MAYPLAS THERMAL SOFFIT ACHIEVES A2 REACTION TO FIRE CLASSIFICATION

  

Mayplas’ Thermal Soffit, just launched in March, has now achieved an A2 Reaction to Fire classification and has been renamed ‘Thermafire A2 Soffit’.  The product is part of a range of insulation that Mayplas, a specialist manufacturer of passive fire protection, acoustic and thermal insulation, offers the housebuilding and construction industries.

Confirmed following testing as Reaction to Fire A2-s1,d0 according to BS EN 13501-1, the limited combustibility slab provides thermal and acoustic insulation within the soffit at the party wall junction.

Available in thicknesses of 100mm and 150mm, permitting the design of thermal performance to suit the construction, the Mayplas Thermafire A2 Soffit facilitates thermal resistance values to Approved Document L.  It is suitable for both masonry and timber frame constructions.

It also provides resistance to the passage of sound, synonymous with stone mineral wool insulation.

Standard 600mm x 600mm slabs can be cut to size on site to ensure an accurate cut to fill the full soffit void at the party wall.  The soffit can be secured through the product to the timber truss or masonry block using the correct length of fixing for the width of the product.  Mayplas can supply appropriate fixings.

In terms of application, the Thermafire A2 Soffit is valid for any wooden-based substrate* and is also valid with or without a cavity to the opposite side.

“Achieving an A2-s1, d0 Reaction to Fire classification for our Thermafire soffit product is proving very useful,” comments Michael Hunter, Mayplas’ Technical Director.  “The test results open up new applications which we look forward to exploring with our housebuilder customers and with the construction industry more broadly.”

The Thermafire A2 Soffit is foil faced to provide an effective vapour barrier and the foil also prevents fibre migration.

A technical data sheet* is available at: www.mayplas.co.uk/housebuilding-solutions

Mayplas is a member of the Association for Specialist Fire Protection and the Structural Timber Association.  Mayplas manufactures a range of fire, acoustic and thermal insulation products at its facility in Bury, Greater Manchester, well located for UK-wide distribution.  Mayplas can accommodate virtually any insulation specification, working with architects, contractors, developers, distributors and merchants.  Mayplas is part of the Performance Technology Group.

CLICK HERE FOR THE MAYPLAS WEBSITE

 

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Sanicom Installations for Belfor UK Falkirk depot

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BELFOR UK is one of the UK’s leading disaster recovery businesses and has been restoring and recovering buildings, possessions, and assets for over 35 years. Dedicated to helping customers recover swiftly and efficiently after a disaster, such as fire or flood damage, BELFOR has a team of directly employed specialists and experts across the country. Headquartered in Tamworth the company has ten depots covering the whole of the UK, including NI.

Taking huge pride in its proven end-to-end service, the company has previously partially outsourced the cleaning of laundry, cutlery and crockery to third parties. Now, in a move designed to improve their service even further, the company is vertically integrating bought out services by building restoration rooms and commercial laundries into each depot. In many premises this is a part of a wider renovation of the whole building and the depot in Falkirk has just undergone such a refurb.

To discharge the waste from these new facilities, Technical Manager, Jay Scott – who is undertaking the renovations with his two sons Ryan and Josh – specified Saniflo Sanicom 1 lifting stations to discharge hot grey waste water. The powerful units can discharge water waste up to 90°C in temperature for short bursts. This was ideal for the new restoration room which features an all-singing all-dancing commercial dishwasher that runs on a minute cycle at 84°C. The new room, kitted out in hygienic stainless steel, has two large sinks for the first and second swill of cutlery and crockery with the final hot sterilisation of the goods in the dishwasher. Water from all appliances is discharged through the Sanicom, which has been plumbed in adjacent to the twin sinks. A further room – for larger items that require greater attention – backs onto the restoration room and accommodates a further stainless steel sink which connects through the wall to the Sanicom. The pipework has been impeccably installed and runs up the wall, through the ceiling and along the edge of a newly created mezzanine floor before reaching a grey soil stack dropping to the outside drain.

In the commercial laundry, two powerful washing machines and two tumbler dryers are used daily to clean and dry damaged clothing and bedding. It is also professionally ironed and bagged up. A large gas boiler is also located in this room and the grey waste water from all the appliances, including condensate from the boiler, is discharged via a second Sanicom. With no soil stack at this end of the building, the only solution was a lifting station and the Sanicom, with its multiple connection points, is the perfect product to lift up and pump away through pipework that goes up the wall, along the ceiling and down into the main soil vent pipe in the adjacent WCs.

Jay is hugely impressed with the products which are working productively and efficiently;

“The Sanicoms are very easy to fit and the runs they achieve are phenomenal. We’re lucky here in Falkirk with soft water which is very kind to the pump. In hard water areas we will be regularly using Saniflo descaler to maintain optimum performance.”

Going forwards, the next of BELFOR’S depots to undergo a similar transformation is the Swanley Depot in Greater London, followed by Haydock and Dunstable. Thanks to the exceptional performance of the Sanicoms at Falkirk, they will be deployed in each depot as the established method of waste water disposal.

“Belfor is a trailblazer in the industry and we are always looking to improve and extend our services to clients. The Sanicoms have enabled us to successfully integrate restoration and laundry services into our business helping us to provide an efficient service to each client.”

CLICK HERE

For more information on Saniflo’s products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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UK Unleashes Energy Monster

llustration of the UK’s largest pumped-storage hydroelectric power station in the Scottish Highlands. Image generated by AI.

This Giant Powerhouse Will Fuel 1.4 Million Homes Nonstop for 22 Hours Straight

In a bold move towards energy independence, the United Kingdom has announced plans to construct its largest pumped-storage hydroelectric power station in the Scottish Highlands, capable of powering 1.4 million homes for nearly a whole day.

The United Kingdom is embarking on a groundbreaking journey to bolster its energy independence with a revolutionary new project. In a bold move, the nation is set to construct its largest pumped-storage hydroelectric power station in the picturesque Scottish Highlands. This colossal 1.8 GW facility at Loch Earba aims to store excess renewable energy and provide electricity to as many as 1.4 million homes for nearly an entire day. Such an ambitious initiative marks a significant milestone in the UK’s efforts to decarbonize its electricity grid and transition to a more sustainable energy future.

The Mechanism Behind Pumped-Storage Hydroelectricity

Pumped-storage hydroelectricity operates on a straightforward yet ingenious principle. When electricity is abundant, water is pumped from a lower reservoir to a higher one. When demand peaks, the stored water is released back down through turbines, generating electricity. This method is not only efficient but also perfectly suited to complement intermittent renewable energy sources like wind power. By storing surplus energy, these systems ensure that it can be used later when needed, enhancing the reliability of renewable energy.

In the UK, where nuclear energy has faced restrictions, and fossil fuels are being phased out, pumped-storage projects represent a critical component of the energy mix. The new facility at Loch Earba will serve as a cornerstone of this strategy, promising to harness the natural energy of water to deliver clean power without emissions. This approach underscores the UK’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and enhancing energy security.

Harnessing Water Force for Extended Energy Autonomy

The upper reservoir of the project, Loch Leamhain, is designed to hold enough water to generate 1.8 GW for up to 22 hours. This capacity is akin to the output of two nuclear power stations operating at full tilt, but without the associated nuclear fuel or greenhouse gas emissions. This natural accumulator will capitalize on the UK’s abundant wind resources, storing excess energy generated during high winds or at night when demand is low.

By enabling the storage and later distribution of wind energy, this infrastructure aims to prevent the waste of renewable resources and reduce the reliance on fossil fuels during peak hours. The project represents a strategic step forward, leveraging the country’s natural resources to deliver sustainable energy solutions.

A Monumental Construction Project with Ambitious Timelines

The development of this massive hydroelectric project is spearheaded by Gilkes Energy with governmental support from Scotland. The construction will involve creating dams across two lochs, building an intricate network of underground tunnels, and setting up a comprehensive technical building for production. The project is expected to take six to seven years to complete, generating approximately 500 jobs in engineering, civil works, logistics, and project management.

Such ambitious timelines reflect the urgency and importance of expanding renewable energy infrastructure. As the UK strives to achieve its zero-emission target by 2050, projects like Loch Earba play a pivotal role in ensuring a sustainable and reliable energy supply.

The Role of Long Duration Energy Storage

Classified as Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES), the Loch Earba project is critical in stabilizing the energy grid. LDES technologies are essential for minimizing power outages, reducing dependency on gas as a supplementary energy source, and addressing the growing challenge of wind energy overproduction. In the UK, every unused kilowatt-hour of wind energy translates to financial losses for producers and higher costs for consumers.

Pumped-storage hydroelectricity provides a practical solution by smoothing energy production and reducing the need for expensive and polluting thermal power plants. This strategic investment in energy storage aims to harness the full potential of renewable sources, ensuring they contribute effectively to the grid around the clock.

A Strategic Revival of Pumped-Storage Projects

It’s been over 50 years since the UK last initiated a pumped-storage project. The current energy landscape, however, has shifted significantly, with an increased focus on offshore wind farms and a steady closure of fossil fuel plants. Without adequate storage solutions, the energy system risks becoming unstable.

Gilkes Energy, in collaboration with SSE Renewables, has already proposed a second project of similar scale, illustrating the renewed interest in this technology as part of the UK’s energy strategy. Nonetheless, financing remains a hurdle, with these capital-intensive projects requiring a secure investment framework. The proposed “Cap & Floor” mechanism aims to attract private investors while mitigating risk exposure for the state.

The evolution of the UK’s energy landscape hinges on the successful integration of clean, reliable energy systems like the Loch Earba project. These large-scale pumped-storage facilities promise long-lasting durability, with operational lifespans exceeding 60 years and efficiency rates above 75%. While they do not replace wind and solar installations, they enhance their utility, supporting the UK’s ambitious emissions reduction goals. As the nation progresses toward a 2050 carbon-neutral target, will projects like these become the backbone of a sustainable energy future?

By Gabriel Cruz

 

Source: Sustainability times

 

 

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Freshness at first sight: TRILUX Brings Culinary Retail to Life at Favo Deli & Apero, Krakow

 

TRILUX has delivered a tailored lighting concept for Favo Deli & Apero, a new delicatessen and bistro concept store in Krakow, setting a fresh benchmark for food-focused retail lighting in Poland. Designed to combine retail and hospitality under one roof, the innovative space celebrates high-end produce from Italy, France and Spain – with lighting playing a crucial role in presentation, atmosphere, and visual comfort.

Favo Deli & Apero is the first concept of its kind in Poland to blend a deli zone with an apero space, giving visitors the opportunity to shop, dine, meet friends or unwind. TRILUX was brought in to create a lighting scheme that would showcase fresh produce with maximum visual appeal while enhancing the warm, welcoming environment of the bistro.

Precision lighting tailored to fresh produce

TRILUX’s retail lighting expertise was crucial to achieving the right balance of performance, energy efficiency and product-specific illumination. Each produce area is lit with colour-accurate light tailored to enhance visual freshness and authenticity. The lighting concept also minimises heat emission, helping to maintain product quality.

The meat and fish displays, for example, are illuminated using tailored Meat and Meat+Fish light colours, carefully composed using a blend of pink and white light to emphasise texture and freshness. Fruit and vegetables are enhanced with Brilliant Food lighting – a warm light (CRI 98) designed to highlight natural reds, greens and yellows. Meanwhile, bread is showcased using 2400K with a very high colour rendering index of 98. It is a special, warm light colour that TRILUX has been using in Poland for more than two years, including in bakeries.

Comfort and atmosphere in the bistro zone

The bistro area is illuminated with warm lighting to create a cosy and inviting atmosphere, encouraging guests to dwell longer and explore the culinary offering. This hospitality-style illumination aligns with Favo’s architectural concept, which focuses on openness, natural materials and customer interaction.

Slimline spotlights for maximum flexibility

B.Veo Track LED luminaires were used throughout the store for their compact design, tool-free repositioning and exceptional lighting flexibility. The projector-style luminaires offer rotational adjustment, allowing precise control of accent lighting across changing product displays. With a slim, unobtrusive profile that integrates seamlessly into the busbar, they deliver effective light while complementing the overall interior design.

Delivering lighting in harmony with architecture

“Lighting was one of the key elements in this project,” said Karolina Zielińska-Uchto, Key Account Manager at Schwitzke Górski, the architectural partner behind the project. “We wanted each product group to be emphasised with the right light colour – and we achieved that perfectly with TRILUX.”

Favo Deli & Apero marks another successful example of TRILUX’s ability to deliver specialised lighting concepts for retail spaces – combining visual comfort, technical precision and product-centric design.

CLICK HERE

for further information on TRILUX’s retail lighting range

 

 

 

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Petrarch unveils PlanX – a new benchmark in sustainable facade design

A new slimline façade panel from Petrarch combines aesthetics with sustainability.

 

An innovative slimline cladding panel manufactured in the UK from reconstituted stone has been launched by leading rainscreen solutions supplier Petrarch to help architects and specifiers marry façade aesthetics with sustainability.

Petrarch PlanX is a refined, slimline panel pre-cut into sleek, lightweight profiles available in three standard sizes – 1209mm x 147mm, 1514mm x 147mm and 2428mm x 147mm – as well as custom sizes up to 2428mm x 300mm.

Supporting a retrofit ethic, Petrarch PlanX is created from off-cuts from principal panel fabrication wherever feasible. In an age where re-using construction materials wherever possible is more important than ever, contemporary PlanX leads the way for both new-build and refurbishment projects.

Created to not only support modern design aesthetics but also to optimise material use and minimise waste, Petrarch PlanX was designed specifically to meet the demands of contemporary architecture, all while maintaining the Petrarch brand’s trusted durability, performance and environmental credentials.

These have evolved over more than half a century to offer an industry-leading 50-year guarantee and recent BRE EPD certification to reinforce the company’s commitment to transparency and sustainability.

The Petrarch rainscreen cladding system is renowned for its resilience, excelling rigorous CWCT testing and standing up to the harshest environmental conditions. With Petrarch PlanX, these qualities remain intact, underpinned by the same unwavering technical strength, fire resistance and extreme durability – just in a more streamlined format.

Beyond its sustainability credentials, Petrarch PlanX enhances facade functionality. As a high-performing rainscreen, it plays a critical role in water management while delivering a sleek aesthetic. Its adaptability allows for application across a range of projects, from high-end residential developments and large-scale commercial schemes to education and healthcare projects.

Manufactured in Hastings for over five decades, Petrarch’s reconstituted stone is predominantly composed of crushed marble and stone – up-cycled material that would otherwise go to landfill. PlanX furthers this eco-conscious approach.

Designed for architects who prioritise both aesthetic impact and responsible sourcing, Petrarch PlanX embodies the evolution of facade materials. Its production process champions sustainability by repurposing high-quality, by-product marble and stone, aligning with the increasing demand for environmentally responsible building solutions.

Petrarch Sales Director Tom Walker said:

“Petrarch PlanX is a material that speaks to the future. It blends the timeless appeal of stone with modern, sustainable innovation, offering architects and specifiers a facade solution that is as sophisticated as it is responsible.”

For more details about Petrarch PlanX, please CLICK HERE TO EMAIL Petrarch

 

or telephone +44(0)1424 852 641

 

or CLICK HERE to visit the Petrarch website

 

 

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Reducing noise to support stress-free environments: the benefits of acoustic flooring

 

 By Dave Ford, Specifications Manager – North, Altro

 

 

Reducing sound is more than just a ‘nice to have’ – it promotes the health of staff and service users. Noise levels from people and noise pollution from equipment and devices reverberate over sound-reflecting hard surfaces, extend over distances and linger; consequently, they can have a serious impact on the wellbeing of everyone.

A positive sound environment occurs naturally outdoors; our ears are tuned to the natural environment, and the sky absorbs noise. We need to create the same indoors, absorbing or diffusing noise to help support a stress-free environment. Designs that have good acoustics, along with natural light and ventilation, help create a positive, therapeutic atmosphere.

Acoustic flooring generally refers to flooring that helps provide sound insulation, thus dampening the effects of sound from within the room, be it airborne noise or impact noise. Acoustic flooring is different from soundproof underlay or flooring, which is designed to reduce sound coming through the floor from adjoining areas.

With a range of vinyl flooring that has sound-dampening properties, you can find Altro products that will serve your needs in more ways than one. With different levels of sound reduction, you can tailor your project to its exact specifications.

Where can acoustic floors be used to best effect? Here are some examples:

Commercial kitchens – Whether in a restaurant, hotel, hospital, university, school or care home, they have one thing in common: they are really noisy! Trolleys clatter over the floor bearing loads of wobbling crockery; plates are loaded and unloaded in dishwashers; food processors blitz away and chefs need to make themselves heard above all this reverberating noise. Acoustic and impact sound reducing floors can help reduce noise significantly to enhance the wellbeing of all those who work here.

Hotels – Nothing disturbs a good night’s sleep more than the sound of other guests moving about in the room above yours or wheeling their suitcase past your door at midnight. Acoustic flooring will help reduce sound transmission between storeys and adjacent rooms and increase sound absorption along corridors to keep your guests coming back for some peace and quiet.

Care homes – Improve the chances of residents sleeping well and not disturbing each other by incorporating sound reducing flooring into your corridors and bedrooms. They are also beneficial in visitor lounges, to enhance that sense of privacy.

Education – Libraries, student accommodation, study areas, drama studios, music rooms, dining rooms and playrooms; all spaces that either demand quiet up front or would benefit from minimising noise transmission to other areas. The right floor can reduce impact sound transmission not just into adjoining rooms but also to other storeys.

Housing – Reduce tenant complaints about noisy neighbours next door, above or below them, by installing appropriate sound absorbing floors.

Hospitals – Peace and quiet aid recovery and protect privacy, so surfaces which contribute to them are essential across many areas of a hospital, including: intensive care or wards where resting and sleep are vital to patient recuperation; corridors where the sounds from trolleys and wheelchairs can be a constant source of distress; consultation rooms in which private conversations should not be overheard.

Offices – Office equipment, people on the move and conversations can all make noise levels so loud as to make offices a stressful working environment – not good when you spend the best part of your day there. Create a more positive working environment with less noise pollution in open plan spaces, communal areas and meeting rooms.

Retail – No-one like a noisy shop. Retail therapy by its very nature demands quiet for it to count as therapy and create the right atmosphere; thereby providing not only a more peaceful environment for staff, but also one in which shoppers will linger.

 

Most manufacturers have acoustic flooring options. Consider how each area is used and weigh-up sound reduction properties alongside those such as slip-resistance, durability, cleanability and aesthetics – you should be able to find options that deliver what you need.

At Altro, our 19dB vinyl acoustic floor, Altro Serenade, contributes to the impact sound reduction of noise in buildings by reducing impact sound transmission, increasing sound absorption and reducing sound reflection. Where noise reduction is needed to reduce in-room sound and transmission of noise you can also consider Altro Illustra adhesive-free, Altro Cantata adhesive-free, Altro Wood Comfort and Altro Wood adhesive-free floors which offer 14dB, Altro Ensemble and Altro Orchestra and Altro Orchestra Custom which offer 15dB (and comfort underfoot while maintaining the highest Commercial classification of use).

If this isn’t enough, don’t forget that you can combine the floor of your choice with impact sound reduction underlays. For example, Altro Acoustic Underlay 1101 and Altro Everlay B offer sound reductions of 18dB and 20dB respectively.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

 

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LEADING HOLIDAY PARK ENHANCES HOT WATER SYSTEM WITH RINNAI N SERIES FOR PEAK SEASON DEMAND

RINNAI – INSTANT DELIVERY & TEMP CONTROLLED HOT WATER ENSURES

USER SAFETY AND COMFORT WHILST MINIMISING LEGIONELLA RISK

 

Rinnai has installed 5 x N Series 1600i units and a 1000L storage cylinder at a leading southwest holiday resort, Northam Farm Caravan & Holiday Park in Somerset, to ensure increased demand is met with a practical, economic, and technically viable new hot water delivery system.

The holiday park, in Brean, Somerset, offers a top-class range of facilities with a selection of bars, restaurants, fishing lakes and access to a beach.

The new hot water delivery system replaced a stored system which instantly lowered carbon and costs as there was no need to constantly re-heat potable hot water. Rinnai units were first installed two years ago – at that time, the install covered twenty-six showers, forty basins, and eight wash-up areas. The installation included 6 x N1600i + 1000L storage.

The installation site was spacious which allowed for Rinnai UK’s design team to suggest a flexible system internally mounted design that met customer requirements. Rinnai can offer a multitude of systems using all fuels and energy saving technologies as solutions for heating and hot water supply to sites of any size.

Rinnai N series continuous flow water heaters arrive with a 12-year extended warranty that safeguards a customer against additional product payments. 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.

 

Each Rinnai Sensei N Series water heater unit offers a more compact and enhanced combustion design that allows for convenient installation, superior operational performance, and easy accessibility when servicing is required. All additional components are designed and manufactured by Rinnai ensuring proven quality and reliability.

 

There are four models in the range.

    • N1600i giving 954 litres per hour.
    • N1600e (external) also giving 954 litres per hour (at 50 degrees).
    • N1300i giving 775 litres per hour.
    • 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 twenty-four 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 seventy-five.
    • Maintenance Monitor for engineers

The Sensei N Series uses Rinnai’s patented advanced burner technology with a 13-1 turn down ratio – the largest on the market – including extremely quiet operation. Integral controls on the units enable the water heater to achieve high efficiencies due to advanced burner control and high modulation ranges. All designs in this range are low-NOx.

Advanced burner controls with the Sensei N Series models ensure all appliances are well ahead of the NOx requirements set within ERP. The current level of permissible NOx set by ERP is 56 mg/Kwh. The Sensei N Series is third-party tested at 28 mg/Kwh making each unit one of the most ecological water heating appliances available on the market.

As the units do not incorporate storage their ‘green credentials’ are further recognised by BREEAM and score additional credits under the building regulations.

Rinnai hot water specialists have been designing hot water solutions for the leisure sector for over twenty years, to take advantage of a free design and cost saving consultation contact us today –

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

 

 

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Low Carbon Bricks now available in the UK

 

BRICKS made from recycled building material at a facility in East Lothian can now be used in construction projects across the UK.

 

Kenoteq has developed the K-BRIQ following research from Heriot-Watt University.

Made at the company’s facility near North Berwick, it is the world’s first brick made from almost 100 per cent recycled construction waste.

The K-BRIQ has now achieved certification from the British Board of Agrément (BBA), the UK’s leading construction certification body.

This means entire facades can now be constructed from recycled building materials that would otherwise end up in landfill.

The unfired brick produces 95 per cent less carbon emissions than traditional clay bricks.

In a standard two-bedroom UK house requiring 12,000 bricks, switching to K-BRIQs would slash carbon emissions from 5.46 tonnes to 0.2 tonnes of CO2e: the equivalent of taking a petrol-powered car off the road for a year.

Dr Sam Chapman, co-founder and executive director of Kenoteq, said:

“This certification marks the arrival of a truly transformative building material for the construction and interior design industries.

“Unlike approaches that simply treat the symptoms of construction’s environmental impact, the K-BRIQ addresses the root cause by directly tackling the waste crisis while delivering a product that performs exactly like traditional materials, including the clay brick.”

Kenoteq’s East Lothian facility is now ramping up to produce two million bricks annually, with capacity to double production to four million as demand grows.

This manufacturing breakthrough comes as the construction industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint.

With no standard testing regime for a non-traditional building material of this type, the K-BRIQ – which is available in 12 different colours – underwent rigorous testing over several years, receiving the maximum durability rating possible.

Katy Roberts, sales and marketing director at the British Board of Agrément, said:

“The BBA is proud to play its part in helping clients like Kenoteq bring innovative and sustainable new products into the market.

“In a sector where safety, performance and trust are non-negotiable, third-party certification plays a crucial role in enabling innovation.”

As Europe’s largest market for bricks, the UK uses about 2.5 billion annually.

More than 500 million of these are imported, about 50 million of these travelling from outside the EU.

Additionally, more than a third of the waste in global landfills is estimated to be of demolition and construction origin.

Dr Chapman added:

“The construction industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.

“The BBA certification of the K-BRIQ demonstrates that these goals are not mutually exclusive – we can build better while building greener.”

Source: East Lothian Courier

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RINNAI – KAIZEN & KANBAN PRINCIPLES DELIVER MARKET LEADING QUALITY

Chris Goggin explains the approach to the relentless pursuit of manufacturing excellence, including the two separate methodologies of “Kaizen” and “Kanban,” that are central to Rinnai manufacturing excellence.

 

Japanese manufacturing industries are acknowledged as global leaders in innovation, efficiency, and product durability and longevity. Japanese companies have consistently maintained their competitive edge and endured the test of time. As many use the “Kaizen” and “Kanban” approach to manufacture.

These are two distinct methodologies that are adopted into the daily operations of Rinnai, and they ensure the highest levels of manufacturing standards. The term ‘Kaizen’ has come to mean “continuous improvement,” in a professional context. A broader interpretation can be translated as continuous improvement in personal life, home life, social life and working life.

A Kaizen approach focuses on implementing gradual and incremental changes that will produce long-term improvements in professional efficiency and quality. The main principles that facilitate the concept of Kaizen are:

 

    • Know Your Customer
    • Let it Flow
    • Go to Gemba
    • Empowering People
    • Be Transparent
 “Know Your Customer” identifies what is truly required by the customer to deliver an enhanced end-product that satisfies demand.

 

 “Let it Flow” concentrates on creating a smooth flow of processes and practices that identifies and eliminates production bottlenecks whilst reducing customer waiting times. This principle focuses on eliminating waste in all aspects of the commercial operation – waste is viewed as any culture or practice that does not benefit the customer or encourage professional productivity.

 

“Go to Gemba” translates as being always concerned with all matters in every department.

 

“Be Transparent” uses and measures data that improves company progress.

 

“Empower People” relates to providing appropriate tools to successfully complete group targets that maximise production efficiency.

 

Kanban is a philosophy that seeks to encourage continuous improvement in production and business methods by measuring project progress through visual Kanban boards. The Kanban methodology was invented by Toyota engineer Taiichi Ohno during the late 1940s. The term “Kanban” when broken down into two words from Japanese to English means “Kan” (sign)” and “Ban” (board).

A Kanban approach was employed to improve Toyota’s production system by incorporating elements of lean manufacturing into their process.  Kanban framework allowed Toyota to transition from a “push” process (products are pushed on to the market) into a “pull” system (products that are created due to market demand). This idea allows companies to risk low inventory levels whilst remaining competitive.

Kanban is also referred to as the “Just in Time” (JIT) system, as production can concentrate on creating products because of consumer demand as opposed to manufacturing products that rely on anticipated demand.

Kanban boards are organised into columns – each column contains visual cards that represent a task during a separate stage of work. The team can easily track task progress and share necessary information that assists in task completion. Kanban boards are an agile and fluid visual form of measuring group progress during the completion of a task.

The creator of the Kanban framework Taiichi Ohno maintains strong links to Rinnai and has had a discernible influence and impact on Rinnai’s production system. Ohno visited Rinnai’s Japanese production plant and provided critical observations and advice that led to Rinnai adopting lean manufacturing principles that enhanced product producing efficiency.

Both Kaizen and Kanban frames of thought assist Rinnai’s manufacturing process that delivers millions of products per year all manufactured under strict guidelines of ISO 9001 quality management and ISO 14001 environmental management systems.  Ensuring Rinnai can deliver market leading warranties (up to 12 years) for its continuous flow of water heater range.

 

 

 

Commercial Condensing Water Heaters: Models: N-1300, N-1600 Internal, N-1600 External are all provided with a standard warranty of 3 years for all parts, which can be extended up to 12 years. 

 

Domestic Gas Multi-Point Water Heating: purchasing a Rinnai Tankless11i, 16i, 17i,17e means that customers will be provided with a 3-year warranty for the heat exchanger and all other components.

 

 

 

For further information pertaining to Rinnai warranties & products

or to ask us a question

CLICK HERE

                          

Additionally, after manufacturing and offering warranties, Rinnai offers a comprehensive range of FREE services to all UK customers. Rinnai offers system designs, carbon reduction calculations, technical services as well as commissioning and delivery to site in one single consignment.

“Rinnai’s services are designed to provide comprehensible purchase options, system design, CAPEX, OPEX and carbon calculations as well as whole consignment delivery to any UK site upon 24 hours of purchasing,” says Technical Head Pete Seddon.

 

Rinnai’s specialist design team can provide a “Site Consultation Form” that details on-site data of current heating and hot water system capabilities. Customers can view the results in a rapid low carbon replacement suggestion by a professional team member.

Rinnai services include a carbon and cost comparison service that offers a free appraisal of any site’s current heating & hot water delivery system, along with empirically gathered data driven recommendations for reducing carbon load and all related costs.

If a customer encounters difficulties when selecting a product, a “Help Me Choose” service option is available

 

CLICK HERE

  
This service enables easier product selection through direct contact with a Rinnai professional

 

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

 

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Beaming Energy from Space to Earth

“13 Times More Power From Space”

UK Company Achieves Historic Solar Breakthrough Beaming Massive Energy Back to Earth

 

UK-based startup Space Solar has achieved a significant breakthrough in renewable energy technology by successfully testing its innovative power-beaming system, which aims to deliver wireless solar energy from space, potentially transforming the global energy landscape with a reliable and continuous source of clean power.

In the fast-evolving world of renewable energy, UK-based startup Space Solar is making waves with its innovative approach to harnessing solar power from space. The company’s groundbreaking power-beaming technology promises to revolutionize how we think about energy generation, offering a reliable and uninterrupted source of clean power. By beaming solar energy wirelessly from space, Space Solar aims to overcome the challenges faced by traditional renewable sources, such as weather dependency and the day-night cycle. This ambitious venture has the potential to transform the global energy landscape, providing a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional energy sources.

Comprehensive Assessment of Key Technologies

The “Cassidi” project, a significant milestone for Space Solar, involved a thorough evaluation of the company’s core technologies. This $2.26-million project was funded by the UK Space Agency and the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). Over an 18-month period, Space Solar conducted a comprehensive assessment of its wireless power beaming, in-space assembly process, and ground receiver technologies. The result is a detailed 1,700-page sub-system design document that outlines the blueprint for their modular solar power satellite, Cassiopeia. This satellite, also known as the Constant Aperture Solid State Integrated Orbital Phased Array, represents a significant step forward in the development of space-based solar power.

The success of the “Harrier” demonstrator, which enabled the development and testing of power-beaming technology, was a key achievement of the project. This demonstrator has paved the way for further advancements in the field, showcasing the potential of space-based solar power to deliver clean energy around the clock.

Using Pre-fabricated Solar Reflectors

One of the most exciting aspects of Space Solar’s approach is the use of pre-fabricated solar reflectors. These reflectors are part of a system that can electronically steer the energy beam through a full 360 degrees, eliminating the need for moving parts. This solid-state approach is central to the projected cost-effectiveness of the Cassiopeia satellite. The power beam itself is designed to be low intensity and safe, transmitting through the atmosphere and weather with minimal loss in efficiency. This makes it a highly attractive option for integrating with other renewable energy sources, enhancing grid resilience and delivering power where it’s needed most.

The Cassiopeia satellite, equipped with thousands of lightweight photovoltaic modules, will capture solar energy in orbit and beam it down to ground-based receivers using high-frequency radio waves. This method promises to provide a consistent and reliable energy source, unaffected by weather conditions or the day-night cycle. By overcoming these limitations, Space Solar’s technology could play a crucial role in the global transition to renewable energy.

Viability Confirmation for Clean Energy

The collaborative nature of the “Cassidi” project, which involved 22 partner organizations, has confirmed both the technical and economic viability of Space Solar’s system. The success of this demonstration not only strengthens the company’s position but also sets the stage for an ambitious timeline. Space Solar plans to deploy a megawatt-scale commercial system within five years, with aspirations to expand to a full product range from 30 MW to GigaWatt-scale within twelve years.

This breakthrough could herald a new era in clean energy generation, offering a viable pathway toward a future with continuous and globally accessible energy. The successful completion of the “Cassidi” project brings us one step closer to realizing the dream of harnessing the sun’s power directly from space, potentially transforming how we meet our energy needs.

As Space Solar continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible, the potential impact on the global energy landscape is profound. With the promise of reliable, clean, and uninterrupted energy, the question remains: how will this revolutionary technology reshape our approach to sustainable energy in the coming decades?

Source: Sustainability Times

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