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News June 2008
Europe’s
First Watermist Code Published By FIA
 Europe’s
first ever Code of Practice for watermist systems has been written
by the Fire Industry Association (FIA) and is freely available
on the association’s website (www.fia.uk.com).
Watermist systems are increasingly being employed in the protection
of people and property from fire in a wide range of commercial
applications, including IT, telecommunications, power generation
and food processing facilities. Such systems use water in an intelligent
way to suppress fire, offering rapid fire knockdown but in a more
environmentally responsible way since they use less water than
conventional deluge systems. In addition to savings in water,
this also means less run-off and therefore reduced effluent which,
in turn, lessens the impact on the surrounding environment.
Additional benefits include the requirement for a smaller footprint
than conventional water suppression systems: smaller piping, pumps
and tanks ensures watermist systems are much easier to accommodate
in premises where space is at a premium.
Despite the increasing use of watermist in fire protection, until
now there has been no official guide to their design and installation.
This new Code of Practice has been written by a team of industry
experts within the FIA, all of whom are leading specialists in
this field.
Bob Whiteley, Chairman of the FIA committee that wrote the code,
comments –“The code has been written with the specific
needs of insurers, architects and risk assessors in mind, providing
them with all the information required to correctly specify a
system. Although it is voluntary, we see it taking on a similar
role to that which was produced for gaseous extinguishing systems
which has effectively been used as the industry standard for several
years.”
Iain Cox, Chief Fire Officer for Berkshire and CFOA National Fire
Safety Committee Chairman, said –“We recognise the
increasingly important part that watermist systems are playing
in fire protection and we welcome the introduction of a Code of
Practice which will not only provide specifiers and end users
with an invaluable aid but also allow responsible fire safety
companies to deliver systems that are designed and installed to
best practice. The FIA is a leading trade association in the active
fire protection arena and as such is an ideal position to understand
the intricacies of what is still a relatively new technology.
This document provides specific information and guidance which
can only help to further the high standards which have come to
be expected of the UK fire protection industry.”
Further Details: Terry Martiny, FIA, Tel: 020 8549 8839, E-mail:
info@fia.uk.com, Website: www.fia.uk.com
Move
to help product reach mass audience
Inventors of a ground-breaking radiator attachment believe their
move to new premises will enable them to hit the ground running
when they officially launch their product this month.
Rotarad switched to a larger unit in Creswell, Staffordshire from
their previous base in nearby Cheadle, enabling them to start
mass production of their revolutionary device straight after the
launch at the NEC Homebuilding and Renovating Show in April.
The device is the brainchild of company owner Malcolm Keeling,
who invented the Rotarad system after struggling to decorate behind
radiators in a house he was renovating.
It uses lightweight cabling, brackets and couplings to swing radiators
away from the wall, allowing easy access behind for cleaning and
decorating.
He said: “It’s a very simple product, which is retrospectively
fitted to any modern radiator, and I’m amazed no-one thought
of it before!
“By moving to new premises we are able to meet increasing
demand for the product following the official launch at the NEC.
“We are aiming to produce and sell the units ourselves,
and are negotiating with a number of well-known DIY chains to
bring the system to a wider audience.”
In addition to the current retro-fit product, Rotarad are also
set to introduce a pre-installation model fixed to the radiator
at manufacture stage.
Further details are available at www.rotarad.com.
Tel: 01538 756 189
Gold standard high-tech homes nestle beside the silvery Tay
 To
describe the entrance to Celtic Developments’ latest £1million
plus showpiece home as austere would be a classic understatement.
Once inside, a vista of the silvery River Tay awaits as the predominantly
glass fronted four storey designer home cascades down the granite
cliff to meet the lapping estuary. On the distant shore is the
panorama of Dundee.
But this building is much more than a spectacular dwelling, for
the house also deploys the latest entertainment technology courtesy
of an advanced, yet simple to operate smart home system called
LexCom Home, from Square D, a brand of Schneider Electric. Piping
TV, DVD, telephones and the Internet throughout the house, Internet
access is available almost everywhere within the house, as is
TV, including digital channels. LexCom Home audio completes the
user experience providing a multi-room audio system via ceiling
mounted speakers.
Designer and builder, Celtic Developments is the company of founder
David Kerridge and his wife. Inspired by his own requirements,
once Kerridge had seen the LexCom Home system, he encouraged his
favoured electrical contractor Chas G Anderson, of Cupar in Fifeshire,
to get the necessary training to become a Schneider Electric authorised
Systems Integrator for the LexCom Home system.
Now, LexCom Home smart home technology is included in most of
Celtic Developments’ projects. For the three exclusive houses
at the Mariners’ Reach project, LexCom Home Audio is cabled
to every room, plus bathrooms and en-suites. The ultimate purchaser
can therefore decide how many and where speaker systems will be
connected.
The two other houses at the development have equally impressive
specifications, albeit their foundations are rather more conventional.
But, convention is hardly the word to describe the layouts that
create light and airy living spaces designed to maximise the potential
of their prime location. Also overlooking the river, the two houses
bristle with LexCom Home technology and deliver the ultimate in
designer living. Each is expected to sell for in excess of £500,000
and at that price they represent a real bargain.
LexCom Home is a cost-effective way to create flexible home networks
since it is based on using a single cable terminating in a standard
RJ45 style socket. This means that rooms can be wired with a number
of outlets located in suitable places.
LexCom Home’s flexibility comes from each service using
similar sockets. This allows the homeowner to change the function
of any outlet by simply relocating a patch lead in a central distribution
centre, matching the required service, such as a TV or Internet,
to the relevant room socket.
1 Million
hours & counting
 It
has been more than four years since a Cooper Fulleon Ltd employee
has missed a day of work due to a job-related injury. In March,
2008, Cooper Fulleon Ltd reached a new safety milestone—One
million work hours with no lost-time accidents.
Cooper Fulleon Ltd is one of a small number of facilities that
has achieved this milestone across Cooper Industries. The average
company reports an average lost-time accident (LTA) rate of 1.5
per worker per year, according to the latest numbers from the
Health & Safety Executive (HSE). The LTA rate tracks job-related
injuries that require employees to miss work for one or more days.
It demonstrates that levels of EHS management and performance
are sustainable and mature.
While the division and plant management teams have a duty to provide
the resource to achieve and maintain a safe working environment,
the greatest contributing factors to Cooper Fulleon’s outstanding
safety performance are the attitudes, approach and safe behaviour
of the shop floor team. Without this positive effort Cooper Fulleon
Ltd would not have achieved this milestone.
Further Details: Danielle Sharp, Cooper Fulleon Ltd, Tel: +44(0)1633
628500, e-mail: sales@fulleon.co.uk Website: www.fulleon.com
Marshalls
Street Furniture Launch New 2008 Product Selector
 Marshalls
Street Furniture (MSF) has launched their new 2008 Product Selector
encompassing one of the most comprehensive ranges of street furniture
available in the industry today.
MSF specialises in the design, manufacture and sourcing of stunning
street furniture, working with industry designers to commission
inspirational new concepts and ranges to enhance the built environment.
The 2008 brochure features Marshalls portfolio of brands including
Monoscape, Ollerton, Ferrocast, Geoform, Imperial and Rhino Perimeter
Protection, plus those of Marshalls European Partners Bellitala
and Sineu Graff. The new range incorporates 12 product categories
including bollards, seating, litter bins, cycle parking and planters.
The Ollerton range now features bandstands, gazebos and pavilions
and the innovative ‘Outdoor Living Room’ concept from
leading French designers Sineu Graff which, due to their thoughtful
designs, promote social interaction and inclusion, encouraging
the creation of sustainable communities.
MSF are unique in that they are able to supply products manufactured
from a wide variety of materials including concrete, granite,
stainless steel, steel, cast iron, timber and, new for 2008, plastic
and recycled plastic composite. MSF also work closely with architects
and specifiers to commission bespoke pieces and are on hand with
full technical advice and a comprehensive design service from
creative concept to final production.
MSF have established a quality system confirmed by registration
under BS EN ISO 9001:2000 to ensure full quality assurance and
all new products comply with regulations and guidelines such as
DDA, BSI and ROSPA.
For a copy of the new product selector call the brochure hotline
on: 0870 990 7504
New
Talkington Bates restaurant for future stars of the screen
 The
new restaurant at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield,
operated by independent contract caterer Talkington Bates, has
opened. Part of a major expansion and refurbishment of the school,
which boasts Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park among its alumni,
the new kitchen and restaurant are located on the ground floor
of the sleek, modern new building which also houses teaching facilities
and a 150-seat cinema.
Talkington Bates has run the on-site catering for the NFTS for
four years. Following a twelve-month build, students, staff and
visitors to the school can now take one of 110 seats at the restaurant
which features polished concrete floors, a glass wall and striking
red, white and black decor. For breakfast the restaurant offers
everything you would expect from a continental café from
freshly made pastries and smoothies to cereal or a cooked-to-order
full English. Lunch brings a choice of meat, fish or vegetarian
dishes plus cold options, snacks, fresh fruit and drinks.
The wide variety of nationalities and ages at the school means
the menu is more eclectic than you might expect, so students can
broaden their palettes while expanding their mind. While UK students
take lasagne in their stride, for others it is a whole new experience.
Also popular are the various themed days, from Halloween to Valentine’s
and all types of international cuisine such as the popular Polish
days, which serve up pancakes with sour cabbage and mushrooms.
Chef Gary Garrity commented,
“The nature of the school means people are open to new tastes
and experiences so we have a lot of flexibility with the menu.
Everything is freshly cooked using local, seasonal produce and
we offer a wide variety of dishes. It’s a great place to
work - there aren’t many places where you would be asked
to make things like a grey and black jelly or a plate-sized doughnut
for a starring role in a film!”
Zlata Hume, Studio Manager, NFTS commented, “The new building
is a stunning place to work and learn. Our students are among
the most sought-after in the industry so fresh, nutritious food
is important to enable them to learn effectively. Talkington Bates
does a great job here and the new restaurant is proving very popular
with staff and students alike.”
Marshalls’
Popular Priora Range Introduce new Tegula Priora 60mm
 The
UK’s No. 1 hard landscaping transformation company, Marshalls
plc, has introduced new Tegula Priora 60mm to the popular Priora
range. Bringing together the aesthetics of Tegula and the environmental
benefits of Priora, Tegula Priora provides versatility to complement
conservation projects or enhance distinctive show piece schemes
requiring a SUDS solution.
Marshalls currently produce an 80mm unit and the introduction
of 60mm allows real value engineering to projects requiring a
permeable distressed unit, yet not anticipating the vehicular
overrun where an 80mm unit would be utilised.
Manufactured at our Sandy works, Tegula Priora 60mm is available
now in Harvest, Pennant Grey and Traditional colourways in a 160
gauge.
Visit our PS3 selector website for full details of Tegula Priora
and the full range of Marshalls products at www.marshalls.co.uk/select
or contact 0870 4427720 for further details.
Byotrol
and Techclean lead the fight against superbugs spread through
office equipment
 Leading
anti-microbial technology company Byotrol plc is working with
specialist IT cleaning company Techclean Services Limited to lead
the fight against superbugs spread through office equipment.
The move to address infection transmission in the workplace comes
on the back of a study which examined bacteria levels on different
surfaces in a UK office. The study found that the level of bacteria
contamination on keyboards is up to 14 times higher than toilet
seats*.
ByoClean is the first in a range of unique products to be launched
by Techclean and Byotrol. ByoClean uses Byotrol, an innovative
anti-microbial technology that safely controls or eradicates the
threats caused by micro-organisms, such as MRSA, e.coli and C.difficile.
It comes in a disposable wipe format, providing easy and effective
IT hygiene cleaning for phones, PCs, printers, photocopiers, laptops,
EPOS and projectors.
Stephen Falder, Deputy Chairman for Byotrol explains: “Office
equipment is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Skin diseases,
fungal infections, hepatitis and blood poisoning can be transmitted
via a keyboard alone. Bugs such as listeria, salmonella and MRSA
have also been found on office equipment.
“As part of the Techclean product range, ByoClean has been
proven through a programme of independent testing to be effective
against micro-organisms, including MRSA. By working with Techclean,
we aim to raise awareness of the disease that can spread via office
equipment and provide an easy and effective solution to fight
against it.”
Richard Samarasinghe, Operations Director at Techclean Services
Limited commented: “Companies are happy to employ window
cleaners and people to vacuum but many of them forget about the
danger at their finger tips. Every time we fire off an email we
could be picking up a dangerous infection. A flu virus can survive
for many hours living in a keyboard.”
ByoClean was recently launched at the Techclean Services Limited
25th gala conference for their branch network this month. David
McRobbie, Chief Executive at Byotrol was a guest speaker at this
two-day event.
Techclean Services Limited provides cleaning services via its
55 branches nationwide. It can also test keyboards for bacterial
contamination.
ByoClean is available from: Techclean Services Limited, Email:
info@techclean.co.uk, Telephone: 0800 281940
For further information on Byoclean and IT cleaning services visit
www.techclean.co.uk.
Learning
online from RIBA enterprises
 From
March 2008 a new website - www.ribaonlinecpd.com - brings all
RIBA approved CPD material together to provide simple and fast
access to product and business related learning for construction
industry professionals.
The site has dual functionality, listing in excess of 900 pieces
of CPD material from 500 providers, through the RIBA CPD Providers
Network. This material can be searched by company, product category
and the new RIBA Core Curriculum subject heading. The website
also hosts more than thirty RIBA accredited Online CPD presentations,
available to be completed as and when convenient for the specifier.
RIBA approved online CPD presentations comprise a PowerPoint presentation,
or similar, accompanied by a voiceover and often including animations
and video clips. Presentations conclude with a questionnaire which,
when successfully completed, results in certification.
Construction industry professionals such as architects, surveyors,
engineers, other designers and contractors, can readily access
CPD material to aid specification and gain awareness of new products,
levels of performance and standards. Business acumen can be enhanced
in areas such as management, law and finance, IT, marketing and
risk management.
The RIBA Core Curriculum was introduced in 2007, designed to ensure
its members undertake CPD learning across a wide range of topics.
It aims to extend and enhance the knowledge of construction industry
professionals across six subject categories: Construction Skills
(which includes products, performance and standards), Professional
Context, Practice Management, Managing Projects, Personal Skills
Development and Health & Safety.
The RIBA CPD Providers Network is the industry’s largest
provider of specialist, concise education, with all material rigorously
assessed, approved and certified by the RIBA, to ensure quality,
relevance and topicality. Visit www.ribaonlinecpd.com
Saving energy with Selectaglaze’s secondary glazing
 Windows
in older buildings are often a major source of heat loss not only
because of the poor insulation offered by single glass but also
the drafts through ill-fitting frames. Secondary glazing offers
a very effective solution and can provide insulation levels in
line with current building regulations, thus saving money and
improving environmental credentials. The product is also ideal
for Clean Rooms and sterile environments.
Secondary glazing is fitted to the room side; the units are designed
to complement the existing window, arrive fully assembled and
are fitted with minimum disruption.
As secondary glazing does not involve a change to the external
window it is not governed by “Part L” of the Building
Regulations. It does however provide significant levels of thermal
insulation (estimated U-value 2.8 – BS 62662-2:2005, table
9).
A second key benefit of secondary glazing is noise insulation.
The sound reduction capabilities are considerably higher than
standard double glazed units and secondary glazing is often specified
into new buildings to provide triple glazing.
A more recent application for secondary windows concerns safety
and security. Selectaglaze’s units have been tested for
resistance against blast, physical attack, ballistic attack and
fire resistance.
Secondary windows are generally constructed from aluminium sections
with permanent paint or anodised finishes to complement the interior
décor. A range of operating styles including sash, hinged
and sliding, together with the ability to shape and curve the
frames, allows almost any window to be sympathetically treated.
Selectaglaze can be contacted on 01727 837271/fax: 01727 844053/e-mail:
enquiries@selectaglaze.co.uk or visit their website: www.selectaglaze.co.uk
New HR Director for 7 Day Catering
 7
Day Catering has today announced the promotion of Lindsey Buckley
as its new human resources director.
Ms Buckley was previously training and human resources manager
and joined the contract catering company in 2004. She is directly
responsible for a team of five HR and payroll staff and for providing
comprehensive HR support to a diverse workforce of 1,100.
Commenting on her appointment Ms Buckley said: "I am delighted
to have secured this important appointment. I am really excited
by the challenges of the role and am looking forward to working
with the senior management team."
A Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and
Development, she has a wide range of knowledge and experience
of the foodservice industry. She has worked at Whitbread where
she joined their graduate recruitment programme, as well as Catering
Alliance and Aramark.
Her new role will focusing on further developing HR strategies
for the organisation, including Investors in People and ISO 9001,
together with creating a framework for future training programmes.
She continued: “I feel very strongly about endorsing our
commitment to our workforce through our accreditations. They underpin
7 Day Catering’s core values, which are fundamental to creating
an environment that allows people to excel. For me, it’s
not about the ‘badge” its about investing and developing
our people to help them go on and do more, ultimately giving us
a competitive edge. Accreditations are a very public way of letting
everyone know just what we have achieved.
“Moving forward, we are now working on leadership motivation,
induction and education programmes, aimed at developing our catering
managers who are at the forefront of our offering. It’s
amazing how powerful a good manager can be to any catering team.”
Speaking on her appointment, Henry Watts, managing director at
7 Day Catering said: “Lindsey has become an integral part
of the 7 Day team and has overseen all the training and development
requirements of team members across the company whilst also restructuring
and continuously developing the HR function to accommodate the
rapid expansion of the company. This is a crucial position within
7 Day Catering, we need to attract and retain the best people
to deliver the best service, and Lindsey will make that happen."
Marshalls New Saxon Kerb Finishes the Landscape Beautifully
 Marshalls
new Saxon Kerb represents an imposing, impressive and robust product
which has been designed to complement Marshalls popular Saxon
and Perfecta paving, the UK’s market leading textured and
smooth ground concrete paving ranges, to finish off the landscape
beautifully.
Saxon kerb uses Yorkstone aggregates to provide a durable surface
with slip resistance characteristics similar to that of natural
stone, the kerb is further enhanced by secondary processing to
give a natural textured appearance.
Based on traditional kerb dimensions the new Saxon Kerb units
offer a wider, squarer profile than the British Standard kerbs.
Saxon Kerb has a natural, textured appearance and has been manufactured
using state of the art press technology to ensure a tough and
durable product.
With the appearance of Natural Stone, Saxon Kerb is the natural
choice to create a cohesive finish to fit in unobtrusively with
its surroundings whilst providing a functional element required
of a kerb unit. It is also manufactured to meet British and European
Standards ensuring high standards and customer confidence in both
quality and performance.
Saxon Kerb is available in Natural, Buff and Brown to give greater
flexibility and creativity when specified on commercial developments
to create a flawless finish.
Choose Saxon Kerb from Marshalls when the landscape demands a
finish that makes a lasting impact. For further information: Tel:
0870 442 7720 www.marshalls.co.uk/select
and enter the PS3+ code KERB06.
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