Product News – Page 5 – Building Specifier

Thermal insulation for condensation control in buildings

H1 – What’s the role of thermal insulation in preventing condensation in buildings?

Effective condensation control in buildings can be summed up as a three-pronged strategy: insulate correctly, provide adequate ventilation and manage the movement of moisture. Specifying thermal insulation for condensation control is therefore just one – but very crucial – part of the holistic approach required.

The complexity of moisture management in buildings can mean that implementing these three elements is far from simple. In particular, designers and specifiers have no control over how the eventual occupants will use a building. That means building fabric specification and detailing decisions, together with appropriate ventilation solutions, are crucial.

CLICK HERE

to try our online U-value calculator, which includes

a built-in condensation risk analysis, to help you specify with confidence

H2 – How can architects and specifiers design out condensation risk in new-builds?

In new-build construction, modern techniques often use airtight, vapour-closed fabric specifications to prevent moisture from entering the building.
Rigid PIR insulation boards (and other similar thermal insulation products) can be well-suited to this approach, coupled with membranes such as vapour control layers (VCLs) and breather membranes. Once correctly sealed at seams and junctions, this forms the construction’s airtightness barrier to help control the movement of air and vapour.

Some new-build projects adopt a vapour-open approach. In most cases, however, vapour-open construction is encountered when dealing with traditional building fabric as part of retrofit projects. This requires the selection of different materials and the use of different methods of condensation risk analysis. Therefore, a closed cell material with a high vapour resistance facer like PIR is less likely to be used.

Addressing this important distinction goes some way to illustrating the mindset required when considering condensation risk in buildings. Preventing condensation risk isn’t one single solution. Nor is it something you can easily improvise in the later stages of a building project.

While you cannot tell the future occupants of a building how to live in or use it, you can design and specify with certain behaviours in mind. It’s an often-quoted statistic that we spend around 90% of our time indoors: the UK government states the figure is between 80% and 90%[1], while the EU puts the figure at 85-90%[2].

As David Milner, Technical Team Lead at Celotex, says:

“Since the Covid-19 pandemic, more people are working from home, either full-time or part-time. This is in addition to everyday activities like cooking, cleaning, bathing, and drying laundry, all of which generate moisture indoors. Without adequate ventilation, this can increase indoor humidity levels, raising the risk of condensation within the building fabric.

H2 – What causes condensation in buildings, and why is it a problem?

When we talk about condensation risk, we are really talking about two different types of condensation, surface condensation and interstitial condensation.

H3 – What is surface condensation?

Surface condensation refers to moisture that forms on the surface of a building element when warm, humid air comes into contact with a cooler surface. It may occur as a light dampness or, if the accumulation of moisture is large enough, it could form into droplets that run down the surface.

This process occurs when the surface cools the surrounding air below its dew point temperature, the point at which air can no longer hold all its water vapour, causing condensation to form on the surface. The dew point varies depending on the air’s temperature and relative humidity.

Window panes are the most obvious example of surface condensation occurring, because window glass is usually significantly cooler than other surfaces. If a wall or ceiling is cool enough (or the air humid enough) for condensation to occur on its surface. This moisture can damage finishes, reduce thermal performance, increase maintenance needs, promote mould growth, and negatively impact occupant health.

H3 – What is interstitial condensation?

The same principles apply here to moisture-laden air coming into contact with a cooler surface. The difference is that interstitial condensation refers to the process occurring within the layers of the building fabric, rather than on exposed surfaces.

The obvious problem is that the condensation is unseen. If it is frequent enough and severe enough, then over time it can wet materials within the building’s structure. Thermal insulation materials can lose performance if they become wet; timber elements can begin to decay over a period of years.

“For interstitial condensation to occur there must be some failure in the vapour-closed nature of the construction,” explains David Milner. “There may be a penetration of the AVCL, allowing air and moisture to pass into the construction. That air then needs to meet a cooler surface to the external side of the insulation layer. Poor installation of insulation, which leaves gaps or voids, can also allow warm air to circulate to cold surfaces and increase the condensation risk.”

H2 – How do U-values and thermal performance relate to condensation risk?

Among the measures that can be employed to control condensation are raising temperatures: either of the air, or of building element surfaces.

Raising the air temperature increases its capacity to hold moisture, reducing the relative humidity and lowering the likelihood of condensation. However, relying on additional heating to achieve this may not be practical or affordable for many occupants.

A well-insulated building slows the transfer of heat through the building fabric. But we must also consider the movement of the heated air. If there are pathways in the fabric that allow warm air to escape, a significant proportion of heating energy can be lost through air leakage (exfiltration) and the entry of cold air (infiltration).

Airtightness is therefore also critical, alongside an appropriate insulation specification.

Coming back to the holistic approach, better airtightness should be paired with controlled and effective ventilation to ensure a supply of fresh air. This has the added benefit of helping to remove moisture vapour from the air, also contributing to the control of condensation.

David Milner adds: “Better-insulated building fabric with lower U-values slows the rate of heat loss and keeps surface temperatures warmer. When surfaces are warmer, humid air is less likely to cool below its dew point on contact, making surface condensation less likely.”

H2 – What are the best insulation solutions for condensation control?

Focusing on improving the insulation of the building fabric often leads to discussions about achieving lower U-values. While national building regulations such as Approved Document C (England and Wales) set a recommended maximum U-value of 0.35 W/m²K to help prevent surface condensation under typical conditions, energy efficiency standards, such as those in Approved Document L or voluntary schemes like Passivhaus, generally require much lower U-values. This means that designing and specifying insulation goes beyond just meeting minimum standards and plays a crucial role in reducing condensation risk.

Thermal bridges are areas in otherwise well-insulated building fabric where the continuity of insulation (and possibly of vapour control measures too) is interrupted. Learn more about this topic in our blog post about reducing thermal bridging.

“Discontinuity of insulation in the building envelope can create pathways for heat loss, which lower local surface temperatures and increase the risk of condensation,” notes David Milner. “And where insulation is not continuous, these cooler surfaces can become prime locations for both surface condensation and, in some cases, interstitial condensation if the air and vapour control layer is also compromised.

Getting thermal bridging right is just as important to condensation control as it is to complying with energy efficiency requirements. Little wonder, then, that BS 5250:2021 Moisture management in buildings – Code of practice provides detailed guidance on the importance of junction detailing and its role in moisture management.

H2 – How can Celotex help with thermal bridging solutions?

Celotex’s range of PIR insulation boards – including GA4000 and TB4000 – can be specified for floors, walls, and roofs to help achieve low U-values. When detailed correctly (including fixing details, service voids and vapour control measures as necessary), the boards can help to provide the continuous layers of insulation that limit the transfer of heat, reduce air leakage, and help maintain warmer internal surface temperatures.

The Celotex team of technical advisors is on hand to help specify the best solutions to meet insulation requirements. Additionally, the new Celotex online U-value calculator is available and designed to be user-friendly while offering advanced functionality, instant results, and visual outputs, which are also included in the downloadable calculation reports.

Regulatory compliance documentation, including performance certificates, is available through the Celotex Technical Resource Centre. Supported by this documented performance data, the technical services team offers verified calculations, construction details, and regulatory guidance to help develop accurate specifications for both standard and bespoke constructions.

CLICK HERE

to try our online U-value calculator, which includes

a built-in condensation risk analysis, to help you specify with confidence

July 9, 2025/0 Comments/by Lyn

WEBER AND CMS DANSKIN ACOUSTICS LAUNCH NEW ACOUSTIC FLOOR SYSTEMS INCORPORATING REGUPOL

Product News

Saint-Gobain Weber and REGUPOL in partnership with CMS Danskin Acoustics have collaborated to develop, test and launch a suite of new impact sound insulation floor systems designed to reduce sound transmission. The new ‘weberfloor acoustic systems’ can be used to meet challenging acoustics targets across both new construction and refurbishment projects, including residential, healthcare, commercial and leisure schemes.

Aimed at making acoustic floor system specification more straightforward for architects, acousticians, contractors and installers who are designing and delivering developments where controlling impact sound is required or desired, the new weberfloor acoustic systems work with most floor finishes, such as LVT, sheet vinyl, laminate, timber, ceramic tiles and carpet.

The collaboration draws together Weber’s flooring screed expertise developed over more than 40 years, REGUPOL’s cutting-edge acoustic product technology and the strengths of leading acoustic insulation supplier CMS Danskin Acoustics. The capabilities of the three respected brands have been combined to offer the construction market this new, wide range of fully tested acoustic flooring options.

Fully tested for compatibility, the weberfloor acoustic systems unite Weber screeds and smoothing/levelling compounds with REGUPOL impact sound insulating membranes for both under screed and over screed applications to reduce noise transmission. Each component of the system is equally important in achieving the specified acoustic performance.

Acoustic under screed and over screed system product selectors are clearly outlined in Weber’s new Acoustic Flooring Solutions brochure, which can be downloaded BY CLICKING HERE

The systems are also shown on CMS Danskin Acoustics’ website CLICK HERE TO VISIT

Product specific technical data sheets are available from Weber and from CMS Danskin Acoustics.

“In today’s construction landscape, where noise pollution is a concern, the need for effective sound insulation is critical. This is where weberfloor acoustic systems will come into play by offering solutions designed to improve the acoustic quality of spaces,” says Ian Dennis, Weber’s National Flooring Manager.

“With three market leaders at the heart of these new acoustic systems, this is a significant development,” explains UK REGUPOL consultant Jamie Symons. “The market can be assured of the compatibility and integrity of the weberfloor acoustic systems, making product selection much simpler.”

Andy Hayes, technical manager at CMS Danskin Acoustics and Associate Member of the IoA, adds, “The extensive development and testing work at the foundation of these systems means that, when specifying the weberfloor acoustic systems, the market can be confident in achieving both effective acoustic performance and excellent loading performance with minimal construction height.”

The weberfloor acoustic systems are supported by a fully trained team of specification and technical managers who can guide clients throughout their specification and installation journey.

Training, including CPD modules for architects and installers, will be announced shortly.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WEBER WEBSITE

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE CMS DANSKIN WEBSITE

July 9, 2025/0 Comments/by Lyn

RINNAI WATER HEATERS – PROVIDE LISTED BUILDING WITH OVER 13 YEARS (AND COUNTING) OF DURABILITY AND ECONOMY

Product News

Bridgewater House, built in 1771, is a classic two-and-a-half storey Georgian house designated a Grade II listed building. It is near the lower end of a line of 10 locks leading from the Runcorn basin of the Bridgewater Canal to the River Mersey. Originally built for the use of the Duke of Bridgewater, it has since been used for various purposes and has now been converted into offices.

More recently, in 1998, a fire damaged the roof and many of the rooms; the building was subsequently repaired and restored and is now owned by Bridgewater Property Management, which uses it partly for its own purposes and leases the rest of the building as offices to other businesses.

Runcorn-based heating engineer Dave Winrow, who runs the business with his son Benjamin, was asked by the company, in 2012, to come up with an energy efficient solution for the building’s heating and hot water as the owners were alarmed by ever rising fuel bills.

Winrow went to look at the old system that comprised two combis and two boilers.

“The archaic boiler system, although very dilapidated was still working, but as it was 10 years old or more it definitely needed replacing with a system that would be easier on running costs.”

Winrow decided to install three Rinnai high efficiency commercial instant water heaters, effectively making up a tri-flow hot water package, teamed with two Rinnai E32 boilers to provide hot water and heating to all floors. The installed system reduced the fuel costs by 200%.

Since then, the units have been serviced every year, without fail. But the units have never, ever had a single part replaced – that’s approaching 14 years of service providing temperature accurate hot water.

Says Ben Winrow,

“The Rinnai continuous flow water heaters are a fully modulating 54kW unit that gives constant hot water produced separately from the boiler on secondary return. In summer the boiler doesn’t need to fire up at all. It is a prime example of a modulated unit at its best as the unit’s 50kw capability can modulate down to 6kw. It is very clever because it knows exactly how much gas to use to heat the water due to its multi solenoid burner, so it saves fuel and money. With other water heaters they are either full on or off”.
“The site saw heating and water bills tumble from £4,500 per annum to just £1500 in the first year of installation. Over the 14 years the savings run to over six figures”.

The Rinnai Sensei N series succeeded the HD range and achieved the same standard of durability and longevity. All appliances are manufactured under strict guidelines of ISO 9001 quality management and ISO 14001 environmental management and come with full manufacturers’ warranty.

Rinnai N Sensei Series continuous flow water heaters are designed to provide domestic and commercial access to vast volumes of cost-effective, clean and temperature controlled hot water. Rinnai aim to supply UK customers with practical, economic and technical solutions for water heating and building heat.

The Rinnai Sensei N Series is the first ever continuous flow hot water heating unit manufactured with stainless steel heat exchangers to be available in the UK – this provides a greatly extended working life at optimum performance to each of the four models in the range.

The four models are: the N1600i giving 954 litres per hour; the N1600e (external) also giving 954 litres per hour (at 50 degrees); the N1300i giving 775 litres per hour and the N1300e also giving 775 litres per hours of temperature controlled at 50 degrees. The two 1600s have load profiles of XXL and are water efficiency class A rated, while the 1300s are load profile XL and are also water efficiency class A rated.

Other features include:

Flue up to 30+ metres for concentric
Turbo Fan
Built-in controller as standard on both internal and external models
Cascade Cable assembly allows up to 24 water heaters to be connected and function as one total and complete system. Any number of N-series Rinnai water heaters can be manifolded together enabling the largest capacities on the market.
Built in flue damper
Air inlet filter
Frost Protection – minus 15°C on the internal versions and minus 20 °C on the external versions
New PCB Design
Controller as standard – Lockable, set up of appliance, temperature set up to 75°C
Maintenance Monitor for engineers

RINNAI FULL PRODUCT AVAILABILITY 24/7 FOR NEXT DAY DELIVERY

of ALL HOT WATER HEATING UNIT MODELS INCLUDING 48-58kW UNITS-

CLICK HERE for more information on the RINNAI product range

July 7, 2025/0 Comments/by Lyn

“A2 BOARDS” ADD TO AIM’S HIGH IMPACT SOFFIT LINER RANGE

General News, Product News

High Impact Soffit Liner Boards with Euroclass Reaction to Fire A2-s1,d0 classification are now available from AIM – Acoustic & Insulation Manufacturing. For use with concrete soffits where thermal or acoustic performance is required, the boards offer excellent impact resistance, so providing an insulated lining designed for semi exposed soffits, such as in car parks.

AIM manufactures a variety of non-fire rated High Impact Soffit Liner Boards. Now, the fire, acoustic and thermal insulation specialist has invested in reaction to fire testing for its stonewool backed board, resulting in an A2-s1,d0 classified ‘limited combustibility’ option to add to the range.

The primary job of a soffit liner is to provide thermal insulation to the soffit typically the ceiling within semi exposed places, including car parks. In such instances there is a requirement that the soffit insulation is protected with a cement board and that the combined product is of limited combustibility. AIM’s A2 High Impact Soffit Liner Boards manufactured with stonewool insulation are classified in accordance with BS EN 13501-1 as A2-s1,d0 ‘limited combustibility’. This applies to boards of a thickness from 56mm to 256mm.

AIM’s A2 High Impact Soffit Liner Boards can also be used as internal linings for walls and ceilings.

They are available in a wide range of thicknesses and insulation materials to suit the thermal resistance (U Value) required to support the thermal performance of the construction. The AIM Technical Support Team can provide U Value calculations as required.

The boards can also contribute to the overall acoustic performance of the soffit/floor construction. Acoustic testing is covered by Z11012 – Acoustic Performance BS EN ISO 10140-2.

The fibre cement facing board can be easily decorated to match colour schemes. However, decoration would be outside the scope of the classification report for reaction to fire. Pre-decorated and through coloured facing boards are available but these have not been classified for reaction to fire.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE TECHNICAL LITERATURE

Part of the Performance Technology Group, UK-based AIM – Acoustic & Insulation Manufacturing has over 30 years of experience in the design, testing and manufacturing of high-quality fire, thermal and acoustic barriers. The company produces a wide variety of bespoke insulation products to customer specification and a range of standard products.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE AIM WEBSITE

July 2, 2025/0 Comments/by Lyn

E-METHANE & OFF GRID FUELS: WHAT THEY ARE – AND WILL THEY BECOME UK MARKET RELEVANT?

Product News

Chris Goggin explains what E-methane is, how it is produced and its potential relevance inside the UK alternative gasses market. An informed synopsis of the current off grid gas and energy market will be used to highlight how E-methane and other lesser well-known gasses such as Bio-LPG and biomethane can contribute towards off-grid NetZero aims and support commercial enterprises.

To attain NetZero status future usage of fossil fuels will need to be limited in the medium term and eventually nullified, completely. A range of alternative energies that include renewables, hydrogen and clean electrification will replace fossil fuels. E-Methane is a new gas that has been identified as an additional low carbon gaseous alternative capable of performing the same role as fossil fuels.

E-methane is the abbreviated name given to electro-methane, a gas which is created by extracting captured carbon dioxide and blending with green hydrogen, itself produced via renewable energy.

The number of e-methane production plants across Europe and Australia is notably increasing. Danish energy supplier, Andel, and Danish biogas company, Nature Energy, have invested DKK 100 million in constructing and operating an e-methane plant located in Glansager, Denmark.

Australia is the chosen location of three Japanese energy concerns who are exploring e-methane production possibilities. Tokyo Gas, Toho Gas, Osaka Gas Australia (OGA) alongside Australian oil and gas company Santos have entered into an agreement that will focus on producing 130,000 tonnes of e-methane annually. E-methane is 1 of 14 priorities that the Japanese government’s Green Growth Strategy has highlighted as a major component towards Japanese decarbonisation objectives.

Finnish energy company Nordic Ren-Gas Oy is developing a Power-to-Gas project located in Tampere, Finland. The production facility will manufacture hydrogen and e-methane as well as provide power for local district heating sourced through waste heat. Nordic Ren-Gas Oy are actively seeking to introduce a decentralised e-methane production network throughout Finland that assists in reducing fossil fuel usage.

E-methane is remarkably like biomethane which is produced in a separate process – methane is captured from natural biological waste and forms during a natural process called ‘anaerobic digestion.’ In the absence of oxygen microorganisms will begin to break down matter yielding a gas – methane. Once impurities are removed the methane gas becomes upgraded and biomethane is created.

Both biomethane and e-methane are capable of identical operating behaviour when compared to fossil fuels and can therefore be placed into existing infrastructure. Biomethane and e-methane can immediately fulfil the role of fossil fuels without any fracture towards appliance operating efficiency, commercial activity, or societal cohesion.

E-methane and biomethane are potential fuels that can be used in off-grid applications also. The UK off-grid fuel market is a growing economic entity and is also a hard-to-decarbonise section of society. The UK’s gas grid network extends to 84% of UK households. Of the remaining 16%, 2 million properties are rural off grid homes and require daily power.

The primary power source used to fuel off grid UK properties and commercial activities is LPG and there is growing usage of BioLPG. The tourism and leisure sector also relies on off grid fuels and utilises both LPG and BioLPG as its main source of power. There are 2,643 businesses in the Caravan & Camping Sites industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 3.6 % between 2020 and 2025.

LPG is created through the refining of crude oil or extracted during the process of manufacturing natural gas. LPG consists of butane and propane and is considered a low carbon alternative to fossil fuels.

BioLPG contains an almost identical chemical structure to LPG. BioLPG is produced from renewable materials derived from a diverse mix of sustainable biological feedstocks and processes. Supported through cleaner sourced chemical ingredients BioLPG provides huge benefits in carbon reductions and air quality, compared to traditional off-grid fuels such as heating oil.

BioLPG is conceptually renewable and sustainable, as it is made from a blend of waste, residues, and sustainably sourced materials. BioLPG, can be described as an eco-propane, the chemical makeup of this gas is identical to LPG and is therefore compatible with existing in situ LPG products from a combustion perspective.

The market for synthetic and biogas in Europe is expanding, UK liquefied petroleum gas market is projected to lead the regional market in terms of revenue in 2030. In the UK, around 10% of off-grid properties use LPG for heating, which translates to approximately 220,000 users. In terms of revenue, UK accounted for 4.3% of the global liquefied petroleum gas market in 2023.

Off grid fuels, synthetic gasses and biogas are areas in which growth is expected to rise steadily through the up-and-coming decade. E-methane is considered a convenient alternative capable of being placed in existing infrastructure and successfully fulfilling the role of natural gas. European and the Asia-Pacific regions are refining strategies that centre on the production and distribution of e-methane and are confident that commercial sales will follow.

Biogas and synthetic gasses such as BioLPG, LPG, e-methane and Biomethane will play a discernible role in the global pursuit of NetZero. Current UK and European off grid gas markets maintain an upward trajectory.

Potential usage of alternative gasses can only increase as NetZero time limits recede, meaning that any gas capable of operational capabilities and behavioural similarities to natural gas will instantly be viewed favourably due to current infrastructure and natural gas reliance.

As the continued pursuit of low carbon and zero carbon energy and power sources continues both BioLPG and e-methane are promising variants on the road to net zero.

CLICK HERE

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Rinnai follows all domestic and international developments in current and future energy information. Doing so, provides potential customers with a solid foundation of information that assists product purchase. Any news relating to appliance or energy options that is shaped by legislation will be immediately shared with UK customers. Access to information that affects customer judgment is an area that is Rinnai values.

RINNAI’S H3 DECARBONISATION OFFERS PATHWAYS & CUSTOMER COST REDUCTIONS

FOR COMMERCIAL, DOMESTIC AND OFF-GRID HEATING & HOT WATER DELIVERY

www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/about us/H3

Rinnai’s H3 range of decarbonising products include hydrogen / BioLPG ready technology, hybrid systems, and a wide range of LOW GWP heat pumps and solar thermal. Also, within Rinnai’s H3 range is Infinity hydrogen blend ready and BioLPG ready continuous flow water heaters which are stacked with a multitude of features that ensure long life, robust & durable use, customer satisfaction and product efficiency.

Rinnai’s range of decarbonising products – H1/H2/H3 – consists of heat pump, solar, hydrogen in any configuration, hybrid formats for either residential or commercial applications. Rinnai’s H3 range of products offer contractors, consultants and end users a range of efficient, robust and affordable decarbonising appliances which create practical, economic and technically feasible solutions. The range covers all forms of fuels and appliances currently available – electric, gas, hydrogen, BioLPG, DME solar thermal, low GWP heat pumps and electric water heaters.

Rinnai H1 continuous water heaters and boilers offer practical and economic decarbonization delivered through technological innovation in hydrogen and renewable liquid gas ready technology.

Rinnai’s H1 option is centred on hydrogen, as it is anticipated that clean hydrogen fuels will become internationally energy market-relevant in the future; Rinnai water heaters are hydrogen 20% blends ready and include the world’s first 100% hydrogen-ready hot water heating technology.

Rinnai H2 – Decarbonization simplified with renewable gas-ready units, Solar Thermal and Heat Pump Hybrids. Rinnai H2 is designed to introduce a practical and low-cost option which may suit specific sites and enable multiple decarbonisation pathways with the addition of high performance.

Rinnai H3 – Low-GWP heat pump technology made easy – Rinnai heat pumps are available for domestic and commercial usage with an extensive range of 4 – 115kW appliances.

Rinnai’s H3 heat pumps utilise R32 refrigerant and have favourable COP and SCOP.

Rinnai is a world leading manufacturer of hot water heaters and produces over two million units a year, operating on each of the five continents. The brand has gained an established reputation for producing products that offer high performance, cost efficiency and extended working lives.

Rinnai’s commercial and domestic continuous flow water heaters offer a limitless supply of instantaneous temperature controlled hot water and all units are designed to align with present and future energy sources. Rinnai condensing water heaters accept either existing fuel or hydrogen gas blends. Rinnai units are also suited for off-grid customers who require LPG and BioLPG or DME.

Rinnai products are UKCA certified, A-rated water efficiency, accessed through multiple fuel options and are available for purchase 24/7, 365 days a year. Any unit can be delivered to any UK site within 24 hours. Rinnai offer carbon and cost comparison services that will calculate financial and carbon savings made when investing in a Rinnai system. Rinnai also provide a system design service that will suggest an appropriate system for the property in question. Rinnai offer comprehensive training courses and technical support in all aspects of the water heating industry including detailed CPD’s.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE RINNAI WEBSITE

or HERE to EMAIL RINNAI

CLICK HERE For more information on the RINNAI product range

July 2, 2025/0 Comments/by Lyn

TRILUX Lights Spain’s Most Sustainable Office Building

Product News

Colón Towers in Madrid sets new standards with NZEB, WELL and LEED certifications

TRILUX has completed a landmark lighting project at Colón Towers (Torres Colón) in Madrid – now recognised as Spain’s most sustainable office building. Owned by insurance group Mutua Madrileña, the 31-storey building is the first in the country to achieve certification as a Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) and will also receive WELL and LEED certifications in recognition of its outstanding environmental and workplace credentials.

An integral part of meeting these ambitious standards was the smart, energy-efficient lighting solution designed and delivered by TRILUX Spain. Around 3,000 luminaires were installed throughout the building, offering not only optimal light quality and visual comfort, but also integrated intelligence and digital control.

High-performance lighting for modern workspaces

TRILUX developed bespoke linear luminaires specifically for this project, all equipped with integrated presence and daylight sensors. The luminaires adjust automatically to the time of day and occupancy, supporting both energy efficiency and user wellbeing.

Lighting colour temperature (4,200 Kelvin), high colour rendering (CRI 90), and a unified glare rating of 19 ensure compliance with WELL certification criteria, helping to promote productivity and comfort. For added design value, Sonnos pendant luminaires in black were also selected to enhance aesthetics in key areas.

Smart, connected and future-proof

Lighting throughout the building is controlled using the Casambi system, with each floor connected to a central gateway. This enables the building team to manage lighting remotely, monitor performance in real time, and streamline maintenance. If a luminaire needs replacing, reprogramming is not required – delivering both time and cost savings.

This project underlines TRILUX’s capability in delivering cutting-edge lighting solutions that meet the highest sustainability and workplace standards, supporting building owners and occupiers alike.

CLICK HERE to visit the TRILUX website for further information

July 2, 2025/0 Comments/by Lyn

Zoo Hardware Offers Complete Fire Door Hardware Set

Product News

Zoo Hardware is now able to offer customers the full range of components for a complete door assembly thanks to its newly added kickplate offering.

This development solidifies Zoo Hardware’s position as a true “one stop shop” for customers specifying door hardware, offering both convenience and cost efficiency.

With kickplate options the final product addition required to reach this point, Zoo Hardware can now help eliminate the need to manage multiple vendors, ensuring consistency in quality, compliance, and lead times.

Zoo Hardware offers a comprehensive range of architectural hardware solutions, including door handles, locks, hinges, and fully certified fire door components. Known for quality, reliability, and service, Zoo supports both commercial and residential projects with products designed for performance and compliance.

Tracy Logan DipGAI, Internal Sales Advisor at Zoo Hardware, said:

“Our customers value reliability, and being able to order a complete range from one supplier saves time, simplifies ordering, and ultimately saves money.
“It’s all about making life easier for them — and now we can deliver on that, completely.”

As the demand for fully certified and compliant fire door solutions grows, Zoo’s comprehensive offering ensures customers can specify with confidence, knowing every component is backed by a brand known for quality and customer support.

For more information on Zoo Hardware’s complete fire door solutions, visit www.zoohardware.co.uk

July 2, 2025/0 Comments/by Lyn

Nuaire ventilation systems now with Passivhaus certification

Product News

Indoor air quality and ventilation manufacturing specialist Nuaire is pleased to announce Passivhaus certification has been achieved on BPS Passivhaus air handling units (AHU) and XBC Passivhaus packaged heat recovery units.

With buildings contributing significantly to harmful carbon emissions, Passivhaus provides proven solutions to deliver net-zero-ready buildings that also provide a high level of occupant health and wellbeing. Passivhaus adopts a whole-building approach with clear, measured targets, focused on high-quality construction, certified through an exacting quality assurance process. For a building to achieve the Passivhaus Standard in the UK, a mechanical ventilation system with highly efficient heat recovery is considered a core principle.

Rigorously independently tested under realistic conditions to ensure they meet the strict Passivhaus efficiency, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality criteria, Nuaire’s BPS Passivhaus AHUs in sizes 12,17, 22, 32 and 42, and XBC Passivhaus packaged heat recovery units in sizes 55 and 65 have now been certified as Passivhaus compliant components.

BPS Passivhaus is a range of high specification packaged AHUs designed and engineered to provide an efficient, high performing, compact solution for a multitude of applications. Efficiency comes from a dual compressor system that uses less energy than one single large compressor, a high efficiency thermal wheel, and minimal air leakage (it has the top L1 leakage classification). BPS Passivhaus AHUs feature a high quality double lined acoustic end panel insulated with Rockwool for reduced noise breakout and low leakage, ensuring the unit is airtight. BPS Passivhaus AHUs feature M5 extract air filters, enabling pollutants as small as 1 micron to be captured, and G4 and G7 supply air filters which are designed to stop larger pollutant particles from entering.

With a plate heat exchanger with efficiencies of up to 95%, XBC Passivhaus are high performance packaged heat recovery units designed to improve indoor air quality whilst saving energy. High classification F7 and G4 extract filters have been installed to ensure the units meet the high Passivhaus air quality standards, whilst airtight seals prevent heat or air loss up to L2 leakage classification. They have been designed with the lowest possible noise breakout for user acceptance, and are easy to install, commission and maintain. XBC Passivhaus is available with LPHW or electric heating options as standard, with cooling modules also available as an ancillary.

Both BPS Passivhaus and XBC Passivhaus are fitted with high classiﬁcation class 3 dampers to ensure the units remain airtight, mitigating weak points in a Passivhaus build.

CLICK HERE for more information on Nuaire’s BPS Passivhaus and XBC Passivhaus products

June 18, 2025/0 Comments/by Lyn

HARD WATER ISSUES – DHW SYSTEM MAINTENANCE EXPLAINED

Product News

Pete Seddon, Head of Technical at Rinnai UK, explains the terms “hard and soft water” and expands on the long-term effects hard water has on DHW systems. Further attention is given to how system maintenance is provided to combat DHW system component fatigue – a result of untreated hard water.

Hard water areas can affect the internal components of DHW systems which gives less than an optimal performance and a reduction of system efficiency, as well as longevity. Hard water is an overlooked contributor towards a hot water system’s performance decline. This article will explain what hard water is, where hard water is located, the effects that hard water can have on a UK customers appliance, prevention and removal.

“Hard water” is water that contains a high concentration of dissolved minerals such as magnesium and calcium. Hard water forms once dissolved minerals are transported by flowing rainwater over certain rocks like chalk and limestone.

Hard water filters into the UK water supply once surface sources such as rivers, reservoirs and groundwater locations like aquifers collect. Rainwater accumulates that added mineral content.

Water companies then collect from these sources, chemically treat the water and then distribute through UK pipelines. However, minerals that are collected through this process remain present in drinking water, as there is no harm to human health.

The main areas around the UK that have access to a water supply that mostly contains “hard water” are predominately the south and south-east. Areas most affected are Thames Valley corridor, the Cotswolds, London and a large part of the Home Counties such as Kent, Sussex and Surrey due to the proliferation of chalk and limestone in the areas. Having said that there are also other areas dotted around the UK that can receive hard water. Most water suppliers will have postcode checkers on their websites which will allow you to find out what your water hardness is.

The effects of hard water upon a hot water system are long-term and can affect the performance and longevity of a DHW unit. One main characteristic of consistent use of hard water is a concentration of limescale inside hot water systems. Once limescale attaches itself to the internal components of a DHW unit, performance and efficiency is compromised by a build-up of limescale.

A buildup of limescale is formed by excess minerals within the water tank and connecting pipes of a DHW system. The limescale behaves as an insulator preventing the heat being transferred in to the water. As heat is absorbed by limescale the unit must work harder and longer to get the heat into the water resulting in higher energy costs and increased component fragility. This additional heat also exacerbates further build-up of limescale.

As a result of limescale on the internal metal components of a boiler, storage water heater or continuous flow water heater powered DHW system can begin to cause corrosion and erosion. Customers will have to confront leaks, an increase in maintenance costs, structural damage, operative failure and finally an early end to the product lifecycle.

Hard water impact and limescale infestation upon DHW systems and indoor plumbing pipes has been recognised as a major factor that requires problem solving. To prevent the forming of debilitating substances access to several technologies, chemical as well as natural solutions and techniques are readily available.

Water softeners are one potential route of limescale prevention but can also remove existing limescale build up albeit the removal will take time. Once a water softener is attached to in-coming water main a process called ‘ion exchange’ begins. Ion exchange replaces calcium and magnesium with sodium as well as potassium to soften the water content. Due to this technology physically softening the water, it is one of the best solutions however it does have its drawbacks so research should be carried out when choosing the most suitable treatment.

Limescale converters such as Aquabion are another option that reverses the effects of DHW systems that are reliant on hard water. A mechanism that resembles a pipe is inserted into the plumbing pipework and instantly starts to treat the hard water when drawn off. These devices could also start to disintegrate any formations of limescale within the system. Unlike a salt softener, limescale converters typically use a physical process to alter the structure of lime particles in the water. This process often involves using a device with a sacrificial anode, typically zinc. As water flows through the device, the lime particles are modified, becoming less likely to stick to surfaces and forming less hard deposits. This method can be preferred due to the minerals within the water being kept but also adding zinc into the water, all of which can add to health benefits.

Magnetic and electronic water conditioners are two further devices that supply a non-chemical solution to eliminating hard water limescale removal. The structure of minerals such as calcium and magnesium is altered using magnetic and electronic fields that disrupt usually associated behavioural patterns making limescale far less likely to attach itself to the internal elements of a hot water system.

If limescale is already present within an appliance or system, at a basic level a light acidic solution such as white vinegar can be used to breakdown limescale. White vinegar contains acidic properties that are ideal in dissolving nefarious hard water accumulations. Various chemical descaling solutions are also available – all acids such as hydrochloric, phosphoric, sulfamic, lactic and oxalic acid compounds are all well suited to destroying limescale. It is always preferable to use a suitable descaling solution rather than rely on the treatment options mentioned earlier because a limescale remover will be far more effective and take less time to remove any build up or deposits.

Rinnai aims to supply customers with all possible information that provides key knowledge enabling hot water and heating systems to perform at the optimum standard for a complete lifecycle. Rinnai will continue to seek out and share information that equips installers, specifiers, contractors and end-customers to arrive at a data-based choice of appliance and system based on practical, economic and technical criteria.