Ecophon has entered into an exclusive agreement to acquire all the shares of Träullit, further completing its portfolio in acoustic ceiling and wall solutions. Founded in 1946 in Ydre, Östergötland, Träullit is the only wood wool manufacturer in Sweden, and it has a strong sales footprint in Scandinavian markets. The
Pure Vista has been accredited as a member of Made in Britain. Pure Vista’s adoption of the official, protected mark (above right) will help buyers recognise its products as good quality, great value and British-made. The mark also lets customers know that Pure Vista is a trusted company that values
Striking mirrored design combined with illuminated panel and five-spray handset delivers a luxurious experience from an electric shower Bathroom specialist Aqualisa has announced Lumi+™: a stunning new series of premium electric showers that combine sophistication and performance. Available in three power options (8.5kW, 9.5kW or 10.5kW), the Lumi+ electric shower features a
Gossen Metrawatt expands its range of MID-certified active energy meters, introducing the new, especially compact and cost-effective METRALINE ENERGY series. The devices approved for billing purposes feature accuracy class B for measuring active energy according to EN 50470-3. Active and reactive power of energy import and export are recorded by
A new webshop has been opened by window and door frame sealant tape specialist ISO-Chemie to provide UK customers with rapid and easy access to products, installation information and orders 24/7. Accessible via an office PC, laptop, tablet or mobile device, the versatile webshop – available via ISO-Chemie’s web portal
Honeywell’s Connected Power, one of the first fully integrated commercial solutions for monitoring and controlling plug-in power, has been named a winner at this year’s Energy Awards in the Physical Technology category. Coming at a time when energy consumption is among the top priorities for businesses across the UK, the
The new Potentia LED high bay range from Knightsbridge – one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of wiring accessories and lighting – provides an ideal solution for industrial applications requiring versatility, flexibility, durability, control and performance. The high bays, which come in two sizes, incorporate tri-wattage and dual-CCT functions along
“A unique offering of specialist, critical, and sustainability-driven services” for the construction sector The Metcor Group has launched its brand, bringing together over 100 years of experience, providing smarter specialist solutions for a better built environment. Comprising three long-established companies, Metcor Environmental (formerly Metro Mechanical Services), Anglo Pumps, and Aylesford
A WIRRAL manufacturer has today announced its strategy for meeting key environmental and social targets set out by the United Nations. Birkenhead valve manufacturer Heap & Partners has set out a raft of measures in a bid to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs, also known as
The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) is urging a fresh review of the pre-insulated pipe and duct market following the recent release of BS 5422:2023 and ahead of a raft of secondary legislation relating to the Building Safety Act. TICA, together with the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), first raised
BDC 321 : Oct 2024
Ecophon has entered into an exclusive agreement to acquire all the shares of Träullit, further completing its portfolio in acoustic ceiling and wall solutions. Founded in 1946 in Ydre, Östergötland, Träullit is the only wood wool manufacturer in Sweden, and it has a strong sales footprint in Scandinavian markets. The company uses locally grown timber within a 50-km radius from the plant as its raw material. Wood wool has many advantages as an acoustic ceiling solution. The unique composition of Träullit’s solutions, using Swedish spruce, combines acoustic qualities with a warm wood design. This acquisition complements Ecophon’s comprehensive range of solutions, promoting sustainable acoustic comfort while meeting the various design requirements of its markets. Leveraging its R&D competence, Ecophon is looking to further develop this wood wool offer on acoustical and environmental performance. “Träullit has a Swedish legacy to be proud of and we are happy to start a new journey together to develop this offer. The integration with Ecophon will broaden Träullit’s current sales focus from Scandinavia into further European markets and accelerate growth thanks to Ecophon’s complete solution portfolio and experienced R&D,” said Pierre-Emmanuel Thiard, CEO of Ecophon. “We are honored to have been approached by Saint-Gobain and Ecophon. Our family has been running Träullit for nearly 78 years and we see this evolution as a restart, an integration into a great business family with experience. Within Ecophon, we will have both the knowledge and the capacity to fully develop the wood wool material into the standards of the future,” said Erik Rääf, Managing Director of Träullit. The new wood wool offer will be launched gradually during 2024. www.ecophon.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Pure Vista has been accredited as a member of Made in Britain. Pure Vista’s adoption of the official, protected mark (above right) will help buyers recognise its products as good quality, great value and British-made. The mark also lets customers know that Pure Vista is a trusted company that values transparency, sustainability and ethical business practices. Consumers are increasingly recognising the Made in Britain mark as a mark of confidence. “We wanted to join Made in Britain because we are a British specialist in designing and manufacturing architectural glass systems. Britian is renowned globally for its design and engineering and MiB allows us to show that we are at the forefront of this. This certification will help us as we expand our products globally and we can clearly show our customers that we target a very high standard for the products we supply.” – Mark Oakes John Pearce, chief executive of Made in Britain said: “We’re delighted that Pure Vista has joined the community of more than 2000 British manufacturers. The more the mark is used and seen, the more it is recognised as a mark of quality. In addition to getting access to the official protected mark, Pure Vista will also start to enjoy the many other benefits membership to Made in Britain brings, including support in sales, marketing, PR/comms and export. We look forward to watching them grow with our help and support.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Striking mirrored design combined with illuminated panel and five-spray handset delivers a luxurious experience from an electric shower Bathroom specialist Aqualisa has announced Lumi+™: a stunning new series of premium electric showers that combine sophistication and performance. Available in three power options (8.5kW, 9.5kW or 10.5kW), the Lumi+ electric shower features a mirrored fascia that reflects light to enhance and brighten any bathroom environment, and two easy-turn brushed-chrome dials to control power and temperature. An illuminated strip on the front panel displays the status of the shower. Each Lumi+ model comes complete with a 1.5m long satin smooth hose to complement the mirrored finish. A generous 105mm Harmony handset with adjustable head delivers five different spray modes to suit all showering preferences, with rub-clean nozzles for an easy maintenance routine. With an A rating for energy efficiency, the Lumi+ takes water from the cold mains supply to deliver an instant, invigorating shower with no demand on stored hot water tanks. As the Lumi+ provides control over both temperature and power, users can minimise their consumption of both electricity and water. With safety in mind, each Lumi+ shower incorporates an over-temperature protection system, meaning that water will always remain at the desired temperature level. In addition, the low pressure indicator function warns the user if the water pressure drops lower than required. Engineered for durability, the Lumi+ features Aqualisa’s innovative phased shut-down technology, ensuring limescale build-up remains minimal over time. Starting and stopping the shower is controlled with a simple press of a button. Designed for flexibility and convenience, the Lumi+ shower is equipped with eight water and electric entry points, allowing straightforward installation in a new bathroom, or when replacing other brands of electric shower. All three models are supplied with a chrome rail, handset holder and handset kit, with shower gel hanger. Stuart Clark, head of new product design at Aqualisa, commented, “With the new Lumi+, we have reimagined the electric shower, with a blend of innovative mirrored design and exceptional performance, combined with the eco-friendly benefits of water and energy conservation. Delivering full control over both power and temperature, these showers are both efficient and flexible in operation, while the beautifully modern styling will make a statement in any bathroom setting.” The Aqualisa Lumi+ shower comes with a two-year parts and labour guarantee, and is BEAB, CE, WRAS and UWLA approved. Availability and pricingThe new Aqualisa Lumi+ range is available from December 2023. For pricing and more information, trade partners can contact their Aqualisa representative or the Aqualisa Customer Support Team on 01959 560020 or 01 864 3363 (Republic of Ireland). For more details, please visit: https://www.aqualisa.co.uk/products/type/electric-showers.html Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Gossen Metrawatt expands its range of MID-certified active energy meters, introducing the new, especially compact and cost-effective METRALINE ENERGY series. The devices approved for billing purposes feature accuracy class B for measuring active energy according to EN 50470-3. Active and reactive power of energy import and export are recorded by means of 4-quadrant measurement. This makes the new meter generation ideal for use in industry, commerce and building technology. At widths of only 18 mm, 36 mm and 72 mm, the meters allow for top-hat rail mounting in installations with very high packing density. 12 models with three different interfaces are available. They are designed for 2- and 4-wire AC systems with direct or transformer connection. The most compact units, only one modular spacing wide, offer a choice of three single-phase active energy meters for 2-wire systems, in the 230 V voltage range with direct connection up to 40 A. Next in line, there are three 36 mm wide single-phase meters for 230 V direct connection up to 80 A. The new series is completed by three 3-phase models for measurement in 4-wire systems up to 400 V with direct connection or 1 A/5 A current transformer connection. All four device classes are available with 2xS0 pulse outputs or Modbus RTU or M-Bus data communication interfaces. The cover can be sealed to protect against tampering. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new webshop has been opened by window and door frame sealant tape specialist ISO-Chemie to provide UK customers with rapid and easy access to products, installation information and orders 24/7. Accessible via an office PC, laptop, tablet or mobile device, the versatile webshop – available via ISO-Chemie’s web portal – enables customers to browse and place online orders and review their purchasing history. It also opens up access to CAD file downloads as well as extensive application information and specification detail on the company’s range of foam tape sealants and associated products, including BIM services. Products can be viewed and ordered at the touch of a button via an interactive display to save time and ensure selection accuracy. Associated documents are also available for downloading and viewing while orders can be tracked. In addition, ISO-Chemie offers planning, calculation and installation tools via its ISO-PORTAL. Specification documents, training videos and BIM-ready object data for products are also available to support designers and architects. The ISO-Chemie webshop is part of a package of added value customer support services said UK sales and operations manager Andy Swift, who added: “With our digital service we offer our customers the best possible support in planning and implementing their construction projects. For us, this requires an efficient customer-focused ordering process.” Register at www.iso-chemie.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Honeywell’s Connected Power, one of the first fully integrated commercial solutions for monitoring and controlling plug-in power, has been named a winner at this year’s Energy Awards in the Physical Technology category. Coming at a time when energy consumption is among the top priorities for businesses across the UK, the Connected Power solution is designed to give building and energy managers the capability to remotely monitor, control and automate sockets across their premises. Making this switch can help save energy consumed by plug-in devices, in the United States on average in a minimally code-compliant office building, plug loads may account for 25% or less of total energy consumption and in high efficiency buildings, plug loads may account for more than 50% of the total energy consumption[i]. “Celebrating excellence in ways to reduce energy consumption, winning the award for Physical Technology of the Year at the Energy Awards is not just a testament to the technology itself, but to the impact this solution can have on one of the biggest challenges faced by UK businesses today,” says Steve Kenny, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Building Management Systems. “One of the most overlooked factors during efficiency improvement plans is small power usage. It’s overlooked because there has historically been a lack of visibility into how much energy is consumed by plug-in devices, and a lack of control of unnecessary consumption. Connected Power has been designed to overcome that and give businesses the tools they need to fully manage their plug-in power usage. It’s the first time this has been possible for UK companies. “Businesses are continuously trying to minimise their energy consumption and costs. So, it’s imperative that they look towards longer term solutions that provide ongoing opportunities for improvement. There can be hundreds of electrical devices in any commercial building and taking charge of that energy usage becomes extremely important as energy prices shock businesses into reassessing their power consumption.” Connected Power, developed by Honeywell’s MK Electric and Trend brands, launched in Spring 2023 following a test period that saw it installed at several sites across the UK. Energy efficiency was seen in several different building locations by powering equipment only when needed, with evident energy savings once scheduling was applied through the Connected Power solution. The Energy Awards celebrates the energy industry’s innovations and achievements in best practice, business excellence, customer service and industry collaboration and brings together more than 600 key decision makers from across the industry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The new Potentia LED high bay range from Knightsbridge – one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of wiring accessories and lighting – provides an ideal solution for industrial applications requiring versatility, flexibility, durability, control and performance. The high bays, which come in two sizes, incorporate tri-wattage and dual-CCT functions along with other innovative features to deliver long-life and powerful illumination. The high bays feature a selectable CCT switch, allowing users to adjust the colour temperature between 4000K and 5000K according to preference; and offer wattages of either 100W, 120W and 150W or 150W, 180W and 200W depending on model. Suitable for the toughest industrial environments, Potentia are rated to IK08, making them resilient in the face of impacts, and also IP65, ensuring resistance against dust and water ingress. This makes them well-suited for installations in challenging indoor or outdoor settings where protection against moisture and debris is crucial. Effective control is crucial to lighting performance, and Potentia offers a choice of approaches. First, built-in 0-10V dimming capability comes as standard, while the high bays are supplied with polycarbonate diffusers, ensuring even light distribution that makes them ideal for environments where cleanliness and hygiene are of importance. Second, a programmable microwave sensor is available which enables the user to set various parameters such as brightness, sensitivity, hold time, standby time and standby dimming. The sensor can be paired with a remote control, giving the ability to control settings to ensure adequate illumination while maintaining energy efficiency. Finally, when used with an addressable Digital Addressable Lightning Interface (DALI) control system, the DALI module allows the installer to assign an address and a control group to the fixture; this address and control group allows for grouping of fixtures into zones. Other accessories available include a 60o lens modifier, which reduces the beam angle from 90o to 60o – important for high-ceiling installations, a smaller beam angle is required – and surface mounting brackets which allow for flush mounting and so increase the number of applications for which Potentia is suited. With a five-year warranty and cutting-edge LED technology, Potentia is built to last, boasting an L90B10 rating of 50,000 hours, guaranteeing longevity and consistent performance. With Potentia, Knightsbridge delivers a powerful LED lighting solution for industrial applications that combines innovation, durability, and safety. For further details of the Knightsbridge innovative wiring accessories and lighting products, please visit www.mlaccessories.co.uk or call 01582 887760. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
“A unique offering of specialist, critical, and sustainability-driven services” for the construction sector The Metcor Group has launched its brand, bringing together over 100 years of experience, providing smarter specialist solutions for a better built environment. Comprising three long-established companies, Metcor Environmental (formerly Metro Mechanical Services), Anglo Pumps, and Aylesford Electrical Contractors, Metcor provides planned preventative maintenance and emergency response services to many FTSE 100 and 250 construction companies, and iconic UK landmarks, including company headquarters and national museums. The Group focuses on putting people first, delivering sustainable solutions, and dedication to excellent service provision for property, building, facilities management and construction sectors. Metcor Group CEO, Nico Gaisman, said: “The time is right to give our business a new and truly differentiated brand in the market – and one which reflects the critical role our company plays in preventing pollution and mitigating environmental and regulatory risk. As part of the Metcor Group, Metcor Environmental’s longstanding construction and FM clients will be able to benefit from expanded capabilities, including specialist electrical testing and inspection, commercial plant room remediation, clean water pump solutions, electrical vehicle charger services, and solar panel installation. We believe that this unique offering of specialist, critical, and sustainability-driven services will drive tremendous value for our fast-growing customer base.” Metcor’s businesses share a decades-long track record of technical specialism, a commitment to driving sustainability and efficiency, and longstanding partnerships with the leading global construction, property and FM companies across the UK. Annually, the Metcor Group maintains over 10,000 miles of pipework infrastructure, tests 100,000 electrical installations, and saves more than 7 million kilowatt hours of energy by upgrading pump systems. The group’s critical services support over 3 million workers in office, hospital, school, retail, and government sites, ensuring the health and safety of their working environments. With Metcor Environmental, Anglo Pumps and Aylesford Electrical together under the Metcor Group umbrella, these industry-leading service providers are harnessing their expertise to provide a powerful resource for facilities and commercial property managers. Metcor Environmental’s rebrand from Metro Mechanical Services, is the UK’s leading specialist in drainage maintenance, acknowledging the Metro brand’s thirty-five-year heritage, whilst reflecting the company as the cornerstone of the Metcor Group. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A WIRRAL manufacturer has today announced its strategy for meeting key environmental and social targets set out by the United Nations. Birkenhead valve manufacturer Heap & Partners has set out a raft of measures in a bid to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs, also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the UN in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty and protect the planet. Heaps has today announced a range of measures that will see the business work towards meeting the SDGs. The firm has committed to planting 600 trees a month, and has installed areca palm plants around its Birkenhead factory to capture carbon and cotoneaster plants around its carpark to capture exhaust fumes. Heaps too is working with the University of Liverpool on a project to develop micro carbon capture technology. To work towards SDG 1 (No Poverty) Heaps is sponsoring a range of community groups including: Involve NW, Neo Community, Tam O’Shanters Urban Farm and Grosvenor Martial Arts. The firm is also signed up to the Living Wage Foundation, donates to foodbanks, and provides match funding for any staff charity fundraising. To promote good health and wellbeing (SDG 3), the firm offers weekly vegetarian meals, a cycle to work scheme, an on-site gym and roof garden, and six days’ paid volunteering time for staff. Heaps is also supporting the creation of a wildflower meadow in a local school in a bid to support local youngsters’ right to a quality education. The company is also aiming to dramatically slash its energy and water consumption via the installation of 88 solar panels, 1200 low-energy LED lights and multiple electric vehicle charging points. These will complement the company’s Smart Flower solar panel installation. Heaps is waging a war on plastic pollution too, and has achieved a 98 percent recycling rate for all materials used across the business. The business has also prioritised reducing the air miles of its activities, and is increasingly selling British-made products to its customers worldwide. David Millar, Managing Director of Heap & Partners, said “Corporate responsibility and sustainability are not just buzzwords but essential principles that can guide businesses in supporting the local community and protecting the planet no matter your industry. “While reaching carbon positivity was an incredible milestone, the work doesn’t end there. We are committed not just to achieving excellence in sustainable manufacturing but creating a sustainable future for our community. “There are many small steps and larger changes that can cumulatively make a positive impact. Moving forward, we will continue to explore innovative ways to contribute to a greener future for all.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) is urging a fresh review of the pre-insulated pipe and duct market following the recent release of BS 5422:2023 and ahead of a raft of secondary legislation relating to the Building Safety Act. TICA, together with the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), first raised their concerns over the suitability of pre-insulated pipework and ductwork product, when utilised inside buildings, in July 2022. Chris Ridge, TICA’s Technical Policy Manager said “Twelve months after our initial communications it has become necessary for TICA to raise this issue again. BS 5422:2023 now defines Reaction to Fire in terms of the Euroclass system and states a minimum performance of Euroclass C-s3, d2 in dwelling applications and B-s3, d2 in non-dwelling applications. Many pre-insulated systems that are being marketed for use inside of buildings simply do not meet these criteria.” In addition, TICA is raising questions over the testing regimes employed by some manufacturers of pre-insulated pipe and duct systems. “We are seeing vastly differing reaction to fire results for products that appear to be of a similar nature,” added Chris. “In some cases, the testing processes adopted by manufacturers of pre-insulated product appear to have diverged from the agreed testing methods commonly understood for traditional thermal insulation products. “Ultimately, manufacturers are marketing a system by combining pipe and duct products with an insulation product – this cannot negate the responsibility of testing the insulation element to the prescribed standards.” TICA has also highlighted the fact that some pre-insulated products are being marketed for applications where they simply cannot meet the required maximum heat loss requirements prescribed in BS 5422:2023 and Approved Document L Volumes 1 & 2. Chris said: “Those responsible for specifying and installing pre-insulated systems should be prepared to ask some detailed questions first. Ultimately, this is not just a combination of products but a junction of trades. “No-one would automatically assume that a thermal insulator is competent to install or specify pipework and ductwork – why, then, should we assume that a ductwork contractor or pipework contractor is competent to install or specify thermal insulation?” BS 5422:2023 applies to thermal insulating materials for pipes, tanks, vessels, ductwork and equipment operating between-40ºc and +700ºc. The first update in since 2009, it is the cornerstone of UK thermal insulation standards, setting out minimum levels of performance for different operating conditions. TICA can provide further information, complete with a list of questions that can be put to manufacturers and distributors of pre-insulated products, upon request. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
