EXPERIMENTAL HOMES GET ‘CARBON LIGHT’ WITH WINDOWMASTER

The energy management and natural ventilation systems for two innovative carbon-neutral homes in Kettering, Northamptonshire, UK have been supplied by WindowMaster (www.windowmaster.com).

The two semi-detached VELUX Carbon Light Homes (www.velux.co.uk) have been constructed to demonstrate that state-of-the-art energy-efficient sustainable housing is practical, affordable, appealing to home buyers and can be easily constructed by volume house builders.

As one of the integral partners in the project, WindowMaster installed its NV Comfort™ control system. NV Comfort™ enables an optimal indoor climate through consistent pure natural ventilation. At the same time it can save enough energy to significantly reduce CO2 emissions.

WindowMaster’s Paul Collins explained: “Carbon Light Homes are designed to be low energy buildings. The WindowMaster system is at the heart of the building’s management. It allows air temperature and quality in the house to be maintained with minimal energy expenditure. It automatically opens and closes windows in response to internal and external temperature, CO2 levels and weather conditions.

“The energy management system also controls the blinds so that they close to keep sun out in the warmer months to aid cooling and open in the winter months in order to take advantage of passive thermal gain.

“Energy management helps to heat the property by reducing the load on the other heating systems. Demand for fossil fuel energy for heating, hot water and electricity is kept to a minimum, making these experimental homes almost carbon neutral.”

The homes also use solar heating in combination with air-to-water heat pumps for hot water and space heating. Natural ventilation cools the buildings by taking advantage of triple height atriums around the stairs which create stack and cross ventilation. In hotter months, the homes are cooled using purge ventilation while internal and external screening helps to control solar gain and create a comfortable indoor climate. In winter, natural ventilation works alongside a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery which recycles heat from the kitchen and bathrooms into the living areas. All of this is managed by NV Comfort™.

NV Comfort™ is based on WindowMaster’s established NV Advance™ system for management of natural ventilation in larger projects, such as schools and offices. Like the NV Advance™ control system NV Comfort™ regulates and adjusts internal air quality using an intelligent, computer-controlled system that harnesses the natural forces created by temperature differences outside and inside the building and by the effect of wind around the building.

NV Comfort™ controls façade and roof windows so that they automatically open and close by incremental amounts on the basis of individual fixed values for the desired room temperature and CO2 levels, as well as measurements of external temperature, rain and wind speed. The system also opens and closes blinds taking its cue from thermal mass readings from a pyrometer.

Opening of the automated windows can be overridden by the user to maintain security. Setting the desired room temperature and CO2 levels can be done individually for each room from one central location in the building via the NV Comfort™ touch screen.

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Government confirms support for anaerobic digestion at ADBA Conference

Building on its inaugural conference in 2009, ADBA's (The Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association) second national conference in London attracted the industry’s leading players to a packed day of speakers and discussions. ADBA's "Maximising the Value" conference saw its Chairman Lord Rupert Redesdale urge members to play their part in DECC’s and DEFRA’s AD Action Plan, which has already reached its first draft.

Landia’s UK & Eire Director commented: “Lord Redesdale was right when he said about the need to shout the loudest. ADBA has made massive strides since it was formed less than 18 months ago. This second national conference shows just what can be achieved by an active association that makes such a sustained effort. There are now close to 200 members, which speaks for itself”.

Ofwat’s Mark Worsfold (Head of Strategy) discussed the regulator’s remit for sludge and the vital need to collect data for the challenging choices regarding its full deregulation.

Speaking for the Environment Agency, Howard Leberman (Senior Advisor on Industry Regulation) broke news that in April, some AD regulation will be relaxed, including the distances from dwellings, workplaces and conservation sites that biogas plants can be built.

Lord Marland, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State DECC confirmed the Government's support for anaerobic digestion. He said he was determined for the industry to expand and for it to take in additional waste streams. Lord Marland also praised the efforts of ADBA and its members, stating that the Government was looking forward to working with them to further develop the sector.

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Ward Bros Takes Delivery Of New Jaw Crusher

A leading north east contract crushing company has taken delivery of a new Terex Finlay J-1160 Jaw Crusher, from Finlay Plant Northern.

Ward Bros Plant Hire Ltd, which was established in 1964 and has its headquarters in Langley Moor, County Durham, has operated in the contract crushing sector for more than 25 years.

The J-1160 is the first Terex Finlay machine Ward Bros have ordered from Finlay Plant Northern. The plant has been introduced into the company’s fleet for projects in the south of Scotland.

The machine was specified due to its versatility, quick set-up time and mobility.
Stewart Ward, of Ward Bros Plant Hire Ltd, said: “The J-1160 was the most suitable machine available for the application we required at the time.

“It is a good producer, is well-designed and operator friendly. So far it has done well.”

Charlie Nairn, managing director of Finlay Plant Northern, part of the Finlay Group of companies, said: “The mobility and compact size of the J-1160 Jaw Crusher means it can move easily to different sites and deliver a high volume of end product.”

Finlay Plant Northern is part of the Finlay Group – which comprises of eleven stand alone companies offering the most modern and diverse range of material processing equipment available in the marketplace today.

With its headquarters in Stafford, the company has a national reach across England and Wales.

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Why is Ryobi Tools a Household Name?

Ryobi are great manufacturers of tools to use on DIY jobs around the house and garden, lots of buyers either have a small budget to work with, or a limited expenditure for this new hobby. Some customers find Ryobi Tools an ideal purchase if they have a few jobs to do around the house but don’t want to spend too much money on the tools, but still want something that works and is reliable.

Since Ryobi started trading in the 1970s their aim has always been to manufacture high quality precision Power Tools that are affordable to everyone. They have not just gone out to beat the competition by cutting their prices, instead Ryobi Tools has maintained its excellent quality and performance in all that it manufacturers, to achieve a quality, affordable tool. CBS Power Tools currently have many of the Ryobi garden and power tools on special offer such as the

RLT5030SHG Line trimmer with powerful 500w motor at only £49-99p This easy to use adaptable trimmer was “best buy” in the Which report. Take a look at the extensive one+ power tool range, a host of cordless 18v power tools, all powered by one 18v battery, so you have the choice to build your tool kit to your own requirements.

CBS Power Tools don’t just focus on sales, they offer a comprehensive after sales service, and are proud to be one of the very few authorised service centres in Cambridgeshire for a wide range of power tool brands. CBS Power Tools have fully trained engineers operate from a purpose built, fully equipped workshop, enabling them to offer the full servicing package.

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Kandil Dam and HEPP

This project, being one of the Kandil Power Group Projects, is located in the Upper Ceyhan basin upstream of the Menzelet Dam on the Ceyhan River in Kahramanmaraş. The dam is rock-fill type with concrete covered front face having the installed capacity of 210 MW and annual energy generation of 502 GWh.
Client Hydroelectric Production and Trade, Inc. (ENERJİSA)

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Çetin (Çetin & Lower Çetin Dams) Hydropower Plant Civil Works Including Hydraulic Steelworks and Auxiliary Powerhouse Systems

Project covers civil works including hydromechanical steelworks and auxiliary powerhouse systems of two dams namely Çetin and Lower Çetin to be positioned on the Botan Creek of Dicle River between Pervari and Şirvan of Siirt Province.

Çetin is a asphalt core rockfill dam with 145m crest elevation from riverbed, 500m crest length and 8.5million cu.m of rockfill volume; while Lower Çetin is a concrete gravity dam with 45m crest elevation from riverbed, 100m crest length and 400,000 cu.m of concerete volume. The total installed capacity of Çetin Dam is 401MW with a power production of 1,100 GWh; while Lower Çetin Dam has 116 MW total capacity and power production of 300 GWh. The Project will be constructed by a joint venture with the leadership of Yüksel.

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New iPhone application gives quick access Cat product information from a mobile phone

New mobile websites and applications put rental equipment details, used equipment inventory and new machine specifications at the fingertips of anyone who wants the information, without the need to sit down in front of a computer.

Caterpillar is making it easier and quicker for customers to access Cat® product information from their mobile phones. Customers with internet enabled mobile phones can find their nearest Cat dealer or they can visit the mobile version of the Cat Rental Store. For a view of used equipment inventory, they can use a new iPhone application to access CatUsed.com.

Many features of cat.com are available on the mobile version of cat.com. Specifications for machines, attachments and engines, as well as the compatibility of machines and attachments are features of the site. The site also allows comparing two machines, and it shows specs of non-current models. In addition, a customer can submit a request for quote on any machine or attachment.

The Cat Rental mobile site enables customers to find the local Cat Rental Store using the GPS built into the phone. The website enables customers to view specs and rental rates for machines, attachments and allied products in participating dealers’ rental fleets. The information includes compatibility of machines and attachments, and it shows non-current machine model specs if the dealer has the machines in the fleet. A customer can even submit a request for a rental quote.

The iPhone application for CatUsed gives shoppers the capability to browse photos, inspection reports and other essential details about earthmoving, construction, paving, electric power and work tools available for sale from Cat dealers around the globe. An English language version of the CatUsed iPhone app was released to test market in the fourth quarter of 2010. As a result of feedback, Caterpillar added a visual dealer locator capability based on Google Maps. A mobile web version of CatUsed.com is scheduled for full operation in the first quarter this year

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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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Bloor Homes to be supplied with tangle free wall ties by Tec Ties

Tec Ties, the tangle free tie company, has won a contract to supply its closed end, tangle free wall ties to national housebuilders Bloor Homes.

Tec Ties will supply Bloor Homes’ building sites via Browns Builders’ Merchants Limited in Derby.

Bob McGrouther, National Sales Manager for Tec Ties, said: “Bloor Homes has decided to use our tangle free closed end wall ties for their health and safety benefits.

“The closed end of the wall tie prevents tangling and is an in-built safety feature to eliminate accidents and injury to those on site.”

He added: “We are delighted that the safety aspects of our products have been recognised by national housebuilder Bloor Homes. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial working relationship with both Bloor Homes and Browns Builders’ Merchants.”

Chris Burton, Group Commercial Director, of Bloor Homes, said: “Bloor Homes were looking for a closed end wall tie that would prevent any snagging. Tec Ties provides the ideal solution.”

Jerry Wheeler, Managing Director of Browns Builders’ Merchants Limited, said: “We are delighted to be asked by national housebuilders Bloor Homes to supply these innovative wall ties to their building sites and to extend our existing relationship with them further.”

Based in New Mills, in Derbyshire, Tec Ties manufactures a range of construction fixings, including the tangle free wall ties.

“Bricklayers do not have the time or inclination to untangle wall ties so Tec Ties tangle free ties offer a no waste, low cost solution to builders and contractors," said Bob McGrouther.

Tec Ties supplies the tangle free wall ties in bundles, rather than boxes, which removes packaging waste and makes them easier to store, particularly in inclement weather. The stainless steel tangle free wall ties provide excellent corrosion resistance and long term durability.

The company’s products range from cavity wall ties to restraint ties, movement ties, starter ties, replacement wall ties, and remedial ties, through to wind post and brickwork supports, sliding anchors, channel systems, masonry reinforcement, timber connectors, and plasterers beads.

Tec Ties’ best selling wall ties include:
1. TT4 Housing Ties
2. TT2 General Purpose Ties
3. TTDT Double Triangle Ties
4. TTSPE Movement Ties
5. TTID Insulation Discs
6. TTFC Frame Cramps, and
7. TTTF Timber Frame Ties

Tec Ties distributes its range of products through builders’ merchants across the UK.

Tec Ties was established in 2003 by its owners, Managing Director Bob Wood and Finance Director Diane Morlidge, who entered the construction fixings market with their unique range of cavity wall ties.

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Lakesmere: Lakesmere installs a complex roof structure for the new Terminal 2 Building at Heathrow Airport

The £2.2 billion facility at the new Terminal 2 Building at Heathrow Airport will provide a new hub for Star Alliance Airlines, which includes British Midland, Lufthansa and United and will be capable of handling 30 million passengers a year by 2019.

The check-in area alone will be the size of three football pitches and, with Phase 1 due for completion in 2014, it provides an ideal opportunity for Lakesmere, the UK’s leading envelope provider, to showcase its innovative approach to what is considered to be the largest construction project currently on-site in the UK.

Lakesmere has commenced work as part of a £15 million contract for BAA to design and install a complex roof structure for the new Terminal 2 Building at Heathrow Airport.

Designed by leading architects Foster & Partners, the project will be delivered by a dedicated team at Lakesmere’s head office in Winchester and will result in the employment of up to 60 new site operatives.

Working alongside its key supply chain partners and utilising the latest 3D design technology and logistical planning tools, Lakesmere’s in-house design team developed a sophisticated technical solution for the unique 40 000m² sqm ‘eyebrow-shaped’ roof. The result meets the stringent acoustic, thermal and energy performance requirements demanded for the 180,000sqm building sited alongside a major international runway.

The demanding performance requirements of the building necessitated a sophisticated technical solution from Lakesmere that included a structural deck sitting off the main steelwork, supporting a thermally-efficient Kalzip standing seam roof. In turn, this incorporates innovative glazed roof lights, offering a high level of solar control and acoustic insulation, along with photovoltaic power generating panels and sophisticated sun-shading.

Commissioned by main contractor HETCO, a joint venture between Laing O’Rourke and Ferrovial, Lakesmere will complete the roofing package during 2012 and will employ more than 70 staff on the project - good news for both the region and the industry.

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Inspect2go launches new mobile app services for Contractors

Inspect2go has launched new mobile app services for Contractors. The applications are designed to help contractors save time and money through improved efficiency via Inspect2go’s mobile and cloud technology. Applications are offered on iPad, Windows and Android tablets and smartphones. All applications are based on Inspect2GO’s core technology for site surveys, photo/note taking, cloud storage, data/document processing and reporting.

CONTRACTOR CUSTOM APPS
Weekly Project Status Reports
-Instant, directly from site via iPad, Android or Windows Tablet
-Upload to cloud
-Create/send reports
-Updates
-Site plan/floor plan import and drawing

RFI
-Log
-Take notes on tablet
-Take photos
-Mark on photos
-Submit

Site Surveys
-Photos
-Notes
-PDF reports

Punch Lists
-Architect photographs/notes issues
-Data submitted to cloud
-Contractor receives punch list
-Issue are resolved and before/after photos document work

About Inspect2GO: Inspect2GO is a mobile application, cloud database and software development company based in Southern California. The firm’s mobile technology includes inspection checklists and apps with signature, photo, markup, custom reporting, pdf, scoring, field survey, data charting, trending and database functions. Software is available for Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad), Android and Windows tablets. Inspection results are sent to Inspect2GO’s cloud database for storage. Reports, graphs, trends and data feeds can be retrieved from the cloud.

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XIAMETER® Business Model Expands Silicone Product Offering

The XIAMETER® web-enabled business model from Dow Corning Corporation is expanding its product offering to provide customers with even more high-quality, standard silicone product choices. New products include a variety of silicone fluids, emulsions, resins, coatings, antifoams, moldmaking and liquid silicone rubbers, as well as additional rubber bases and compounds, modifiers, primers and catalysts.

As is true of the previous XIAMETER® product offering, the new products are widely used as performance enhancers by industries such as personal care, textile, energy, construction, and automotive where they provide qualities such as durability, stability, adhesion, and weather resistance.

“We continue to expand the product availability as products mature through the product life cycle and as customers demand more efficient ways to procure their standard silicone products,” said XIAMETER® Vice President and Executive Director Jeroen Bloemhard.

The XIAMETER® business model offers customers self-service functionality and options such as tiered volume quantities and transparent pricing, credit term choices, ability to track orders real-time and other procurement activities. Local distributors also carry many XIAMETER® products, and can offer customers more customized, personal services, as well as order flexibility.

Dow Corning’s XIAMETER business model enables customers to purchase high-quality, standard silicones at market-based prices online and more efficiently as it unbundles the services offered for products that were traditionally sold under the Dow Corning® brand. The Dow Corning brand continues to give customers an edge in the marketplace with its specialty silicones and other silicon-based materials, delivering higher value innovative solutions, custom formulations, and high-performance products.

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National Park a step nearer more affordable homes

A new plan that will see more affordable housing being built in the Yorkshire Dales National Park comes into force today (June 26).

Members of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority voted to adopt a new housing development plan that should see more land being released over the next 10 years for homes for local people.

It identifies 29 new sites for development – ranging in size from two houses to up to 30 – and potentially providing up to 236 new homes. Half would be affordable homes to rent or buy, probably through the involvement of a local housing association. The remainder would be open market housing with a legal agreement restricting their occupancy to people who need to live or work in the National Park.

In January the document went before planning inspector David Vickery, who rejected four other small sites in the Upper Dales. Authority Members today repeated their disappointment that Mr Vickery had ignored their plea to reinstate those sites, but expressed their satisfaction with the rest of the Plan.

Authority chairman Carl Lis said: “Our new housing policy remains, unashamedly, one of trying to support those who need to live or work in the National Park. As well as allocating new sites for housing, we have widened the definition of ‘local need’ so that more local households are eligible for housing. We have also increased the number of settlements in the National Park where barns can be converted to houses, or where brownfield land can be developed for new housing, to meet local needs.”

“Our focus now will be to get on with working with landowners, house builders and parish councils to get new houses onto these sites.”

Peter Stockton, the YDNPA’s Head of Sustainable Development, said: “The large gap between local incomes and house prices in the National Park prevents many local people from getting onto the housing ladder or renting more appropriate accommodation – so forcing them away or into longer commuting.

“This plan releases new land for a mixture of future affordable and local market housing, which should help some of those people to stay in the area and should also help to sustain viable local communities and services, like local schools.”

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APS-100AT multi-component material washing system is developed for the quarrying, recycling and remediation industries

Aggregate Processing Solutions, the specialist washing arm of the Finlay Group, will be unveiling the latest edition to its portfolio at Hillhead 2010 - introduced after almost five years of research and development.

Billed by the company as ‘the contractor’s dream’ the APS-100AT is a unique, multi-component material washing system, developed for the quarrying, recycling and remediation industries.

Central to its design is the introduction of a highly efficient, extreme duty linear multi-deck screen, with ‘Atri-Jet’™ technology, developed by Aggregate Processing Solutions to help remove fines.

The unique, adjustable Atri-Jet™ system also ensures cleanliness of the final products. Floaters are removed and contained, and the plant also enhances the removal of lignite, wood, ash and clinker.

This is supported by a TRIO Course Material Washer, which scrubs to dissolve clays and separates lightweight materials.

John Dunne, managing director of Aggregate Processing Solutions, said: “The APS-100AT is a culmination of many years experience in the field. Designed in England and assembled in Northern Ireland, it has been developed to address a number of important requirements to meet the growing needs of the industry.

“This includes an easy to deliver format, with the entire plant arriving on site in just two lorry movements. The unit is also installed under a fast track programme, ready to operate just two hours after delivery.

“With planning restrictions an important factor on site, it is designed to a small footprint – just 12 metres by 2.9 metres in size - with best in class relocation ability. Economy is also another important factor, with the ATP-100AT easy to match existing mobile units to the system – and using up to 40 per cent less water than standard washing systems. It also accepts an ‘all in feed’ where fines, sand and stone get thoroughly scrubbed by the TRIO Course Material Washer.”

Other features include a self powered capability, with an on-board generator and PLC control, which is pre-wired with an onboard control panel.

Effective maintenance is introduced with features including easy access to all components and an on-board lifting beam to aid wear part replacement.

Set up in 2004 to provide a bespoke, turnkey solution in the provision of screening-washing and crushing equipment, Aggregate Processing Solutions sells complete systems, as well as contracting and hiring of processing equipment. Every aspect is covered, including the latest innovations in water clarification and silt recovery – with the expertise to deliver solutions in harmony with planning and environmental restrictions.

The company holds a UK and Ireland dealership for the Italian Centrifuge manufacturers Baioni. Aggregate Processing Solutions is also dealers for Pilot Crushtec and Terex Finlay, as well as TRIO.

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Energy and CO2 savings potential of industrial insulation says report.

Paroc is working actively working together with other members of EiiF to raise awareness about the contribution that industrial insulation can make to energy efficiency and CO2 reduction. This report clearly states that with current progress EU will achieve only half of these savings. This means that European industry is losing energy and money every day, emitting tonnes of avoidable CO2 emissions, says Lasse Satka, Business Area Manager at Paroc.

According to the study 10% or more of all equipment in industrial plants is not insulated or is covered with damaged insulation. Furthermore, the level of insulation applied is typically based on a minimum investment decision. Requirements like cost-effectiveness or maximum energy efficiency of the insulation system are often just not considered.

Industrial insulation is a way to help European industry to reduce its total fuel consumption by 620 PJ and emissions by 49 Million tonnes of CO2. If industry takes the opportunity and starts to tap the insulation potential this trend could be stopped. The first step would be to consequently insulate all not insulated parts and to repair damaged insulation. If however industry continues to ignore the large savings potential of industrial insulation, the gap between “current” and cost-effective insulation will further increase. Additional costs for CO2 emission allowances will even accelerate this trend, Mr. Satka adds.

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TREMOR – Event by Techkriti

Continuing its great legacy, this year also Techkriti, IIT Kanpur’s Annual Technical and Entrepreneurship Festival is organizing TREMOR. As some of you might know, TREMOR has been the prestigious contest of Techkriti as it gives you opportunity to challenge The Earthquakes. And this time, it comes with a challenge to save your apartment building from being wracked by the mighty vibrations.

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Contract with the Port of Houston Authority for the Rehabilitation of Wharves 1 and 2 at the Barbours Cut Terminal announced by Jacobs

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. confirmed recently that it received a contract from the Port of Houston Authority to perform professional engineering services for the rehabilitation of Wharves 1 and 2 at the Barbours Cut Terminal in Morgans Point, Texas. The primary purpose of the project is to allow the wharves to accommodate larger ship-to-shore cranes.

Officials estimate the construction value to be in excess of $50 million, with a design contract value of $4.9 million. Construction of this project is expected to be complete by fall 2014.

Jacobs' scope includes developing construction documents for the upgrade of approximately 2670 feet of the wharves. In addition to structural improvements to the wharves, other elements include new fenders, crane infrastructure and appurtenances, paving, two stevedore support buildings, lighting, and related work.

In making the announcement, Jacobs Group Vice President Kevin McMahon stated, "We are very pleased to have the opportunity to continue our working relationship with The Port of Houston Authority. We look forward to assisting them in creating additional capacity at Barbours Cut. The recent announcement of the new all-water service from Shanghai to Barbours Cut – with Houston being the only US port of call - shows how important The Port of Houston is to both the city and the nation, and just how important it is to upgrade the terminal." Jacobs is one of the world's largest and most diverse providers of technical, professional, and construction services.

Statements made in this release that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements on management's current estimates and expectations as well as currently available competitive, financial and economic data. Forward-looking statements, however, are inherently uncertain. There are a variety of factors that could cause business results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. For a description of some of the factors which may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements please refer to our 2011 Form 10-K, and in particular the discussions contained under Items 1 - Business, 1A - Risk Factors, 3 - Legal Proceedings, and 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements made herein.

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EXTREME STRENGTH SOLUTIONS FOR THE UK CONSTRUCTION SECTOR BY SUNDOLITT XPS

Europe’s leading polystyrene products manufacturer? Sundolitt – the UK arm of Sunde Group – has launched its XPS, extreme strength, extruded polystyrene range to UK architects and construction companies.

“We are extremely well-known for our EPS (expanded polystyrene) in the UK but we found that architects and specifiers in the construction and civil engineering sector are constantly surprised to learn we are also leaders in XPS for a wide range of applications where extreme strength is need. This includes solid flooring and foundations, inverted roofing and for insulating railway lines, airports and roads wherever heavy loads and high moisture levels are encountered” said Sundolitt’s Construction Sales Manager, Adrian Walker.

The company also stressed the importance of its XPS in industrial floors such as cold stores and chilled warehouses where high insulation, high strength attributes are critical.

Sundolitt XPS is manufactured in a wide range of thicknesses and sheet sizes within the thermal conductivity range 0.034 – 0.037 W/mK (EN 13164). According to the type of use, it achieves outstanding compression resistance from 200 – 700 kPa (EN826)and offers exceptionally low moisture absorption through its closed-pore system - making it ideal, for example, for roads and cable trenches, sports facilities and undrained ground (EN12087/EN12088).

“Our XPS is unaffected by rain, snow or frost and can be stored outside. We also make it available in square or shiplap edge – the latter having the advantage of preventing thermal bridging should the boards slide apart slightly during installation,” said Mr Walker.

Sundolitt XPS can also make a major contribution to the UK’s carbon reduction programmes. It is made without using environmentally harmful gases and is fully recyclable if recovered at end-of-life. And with the built-environment accounting for 40% of Europe’s energy consumption, the greater energy efficiency that comes from using Sundolitt XPS can, in some cases, reduce total energy consumption in buildings and structures by 75%.

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Alternative installation method for drilling vertical boreholes to install collectors for a ground source heat pump

Drilling vertical boreholes into the ground to install collectors for a ground source heat pump (GSHP) usually involves a rotary drilling rig utilising a variety of drilling bits, and water based drilling fluids. Typically a 100mm to 180mm diameter hole is drilled to accommodate U-shaped collectors and both the spoil and drilling fluids emerge from the ground as the drill is advanced to depth. It can be a messy, noisy and time-consuming operation.

However, there is another way to install ground collectors that is far cleaner, quieter and faster. This method – which Econic have pioneered with their partner Lankelma Green Energy – involves a 33-tonne truck containing 36 tonne capacity hydraulic rams that pushes a tubular steel casing with a sacrificial leading tip into the ground to produce a hole about 60mm in diameter. Because the casing is advanced using a static hydraulic push technique rather than drilled ‘dynamically’ into the ground the soil is displaced around the casing as it is advanced. As a consequence, there is no spoil and little noise.

Once the casing has been inserted into the ground, they take a 40mm pipe, fusion welded at the end, and slide it down the middle of the casing. The casing is then pulled out and, within a few days, the ground’s elastic properties ensure that it contracts back around the pipe.

A 25mm pipe is inserted down the inside of the 40mm pipe to form a concentric collector, which looks similar to a coaxial cable, rather than the u-pipe typically found with conventional installations. The heat transfer fluid (monopropylene glycol) is pumped down the centre pipe and it comes out of the bottom and up the annulus between the 25mm and 40mm pipes. As the transfer fluid rises through the annulus, heat is transferred from the surrounding soil and through the pipe.

The casing can be pushed ‘dry’ into the ground or lubrication can be used to reduce friction build up on the casing and therefore enable us to achieve greater depths. Lubrication can be as simple as pouring water down the hole. Alternatively, a lubricant such as bentonite (a plastic clay material), polymer based fluids or biodegradable rapeseed oil can be used.

There is mess – the process is equivalent to ‘pushing’ a nail into, rather than hammering or drilling a piece of wood. And it is considerably quieter, with no vibration or potential ground loss through excessive ‘overbreak’ or ‘flighting’ or borehole collapse, all commonly associated with drilling. This makes GSHP installation using this technique a practical proposition next door to housing estates, for example, or on other sites particularly sensitive to noise.

It is also a far quicker operation – typically achieving about six to eight pushes to about 30m depth – amounting to around 180-240m a day compared with 50-100m for a conventional rotary drill.

Finally, grouting with high conductivity silica-bentonite grout is not required which speeds up and simplifies the process, reduces costs and provides direct thermal contact between the collector pipes and the surrounding soil in comparison to rotary drilling.

Being faster and involving less disruption, it is usually a cheaper solution than a traditional drilling method.

However, pushed collectors are not the right solution in every location due to underlying geology and the available space. Econic help advise the best form of ground collector on a project by project basis.

The “push” process step-by-step:

• 63mm diameter, 1m to 2m long steel tubes are pushed into the ground using powerful hydraulic rams mounted on a specialised wheeled truck or crawler. The steel tube casing is capped with a disposable tip to prevent it becoming plugged with soil as it is pushed into the ground. As the casing ‘string’ is advanced, the soil is displaced around the tip and casing and no soil is produced at the surface.

• Once at a depth, typically, of between 20m and 40m, a 40mm pipe with a fusion welded end cap is installed through the casing to the bottom. The pipe is filled with water for additional dead weight and increased rigidity. The tip is then detached and the casing pulled back slowly over the first 2-3m, while maintaining downward pressure on the pipe to ensure tip depth is maintained. After this, the lateral stresses within the soil secure the installation tip at depth.

• As the casing is withdrawn, the soil squeezes back around the pipe and leaves it in direct contact with the soil over the entire depth of the installation. This ensures that the installation has optimal thermal contact with the ground.

• After the casing has been withdrawn, the collector is pressure tested. A continuous length of 25mm pipe is installed through the 40mm pipe to provide the co-axial or ‘flow’ and ‘return’ arrangement. The heat transfer fluid for the ground source heat pump runs down through the 25mm pipe and back up the 40mm pipe.

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BSE sector requires Loud and clear voice as MCS consultation begins

Businesses shouldn’t underestimate the importance of having their say, SummitSkills said recently. The much-anticipated and important consultation about the competence requirements for companies wanting to become accredited through the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) has now been showcased.

The consultation has been launched online where a video explains what it’s all about, and documents are available to download. The website also shows how to submit a response to the consultation, which will run until 5pm on Monday 9 July.

As the sector skills council for building services engineering, SummitSkills will be compiling a response on behalf of the electrotechnical, heating and ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration and plumbing industries. It is keen to hear the views of those in the sector, to help inform this response.

Keith Marshall OBE, chief executive of SummitSkills said: “The MCS needs to know what industry thinks so I can’t stress enough how important it is that businesses respond to this consultation before 9 July. We have been working for some time to ensure that competency is at the heart of the MCS and now is the time for the views of those working in the sector to be heard loud and clear.”

SummitSkills has for some time been calling for a requirement on companies that are potential installers, before they can be MCS-certified, to prove that members of their workforce have the right skills. This should help to ensure that microgeneration installations are correctly designed, fitted and maintained in order for customers to secure the maximum benefits and for the UK to secure the greatest possible reduction in its carbon emissions.

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