refurbishment and new build

Solar Panels cut the electricity bills

The installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on affordable homes in Huddersfield has proved even more energy efficient than Kirklees Neigh- bourhood Housing (KNH) and its supplier Photon Energy anticipated. KNH has been willing to adopt new technologies to benefit both the environment and its tenants. In doing so it commissioned Pho- ton Energy to install solar PV panels on the roofs of 30 bungalows and flats for older people at Fern- side Estate in the Almondbury area of Huddersfield. The first step was to select suitable homes. They had to be “all electric” to qualify and suitable properties were identified by KNH in consultation with the tenants. The orientation of the properties was im-

portant as solar panels work best when they are facing south, south east or south west. The final criterion was to ensure roofs were not shaded by trees or other buildings as this would affect the performance of the solar panels. Photon Energy then asked Yorkshire Electricity Distribution Ltd to conduct a network analysis of the local grid to ensure that so many solar PV systems would not cause any technical problems with the electricity supply. Overall, KNH’s tenants were very keen to have the PV installations and Photon completed installations on 30 homes. Each system has a total power of 1.3 kWp* and is expected to generate over 1,000 kWh of electricity a year.

For further information, telephone 0118 925 5289, email jb@photonenergy.co.uk or visit www.photonenergy.co.uk

Douglas Delabie graduates

Douglas Delabie water saving shower room products have been installed as part of a three-phase project for new student accom- modation at Oxford Brookes University, which is undertaking a programme of extensive campus redevelopment. The Solution: Required washing fittings had to be easy-to-use and durable to withstand ex- tensive student use, while providing significant water and energy savings. To meet this need, Avance Elite shower valve and kit units, Tem- postop self-closing taps and integral flow regulators were specified for around 176 showers and 352 taps per phase. Plumbing contractor Off Site Solutions installed the Dou- glas Delabie products into shower room ‘pods’. These units were produced with wash-basin, shower and WC ready-prepared off-site. This allowed each pod to be ‘dropped-in’ on-site by the contractor for ease-of-installation, providing labour and time saving benefits. Installation of Douglas Delabie products avoided significant potential water wastage by large numbers of student end users, ensuring substantial water and energy savings. Pre-fitted into pods meant potential onsite costs were reduced and product robustness ensured low maintenance.

For further information, telephone 01491 824449, email bob@douglasdelabie.co.uk (Bob Purdom) or visit: www.douglasdelabie.co.uk

Sika Go Underground in Kensington

Sika Watertight Concrete is helping to provide three storeys of living accommodation for a sub- terranean mansion in Kensington. Close to 1,000

cubic metres of Sika Watertight Concrete is being supplied by Hanson Concrete to create a watertight structure that will conform to BS8102 Grade 3 for habitable space. Around 1,200 skips of soil weigh- ing around 10 tons each have been excavated to create the working space. Sika Watertight Concrete is a high performance, cost effective solution in comparison to membranes and other systems. Time is saved at both the design and construction stages as the need for complex detailing and in- stallation is eliminated. It also delivers the maximum usable area to the developer. Sika Watertight Concrete is an ideal solution, especially in cities like London where space is at a premium, as the overdig requirement is kept to a minimum. To complete the system, construction joints were sealed with the SikaSwell®

jointing system.

For further information, telephone 01707 394444, email concrete@uk.sika.com or visit www.sika.co.uk.

Marine reader deal

Riviera Maritime Media (RMM) is a rapidly growing media company. and needed an access control sys- tem fitted as part of their new office refurbishment. Keeping track of staff was a main consideration. Another requirement was for the system to comple- ment the stylish, modern design of the new offices. Simon Gale, from Cohort Security Solutions, used a demonstration case to show Steve how straightfor- ward Net2, from Paxton, would be for his company to use. He also outlined the simple Time and At-

tendance feature in Net2, and how it could help with managing staff hours. Finally, he explained that Paxton offered a designer product range that would work well with the sleek new office design. Steve chose Paxton PROXIMITY marine readers for the reception area of the office. These are used for staff to clock in and clock out of the office. RMM now have 11 doors controlled on site and 40 staff on the Net2 system.

For further information telephone 01273811011 or email sales@paxton.co.uk

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