construction industry. “The CCC’s latest report is quite damning in that we’ve lost our global leadership position on climate matters. The report show that planning policies need radical reform, and all decisions must be taken with full regard to the imperative of hitting net zero. “Given this, all parties need to come together in order to ensure environmentally responsible choices are being made across all operations. From a ventilation and air movement perspective, carbon emissions can be easily minimalised if specifiers, contractors and manufacturers work together. At Elta Fans, we’re making this one of our critical priorities, and have already moved to release TM65 Embodied Carbon reports, aligned to CIBSE’s methodology, to help specifiers and contractors better compare construction components and opt for most sustainable solutions.” Elta Fans is pioneering the industry toward Net Zero as it becomes one of the first to offer TM65 Embodied Carbon reports for its fans and building services products. Created by CIBSE (the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers) in 2021, it is a calculation methodology that helps assess how much embodied carbon is associated with products. “The reports are calculated through a number of variables such as material weight and assesses the embodied carbon generated at each stage of a products’ lifecycle,” said David. “This includes going from production to manufacturing, through to transportation, maintenance while in-use, and end-of-life recyclability potential. A key benefit is it helps make it easier to compare products against each other based on the amount of carbon they release in their production through to end-of-life,” “The working model of TM65 Embodied Carbon reports supplies the construction chain with carbon credit insight to follow regulations and minimise negative environmental impacts, leading the industry towards opting for more eco-friendly design solutions.” “It is of the highest importance for the supply chain to utilise the available resources to adequately specify building and ventilation solutions. Collaboration is key to meet the urgent decarbonising responsibilities towards net zero targets.” concludes David Millward. For more information about Elta Fans, please visit www.eltafans.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
From wildfire smoke to air pollution-ridden cities, buildings must focus on healthier indoor air quality amidst outdoor air crisis fueled by climate change Honeywell has recently released strategies to keep indoor air quality (IAQ) in buildings safer when the outdoor air index reaches unhealthy levels. According to the EPA[i], exposure to fine particle pollution can cause respiratory and cardiovascular health issues. Recent outdoor air pollution events, including wildfire smoke, are prompting health officials to advise staying indoors. However, indoor air pollutants can be two to five times worse than outdoor air[ii], which is often offset by bringing in outdoor air. When fresh outdoor air ventilation is not available to improve indoor air quality, building owners should take extra precautions. “When the outdoor air index reaches unhealthy levels, it is advisable to avoid introducing external air indoors. The main concern then becomes ensuring the maintenance of healthy indoor air when the option to bring in fresh air is not available,” said Manish Sharma, vice president and chief product officer of Honeywell Connected Buildings. “To promote better air quality in situations like these, buildings should consider utilising automated and sophisticated sensing, filtration, air purification and air circulation solutions. The question then arises: how many buildings can presently claim to possess such important capabilities? At times like this, intelligent and advanced technology becomes critical.” Honeywell shares these tips for how to keep IAQ safer for occupants: Tip #1: Continually assess and communicate IAQ Building owners should utilise IAQ sensors to monitor CO2, TVOC, temperature, relative humidity and PM2.5[iii], an extremely dangerous, fine particulate matter that can travel deeply into the respiratory tract. Sensors help analyse data, track trends and alert building managers when indoor air is not safe. Once a baseline for a building’s health is established, facility managers can integrate their building’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system with the IAQ sensors to continually monitor air quality, detect contaminants and clean the air automatically. Building owners should also consider communicating to occupants the building’s IAQ levels. According to the 2023 Honeywell Healthy Buildings Survey[iv] data, 82% of office workers want to be informed about their building’s IAQ often or sometimes. Tip #2: Rethink Ventilation Ventilation is an important factor in maintaining healthy IAQ levels and thermal comfort as it freshens up the air inside buildings and dilutes the concentration of harmful particles. While the simplest, cheapest and most traditional way to improve ventilation is to open a window, that is not always a viable option, especially if the air outside is more polluted than that inside. To keep air clean, building owners can use mechanical ventilation devices, such as fans that vent to the outdoors or portable air cleaners, which may be particularly helpful when ventilation with outdoor, polluted air is not possible without compromising indoor comfort or health. Buildings can also tap into the building’s HVAC system to help maintain safer IAQ levels through adequate ventilation. Tip #3: Improve Filtration and Purification One of the most effective ways to improve IAQ is to clean existing indoor air, especially when outdoor air ventilation is limited. Building owners can utilise filtration and purification technologies to eliminate the contaminants from a building’s air supply. For example, HEPA, or high efficiency particulate air, filters can capture particulates of 0.01 micron and greater[v] with an extraordinary efficiency by diffusion and interception mechanisms. Pressurisation technologies control the movement of air contaminants within a building and lead to improved IAQ. Control of air pressure, both positive and negative, inside a building is key to providing comfort and preventing outdoor contaminants from entering a space. A slight positive pressure will prevent hot outside air from penetrating into the building during the summer, and negative pressure during the winter can maintain humidity by allowing outside air into the building. Honeywell Healthy Buildings solutions integrate air quality, safety and security technologies along with advanced analytics to improve IAQ while meeting energy efficiency goals. Our suite of ready-now healthy and sustainable building solutions can help create an optimal indoor environment. For more information on air quality and Honeywell Healthy Buildings solutions: ● Anatomy of a Healthy Building ● 2023 Healthy Building Occupant Survey Report Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK has supplied climate control equipment to keep the workforce comfortable during construction of the £700million Sunset Waltham Cross Studios in Hertfordshire. The development is intended to attract globally recognised film, TV and media brands to the area, along with an ambition to create 4,800 new jobs. The complex is due for completion in 2026 and will feature 21 sound stages with ancillary workshops, offices and amenities. The project represents Blackstone and Hudson Pacific’s first venture outside of the US for its jointly-owned Sunset Studios. Located on a 91-acre site close to junction 25 of the M25, it is aiming for LEED Gold certification and a BREEAM Excellent rating. To date, 82 split air conditioning systems have been sized by Cool Designs Limited (CDL) and installed by London-based Citipost Power in site offices for the contracts teams. The wall-mounted units, with capacities ranging from 2.5-7.1kW, operate on low GWP R32 refrigerant and offer indoor noise levels as low as 22 dB(A). A further 20 split systems will be required for additional site offices as the project grows. Stephen Hodges, Director at Citipost Power, said: “It’s great to be involved with such a prestigious project and we are looking forward to seeing its completion. Sometimes taking care of the workforce on site is overlooked but this project means that the environment in the cabins will be comfortable all year round.” Lloyd Grimes of CDL added: “ We have worked with Fujitsu for a long time and we know that the products provide a hassle-free solution that operate in the most gruelling environments. The equipment is easy to specify, install and operate with no complications for the end user.” To discover more about the extensive 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
Paul Marsden, Technical Specification Manager at Baxi, has been appointed as the new chair of the Society of Public Health Engineers’ Industry Working Group. SoPHE aims to provide a higher profile and focus for public health engineers within the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) as well as within the building services industry. An Affiliate member of CIBSE and SoPHE and a member of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), Paul’s whole career has been centred around commercial hot water generation and Public Health Engineering. He uses his wealth of experience and expertise of hot water systems and renewable/LZC technologies to help Public Health and Mechanical Engineers understand the relationship between the product/s, the application/s and the system/s they are designing. Paul has an ONC in Gas Utilisation and City and Guilds in Gas Services and regularly represents both Baxi and the wider industry delivering a variety of training and CPD presentations and seminars. More recently he has developed training events and courses targeted at young and graduate engineers. As Chair of the Industry Working Group, Paul will work with SoPHE members to offer the support and assistance required to help further the profile of this very important Building Services sector. Paul said: “I am delighted to be appointed as the SoPHE IWG chair and look forward to building upon the work of my predecessors. The increasing focus upon decarbonisation will not only impact upon how buildings are designed, but also how products are designed and manufactured. This represents both challenges and opportunities and makes for an exciting time in which to be involved as we transition to a low / zero carbon future.” For more information on Baxi’s commercial heating and hot water solutions, visit: https://www.baxi.co.uk/about-us/our-brands Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Schlüter-Systems, as a leading manufacturer of tile installation products, also offers both conventional underfloor heating (UFH) and an electrical undertile heating alternative suitable for diverse applications: the manufacturer’s two CAD-enabled options for the 21st century – BEKOTEC-THERM and DITRA-HEAT E. The first is a hydronic system that can be installed in the traditional way beneath different floor finishes throughout the home or in commercial buildings. But unlike many rival UFH systems, BEKOTEC-THERM is based on studded modular panels which are quick and easy to install and offer a low build height with rapid warm up times. A screed is laid across the pipe runs and, rather than waiting weeks for it to cure, tiling operations can commence as soon as the surface is hard enough to walk on by using Schlüter-Systems’ DITRA uncoupling mat which means BEKOTEC-THERM is ideal for time-critical refurbishment contracts such as in shops and offices. Then, as an electric powered undertile solution, applications for DITRA-HEAT E are only limited by the imagination: they encompass demisting mirrors, warming walls or seats in spas and showers, and vanity areas or countertops. DITRA-HEAT further finds applications for flooring and plant shelving in conservatories while the system has been specified widely in prestigious locations such as The Lanesborough Hotel and Langham’s in London. Schlüter-Systems’ Technical Specifications Consultant, Tony Taylor-Sheriff, commented: “UFH technology has progressed enormously since the Roman Hypocaust, but there is still much that is not understood across the wider construction industry regarding relevant efficiencies and potential problems such as the importance of uncoupling layers, load distribution and vapour management. Our solutions have been developed to help professionals achieve quick and energy efficient installations, with BEKOTEC-THERM, for example, being able to offer the benefit of low temperature flow which makes it ideal for use with heat pumps or other renewable sources of heat. DITRA-HEAT E likewise offers rapid response and is very flexible in use.” For specifiers and architects, as well as installers of flooring finishes wishing to increase their knowledge of underfloor heating technology, Schlüter-Systems also offers a CPD seminar entitled Specifying Integrated Underfloor Heating Systems which can be delivered online or in person. With more than 2,300 employees and seven offices across Europe and North America, Schlüter-Systems is the world’s largest and most innovative manufacturer of system solutions for the function, protection and decoration of tiles and natural stone flooring. Schluter-Systems in the UK offers a very wide product portfolio including the Schluter-KERDI range waterproofing membranes, the versatile tilebacker KERDI-BOARD and its underfloor heating solutions. For further information, call 01530 813396 or visit https://www.schluter.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
