Rinnai all a-twitter with real news

Rinnai, designer and manufacturer of the ErP labelled A-rated Infinity range of continuous flow gas fired water heaters (including the new Infinity Solo with storage), has been at the centre of a Twitter flurry on social media.

Installers and contractors are giving a new meaning to ‘digital’ media as their fingers glide across Smart phones to post glowing reports on their experiences with Rinnai’s units and customer service.

For example, one Twitter follower tweeted, “Rinnai products are hard to beat! Others should aim to be half as good!” while another said, on the subject of space heaters (Rinnai leads the field in energy efficient gas fired space heaters for large spaces) with this: “I wouldn’t consider any other space heater in a church or hall – also the little 309FTR (space heater) is working a treat”

According to social-media.co.uk the top five most popular social networks in the UK are Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Google+, in that order.

And it’s not just Twitter that is acting as a conduit for installers talking about Rinnai. LinkedIn is also playing its part. One contractor simultaneously used the platform with Twitter to post a pic of an Infinity 16i water heater installation with the comment “Awesome bit of kit!”.

Chris Goggin*, Associate Director, Rinnai UK comments: “I couldn’t get off Twitter one night because of the positive conversations and feedback. Most of the time people go on to social media to moan or complain – unless there is something great to talk about. Obviously as a group we are doing something right.

He goes on to say: “In the office we are focusing on customer satisfaction and the bedding in of the expanded sales team. This kind of feedback is heightening our service levels.

“It is good to know that installers recognise Rinnai is not only supplying the UK with the most reliable individual units on the market, it is also offering end-users the peace of mind that comes with having chosen the most efficient, cost effective and reliable hot water systems, too.”

Last word goes to one installer who tweets: “They (Rinnai) value the trade, answer the phone, quality product, don’t sell past us, or expect us to sort design flaws!”

*Chris himself is no stranger to social media. He recently used Facebook to record an interview with Alex Gerrard of Widnes Vikings. Rinnai is sponsor of the rugby league side. “An impromptu Facebook live interview with @agerrard1 and Chris Goggin about our sponsorship with @WidnesRLfacebook.com/widnesvikingsr.

For more information on the RINNAI product range please visit www.rinnaiuk.com.
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The VEKA UK Group secures Secured by Design for three more years

Industry-leading PVC-U systems supplier, The VEKA UK Group, has been awarded membership once again of the national crime prevention initiative, Secured by Design (SBD), for both its VEKA and Halo brands.

The VEKA UK Group partnered with Secured by Design several years ago and has maintained its strong relationship with the team, thanks to a shared ethos of designing out crime at the product development stage.

Secured by Design was established in 1989 and works to reduce crime by bringing Police Forces, developers and planners together at the design stage to include security into the built environment, such as natural surveillance and landscaping, and by encouraging manufacturers of products, such as doors and windows, to attain SBD’s coveted ‘Police Preferred Specification’.

Mark Barsby, Accreditation Manager of The VEKA UK Group, explains: “’Designing out crime’ means that security features are incorporated within products during the design and development stage, rather than being an ‘add on’ to the finished product.

“VEKA and Halo have always taken this approach, with security, style and energy efficiency being primary concerns at the concept stage of a new product development. Our SBD ‘licence’ and display of the SBD logo helps us to illustrate to customers and specifiers our commitment to this initiative.

“Since Part Q of the Building Regulations came into effect in England in October 2015, we are seeing increasing relevance for enhanced security standards, particularly PAS 24. SBD plays a significant part in marking out those companies, like The VEKA UK Group, that go above and beyond when it comes to security.”

The SBD initiative cites some impressive results:

  • SBD developments (those using products and materials that meet SBD Standards) are up to 75% less likely to be burgled and show a reduction of 25% in criminal damage compared to non-SBD sites.
  • The additional cost of using SBD standards in the average home is only around £170.
  • The Association of British Insurers has estimated that the introduction of SBD standards across the UK would bring more than £3.2 billion worth of savings to the economy over 20 years.

Mark added: “With Government White Papers on the housing market coming to the fore, and potential incentives emerging for the new build sector, we are very likely to see new housing developments in the near future – which will likely list an SBD requirement as part of the specification process.

“Security is a concern in any part of the country, but is perhaps at the forefront of more people’s minds in built-up and inner city areas. With government proposals encouraging ‘brownfield’ development sites, companies that carry the SBD licence are well placed to tender for such work. Here at The VEKA UK Group, we’re proud to demonstrate our continuing commitment to raising quality and improving security across the building, development and home improvement industries.”

SBD Development Officer Alfie Hosker was pleased to provide The VEKA UK Group with its renewed SBD licence: “They are a nationally recognised systems company and play a significant role in encouraging and working with fabricators to manufacture doors and windows to meet Police Preferred Specification standards in order to reduce crime and keep residents safe. I am delighted that they are continuing to work with us.”

For more information please visit www.vekauk.com.
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Purchasing attitudes remain intact post-Brexit

76% of people surveyed think country of manufacture is an important factor when it comes to purchasing. A survey, carried out by Giacomini UK, explored attitudes toward manufacturing and revealed some interesting post-Brexit insights.

When asked if the country of origin was checked before purchasing building and HVAC supplies, just 19% said that they never check which demonstrates the importance of a products’ origin when making decisions about purchasing.

83.5% of respondents said they prefer to buy products from a European manufacturer with just 8% saying that they would not ever buy a product if they knew it was made in Europe.

The survey also focused on more specific issues within the HVAC industry and asked respondents if heat interface units have made converting offices to residential properties more achievable. An overwhelming 84% agreed, which reinforces the noticeable growth that Giacomini UK has seen since regulations surrounding planning permission were altered, meaning that Class B1 offices could be converted to Class C3 residential dwellings without the need for specific planning and development permission.

Giacomini UK is the UK division of the Italian company, Giacomini, one of Europe’s largest producers of plumbing brassware and radiator valves and prides itself on its products being made to the highest specification at the company’s sophisticated manufacturing facilities in San Maurizio d’Opaglio, Italy.

Matt Lowe, managing director of Giacomini UK, commented: “Post-Brexit attitudes towards all the EU were always going to be interesting and our survey gave us some fascinating insight into mindsets and purchasing decision making factors. It would appear that people are now more conscious of where products come from but that EU are products still thought to be the best – despite the outcome of the referendum!”

For more information about Giacomini please visit www.giacomini.co.uk.
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VBH launches new ‘Coastline’ stainless steel range

Hardware specialist VBH has added a new range of stainless steel door hardware to its greenteQ range. The suite will be branded ‘Coastline’.

greenteQ Coastline comprises 92PZ door handles, letterboxes, butt hinges and door knockers and has been developed in direct response to feedback from customers who required a stainless steel furniture suite for installations in aggressive coastal and/or industrial regions both in the UK and overseas.

All Coastline furniture is produced from corrosion resistant and hard-wearing austenitic stainless steel and is subjected to in excess of 1000 hours neutral salt spray testing to BS EN ISO 9227:2012.

VBH advise that Coastline products are already proving popular with manufacturers and installers of doors of all materials, including PVCu, composite, timber and aluminium.

VBH Technical Manager Melvin Hutton says ‘Customers were telling us that they wanted stainless steel versions of our standard furniture. The existing greenteQ Alpha 25 stainless steel door handles have become very popular over the last 12 months, but we also needed suited letterboxes and knockers which meet the same anti corrosion standards. We’ve now introduced these new products and a brand new butt hinge and have grouped them with the door handle to form the new and exciting greenteQ Coastline range.’

Coastline furniture is currently available in brushed or polished stainless steel and polished PVD gold and chrome, with satin and polished stainless steel hinges.

Melvin concludes ‘We have real confidence in the performance of the Coastline range and back it up with a reassuringly long 25 year guarantee. Many of our customers have been able to achieve higher sales prices as a result of fitting Coastline products and have found that the guarantee will often help to close a deal.’

Further information can be found on www.vbhgb.com or can be requested direct from VBH via 01634 263300 or email sales@vbhgb.com.
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Titon adds semi flexible sound attenuators to its MVHR portfolio

Titon has introduced Semi Flexible Sound Attenuators for use with its HRV Q Plus range of MVHR systems. The new products consist of a strong, multi-layered, corrugated and perforated aluminium inner duct, which is surrounded by an aluminium/polyester laminated outer jacket. The space between the inner and outer duct is filled with 25mm sound absorbing material.

Quick and simple to install, the Semi Flexible Sound Attenuators minimise air flow resistance, providing acoustic and thermal insulation, while fulfilling BS EN 13180: Ventilation for Buildings – Ductwork. The new attenuators can be installed directly onto the outlet of the MVHR unit, reducing both the duct and breakout noise levels. They also help prevent noise transmission through vibrations by isolating the MVHR unit to the ducting. The products are available in standard lengths of 0.5m and 1m, plus their flexibility in shape and length makes them ideal for connecting misaligned ducts.

Commenting on the latest addition to the MVHR range, Paul Cowell, Senior Technical Manager at Titon, said “As opposed to rigid alternatives, which require a high level of accuracy during installation, the Semi Flexible Sound Attenuators enable a useful degree of flexibility (and length) to simplify the fitting process. The aluminium inner duct maintains a smooth path for the airflow, minimising resistance while enabling the ductwork to be routed for a neat installation. They isolate the ductwork from the unit, in turn minimising possible noise transmission through vibration.

“They are also suitable for in-line duct applications, due to a low profile which can offer an advantage over rigid silencer solutions in ceiling voids with limited space.”

Titon’s Semi Flexible Sound Attenuators can operate at a pressure up to +2,000 Pa, at a maximum operating air velocity of 10 m/s. The temperature ranges are -30°C to 250°C for the inner duct and -30°C to 140°C for the outer jacket. The products can be installed directly onto the outlet of the MVHR unit, reducing both the duct and breakout noise levels.

 

For more information please visit www.titon.co.uk.
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Setcrete launches new BULLDOG adhesive sealant

Setcrete, manufacturer of quality flooring products for the professional builder, has launched BULLDOG, a brand new professional grade construction adhesive sealant that the company is confident will become an essential, ‘must-have’ component of every builder’s tool bag. BULLDOG is Setcrete’s latest product innovation and was designed to provide builders and contractors with an all-round, moisture-curing adhesive and sealant that can be used in a variety of both internal and external environments.

Once cured, the fast drying adhesive sealant produces an extremely high strength, durable bond from as little as 60 minutes. Due to its non-shrink and flexible properties, BULLDOG can be used for gap filling and is suitable for bonding most absorbent and non-absorbent building materials, including wood, concrete, glass, ceramic, metals, uPVC and plasterboard.

Available in both white and clear versions, BULLDOG also has the added benefit of being suitable for use in both wet and dry environments, meaning it can be used for a wide variety of jobs such as emergency repairs, fixing cladding, sealing around sanitaryware, sealing around window frames and repairing guttering. It is also the ideal alternative to silicone sealants as it has excellent resistance to moisture and mould and, unlike silicone, allows builders to overpaint with water-based or two-part paints where required.

Commenting on the launch, Richard Harris, Marketing Manager at Setcrete said: “BULLDOG adhesive sealant will be an absolutely essential product for builders because, in one handy tube, you have a product that can be used across an incredibly wide range of areas and provides the ideal solution to many day-to-day jobs. The addition of this product to the Setcrete range is affirmation of our commitment to creating high performance, user-friendly products for the professional builder that are cost-effective and provide excellent, high quality results every time.”

For more information please visit www.setcrete.co.uk.
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Catalogue highlights basement pumps and drainage

Transforming damp and dingy basements into comfortable living spaces is becoming more and more popular – thanks in no small part to the extensive range of products offered by Delta Membrane Systems. Many of these products now feature in a new catalogue from the company.

Over the years Delta has earned a reputation for being the ‘one stop shop’ for all things needed in basement refurbishment and new-build. This includes a wide range of sumps, pumps and control technology – all of which is featured in the new brochure.

This 36-page publication also features the company’s drainage channels and fittings, as well as giving a standard pump overview, and details of pump performance.

Useful information on pipework, commissioning and installation is given along with service and maintenance procedures. All the data is further enhanced by two-dimensional diagrams, three-dimensional cut-away photography, and performance graphs showing the technical information on many of the electrical products.

Frequently asked questions are also listed along with the company’s responses.

The expert team within Delta Membrane Systems is known for giving sound advice and solving potential problems. This catalogue gives a ready reference to enhance the expertise available from the company.

For more information please visit www.deltamembranes.com.
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Rinnai goes wild for Countryfile with Prestek

Rinnai, manufacturer of the energy efficient range of Infinity continuous flow water heaters, recently stepped in to ensure a recent BBC Countryfile event in the grounds of historic Blenheim Palace had a plentiful supply of hot water for its catering outlets.

Managing director for Prestek Services in Derbyshire, John Webster, no stranger to providing water for Blenheim Palace outdoor events, was called in to supply the means to provide hot water to the various catering operations dotted around the grounds.

Originally a kitchen and bathroom fitter, John has built a business providing water for events since first supplying a festival in 2001 and feels he has found his niche. “By its nature the events market is a small community so most of my work comes though word of mouth from relationships that have sometimes been 20 years building.” He believes the backbone to that trust is in providing reliable systems that work.

“I have used Rinnai hot water heating units for some time,” he says, “and believe they are the only ones suitable for this kind of work. They are a tried and tested solution. I first came across Rinnai units at an equestrian event around 10 years ago where they were being used for the mobile shower units. The customers loved them. Having seen the units in action I decided to purchase Rinnai for my own business.”

He explains that he has a fleet of hot water units that he can roll out whenever needed. “I have six Rinnai units running on LPG gas which are configured on to a T-stand, linked to the cold water supply and then linked to a sink in the wash-up area. It is an ideal arrangement for a temporary potwash area.”

At Blenheim Palace he was able to site individual wash up areas around the show area by linking them to a temporary system of pipework several kilometres long. “We simply had to build the network, link pipework and gas cylinders to the boilers, add a sink, and the caterers all had instant hot water.”

“All went well with no complaints from the caterers who had as much hot water as they desired. Which, let’s face it, is exactly what was required.”

The Rinnai units will never run out of temperature safe hot water all the time they are connected to a water supply. The burner lights automatically when the hot water tap is opened, and extinguishes when the tap is closed. Ignition is electronic so there is no pilot light. When the hot water tap is off, no gas is used.

As far as John is concerned for his kind of work he needs a product that is reliable, quick to set up and gets going with no worries. “Which is why we use Rinnai. You could say, they do what it says on the tin.”

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com.
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CMS helps deliver Christmas cheer in Fife

Staff from CMS Window Systems joined an army of volunteers, including former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah, to help provide a much needed Christmas boost for hundreds of Fife families struggling to make ends meet.

More than 800 children benefited from the day organised by Fife charity ‘The Cottage Family Centre’, during which volunteers joined forces to prepare and distribute crates of food, bags of new toys and children’s clothes to more than 400 families in Kirkcaldy and the surrounding area in time for Christmas.

Joining volunteers from across the town including its former MP Gordon Brown and his wfe, a team from CMS gave up their day jobs to help. This included drivers and their vans to deliver the Christmas bundles, with the company also providing extensive warehousing which became the hub of the operation.

CMS has supported The Cottage Family Centre charity for many years in its work to aid families and individuals who are vulnerable to social exclusion as a result of factors such as poverty, low paid employment, poor housing, relationship breakdown, drug and alcohol problems and health related issues.

The Cottage Family Centre’s Service Manager, Pauline Buchan who organised the day said: “We are extremely grateful to have the ongoing support of CMS as it is critical to ensuring we can continue to provide vital assistance to the most disadvantaged in our communities. It is fantastic to know our most vulnerable children and families have been provided for over the Christmas period.”

Billy Semple, Director at CMS Window Systems added: “The Cottage Family Centre provides tremendous support to vulnerable families, so we’re only too pleased to assist in whatever way we can. We’ve got to know the communities of Fife very well over the years though our work with Fife Council, which primarily involves helping to improve the quality and comfort of buildings across the region by providing energy efficient windows, doors and curtain walling solutions. So we know only too well that we are in a privileged position to help, and that includes using our manpower, storage facilities and delivery vehicles for this charity day.”

Based at Castlecary near Glasgow with additional premises in Kirkcaldy, CMS Window Systems is one of the UK’s largest window, door and curtain walling designers, manufacturers and installers helping social landlords like Fife Council provide the most energy efficient and comfortable buildings and homes.

To find out more about CMS Window Systems please visit www.cmswindows.com.
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Smart-Space completes full design and build four-court sports hall for Coundon Court School

Smart-Space, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and installers of temporary, semi-permanent and permanent buildings, has completed a four-court sports hall with equipment storage rooms and changing rooms for Coundon Court school, an all-inclusive Academy with around 1,650 students aged 11 to 18, based in Coventry.

The 25-metre by 35-metre facility is a fully insulated steel building, clad with composite and Dura Clad timber.

Up to 70 students at a time use the hall, playing a variety of sports including badminton, basketball, tennis, handball and cricket under the supervision of staff from the school’s ten-strong PE team.

“We had no adequate internal sports facility, but the cost of a brick-built hall was prohibitive,” says school principal Andrew Clay. “Fortunately we were aware of a previous Smart-Space build at another school and knew that a steel building was an efficient and quick way of providing what we needed at a reasonable cost. We also knew we could rely on Smart-Space to deliver the high levels of quality we required.”

The fifteen-week full design and build project included the demolition of two derelict properties, as well as ground works and the design and construction of the new building. Smart-Space was also responsible for the installation of air handling units, as well as the installation of radiators, toilets and LED lighting.

“Smart-Space undertook the project during term-time and went to great trouble to ensure there was minimal interference with the school routine. On one day, all work on the project stopped while 20 of our design technology students toured the site and learned a great deal from the Smart-Space team about the construction,” says Mr Clay. “The whole school was excited by the prospect of a sports hall, were intrigued by its construction and are fully appreciative of the resulting facility. We’re delighted with the hall and with the impact it has had on our students’ engagement with sport.”

For inquiries please call 0808 278 1499 or visit https://smart-space.co.uk.
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