Latest innovations and products in the interiors section of the construction industry.

Domus Ventilation MVHR wall units now with Bluebrain control

Following the launch of its ceiling/void mounted HRX-aQ Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) appliances with intelligent air management, Domus Ventilation, part of Polypipe, has introduced this same advanced ‘Bluebrain’ control to its wall mounted MVHR units.

The new Domus HRX-D and HRX-2D wall mounted MVHR units intelligently match ventilation rates to the internal environment and occupants’ requirements, for maximum homeowner comfort. This is achieved through advanced AMIE (Air Management for Indoor Environments) technology including features such as digital humidity control, automated summer bypass and accurate system balancing.

By accurately measuring air humidity, the HRX-D’s extract speed automatically changes from background to boost as the level of humidity increases, thereby providing optimal ventilation performance. The thermal (summer) bypass feature operates in a similar manor, automatically activating when the air temperature reaches a pre-set level, allowing in cooler, fresh, filtered air, instead of distributing air which has been warmed from the waste energy extracted from the kitchen and wet rooms.

For the homeowner, a key benefit is that these features can be easily programmed by them based on time and temperature. This flexibility enables all comfort levels to be catered for, regardless of the type of property and its construction.

At the heart of this intelligent air management is Domus Ventilation’s compact Bluebrain control, which also provides homeowners with helpful maintenance reminders for cleaning and replacing filters to ensure performance of the unit is maximised and air quality maintained.

As with Domus Ventilation’s previous MVHR ranges, the new HRX-D remains extremely efficient. When used with a kitchen and one wet room, at typical installation, the HRX-D provides an 88% heat exchange performance and boasts a very low Specific Fan Power down to 0.66W/(l/s). It is also exceptionally quiet, with background (normal) ventilation at 24dB(A) (typically whisper quiet).

The HRX-D has been designed to work most efficiently when used with Domus duct systems, including its new Flow Control Plenum and High Efficiency Green Line Bends, which reduce duct bend resistance by up to 60%. Domus duct systems offer improved system performance through the exacting tolerances and engineered fit of the system, whereby pressure drops are minimised and air leakage virtually eliminated.

Sitting alongside the ceiling/void mounted HRX-aQ unit, the HRX-D has been designed for installation smaller properties, whilst the HRX-2D for larger houses. They are suitable for installation in a cupboard, utility room or loft.

Domus Ventilation has a well deserved reputation for quality, supported by excellent technical support, from a market leading manufacturer and designer. It is well placed to offer immediate, practical solutions to Building Regulations Parts F & L. The company continues to provide differentiated solutions in the private and social housing sectors, transforming the way developers, specifiers, installers, home owners and distributors meet emerging environmental standards.

For further information on the Domus Ventilation HRX MVHR appliances, please go to www.bluebrain.co.uk or call on 03443 715523.
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Titon Sonairs bring the sound of silence to Kingstone Grange

575 Sonair acoustic (sound attenuating) filtered air supply units from Titon have been installed across an array of properties at Kingstone Grange in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Previously the site of Kingstone School, the new development consists of 115 three and four-bedroom townhouses, semi-detached and detached homes. The Titon products were fitted by Doncaster-based contractors South Electrical, adhering to the specification provided by Taylor Wimpey.

Richard South, Managing Director at South Electrical, said: “Titon’s Sonair is compact and easy to install, while it adheres to necessary building and sound attenuation requirements. The units have been designed to let air into a property for ventilation while shielding occupants from unwanted outside noise. This means no unwanted noise from the road outside can be heard inside the houses.”

Commenting on how the products came to be specified, Mark Lyon, Senior Commercial Manager at Taylor Wimpey, added: “We have fitted Titon ventilation units on other developments previously, with no issues. For the Kingstone project, we opted for the Sonair products as they met all the requirements outlined in the noise impact assessment, which took into account the level of traffic noise, as well as ambient sound from other nearby sources. The mechanical input ventilators also ensure the properties comply with the indoor ambient noise levels as recommended in BS 8233 (Residential).”

Sonair is a low energy, wall-mounted input fan featuring touch control with an LCD display. It has been designed for use in buildings where noise or air pollution presents a problem. The units are mechanical input ventilators that can also provide background ventilation as an alternative to trickle vents. Independently tested by the BRE, Sonair offers exceptional sound attenuation up to 56dB, while units are effective in reducing pollutants in the home and improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), reducing the risk of Toxic Home Syndrome.

 

All Sonair acoustic ventilation units come with a G3 filter as standard, which captures 50‐70% of particles larger than 10μm under normal dust load conditions. If dust loads are moderate to high, the optional F6 filter captures 99% of all dust particles including pollen, spores, cement dust and excreta of the house dust mite – making it ideal for occupants with allergies or asthma.

Kingstone Grange is located in the heart of Yorkshire, just a few minutes from the centre of Barnsley. The development has been designed with a mix of properties from two to four bedrooms to suit all needs.

For more information about Titon, please visit: www.titon.co.uk.
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Kemmlit’s monopoly on quality proves a winner for prestigious Leicester Square project

48 Leicester Square in Central London is a landmark building which has been totally revamped at a cost of over £40 million to provide high end retail and office space over 8 floors.

Dating back to 1920, part of the original façade has been retained by the developers with the addition of an added upper story and an elegant curved roof.

In keeping with the high specification requirements of the building, Kemmlit’s Classic Cell floor to ceiling cubicles with a black finish were specified by Make Architects for each of the eight floors toilet blocks.

In addition, 70 of Kemmlit’s high performance IXOS lockers were also specified and installed in the building’s basement locker room.

Classic Cell has a timeless elegancy and purity of form. The smooth surface door fronts, concealed edges, 42 mm thick dividing walls and doors with bi-colour options and quality of construction make this the cubicle of choice for many architects and building owners.

IXOS lockers are robust, durable and secure, and are available with a choice of two door fronts – 8mm toughened glass or 13 mm solid grade laminate and can be configured to suit individual requirement.

Classic Cell cubicles and IXOS locker systems are part of a comprehensive range offered by Kemmlit including a design and installation service.

For more information please visit www.kemmlituk.com.
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Bright and colourful learning on laminate

Bold and striking Rosso high pressure laminate from Abet Laminati is making a splash in a children’s washing and breakout area at St Helen’s Catholic School in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.

As part of a beautifully-designed first floor extension by local architects SK Architects, six new classrooms, a studio and a central breakout area has been added in bold and bright colours more than doubling the school’s capacity.

Specialist furniture manufacturer Benchmark FF&E Solutions was employed to create the innovative scallop-shaped wash and utility stations which were cleverly moulded around yellow columns housing sunpipes. Abet’s bright red Rosso colour in a high gloss HR-LAQ finish was used to clad the sides of the stations while compact grade was placed on the top coupling high performance with an attractive appearance. The compact grade on the surface was carefully routered out to allow for under cabinet sinks and drainage lines to be created.

HR-LAQ is a high gloss finish available in 28 bold and bright colours. Its unique finish comes from a unique formula applied to the surface layer that can maintain the level of glossy shine while offering long life cycle performance in terms of durability, scratch and impact resistance; perfect for this kind of heavy use environment where children are playing.

Abet Laminati’s compact grade High Pressure Laminates is also popular for other types of heavy duty application, such as lockers, table tops, vanity units and cubicles. Their finish provides a tactile, hardwearing and attractive surface coupled with excellent resistance to impact, scratches and abrasion.

The compact grade’s solid core construction in 6mm, 10mm or 12mm thickness makes it a perfect choice for areas prone to high moisture and humidity, such as leisure centres, swimming pools and changing rooms, because there is no risk of peeling, cracking or delamination. The fully self-supporting boards are also easy to work with for cutting and fabrication.

As with all Abet Laminati Collections, the laminates meet or exceed all European and British performance standards for resistance to wear, heat, moisture, impact and scratching. In addition, they are widely used in situations where high quality performance and design can be carefully crafted together to create an attractive visual experience.

Samples and technical literature are available from Abet Ltd’s sample line on tel: 020 7473 6915 or visit http://uk.abetlaminati.com/. Benchmark can be found at www.benchmarkproducts.co.uk.
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Rinnai Solo – a specifier’s and installer’s flexible friend

Infinity Solo condensing low NOX water heater is the first Rinnai product for the UK that combines the advanced technology of wall mounted continuous flow water heaters with a stainless-steel storage cylinder in one compact footprint.

When the product was first introduced Solo was adopted as a single installation product for light commercial operations such as small hotels and schools. However, Rinnai is now seeing greater penetration as installers are beginning to use them in multiples on larger projects – one installer has utilised three units for a major school academy installation.

It seems the market is identifying other areas for the Solo, beyond the target market of new build and refurbishment housing projects, where it is proving its worth in larger three/four-bed dwellings where one can expect to find a family bathroom, ensuite and a downstairs cloakroom/shower.

The Rinnai Solo is a versatile product – it is renewables ready so the business/building owner or householder can very easily extend the system to make fuel savings by adding solar thermal later. The 24kW-59.5kW Infinity Solo range is renewables compatible and supplied pre-fitted with a coil, meaning that the primary energy source can be renewable gains such as solar thermal, and the complementary Rinnai water heater will only apply the precise amount of gas to boost the difference in temperature.

Because the Solo cylinder is stainless steel it greatly reduces the weight compared to glass lined models, which makes transportation and installation much easier. As well as the difference in weight, the cylinders available also boast extremely low heat loss figures (as low as 1.41kW/h day), which means the customer pays less to maintain the heat within the tank and the system when fitted to a renewable heat source maximises renewable gains.

Rinnai’s new Solo range incorporates 35kW and 54kW appliances, ensuring that even sites with a smaller gas meter can utilise its advanced technologies. The larger Infinity Solo model will also act as a high-efficiency alternative to other forms of gas fired storage appliances.

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com.
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Forbo launches new Flotex Plank collection

Forbo Flooring Systems has developed a new Flotex Plank collection, allowing users to create stunning, contemporary floor designs for areas where safety, hygiene and well-being are priorities.

Combining the comfort of carpet, the durability of a resilient floor covering and the design versatility of a plank format, the new design collection lends itself perfectly to contemporary workspaces, as well as high traffic areas such as hotels and transport hubs.

Offering six new designs: Triad, Box-cross, Lava, Seagrass, Concrete and Wood, in plank sizes of 100x25cm, the collection provides endless design possibilities, from colourful and complex layouts to minimal, sophisticated aesthetics, which use shape and pile direction to create a stimulating floor pattern.

Julie Dempster, Marketing Manager at Forbo, said: “With people now spending an estimated 80-90% of their time indoors, the industry is now recognising the impact creating healthy interiors can have on the well-being of a building’s occupants. This new collection combines the outstanding indoor air quality performance of Flotex with surprising designs and a modular format, so users don’t have to choose between functionality and high design.”

Flotex has been awarded the prestigious “Seal of Approval” from Allergy UK as, with the correct cleaning regime, it will not harbour dust mites. Thanks to the anti-microbial treatment Sanitized®, Flotex also offers constant protection against mould odours and bacteria, including MRSA and E-coli

Julie concludes: “At Forbo, it’s the company’s ambition to design and manufacture floor coverings that benefit every individual by helping to provide safe, hygienic and comfortable living and working environments. The Flotex Plank collection contains 67% recycled content (by weight) and is 100% waterproof, which means that only water and standard materials are required for an effective clean, using minimal hazardous chemicals that would have a detrimental effect on the building’s environment. “

For more information please telephone 0844 822 3928, email info.flooring.uk@forbo.com or visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/flotexplanks.
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Rinnai builds business with O’Neil’s

Rinnai, manufacturer of the Energysaver energy efficient range of gas fired wall heaters, recently pulled out all the stops in collaboration with Ayr-based installer O’Neil Gas Services to keep the congregation warm at St Mary’s Church in Saltcoats, Ayrshire.

O’Neil Gas Services with mission statement: ‘Big enough to cope. Small enough to care’ – is a family-run company founded by John O’Neil and now presided over by his son Brian O’Neil. It has 22 employees, 15 of them fully qualified Gas Safe registered engineers. The company offers domestic and commercial services covering the whole of Ayrshire, East Kilbride and South Glasgow and has four separate divisions – installation, service and repair, care and retail. O’Neil’s also operates a fireplace and bathroom showroom, designing and planning bathrooms from start to finish.

The O’Neil client list is impressive and includes NHS Scotland, North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame Housing Association, SRUC Auchincruive Estate, Klin Holdings as well as various hotels, surgeries, churches and commercial businesses all over Ayrshire. More recently the company won the Irvine Housing gas maintenance contract for five years.

The company has built a reputation for quality, reliability and value ensuring that its 14,000 domestic and commercial customers return time and again for their gas and plumbing needs. They have retained thousands of customers, year after year, confirming the quality of their customer service.

O’Neil’s install Rinnai heaters for its commercial customers in a range of applications. “We choose Rinnai heaters because they are reliable, and easy to work on, as well as being efficient. O’Neil’s use only the best as call backs can be expensive and so installing the Rinnai heating range within commercial installations is an obvious choice, and makes for happy customers,” says
O’Neil’s installation manager Ross McWhirter. “We have used Rinnai heaters in many churches – for example St Mary’s – because of their efficiency and ease of installation.

“We have installed Rinnai continuous flow water heaters in Adeli Foods for the same reasons. We choose Rinnai products in such installations simply because no other product could provide the result we and more importantly our customers expect and want. This along with the excellent customer service provided by Rinnai, mean that their heaters and water heaters are always our choice.”

McWhirter first made the decision to go with Rinnai’s 1004T gas fired wall space heater for the St Mary’s Church, Saltcoats project and it is a decision he is pleased he made. “We used six Rinnai 1004T units siting them in the best location for effectiveness and for the convenience of the customer. The biggest part of the job was lifting the floors and running gas and electricity supplies to the units.

“Everyone I have spoken too at the Church since we completed the installation has said that it has never been as warm as it is now. The Church should also see a big difference in gas usage as the Rinnai units are more economical to run than the previous system.

“This was the first time we have used the Rinnai heaters and I was very impressed with the outcome of the job. They are very quiet while running and get the Church up to temperature very quickly,” says Ross.

O’Neil’s has the stamp of approval from Gas Safe to provide all gas services and has recently been awarded the prestigious ISO 9001, a certified management system for organisations proving its ability to provide services that meets customer’s needs. In addition, O’Neil’s has CHAS accreditation for its Health and Safety policies and PAS 2030.

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com.
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Sikafloor provides durable, high-gloss surface fit for a Ferrari

Thanks to Sika, a vehicle workshop involved in the repair and maintenance of some of the world’s most expensive cars has been supplied with a durable, high-gloss floor to protect the high-powered, high-specification machines it services.

The Ferrari Garage in Greater Manchester contains a hive of engineering expertise. For the refurbishment of the workshop’s 700m2 floor, it was vital the new system contained hard-wearing, non-slip properties, whilst offering a smooth, seamless finish to benefit mechanics and exquisite motors alike. Sikafloor®-263 SL, a two-part, multipurpose binder system, proved ideal.

In preparation for the built-up floor system’s installation, IRL Group Ltd – the project’s contractors – ground and shot-blasted the existing surface. Sikafloor® Level-30, a polymer-modified, pumpable, self-levelling, fast-drying cementitious screed was initially applied to the substrate in areas of anticipated heavy traffic which required higher thickness.

Sikafloor® 161 primer was then applied to the whole floor, and when cured, Sikafloor®-263 SL was installed to a thickness of 2mm. Based on epoxy resin, the system offers excellent chemical and mechanical resistance for heavy-wearing concrete and cement screeds in areas such as assembly halls, workshops, garages and loading ramps.

The floor’s high-gloss, light-grey finish was supplied by Sikafloor®-264, a two-part epoxy roller and seal coat with high-slip resistance: essential traction provision for rear wheel drive cars such as Ferraris which need to journey on and off ramps during maintenance. The Greater Manchester workshop has space for the service of up to five vehicles at any one time, hence the need for a smooth floor which didn’t compromise on tyre-grip.

Mark Ollerenshaw, Managing Director at IRL Group Ltd, said: “For a floor upgrade in an environment involving big-wheeled vehicles, the surface we provided had to have proven, durable qualities. Sikafloor was absolutely ideal. Its high-gloss finish complimented its hard-wearing, high-slip resistance, resulting in the perfect floor system for a project involving prestigious cars and an abundance of highly-technical equipment.”

The garage remained closed whilst the floor refurbishment was carried out. It meant contractors had a strict seven-day deadline to complete the project and ensure the business reopened on the agreed date. Sikafloor’s easy application and reliable performance ensured the timeframe was met, leaving the workshop with a safe, smart, durable floor fit for a Ferrari.

For more information please call 01707 394444, or visit http://gbr.sika.com/en/solutions_products/sika-markets/industrial-and-commercial-flooring.html 
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Unique Calacatta – a stunning quartz worksurface from COMPAC

COMPAC’s Unique Calacatta quartz worksurface offers a stunning contrasting grey veining design on a pure white background, characteristic of marble.

Inspired by the beauty and elegance of natural stone, Unique Calacatta combines traditional skill with innovation to create a worksurface that makes it possible to decorate homes, apartments, hotels, restaurants, bars and many public spaces with elegant overall compositions that transmit serenity and harmony.

The striking contrast of pure white with the powerful grey veins will give any space clad with Unique Calacatta a truly magnetic personality.

Architects and designers can specify Unique Calacatta for a wide range of projects with the confidence that every reference for this new worksurface is unique, because just like in nature, each slab presents different nuances and patterns in design.

Added to this is an enviable set of technical specifications, the natural hardness of quartz comes hand in hand with a waterproof, hygienic finish offering even greater resistance.
This means that Unique Calacatta is especially appropriate for intensive use areas such as kitchen and bathroom worksurfaces, floor tiling or wall cladding.

For further information about Unique Calacatta visit www.uniquecalacatta.com or www.compac.es.
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Polypipe Ventilation’s HRX-aQ MVHR system announced as a finalist in H&V News Awards

Polypipe Ventilation is pleased to announce its Silavent HRX-aQ Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) appliance has made it as a finalist in the prestigious H&V News Awards, in the Domestic Ventilation Product of the Year category.

The H&V News Awards, now in their 23rd year, are an annual celebration of excellence, forward thinking and the highest achievements across the building services industry. The awards cover the entire HVAC and building services supply chain. This year’s awards saw a high number of quality entries submitted, so making it onto the shortlist is a major achievement for all concerned.

Polypipe Ventilation believes its Silavent HRX-aQ MVHR appliance cut through the competition because of its ability to intelligently manage air conditions, for maximum homeowner comfort.

Properties come in different design styles, fabrics, locations and orientations, all of which have an impact on their thermal behaviour. Furthermore, occupants’ comfort levels can vary significantly. The HRX-aQ has been designed by Polypipe Ventilation to take these factors into account, matching ventilation rates to the internal environment and occupants’ requirements for maximum comfort, whilst also being the quietest and most compact (from 199mm in depth) Silavent MVHR unit available.

This is achieved through advanced AMIE (Air Management for Indoor Environments) technology including features such as digital humidity control, automated summer bypass and accurate system balancing.

Unlike conventional humidity sensors, the HRX-aQ enables occupants to have direct control over managing the humidity levels in their home to suit personal comfort levels. By accurately measuring air humidity, the HRX-aQ’s extract speed automatically changes from background to boost as the level of humidity increases, thereby providing optimal ventilation performance.

Similarly, the HRX-aQ features advanced bypass control, programmable by occupants based on time or temperature. In standard mode the MVHR units work by warming fresh air drawn into the building using the heat from waste stale air extracted from the kitchen and wet rooms. In conjunction with multiple time controlled bypass options (night time free cooling), the Silavent HRX-aQ also detects when air temperature reaches a pre-set level and intelligently activates the bypass mechanism allowing in cooler, fresh and filtered air.

Control of these features is achieved via a compact Bluebrain control, which also provides homeowners with helpful maintenance reminders for cleaning and replacing filters to ensure performance of the unit is maximised and air quality maintained.

As with Polypipe Ventilation’s previous Silavent MVHR ranges, the new HRX-aQ remains extremely efficient. When used with a kitchen and one wet room, at typical installation, the HRX-aQ provides an 88% heat exchange performance and boasts a very low Specific Fan Power down to 0.66W/(l/s) – providing the property with a lower Dwelling Emission Rate and additional project SAP points.

There are eight HRX-aQ models available to suit a wide range of residential properties, including units with a specialist heat exchanger technology to further improve air quality and provide comfortable humidity levels.

For further information on the Silavent HRX-aQ MVHR appliances, please go to www.bluebrain.co.uk or call on 03443 715523. Polypipe Ventilation’s full range of systems can be seen at www.polypipe.com/ventilation.
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