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Vortice wins new contract to supply ventilation to William Davis

Ventilation systems supplier Vortice has been awarded the contract to supply intermittent ventilation fans to Midlands-based housebuilder William Davis.

The first site to be completed is Mill Fields, set in the Leicestershire village of Broughton Astley. This select development of 2 to 5 bedroom homes offers stunning views of open countryside and the houses are all well specified. William Davis is a family owned company which has been building homes for more than 80 years and it is known for its high quality craftsmanship and use of the highest quality products.

Vortice Specification Manager for the North, Ken Johnson, said “After discussions with William Davis it was clear that the quality of the products specified was of the utmost importance. The fans chosen are stylish and discreet, making them the ideal choice for bathrooms, utility rooms and kitchens. We are delighted William Davis has chosen Vortice products for these beautiful homes.”

For more information about Vortice fans visit www.vortice.ltd.uk.
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Titon extends ventilation systems offering with new Trimbox Filter®

Titon has introduced the new Trimbox Filter® to its MVHR portfolio. Suitable for new build or refurbishment projects, the ultra-compact Trimbox Filtersup>® is available as lined and un-lined versions, each offering extra protection against external pollutants.

Compatible with Titon’s range of MVHR units, the new Trimbox Filter® features a compact design and can be installed in both intake air and supply ducting. In addition, each product is fitted with a G4 synthetic filter as standard or an optional F7 filter. The G4 filter reduces 100% of PM10 (particulate matter such as dust, pollen and mould) and 35% of PM2.5 (including combustion particles, organic compounds and metals), while the F7 filter removes up to 95% of PM2.5.

Units can be installed vertically and horizontally, while the fully lined version reduces both duct bound noise and condensation. Weighing 4kg each, the products are made from a zintec sheet steel housing, which is powder coated white.

Commenting on the new units, Paul Cowell, Technical Director at Titon, said: “By adding a Trimbox Filtersup>® to a property’s ventilation system, it helps to protect occupants from contaminants caused by external pollution. As a result, this product is ideal for new build or refurbishment projects, creating a safer environment inside any dwelling.”

The new units conform to the European standard for air filters (EN779:2012) and should be installed in accordance with Good Practice, such as the Domestic Ventilation Compliance Guide (England & Wales) and Residential Ventilation Association recommendations.

For more information about Titon, please visit: www.titon.co.uk.
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Domus Ventilation MVHR wall units now with Bluebrain control

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For further information on the Domus Ventilation HRX MVHR appliances, please go to www.bluebrain.co.uk or call on 03443 715523.
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Polypipe Ventilation’s HRX-aQ MVHR system announced as a finalist in H&V News Awards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Built on the site of the Poor Clares Convent, is a new development of 16 luxury homes. In the sought-after village of Baddesley Clinton in Warwickshire, landscape plans are now becoming a reality. The convent itself has been converted and six new dwellings built on the site which closed as an active convent in 2011 after 160 years.

Vortice has installed the energy efficient Vort Leto into the apartments. The Vort Leto MEV is a continuously running ventilation unit which continually extracts from the wet rooms. The fan runs on a constant trickle and then boosts up via switches located in the wet rooms. Vortice Specification Manager, Ken Johnson said “I worked closely with SANDS Plumbing and Heating Services London to ensure that the ventilation specified was suited to the type of building. Due to having only one break out of the building façade, the Vort Leto was an ideal choice in order to maintain the finish of the fabric of the building. It was important to both SANDS Plumbing and Heating Services and to Vortice to maintain the historic aspects of the building.”

For further information on the Vort Leto MEV visit www.vortice.ltd.uk or email technical@vortice.ltd.uk.
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Titon expands its SF Xtra ventilator range

Titon has improved its popular SF Xtra range of high performance aluminium trickle ventilators, with the introduction of additional clip fix canopies. These new canopies have been introduced with optimum Equivalent Area (EA) performance when used with the SF Xtra products, providing higher rates of air flow at shorter ventilator lengths. This results in more instances where this type of product can be fitted, while (in some circumstances) leading to fewer ventilators being required throughout a dwelling when meeting the levels of total background ventilation stipulated in the Building Regulations.

These clip fix canopies can be quickly and easily fitted on site, without the need for screws. In turn, this reduces the risk of them being damaged while windows are in transit. Plus, Titon has further enhanced the range by also making a shorter, traditional screw fix canopy available for use with the SF Xtra 2500 ventilator.

These additions coincide with the optimisation of the SF Xtra range, which provides sizing assistance for compliance with the recently revised ventilation section of the Scottish Technical Standards. These have been altered to adopt the more widely recognised EA unit (based on the rate of air flow through a ventilation device) as opposed to the traditional Free Area unit (the geometric area of a ventilation device) but without requiring higher total ventilation levels than those in England & Wales.

The recently launched SF Xtra Sound Attenuator ventilator is also part of the SF Xtra range – and is already being widely specified throughout the UK. Using the SF Xtra ventilator and canopy as its base products, the SF Xtra Sound Attenuator, as its name suggests, offers much-improved levels of sound attenuation. The product is tested by an independent UK acoustic test house for accuracy, with full details available from Titon upon request. It is also important to note that a ventilator-canopy combination cannot usually provide the same level of ventilation once it has been fitted with additional sound deadening device; again, Titon can provide advice on this often misunderstood subject and help prevent incorrect specification.

Commenting on the expansion of the range, Tyson Anderson, Sales & Marketing Director at Titon, said: “The SF Xtra is an extremely versatile product and, with its impressive weather-tightness and the numerous variants available, it is fast becoming the aluminium ventilator of choice.”

The SF Xtra is a high performance, surface mounted aluminium slot ventilator. It is the shortest vent available to provide 5,000mm2 EA and is equally suitable for domestic or non-domestic applications. There are two width variants, one for use over a 13mm slot, the other for a 16mm slot. The SF Xtra is also available in made-to-measure sizes or bar length for self-assembly. All versions can be used with either a plastic or aluminium canopy.

For more information about Titon and its range of trickle ventilators, please visit: www.titon.co.uk. 
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Hot new products at HVAC 2016

Organisers of HVAC 2016 are pleased to announce that the show in October will host a number of new product launches from leading exhibitors including some industry firsts, as well as a raft of exciting competitions.

In a world first, humidification and evaporative cooling specialists Condair will be previewing the first ever condensing, gas-fired steam humidifier at its stand. The new Condair GS recovers heat from exhaust gases to pre-heat its incoming water supply, saving energy and making it the most efficient gas-fired humidifier available.

For those looking for the latest innovations in the smart controls market then Cotherm UK’s stand will be well worth a visit. The company will be launching its new range of smart water heating controls as well as its smart electric radiator controls. Leading ventilation solutions manufacturer Airflow Developments Ltd will also be exhibiting its brand new Ardoit Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) range of units. The Passive House certified units are equipped with the latest smart technology that allows airflow settings to be controlled within the home or remotely by PC, tablet or smartphone.

Organisers are also pleased to announce that HVAC 2016 will host the official European launch of pioneering air treatment company Bio-Oxygen. The company will be showcasing its air sterilisation system, which guarantees odour free results along with 99 per cent elimination of viruses and bacteria. Also with new products specifically for for the UK market, air conditioning specialist Hitachi will be bringing its all-in-one Tutaki-SCombi air source heat pump as well as other examples from its newly expanded range.

Nathan Garnett, Event Director for HVAC 2016, commented: “For anyone wanting to learn what’s new in the HVAC sector, HVAC 2016 is not to be missed. The number of product launches and even world firsts is staggering for this year’s event and I’m really excited to see what’s been described to us in the flesh. When these launches are combined with the informative seminar content I’m convinced that the show will be well worth the day out for any HVAC professional.”

Steve Bartholomew, Sales Director at Cotherm UK, added: “We have chosen to exhibit at HVAC 2016, as part of UK Construction Week, to launch our range of smart water and space heating controls because of the presence of local authority decision makers and also decision makers from OEM’s and industry representatives. They are key markets for the new energy saving devices which will offer great value to the identified markets and in turn the user and householders.”

Other exciting stands visitors should make sure to visit include Darwin Clayton, which will be offering it’s new and improved insurance scheme for the HVAC sector and Calor, which will have representatives from its new dedicated rural housing developer team to answer any questions and offer advice. In addition, the latest innovations from Knauf Insulation, Trimble and Kingspan Insulation will also be on display.

Taking place at the Birmingham NEC from 18 – 20 October, HVAC 2016 sits alongside Timber Expo, the Build Show, Civils Expo, the Surface and Materials Show, Energy 2016, Plant & Machinery Live, Smart Buildings 2016 and Grand Designs Live as part of UK Construction Week.

For more information or to register for your FREE ticket to attend, please visit www.hvaclive.co.uk or follow @hvacshow on Twitter.
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Smoke ventilation maintenance – the hot issue for HAs and LAs

Ongoing budgetary pressures and a lack of familiarity by local authorities and housing associations about the strict regulations that govern the maintenance of smoke ventilation systems, has given rise to a worrying trend that will leave them exposed to prosecution for non-compliance unless it is addressed.

In an effort to integrate fire systems maintenance and save money in the process, many HAs and LAs are ‘bundling’ smoke ventilation maintenance into a multi-disciplined ‘fire service’ contract, where the contractor is responsible for all fire and smoke system maintenance, often across several locations and building types.

However, under the scope of various British Standards, including BS9991, BS9999 and BS7346 Part 8, together with Building Regulations ADB; the European EN12101 standard and best practice guidance documents from the Smoke Control Association, there are specific maintenance requirements and procedures that must be followed.

The real ‘teeth’ behind this complex and vital legislative framework is the Regulatory Reform Order (RRO). This gives fire service officers an extensive range of enforcement powers in situations where smoke control systems have been inadequately maintained under the demands of the various pieces of legislation.

The penalties for non-compliance can be significant, including the prosecution of companies, building owners, landlords and individuals responsible for building maintenance, resulting in punitive fines as well as custodial sentences.

At SE Controls, we have already been directly involved in a significant number of projects to correct problems caused where general fire contractors have found themselves out of their depth and unable to maintain the smoke control system within the demands of the regulations.

In one instance the maintenance company had failed to notice a smoke vent that had been ‘nailed shut’ rendering it in operable and dangerous, while another recent case or poor maintenance from an inexperienced contractor resulted in an automatic smoke vent falling out of the building. A major internal review followed, together with the involvement of the HSE and prosecutions are now being considered.

On a number of other remedial projects, fire officers or building control have already imposed close notices on the buildings, resulting in disruption, the removal of tenants and large unbudgeted costs for the housing association. Clearly, these could have been avoided if the specialised smoke ventilation maintenance contract was kept separate and handled by a specialist company, such as SE Controls.

By Simon North – Service and Maintenance Division Manager with SE Controls 

Simon North-Media-300dpi

For more information please visit www.secontrols.com.
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Polypipe Ventilation achieves hat trick success at coveted product awards

For the third year, Polypipe Ventilation is pleased to announce its win in the Housebuilder Product Awards Best Services Product category; this time for its Domus Green Line, High Efficiency rigid duct bends. The company won the award in 2015 with its Domus Radial duct system and in 2013 with its Silavent Green Line HRX Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system, whilst in 2014 it was highly commended for its Domus Thermal duct system.

With the move to more energy efficient air tight homes, effective ventilation in residential developments is an important necessity. This has helped evolve whole house, mechanically driven systems such as MVHR. However, if these are to perform efficiently, ducting needs to be an air-tight, quality end to end system, such as Polypipe’s Domus rigid duct systems.

The Green Line High Efficiency rigid 90° duct bends are the latest addition to the Domus range. They provide up to 60% reduction in resistance to air flow within the bend, significantly lowering a duct system’s total pressure loss and therefore overall energy usage. When used as part of an MVHR system, this can also lead to cost savings as certain properties may be able to use a smaller unit than previously possible.

The unique design of the Domus Green Line 90° bends results in reduced air speed through the bend, thus lowering system noise as well as smoothing the air flow, thereby helping to achieve higher air flow rates when required. All of these factors improve home owner comfort as well as making central ventilation systems easier to specify.

Domus Green Line High Efficiency 90° bends are available for use with Polypipe Ventilation’s best selling Supertube 204x60mm and Megaduct 220x90mm rectangular rigid duct systems, ideal for whole-house ventilation applications which require higher air flow rates.

The Housebuilder Product Awards were held at Edgbaston Stadium on the 29th June, where the winners were announced. Steve Heeley, General Manager – Director for Polypipe Ventilation comments, “I’m absolutely delighted we have won this award. It’s testament to the hard work, innovation and desire to advance the ventilation industry that exists within the business”.

Domus ducting has a deserved reputation for quality and excellent technical support, in line with Polypipe’s position in the ventilation market. Polypipe Ventilation is well placed to offer immediate, practical solutions to Building Regulations Parts F & L. The company continues to provide differentiated solutions in the private and social housing sectors, transforming the way developers, specifiers, installers, homeowners and distributors meet emerging environmental standards.

For further information, please go to www.polypipe.com/ventilation or call 03443 715523.
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Intelligent home air solutions with Polypipe Ventilation’s new HRX-aQ MVHR systems

Polypipe Ventilation has announced its next generation of Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) appliances – the Silavent HRX-aQ, which intelligently manages air conditions for maximum homeowner comfort, whilst also being easier to design-in.

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

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

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

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

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

From just 199mm in depth the HRX-aQ MVHR unit is the smallest Silavent ceiling/void mounted unit of its type and weighs down to just 7.9kg, making it compact and light enough to be easily installed in the most restrictive of ceiling voids. This is particularly important for many new build developments where space is at a premium. The unit which incorporates 204x60mm off-set socket connections, can be simply designed-in with a straight in-and-out duct run, making the specification and design process much quicker and simpler. This also enables any duct crossover to be more easily designed and allows the unit to be directly fitted to Polypipe Ventilation’s Domus 204x60mm ducting, for an air-tight connection.

The HRX-aQ is also exceptionally quiet. With background (normal) ventilation down to 24dB(A) (typically no louder than a whisper), the HRX-aQ is one of the quietest MVHR units in the market. Manufactured from high density EPP (expanded polypropylene) material for optimum sound reduction, combined with integral flow straighteners for reduced internal resistance, the highly efficient HRX-aQ ensures that break out and induct noise is minimised.

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

There are eight HRX-aQ models available to suit a wide range of residential properties, including units with a specialist heat exchanger technology to further improve air quality and provide comfortable humidity levels. HRX-aQ ‘Total Heat’ exchangers will not just extract wasted heat from wet rooms but also the latent energy in the humidity. By specifying this heat exchanger, the HRX-aQ will become an Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) system, allowing optimal air comfort.

These specialist heat exchangers will also remove the need for a condensate drain; providing extra flexibility on where to site the unit.

Through a process called diffusion, the HRX-aQ ‘Total Heat’ technology allows for the exchange of heat and optimum levels of moisture to be transferred, so that the incoming air is able to harmoniously react with the home environment – whether it be summer or winter.

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

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

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