Building News is an information portal for all professional building specifiers. Here you can find all of the latest construction news from around the UK and the rest of the world.

Zentia ceilings rise to the challenge in Plymouth

Sloping ceilings at a Plymouth primary school feature Zentia products.

 

A new school for a new community in Plymouth has relied on ceiling solutions by leading UK manufacturer Zentia for delivering both form and function.

Some 1,200m2 of Zentia’s Perla OP 0.95 Tegular 600mm x 600mm tiles, which were the first mineral tile in the world to win Cradle to Cradle status, feature in the classrooms, offices, stores and communal areas at state-of-the-art Morley Meadows primary school.

Part of Persimmon Homes’ Saltram Meadows development in Plymstock, the £5.8 million primary school also features Zentia’s 100% humidity resistant Hydroboard 600mm x 600mm tiles with Prelude 24 non-corrosive grid in the kitchen, showers, toilets and changing areas.

Designed by Stride Treglown architects, and delivered by main contractor Halsall Construction, the two-form entry school accommodates 420 pupils, with part of it able to be cordoned off so it can be used by other community groups out of hours.

Specialist sub-contractor Vizion Interiors had a team of up to 10 on site for eight months, installing a total of 1,650m2 of the Zentia products on ceilings, that in the main part, unusually, sloped to degrees of 35® to mimic the sloping roof.

For form, the Perla OP 0.95 tile features a smooth, low-gloss monolithic visual with best-in-class fully painted edges for additional aesthetics as well as durability. The tile also features high light reflectance (up to 86%) to reduce reliance on artificial light and Class A acoustic performance to sound absorption 0.95αw.

For function, as well as its Cradle to Cradle certification, Perla OP 0.95 also provides optimum indoor air quality (due to ultra-low A+ VOC emissions) and is manufactured from up to 64% recycled content and fully recyclable.

Hydroboard also features Class A acoustic performance to sound absorption 0.95αw and light reflectance of 82%.

Vizion Interiors’ contracts manager Andy West said: “The Zentia products were already specified but we would have put them forward regardless because they are superior products which are more readily available, and we have a fantastic working relationship with the area sales manager.

“They had to perform both aesthetically and acoustically and we also promoted the Cradle to Cradle factor as well as the long-term potential recycling benefits. They look fantastic. The grid coped with the design magnificently and the client and local authority have all commented very positively.”

He added: “This project was challenging due to the design and numerous clashes on site with other trades. Setting out was laborious as all the classrooms had to follow the raking roof pitch but in the end it was effective.

Adam Church, director in charge at Persimmon Homes Cornwall, said: “Saltram Meadow is a major development which has already rejuvenated the area. As well as delivering much-needed homes, we are committed to providing the infrastructure essential for building a community for new residents and a key part of that is the school. The building offers an exceptional learning environment for the children living on the development.”

 

The distributor was SIG Plymouth.

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE ZENTIA WEBSITE

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Phoenix Brickwork delivers greener construction

Phoenix Brickwork delivers greener construction with 90 per cent reduction in on-site fleet CO2 emissions

Fast growing national brickwork, scaffolding and drywall business, Phoenix Brickwork has committed to switch its entire on-site fleet to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) – slashing CO2 emissions by up to 90 percent.

Working with several fuel suppliers across the UK, the team at Phoenix has plans to adopt the use of HVO fuel in all 12 of its telehandlers immediately, with all equipment to follow by April this year. This will not only reduce emissions down to just 10 percent of previous levels, but also utilise a completely fossil-free fuel that is both biodegradable and renewable.

Hydrotreating vegetable oil is a modern way of producing high-quality, non-toxic fuels from completely renewable materials which can be regrown as and when stock is needed. Their use eliminates up to 90 percent of CO2 emissions, as well as significantly reducing the emission of nitrous oxide, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide.

Whilst this new fuel is entirely compatible with conventional diesel equipment and actually contributes to engine longevity, it is not without additional cost, but Managing Director, Christian Watson stands committed to this move.

He said: “With the environmental health of the industry now in sharp focus, the government’s commitment to achieve UK net zero target for greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and new regulations regarding the use of red diesel, urgent action is needed by individuals and industry alike.

“With our main contractors coming under increasing scrutiny in respect of their environmental accountability, we are pleased to be able to contribute positively to their green credentials, by eliminating the use of diesel altogether in our on-site fleet.

“It is no longer a matter of if change is needed, but when, and at Phoenix Brickwork, we believe the time is now, irrespective of the increased cost of this more sustainable fuel.”

 

 

Craig Barron, Plant and Fleet Manager at Phoenix Brickwork, is delighted to be making sure that Phoenix remains at the very vanguard of the construction industry’s drive towards carbon neutrality.

 

He said: “It’s rewarding to be a part of such a forward-thinking firm that is planning for sustainability as it grows.

“We hope that many of our fellow construction industry colleagues will soon follow our lead.”

 

www.phoenixbrickwork.com

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RINNAI – creating a healthier way of living

  • open for emergencies 24/7,
  • fully stocked, all models available
  • ready to support any site,
  • deliveries within 24 hours (T & Cs apply)

RINNAI – for LIMITLESS, UNINTERRUPTED FLOWS OF PRECISE TEMP CONTROLLED HOT WATER FOR ALL SITES, ALL HYGIENE REGIMES

 

Rinnai is maintaining its operational readiness over the Christmas and New Year period with emergency contacts and technical advice and support readily available for its continuous flow hot water heating units, featuring precision temperature control for thermal disinfection and safe use. Rinnai units can now deliver almost 1,000 litres per hour per unit.

 

The units can be installed – and working – in just hours. There have been multiple instances during the Christmas period where continuous flow units and systems have been able to provide uninterrupted flows of hot water to some sites which previously had stored systems that were regularly running out of supplies. Ease and speed of installation and precision temperature control, whatever the specific or unique requirements have proved critically important to several sites.

The Rinnai services during the holiday period are: –

  •  
  • Rinnai’s Runcorn UK HQ emergency weekend opening and sales support – open for any emergency / essential equipment provision of new units and for spares.
  •  Weekend operational & technical support help line – simply call 01928 531870 and select sales and if the call is not answered immediately leave a voicemail and the company will respond within an hour.
  •  Collection of new units/spares from Runcorn HQ for Saturday and Sunday. All will adopt ‘safe distancing’ in any contact for this or deliveries.
  •  Emergency delivery on working days and weekends / out of hours – under “essential works” circumstances and, where possible, Rinnai will readily offer a delivery service to site.

 “Any site needing our products urgently can have instant access to them – we deliver direct to site for as long as it takes a courier to travel from our distribution centre to the chosen site. All orders are despatched within 24hours on a next-day service basis.” says Chris Goggin for Rinnai.

He adds, “Rinnai also offer a number of Essential Works services like a system health check should you require support on site, and we are also advocates of using digital camera technology to support on site issues.”

Backed with extensive warranties and fully qualified technical service and training Rinnai’s range also includes:

  • Nexus electrolytic limescale inhibitor systems for lifetime efficiency and system protection.
  • BMS controls and remote monitoring solutions for onsite and remote system monitoring.
  • Flexible flue configurations including – Common header flues to streamline installation and multiple flueing systems.
  • Valve packs and unvented systems to support secondary return systems for G3 compliance and ACOP L8 best practice.
  • Multiple “in direct” storage vessels to support peak hour applications.
  • Full application design service.
  • Comprehensive training courses and CPDs.
  • Energy and carbon footprint analysis of systems comparisons.

 

Rinnai is the world’s leading manufacturer of continuous flow hot water systems – it makes and sells two million units each year. The range of units can be manifolded to supply, limitless hot water to any site of any size. This means fast, efficient, temperature-controlled water on demand at the point of delivery – kitchens, showers, accommodation blocks, bathrooms, washrooms. It also means far less space spent on plant rooms and no or little maintenance as all units are proven to be robust with a long, long working life.

 

Installers and end-users can contact the company direct in gaining access to the supply of units –

Call   01928 531 870

or email sales@rinnaiuk.com –

or engineer@rinnaiuk.com

alternatively use the smart online contact points “Help Me Choose”

or “Ask Us a Question”, all held on the website homepage at www.rinnaiuk.com.

   For more information on the RINNAI product range visit

www.rinnaiuk.com

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Helping school design reduce carbon emissions

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With heating being a school’s primary use of energy, leading independent building services specialist Gilberts is taking steps to help the educational estate optimise its carbon footprint.

 

The move coincides with updates to the required technical standards and performance criteria for schools’ mechanical services, within the Department for Education’s Facilities Output Specification(1). The updates are encouraging specifiers to consider utilisation of heat pumps as the most efficient way of warming, ventilating and cooling the building. When powered by electricity from a renewable source, with their high COP verses oil, gas or direct electrical options, heat pumps offer the school long-term benefits and lower energy bills.

However, it is important to ensure the heat pumps are installed with support building services systems that can work efficiently with them, so the school has a healthy internal environment for the pupils and staff.

Gilberts’ MFS hybrid ventilation units do just that.

Integrated into the heat pump system, Gilberts’ MFS can utilise the warmth brought into the school from the ground or air to maintain a comfortable internal environment in each individual classroom, year round, appropriately balancing warmth and ventilation as needed.

Typically, LTHW (low temperature hot water) is circulated around the school from system boilers at mean temperatures around 50-60°C. With heat pumps, the water is cooler at around 35°c for heating but there is also the option of 9°C for “free cooling”. Gilberts’ MFS has been designed such that these options can be used to heat the classroom during the cold weather or temper it during the warmer months.

Gilberts’ MFS hybrid, stand-alone ventilation system is recognised as being fully compliant with Environmental Funding Agency, Facilities Output Specification and BB101 requirements for school ventilation.

Strategically located at high level through the external façade, the unit efficiently ventilates each individual space with no need for ductwork, plant, fire dampers, associated penetrations into adjoining spaces (a growing consideration for schools to minimise Covid) and building work. The core MFS appliance provides natural ventilation and uniquely blends the incoming fresh air with the warmth from the exhaust air.

MFS can also be configured to run on 100% fresh air, using the coil to temper the air to provide Covid compliant ventilation without compromising the internal temperature.

Just 2 Mistrale MFS128’s or 1 MFS256 single-sided units will ventilate a standard 32 person classroom, achieving the 8 litres/sec/person fresh air required and within the particulant levels for Covid currently set by the Department of Education Building Bulletin (BB101) and PBSP guidelines. It brings compliant control over temperature, pollutants and CO2 levels and maintenance of a comfortable internal environment for occupants.

There is no need for radiators nor all their associated ancillary capital expenditure, installation, operating and maintenance cost. As the heat is supplied at high level, the risk of low surface temperature (LST) issues is also eliminated.

As a solus ventilation unit, MFS costs as little as £5/classroom/year(*) to operate. Using it as the means of classroom heating adds just £2.19/ classroom/year(*). Energy consumption and thus energy costs are reduced. Schools account for around 2% of UK greenhouse gas emissions, roughly the same as all the energy and transport emissions of Manchester, Newcastle and Bristol combined; this is equivalent to 15% of the country’s public sector emissions(2). Energy is also a school’s second biggest expenditure (after salaries) according to the Institute of School Business Learning(3): improving energy efficiency helps deliver best value against budgetary considerations.

 

Roy Jones, Technical Director @ Gilberts, observes, “Throughout our 60 year history, we have been at the forefront of innovative ways to make a positive difference to our use of energy while creating the best internal environment for building occupants. Evolving our MFS unit to include capability to work with heat pumps is a natural step on that path. It’s a win-win for any school in making a positive contribution towards reducing its carbon footprint.”

 

MFS is just part of Gilberts’ diverse range of ventilation systems, grilles, louvres and diffusers which, coupled with its in-house expertise, have established it as the leading independent supplier of air movement solutions in the UK. Family-owned, Gilberts is unique in the sector in its ability to design, engineer and supply its products with all processes undertaken in-house at its 85,000ft2 head office and manufacturing facility in Blackpool. Its Technical Director Roy Jones is also a member of TAPAS (Tackling air pollution at school).

 

www.gilbertsblackpool.com

 

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Zentia systems help VELUX® reach for the sky

Mineral ceiling tiles by Zentia feature in a new extension to VELUX UK and Ireland’s HQ in Scotland.

 

Ceiling systems by leading UK manufacturer Zentia were specified for a new £7.7 million extension to the UK and Ireland headquarters of world-leading daylight solutions provider VELUX for a trio of reasons at least.

The project was the first time Zentia’s Ultima+ Finesse mineral tiles have been installed in Scotland where VELUX UK and Ireland’s headquarters have been located on a 1.6-hectare site in Glenrothes, Fife, for 35 years. Back then it had 50 employees there. Now it has 172. The Finesse tiles were complemented by Ultima+ OP Microlook tiles, also in 600mm x 600mm format.

They were selected by regular Zentia specifiers Sinclair Watt Architects as they met the Class 1, aesthetic, fire and acoustic performance required for the 37,673ft2 two-storey building which features an engineered timber and steel structural frame.

Designed to complement the gently sloping site, the extension features full-height glazing and stone and timber cladding and showcases the latest VELUX technology. It joins the existing building via a new staff entrance, which features a green roof, aluminium guttering and timber rainscreen cladding.

Some 1,1,00m2 of the Zentia Ultima+ OP Microlook tiles were used in the ground floor offices and storerooms, while 100m2 of the Finesse tiles were used in the restaurant, kitchen and toilets. The Ultima+ range features class-leading light reflectance of 87% and Euroclass A2-s1, d0 fire classification, the OP Microlook variant with Class A sound absorption and Finesse a fully concealed, fully painted edge detail.

Sinclair Watt were provided with a detailed brief to provide accommodation for a new main entrance and reception area, product display hall, meeting room suite, additional office space and customer service telephone hall and ancillary accommodation. By necessity these were required to be large spaces to accommodate large numbers of employees and visitors.

The building had to achieve seven basic goals – to allow VELUX to be a good neighbour, to be simple and beautiful, to make arrival a good experience, to be a model of balanced daylight, natural ventilation, good indoor comfort and healthy materials, to apply a well-defined, high-quality structural concept, to obtain good sustainable standards with a minimum use of energy, to be visible and logical, and to create value and express the VELUX values.

 

 

Sinclair Watt met this by incorporating a regular and prominent engineered timber and steel structural frame that provided a design with a clear distinction between the supporting structure of the building and the facades and roof. This was both to create clarity and logic in the design and to make it possible to replace or update the not-so-permanent parts of the building. The roof form is curved to reduce the overall scale of the building.

The internal design incorporates a central street and atrium that acts as a meeting place as well as a general circulation area and allows the best use of natural sunlight and natural ventilation throughout the building. The building provides good indoor comfort and utilises healthy materials.

The three key areas – energy efficiency, healthy indoor environment and renewable energy – constitute the basis of the new building. A fabric-first approach for the building was adopted with high insulation levels and low air permeability rates to reduce overall heat loss from the building. This combined with a natural ventilation and daylighting strategy, and the use of LED lighting and air source heat pumps as the main heating source, resulted in a highly energy efficient and sustainable building.

Architect Iain Mitchell said: “We specified the Zentia systems as they have a good product range, good suspension systems, with good product information and good technical backup. They met all the aesthetic, fire and acoustic performances.

“Zentia shadow and transition trims were used so the Zentia ceilings tie in well with adjacent plasterboard walls and ceilings. The client is very happy with the ceiling installation and building as a whole.”

The ceiling installation was completed for main contractor ISG by specialist sub-contractor PFP who had a team of up to six operatives on site for seven months prior to the first Covid lockdown. It was the first time they had installed the Ultima+ Finesse tile from Zentia, who have evolved from Armstrong Ceiling Solutions.

Commercial director Colin Burns said: “We had some meetings with Zentia to talk through the detailing of the Finesse element and put it to the guys on site but apart from that, and some coordinating with services, it was very straightforward. It looks good as it always does and gives a nice bright finish. It was interesting to be the first installer of Finesse in Scotland.”

Scott Leeder, VELUX’s Market Director – Great Britain and Ireland, said: “The new building provides our existing employees with a much-improved working environment and accommodates any increase in headcount in the future.”

Councillor Altany Craik, convener of Fife Council’s economy, tourism and strategic planning committee, added: “This new building looks very impressive.”

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE ZENTIA WEBSITE

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Eurocell Modus fills Bath with light

Heritage colours and kerb-side appeal were among the factors that persuaded the planning authorities of Bath that Modus PVC-U windows from Eurocell were the appropriate alternative to timber on a prime, exposed location near the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Consisting of 136 upmarket homes selling at up to £1 million apiece, the Ensleigh estate was developed by Bloor Homes, along with another major housebuilder, on a former MoD site dating from WW2.

 

“The planners originally wanted timber windows but that wouldn’t work for our designs because we wanted to install matching fascias and soffits that fitted beneath considerable eaves. This is on an exposed site at the top of a steep hill so they wouldn’t look great for very long,” explains Paul Baker, Regional Managing Director for Bloor Homes South West.

“Timber windows, fascias and soffits would require expensive maintenance because of the scaffolding required to paint them. These PVC-U alternatives not only have kerb-appeal but are maintenance-free”.

Bloor Homes South West had also had experience of the product at other developments throughout the region and had found it answered planning department concerns. It worked with the Eurocell New Build division, which supplied four samples to show the various colours that might work on site and to demonstrate the slim, timber-like sight lines of the Modus system.

 

 

“The foil gives an appearance like timber and the colour palette includes the heritage type colours that fit in with a period environment such as Bath,” comments Paul.

Once the Bath and North East Somerset planning department was happy with Bloor’s proposal to use Modus windows in Hazy Grey, it gave the go-ahead for the same product range, but in Agate Grey, to be used at an adjacent development from the other housebuilder.

Bloor Homes also identified that the quality of Eurocell fabricators and installers was also almost as important a factor as the quality of the window itself. In this case Bloor was supplied by A & B Glass (South West) of Tewkesbury while the neighbouring builder dealt with Leicester-based Unique Windows.

Coming with a 12-year guarantee, the Modus system is available in nine solid and woodgrain-effect colours, all of which are available with white internal finishes to create a light and airy living environment. A further range of more than 40 solid and woodgrain effect finishes is available, including colour both sides.

BBA certified to function satisfactorily for more than 35 years, the Modus range has a U-value of 1.2 W/m² using 4/20/4 mm sealed double-glazed units. This effective thermal performance is due to the 75mm six-chamber profile system used in the Modus that enables the range to achieve a U-value as low as 0.7 by installing triple-glazed units. This led to Modus becoming one of the very first systems to achieve the BRFC Window Energy Rating (WER) of A++. This is only awarded to windows with an energy index value equal to or greater than +20; and Modus A++ designs include casement, reversible and tilt and turn.

Consisting of 50% post-consumer recycled PVC-U as standard, this range of doors and windows has a smaller carbon footprint than products made or recycled outside of the UK. Eurocell achieves this by employing dual material extrusion technology (DMET) that layers post-consumer recycled and ‘virgin’ material simultaneously, so the recycled material is concentrated in the central core of the profiles where it cannot be seen once the door or window is installed.

To find out how we can help with your next project, visit www.eurocell.co.uk

or call 0333 005 6525

 

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Exciting new launch for Premier Forest Products:

Premier Forest Products launches water repelling plywood

 

Premier Forest Products has launched a self-protecting structural plywood as part of its latest range of innovative new products, to save contractors time, money and effort.

Manufactured by leading European plywood manufacturer, Paged, DryGuard is made from thickply Polish Pine and its water repellent properties are ideal for use in roofs, floors, and walls

 

 

James Pickford, UK Purchasing Director, Premier Forest Group, said: “As a pine product, DryGuard is incredibly durable with superior mechanical qualities; it is easy to machine and fasten, and retains a high bending strength.

“DryGuard’s water-repelling treatment slows the absorption of water for up to 90 days, reducing drying time and delays with build.

“It can be fitted in any weather conditions, and because it offers protection from rain, it doesn’t get water damaged like standard plywood. This means DryGuard doesn’t need to be covered which avoids the need for false roofs, cutting down on labour and reducing material costs.”

DryGuard has been treated with an environmentally friendly, REACH compliant hydrophobic coating, to reduce rainwater absorption. However the material is permeable, still allowing the building to breathe to prevent damp and mould.

In addition, because DryGuard repels water, it retains its structural integrity and doesn’t warp, so the risk of remedial work is reduced, again saving contractors time, money and effort.

DryGuard has been rigorously tested by plywood specialists, Paged, and is compliant with the relevant EN standards, is REACH compliant, CE2+ certified and FSC® Certified.

Premier Forest Group is a vertically integrated timber operation engaged in the importation, sawmilling, processing, merchanting, and wholesale distribution of timber and timber products from its eight sites in the UK.

 

www.premierforest.co.uk

 

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Lindapter Fire Rated Decking Fixings

Independently fire tested connection solutions for securing building services systems to composite metal decking.

 

To provide specifiers with additional confidence, Lindapter commissioned BRE Global to run third party fire tests in accordance with BS EN 1991-1-2 on a range of Decking Fixings installed in concrete backed composite decking profiles. The BRE test report P116310 Issue 1 verifies load limits for 60 minute and 90 minute fire ratings.

Lindapter’s extensive range of high quality, cost effective decking fixings are conveniently installed by locking inside the dovetail re-entrant channels of popular composite decking profiles. This innovative technique provides an adjustable fixing point for suspending mechanical and electrical equipment that is fast to install and does not compromise the strength of the deck.

Lindapter’s decking fixings are manufactured from steel and iron which are listed in Commission Decision 96/603/EC as materials that make ‘no contribution to fire’ and are considered as Class A1 Reaction to Fire Performance without the need for additional fire safety testing.

In addition to the above, Lindapter’s range of decking fixings are also considered to satisfy the requirements of performance Class A1 (non-combustible) for the characteristic Reaction to Fire, in accordance with the EC decision 96/603/EC.

 

 

More information on Lindapter products and their fire ratings can be found on the company’s new website:

www.lindapter.com

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Kentec Sigma ZXT extinguishing range

Kentec Sigma ZXT extinguishing range available to purchase following BETA testing

 

Kentec Electronics, a leading manufacturer of life-critical control systems, has released its Sigma ZXT single-area extinguishing control panel for general purchase following full BETA field testing in the UK, Europe and South Africa demonstrating optimum installer and end user satisfaction levels.

New functionality, improved display and multiple configuration options for a targeted response to a fire incident further Sigma XT’s market-leading reputation for user-friendly reliability.

Building on hundreds of thousands Sigma XT sales in nearly 90 countries, the Sigma ZXT provides controls and indications for a single-area extinguishing release system, enabling targeted extinguishing that limits damage and reduces costs. Three conventional detection zones provide the alarm ‘trigger’ required to activate the release of extinguishant, and the system can be configured to release the extinguishant on an alarm from any single zone or combination of multiple zones.

A new feature on the Sigma ZXT is the event log which records event data from the panel such as alarms, faults, configuration changes etc. along with a time and date stamp. This historical visibility is critical for diagnostics, identifying the cause of alarms and faults, as well as reasons for activations. Up to 1000 events can be stored within the panel which can be viewed through the LCD or can be downloaded and saved using Kentec’s LE2 software.

The system, compliant with EN12094-1, can also be configured to provide two extinguishing outputs, either working together as common outputs or as main and reserved outputs. The latter results in the connection to two sets of extinguishing gas cylinders, which enables the customer to return a system to a functional state, quickly, following a release.

Alien Systems and Technologies, based in South Africa, was one of the Kentec Authorised Distributors (KAD) involved in the BETA testing. It installed the Sigma ZXT at a Motor Control Centre (MCC) substation with a total of 15 Pyroshield IG55 cylinders and an Oil Lubrication Room using a Pyrostorm dry chemical powder automatic extinguishing system. Grant Wilkinson of Alien Systems and Technologies says the customer originally ordered Kentec’s Sigma XT panels, but was so taken by the ZXT’s extra features they decided to upscale:

“The key selling point was the secure event logger, and also compelling was the option of a programmable second actuation circuit meaning the customer can add rooms to the fire protection system as and when required.”

Summarising the business’ take on the ZXT, Grant adds: “Most of us here are Star Trek fans, you can see by the name of the company. I always like Romulan War Bird Disruptors. Now Kentec has a disruptor and it’s called the ZXT.”

 

Kevin Swann, Managing Director at Kentec, says the Sigma ZXT supports Kentec’s goal to manufacture products that make the lives of its customers easier, and they are thrilled, but not surprised BETA testing has been such a success:

“It is fully programmable through the front fascia, with clear password and access menu structures for easy configuration,” he says. “With straight-forward separate access for users and engineers the product is designed to be easy to use for both installer and end user. Single-area functionality enables targeted extinguishing that has clear cost benefits for the occupying business.”

 

A sophisticated, dynamic LCD, which supplements the LED status indicators, provides detailed information on panel status including fault conditions, alarm conditions and extinguishing release countdown. If dynamic mode is chosen, the display changes colour in relation to the panel status, providing immediate and clear visibility of status conditions. While not in dynamic mode, the LCD will be white regardless of status.

“To support our existing Sigma XT customers and the range’s market leading position, the Sigma ZXT is fully backward compatible with the existing SI status units, as well as the ancillary output card,” Kevin adds. “The Sigma ZXT is a complementary development, designed to build on the popularity of the Sigma XT range.”

A range of new status indicators that match the look of the Sigma ZXT panel fascia are also being launched, which are again fully functional with the Sigma XT range. Status units can be located at any access point to the risk area notifying approaching persons of system status, as well as providing optional Auto/Manual key switches and Manual Release pushbuttons.

 

www.kentec.co.uk

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The highly flexible, functional, and sustainable downlight range

The highly flexible, functional, and sustainable downlight range – now available in three different sizes

 The Cetus downlight range offers a solution that fits. Universally designed and easy to install or tailor to individual needs, it is the perfect option for both new installations and refurbishment projects.

Thorn Lighting is pleased to introduce the new Cetus range which provides increased flexibility and performance. Alongside the Lumen Colour Select (LCS) feature, there’s also a greater focus on sustainability.

 

Lumen output and colour value selection made easy

With the Lumen Colour Select (LCS) feature, colour temperatures and lumen outputs can be chosen after the luminaire has been installed. This means that with Cetus, the use of a space can be defined last-minute, or even changed over time. This is done simply and quickly by using a screwdriver to rotate an inner plate which features embossed preset values. When doing this, there are 2 lumen outputs to choose from (800 lm and 1500 lm for the small variant, or 2000 lm and 3400 lm for the medium and large versions) and three colour temperatures (3000K, 3500K and 4000K).

 

The downlight range that always fits

Available in three different recess sizes (small, medium or large), the Cetus downlight range is extremely flexible. Fitting or covering all ceiling cut-outs from 95 to 230 mm, project needs can be met while at the same time, remaining aesthetically consistent across a project. Tolerances of ceiling cut outs of 30-40 mm can be covered without the need for retro-fit rings, making Cetus the perfect choice for refurbishment projects. A recessed depth of just 100 mm also means that Cetus is well suited to installation in ceilings with shallow voids. The design of the Cetus is minimal, but it’s performance is not – with outputs of up to 3400 lm.

 

A step towards sustainability

This new range has a focus on sustainability – with efficacy up to 140 lm/W and a lifetime of L80 50,000 hours. In addition, Cetus is aligned with the Single Lighting Regulation (SLR) which now requires that lighting products comply with ecodesign requirements.

 

Ulrich Juergenschellert, Product Manager Downlights, says: “The new Cetus range is low in complexity and high in flexibility. From the Lumen Colour Select feature which enables temperatures and lumen outputs to be chosen post-installation, to the plug and play driver and three size options – we’ve created this product for simplicity. Whether it’s a completely new project or a renovation and replacement of existing luminaires – Cetus provides an easy, consistent solution.”

 

For more information on the Cetus downlight PLEASE CLICK HERE range visit:

Follow this LINK to read how Thorn Lighting helped to overcome design challenges at a Gateshead School

 

 

 

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