AUL14 from Armacell UK Ltd - Successful Launch by Armacell for Fire Class Insulation Materials

Armacell celebrated a successful premiere of their latest Armaflex Ultima insulation material at the ISO’12 European trade fair for insulation technology which was held recently in Cologne. With this blue elastomeric foam, Armacell is believed to be the first manufacturer to offer a flexible insulation material which achieves European fire class B-s1, d0. The insulation material has an extremely low smoke density, making it an important contribution to the overall level of fire safety in buildings. In order to be able to install the new material reliably, Armacell has developed a range of purpose designed adhesives specifically for use with Armaflex Ultima. The product is also patent pending and will be launched on several European markets later in the year. Furthermore, Armaflex Ultima meets the requirements for sustainable construction and green building, such as the criteria for the LEED (US), BREEAM (UK) and GREEN STAR systems. All three are third-party certification programs for measuring the environmental sustainability of new and existing homes and buildings, with BREEAM being mandatory for new housing projects in the UK.

Statistics indicate that fires kill between 6,000 and 10,000 people annually in Europe alone. But only a few of these are killed by the flames, the majority die as a consequence of smoke inhalation. In the event of a fire it is vital that escape routes can be found quickly – which is only possible with minimal smoke development. The new European fire classification takes this fact into account, and when assessing the fire behaviour of building products not only tests the flammability, but also the smoke density and the production of burning droplets. The new Armaflex Ultima is the first flexible insulation material to achieve fire class B-s1, d0 in the European fire test. The insulation material releases only a minimal amount of smoke in a fire and thus makes an important contribution to the safety of people in buildings.

For maximum safety and sustainability, all public, commercial and residential new-builds should be planned and built incorporating the principles of sustainability, with the renovation of existing buildings also being given the same consideration. A Green Building certification is now important, and buildings certified under LEED, BREEAM or a comparable national scheme, such as the German DGNB, are characterised by high resource efficiency in the areas of energy, water and materials to have as little negative impact on health and the environment as possible. A range of tubes and sheets, in various sizes and thickness combinations is available in the Armaflex Ultima range, which in combination with the solvent-free Armaflex Ultima SF990 adhesive, can contribute to fulfilling the criteria for LEED certification. As with all Armaflex insulation materials, Armaflex Ultima conserves natural resources and reduces the emission of climate-damaging CO2. The range of purpose designed adhesives developed for the Ultima insulation systems include:

- Armaflex Ultima SF990 Adhesive: the first solvent and VOC-free adhesive for installing elastomeric insulation materials
- Armaflex Ultima RS850 Adhesive: High-performance adhesive with reduced solvent content for clean, non-drip installation
- Armaflex Ultima 700 Adhesive: reliable special adhesive for a wide temperature range

The choice of adhesive depends on the requirements of the project in question, and Armaflex Ultima is available in both standard and self-adhesive versions. In order to provide a reliable insulation system for the sensitive area around the pipe bracket, the Armafix pipe support is also offered in the new Armaflex Ultima quality.

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ELECOFLOOR’S SPEEDY INSTALLATION WINS £12M RESIDENTIAL CONTRACT

The speed of installation and acoustic properties of Stramit’s ElecoFloor has recently been utilised in the construction of the West Park Development, Manchester. Renaker Build, with expertise in construction projects of varying complexity and value, specified and installed ElecoFloor at the £12M residential project. The West Park development consists of the build of two apartment blocks each containing 85 individual units.

Appointed as the main flooring product throughout the development, ElecoFloor panels provide the necessary sound insulation for separating floors, without the need to source all the required layers for a built up system. This results in a reduction in thickness above the joist being of 50% or more. The medium weight overlay board, designed for concrete and timber floors, is an acoustic flooring system comprising of moisture resistant chipboard and MDF composite bonded boards, with a resilient central layer and a durable polyester felt backing. This construction helps improve impact and airborne noise.

Stramit Panel Products, a trusted partner in leading partition systems in the United Kingdom for over 50 years, understands the importance of a quick installation process and has utilised its expertise in manufacturing laminated and pre-decorated partitioning panels to develop the ElecoFloor system. With its fast installation time, Elecofloor can be fitted up to half the time it takes to install a batten system. Once in place, the panels take up a third of the overall thickness, delivering material savings on brick courses, whilst additionally significantly reducing the overall height of the building.

Renaker, which awarded ElecoFloor the contract, provided a clear schedule for the quick turnaround required. Phased over a 24-month period to meet the client’s sales requirements, Stramit guaranteed the delivery of the ElecoFloor system could meet the flexible schedule Renaker needed to work within.


A spokesperson from Renaker Build commented, “Due to a positive working relationship with Stramit, we have successfully installed ElecoFloor on several projects over the past few years, including West Park and Delta Point in Manchester. We continue to experience a first class service and I feel extremely confident in the knowledge that ElecoFloor will always arrive onsite on time and of the highest quality.

“With valuable acoustic properties and simplicity of installation, ElecoFloor provides competitive pricing which makes a cost effective and time saving product to install.”

Whilst Robust Details, the Certification Scheme for separating walls and floors in new build joined homes in England and Wales is a popular choice for many, Renaker has chosen the Stramit ElecoFloor system which provides important data in order to help demonstrate what acoustic performance is being achieved.

Furthermore, the composite floor system, which successfully meets Part E of Building Regulations, protects residential properties from the noise of activities in other rooms or adjoining properties. ElecoFloor, designed for use in both new build and conversions, is suitable for use throughout a building, including bathrooms and kitchens. Additionally, ElecoFloor is also widely used in the conversion and refurbishment sector, where pre-determined ceiling and door heights can be restrictive.

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ISG Secures Sheffield Teaching Hospital Scheme

ISG has secured its latest project via the Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Contractors Framework, taking a £1.5 million scheme to deliver a new endoscopy decontamination unit at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. The contractor framework encompasses refurbishment and new build projects across the Trust’s five teaching hospitals in Sheffield.

Occupying an underused area of the hospital previously used for storage, the new unit will enable the Trust to relocate endoscopy services to a purpose-built facility that incorporates an endoscopy suite, two operating theatres and associated preparation areas. The unit will be handed over to the hospital in two phases, with the operating theatres delivered in November and the endoscopy suite at the end of the year.

To form the new unit, ISG will carry out a comprehensive strip out of the existing accommodation and rationalise and reconfigure space within the hospital. The unit is being created adjacent to laboratories and busy out-patient areas within a live hospital environment and effectively segregating the works is an essential element of the project. The scheme includes a major mechanical and electrical package, with complex interfaces with the hospital’s existing infrastructure.

ISG’s John Gittins, managing director - North East, commented: “The framework procurement methodology is ideally suited to complex, phased live environment projects, where high quality contractors can engage with clients at an early stage to ensure a successful project outcome. The Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust framework has been instrumental in driving efficiencies throughout the supply chain and reducing the time taken to get schemes to site, as well as promoting shared knowledge and the delivery of best practice solutions.”

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Hydrophobic Impregnation prevents water ingress into concrete structure

Damage to concrete always involves water. Water acts as a vehicle for transporting aggressive substances, such as chloride ions which are present in the water as it is drawn into the concrete by capillary action. Water also serves as a reaction medium and a reagent in destructive chemical processes, foremost among these being the corrosion of the reinforcing steel. Corrosion leads to the deterioration of overlying concrete, and exposes the reinforcing steel. One of the most efficient ways to protect concrete is to prevent it from absorbing water in the first place.

Hydrophobic Impregnation is a proven concrete protection technology that prevents water ingress into concrete structures thus decreasing the likelihood of degradation due to aggressive influences. This technique can be used for both new and existing concrete structures.

The various methods of protecting concrete were explored by Joseph Nabih, Technical Manager, Sika Gulf at MEED's Middle East Roads, Bridges and Tunnels conference at Westin Hotel, Dubai. He highlighted various challenges and solutions for concrete protection with a focus on Hydrophobic Impregnations.

"Hydrophobic Impregnation has been used all over the world for many large scale projects like bridges, buildings, walls, silos and cooling towers, and other types on concrete structures," said Nabih. 3.2km Sitra causeway connecting Bahrain and Saudi Arabia is one of many bridges treated by Sika Hydrophobic Impregnation technology. "We prevented bridge from deteriorating and achieved the client requirement of 120 years of durability design life," he added.

Sika has been at the forefront of concrete repair and protection technology since the 1920s. Sika pioneered the development of concrete repair products and systems from the early beginnings, with Sika Waterproof mortars in the 1920s and 30s, through our development of epoxy and polymer latex modified repair mortars in the 1950s and 60s. In the 1970s Sika introduced the first "Complete Concrete Repair and Protection System" with Sika reinforcement primers, bonding bridges, repair mortars and leveling mortars plus protective impregnations and coatings.

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MASTER DEVELOPER FOR 30-ACRE WATERFRONT RETAIL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY NEEDED BY PORT OF LOS ANGELES

The Port of Los Angeles has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for qualified commercial real estate developers interested in redeveloping the 30-acre, fully entitled San Pedro waterfront property known as Ports O’ Call Village, located along the Port’s Main Channel and adjacent to downtown San Pedro.

“The City and Port of Los Angeles are pleased to offer qualified parties who have a vision for creating a world-class L.A. Waterfront, an unparalleled redevelopment opportunity that will rival other urban waterfronts around the globe,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

“The redevelopment opportunity of the century is waiting on the waterfront, at the heart of the Pacific Rim in the Port of Los Angeles,” said Los Angeles Councilman Joe Buscaino. “The awesome majesty and spectacle of an urban waterfront mecca within minutes of millions is an attraction like no other in Southern California.”

“We are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in public waterfront infrastructure along 16 miles of community-adjacent port property at the Port of Los Angeles,” said Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. “We’re building a waterfront to fit the scale of the largest port complex in the western hemisphere at the doorstep of the largest regional market in the western U.S.”

The development site includes 3,000 linear feet of rare water frontage and 375,000 square feet of retail and tourism-related entitled uses. Located at the south end of the Harbor (I-110) Freeway, the site is conveniently accessible to downtown Los Angeles and other key areas of Southern California.

The parcel was developed as Ports O’ Call Village in the 1960s and was a popular regional destination for many years. The property is located just south of San Pedro’s historic downtown business and is within walking distance from the Port’s World Cruise Center, which sees hundreds of thousands of cruise travelers each year. Other attractions within walking distance include the USS IOWA Battleship museum and CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles, a large-scale permanent indoor craft marketplace fashioned from two WWII warehouses by the developer of the popular Bergamot Station Arts Center in Santa Monica.

The proposed redevelopment site is in the immediate vicinity of several public waterfront enhancements, including a new downtown harbor and public plaza slated for completion in 2014. In recent years, the Port has made extensive investments in promenades, marinas, parks and other public waterfront amenities aimed at providing greater public access to the waterfront. In addition to the multi-phase, $36 million Downtown Harbor water basin, promenade and public plaza under construction, other projects completed or underway include the $130 million Cabrillo Way Marina and public promenade, the $16.3 million Fanfare Fountain and Plaza, and the $23.4 million Harbor Boulevard Parkway promenade.

The Port plans to select a master developer to carry out a comprehensive redevelopment of the property and enter into a long-term ground lease. Applicants will be reviewed based on their development vision and strategy for the site, their experience in developing premiere and unique commercial real estate projects and experience working with public agencies.

Developers interested in responding are encouraged to attend a pre-proposal meeting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 8 at The Plaza at Cabrillo Marina, 224 Whalers Walk, San Pedro, Ca. 90731. Click here for map.

The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port supports more than 830,000 regional jobs and $35 billion in annual wages and tax revenues.

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DEUTZ unveils telematics system for the remote monitoring of engines

DEUTZ has unveiled a new telematics system for the remote monitoring of engines and fleet management. The system uses satellite tracking technology to send engine and machine data to a central server that can then be accessed by DEUTZ customers.

Data on the current condition of the engine and the equipment it powers, such as coolant, oil and fuel levels, can be constantly and reliably monitored. This data can be read and evaluated on an Internet-enabled computer from anywhere in the world. In addition, warning messages are sent to the user's PC whenever the fuel, oil and coolant levels reach minimum levels.

By using the system, downtimes in equipment and engines can be reduced. Because the condition of the engine is permanently known, maintenance schedules can be planned and adjusted to suit usage requirements.

The controller that records the information via a GPS (Global Positioning System) is attached to the engine. It records data such as speed, operating hours, and oil and fuel levels and transmits it at regular intervals by GPRS (Global Packet Radio Service) to a central server.

Anyone with the appropriate access permissions can communicate from anywhere in the world via the server to gain access to the engine's settings. All that is required is an Internet-capable PC.

DEUTZ Telematics works bi-directionally, so that it can provide remote access to defined functions as well as analysing and monitoring the engine. By constantly monitoring the capacity, utilisation and availability of their engines and equipment, customers can identify excess capacities and improve the efficiency of their vehicle fleets.

Another important function, 'geofencing' theft protection, is included in the system. Users are able to select the operating range of their equipment. If this limit is exceeded, a warning signal is emitted or a text message is sent to the owner.

DEUTZ Telematics is easy to install and can be adapted to meet customers' specific needs. It is also compatible with non-DEUTZ engines. Various models are available, allowing users to select the most appropriate for their requirements.

DEUTZ UK Service General Manager, Mike Nugent, said: "DEUTZ Telematics is yet another first from the world's largest independent manufacturer of diesel and gas engines. We believe that it offers customers the very latest and best solution for the fast and efficient online monitoring of their engines and equipment."

With an overall engine range extending from 9kW to 500kW, and models suitable for wide variety of markets and applications, including the construction, quarrying, mining, materials handling, agricultural, groundcare, industrial and airport ground handling equipment sectors, DEUTZ produce around 286,000 units annually.

DEUTZ engines are widely used in excavators, wheeled loaders, access platforms, compactors, cranes, crushers, screeners, compressors, lift trucks, tractors, ride-on mowers, chippers, shredders, gensets and other off-highway mobile plant.

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ARMACELL SECURES CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH BRITISH GAS

Working for Wandle Housing Association, family-owned construction, civil engineering and property services business, Osborne, has completed Clarson House – a £16 million residential development on Camberwell New Road in London SE5.

The development comprises 103 flats and maisonettes in four blocks arranged around a central courtyard. The homes will be a mix of social rented and shared ownership, and include 11 units for disabled residents and three commercial units at street level.

The homes have all been built to the Code for Sustainable Homes level 3. To ensure a positive impact on the local environment there is a children’s playground in the centre of the square, wild grass has been seeded on part of the roof space and bird boxes have been installed.

Gary Bellenger, Head of Asset Investment at Wandle, said: “Wandle is proud to be making a signicficant contribution to the regeneration of the the Elephant and Castle area. Clarson House is a landmark new building for London Borough of Southwark residents, which provides good quality affordable homes with local transport and facilities nearby.”

Sara Thakkar, Chief Executive at Wandle, said: “Wandle continues to do what it does best – working with strong partners to build innovative, sustainable and affordable homes for Londoners. Our financial strength and our continued ability to provide mixed tenure homes enables us to invest in shaping Southwark as a truly vibrant community where people want to live and work.”

Stephen Scard, head of Osborne’s homes team, said: “This development was designed to offer residents a range of options – right down to 57 possible layouts and 43 types of kitchen – so that each home is different and new residents could quickly make each one their own. It was an extra challenge to ensure that each apartment and maisonette was built to the right specification and same standards but the end result is a very high quality development that should be a great success for Wandle Housing Association.”

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Opportunities for the UK Construction Sector in South Africa

According to a report released by the UK Trade & Investment, British construction firms are being encouraged to take advantage of the multi billion pound infrastructure opportunities in South Africa.

The report, titled ‘Building South Africa: Opportunities for the UK Construction Sector’, highlights infrastructure opportunities in both the public and private sectors stemming from the Government’s £33billion infrastructure plans and events like the 2010 World Cup.

UK Trade & Investment Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cahn said: “South Africa is a fast growth economy with infrastructure plans to match. With investment opportunities in both private and public sectors, coupled with a severe skills shortage now is the time for UK companies to take advantage of the construction boom.”

“The Government’s infrastructure spending plan is set to accelerate the annual growth of the economy between 4.5 per cent and 6.0 per cent. Its ambitious plans for mass transport, water projects, prisons, hospital and prison upgrades provide plenty of opportunities for UK companies.

“This investment and events like the 2010 Football World Cup are acting as a catalyst for growth in the private construction sector. Opportunities include hotel and residential development as well as urban regeneration projects. By establishing a business in South Africa, UK companies can gain a foothold into sub-Saharan Africa.”

This latest report follows on from recent research by UK Trade & Investment which revealed South Africa to be one of tomorrow’s most exciting investment destinations. In recent research South Africa was ranked as number eight in the top ten list of ‘new wave’ markets. The Tomorrow’s Markets report gives new insights into where companies will go next in emerging markets and why. The results are based on the opinions of global business leaders headquartered all over the world and gives credible insights into their future business plans.

Several UK companies are already actively involved in major infrastructure projects for South Africa, including Bombardier Transportation UK Ltd which is providing the new train fleet for the Gautrain project, and Mott MacDonald which is involved in Transnet’s rail and port expansion programme.

UK Trade & Investment’s presence in South Africa is stronger than ever, with 34 staff based in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban to support these opportunities and expansions.

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Osborne appointed to carry out redevelopment of largest dry dock in Southampton

Osborne has been appointed by Associated British Ports to carry out the redevelopment of an area of land near the 1930s, Dry Dock No. 7 (formerly known as the King George 5th Dry Dock) on West Bay Road in Southampton. The £1.4 million project will convert the area into a cargo handling berth with access to an adjacent berth that is also undergoing redevelopment. Completion is expected by the end of 2008.

Following listed planning consent, the contract comprises demolitions, new roads, fencing, lighting and dock up-grades as well as non-tidal works to the quayside including heavy duty chamber covers and new anchor bollards, plus tidal works to the now flooded Dry Dock 7 consisting of new safety chains, access ladders and infilling of old stairways.

Associated drainage, ducting, high mast lights, weighbridge and office foundation works will also be undertaken. Throughout the project, existing access will be maintained for quay operating leaseholders and future access to the quayside and dock will be improved with a new circulatory access road and link road to an adjacent berth.

There are a number of challenges, not least of which is breaking out existing concrete slabs for new roads and drainage. This is being carried out using a tracked Rocksaw to cut along the sides of the routes, enabling more accurate and simplified breaking out.

As part of the project, as many existing materials as possible are being reused to minimise waste and materials movement. This includes the use of the broken concrete, which will be crushed and reused as a capping material on this development.

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Growth trend: 300 members and 1000 interoperable products for EnOcean Alliance

With 50 percent growth in membership within one year, the EnOcean Alliance is currently undergoing the strongest growth period since its founding in 2008. Today, the independent non-profit organisation now has a membership base of 300 companies worldwide, developing innovative automation solutions for sustainable building projects. New EnOcean Alliance members include Somfy, Telefunken Smart Building, Deuta Controls, Weinzierl, Dooya, Viessmann, Waldmann, NEC, Omron, Vimar and NTT. The Alliance's core technology consists of the EnOcean batteryless wireless technology, which is based on the international standard ISO/IEC 14543-3-10. The technology has been integrated into 1000 interoperable products. In this context, smart home solutions are emerging as a new trend.

Utilising energy harvesting techniques, EnOcean's wireless technology requires neither cables nor batteries. The modules generate the energy required for transmitting a wireless signal from movement, light or temperature differences. The EnOcean Alliance represents an association of companies that implement products or system solutions using this energy harvesting wireless technology. The independent organisation aims to make buildings more energy-efficient, flexible and cost-effective with intelligent automation solutions.

The market has great potential. “In 2011, wireless sensors accounted for just over 15% of the 21 million building automation sensors shipped in the EMEA and the Americas markets combined. The number of wireless sensors is forecast to increase to over 25% of total building automation sensors in EMEA and the Americas by 2015,” states William Rhodes, Senior Market Analyst at IMS Research (recently acquired by IHS (NYSE:IHS)).

International success

With the ISO/IEC 14543-3-10 certification, EnOcean wireless technology has been ratified as an international standard. This forms a key basis for the continued development of the already very successful and quickly growing EnOcean Alliance ecosystem: the interoperability of products. Using this standard as a foundation, the EnOcean Alliance develops specifications for respective applications (EnOcean Equipment Profiles – EEPs), establishing a fully interoperable and open wireless technology that allows products to communicate with each other regardless of the manufacturer.

"The success of the EnOcean Alliance shows that we are still a long way from exhausting the application opportunities for energy harvesting wireless technology in buildings and other application fields. More and more companies worldwide are recognising the potential of this maintenance-free technology for the development of intelligent and energy-efficient solutions. The international standard and exchange opportunities within the Alliance offer the ideal platform in this regard," says Graham Martin, Chairman of the EnOcean Alliance. "In addition to the core markets in Europe and North America, we are also strongly committed to Japan and China – a region from which 25 new members joined the EnOcean Alliance within six months."

Batteryless in a smart home

Smart home systems represent a new application field for EnOcean-based solutions. The newest developments from EnOcean Alliance members include:

On-call building automation

BSC Computer GmbH offers software and hardware solutions for building automation, energy management and ambient assisted living (AAL). The control software BSC-BoSe and a sensor network, based on batteryless wireless technology, now make it possible to operate building technology using the voice control function of smartphones and tablets, allowing users to control shutters, light, heating and air-conditioning, as well as applications for ambient assisted living virtually on an on-call basis. In addition, the system also supports smart grid applications, offering encrypted communication via M2M solutions and the required hardware.

Intelligent furniture

With IQ Chair and IQ Mat, IQfy has developed two products for easier everyday living. The IQ Chair features integrated wireless technology that uses a batteryless motion sensor to control lighting, heating and ventilation based on presence. This automation function can save up to 40 percent of electricity and energy costs in offices – without any negative effects on employees' work routines. With IQ Mat, the thinking mattress, IQfy has further developed this principle. A motion sensor integrated into the mattress registers the presence of someone in the bed, and automatically controls lighting, heating or electrical devices. For example, night lighting may be triggered if the physical load on the mattress is removed during night hours. Both developments received the "Innovation Prize for Architecture and Technology" at the 2012 Light+Building, since "they make an important contribution to sustainability in architecture".

On the "MilkyWay"

Idea SpA (Gruppo Giordano) brings the smart home in a box: The MilkyWay starter kits ClimeBUDDY and eNRGmate contain all plug & play components for the automated control and monitoring of heating and air-conditioning, including visualisation, also via smartphones and tablets. Thanks to EnOcean wireless technology, all sensors and actuators can be flexibly mounted inside the house. In addition, the MilkyWay system is also ready for integration into future smart grid applications.

About EnOcean Alliance

Leading companies worldwide from the building sector collected to form the EnOcean Alliance and establish innovative automation solutions for sustainable building projects – and so to make buildings more energy-efficient, more flexible and lower in cost. The core technology of the Alliance is energy harvesting wireless technology for flexibly positioned and service-free sensor solutions. The EnOcean Alliance aims to internationalise the energy harvesting wireless technology, and is dedicated to creating interoperability between the products of OEM partners. Basis for this is the international standard ISO/IEC 14543-3-10, which is optimised for wireless solutions with ultra-low power consumption and energy harvesting. 300 companies currently belong to the EnOcean Alliance. The headquarters of the non-profit organisation is located in San Ramon, California.

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Klaxon Signals siren range's high sound output overcomes most levels background noise

Klaxon Signals has developed a range of industrial warning devices to meet the needs of specialised applications in all industrial environments. The range varies from traditional robust motor driven sirens to the more sophisticated electronic sirens and serves to notify personnel of any changes in the immediate environment such as potential hazards.

Klaxon’s motor driven siren range is rugged in construction with a high sound output to overcome most levels background noise such as that generated in mining and quarrying applications.

With advances in siren technology, electronic sirens have been introduced to the market in the form of the Nexus industrial sounder. With a choice of 110dB and 120dB sound outputs, IP66 protection, 3 alarm stages and 64 tones these sirens can be used in a variety of general signalling applications. Combined sounder beacon units are available for compliance with the Disability and Discrimination Act.

For visual signalling applications, Klaxon’s industrial beacons provide effective warning by diffusing a greater spread of light. Beacons are fitted with either LED or Xenon beacons and are available with varying light outputs of 5J, 10J and 24J.

Klaxon’s industrial products are used in conveyors, cranes, moving machinery, as process control alarms and in marine and general signalling applications.

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New Technology Advisory Board by Knovel

Committed to offering a superior cloud-based application integrating technical information with analytical and search tools, Knovel recently announced the creation of its Technology Advisory Board. Filled with NYC-based technologists, the Board will help Knovel continue to provide engineers with the most advanced technology for identifying and accessing content resources.

Knovel’s Technology Advisory Board members, selected based upon technology leadership, offer diverse perspectives on trends related to business models, technology systems and building technology teams. Members will advise Knovel on decisions related to the product roadmap, specifically focusing on integrating new technical elements into Knovel’s platform.

“As a technology company targeting engineers in the B2B information market, we see tremendous untapped opportunity,” said Knovel CEO Chris Forbes. “To be on the leading edge of technology – integrating into engineers’ daily work and social interactions in the workplace – we want to challenge our assumptions and broaden our perspective. Our new team of senior technology advisors will support our development and product management teams as we continuously improve our user experience and our technology delivers on our mission to be the first place engineers come to solve problems.”

The Technology Advisory Board’s initial members include Andy Parsons, Co-founder and CEO, Happify, Harish R. Rao, Founder and Principal, Interpersonal Frequency, LLC, and George Weiner, CTO, DoSomething.org. The members have experience building technology companies and developing advanced social networking strategies. Together they will offer insight and advice as Knovel enhances its technology and creates new product offerings.

“Knovel is a central hub of trusted information for thousands of engineers worldwide, and I see tremendous opportunity for this platform,” said Harish R. Rao. “I love what Knovel offers engineers, and I’m equally excited about working with the Knovel team and the advisory board on product enhancements.”

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ONE NEW CHANGE HONOURED WITH 14TH MAJOR AWARD

Recently, the acclaimed Jean Nouvel/Sidell Gibson collaboration, One New Change, won the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects’ annual New City Architecture Award. This is the fourteenth major award claimed by the landmark building.

The Award is given to the the building which is judged by the Assessors to have made the most distinguished contribution to the streetscape of the City of London.

Ron Sidell from Sidell Gibson Architects, the delivery architects on One New Change, collected the award on behalf of Jean Nouvel.

“This is a fantastic and unexpected tribute to Jean Nouvel who can’t be with us tonight and is a major compliment to this collaboration and best practice model. We are especially pleased to win this award, as we see it as recognition for a magnificent building from our fellow architects – a hard crowd to please.”

Replacing the former 1960s Bank of England complex and facing St Paul’s Cathedral, One New Change provides 25,000m2 of retail space on three storeys, principally focussed on a vibrant and rich mix of fashion and food, with 35,000m2 of office space for 3,000 workers over four storeys. As a new landmark building, it represents one of the largest consolidated retail spaces across central London, embracing the commercial potential of the city and making a significant contribution to the public realm.

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Caterpillar invests in products and solutions for the global mining industry

Caterpillar Inc. has announced a series of investments in products and solutions for the global mining industry. The company will produce a full range of mining shovels, ranging from a 125-ton model through an 800-ton model. Caterpillar has selected its manufacturing facility in Aurora, Ill., for initial production of the new product range and is conducting a study of additional production sources in other parts of the world.

In early 2011, Caterpillar will begin pilot production of the new 125-ton class shovel. The first commercial shovels produced in Aurora are expected to be available later in 2011. The larger shovels are planned for commercial availability beginning in 2013 and through 2014.

This range will give customers a direct match for loading Caterpillar's mining trucks - from the 100-ton class 777F through the 400-ton class 797F. The Aurora facility also produces Caterpillar's largest wheel loaders, which are an alternative method for loading mining trucks.

"As we discuss solutions with our global mining customers, it's clear they want a complete line of Caterpillar shovels to best match the full range of Caterpillar trucks operating at their mines," said Chris Curfman, president of Caterpillar Global Mining.

The company is also accelerating previously announced capacity expansion plans for trucks in Decatur, Ill., with additional capacity expected to come on line beginning in 2011. The expansion in Decatur will increase truck capacity at the facility by nearly 30 percent. Decatur produces Caterpillar's largest mining trucks, including the flagship 797F series truck, which has a maximum capacity of 400 tons.

In addition, Caterpillar plans to increase capacity for 60 and 100-ton trucks at its existing manufacturing facility near Chennai, India. The capacity expansion would more than double truck production capabilities in India. The expansion for its 100-ton 777D and 60-ton 773E trucks in India should be completed by early 2012.

"The increased production in India and Decatur will better position the company to serve our mining customers in every region of the world, with a particular focus on the growing demand and customer base in the emerging markets of Asia and in Russia," Curfman added.

Combined, the long-term shovel development program and added truck capacity represent investments of nearly $700 million in Caterpillar mining products through 2014.

Caterpillar is also updating the status of its new electric-drive mining trucks. The company currently has pilot units of its 345-ton 795F AC truck at customer sites for final evaluation, with commercial production set to begin in late 2010. Initial interest in the new Cat 795F AC trucks has been strong, and the company has increased its planned build rate for 2011 by more than 40 percent to meet demand in all major mining markets throughout the world.

In early 2012, the company also plans to produce pilot units of the 793F AC truck with a 240-ton payload. Both the 793F AC and 795F AC will complement Caterpillar's full range of mechanical drive trucks.

"For generations, customers have relied on Caterpillar products, along with the service support of our global dealer network, to give them the lowest owning and operating costs over the life of a machine," said Caterpillar Chief Executive Officer-Elect Doug Oberhelman. "In today's globally competitive environment, our customers are counting on that level of reliability, durability and support more than ever. This investment of nearly $700 million demonstrates our commitment to Caterpillar mining customers around the world. It also is a great example of the job-creation benefits of global trade, as well over 60 percent of the large mining products made at our Illinois facilities are exported outside of the United States," Oberhelman added.

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Caterpillar invests in mining shovel range and mining trucks

Caterpillar Inc. has announced a series of investments that, over the next four years, will significantly enhance the company’s position for the global mining industry. The company will produce a full range of mining shovels, ranging from a 125-ton model through an 800-ton model.

Caterpillar has selected its manufacturing facility in Aurora, Ill., for initial production of the new product range and is conducting a study of additional production sources in other parts of the world. In early 2011, Caterpillar will begin pilot production of the new 125-ton class shovel.

The first commercial shovels produced in Aurora are expected to be available later in 2011. The larger shovels are planned for commercial availability beginning in 2013 and through 2014. This range will give customers a direct match for loading Caterpillar’s mining trucks, from the 100-ton class 777F through the 400-ton class 797F. The Aurora facility also produces Caterpillar’s largest wheel loaders, which are an alternative method for loading mining trucks. “As we discuss solutions with our global mining customers, it’s clear they want a complete line of Caterpillar shovels to best match the full range of Caterpillar trucks operating at their mines,” said Chris Curfman, president of Caterpillar Global Mining.

The company is also accelerating previously announced capacity expansion plans for trucks in Decatur, Ill., with additional capacity expected to come on line beginning in 2011. The expansion in Decatur will increase truck capacity at the facility by nearly 30 percent. Decatur produces Caterpillar’s largest mining trucks, including the flagship 797F series truck, which has a maximum capacity of 400 tons.

In addition, Caterpillar plans to increase capacity for 60 and 100-ton trucks at its existing manufacturing facility near Chennai, India. The capacity expansion would more than double truck production capabilities in India. The expansion for its 100-ton 777D and 60-ton 773E trucks in India should be completed by early 2012.

“The increased production in India and Decatur will better position the company to serve our mining customers in every region of the world, with a particular focus on the growing demand and customer base in the emerging markets of Asia and in Russia,” Curfman added.

Combined, the long-term shovel development program and added truck capacity represent investments of nearly $700 million in Caterpillar mining products through 2014.

Caterpillar is also updating the status of its new electric-drive mining trucks. The company currently has pilot units of its 345-ton 795F AC truck at customer sites for final evaluation, with commercial production set to begin in late 2010. Initial interest in the new Cat795F AC trucks has been strong, and the company has increased its planned build rate for 2011 by more than 40 percent to meet demand in all major mining markets throughout the world. In early 2012, the company also plans to produce pilot units of the 793F AC truck with a 240-ton payload. Both the 793F AC and 795F AC will complement Caterpillar’s full range of mechanical drive trucks.

“For generations, customers have relied on Caterpillar products, along with the servicesupport of our global dealer network, to give them the lowest owning and operating costs over the life of a machine,” said Caterpillar Chief Executive Officer-Elect Doug Oberhelman.

“In today’s globally competitive environment, our customers are counting on that level of reliability, durability and support more than ever. This investment of nearly $700 million demonstrates our commitment to Caterpillar mining customers around the world. It also is a great example of the job-creation benefits of global trade, as well over 60 percent of the large mining products made at our Illinois facilities are exported outside of the United States,” Oberhelman added.

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Civil Engineering Projects

A civil engineering project is a project which involves the construction and renovation of a structure or significant alteration in the environment. An example of a built civil engineering project might be a hydroelectric dam which is used to generate power which providing flood and irrigation control, while an environmental alteration might involve beach nourishment to protect a coastline.

While many people link the discipline of civil engineering with public works projects, civil engineering projects can also take place in the private sector, as when a firm constructs a major office tower or when a homeowner requests the services of an engineering company to repair damage caused by a natural disaster.

Civil engineering projects are taking place on a very diverse scale all over the world. Some examples of civil engineering projects include: updating a city’s sewage processing system to accommodate a growing population, building a canal, constructing a bridge, widening a roadway, wetlands restoration, and earthquake retrofitting of private homes so that they will meet local building codes. There are many disciplines within the very broad field of civil engineering, and projects also typically involve input from other experts as well as a civil engineer, with an engineering firm supervising the civil engineering project to ensure that it is done correctly.

The term “civil engineering” was coined to differentiate this very old branch of the field of engineering from the even older military engineering, which involved the application of math and science to military problems. Developing earthworks to serve as fortifications is an example of military engineering, for example, while creating earth walls to contain livestock falls under the purview of civil engineering. Some notable civil engineering projects such as the Great Pyramids, the Parthenon, and the Great Wall of China have lasted for thousands of years.

Civil engineering utilizes math and science to serve the human population in some way. Civil engineers are very concerned with the safety and efficiency of every civil engineering project, and they are also engaged in making projects which are designed to be lasting, which means that they must be flexible enough to accommodate changing usage needs in addition to being very sturdy and built to meet or exceed safety requirements.

A civil engineering project can involve starting from scratch to meet a need or solve a problem, as when civil engineers construct a wind farm which is used to generate renewable energy. It can also involve renovating, retrofitting, and updating existing projects to address changing uses and damage, in addition to correcting or fixing structures which were built with techniques now deemed outdated, or which failed due to faulty construction.

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NEW NORTHWICK WIRECUT BRICKS BY NORTHCOT

Northcot Brick, one of the UK’s foremost independent brick manufacturers, has launched a new range of traditional wirecut facing bricks.

Volume produced and competitively priced, the new Northwick range is designed to replicate the immensely popular sand-faced facing bricks once manufactured and widely used in Northumberland and across the North East of England.

Made from fine Cotswold clay, the range is available in three versatile colours: ‘Autumn Brown’, ‘Dark Brown’, and ‘Red Sandfaced’, with bespoke blends for colour matching available on request.

Traditionally made in ‘coal fired’ kilns in order to create a natural looking blend of colours and textures, the Northwick range is available in both 65mm and 73mm sizes in order to suit both old and modern properties. A range of British Standard special types is also available.

“The Northwick range is already proving to be immensely popular, particularly in the Midlands and the North of England, where its subtle tones complement the style and architecture of the built environment,” said Michael Brown, Managing Director of Northcot Brick Ltd.

All Northcot first quality bricks are manufactured to the latest European standards, including F2 rating for Frost Resistance BS EN 771-1: 2003. The bricks are hand blended to ensure consistency of quality throughout before dispatch and are available in packs of 500 from a national network of merchant stockists.

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Latest health and safety guidance, training and education for construction professionals all under one roof at the IOSH annual conference and exhibition 2012

The UK can be proud of a comparatively impressive reputation in construction site safety. The Eurostat website reports that the fatal injury rate in Great Britain is consistently one of the lowest in Europe . The HSE has echoed this positive message in their latest construction industry report which shows a general decline in recent years in major injuries, fatal injuries and reported injuries to members of the public; that is a general decline which has become more static in the past three years. The IOSH annual conference and exhibition taking place at Manchester Central 06-07 March 2012, will provide construction professionals with many of the tools required to remain abreast of the ever evolving occupational health and safety sector while learning about ways to increase cost efficiency and best practice.

Despite this encouraging trend, there are still many examples in the news of the cost to industry that health and safety breaches cause. For example, a Yorkshire construction firm was fined £3,500 with costs of £900 after admitting a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act when an employee suffered serious injury in a fall from height accident after falling four and a half metres from a makeshift platform supported by a fork attachment added to a tractor . Many personal injury claim companies market themselves with messages of ‘deadly statistics’ such as “construction workers are six times more likely to be killed at work in construction accidents than any other type of employee” from the youclaim.co.uk website. More high profile cases have included the recent call from London’s Mayor Boris Johnson for a ‘comprehensive programme of work’ to reduce cyclist deaths in London as a direct response to the frequency of cyclist accidents which involve construction related vehicles .

The IOSH conference programme will feature over 60 expert speakers, more than 30 sessions on hot industry topics, and 15 hours of lively discussions, vital legal updates, in-depth analysis, practical workshops and real-life case studies. Hot topics include the Löfstedt Review, the ongoing impact of Lord Young’s health and safety review, strategies for engaging the workforce in behavioural safety improvement, and health and safety from the perspective of the board.

On that latter topic, the IOSH conference will host an interview panel with the session title ‘Leading from the top – senior directors’ perspectives on putting health and safety on the board agenda. Senior directors from a range of industries will be interviewed including Ian Dormer, MD of Rosh Engineering Ltd and Graham Dalton, Chief Executive of Highways Agency.

HSE’s Ian Strudley (HM Principle Inspector, Head of Health Risk Management Unit, Construction Division) is lined up to deliver a practical workshop with Mark Rimmer, Operations Manager at ISG Pearce. They will be focusing on developing strategies to manage occupational health risk in a way which engages the workforce. This will include tips for successful communication, making safety fun and making results measurable. There will also be a focus on building a strategy with case study examples of proactive interventions on the construction industry and how they’ve been received by employees.

Key speakers include Professor Ragnar Löfstedt on the outcomes of the Löfstedt Review which aims to simplify health and safety rules and decrease the burden of red tape (published on 28 November) and the HSE’s Judith Hackitt CBE who said in a recent speech to National Safety Symposium “there is a good deal of change going on in the world of health and safety, but the focus remains the same. Times are tough and tough decisions have to be made… Cost reduction is a challenge for us all, but it is also an opportunity to look for new and innovative ways of maintaining and where possible improving on outcomes - especially in health and safety.”
After it’s successful launch at the 2011 exhibition, CoreSkills+ is back to provide sixteen practical workshops focused on core health and safety skills. This popular programme has doubled in size since its inception last year and offers a choice of one-hour workshops which aim to refresh the knowledge of experienced practitioners and support the skill base of those starting their health and safety careers.

IOSH Chief Executive Rob Strange OBE said: “IOSH 2012 is a great opportunity for practitioners to network, learn and share best practice. And that’s why it has become such an essential part of our mission to improve the health and safety of people at work.We have responded to demand this year by doubling the Core Skills + sessions at conference, for example. People attend IOSH’s annual conference and exhibition because they want to become better practitioners and do their bit to reduce injury and illness in the workplace.”
The annual IOSH exhibition runs alongside the conference and is the premier choice for leading companies showcasing their latest products and services, as well as providing face to face advice and guidance on best practice and compliance. This offering will give procurement professionals the opportunity to compare and contrast a whole range of products and services from exhibitors including British Safety Council, Evac + Chair International, Nebosh and Total Access Ltd. In a time where cost considerations have to be paramount the IOSH annual conference and exhibition provides visitors with an opportunity to look for innovative ways of maintaining, and potentially also improving, standards.

With around 2,000 visitors expected to attend and more than 100 exhibitors on show, IOSH 2012 is set to feature the biggest and best exhibition in the history of this peripatetic show.
The IOSH annual conference and exhibition takes place at Manchester Central 06-07 March 2012

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Hydraulic hose - more than meets the eye: Writes Ian Morris, director of the British Fluid Power Association.

Despite its simple appearance, a length of hydraulic hose is a highly sophisticated and operation-critical part of an array of plant and equipment used in industries such as construction, agriculture, manufacturing, engineering and offshore. It is tasked with carrying the flow of high-pressure oil safely and efficiently from a pump to a motor in order for the whole system to function efficiently. Yet some users still expect their hose to perform safely and well regardless of the grade used or how infrequently it is serviced or replaced. Indeed, it is ironic that some companies will willingly source the best motors and pumps available, and then blithely attempt to save money by buying a grade of hose that is less than fit for the task.

Tasks and challenges: In order to further emphasise the importance of sourcing quality hydraulic hose, let’s take a closer look at some of their common daily tasks and the challenges they meet along the way. A hydraulic hose often needs to be able to operate at very high pressure; 500bar is not uncommon and in extreme cases pressures can be far higher. It also needs to be capable of handling extremely high temperatures and shock loads.

And it’s not just a hose’s capability of securely containing high-pressure, high-temperature oil that needs to be a non-negotiable; there is also the importance of hose flexibility. A length of hose should be designed to move as often as the machine moves. Watch any excavator and then try to imagine how many times the hose flexes back and forth as the machine goes about its daily tasks. This frequency of movement not only puts stress on the hose and its construction but also on the fittings at either end – the parts that form the all-important connections to the operating part of the machine. Another point to note is that a hose is often fully or partly exposed and can therefore be subject to damage from physical wear and tear or by the sun and its elements – another reason for sourcing a grade of hose that is capable of standing up to such daily rigours. So, with this level of required physical and operational resilience, it can be appreciated that a hydraulic hose is much more than a simple length of black rubber.

Time for replacement: Nevertheless, even if the user sources a high grade of hydraulic hose, everyday stresses such as the containment of often extremely hot oil at high pressure, frequent movement and exposure to the elements means that hose replacement will be necessary at some stage. And when that time arrives it is important to source a hose of identical or similarly high-grade properties. When new, the manufacturer of the original machine will have calculated the correct specifications for all its parts, including its hydraulic hose. However, come the time for replacement the machine’s owner may not return to the original manufacturer and instead have a hose made by a third-party provider. This in itself is not a problem so long as the same specification of hose is used and so long as the replacement hose is correctly routed; taking into account all the relevant quality and safety standards.

The downtime factor: There is also the question of plant and equipment downtime to bear in mind. When a business is largely reliant on hydraulic machinery to undertake its mission-critical tasks, the last thing it needs is for this equipment to cease functioning to the best of its ability, or to fail to operate entirely in some instances. The expense of lost production could, in many cases, run into many thousands of pounds per day, and, to make matters worse, the reputation of company could be at stake if it ceases to be able to perform efficiently. Therefore, the process of ‘fighting fires’ after the equipment has broken down is something to avoid at all costs, and is another example of the importance of ensuring hose and fittings are compatible, of a high quality and regularly maintained.

Health & safety: Sourcing the right grade of hose is also extremely important from a health & safety perspective. A high-pressure hydraulic oil injection injury is a very serious occurrence and something to be avoided at all costs. It may not happen very often, but when it does it’s not only the injured party whose life can be seriously affected; the whole health & safety regime of the company can be called to account. And if this happens, the question of professional responsibility and accountability at management and board level can also be brought into play.

Education and training: With such hose-related issues in mind, the British Fluid Power Association (BFPA) has established a number of programmes aimed at raising the awareness levels of people who work with hydraulic hose at all levels; from the system designer and field engineer, to the machine operator and the person who makes the hose. The training courses have been designed for two primary reasons; first to raise machine performance levels and further enhance the reputation of hydraulic systems, and secondly to keep operators safe. The BFPA runs both the ‘Foundation Course in Working Safely with Hydraulic Hose and Connectors’, and a practical, workshop-based course titled ‘The BFPA Hose Assembly Skills Training Programme’, which takes the basic Foundation level of knowledge and trains attendees to a fully assessed level of ability in hose assembly techniques. A number of reputable hose equipment and service providers are also licensed to carry out these courses throughout the UK and Ireland. More information can be obtained by contacting the BFPA directly.

Reputable providers: In summary, don’t trust your equipment to anyone other than a reputable hose equipment provider; whether the provider in question is a member of the BFPA Hose Accreditation Scheme or runs a rigorous and reputable scheme of its own. And, in terms of hose training, make sure the provider’s courses are well-established and highly respected within the hydraulics industry; whether they run their own courses or are authorised agents for the BFPA’s own Hose Foundation and Hose Skills courses. When it comes to hose and fittings, don’t accept anything but equipment of a high quality. After all, when the efficiency of your plant and equipment, as well as the health & safety of your workforce is at stake, only the best product, training and service provision is acceptable. One final point, if ever your company is tempted to re-end a failed hose DON’T.

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Six Sigma Project Management

Employing Six Sigma for the business environment is for achieving well-defined goals. The project selected for deploying Six Sigma is not self-sustaining and can develop tendencies to get off target following even the slightest let up in its management. The focus of the Six Sigma management committee is to steer the project implementation to meet those stated goals within budget and time constraints.

Six Sigma Project Management Stages

Project management in Six Sigma begins even before selecting a project. In the run up to the implementation, the right kinds of people, who have proven track records, are selected for Black Belt positions. Since Black Belts are the pillars of managing six sigma, it essential that candidates have proven qualities such as attention to detail, tendency toward problem solving and a proclivity for dedicated work.

Organizational clearances, essential for project implementation, have to be sorted out at this stage. Project selection that has a potential for a high payoff cannot be missed out on any account. For example, because of lack of funds or because of organizational stumbling blocks.

Defining Project Goals And ROI

Defining project goals and estimating pragmatic ROI is essential at this stage to set the course for project implementation and for bringing it back to course if an audit shows that deviations occurred during the implementation. This is really important – if deviations are missed it will produce endless financial and customer base losses to the company. Another key aspect is setting practical ROI targets without getting carried away. The bar shouldn’t be set too high and certainly what has not evolved from the “Voice of the Customer”.

Getting Down To Measurements

Measurements are the watchdogs of a project and demand total integrity. This is the area where Master Black Belts and Champions need to concentrate completely. Black Belts can encounter undesirable pressures for misrepresenting facts, which would otherwise expose a few poor performances.

Another issue that needs to be tackled is of a more serious nature. The consultant teams have their interests in keeping the project going on for as long as possible. This fact may be seen in the fact that Black Belts employed at the company do not measure up to the reputation of the consulting firm. From this point of view, it becomes important to double check and get back to the basics to negotiate the names of professionals who are going to be deployed.

Six Sigma Audit By Internal Committee

The internal audit committee must not the audit exercise lightly, as there is much at stake. The audit committee, besides inspecting process records and documented measurements, must place a lot of emphasis on interviewing the internal customers. The interviews should focus on finding the status of efforts at minimizing customer complaints. This is clearly an exercise of contrasting the condition ‘as is’ against ‘should be’, which is the goal. The Champion will then take over the matter for brainstorming with the Master Black Belts and Black Belts. The agenda of the brainstorming session should not deviate from discussing the findings of the audit committee.

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