Airthings, a global leader in indoor air quality solutions for consumers, businesses, and professionals announced a new feature for its business solution: CO₂ Alert. The new capability will help schools and offices to keep their indoor air quality in check by warning them when Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) exceeds the recommended levels. High CO₂ levels can increase the risk of airborne viruses spreading between people and impact cognitive abilities. By letting users know when a room needs a breather, they can make quick changes, such as opening a window or door, to improve the air quality. CO₂ Alert will start rolling out from today to new and existing Airthings for Business customers at no additional cost. In the midst of the current pandemic, effective ventilation has become an important strategy for reducing the spread of COVID-19 inside offices and schools. When we breathe out, our bodies expel CO₂, and the levels can rise quickly in enclosed spaces. This can significantly increase the risk of airborne virus transmission. Measuring CO₂ levels serves as a good indicator of indoor air quality and ventilation, and as a result, carbon dioxide regulations are becoming more common in offices and schools across Europe. “Schools and offices are under immense pressure to ensure their buildings protect the health and wellness of their occupants,” says Oyvind Birkenes, CEO at Airthings. “The Airthings for Business solution not only measures CO₂, but also other indoor pollutants and conditions that impact our health, productivity, and wellbeing. With the new CO₂ Alert, we go one step further in empowering our customers to take control of the air they breathe, making it easier to take action when it’s needed.” How it works The new CO₂ Alert feature will be available via the Wave Plus for Business, Airthings’ flagship product, named one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Best Inventions.” Users will be able to set up CO₂ thresholds according to their local regulations. When CO₂ exceeds the recommended levels, the light ring will start to blink red, indicating that it is time to bring more fresh air into the room. By waving the hand in front of the device at any time, users will get a colour-coded indication of the CO₂ levels (green means the levels are low, yellow means the levels are rising, and red means an action is required). The impact of poor indoor air quality We spend 90% of our time indoors, where the air is typically 2 to 5 times worse than outdoors. When CO₂ builds up in poorly ventilated spaces, it can cause lower productivity, drowsiness, headaches, loss of concentration, and even poor decision-making. Scientists found that decision-making capabilities decline when levels rise to 1,000 ppm, while 1,400 ppm sees a 50 percent drop in cognitive ability. In addition to CO₂, there are other indoor air pollutants that impact our health and wellbeing, from airborne chemicals to radon, the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Conditions such as humidity and temperature are also important factors to monitor as both are correlated with virus transmission. Today, many schools and offices are located in buildings that have not been optimized for occupant health. While some ventilation systems recycle the air to conserve energy, bringing in fresh air is essential to ensure a healthy indoor environment. Continuous monitoring and familiarization with what’s in the air through technology solutions like Airthings for Business can help schools and offices improve their indoor air quality while optimizing energy consumption. Set up in a matter of minutes, the Airthings for Business solutions is made of wireless monitors and run on long-lasting batteries, making the solution easily scalable and customizable to any new or existing space. Indoor air quality data is easily available via the Airthings Dashboard and users can create reports to ensure they are in compliance to local laws and regulations.

By now there’s no doubt that LED strip lights are the most versatile sources of illumination for your home and office. They can be used by themselves as the tape can be easily stuck to almost any surface. But the look of naked LED strips doesn’t always match the decor and can be a sour to the eye. That’s where aluminium profiles come in handy. But what are those and when to use them? What is an aluminium LED profile? Aluminium profile or extrusion (there’s no real difference and those names are interchangeable) is a solid, semi-hollow or hollow shaped piece of aluminium. It can be used for almost anything – from building simple appliances for home to constructing spacecrafts. Alu extrusions products can greatly vary in sizes, tempers, alloys and shapes, which makes them ideal for various applications. Going back to the main topic, LED extrusions are made specifically to shield LED tape from all sorts of mechanical damage. They’re also a great heat sink and enable you to create elaborate lighting projects with a unique finish – a LED extrusion can hide the LED tape without obscuring the light. Both LED profiles and LED strip lights come in varying colours and styles, so it’s easy to find just the one you’ve always wanted. Types of aluminium LED strip profiles In general, LED profiles can be divided into four groups – recessed, surface mounted, corner mounted and architectural. Recessed LED extrusions ALED profile of this kind is mainly used in lighting under cabinets and shelves but it also works well in lighting walls and floor. Recessed LED extrusion is typically supplied at standard lengths of 1 to 2 meters but can be easily cut to length (many providers even do it for free), depending on the LED strip you want to mount. Beside protecting your LED strip lights from any kind of contact damage, recessed profile provides a more “finished” look to them – it’s diffused cover allows the light to shine through but simultaneously disperses the view of the individual diodes. Although not waterproof, the LED profile also helps in preventing moisture inside the LED tape itself. Surface mounted LED profiles This particular kind of extrusions works well mounted on walls, floor edgings, cupboards and cabinets. They’re also suitable for under shelf or under cabinet lighting. Surface mounted extrusions give your LED strips a professional look, which makes them great for office space and any other visible locations (especially the models with high-diffused cover). Surface mounted extrusions are easy to set up, cut and fit together, which enables you to create a seemingly one-pieced continuous line effect for your lighting. As other profiles, they obscure the individual diodes and are available in standardized sizes. Corner mounted LED extrusions This particular type of extrusion is designed to fit any 90-degree angle corner. Mounting LED strips into them makes the light shine out at a 45-degree angle (in standard models but there are also profiles with 30-/60-degree options). A corner profile finds its use mainly in ceiling and floor corners but it can also be fitted under cabinets, shelves or kitchen cupboards. Corner mounted LED extrusion comes with a diffuser (special cover) which disperses the LED strip’s appearance without obscuring the light itself – it creates a smooth light bar effect. Corner extrusions are available in standardized sizes but can be cut to length like the rest (often for free). Architectural LED profiles This category consists of a wide range of special application LED extrusions that vary in shapes – from almost completely flat, through T-shaped (some fitted for two LED strip lights), to almost fully circular. Due to this variety, you can freely provide quality lighting in almost any situation, depending on your needs. They work great in wardrobe, living room, bathroom, on stairs, displays or even a simple wall. Just make sure that your LEDs aren’t directly exposed to the moisture (or buy waterproof strips). This kind of product is ideal for people that like to design their own interiors and finish them with a modern touch. It’s also great for experimenting with your home lighting system – simply using a different profile with a new shape can drastically change the effect. What are the uses of LED profiles? Aside from the most obvious protection of the LED strip installed inside (and thus further extending its longevity), LED extrusions have a variety of less conspicuous uses. Here’s some main ones: absorbing the heat – as we mentioned, a LED profile is a good heat sink, which makes it crucial if you plan to fit your LEDs on wood or wood-like surfaces. keeping the light in place – LED strips can be stuck to almost any surface, but they won’t remain there forever as the glue will weaken in time. Therefore, mounting it in an extrusion will help you make sure that your light will stay in its place, no matter what happens. easy cleaning – using a LED extrusion is an easy way to keep your finished design nice and clean as there’s no way you’ll catch the diodes encased within with your duster. consistent reflection – while using single coloured strips, a white diffuser that comes with a LED extrusion gives you a consistent dot free reflection. This is especially important when lighting a highly reflective surface (e.g., worktops or tiles), which can tire your eyes quite fast. directing the light – fitting your LED strips in angled extrusions is an easy way to direct the light without decreasing its quality. Just find the right profile for what’s on your mind or simply swap the old plain extrusion with a different one. LED profiles – change your home today LED extrusions are products designed and made especially for LED strip lights. Therefore, they not only shield them from external damage, but also make them a lot more pleasant to the eye. So if you want to make your home look and feel more modern and smart,

UK homeowners seeking to improve the security of their homes to feel safer and add value to properties can look to simple tips from home improvement experts. From upgrading doors and windows, to having a protected location for post and parcels, the team at Stormclad have compiled a list of five suggestions for making your home safe and secure for the future. John Evans, managing director at Stormclad, said: “Security is always a top priority for any homeowner and given the present circumstances we are all spending more time indoors. Being at home more does not necessarily mean your property is safer from burglars, and our changing living habits present more opportunities for trespassers to take advantage of, such as the increase in parcels being delivered to homes and obvious improvements made to enhance kerb appeal and improve front and back gardens. “Now is a good time to ensure your home is as safe as it can possibly be, as well as thinking of the value that home improvements can add to your property, should you choose to put your home on the market in future. “As home experts, we have compiled a list of simple tips that homeowners can consider when making plans to increase the security of their properties. Our suggestions include easy changes to the interior and exterior of homes, such as ensuring parcels are left in a safe location and homes are well lit up at night. Other changes that can be made to the home include reinforcing entry points with strong, reliable windows and doors to prevent forced entry.” Here is the list of five home security improvement tips: 1. A place for post and parcels The closure of many high street shops and businesses means that, now more than ever, people are turning to online shopping to purchase everything from food and white goods to garden and DIY equipment. The rise is ecommerce since the COVID-19 pandemic began has been sharp, with many admitting they shop online frequently and will continue to do so at the same rate or higher post-lockdown.* As more people switch from shopping trolleys to their devices, it’s important to consider the implications of receiving an influx of parcels through the post that are often left outside the home, if homeowners are out or unable to answer the door. Having a safe place to receive post and packages, such as a secure lockable parcel box, is a good idea to avoid opportunists who may be looking to take advantage of the increase in parcels left outside homes. Remember to be cautious when recycling or disposing of packaging materials, letters and envelopes, too, if they have your name, address or other personal details on them – they may be a prime target for anyone looking to commit identity theft. 2. Improving front and back doors Though homeowners are spending more time than ever in their homes this year, the risk of burglary and theft is still a threat to be wary of – old, weak doors with poor locking systems are an easy target for burglars, so upgrading entry points in your home will help to ensure it remains secure. Not only that but choosing to upgrade your property with new front and back doors, patio, sliding or bi fold doors will improve both the aesthetic and security of your home. Choosing quality doors for your home will also improve the property’s heat retention, potentially helping to save money on energy bills, keeping you warm and cosy while you spend more time indoors, especially during the winter months. Be sure to choose doors that feature multi-point locking systems and meet British security standards, to give you peace of mind. 3. Secure windows Installing new windows is a worthwhile investment that will not only improve the security of your home, but will also enhance its thermal performance. Choosing windows that have shatter-proof laminate glass, internal beading and effective security locking systems offer a protective barrier to the exterior of your home. Window locking systems such as Twin-cam Security Locking (TSL) have up to eight locking points with adjustable twin-cams offering even greater security against burglary. For all sash window locks and other window security locks, it is important to ensure the parts themselves are resistant, designed for purpose, and compliant with British standards like PAS24. 4. Keeping valuables safe Opportunists may seek any opportunity to steal valuables from your home, so be cautious as to where you store expensive items. Having expensive technology visible from the street could make your home a target and while burglars may stay away because they know homeowners are likely to be at home, they may earmark your property for a later date once you have returned to work. This goes for valuables in your garden too – if you, like many, improved your outside space over the summer months with items such as furniture, a barbecue, fire pit, or even plants and flower pots, make sure these are kept in a safe place over winter to prevent them from being stolen. Ensure that keys are kept in a safe place too, never leave in locks and always keep away from the letterbox, as intruders will often try to retrieve them with a hook device to open the door. 5. Exterior lights and alarm systems For added safety, particularly during the darker winter months, it is helpful to have exterior lights around your home that have a sensor triggered by movement – this will often deter anyone looking to break into your home, garage or garden shed at night. For a more robust level of home protection invest in a visible alarm system. There are plenty of comprehensive alarm systems on the market but installing one will send a clear message to potential intruders that your home is not an easy target. To ensure complete peace of mind, always check that installations and home improvements are completed to the highest standard by a reputable company with full accreditations and that you

Edwin James Group has reported strong trading as the engineering and technical services company saw growth across all of its core market sectors. The annual results saw turnover rise 15% to £153m with an increase in earnings (EBITDA) of 28% from the previous year.  The group continued to see organic growth across all operations and the recent acquisitions of Jex Process Services and Peak Technology Solutions, which support the expansion of its process services business. Commenting on the results, Derek Smith, CEO of Edwin James Group said: “We are harnessing the expertise of our people and the benefits of our technology solutions to provide our customers with unparalleled service to help them manage assets through the full lifecycle. It’s an approach that is driving revenue growth across the business.  “We continue to be open to acquisitions that can add value to our customer offering by enhancing our capabilities in key sectors. This year’s results are a robust platform for continued growth.”  The group is a leading national engineering services business, employing 1,100 people with its head offices in both Glasgow and Burton-on-Trent.  The group has increased investment in its own Academy, which supports lifelong learning at every stage of an employee’s career. It has over 100 apprentices working across the group, and they form a key part of its workforce strategy. It plans to expand its apprenticeship and graduate programme further in 2021.  Mr Smith concluded: “While the last seven months have proved a challenging environment for all businesses to operate in we have continued to trade robustly and we are well placed to return to growth in 2021. The synergies between our businesses continue to enhance value for clients, which is supporting organic revenue growth.” Edwin James Group was founded by investment firm Aliter Capital, which initially acquired Ingen Technical Services then Korrie, both Scottish-based businesses. It was followed by the acquisition of Burton-based WT Parker Group, in April 2017 and then Peterborough business, PEME, also in 2017. The acquisitions of Jex and Peak took place in 2019. 

Overheating is costing lives and Specialist Building Service Engineers, Milieu, have decided to share their expert knowledge of competing demands of design, to help prevent overheating in residential builds. The government may encourage people to open their windows to mitigate the risk of Covid-19 transmission this winter. Yet, there will be some individuals who may not have the physical or mental capacity to open windows at all, or they may live in homes where windows cannot be opened due to security issues and/or noise pollution. It is these people who are also at higher risk from overheating in the summer months when they are unable to open windows to cool down. Often overlooked, there is a very real risk of death in the UK due to overheating – almost 900 pensioners died last year during Britain’s summer heat waves, and the Committee on Climate Change has estimated that mortality rates arising from overheating could, without any adaption from the population, rise from a current average of 2000 per year to 7000 per year by the 2050s. To reduce the risk of overheating in a residential build, there are a number of competing demands to consider: all of which need to be balanced by careful planning and design. Acoustics – internal noise levels have to fall within acoustic requirements for residential buildings: this can mean windows may not be openable as would allow too much noise, so cooling via windows is impossible. Daylighting – glazing installed to allow sufficient daylight to penetrate into rooms: but, too much glazing, especially on south and west facing buildings can lead to high levels of solar gain and increase risk of overheating. Energy – buildings need to be well-insulated to prevent heat-loss and reduce the use of heating systems thus reducing carbon emissions: however, well-insulated buildings trap heat and increase risk of overheating. Overheating – buildings need a way of letting excess heat escape to prevent occupant discomfort. If a building is very well-insulated, has windows that can’t open due to acoustic requirements and has high levels of glazing to satisfy demands for daylight, occupants are at increased risk of overheating. Passive methods of cooling, such as opening windows and doors and closing shutters and blinds, are the most desirable to reduce risk of overheating, but these cannot always be achieved. Overheating needs to be taken into account at the design stage of a building. Retrospective cooling is a lot more costly and less energy efficient. “Every development is unique and requires individual consideration. We find that the most efficient and cost-effective way to address the competing demands of design is for building service engineers to be involved from the initial stages: early engagement with architects and developers to understand the challenges of a development and to assess risk of overheating, are essential to provide healthy living spaces, reduce risk of ill health due to overheating and reduce long term costs associated with retrofitting cooling solutions,” said Carl Carrington, CEO Milieu. “An example of this in practice is our current work with Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt Architects on a new build development in the London Borough of Hackney. It’s impossible to use purely passive methods of cooling due to site-related constraints, so we’ve proposed to make use of underfloor cooling in order to avoid overheating within the apartments.”