Vent-Axia Supports Noise Action Week 2018 Vent-Axia is delighted to be supporting Noise Action Week (21-26 May 2018) for the sixth year in a row. Co-ordinated by Environmental Protection UK, Noise Action Week aims to raise awareness of the cost of noise to the health and wellbeing of communities and individuals as well as helping tackle noise problems in our neighbourhoods. […] The post Vent-Axia Supports Noise Action Week 2018 appeared first on SPECIFIER...

Vent-Axia Supports Noise Action Week 2018

Vent-Axia is delighted to be supporting Noise Action Week (21-26 May 2018) for the sixth year in a row. Co-ordinated by Environmental Protection UK, Noise Action Week aims to raise awareness of the cost of noise to the health and wellbeing of communities and individuals as well as helping tackle noise problems in our neighbourhoods. At Vent-Axia the company also aims to help tackle household noise through a focus on continuing improvement through its R&D to produce the quietest products on the market, including the Lo-Carbon Svara and the Silent Fan, which both have a Quiet Mark.

Leading the way in silent fan design, Vent-Axia is committed to reducing sound levels in its products to help create a peaceful home environment. Sound levels are an important comfort issue, with nuisance noise causing unnecessary stress in the home. A raft of research has highlighted the detrimental health impact of noise with the Chief Medical Officer’s 2017 Annual Report ‘Health Impacts of all Pollution’ confirming the effects of noise pollution, stating “Noise stands second to poor air quality in terms of the burden of ill health caused by a single pollutant.”

“We are delighted to once again be supporting Noise Action Week. Excessive noise causes many problems and is now proven to affect our health and wellbeing so this initiative is an important way of highlighting the benefits of noise reduction. At Vent-Axia we are committed to developing quiet ventilation solutions that meet our customers’ needs. We have a sound laboratory and use computational fluid dynamics to ensure we can provide the quietest ventilation on the market” said Jenny Smith, Marketing Manager at Vent-Axia.

Offering a solution to noisy extract fans, Vent-Axia’s Lo-Carbon Svara and Silent Fan have both been awarded the Quiet Mark by the Noise Abatement Society, a mark of approval given World-Wide to manufacturers of the quietest products on the market and validated by the UK’s Association of Noise Consultants. The highly sophisticated Svara ensures quiet, disturbance free running with good indoor air quality and comfort. Easy and flexible to install and maintain, it offers a range of features that avoid nuisance running, a clever light sensor that recognises room occupancy and an effective humidistat which reacts to sharp changes in humidity. Meanwhile the innovative Silent Fan is ideal for refurbishment projects and is the quietest intermittent fan available, operating at just 14dBA. A recent redesign now offers ‘visual’ silence as well as acoustic silence, with simple, clean lines and an attractive slimline fascia that looks like a bathroom tile ensuring it is unobtrusive for households who can relax in comfort, free from noise-related stress.

Meanwhile, for the social housing sector Vent-Axia’s Lo-Carbon Revive has been designed to meet the specific needs of the social housing sector, providing good indoor air quality and comfort for residents while being quick and easy to install, low maintenance and reliable. With resident satisfaction vital, Vent-Axia’s R&D department has developed Revive’s innovative Multi-Vortex technology which has a high-pressure hybrid impellor that is powerful and efficient, yet quiet. The fan operates discreetly providing continuous ventilation, removing moisture and stale air, leaving a comfortable home environment.

For the New Build sector, Vent-Axia’s Sentinel Kinetic Advance Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) offers exceptional efficiency, near silent operation, high pressure development and improved indoor air quality. The Advance also features time-saving commissioning and control via a unique web-enabled App. Featuring trickle settings of up to 40% that still stay below 20dBA the Advance boasts a specific fan power (SFP) as low as 0.38W/l/s, combined with 93% heat recovery and a high pressure airflow of 100l/s at 150Pa. Maximised airflows and minimised noise and energy are achieved through cutting-edge EC motor and highly sculpted interiors.

For further information on all products and services offered by Vent-Axia telephone 0844 856 0590 or visit www.vent-axia.com.

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It’s time to embrace the ‘living wall’ years Ellina Webb looks at some of the most successful examples of living walls in the UK Over the past few years the number of buildings with living walls both internally and on the external facade has grown in popularity. Not only do they look nice but they also help to regulate indoor temperature, combat external […] The post It’s time to embrace the ‘living wall’ years appeared first on SPECIFIER...

It’s time to embrace the ‘living wall’ years

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Artificial intelligence used in major study analysing occupant behaviour to enhance building energy performance The work, using AI’s Machine Learning, aims to combat and minimise the ‘energy performance gap’ in buildings ARTIFICAL intelligence has been at the centre of many media reports recently and a researcher at the University of Huddersfield will demonstrate how it can be a better way to better predict building energy usage. Rima Alaaeddine is […] The post Artificial...

Artificial intelligence used in major study analysing occupant behaviour to enhance building energy performance

The work, using AI’s Machine Learning, aims to combat and minimise the ‘energy performance gap’ in buildings

ARTIFICAL intelligence has been at the centre of many media reports recently and a researcher at the University of Huddersfield will demonstrate how it can be a better way to better predict building energy usage.

Rima Alaaeddine is a PhD researcher within the University’s School of Art Design and Architecture.  Her research aims to combat and minimise the ‘energy performance gap’ and could benefit the building sector at a time when there is increasing pressure on industries around the world to conserve their energy consumption.

The term ‘energy performance gap’ arises when a building consumes more energy than was initially predicted during the design phase.  This gap is attributed to a set of variables such as environmental conditions, building characteristics and occupancy.

Occupants have significant impacts on building energy use, and there is complexity in predicting how much energy a building’s occupants will consume and the way they individually interact with the building on a daily basis, known as ‘Occupants Behaviour’.

This includes actions such as their use of lighting, hot water, electricity, appliances and the way they interact with the building for example, opening windows and controlling their heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Rima’s research could play an important part in helping the construction industry meet strict energy efficiency targets, recently set by the UK Government as part of a new energy strategy.  With the energy consumption of buildings accounting for 30 per cent of the entire global energy use, improving the energy efficiency of buildings is one of the key strategic objectives.  More accurate energy predications can facilitate building energy optimisation and guide decisions regarding the building energy performance.

“My research will employ a branch of Artificial Intelligence (AI) entitled Machine Learning,” said Rima.

She explains how by employing machine learning techniques are capable of handling complex and non-linear problems and can offer more accurate predictions on occupants’ behaviour

Rima’s project is already receiving national recognition.  The 27-year-old researcher was shortlisted from hundreds of applicants from across the UK to present her research in Parliament, as part of the annual STEM for BRITAIN competition, to a range of politicians and a panel of expert judges.

The prestigious poster competition, headed by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, was organised in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Biology, The Physiological Society and the Council for the Mathematical Sciences.

Rima’s entry was entitled ‘Minimizing the energy performance gap by application of an integrative machine learning methodology for occupants’ behaviour prediction’ and she said it was an honour taking part in STEM for BRITAIN and to be given the opportunity to present her work in Parliament.

“The event provided me with an opportunity to communicate my research as widely as possible, to inform and enthuse non-scientific audiences about my research in the building energy performance realm aiming to unveil the benefits it brings,” she said.

Rima Alaaeddine

The University of Huddersfield – Inspiring Tomorrow’s Professionals

The University of Huddersfield has a growing reputation as an inspiring, innovative provider of higher education of international renown.  Recognised as a leader in enterprise and innovation, the University has been the recipient of the Times Higher Education’s University of the Year Award and Entrepreneurial University of the Year and was awarded a Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.  In the 2015, the University achieved 5 star status from international ratings organisation QS Stars in the areas of teaching, internationalisation, employability, and for facilities and access.   It is currently number one in England for the proportion of staff with teaching qualifications and recently became one of the few universities in the UK to be awarded the ‘Gold’ standard in the Government’s new Teaching Excellence Framework.

The University annually welcomes over 19,000 students to a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across subjects covering…

…the sciences, engineering and IT

…health, education and the social sciences

…business, management, law and accountancy

…architecture, design, humanities and the arts.

The University of Huddersfield’s researchers are dedicated to solving the problems and answering the questions posed by industry, science and society as a whole.  Its research is showcased by internationally-recognised centres of excellence, strategic industry relationships and a commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.

The Chancellor of the University is His Royal Highness The Duke of York, KG, and the Vice-Chancellor is Professor Bob Cryan CBE.

https://www.hud.ac.uk/news/art-design-and-architecture/

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Ultra Quiet Ecodan takes heat pumps to the next level Mitsubishi Electric has launched some of the quietest air source heat pumps ever available in the UK to offer complete flexibility on where units can be installed whilst meeting Permitted Development. The Ultra Quiet Ecodan air source heat pumps are available in 8.5kW and 11.2kW sizes with sound levels that are three times quieter than […] The post Ultra Quiet Ecodan takes heat pumps to the next level appeared first on SPECIFIER...

Ultra Quiet Ecodan takes heat pumps to the next level

Mitsubishi Electric has launched some of the quietest air source heat pumps ever available in the UK to offer complete flexibility on where units can be installed whilst meeting Permitted Development.

The Ultra Quiet Ecodan air source heat pumps are available in 8.5kW and 11.2kW sizes with sound levels that are three times quieter than previous models, virtually eliminating planning restrictions.

Designed specifically for residential applications, these models offer superb, market-leading energy efficiency and sound levels and enable almost any home to benefit from high performance, renewable heating.

“The government has already recognised how important air source heat pumps will be for the future of low carbon heating in the UK and is forecasting one million sales a year by 2030,” says Max Halliwell, Product Manager for the company’s renewable heating systems.

“One of the key areas that will affect adoption of these energy-saving systems is noise which is why permitted development exists and these new units are designed specifically to overcome any issues with noise.”

In the residential environment, sound is important because low sound increases the flexibility of where a heat pump can be positioned. To ensure neighbours aren’t disturbed, Permitted Development requires sound levels to meet certain limitations, with the sound pressure level not exceeding 42 decibels, dB(A) when measured at a point one metre away from the neighbour’s nearest door or window.

“Our market leading Ecodan heat pumps have always been amongst the quietest on the market and are designed to provide any home with reliable, trouble-free renewable heating and hot water,” adds Halliwell.

“New Ultra Quiet Ecodan takes this to the next level with low sound and high performance which mean homeowners can now choose the most convenient location for their heat pump, giving complete flexibility on placement and still meeting Permitted Development requirements.”

The 8.5kW Ultra Quiet Ecodan has a sound power level of only 58 dB(A) which is an 8 dB(A) drop over the model it replaces. It also has a sound pressure level of just 45 dB(A) at one metre.

Sound power can be thought of as the cause of a noise or the total sound energy emitted by a source in all directions, whereas sound pressure is the effect or the sound we hear and this is determined by the environment and by the distance from the source of sound. We think of this as the intensity or loudness of a sound. An ambulance registers 120 dB(A) whereas a vacuum cleaner registers around 73 dB(A) and typical room conversation comes in at around 60 dB(A).

“With a sound pressure level of just 45 dB(A), the new Ecodan is whisper-quiet, with levels just above that of a library, meaning it will pass the Permitted Development requirements easily and can be installed almost anywhere to suit the homeowner,” explains Halliwell.

“This is a result of a decade of manufacturing Ecodan in Scotland and we have used this knowledge and experience to refine Ecodan and design it specifically for UK residential use.”

Innovations in fan and compressor design have enabled the units to achieve such low levels of sound whilst increasing performance and efficiency. Both models in the range (PUHZ-W85VAA and PUHZ-112VAA) are A++ ErP rated and also available with coastal protection for areas where they can be exposed to saline.

Further details on the performance of the units including a short animation on the importance of sound levels in achieving Permitted Development can be found at the dedicated website https://ultraquietecodan.co.uk.

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Award for urban redevelopment scheme in Porto, Portugal, featuring landscape design by Grant Associates A significant mixed-use urban regeneration scheme designed by Bogle Architects and Grant Associates for Portugal’s coastal city of Porto has been awarded a Commendation at the 2018 MIPIM/The Architectural Review: Future Projects Awards. Featuring a landscape and public realm design strategy by Grant Associates, the development project received the accolade for the Future Project...

Award for urban redevelopment scheme in Porto, Portugal, featuring landscape design by Grant Associates

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The importance of head protection Head protection is required across every aspect of construction, especially in places where there is a risk of being injured by falling objects, collapsing structures, protruding extensions, or when working in areas of restricted headspace. In industries where work at height is common, a helmet should be worn to protect your head should a fall […] The post The importance of head protection appeared first on SPECIFIER...

The importance of head protection

Head protection is required across every aspect of construction, especially in places where there is a risk of being injured by falling objects, collapsing structures, protruding extensions, or when working in areas of restricted headspace.

In industries where work at height is common, a helmet should be worn to protect your head should a fall occur.

In the 28 years since the Construction (Head Protection) Regulations (since modified by the PPE at Work Regulations) were introduced, countless severe head injuries and deaths have doubtless been prevented by head protection, also known as hard hats.

Choosing the correct head protection or hard hat is one of the most important decisions you will make when working in construction, and industries where there is a risk of objects falling on the head. Hard hats come in a wide variety of styles to suit different applications and personal preference. Variations of the standard hat are available with the options of:

– A full peak for shielding the eyes from solar glare

– A reduced peak when the worker is required to look up (for instance when climbing ladders)

– A rain gutter for protection against bad weather

– Ventilation holes to help keep the wearer cool in hot weather

– Replaceable sweat bands on the inside of the helmet

– A chinstrap for extra security and fit when the wearer is climbing, stooping or working at height. This is especially important in some areas, as a chinstrap will keep it on your head if you fall

– A chinguard and visor to protect against potentially hazardous materials flying upwards

–  Built-in eye protection in the form of safety goggles or a half-face visor

–  Integrated hearing defenders, or helmet-mounted earmuffs

Hard hats that comply with BS EN397:2012 are tested to withstand impact from pointed lead weights that are dropped onto the top of the hat. To help protect the skull from impact, beneath the hard outer shell of the helmet a skull cradle is suspended that should adjust to fit snugly to different head shapes and sizes.

Between the helmet and the cradle is a 12mm air gap. The rule is that the falling object should not penetrate the outer shell, and any dent the falling object makes should not exceed the gap between the outer shell and the skull cradle.

To ensure your safety, and to make sure the helmet you’re wearing does its job, there are a few things you can do.

–  Check hard hats regularly for cracks, dents or other damage

–  Replace hats if damaged or after their shelf-life expires (usually between two and five years, depending on level of use and manufacturer guidelines)

–  Keep hard hats clean using warm, soapy water, not solvents or abrasives.

And a few things you shouldn’t do. Never:

–  Store materials in your hard hat

–  Store hard hats where they may be exposed to direct sunlight (the parcel shelf of a car, for instance) as ultraviolet rays can damage the plastic outer shell

–  fix any stickers to the hard hat or write on it (some materials may be weakened by certain chemicals and adhesives).

For more PPE advice, or to enquire about our work at height and safety solutions, call the Safesite office on 01293 529977 or use our online contact form.

https://www.safesite.co.uk

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