News Archive - September 2010
JS Wright provides eco-services for flagship care scheme
30 September 2010
Birmingham-based building services provider JS Wright has won a £900,000 contract to fit out one of the UK’s greenest social housing developments.
New CEO in the United Kingdom for COFELY
30 September 2010
Colin Hale has been appointed chief executive officer of COFELY for the UK and Ireland from next monday.
Don't let a dodgy ladder get you down
30 September 2010
Workplace equipment supplier Slingsby has joined forces with the Health & Safety Executive to part exchange unsafe and damaged ladders for brand new ones.
New plumbing wallcharts on bending copper tube
30 September 2010
Plumbing colleges are invited to take advantage of a new resource from the UK Copper Board: a set of two wallcharts that describe in simple terms how to set out and make bends with copper tube. The new resources have been extremely well received, with plumbing lecturers already requesting extra copies.
SummitSkills seeks new board director
28 September 2010
SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the building services engineering (BSE) sector, is seeking an independent director to join its team of board members from 1 January 2011.
Total Home expands staff
28 September 2010
Leading specialist in central vacuum systems, heat recovery ventilation and air source heat pumps, Total Home Environment, has made a number of key appointments.
Velux model home 2020 project breaks new ground
27 September 2010
Velux marked the start of construction on its ModelHome 2020 project with a groundbreaking ceremony on the site where it will build two zero carbon homes in Rothwell, Kettering recently.
New heating system keeps priceless treasures warm and dry
24 September 2010
Harrow, London-based mechanical services contractor G & D Higgins has marked its 20th year in business by completing a major boiler replacement and heating system upgrade at The British Library, St Pancras, a complex project that turned out to be a text book operation.
Solicitors fight for sufferers of asbestos-related illnesses
24 September 2010
Liverpool-based law firm EAD Solicitors is raising awareness of the escalating levels of asbestos-related illness as it takes on an increasing number of claims for sufferers.
Webster steps up to the board at Senior Hargreaves
24 September 2010
Ductwork manufacturer and contractor, Senior Hargreaves, has appointed Darren Webster as the new operations director.
More public sector cuts could cripple construction recovery warns Bibby Financial
21 September 2010
News of property giant Connaught’s collapse into administration, coupled with the threat of potential further cuts in public sector spending outlined in the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review, has left the construction industry feeling anxious about its future, according to Bibby Financial Services.
Government Green Deal must offer financial incentives
21 September 2010
The public like the idea of the new Green Deal but will take it up only if government is prepared to offer significant financial incentives such as stamp duty rebates, council tax refunds, and low interest rates, according to new research by the Great British Refurb Campaign and WWF-UK.
Parts Center's double-up plan on track
21 September 2010
The UK’s largest specialist supplier of spare parts, Parts Center, is more than doubling its locations across the country by adding new trade counters or increasing its spares stockholding in all Plumb Center branches.
Bow Bells ring for Birmingham building services provider
21 September 2010
Birmingham building services provider JS Wright is to play a major role in London's regeneration by fitting out a new £4.5million mixed-use development in Bow.
SummitSkills announces SkillPIPE winners
21 September 2010
Three apprentices from the heating and ventilating industry are celebrating after scooping the top three awards at the UK final of one of the four Skill M&E competitions, SkillPIPE.
Baxi Commercial donates boilers to Leeds homeless charity
21 September 2010
Baxi Commercial Division has donated two Potterton Commercial high efficiency condensing boilers for the recent redevelopment of St. George’s Crypt, one of the UK's foremost homeless charities.
Majority of local authorities satisfy asbestos management rules in "system build" schools
21 September 2010
The majority of local authorities in England with system-build schools have procedures and precautions in place to manage asbestos safely, according to a survey and follow-up inspection programme.
Applied Energy appoints group commercial director
21 September 2010
Applied Energy Products has strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of Kevin Bergin as group commercial director.
Weatherite Manufacturing promotes Cartledge to sales director
21 September 2010
Weatherite Manufacturing has strengthened its board with the promotion of Steve Cartledge from business development executive to sales director.
Pioneering employers' contribution pension scheme for H&V operatives from October 2010
21 September 2010
Phase two of the current two-year H&V Operative Wage Agreement - which was negotiated by HVCA and Unite the Union - includes what the parties describe as a pioneering and forward-thinking provision in relation to occupational pensions.
A win-win situation for Medem UK customers
17 September 2010
Gas safety panel manufacturer Medem UK has announced the winner of its first quarterly online prize draw: Adam Fleming, senior mechanical design engineer received an LCD television on behalf of the Isle of Anglesey County Council.
VKR Holdings buys Exhausto
17 September 2010
VKR Holding has acquired 70% of the shares in the Exhausto Group. The acquisition includes Novema Aggregater, which became part of the group in January 2010, whereas the affiliated company Exhausto CDT is not covered by the transaction.
Report urges government rethink on irresponsible renewable heat incentive
16 September 2010
A new report released today by the environmental consultancy Renewable Energy Forum, urges a government rethink on what the authors, Dr John Constable and Dr Lee Moroney, describe as the irresponsible plan for a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
FPB calls on public sector to stick to 10-day payment target dispite new 30-day Euro standard
16 September 2010
The Forum of Private Business is calling on the UK’s public sector to retain its target of paying small firms in 10 days following a new ruling to make 30 days the standard across the European Union (EU).
A cool green hot solution for Addenbrooke's hospital
15 September 2010
They may look like regular flats and apartments, but the four buildings at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge conceal structural and design features to meet the demands and lifestyle of the residents – and have the potential to influence the local economy massively.
LABC president addresses commencement of work concerns
15 September 2010
Homes built in 2013 and 2014 could still be built to 2006 standards, warns LABC, the member organisation representing all local authority building control departments in England and Wales.
London HEVAR: talk to the industry experts
15 September 2010
London HEVAR opens its doors next week inviting the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration industry to come along to this premier exhibition and seminar programme.
CO alarms warning
15 September 2010
The new Building Regulations Part J, coming into force from October, will require a carbon monoxide alarm wherever a new or replacement solid fuel heating appliance is installed.
Free pricing data on Luckinslive.com
15 September 2010
Luckinslive.com, the popular online product directory for the building services industry, is offering a free subscription period to all visitors. There is no need to register and it's free. All visitors need do is go to www.luckinslive.com and enter the username luckins123 and the password luck123.
CBI calls for clearer data on climate risk to business
14 September 2010
The CBI has called on government to make its environmental data more easily available to help businesses prepare for the risks of climate change.
Integrated business approach is key to data centre optimisation
14 September 2010
Businesses need to take an integrated approach if they are truly to understand the environmental and financial impact of their IT infrastructure, according to Mike West, managing director of Keysource.
Are fuel cells commercially viable for providing on-site energy?
14 September 2010
A forum to share knowledge among those considering what their options are to reduce their carbon footprint significantly as well as those already actively using fuel cells and other alternative energy sources.
Government cuts outpace private sector construction growth
13 September 2010
Growth in private sector construction is failing to keep pace with cuts in Government funded projects according to the latest Glenigan Index which tracks the flow of new construction projects starting on site.
Ecodan team grows with increasing demand
13 September 2010
Mitsubishi Electric is expanding its sales and support team for the Ecodan range of air source heat pumps with seven new employees joining the growing domestic heating systems division.
F-gas standards: fears of last minute rush to qualify
13 September 2010
With up to 35,000 gas engineers still not trained to required F-Gas standards, there are fears that a last-minute rush to gain qualifications may mean demand for courses could easily outstrip supply.
SI Sealy to design Co-op's new HQ
13 September 2010
Stockport-based building services consulting engineer, SI Sealy has been appointed by Rotary North West as the detailed engineering designer of The Co-operative Group’s new headquarters building.
New look for A&E at Moorfields
13 September 2010
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London has appointed multi-disciplinary practice Pick Everard to design and manage a £500k refurbishment of its Accident & Emergency (A&E) department.
Smith's Environmental appoints southern sales manager
12 September 2010
Smith's Environmental Products has appointed Mark Elliott as sales and specification manager for the South of England.
Law firm offers advice to Connaught subbies
09 September 2010
Following news yesterday of the collapse of construction firm Connaught, a leading law firm Thomas Eggar's construction team offers advice to small contractors employed by Connaught in the wake of its administration.
President Burton calls on partners to help m&e firms achieve excellence
09 September 2010
Martin Burton, HVCA president, has called upon construction partners to help building services companies to contribute to the achievement of excellence.
BEAMA welcomes Est's heat pump field trial report
08 September 2010
BEAMA, the British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers Association, has welcomed the Energy Saving Trust’s (EST) public report, Getting warmer: a field trial of heat pumps, on the interim findings of the UK’s first domestic heat pump field trial.
Shouksmiths acquires KLG Refrigeration
08 September 2010
York-based building services company JH Shouksmith and Sons has completed a deal to buy KLG Refrigeration and the KLG team has joined the company to create Shouksmiths’ Refrigeration Division.
Bell rings the changes
08 September 2010
David Bell is back in the building services industry as a director of Causeway Technologies, an IT software company.
Call to action to take advantage of ECA
07 September 2010
Commercial heating manufacturer Buderus is driving a call to action with the Carbon Trust to encourage more business to take advantage of the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) initiative.
Unimer acquires stake in on-line trading business
07 September 2010
United Merchants (Unimer), a leading invoice clearing house for the building products industry, has recently acquired a 10% equity stake in the on-line trading business eBuildingsupplies.
‘Green’ experts help new doctor’s surgery get an "Excellent" bill of health
07 September 2010
A team of leading environmental consulting engineers are playing a key role in the innovative design of a new doctor’s surgery by maximising its ‘green’ credentials and helping it meet the government’s building sustainability standards.
New charity to help families of injured or sick construction workers
06 September 2010
A special construction charity reception will take place at The Savoy on November 3 2010. The reception will launch the Deeney Fund in aid of the Lighthouse Club, which is a charity that helps families of construction workers affected by serious accidents or illnesses.
UK construction heading for double dip recession
06 September 2010
The UK construction industry is heading for a double dip recession, according to the latest Construction Products Association’s industry forecasts, published today.
BPF hails landmark deal to deliver 555 new rented homes
06 September 2010
The British Property Federation has welcomed today’s landmark deal between a housebuilder and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) that will create 555 new homes for rent by June 2012.
NICs holiday scheme for new businesses launched
06 September 2010
A new National Insurance Contributions (NICs) holiday scheme to encourage new business start-ups in key UK regions has been launched.
New partnership promotes electrical training
06 September 2010
A new training partnership between two leading building services companies aims to promote electrical training within the sector.
HVCA publishes rainwater harvesting guide
06 September 2010
HVCA Publications, the publishing division of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association, has launched a new guide to rainwater harvesting in non-residential buildings.
ARCADIS helps deliver CitizenM's first Glasgow hotel
06 September 2010
ARCADIS UK, the international consultancy, design, engineering and management services company, has completed its role as project manager and employer’s agent for boutique hotel chain CitizenM’s first UK development, located in Glasgow.
Keston promotion offers free wine and beer for installers
06 September 2010
Keston Boilers has launched a new promotion to celebrate three of its most successful boilers.
Briggs & Forrester provides m&ph for Rothchild Bank building
06 September 2010
Rothschild’s third building on its historic City of London site has allowed the bank to bring together all its London employees in one place, to cater for its continuing expansion and to meet the communications and technological demands of 21st Century investment and private banking.
Apprentices still suffer from negative perception
03 September 2010
With many now considering their options following the GCSE results, the construction company Astins has challenged the negative perception of apprenticeships, particularly by those under the age of 25.
Courses in sustainable practices at CAT.
03 September 2010
Perfect rendering skills, learn how to install a wind turbine, and harvest rainwater this autumn at CAT, the Centre for Alternative Technology
COFELY’s Adam Boswell takes control
03 September 2010
Adam Boswell of COFELY has become the first person in the UK to pass the Trend Apprenticeship Scheme, a scheme designed in conjunction with Trend Control Systems to train apprentices in the building controls field.
BRA honours Fred Jamieson
03 September 2010
A further indication of the respect in which Fred Jamieson was held by the refrigeration industry has been demonstrated by the unanimous decision of the British Refrigeration Association Council to nominate Fred on to the BRA Roll of Honour.
Better than anticipated US employment data boosts confidence
03 September 2010
The latest payroll figures from the USA have today eased concerns over a double dip recession, a City expert said.
Frise appointed as head of sustainability at HVCA
02 September 2010
The HVCA has appointed David Frise to the new senior post of head
of sustainability.
Buro Happold boss initiates parliamentary inquiry
02 September 2010
Rod Macdonald, chairman of international multidisciplinary engineering consultancy Buro Happold, has initiated a process which is leading to a parliamentary inquiry into the poor design and quality of the products currently available for the construction of our built environment.
Plumb Center and Parts Center raise £100,000 for children’s charity
02 September 2010
Despite many people feeling the pinch this past year, it is reassuring to see that support was still rife for the fundraising efforts of Plumb Center and Parts Center with an outstanding £100,000 raised for Action for Children.
Exeter landlord put lives at risk with faulty gas boiler
02 September 2010
A landlord has been fined for putting the lives of his tenants and others at risk by illegally fitting a gas boiler.
Illegal gas fitter fined £8,000
02 September 2010
A workman who falsely claimed to be a registered gas engineer has been fined £8,000 after installing gas appliances at an address in Hackney, East London.
House prices nosedive as mortgage lending flatlines and sellers move to rented in their droves
02 September 2010
As talk of a double dip and plummeting house prices abound, figures just out from Safestore, the UK’s leading self storage company, illustrate that more and more people are selling up and moving into rented, to sit tight and await the outcome of a significant drop in house prices.
CIBSE/BSRIA commissioning water systems guides
02 September 2010
Advance copies of the new CIBSE and BSRIA commissioning water systems guides are now available to order at reduced prices. These guides are intended to ensure that water distribution systems are effectively commissioned whilst complying with the latest Building Regulations.
HMRC September alert for employers
02 September 2010
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has issued an alert to employers who use its Employer CD-Rom to help run their payroll systems.
SMEs urged to unlock the secrets of the web through free events
02 September 2010
Smaller businesses across the UK are being invited to discover how they can harness the full potential of the internet through a series of free events.
JS Wright to fit out new-concept hotel in Birmingham
02 September 2010
Birmingham-based building services provider JS Wright has won a £400,000 contract to provide the mechanical services for a ground-breaking modular hotel scheme in the city’s Jewellery Quarter.
BSI puts appliances to the test
02 September 2010
Following its acquisition of a leading gas certification body early in 2010, BSI, the UK’s premier standards body, is now operating an Appliance Laboratory that offers a comprehensive range of testing and certification services covering all types of gas, electric, oil and solid fuel appliances for domestic and commercial use.
Gas Safety Trust sponsors The Risk Factory
02 September 2010
The Risk Factory is to receive a boost from the Gas Safety Trust as it pledges to sponsor the community safety education centre for the next three years.
National Energy Action Award for South Tyneside Homes refurbishment
02 September 2010
A major refurbishment project encompassing the installation of Daikin Altherma heat pump and solar thermal renewable technologies in 60 South Tyneside Housing properties wins National Energy Action (NEA) award in the North East Region.
Growth slows for UK construction sector
02 September 2010
August data signalled a further expansion of the UK construction sector, with the seasonally adjusted Markit/CIPS Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index£ (PMI£) posting 52.1.