Nortech launches new product catalogue People and Vehicle Access control system specialists Nortech has recently introduced a new 24-page product catalogue to help specifiers find the right products for their projects. It has been divided into four product categories: Access Control, Readers and ID Devices; Long Range Identification; and Vehicle Detection and Parking. The Access Control section covers all of Nortech’s best-selling […] The post Nortech launches new product catalogue...

Nortech launches new product catalogue

People and Vehicle Access control system specialists Nortech has recently introduced a new 24-page product catalogue to help specifiers find the right products for their projects. It has been divided into four product categories: Access Control, Readers and ID Devices; Long Range Identification; and Vehicle Detection and Parking.

The Access Control section covers all of Nortech’s best-selling access system range including standalone control devices for managing one or two doors, plus fully online Norpass access management system.

The Readers & ID Devices section highlights an extensive choice of 125-KHz proximity, 13.5-MHz smartcard and 865-MHz UHF technologies readers, whereas the Long-Range Identification section features Nedap’s popular Automatic Number Plate Recognition ANPR, ANPR HD, uPass Reach, uPass Target, and TRANSIT Ultimate readers.

The final section covers vehicle detection and parking. This includes Nortech’s popular inductive loop detectors range, FeeMaster Smart, NorParc Counting system including VMS counting signs.

The catalogue also features a number of new products; including:

• MACE Reader range – This range include the popular MACE Reader MM, MACE Reader MM QR, MACE Smart using MACE Virtual identification credential, effectively a smart phone / card reader that supports – QR Codes, Bluetooth, NFC, Smart and Prox cards.

• uPASS Target Antenna – By adding the uPASS Target Antenna to the uPASS Target reader the read range can be extended to cover a wider area. This is an ideal solution for existing or new uPASS Target installations.

• VMS–RGB-10A range – Nortech offers a range of standard and multi-level RGB high intensity signs that are fully compliant with European VMS standard EN12966. The signs can be used in standalone counting solutions with Nortech’s NCT100 counting controllers, or used with NCT200 counting controllers and NorParc Software.

Nortech has supplied products and solutions to the security industry for over 25 years as an independent British company. The company uses extensive experience and expertise to create new security products to fit their clients’ needs and designs everything with the customer in mind.

information is available from Nortech on 01633 485533 or by emailing sales@nortechcontrol.com or the new catalogue can be downloaded by visiting the company’s website at https://www.nortechcontrol.com/media/39014/2018-product-catalogue-1802.pdf

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Kirsty Hammond

Using BEMS data intelligently brings maximum benefits In the face of spiralling prices and a growing raft of legislation designed to reduce carbon emissions, building owners and managers need to do all they can to manage energy use. This article from Trend Control Systems explains how gaining a better understanding of a Building Energy Management System (BEMS) and the data it provides […] The post Using BEMS data intelligently brings maximum benefits appeared first on Specifier Review -...

Using BEMS data intelligently brings maximum benefits

In the face of spiralling prices and a growing raft of legislation designed to reduce carbon emissions, building owners and managers need to do all they can to manage energy use. This article from Trend Control Systems explains how gaining a better understanding of a Building Energy Management System (BEMS) and the data it provides can lead to on-going cost and energy savings, and why it pays to build a close working relationship with a specialist service provider.

The problem of energy wastage is enormous and, given that a large percentage of a building’s energy usage can be under the control of a BEMS, maximising the potential of an asset that most building owners and users already have at their disposal is the logical thing to do.

Legislation is driving energy efficiency measures across the board. With the introduction of MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard) from 1st April 2018, it will be unlawful to rent a property which breaches the requirement for a minimum energy performance rating of E on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), unless there is an applicable exemption. As another example, Distribution Use of System (DUoS) charges typically account for up to 19% of an electricity bill. With the implementation of DCP228 from April 1, 2018 many half-hourly businesses will see a rise in energy costs due to revised DUoS charges. As a business, you may decide to re-examine the times at which you use energy to reduce the associated costs. Smart control strategies using an existing BEMS can result in significant energy and cost savings.

Room for improvement

As the old adage goes, ‘if you can’t measure it you can’t manage it’, and a BEMS is without doubt the most effective way to gain a true picture of how and where any potential savings can be made. Clear targets and objectives must be set and intelligent technology applied to provide on-going analysis of how energy is being consumed, with remedial actions suggested where necessary.

A BEMS ensures that building services operate in strict accordance with demand. The data it can produce allows relevant personnel to better analyse, understand, reconfigure and improve a site’s energy usage and costs by having it presented in an organised and informative way.

This is useful when relaying what can sometimes be quite complex information to other stakeholders. Take, for example, financial directors, who can be supplied with visual dashboards to prove that performance indicators (KPIs) are being met and have financial savings presented in pounds rather than just kWh. The same data can also be used by facilities managers to make decisions regarding the purchase and maintenance of plant, or even by staff so that they can take positive action to reduce energy consumption and/or enhance comfort conditions at work.

Facts and figures

Capturing accurate data in granular detail can only happen if a BEMS is fully optimised as, if not, the information it feeds back will simply be incorrect. It is therefore necessary to adjust setpoints and check that items such as boilers, chillers, air conditioning and pumps are working correctly.

Although a BEMS is at the very heart of a successful data capture programme, it is also vital to establish a set of clearly identified and defined objectives that outline exactly what is to be achieved. Whether it’s a 15 per cent year-on-year reduction or a 10 per cent lower electricity bill, the principle is the same and setting a realistic goal necessitates a thorough understanding of how energy is currently being managed – or indeed mismanaged – in a building.

Profiles should be created to enable comparison of actual and expected consumption. Furthermore, it is useful to factor in degree day data to allow for differences in weather conditions, while the development of long-term strategies and regular profiling will identify where on-going efficiencies can be made.

Making advances

BEMS systems can provide significantly more data and building intelligence than ever before, but in order to understand it and make appropriate decisions with the output, customers will probably need additional expert assistance or advice. A trusted BEMS specialist service provider is able work closely with a customer to ensure their building is running effectively, whilst maintaining occupancy comfort and optimal working conditions.

Due to a thorough understanding of a building’s design, layout and occupancy patterns, a BEMS specialist service provider will be able to configure local displays to present a continually updated record of a energy consumption and carbon emissions – showing at a glance whether they are on, below or above performance targets.

They will also be able to indicate any additional benefits that can be achieved through looking at the building services from a ‘connected’ perspective. According to recent studies, 40-52 per cent of a building’s energy use is consumed by heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, whilst up to 23 per cent is used for lighting. When the BEMS and lighting are managed efficiently together, such as with the Trend and Ex-Or by Honeywell systems, customers have the technology to control up to 75 per cent of the energy usage in their building with the deployment of an integrated solution.

Furthermore, a specialist service provider can help to fully exploit the advantages of BEMS software. This can assist with the management of buildings at an enterprise level through developing a strategy that gathers accurate and useful energy consumption data and determines, through the use of sub-metering, exactly where energy is being used. In addition, control check reports (CCRs) can also be configured to maintain parameters in a graphical and easy to read format.

Work in progress

Working with a specialist service provider can help unlock the many benefits of a BEMS and maximise return on investment. In addition, utility tariffs, CO2 ratings and cost and consumption targets can be configured, while normalisation criteria allows comparisons between different areas within a building to be made in real time. A successful strategy will not only improve operational efficiency, it will isolate items not typically included in energy benchmarks.

A BEMS should never be considered a fit and forget technology, as getting the best out of it requires an ongoing optimisation programme that implements new technology, reconfigures setpoints and takes into account changes to a building’s layout and occupancy patterns. In this regard outsourcing maintenance to a specialist service provider makes perfect sense, as through regular monitoring and maintenance adjustments can be made that deliver immediate savings, while other plant can be proactively monitored to make sure it is working correctly.

Helping hand

Today’s buildings are complex and challenging environments. Specialist BEMS service providers are committed to helping customers optimise asset life and improve the running costs of a building through the provision of accurate data, while sustaining a productive environment that meets the evolving needs of its occupants. Tailoring a maintenance and support strategy based on individual requirements can get the best out of a BEMS and provide end users with the opportunity to ask questions, make their lives easier, access funding and become more informed about the important energy management information that’s available at their fingertips.

For further information please call Trend Marketing on 01403 211888 or email marketing@trendcontrols.com.

https://www.trendcontrols.com/

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Kirsty Hammond

New £10 million sports venue completes in West London GRASSHOPPERS Rugby Club – a sports venue in the London Borough of Hounslow – has benefited from an entirely new, 1,500 m2 facility, designed by Pick Everard. The multi-million-pound, state-of-the-art facility will provide young people in the borough with better access to rugby, football and netball – further nurturing the rugby club’s links with local schools and […] The post New £10 million sports venue completes in West...

New £10 million sports venue completes in West London

GRASSHOPPERS Rugby Club – a sports venue in the London Borough of Hounslow – has benefited from an entirely new, 1,500 m2 facility, designed by Pick Everard.

The multi-million-pound, state-of-the-art facility will provide young people in the borough with better access to rugby, football and netball – further nurturing the rugby club’s links with local schools and grassroots provisions in the area.

As well as a new rugby clubhouse, the venue has natural and artificial rugby pitches; artificial netball courts; a shop; stores; car parking; gymnasium; function suite; members’ lounge and bar, along with a separate apartment for the facilities manager.

Andrew Almond, partner at the national property, construction and infrastructure consultancy, said: “The facility will make sport more accessible to young people in the area, encouraging them to learn new skills and achieve higher levels of fitness.

“Grasshoppers is a rugby club for the community, and the new facility gives the club the opportunity to strengthen and grow its current rugby and netball specialisms and success. The sports venue has been built on a previously neglected and underused site, with Grasshoppers’ former location being freed up for the construction of a new secondary school – improving local education and delivering a boost for the local economy.

“Our solution embraces environmental responsibility and future demand, using the latest in energy efficiency designs to create a highly green site. Photovoltaic panels on the roof contribute to electricity supply, with a combined heat and power unit providing hot water for the showers as well as serving the electric car charging point in the car park.

“A systematic arrangement of pipework takes rainwater from the roof, car park, netball courts and artificial rugby pitch in a large storage tank which supplies water for irrigation in periods of low rainfall,” he continued.

Pick Everard delivered full, multi-professional services – including: project management; quantity surveying; architecture, civil and structural engineering as well as BREEAM, acoustic, sports pitch specialism and landscape consultancy services – for London Borough of Hounslow Council and Grasshoppers RFC.

“This is a landmark development for the area and is obviously of incredible importance for the club so we knew we had to create something that would exceed the ambitious brief,” Andrew said.

“The design of the building facades has incorporated references to the club’s historic kit colours. These have been used to denote the main entrance atrium and the long canopy of the spectating terrace, through to the stadia seating.

“The form of the building creates a simple cloak to a complex variety of uses internally and provides a full-length elevated terrace for spectating and social events. A double height glazed atrium welcomes visitors and members with a glimpse of the pitches beyond.

“Visibility of the key internal spaces includes the gym and function suite, including a purpose-made trophy cabinet providing sight lights to the pitches from above. Grass banks around the perimeter of the build create further spectating vantage points and minimise the visual impact of the building in its open setting with the Metropolitan Open Land, which is green belt.

“Our considerable experience in the sport and leisure sector has enabled us to advise and support Grasshoppers RFC and the London Borough of Hounslow Council throughout this significant development and we are delighted to have been an active part of their future success,” continued Andrew.

Aun Qurashi, project manager at London Borough of Hounslow Council added: “The London Borough of Hounslow’s relocation of Grasshoppers RFC to a new home in Syon Lane has transformed a previously neglected and underused site into a state-of-the-art facility for the community sports club – allowing Grasshoppers’ vacated site to be freed up for construction of a much-needed new secondary school.

“The council’s masterplan for the new site was developed by Pick Everard’s design team into a striking scheme with excellent environmental credentials. Pick Everard’s delivery team ensured timely completion by the contractor in the face of significant challenges of adverse ground conditions and extreme weather. The council is very pleased to have worked closely with Pick Everard to realise this exceptional project.”

George Orishaguna, director at Grasshoppers RFC said: “I truly believe Pick Everard and Dawnus have provided us with a facility unmatched for any club at our level in the whole country. This will enable us to improve rugby and netball for all ages while maintaining our fantastic Grasshopper ethos, with members, schools and the community very much at the heart.”

The work was delivered as part of the Hounslow Schools Programme and Pick Everard worked with Dawnus to complete the project.

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Kirsty Hammond

Restaurant gets a timely and efficient upgrade with heat recovery air conditioning When KFC was looking to transform a Burger King outlet in Banbury, they needed an installer that could match the tight installation timeframe and an air conditioning system that could bring 21st Century levels of efficiency, comfort and control. Transforming a Burger King fast food outlet into a KFC may sound like a reasonably straightforward […] The post Restaurant gets a timely and efficient upgrade with...

Restaurant gets a timely and efficient upgrade with heat recovery air conditioning

When KFC was looking to transform a Burger King outlet in Banbury, they needed an installer that could match the tight installation timeframe and an air conditioning system that could bring 21st Century levels of efficiency, comfort and control.

Transforming a Burger King fast food outlet into a KFC may sound like a reasonably straightforward task but the recent project in Banbury, Oxfordshire involving Kinlochs and Son Limited (KSL) demonstrated that a restaurant refurbishment often requires more than just a change of menu.

Scheduled to take just over seven weeks from start to finish, the KFC franchisee, was looking for a swift turnaround on installation and chose Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Quality Partner, KSL, its preferred mechanical contractor, having already worked successfully with the company in the past.

It was clear that the building desperately required a complete overhaul and switching the standard split type air conditioning system to a VRF heat recovery system from Mitsubishi Electric was an ideal starting point.

Kevin Gregory, Contracts Manager at KSL, comments: “Since 2001 we have carried out a number of installations with KFC franchisees and have successfully combined market-leading Mitsubishi Electric technology with a firm commitment to exceptional customer service, delivering efficient and economical air conditioning solutions that stand the test of time.”

The Mitsubishi Electric City Multi VRF heat recovery system offers simultaneous heating and cooling, distributing surplus heat from cooling operations to other areas of the building when and where it is required. This offers significant benefits in the KFC outlet as waste heat from cold room equipment can be recovered and put to good use elsewhere.

KSL had previously helped to introduce a more streamlined approach to franchisee’s air conditioning systems by implementing equipment from a single manufacturer, cutting down on training, support and critical spares costs.

Initial discussions with the Banbury KFC franchisee were focused on keeping energy consumption as low as possible and reducing equipment downtime. Kevin Gregory, adds: “The franchisee was keen on the idea of saving energy via a VRF air curtain and recognised the advantages in selecting an economical system which provides a rapid return on the initial investment. During the summer months the newly installed air curtain will deliver cool air and stop flying insects from entering the premises – a major consideration for food outlets.”

Featuring two-pipe technology for quicker installation and a BC controller for ‘intelligent’ decision making, the new system will deliver instant efficiency savings and could reduce energy consumption by up to 30%.

By individually metering power supplies the franchisee was offered first hand evidence of the potential savings on offer and is now committed to using heat recovery air conditioning systems in the Banbury outlet and all future new builds.

KSL will be responsible for maintenance at the Banbury site and, as a trusted Diamond Quality Partner, were able to offer an extended seven-year parts warranty for additional peace of mind. As well as air conditioning, KSL can provide bespoke cold rooms, ice makers, extraction solutions and have a 24 hour/365 emergency call out facility with a guaranteed response time.

To see how KSL can help you on your next project or planned preventative maintenance requirement contact the team on tel 01634 290999 or email sales@kinlochs.net

http://www.kinlochs.net/

https://hybridvrf.co.uk/

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Kirsty Hammond

Worktop Express Launch Wilsonart’s Zenith Solid-Core Slimline Worktops The UK’s leading online worktop specialist of worksurfaces  www.worktop-express.co.uk in Gloucester has added three Wilsonart Zenith decors to its comprehensive range of Wilsonart worktops.  Worktop Express which started business in 2009, has built a compelling business initially supplying competitive solid wood worktops and has developed into offer all materials both online and through its eight […] The post...

Worktop Express Launch Wilsonart’s Zenith Solid-Core Slimline Worktops

The UK’s leading online worktop specialist of worksurfaces  www.worktop-express.co.uk in Gloucester has added three Wilsonart Zenith decors to its comprehensive range of Wilsonart worktops.  Worktop Express which started business in 2009, has built a compelling business initially supplying competitive solid wood worktops and has developed into offer all materials both online and through its eight national worktop showrooms.

Worktop Express started selling Wilsonart UK laminate worktops three years ago and has steadily increased its offer to include Zenith Caldeira, (pictured) Rouille and Magma.  In each Worktop Express showroom, Wilsonart Zenith will have displays, sample blocks and offer décor swatches (pictured) available to order online.

Tahnee Miles, Merchandise Manager for Worktops Express, said, “Zenith is already selling like hot cakes, our customers clearly love the product and the flexibility it gives them for shelves, waterfall ends and drainer grooves.”

About Zenith

Zenith was the first super-slim solid-core laminate.  At just 12.5mm thick, it has an identical decorative surface finish on two sides, perfect to create waterfall-end panels and co-ordinated bespoke open shelves.  In the kitchen an under-mount sink with drainer grooves is practical and easy to create as the material is 100% waterproof, revealing the stunning extra black core.  Three textures; Roche, Linimat and Granite and a choice of eleven decors.

Zenith can be installed with standard tooling so there is no costly templating or long waits for off-site manufacture and it is also competitively priced, positioned between the premium laminate and solid surface. Its look and texture create a realism that is virtually indistinguishable from natural slab materials such as the very costly ceramic surfaces.

www.wilsonart.co.uk

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Kirsty Hammond

School Dinners will never be the same! Lunchtimes at Butterknowle Primary School have been revolutionised thanks to the innovative installation team from Sound Reduction Systems. The headteacher Tessa Fenoughty and staff brought to the attention of SRS that lunchtimes in their school had become problematic and even traumatic to some of its children due to an acoustic issue in its dining hall. […] The post School Dinners will never be the same! appeared first on Specifier Review -...

School Dinners will never be the same!

Lunchtimes at Butterknowle Primary School have been revolutionised thanks to the innovative installation team from Sound Reduction Systems.

The headteacher Tessa Fenoughty and staff brought to the attention of SRS that lunchtimes in their school had become problematic and even traumatic to some of its children due to an acoustic issue in its dining hall.

Faced with both a small budget and an increasingly noisy task SRS proposed a treatment to save lunchtimes for good! The summer holidays came and went…. On returning to school both teachers and pupils were able to experience a far quieter lunchtime. Since the installation of acoustic panels by SRS the noise levels were significantly reduced and all children are once again enjoying a more relaxing and calming lunchtime together.

Not only have the panels proved effective at damping the sound in the echoey hall but the children and teachers report a warmer more pleasant experience to boot!

All concerned are impressed by how effective the product has proven to be. School assemblies, PE lessons, scout nights and performances are significantly improved as a result of the fitting by SRS.

Tessa Fenoughty said: “I’m amazed at the difference the acoustic panels have made and they look good too. My pupils have noticed an immediate difference too, they tell me that they can now hear each other at lunch time. Please also pass on our thanks to your fitters who did a very swift and professional job”.

SRS are specialists in school acoustics and offer free advice, site visits and quotes to any school with sound absorption problems. You can read project profiles and testimonials from satisfied schools on the website.

If your school has a noise problem, please get in touch on 01204 380074 Email info@soundreduction.co.uk or Website www.soundreduction.co.uk to request your free consultation and quote

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Kirsty Hammond