Practical Facilities Management Magazine

www.practicalfm.co.uk volume 8 issue 3 

Modular buildings: 

the fast way to 

quality working 

environments 

flooring p19 health & safety p24 relocation p31

Total Gutter 

Maintenance 

Reaching new 

heights of service 

TGM Ltd is best recognized as 

specialists in the cleaning and 

maintenance of commercial roof 

and ground drainage systems on a 

national basis. In addition to these 

core activities we offer the services 

of roof and cladding cleaning, cut 

edge corrosion/metal edge protection 

works and gutter lining systems. 

These activities utilize TGM’s 

expertise and experience in working 

at heights and give you the 

assurance that all Health and 

Safety matters will be dealt with in 

a professional and safe manner. 

Cladding & Roof Cleaning: Side 

cladding - as company image 

becomes more and more important 

in clients perceptions an external 

view has to be taken by all self 

respecting businesses. If PVC type 

coatings are never cleaned they 

become so ingrained with dirt and 

acid rain they become impossible 

to clean, therefore making regular 

maintenance so important in the 

up-keep of these types of buildings. 

TGM can provide a tailor 

made service which incorporates 

our working at height capabilities 

with our dedication for high levels 

of customer service, SAFELY. 

Roof cladding - roof areas are often 

overlooked as few people have the 

capability of viewing these areas. 

Deterioration of the PVC coating, 

however still takes place. Pigeon or 

seagull excreta are a particular 

problem and eat into the coatings. 

Eventually they breakdown and 

expensive remedial works 

are needed, which 

RR: 83006 

may 

cause 

disruption to 

trade and even 

damage to stock, and 

ultimately profits. 

Gutter Lining: The problems with 

leaking gutters can be extensive 

and varied, and here at TGM we 

can offer a multitude of solutions to 

suit all budgets and specifications. 

Ranging from joint sealant and 

bitumen treatments, which can be 

conducted at the same time as a 

gutter clean to minimize disruption, 

to Unifold gutter re-lining systems 

which can be guaranteed for 

20 years. With TGM’s help leaking 

gutters will be a thing of the past. 

Cut Edge Corrosion/Metal Edge 

Protection: Problems of de-lamination 

and deterioration of the 

coatings on metal profiled sheets 

present an ever-present risk to the 

integrity of the roof structure and 

ultimately its performance. TGM 

are a registered contractor for the 

SEAMSIL flexible silicone remedial 

system, which is recognized as the 

most effective metal edge protection 

treatment in any situation 

where exposed metal is subjected 

to aggressive moisture conditions. 

For peace of mind TGM 

takes pleasure in offering 

a full 10-year 

guarantee. 

For further details of any of TGM’s 

core service offerings please call 

our free-phone hotline on 

0800 028 3479 and ask for 

a member of the Marketing 

Team, or alternatively visit us 

at www.totalgutters.co.uk to 

arrange a survey of your site.

contents 

regulars 

4 comment 

5 news 

26 diary dates 

41 business news 

35 security focus 

47 new product directory 

features 

19 Interiors 

Tessera enters random-lay, batchless carpet tile selector with ‘Mix’ 

Bonar Floors opens new Business Centre 

Beyon at Bramdean 

31 Cover Stroy: Modular buildings: the fast way to quality working 

environments 

page 29 

page 32 

H.V.A.C. 

furniture 

24 Information, communication technology 

BIFM 2005 - a successful conference for i2 Mobile Solutions 

Hands on technology for London Borough of Lambeth 

27 Health & safety 

Morgan Stanley initiates defibrillator programme 

Holistic therapy balances work related stress and wellbeing 

New Sonomax system wins prestigious industry award 

Busy safety show as SAHS goes for FM market 

31 Relocation & Expansion 

Dudley hospitals healthy, during moves 

Removals and storage solutions from PHS Teacrate 

Austin Reed relocates with ROC 

Editor: Anne Donald 

newsdesk@practicalfm.co.uk 

Editorial Contributors: 

Toby Jenkinson 

Chris Brown-Bolton 

info@practicalfm.co.uk 

Features Manager: Julie Sparrow 

features@practicalfm.co.uk 

reader reply 

Full reader reply contact 

information is 

available on the Practical 

Facilities Management website 

www.practicalfm.co.uk. 

If you don’t have access to 

the internet please enter the 

reader enquiry number into 

the boxes below and fax 

back on 01934 511 804 

page 36 health & safety 

Advertising Sales: Paul Wilson 

sales@practicalfm.co.uk 

Ian Alexander 

Publisher: Martin Coomber 

info@practicalfm.co.uk 

Practical Facilities Management Ltd 

Mead House, The Brambles 

St Georges, Weston Super Mare 

North Somerset BS22 7SX 

title: initials: surname: 

company: 

address: 

tel: 01934 511 566 

fax: 01934 511 804 

website: www.practicalfm.co.uk 

post code: 

The information contained in this magazine has been obtained from 

sources which the Proprietors believe to have been correctly 

reproduced but they cannot accept legal liability for any error in it 

howsoever caused. Practical Facilities Management Magazine is 

distributed at the discretion of the Publishers, Practical Facilities 

Management Limited. All advertisements and editorial articles 

included within the magazine are subject to the Publishers terms 

and conditions which are available upon request. The views 

expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. No part of this 

publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the 

Publisher. 

Copyright Practical Facilities Management Limited 2005 © 

tel: 

email: 

fax:

We can prove the quality 

of OUR people 

"It is becoming increasingly 

important that service 

providers can prove to their 

clients the qualifications and 

professionalism of their people. 

SKILLcard lets us do this" 

"Our clients appreciate 

the fact that we can prove 

the quality of our people 

at every level. SKILLcard 

enables this process 

and makes it credible" 

"Being able to prove the 

competence of our people 

gives us an edge over 

those of our competitors 

who have failed to embrace 

the SKILLcard concept" 

Ken Nall 

Johnson 

ILL 

Controls Ltd 

Peter Excell 

Inspace 

Environment Ltd 

ENGINEERING SERVICES 

Alan Marchbank 

Haden Building 

Management Ltd 

card 

SkILL 

can do it for YOU too 

For further information, visit 

the SKILLcard website at 

www.skillcard.org.uk 

or contact the SKILLcard Helpline on 

01768 860406 

Registration with Engineering Services SKILLcard will get tougher for those without 

formal qualifications after 30 September 2005. So register your workforce now 

RR: 82022

from the editor... 

Leader 

column 

It’s that time again, another issue and another eventful two months to report on. 

I’m just starting to worry that one day so much will happen in the facilities management 

arena that we won’t have enough space to report it all! 

It was exciting to learn recently that Ian Fielder, chief executive of the British 

Institute of Facilities Management, is to chair the Asset Skills Council, with 

Norman Rose, director general of the Business Services Association, as his deputy. 

This experienced partnership seems like an excellent choice and will allow Asset 

Skills to continue with its efforts to bridge the skills gap in the facilities management, 

property, housing and cleaning industries. Congratulations. 

Elsewhere it was interesting to see that PPP contracts are not always plain sailing. 

WS Atkins, the biggest engineering consultancy firm in Britain, revealed it had 

taken a £3m penalty for failing to deliver on time as part of the Metronet London 

Underground consortium. 

Atkins posted pre-tax profits of £60.1m for the year ending March 31, a slight drop 

from £62m the previous year and turnover was up fractionally at £1.19bn from 

£1.14bn the previous year. 

Commenting on the Tube fine, Chief executive Keith Clarke said: “We know we 

are late and we are being penalised for it, which shows the PPP is working - 

where we perform we are rewarded, where we fail we are punished.” 

Plain sailing or not PFI/PPP deals are still highly contested. Sheffield City Council 

recently unveiled the shortlist for a £158m PFI programme that will see all the 

city’s secondary schools redeveloped. 

The shortlisted consortia are Kier, Inspired Spaces with Carillion as the construction 

partner, and Paradigm with Taylor Woodrow as the construction partner. 

Fife Council also revealed it has selected the Emblem consortium as preferred bidder 

for its £63m community schools PPP. 

Fife had originally named Jarvis as preferred bidder last year, but backed out of 

the deal over concern about the company’s financial problems. 

The Emblem consortium comprises Miller Construction and Scottish contractor FES 

for facilities management, with funders Bank of Scotland and PFI Infrastructure. 

There have also been plenty ‘issues’ to report on. The RICS voicing concerns that 

companies registered outside the UK could escape prosecution under the draft 

corporate manslaughter bill. 

It says British workers employed by foreign-registered companies would not be 

protected by the legislation as it stands, and that an English or Welsh company 

operating abroad would also be exempt. 

Separate legislation in Northern Ireland and Scotland could also cause confusion 

and disparity across the UK. 

News also broke on a story many facilities managers will be watching with interest. 

Gillian Beckingham, a council architect who faces a re-trial for failing to prevent a 

fatal outbreak of Legionnaires Disease, is to appeal against her health and safety 

conviction. 

Her legal team are arguing the judge should not have heard the health and safety 

charge after he had rejected her appeal to drop the manslaughter charges. 

Seven people died and 172 people were seriously ill after the Legionnaires 

outbreak at the Forum 28 arts centre in Barrow, in 2002. 

4 www.practicalfm.co.uk

Whatever the job, 

HIPPOBAG is the perfect 

waste removal solution… 

Keep a stock in your van 

Holds a whole 

bathroom suite and more 

They can be collected from 

awkward spaces 

HIPPOBAGS are ideal for: 

● Ground and Building 

Maintenance 

● Office and Shop Refits 

● House Clearance 

● Bathroom and Kitchen 

Replacements 

A MEGABAG is 1.5 cubic yards and 

holds up to 1.5 tonnes of waste - that’s 

large enough to hold a bath, doors, 

radiators and rubble. For those smaller 

jobs why not use a 1 cubic yard, 1 tonne 

MIDIBAG? Ideal for garden waste, soil 

removal and general DIY rubbish. 

Find out more about the benefits 

HIPPOBAG could bring to your 

business by telephoning 

0845 850 0 850 or email 

sales@hippowaste.co.uk, 

www.hippowaste.co.uk/fm 

“We were surprised by just how much 

could be fitted into the MEGABAG! In fact, 

the total job all fitted into one bag… it was 

much neater for the client and we didn’t 

have to load 

any waste 

onto the lorry” 

RR: 83111 

RR: 83008

news... 

York provides 

solution to energy 

management 

York International has extended 

the scope of its service operation 

to form York Energy Solutions, a 

specialist team that will provide 

energy and cost saving opportunities 

for York’s clients throughout 

the UK and Ireland by effectively 

assisting them to reduce their 

energy use in buildings and processes. 

Where required, York will 

take over the responsibility for 

reducing energy consumption on 

behalf of its clients, allowing 

them to concentrate on core business. 

Recognising that not all organisations 

have sufficient need to 

TROX supplies world’s 

most expensive hotel 

Two Trox factories worked closely 

together to supply a range of air 

conditioning components to the 

world’s most expensive hotel. 

The deluxe, five-star Emirates 

Palace in Abu Dhabi, rumoured to 

have cost around £2 billion to 

build, includes a range of Trox fire 

and volume control dampers and 

variable air volume units, together 

with continuous slot and louvrefaced 

diffusers, side wall grilles, 

and jet nozzles. 

In a contract worth around 

£600,000, Trox also supplied special 

slot diffusers and acoustic 

splitters for the hotel, which contains 

the Middle East’s largest conference 

centre, the Conference 

Palace. 

The products, which were installed 

employ a dedicated energy management 

team and that some companies 

may simply require an occasional 

extra resource, York Energy 

Solutions can fill the gap or work 

with the client’s established team. 

With experience in utilities, coupled 

with engineering and process 

management expertise and a flexible 

approach to energy conservation, 

York’s specialists can provide 

a service based on a sound understanding 

of customer needs. 

“The cost of energy is high and continues 

to rise. Our clients have 

indicated that energy reviews, 

either on an ad hoc basis or regularly 

included within their maintenance 

contract, would be a valuable 

extension to the York service,” 

said George Hogg, sales and marketing 

manager, York UK Service. 

“We also believe that, as the implications 

of the new Part L2 of the 

Building Regulations are recognised 

by building owners and operators, 

demand for this type of service will 

grow rapidly. We will liaise closely 

with each client to formulate a 

strategy to ensure all opportunities 

for saving energy, relevant to its 

specific business operation, are 

practicable, costed, implemented 

and proven.” RR No.: 83012 

in the main bedrooms, 

dining rooms, 

dressing rooms, lobbies, 

and corridors, 

were manufactured 

at Trox’s factories in 

Thetford, Norfolk and 

Senawang, Seremban 

in Malaysia. 

Co-ordination 

between the two factories 

was a critical 

aspect of the job, 

according to Ian 

Leake, resident manager of Trox 

Middle East. He said the biggest 

challenge was to meet the strict 

delivery programme: “The paintwork 

was critical in both quality 

and finish for the 10 different 

colours required by the architect, 

Wimberly, Allison, Dong & Goo. 

This required careful planning and 

co-ordination of supply from the 

two factory sources.” 

Trox delivered all its products on 

time and to the exacting requirements 

of contractor, Voltas 

International. 

Air conditioning in each room at 

the Emirates Palace, is controlled 

by the guest using a high-tech computerised 

system featuring touch 

control plasma screen units. 

Reader Reply No.: 82011 

Air-conditioners for 

hire now nationwide 

from Climatehire 

Climatehire, the Coolmation 

Group company set up last year to 

specialise in the hire of air-conditioning 

equipment, has extended 

its operation to provide customers 

with a nationwide network 

of branches. The company 

now has branches in Manchester, 

Leicester, Bristol and Bedford and 

a head office in Ringwood in 

Hampshire. This ensures 

Climatehire can meet temporary 

cooling requirements in commercial, 

industrial, computer and 

server room, event and exhibition 

management applications across 

the UK. 

Headed by ex Rapid Climate 

Control branch manager Ken 

Mitchell, Climatehire’s recent 

expansion sees Tony Clargo, also ex 

Rapid, takes charge of the Bristol 

office. Chris Dudziak who was previously 

employed by Heatbusters, 

and more recently Rentalxpress, 

has also joined the Climatehire 

team, based out of Bedford. 

With a wealth of experience of the 

temporary air conditioning market 

between them and supported by 

Coolmation Group resources, 

Climatehire has made a promising 

start. The Climatehire fleet 

includes monobloc and split system 

V Range complies 

with DDA 

requirements 

The Disability 

Discrimination Act 

places responsibility 

on owners of public 

buildings to ensure 

that people with disabilities 

are afforded 

easy access. 

With over 370,000 

registered blind and 

partially sighted people 

in the UK, Urmet 

Domus have taken 

positive steps to 

ensure that no one 

using their door entry 

systems are disadvantaged. 

Urmet Domus’ latest 

V-Steel range of door 

entry panels uses a 

unique ‘Monolithic’ 

manufacturing process, 

punched with Braille 

numbering and lettering 

to ensure ease of 

use for blind people. 

For the visually 

impaired, Urmet Domus 

have also introduced 

traffic light indication 

mobile air conditioners and spot 

coolers, a commercial and industrial 

range of evaporative coolers and 

the companies bespoke Crestair 

System, a range of water chillers 

and chilled water fan coils which 

are brought together with high 

pressure flexible hose to provide 

controlled room air conditioning, in 

capacities from 8kW to many hundreds 

of kW’s. These are ideal for 

cooling large open plan offices or 

server and computer rooms. 


for communication 

using vandal resistant 

LED’s and yellow 

rimmed stainless 

steel push buttons. 

Yellow has 

been proven to be 

a much easier 

colour to see by 

people whose 

vision is impaired. 

“We wanted to 

assist our customers 

in complying 

with the 

Disability 

Discrimination 

Act and I am 

pleased that we 

have been able to 

provide a complete 

solution 

without affecting 

the attractive 

design of our 

door entry panels,” 

said Mark 

Hagger, UK Sales 

Director for 

Urmet Domus. 



news... 

Internet and 

referrals top 

PHS’s ‘useful’ poll 

times a week. Top of the list are suppliers websites 

(25% of responses), followed by government 

websites (21%) and business and industry 

sites (16%). FM magazine and FM association 

websites brought up the rear, with 6% and 7% of 

responses respectively. 

Correspondingly, when asked what they used 

these websites for, most responses (30%) were 

for product and service information, followed by 

legislative guidance and advice (25%) and health 

and safety information (15%). Just 6% use the 

web for careers guidance. 

Peter Cohen, Chief Executive of the PHS Group 

plc, comments: “The PHS Quarterly FM Survey 

was launched for the benefit of our customers, 

to reveal interesting and relevant facts for 

Facilities Managers about their industry and 

about the practices and opinions of their peers. 

“The Survey is of wider interest, however, as 

FMs are an unseen barometer of business confidence, 

being managers of company re-organisation, 

departmental investments and other grassroots 

indicators of business health. To tap into 

this, the PHS Quarterly FM Survey includes a 

section we call the FM Industry Tracker, which 

repeats key questions quarterly in order to 

reveal trend information of value and relevance, 

both within and beyond the facilities 

management profession.” 

Reader Repy No.: 83017/189 

Facilities managers will invest time in keeping 

up to date with market trends and service 

developments, according to the 7th PHS 

Quarterly Facilities Management Survey. The 

internet (ranked by 88% of respondents as 

useful or essential) and ‘word of mouth’ 

(ranked by 84%) are the most popular, regular 

information sources for the time-starved FM, 

while exhibitions and conferences remain 

part of the staple diet with two thirds (65%) 

still taking time out to attend. 

Interestingly, the Survey - which conducted telephone 

interviews with 100 public sector and 100 

private sector facilities professionals in 

February 2005 - showed that trade associations 

have yet to carve out a role for themselves, with 

an astonishing 73% of respondents reporting that 

they didn’t belong to any sort of trade association, 

and just 11% reporting membership of the 

BIFM. 

Looking at the respective roles of exhibitions 

and the internet as information providers, exhibitions 

are valued for product demonstration ‘in 

the flesh’, a good marketplace overview and 

networking opportunities, while the internet 

provides a convenient desk-top research facility, 

used regularly by FMs for product, legal and 

health and safety information in particular. 

About 50 different sector or subject specific 

exhibitions were rated as useful - ranging from 

interior design to agriculture - reflecting the 

sheer breadth of responsibilities covered by 

FMs. Most valuable, however, are FM sector specific 

exhibitions (rated as useful by 29% of FMs 

attending exhibitions and conferences) and 

mechanical and engineering based events (12%). 

The most popular FM exhibitions appear to be 

FM Expo (17% of reported visits) and The 

Facilities Show at the NEC (16%). 

When asked directly about the importance of 

specific aspects of exhibition attendance, product 

and service information gathering came top, 

with 89% of responses falling in the ‘very important’ 

or ‘important’ brackets. This was followed 

by networking (77% of responses) and 

then seminars and forums (60%). 

Amongst the 35% of FMs who did not visit exhibitions 

or conferences, the main reasons were 

lack of time (27% of responses) and disinterest 

(38% of responses). 

Internet users amongst FMs tend to log on frequently, 

with 52% doing so more than a few 

Switch to a Smart Meter and save 

up to 25% on business electricity 

Would you pay a guesstimated bill for some building 

works? Or allow a seasonal contractor to charge you 

the same monthly amount all year round? So why 

accept estimated electricity bills from your energy 

supplier? 

Manage your cash flow 

Like most UK businesses, you probably have a 

mechanical meter to measure electricity 

consumption, monitored by occasional visits from the 

Meter Man. The trouble is, you won't always get billed 

fairly for changes and patterns in the electricity you 

use. Causing pressure on cashflow, it's the number 

one Utility complaint, amongst UK businesses.* 

“Colourful, fresh, 

responsive, innovative” 

Energy Information Centre 

Switch to BizzEnergy's unique Smart Choice service, 

and the power will be firmly back in your hands. We'll 

install a revolutionary new Smart Meter at each of your 

sites to collect and transmit real electricity 

consumption data via satellite-enabled software. You 

then get timely, 100% accurate bills based on regular 

reading timings of your choice. 

Save up to 25% 

As well as being kinder to your cash-flow, you'll 

probably spot new ways of cutting back on energy 

wastage. In fact, we find that customers taking full 

advantage of Smart Choice intelligence can reduce 

their Utility costs by as much as 25%**. 

To get smart with Smart Choice call the BizzEnergy 

Sales team on 08703 000848, or visit our website at 

www.bizzenergy.com/smartchoice 

* Source: Energy Watch super complaint May 2005 ** Source: Carbon Trust Special Report, June 2004 

RR: 83061 

www.practicalfm.co.uk 7

news... 

Waitrose standardises on 

MiNipower for EPOS support 

Waitrose has chosen MiNipower UPS from 

Uninterruptible Power Supplies Limited to 

provide flexible, easy-maintenance support 

for its EPOS systems. MiNipower is specified 

for all store new-builds and refurbishments, 

and will gradually replace existing UPS installations 

in an ongoing swap-out programme, 

ultimately providing power protection in the 

167 stores of the Waitrose group. 

“When we embarked on upgrading our EPOS systems 

in 2002, we were unsure of the future 

power requirement, and a solution with flexibility 

for simple expansion was essential”, comments 

Waitrose’s electrical services manager, 

Andy Lowe. “In addition, MiNipower has attractive 

features for maintenance and repair which 

ensures that these functions can be carried out 

with no break in the power supply to the load 

and minimum impact on costs.” 

MliNipower is a compact, sophisticated modular 

UPS in which the required output is built up 

using 1kVA boards, mounted in rack or tower 

cabinets. The units specified by Waitrose have 

four board slots, and are currently populated 

with two boards. 

MlNipower features the unique PowerWAVE paralleling 

architecture, which means that the 

boards can be connected for capacity or, as at 

Waitrose, to provide n+1 redundancy. If output 

needs to be upgraded, Waitrose can expand 

within the same footprint to 3kVA with redundancy, 

simply by adding extra boards. Autonomy 

Dane Housing protects 

its residents from 

scalding water 

Dane Housing of Congleton, 

Cheshire, has removed scalding 

bath water danger throughout its 

communal homes by fitting 

Honeywell TM200VP failsafe ther- 

is similarly flexible. A further innovative feature 

is MiNipower’s maintenance bypass switch, 

which plugs into the back of the unit and allows 

the UPS to be isolated for maintenance purpose 

or removed for repair, both without a break in 

the supply to the load. 

‘Clearly, any break in power to our EPOS systems 

is unacceptable”, Andy Lowe continues. “Not 

only does MiNipower give us excellent inherent 

reliability, but continues to support the load 

even if one board goes down. With this facility, 

we will never experience an emergency requirement 

for UPS maintenance, so that we can call 

out an engineer during normal working hours 

without incurring ‘out-of-hours’ costs, and with 

confidence that there will be no interruption to 

mostatic mixing valves. The 

valves are approved to the latest 

TMV3 standard and ensure a safe 

hot water temperature by mixing 

the hot and water supplies to a 

pre-set temperature. They also 

shut off the hot water automatically 

if the cold supply fails for 

any reason. 

“Our property maintenance specialists 

found the Honeywell valves 

easy to install, with minimal alteration 

to existing pipework,” said 

Andy Mason, Gas/Plumbing 

Technician with Dane Housing. In 

some buildings we also installed 

Honeywell pressure reducing valves 

to balance the pressures of the 

mains and header tank supplies.” 

“We aim for excellence as landlords 

and have a particular responsibility 

to those in sheltered housing 

and with special needs. Our 

next step is to augment the protection 

provided on baths by installing 

Honeywell thermostatic mixing 

valves on wash basins.” 

In addition to their TMV3 approval, 

Honeywell’s TM200VP meets NHS 

Specification D08 for thermostatic 

mixing valves and is WRAS 

Approved for use with attended 

high pressure baths, as well as high 

and low pressure hand basins, 

bidets and showers. A lockable 

safety cap displays the temperature 

set point and prevents unauthorised 

adjustment. 

Dane Housing has a partnership 

agreement with Honeywell, which 

provides all water and heating controls 

for its 4,000 properties. The 

benefits include extended warranties 

and opportunities to influence 

Honeywell product design. 


When patients within psychiatric 

and long-stay hospital units 

smoke, how do you protect other 

patients and staff from the dangers 

of passive smoking - By 

installing Tornex. 

Tornex have been working along 

side both private & NHS Trusts to 

develop a range of products suitable 

for use with psychiatric and 

long-stay hospital units and have 

now completed their fifth installation, 

two for Leeds Mental Health 

Teaching NHS Trust. 

Smoking prevalence is significantly 

our ability to trade during maintenance operations.” 

With UPS installations from Harrogate to 

Dorchester and Abergavenny to Ramsgate, 

Waitrose could view maintenance as a logistical 

nightmare. However, with an association going 

back over a decade, Waitrose has discovered 

that it can safely leave the problem in its supplier’s 

hands. “During the initial swap-out contract 

in 40 stores, we found we could depend on 

Uninterruptible Power Supplies to just go in and 

take care of it. Now, with a contract which covers 

preventive maintenance and battery care, 

we’re confident that we can rely on the company 

to proactively manage our UPS resource.” 

MiNipower systems are available allowing 

expansion in 1kVA increments up to 5kVA, and 

are part of a PowerWAVE range which covers all 

UPS requirements up to 3MVA. PowerWAVE technology 

not only allows cost-efficient output 

expansion and redundancy within a small footprint, 

but also reduces running costs through 

high operating efficiency and near-unity power 

factor. 

Reading-based Uninterruptible Power Supplies is 

the UK’s foremost independent supplier of 

power support solutions, backing its products 

with comprehensive technical, installation, 

commissioning and maintenance services, and 

with an extensive track record in high-street 

financial and retail channels. 


Passive smoking 

virtually eliminated 

in long stay units 

higher among people with mental 

health problems than the general 

population. Rates are thought to be 

as high as 80% among schizophrenics 

and 70% for those with psychiatric 

disorders residing in long-stay 

units. 

As all employers, the NHS has a 

legal and contractual responsibility 

for the health of their employees. 

Staff at work should be guaranteed, 

as far as possible, a smokefree 

working environment. It is, 

however, acknowledged that the 

particular circumstances in psychiatric 

and long-stay units mean 

some smoke exposure is likely, for 

example, a member of staff may 

need to be close to a patient at all 

times for their safety. This is where 

Tornex’s technology can help. 

Tornex technology has been established 

in the UK for the past 5 years 

and has installations from airports 

to offices and from hospitals to 

pubs. Due to its advanced 3-stage 

filtration system, it virtually eliminates 

ETS (Environmental Tobacco 

Smoke). The latest range of 

‘Mental Health’ specification systems, 

both floor and ceiling mounted, 

have been carefully designed to 

be as ligature free and user friendly 

as possible. RR No.: 83027 


news... 

Elcomponent launch flexible 

‘MeterRing MM’ system 

Elcomponent has launched its ‘MeterRing MM’ 

system which has been developed to be as 

flexible as possible whilst remaining highly 

user friendly. The system comprises a complete 

package incorporating all the hardware 

requirements for every utility and a state-ofthe-art 

software capability. The company 

offers its own range of network-ready electricity 

meters as well as pulse interfaces for 

data collection from third party meters of all 

kinds including those for gas, electricity, 

water etc. Additional hardware items include 

data collection modules for dial-up access, 

and a number of radio networking products. 

Entirely new are Elcomponent’s unique ethernet 

(TCP/IP) meters which plug directly into any 

10BaseT ethernet system with no additional 

interfacing and a range of compact low-cost 

radio modules for pulse data collection. The 

ethernet meters reduce installation costs by 

eliminating the need for custom network solutions 

and the radio modules achieve a similar 

result by connecting the network to pulse output 

meters without any cabling being required. 

As they are battery-powered, this can be a 

Rapid deployment alarm ideal 

for vacant property protection 

major advantage for remote or awkwardly 

sited meters. 

Sophisticated software development 

to provide a total capability has 

been heavily influenced by informative 

customer feedback. The package 

is capable of handling all 

aspects of meter reading, data collection, 

storage and presentation as 

well as offering the user comprehensive 

reporting facilities. Additional 

advanced functions include data 

import from external sources, data 

export to external locations/programs, 

‘on-board’ calculation channels 

and the all important dynamic 

alarms capability. 

Elcomponent’s latest addition to the 

MeterRing MM software is a Tenant 

Billing option which automatically 

creates and sends utility invoices to 

tenants or cost centres within a business or 

organisation. Much attention has been paid 

throughout the software development process 

to maintaining an intuitive user-friendly interface 

which makes full use of the Windows platform 

and desktop functionality. 

Networking of the system encompasses simple 

RS485 MODBUS ‘twisted pair’, plus 

ethernet/intranet systems, low power radio and 

dial-up technology with a ‘mix and match’ format 

to ensure that installation costs are kept to 

a minimum. Advances in radio technology in 

particular have solved traditionally difficult 

data acquisition problems such as the archetypal 

“water-meter-down-a-manhole-in-the-middle-of-a-field” 

scenario! Elcomponent can provide 

a complete range of packages to its customers 

from ‘supply only’ to ‘turnkey’ and all 

the options in between. The company is familiar 

with most environments ranging from factories 

to offices and from steelworks to army bases, 

ensuring that it can deliver its highly reliable 

product on time and on budget to full customer 

satisfaction. 


Vacant properties, whether 

commercial or residential, 

are a constant concern for 

local authorities and measures 

to protect them 

against theft, vandalism and 

unlawful occupation are usually 

very involved and costly. 

Now, a new system introduced 

by PMR Products affords a simple 

and effective way of monitoring 

these properties 

remotely. The Vigilant Rapido 

remote alarm system provides 

a complete package for monitoring 

property and people 

over digital or analogue radio 

schemes and telephone networks. 

The Rapido can run off battery 

for up to 30 days without an electricity 

supply or phone connection to operate and is 

therefore ideal for vacant properties. It can be 

battery or mains powered and as the system 

runs over private radio schemes it reduces running 

costs. The Rapido alarm unit is completely 

self-contained housed in an IP54 plastic 

sealed case containing mains power 

supply, battery, radio, modem and 

micro processor controller. The unit 

is lightweight and can be deployed 

without any wiring using wireless 

alarms sensors with a 200 metre range. 

The Rapido remote alarm unit links 

with a control room where specially 

designed Vigilant management software 

operating on a Windows PC network, 

provides comprehensive features. For 

instance, the alarm screen shows 

receipt of alerts and a complete 

event log and archive of alarm 

activity. It also monitors its own 

status including tamper units, 

vibration detector, battery power 

level and mains power availability. 

The system is designed to work with a 

wide range of peripherals including PIRs, 

door and windows sensors, links to existing 

alarm systems, window smash and smoke 

detector alarms, personal attack key fobs, and 

wireless alarms. 

Reader Reply No.:82023 

Portable air cleaner 

makes it easy to 

remove pollution 

Honeywell’s new portable F92C air cleaner makes it easy 

to remove airborne pollutants from rooms with an occasional 

problem, leaving a healthier and more pleasant 

environment. It is simply wheeled in when needed to 

remove pollutants such as cigarette smoke, volatile 

organic compounds, dust, allergens and viruses. 

By providing clean air even in smoking areas, it can allow 

smokers and non-smokers to meet without discomfort 

and alienation. 

Just like Honeywell’s wall and ceiling-mounted air cleaners, 

the stylish portable Honeywell F92C uses electrostatic 

technology to clean the air. Larger particles are 

trapped by a mesh filter, then the tiny particles remaining 

receive an electrostatic charge and are attracted 

onto aluminium plates, like iron filings onto a magnet. 

Available in white or black, the portable Honeywell F92C 

is cost-efficient to run. 


Stylish wall modules 

added to the 

CentraLine brand 

The COMMAND family of stylish and practical wall modules 

has been added to CentraLine, the new brand for 

energy-efficient automation of HVAC (heating, ventilation 

and air conditioning) systems in small and medium 

sized buildings. The modules are available exclusively 

through CentraLine partner companies, listed at 

www.centraline.com. 

COMMAND modules provide precise measurement and 

easy adjustment of room conditions such as temperature, 

humidity, CO2 levels and air quality. Beneath their 

attractive modern exterior with intuitive yet versatile 

controls, Command units employ proven Honeywell sensors 

and controls technology, already used in hundreds of 

thousands of wall modules across Europe. 

COMMAND modules are supplied in 12 basic versions. 

Depending on the model, they have a clear user-friendly 

digital display and clearly arranged buttons for 

inputting, limiting or overriding settings. 



news... 

OCS completes the 

solution for passengers 

with reduced mobility 

New Nescafe coffee 

bolt on set to drive 

machine throughput 

Leading support services company, 

OCS Transport Services, has 

delivered a UK first by introducing 

an innovative, stair-climbing 

wheelchair at British airports to 

improve travel for wheelchair 

users. The latest addition to the 

OCS service completes a unique 

package offered to the air industry 

and clients. 

The new power-chair, designed 

with partner AATGB Ltd, was originally 

developed for the regional 

aircraft-market, to protect staff 

from musculoskeletal strains associated 

with heavy and awkward 

Getting to grips with 

FM - Handy new guide 

from Dalkia 

It’s everything you need to know about Facilities 

Management, in the palm of your hand! 

Dalkia’s ‘Little Book of FM’ is the succinct and speedy 

route to getting the right information about every 

aspect of the subject, from Air-conditioning, Building 

fabric maintenance and Catering to Security systems, 

Waste management and Water treatment with everything 

in between, neatly accessible in alphabetical 

order. 

Pop one into your pocket or palm-top pouch and you’ll 

be fully equipped to source solutions to your most pressing 

energy management, technical services and FM 

demands. Reader Reply No.: 83044 

lifting. It has now been adapted to 

travel up and down stairs, improving 

the comfort, dignity and safety 

of passengers, transferring them 

from inside the terminal to their 

designated seat on the aircraft. Its 

special safety brakes stop automatically 

on each step, offering customers 

a safe and comfortable 

experience. 

Chris Cracknell, chief executive of 

OCS, said: “Each year OCS looks 

after more than 600,000 passengers 

with reduced mobility at UK airports 

and for this reason we have 

an excellent understanding of the 

services we provide and of the 

needs of our customers. OCS has 

continued its focus on services in 

this area, identifying this latest 

innovation as the last piece of the 

jigsaw. 

“OCS can now offer a complete 

package for our airline customers 

in the UK, from the moment they 

enter the airport, to embarking the 

aircraft and on arrival back in the 

UK after their trip. I strongly 

believe in offering passengers with 

reduced mobility a choice of service 

and equipment, which now 

includes the specialist wheelchair.” 


Research by Datamonitor has 

shown that 8 out of 10 people 

want to see well known brands in 

vending machines. 

Nestlé Vending, a division of out of 

home experts Nestlé FoodServices, 

has found that signposting with 

KitKat branding, for example, has 

already been proven to increase 

vending machine sales revenue by 

up to 18%.** and now, the addition 

of a new branded Nescafé.go bolt 

on, means that machine throughput 

can be driven still further. 

Nestlé is the nation’s favorite coffee 

brand and the new bolt on 

machine (with Nestlé and Kit Kat 

branding on either side of the complete 

unit) will allow operators to 

increase their revenues and maximise 

profits per site. 

By adding Nescafé branded hot 

drinks to their range, vending 

machine operators will be able to 

provide consumers with a one-stop 

shop for all their needs. Simple to 

use, it has a small additional footprint 

for those with limited space, 

requires no plumbing and is quick 

and easy to fill and maintain. 

Cups are displayed in an original 

branded Multisnack.go machine, 

which the customer selects in the 

Aker Kvaerner turns to 

LLumar solar control film 

Aker Kvaerner ASA is a leading global provider 

of engineering and construction services. The 

business works across several industries, 

including oil and gas, refining and chemicals, 

pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, mining 

and metals, and power generation, with manufacturing 

facilities and offices throughout 

the world. 

Aker’s construction and construction processes 

arm, Aker Kvaerner Process, operates from two 

offices in Fareham and Port Solent. When it 

wanted to bring its 300 employees together 

under one roof, the landlord of its existing site 

in Port Solent persuaded Aker to choose the Port 

Solent office - with the promise of extensive 

refurbishment and redevelopment of the site. 

The 3-storey, 36,000 sq ft office at the One Port 

Way business park underwent a £2 million refurbishment 

which has upgraded the premises to 

the very high standards expected by a multinational 

corporation. 

As part of the refurbishment project, leading 

window film specialist CPFilms was called in by 

Aker Kvaerner Process to advise on solar heat 

gain and particularly solar glare through the 

glazed elevations. Aker wanted to eliminate the 

need to install blinds. 

Working closely with the client, the landlord 

and architect, CPFilms conducted a trial of a 

range of its LLumar solar control performance 

window films so they could be evaluated in 

terms of aesthethics and performance. It was 

also important to the landlord to blend the 

exterior aesthetics with adjacent office blocks. 

LLumar film type N 1035 SR CDF was selected 

usual way. Once the foil is 

removed, they then place the cup 

in the Nestlé.go bolt on machine 

and fill with hot water from the 

boiler. 

Safety has been taken into consideration 

with a special sensor ensuring 

that no hot water can be dispensed 

until a Nestlé.go cup is 

placed in the well and the serving 

flap is closed. 


for its performance and looks: 

Using the services of Solarshield - CPFilms 

Accredited Installer - the installation work was 

carried out as part of the main refurbishment 

contract. All the works were completed to the 

high standard expected by the client and within 

the time frame of the contract. Air conditioning 

plant was also installed as part of the refurbishment, 

and the application of LLumar solar control 

film is expected to significantly reduce its 

running costs. 

Solar heat gain and glare from hot summer sunshine 

can cause staff and customers to overheat, 

turning your windows into radiators, 

explains Ray Copping, Marketing Manager at 

CPFilms. Turning up the air conditioning is 

expensive, installing internal blinds doesn’t 

work - the heat is already inside - and fans do 

little more than move the heat around. 

However, LLumar solar control window films filter 

out the worst of the suns heat and glare 

whilst letting in the light. RR No.: 83046 


Osmo gains ethical 

accreditation 

Wood product specialist, Osmo UK is celebrating 

gaining status as an Ethical Company, the 

result of a successful application to the 

Ethical Company Accreditation Scheme. 

The Aylesbury-based company 

scored highly in an analysis of its 

approach to Corporate Social 

Responsibility, demonstrating 

Osmo’s commitment to customers, 

staff, trade colleagues 

and shareholders. 

Osmo joins a growing list of 

over fifty UK businesses which 

currently hold the title. 

Applicants are subject to a 

stringent evaluation under the 

categories of Environment, 

Animals and People, gaining points 

under 15 criteria, covering topics such as 

Be upstanding for 

Rinnai’s 1510 

environmental reporting, animal testing, and 

employees’ rights. Ethical Company 

Accreditation is awarded to organizations which 

obtain an outstanding overall score in an evaluation 

of their Corporate Social Responsibility 

record, and which are successfully screened 

against other companies within their market 

sectors. 

Steve Grimwood, Managing Director of Osmo 

UK, commented, “We are absolutely delighted 

to add this acclaimed title to our achievements, 

particularly as it highlights our approach to our 

customers, colleagues, and the environment, of 

which we are immensely proud.” 

The Ethical Company Organisation’s research 

and screening process also applies to the applicant’s 

ultimate holding company and any subsidiaries. 

The procedure is repeated annually 

to ensure that the record of companies holding 

the Ethical Company Accreditation award 

remains up to date. Successful applicants have 

license to use the Ethical Company Logo 

on letterheads, websites, and other 

promotional material. 

Osmo’s commitment to providing 

products which are safe 

and environmentally friendly 

has contributed to previous 

awards and quality standards 

such as the successful 

certification according to 

DIN EN ISO 9001 (quality 

management) and DIN EN ISO 

14001 (environmental management) 

by the TÜV (Technical 

Control Board) Rhineland. 


Rinnai UK has launched the 1510, its highest 

output fanned flue gas convection heater yet. 

This new addition is the first upright oscillating 

heater in the company’s popular range. 

Rinnai manufactures and sells over 12 million 

gas appliances worldwide each year. 

Designed to meet the challenges associated 

with heating large rooms head on, the 1510 

boasts a 13.6Kw output. It is ideal for heating 

large open spaces with high 

ceilings or heavy thermal 

masses such as public 

buildings, churches, hotel 

receptions and lounges, as 

well as light industrial 

applications such as workshops 

and warehouse units. 

Its quiet operation also 

makes it a key product for 

building managers and 

specifiers of theatres and 

libraries. 

The unit’s two-speed convection 

fan combined with 

its oscillating motion provides 

a powerful source of 

warm air that is evenly distributed. 

Warm air is emitted 

from the front of the 

heater, creating a comfortable 

and sustainable internal 

environment, which is 

heated quickly and safely. 

The unit is fully programmable 

and the oscillation 

angle can be easily adjusted by the user to 

suit the individual needs of the application. 

Managing director, Geoff Hobbs, said: “I am 

delighted to be launching the 1510 to the UK 

convection market. Its advanced capabilities 

further demonstrate Rinnai’s commitment to 

pioneering the best technology around for a 

wide variety of applications.” 

At 1780 (h) x 600 (w) x 300mm (d), the 1510 is 

tall, slim and narrow, 

fitting easily into a variety 

of applications and 

can run on either natural 

or LP gas. Flexible 

flueing means the unit 

is easy to install, with 

flue extensions available 

to connect the unit 

at a maximum length of 

seven metres, less one 

metre per bend, with a 

maximum of three 90° 

bends. The flue hole 

size required is just 

95mm. 

The 1510 has a stainless 

steel heat exchanger 

which, along with all 

other heaters in the 

range, is covered by 

Rinnai’s recently 

launched 15-year ‘no 

questions asked’ warranty. 


news... 

What the eye 

can’t see 

Tremco has developed a comprehensive service for all 

roofing applications. By providing a qualified condition 

report via infra-red technology, a camera provides an indepth 

analysis of the whole roof, revealing any hidden 

problems. The thermal images and thermograms reveal 

the location and extent of any entrapped moisture and 

show the heat energy released. 

The start-to-finish roofing programme allows the specifier 

to penetrate the invisible condition of a roof, from 

the vapour control layer to the cap sheet, bringing 

images directly to the desktop. Through this analysis, 

Tremco can provide roofing solutions to any problems 

using the highest standard of product and system specifications. 

Additionally, by detecting the temperature difference, 

the infra-red camera can assist in providing an informed, 

planned maintenance schedule to ensure long lasting 

durability and performance. 

Tremco now has an extensive range of solutions for all 

roofing needs, offering total peace of mind. 


Be a Winner 

Grundfos Pumps have just launched a new release of 

their WinCAPS CD, considered to be one of the best 

industry selection tools available. 

The CD provides installers, consultants and contractors 

with a simple windows based tool, that offers significant 

amounts of information on the ever increasing Grundfos 

range of pump products and covers all aspects of heating; 

chilled/air conditioning; water boosting/public 

health; drainage; waste water; dosing and energy management. 

This comprehensive selection tool allows you to choose 

from the product catalogue, size the most suitable pump 

for your application, choose a replacement for an 

installed circulator pump and select accessories. 

Information available includes product pictures; pump 

curves; dimensional drawings; product data; installation 

and operating instructions. Grundfos, as a forerunner in 

developing and promoting variable speed technology, 

also offers sizing results showing energy consumption, 

pay back periods, life cycle costs etc. 



news... 

Don’t let bacteria make 

your profits go down the pan 

Environmental Biotech UK’s introduction of its 

unique AC Pan and Drain is a cost effective 

environmentally friendly way to totally eradicate 

the build up of harmful bacteria and 

algae associated with air conditioning and 

refrigeration units. 

AC Pan and Drain is proven to be 100% successful 

in killing off unwanted growth found in air 

conditioning and refrigeration condensate pans. 

Unlike traditional chlorine and bromine based 

products that last only 2-3 weeks, it has a continual 

performance lasting up to six months. 

Costing from £4.50 per unit, it significantly 

reduces the need for high frequency preventative 

maintenance and removes expensive call 

outs and the possibility of flooding. This is a 

huge cost saving 

for contractors 

and 

their clients 

such as 

South East gets new 

wind tunnel 

A new in-house designed wind tunnel test facility to 

serve business users in the Southeast has just been built 

at Horsham, West Sussex by UK company, HITEK 

Calibration Services. The move is in response to a growing 

demand for accurate calibration of anemometers, 

which are increasingly being used in sectors such as air 

conditioning for buildings as well as more established 

markets like the automotive and aerospace industries. 

HITEK prides itself on being an independent, family 

owned and run business and says the new facility will be 

a valuable addition to its range of testing services. “We 

were receiving regular enquiries from people looking for 

anemometer calibration services and we soon realised it 

was a service that isn’t widely available,” explains 

HITEK’s Managing Partner, Martin Kuhn. “The facilities 

that did exist couldn’t keep pace with demand, so we 

commissioned the design and construction of a brand 

new, purpose-built test rig.” Reader Reply No.: 83060 

supermarkets, which rely heavily upon maintaining 

their air conditioning and refrigeration 

facilities in optimum functionality. One of the 

biggest costs is that of labour for reactive call 

outs relating to drain blockages associated with 

“Having trialled the AC Pan and Drain 

initially at a supermarket, we found 

that the product exceeded initial 

expectations. Not only did it prevent 

the build-up of bacteria and the 

Zugliea, it lasted for just over 6 

months, fitting perfectly into our 

maintenance regime.” 

Zugliea, the thick gelatinous algae, which 

thrives in drain lines attached to condenser 

units. 

AC Pan and Drain is a unique compound, which 

takes the form of a waxy gelatinous pad that is 

wrapped with a nylon polysleeve. It is ready to 

u s e , 

requiring 

no prior 

preparation 

and 

is available 

in a 

variety 

of sizes 

t o 

accommodate 

the range 

of air conditioning, refrigeration and other condensing 

units currently in the market. 

The pad is simply placed into the path of the 

moisture flow, prior to entry into the drain. As 

the water comes into contact with the pad, it is 

sterilised. The sterilised water carries with it 

trace elements through the drain system killing 

off any sign of bacterial development. The pad 

simultaneously releases a mild surfactant to 

help clean away and release dying organisms. 

Unlike chlorine based products that lead to the 

rapid corrosion of fins, fans and other metal 

work within the cooling system, the AC Pan and 

Drain has no oxidising activity and contains rust 

and corrosion inhibitors. This both extends the 

life and improves performance of the cooling 

units, significantly reducing costs and improving 

bottom line profitability. 

Commenting on the effectiveness of the product, 

Steve Ward of refrigeration and air conditioning 

specialist, Ryan-Jayberg, said: 

“Having trialled the AC Pan and Drain initially at 

a supermarket, we found that the product 

exceeded initial expectations. Not only did it 

prevent the build-up of bacteria and the 

Zugliea, it lasted for just over 6 months, fitting 

perfectly into our maintenance regime.” 

Previous to the installation of the AC Pan and 

Drain, Ryan-Jayberg were receiving call-outs 

every two weeks from the site due to blockages, 

resulting in significant costs. With the installation 

of the AC Pan and Drain, no call-outs were 

incurred during the six month trial. 


GSH powers ahead 

with new energy bureau 

To help UK business tackle soaring energy 

costs, leading full FM provider GSH 

has launched its new Energy Bureau 

designed to maximise conservation and 

improve sustainability. The facility is an 

in-house centre of excellence devoted 

to improving clients’ energy performance 

to counter wholesale price 

increases in gas and electricity of 60% 

and 50% respectively in the past year. 

The Bureau represents an expansion of 

GSH’s energyplus contract energy management 

service that guarantees a 5% saving 

in consumption cost. This service has doubled 

in turnover since its official launch in 

early 2004. The focus is on saving money by saving 

energy through the introduction of ‘best 

practice’ energy management as part of GSH’s 

comprehensive FM package. 

A number of state of the art service initiatives 

are available via the Bureau including: electronic 

bill processing, half-hourly data collection 

and a ‘dashboard’ demonstrating utility performance 

at site. Real-time data retrieval on a 

large scale from small electric users is also carried 

out. 

In addition, the company has also developed a 

‘Smart Box’ that can be fitted at site to monitor 

all utility readings and any other items of 

mechanical or electrical equipment. This is 

particularly useful for critical equipment or at 

remote locations. 

The opening of the Bureau coincides with a raft 

of new legislation designed to support efficient 

sustainable building management. The introduction 

of the Operating and Financial Review 

(OFR) from the financial year beginning 1st 

April, 2005 requires greater transparency in the 

reporting of environmental matters. 

Furthermore, in January 2006, the European 

Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 

(EPBD), and new Part L Building Regulations are 

due to come into force. The effect will be to 

tighten the requirements for record-keeping 

and introduce energy certification of buildings. 

Chris McLain, GSH Group Energy Managing 

Director, commented: “Energy is now a board 

level issue with the rapid rise in prices resulting 

in the need for building audits providing concrete 

analysis of where energy can be saved. 

With our new Energy Bureau, we have enhanced 

the facilities and expertise to help our clients 

improve energy performance, save money and 

ease the pressure on business overheads.” 



news... 

New BCO best practice guide 

pinpoints the benefits of 

under-floor HVAC systems 

In the fourth edition of the 

just published BCO 

Specification, The British 

Council of Offices has identified 

the improvement in 

business performance possible 

through the installation 

of an under-floor HVAC system 

in commercial buildings. 

The Guide looks at the various 

choices available to property 

developers and their construction 

team in mechanical aircooling 

systems. The underfloor 

approach, typified by the 

Hiross Flexible Space System 

from Advanced Ergonomic 

Technologies (AET), is the only 

system singled out in the 

Guide for its cost-saving 

advantage. 

“A CABE study identified a 90% decrease in 

churn cost in a building with under-floor HVAC, 

power, telephone and data systems over a building 

with ceiling-based HVAC and a cellular 

floor”, states the BCO Guide. 

“Recognition of the flexibility afforded by 

under-floor HVAC systems, like AET’s Hiross 

Flexible Space System, and the significant role 

they play in operational cost savings continues 

to build” comments Glan Blake Thomas, 

Managing Director at AET. “This influential BCO 

Guide highlights just why this type of system is 

perfectly suited to today’s fast-changing commercial 

environment, in contrast to other a/c 

technologies”. 

He adds, “Where one month, the office may be 

Social club allows smoking 

yet ensures clean air 

Clean air is important to Faraday Ex- 

Servicemens’ Club in Slough, where half the 

members are cigarette smokers. The club’s 

decision to install seven Honeywell high-tech 

air cleaners has delighted members, says club 

Chairman, Bill Rafferty. He explains: “We 

have the health and comfort of our 1500 

members at heart and our clean air policy is 

attractive to new members. People can 

smoke but no-one suffers its smell, discomfort 

or reported health hazards. Clean air is 

important to smokers, as well as non-smokers 

like me.” 

The self-contained air cleaners were supplied 

and are serviced by Birmingham-based I.H.S. 

(Air Quality) Ltd. The Honeywell units remove 

volatile organic compounds, dust, smoke, allergens 

and other pollutants, leaving a cleaner, 

healthier environment for members and staff. 

open-plan, but then subsequently 

is sub-divided, partitioned 

and re-configured to 

suit different business or 

changing tenant requirements, 

flexibility is the key buzz-word. 

In this scenario, moving the 

ceiling-based air-conditioning 

to adapt to the new working 

environment is an incredibly 

disruptive and costly process. 

An under-floor air-conditioning 

approach offers a practical, 

low cost, fast and easy solution 

to the problem of office churn, 

amongst added-value benefits 

for the end user and all those in 

the construction team”. 

The Hiross Flexible Space 

System utilises the plenum 

under a raised access floor as a 

duct in itself, with each floor of the building 

divided into a number of zones depending on 

the potential use and occupancy density of the 

area. Each zone is supplied with chilled or 

warmed air by a conditioned air module (CAM). 

The under-floor void is divided into supply and 

return air plena using easily relocatable, airtight 

baffles. Supply air is drawn up into the 

occupied space by fan assisted terminal units 

(FTU450), which are recessed into the floor, 

plug into an underfloor power source and are 

connected by data cabling for intelligent control. 

These fan tile units feature individual controls 

to provide variable speed and temperature 

adjusted for maximum user comfort. 


“The Honeywell air cleaners make an enormous 

difference. We never see the smoke haze that 

used to hang over the dance floor and games 

room, and your clothes don’t smell of smoke 

afterwards,” stressed Mr Rafferty. Even so, 

smoking is not allowed behind the bar or by 

members at the bar. 

Mr Rafferty expects private social clubs such as 

the Faraday - the largest by far in the Slough 

area - to become more popular in future years, 

as they will be exempt from the government’s 

proposed smoking restrictions in pubs and 

restaurants. “But you can’t just sit back. We 

invest in members’ interests through entertainment, 

an excellent menu and the club facilities, 

most recently by revamping the kitchen and 

providing the new Honeywell air cleaners. 

I.H.S. (Air Quality) Ltd has been selling 

Honeywell air cleaners for over 22 years to 

premises including pubs, clubs, hotels and 

restaurants. The cleaners are much more effective 

than conventional air filters and recirculators 

because they remove particles electrostatically. 

First, larger particles are trapped by a 

mesh filter, then remaining particles receive an 

electrostatic charge and are attracted onto aluminium 

plates like iron filings onto a magnet. 

The cleaned air is recirculated, providing a 

healthier and more comfortable atmosphere in 

which to socialise, eat and drink. 


New all-weather 

surface solution 

A new environmentally-friendly surface treatment is quietly 

revolutionising one aspect of the facilities management 

industry. 

A specialist blend of sand and natural fibres, the proven 

Suretrac system solves problems with its all-weather surfaces 

for many applications including car parks, play 

areas, walkways and footpaths, sports grounds and 

access roads. 

The application can be seeded or finished with Sureturf, 

a unique mix of Suretrac and soil-less turf, to create a 

grass finish that is suitable for vehicles up to 30 tonnes 

without tyre rutting, even in wet conditions. 

It is also comfortable to walk on and provides an easy 

surface for pushchairs, wheelchairs and cycles. 

Inert and sustainable, Suretrac provides low repair and 

maintenance costs and is an ideal solution for all-weather 

surfaces in an eco-friendly way, providing a natural 

green finish that is not a blot on the landscape. 


DORMA sponsor major 

new CAE / RIBA 

‘Automatic Door 

Systems’ handbook 

An invaluable new publication in the Specifiers’ 

Handbooks series has recently been published by The 

Centre for Accessible Environments (OAE), in conjunction 

with RIBA Enterprises. Entitled, ‘Automatic Door 

Systems’, it is a comprehensive 34 page guide covering 

all aspects of automatic door systems for Automatic use 

in non-domestic buildings and includes Door Systems 

automatic sliding; folding; swing; balanced and lowenergy 

swing doors. 

The publication has been sponsored by DORMA UK Ltd 

and features a foreword by their DDA Product Specialist 

Simon Chapman. 

It offers practical guidance on how to understand the 

different types of automatic door systems available, the 

factors contributing to their design and specification - 

and related legislation, building regulations and standards. 

Design guidance 

is fully supported 

by case 

study examples 

which 

demonstrate 

the different 

types of systems 

in a 

w h o l e 

range of 

situations. 

Reader 

Reply 

No.: 

83077 


news... 

DACHS mini-CHP unit installed at regional centre 

of excellence for environmental sustainability 

A Baxi Technologies’ DACHS 

mini-CHP (combined heat 

and power) unit has been 

installed at Solaris, a regional 

centre of excellence in 

environmental sustainability, 

based in Blackpool, 

Lancashire. By incorporating 

energy efficient and renewable 

technologies such as 

CHP, photovoltaics, wind turbines 

and rain water harvesting 

into the design of the 

building, the centre aims to 

communicate to the local 

community the importance 

of taking individual and collective 

responsibility for the 

environment. 

Solaris, developed by 

Blackpool Borough Council, 

Lancaster University, 

Blackpool & Fylde College and 

organisations such as Lancashire Tourism and 

Blackpool Challenge Partnership, was officially 

opened in November 2004, marking the completion 

of a £1.85 million refurbishment of the 

Harrowside Solarium, a derelict 1938 art deco 

building located on Blackpool’s seafront. Solaris 

is Blackpool’s most sustainable and energy efficient 

building, and demonstrates Blackpool 

Council’s commitment to environmental sustainability 

and the regeneration of Blackpool. 

CHP is an extremely efficient way of generating 

electricity and producing heat simultaneously at 

Improving the civic 

environment - innovative 

Dalkia scheme for Salisbury 

Salisbury now has its first ‘City 

Centre Ranger’, courtesy of 

Dalkia, who provide market-leading 

Total Facilities Services to a 

wide range of commercial and 

public sector customers - including 

the retail sector. 

The new City Centre Ranger will be 

carrying out regular patrols, identifying 

and quickly fixing any minor 

problems and reporting major 

problems requiring extra attention. 

Litter management, graffiti 

removal and routine maintenance 

and painting of street furniture are 

all part of the job, whilst reporting 

of heavily littered streets, blocked 

drains, paving defects and the like 

will speed up and simplify the 

whole process of ensuring a high 

quality civic environment for 

everyone in Salisbury. 

“This is a real innovation in our service 

offering, and follows-on from 

our responsibilities at The Old 

George Mall, where we are delivering 

Total Facilities Support through 

our contract with managing agents 

Donaldsons,” says Dalkia National 

Contract Manager George Mason. 

“We see the City Ranger idea as a 

highly effective way of getting 

things done without too much ‘red 

tape’, and hope that success in 

Salisbury will see similar schemes 

in and around the many shopping 

malls and retailing centres 

throughout the UK currently in our 

care.” 

The City Centre Ranger scheme is 

being funded by Dalkia together 

with The Old George Mall, City 

Centre Management and Salisbury 

District Council, and will involve 

the Ranger liaising with Salisbury 

Environmental Services, the local 

area Highways Authority and the 

Police as required to deal with 

issues as they arise. 


Seamless power 

transfer from Socomec 

the point of use from a single 

fuel. This fuel could be 

natural gas, LPG, oil or 

some form of bio-fuel. In 

doing so CHP offers an economical 

and environmentally 

friendly alternative 

for meeting thermal and 

electrical demands in many 

applications. 

In large conventional centralised 

electricity plants 

the heat produced in the 

generation process would 

normally be directed into 

cooling towers, discharged 

to the atmosphere and 

wasted, leading to low 

overall plant efficiencies. 

The DACHS unit is one of 

the more recent CHP products 

commercially available 

in the UK following 

huge success in Europe by manufacturer, Baxi 

Group company SenerTec GmbH, which together 

with its partner network has now installed over 

10,000 units - making the DACHS one of the 

most successful CHP products in Europe. 

Providing I 2.5kWth of heat output and 5.5kWe 

of electricity, the natural gas fuelled DACHS unit 

can save up to around five tonnes of carbon 

dioxide per annum when operating for approximately 

6,000 hours per year. This is equivalent 

to around a 20 per cent reduction in carbon 

dioxide emissions when compared with the current 

mix of centralised power generation in the 

UK and gas fired heat only boiler plant. By utilising 

the available heat output, the DACHS can 

deliver overall fuel efficiencies of up to 92 per 

cent, reducing primary energy needs by around 

30 per cent. 

The UK Government’s Energy White Paper 

emphasised that public sector organizations 

such as local authorities - have a fundamental 

role to play in reducing carbon dioxide emissions 

- the principal greenhouse gas associated with 

climate change. 

A large proportion of both old and new buildings 

in the UK are considered environmentally inefficient, 

using excessive amounts of energy and 

water. In order to achieve the UK’s carbon dioxide 

emission reduction targets associated with 

the Kyoto Protocol, the use of energy within 

public sector and commercial properties must 

be addressed. 

The principal aim of Solaris is to educate the 

local community about energy efficiency and 

sustainable development, and help demonstrate 

the commercial advantages of renewable and 

alternative technologies to local businesses in 

terms of both energy efficiency and the associated 

cost savings. The building also includes an 

exhibition area for showcasing environmental 

projects and tourism information, office space, 

an educational resource room, training facilities 

and a café. 

The sustainable design of the Solaris building 

ensured it had a minimum carbon dioxide emission 

footprint, whilst attaining best practice 

performance. Reader Reply No.: 83084 

Designed for users whose business 

profitability depends on its 

critical loads remaining operational 

day and night, Socomec’s 

range of Static Transfer Switches 

(LTM) is a vital component in 

ensuring this level of reliability. 

The range has recently been 

extended to include the 

Integrated LTM; designed to be 

installed in switchboards and 

power distribution units, it’s ideal 

for switching between UPS systems 

in data centres, financial, 

medical and industrial applications. 

A standard installation normally 

utilises a UPS system to support the 

critical load, but there are dangers 

in relying on a single supply to protect 

the most valuable asset - 

information. Risk is still present 

despite the use of a UPS (single unit 

or parallel system) the critical load 

is not totally protected against failures 

in the UPS or distribution network 

such as breaker tripping, 

incorrect operation and short circuits. 

To eliminate the risk and ensure 

the critical load is dual supply fed a 

Socomec Static Transfer Switch is 

the ideal solution. Designed to 

meet the most rigorous power 

requirements, the company’s range 

of static transfer switches perform 

an automatic, seamless load transfer, 

without disturbing the connected 

loads, from the priority source 

to the secondary source. The user 

defines the priority source. The 

LTM logic permanently monitors 

the tolerance of each source and 

performs a load transfer to the 

emergency source in the event of a 

serious fault in the main source. 

Available in ratings of up to 

4800amps and in 3 and 4 Pole format, 

the Integrated LTM will 

increase reliability to 99.9999999% 

when used in conjunction with UPS 

incoming sources. 



news... 

We can’t look after our past - if 

we don’t look out for the future 

Top safety accreditation for 

Coolmation service 

Water chiller service and maintenance specialist, 

Coolmation Service Ltd, a Coolmation 

Group Company, has joined a leading edge 

scheme, designed to help industry improve its 

safety record. The company has recently been 

awarded accreditation from SAFEcontractor, a 

programme which recognises high standards 

of health and safety practice amongst UK contractors. 

Martin Poyner, service director of Coolmation, 

explains “SAFEcontractor accreditation is an 

important endorsement for our business. It will 

help us win new contracts and ensure that our 

A recent report from the National Heritage 

Training Group (NHTG) backed by 

ConstructionSkills and English Heritage has 

highlighted that the Britain’s listed and historic 

buildings are under serious threat from a 

shortage of skilled craft workers. 

The research found that over 86,000 people currently 

work within the built heritage sector, preserving 

over 4 million historic homes and 

550,000 historic commercial buildings, but with 

an ever increasing workload nearly a quarter of 

contractors having outstanding vacancies. With 

the industry needing to recruit an additional 

6,500 people in the next 12 months just to meet 

the immediate demand. 

In the next 15 to 20 years, the research warned, 

skills such as dry stone walling, earth walling 

and thatching could disappear altogether. The 

shortage in many parts of the country is so serious 

that there can be a wait of three 

months for the right craftsperson 

which puts many heritage building at 

risk. 

In response to the reports findings 

the NHTG aims to encourage more 

people into the heritage sector by 

campaigning to raise the profile of 

vocational training in the sector. The 

NHTG in consultation with employers, 

clients and education providers 

has developed a Skills Action Plan. 

This plan aims to secure funding for a 

heritage conservation qualification at 

NVQ Level 3 and adult apprenticeships 

and potentially develop current 

and new qualifications to ensure traditional 

building craft practical knowledge and 

skills can be gained from GCSE to Master Craft 

level. 

Michael Brown CIOB deputy chief executive 

commented, “This is the first major piece of 

research into the sector and has identified some 

very serious issues. It should come as no surprise 

that the heritage sector is facing a skills shortage, 

the construction industry generally is suffering 

the same fate, with an ageing workforce 

and inadequate recruitment. 

“But what this piece of research does show is 

the scale of the problem and the very real 

threat of these traditional building skills being 

lost. The CIOB recognises the need to promote 

this part of our industry and will be working 

alongside other professional bodies and industry 

to ensure that we have the right skills to protect 

our past.” Reader Reply No.: 83106 

commitment to the highest standards of safety 

will be viewed positively by insurers when the 

company liability policy is due for renewal.” 

SAFEcontractor is operated by international 

safety, health and environmental risk management 

specialists, the National Britannia Group. 

The system is applicable to most sectors 

although it is particularly relevant to food manufacture, 

property, facilities management, 

retail and leisure sectors, all of which are big 

users of contract services. 

James Ostler, managing director of Information 

Service at National Britannia said, “Major organisations 

can no longer run the 

risk of employing contractors 

who do not have proven 

sound health and safety policies. 

More companies need to 

understand the importance 

of adopting good risk management 

in the way that 

Coolmation Service has 

done.” 

Under the SAFEcontractor 

system businesses undergo a 

vetting process that examines 

health and safety procedures 

and their track record 

for safe practice. Those companies 

meeting the high standard 

are included on a 

database which is accessible 

to registered users via 

www.safecontractor.com 


Versatile production 

from Armstrong 

When Nicola Killeen Textiles needed a high quality washer-extractor 

with tight process control and great versatility, 

they researched the market thoroughly and selected 

an FS16/STM from Armstrong Commercial Laundry 

Systems. 

Nicola Killeen is a highly specialised business providing a 

range of bespoke textile printing and dyeing services to 

a glittering list of clients in theatre, film, TV, advertising, 

fashion and display. One of the services is screen 

printing which can involve a whole range of techniques 

and materials such as pigments, various types of dye, 

texture effects, foils and heat transfer. Dyeing is an 

important service and Nicola Killeen frequently experiments 

with textiles and techniques to achieve a designer’s 

special requirements or to suggest new ideas 

The work is extremely varied. It might be a pre-wash of 

30 metre lengths of fabric to remove the dressing or to 

pre-shrink it before printing. The range of dyeing techniques 

used demands a high degree of process control - 

it matters that the work is held in the solution for exactly 

the right amount of time and at exactly the right temperature 

and the processes have different parameters 

depending on the pigment and the fabric. 


Electric vehicle moves 

Hospital clinical waste 

A bespoke electric vehicle for transporting clinical waste 

has recently been delivered to the Hotel Services 

department at the Princess of Wales Hospital in 

Bridgend. 

The Cushman 340 tug, which is produced by Ransomes 

Jacobsen Ltd, the Ipswich-based manufacturer of electric 

vehicles has been supplied to the Bro Morgannwg 

NHS Trust by Birds Vehicle Solutions of Cowbridge in the 

Vale of Glamorgan. 

Hotel Services’ Nigel Radcliffe commented, “Initially we 

were going to fit a cab to our existing ageing vehicle, but 

after discussions with Birds it became apparent that a 

better solution would be a new, modern machine with 

integral cab. For obvious health and safety reasons our 

staff are required to move clinical and other waste at all 

times, irrespective of the weather, so a cab ensures that 

they can operate effectively. 

“We selected Bird’s Vehicle Solutions as our preferred 

supplier because they were able to provide professional 

advice, a vehicle that fully meets our needs and they can 

provide that all important after sales support, quickly 

and efficiently.” Reader Reply No.: 83100 


news... 

TGM- Reaching new 

heights of service 

Cladding & Roof Cleaning: 

If PVC type coatings are never cleaned they 

become so ingrained with dirt and acid rain they 

become impossible to clean, therefore making 

regular maintenance so important in the upkeep 

of these types of buildings. 

Gutter Surface Treatments and Gutter Linings: 

Available options range from a variety of surface 

treatments, which rely on the existing gutters 

being reasonably sound, to an engineered gutter 

lining system that can be fitted without removing 

any roof sheets. All the systems come with 

guarantees that range from 3 to 20 years. 

Cut Edge Corrosion/Metal Edge Protection: 

Problems of de-lamination and deterioration of 

the coatings on metal profiled sheets present an 

ever-present risk to the integrity of the roof 

structure and ultimately its performance. TGM 

are a registered contractor for the SEAMSIL flexible 

silicone remedial system, which is recognized 

as the most effective metal edge protection 

treatment in any situation where exposed 

metal is subjected to aggressive moisture conditions. 

A full 10-year guarantee is offered. 

TGM Ltd. is best recognised as specialists in 

the cleaning of gutters and drains to all types 

of commercial properties across the UK. By 

utilising our experience and expertise for 

working at height, our complimentary services 

include: 

Chillers from Andrews 

Sykes help BBC stay cool 

During ongoing construction 

works associated with the BBC’s 

new regional broadcast centre in 

Birmingham last summer, 

Andrews Sykes provided three 

500kW chillers to meet the cooling 

needs of the building during 

fit-out. 

Relocating 750 BBC staff, equipment 

and assets from a 1960s cellular 

building at Pebble Mill to a 

modern, predominately open plan 

office environment at the Mailbox, 

a multi-purpose complex in the 

heart of Birmingham, is a huge 

task. Accommodation of complex 

acoustic and engineering specifications 

within an existing multi-tenanted 

building was always going to 

* Cleaning of Roof and Side Cladding 

* Provision of Gutter Surface Treatments/Gutter 

Linings 

* Treatment of Cut Edge Corrosion 

* Treatment of Leaking Roofs and Skylights 

be a demanding challenge 

that would stretch programming, 

management and 

delivery techniques to the 

limit. 

With project implementation 

at the BBC taking place during 

spring/summer 2004, 

chiller units were vital ingredients 

to aid the ongoing construction 

and technology 

installation. 

The building contractors 

were already using other 

equipment from Andrews 

Sykes so an enquiry was made 

to also supply a solution for temporary 

chiller units. After a brief 

assessment of requirements by 

Andrews Sykes, three 500kW chiller 

units were duly installed outside, 

at the rear of the building and connected 

to the main chilled water 

supply using wire armoured pipe. 

From fast chillers to high capacity 

fluid chillers, Andrews Sykes can 

provide a solution whatever the 

environment or activities involved. 

Typical applications include cold 

stores, low temperature production 

facilities, large volume air conditioning, 

document archives, food 

storage, beer cellars, marquees 

and temporary structures. 


Thomas Glover & Company, a 

leading supplier to the independent 

fire trade, has significantly 

upgraded its FirePower range of 

water and foam cartridge-operated 

extinguishers with enhancements 

to their valve 

assemblies, ‘used’ 

indicators and the 

introduction 

interchangeable 

spares with its 

sister Optimax 

range. 

In terms of the 

Want to know more? Please call our 

free-phone hotline on 0800 028 3479 

and ask for a member of the 

Marketing Team, or alternatively 

visit us at www.totalgutters.co.uk 


Hat-trick of upgrades 

for Thomas Glover’s 

Firepower range 

16 www.practicalfm.co.uk 

of 

new valve 

assembly, the 

extinguishers now 

feature hot brass 

stamping for added 

strength, are nickel 

plated for added 

protection against 

corrosion, and have 

removable levers 

allowing replacements 

to be fitted in harsh 

environments. They 

also have trapezoidal threads 

(Series 2000). 

The ‘used’ indicator now locks 

down when extinguisher has been 

used, and an alert is instantly 

apparent that the product needs 

re-charging. The indicator 

is easy to reset, without 

having to turn the extinguisher 

upside down, and 

can be easily replaced. 

The third development 

is the introduction of a 

range of spares that are 

interchangeable across 

both the FirePower and 

Optimax ranges. These 

include hose assemblies, 

valve spindles and siphon 

tubes. 

“The purpose of these 

enhancements is to provide 

an even better, more 

robust product for the 

customer as well as significantly 

improving the lot 

of the service engineer by 

making them easier and 

more practical to maintain 

and reducing the 

amounts of spares that he 

has to carry,” adds Suzanne 

Grasso, Marketing Manager. 

Reader Reply No.: 83122

news... 

Wet or dry - it’s 

all the same 

to Multiswivel 

John Clark of Duradiamond 

explains why his innovative new 

Multiswivel(tm) is a diamond 

drilling time and cost saver ... 

Diamond drilling is fast and efficient 

but to get the most out of it 

you need to select the right tool 

for the job. That means dry 

drilling indoors or for soft masonry 

materials and quicker wet 

drilling outdoors and on hard 

masonry materials and concrete. 

Because dry drilling creates dust, 

some of it toxic, to protect your 

workforce and stay on the right 

side of the HSE, you must use dust 

extraction equipment. 

Historically, wet and dry drilling 

requires different equipment - different 

core bits plus vacuum and 

water pump and, because of the 

expense involved, not many 

builders, let alone plumbers and 

electricians, carry both wet and 

dry systems. This often causes lost 

time and additional expense when 

materials requiring a different 

drilling system are encountered - 

often, in fact, resulting in the call 

out of a specialist drilling contractor 

- That’s until now. 

The unique Multiswivel(tm) from 

diamond tool specialist, 

Duradiamond, overcomes all the 

obstacles. It’s one man operated, 

uses the same core bits for both 

wet and dry drilling and incorporates 

a wet and dry vacuum with 

in-built water feed pump and tank 

for either super-efficient dust 

extraction or water supply for wet 

drilling. In short, inside or out and 

whatever the material you can to 

drill-it-yourself. 

The secret of the dual capability 

lays in the clever swivel unit design 

which allows dust or water to pass 

separately around the drive shaft, 

and which has the added benefit of 

reducing component wear and 

increasing unit life. 

System inventor, John Clark, says, 

“Dust is at the top of the HSE’s 

action programme and from 

January there’s been a tightening 

up of the COSHH regulations effectively 

reducing by 60% the permissible 

levels of silica dust. An efficient 

dust extraction system is, 

therefore, now essential, while 

Multiswivel’s ability to wet drill 

with the same equipment has obvious 

cost and logistical advantages 

for everyone.” 

Costing around the same as a dry 

drilling system alone, Multiswivel 

can be used with core bits from 

22mm to 202mm diameter and, in 

hand held operation, can handle 

drill lengths of 450mm (wet) and 

350mm (dry) - easily coping with 

most interior and exterior walls. 


Wet or Dry, 

IT’S THE 

TWO-IN-ONE. 

One. It’s a wet 

drilling system 

for hard masonry 

and concrete. 

Two. It’s a 

dry drilling 

system with 

efficient dust 

extraction for 

soft masonry. 

It’s the Multiswivel from Duradiamond – and 

it’s one of a kind, the only two-in-one diamond 

drill that is proven to operate effectively for both 

wet and dry. 

It’s a one-off for a one-man team. And it 

offers twice the value with half the hassle. 

If you want to get one-up by getting two 

for the price of one, you know what to do. 

Just call us… 

Multiswivel Limited, Kingfisher House, Auld Mart Road, 

MILNATHORT, by Kinross KY13 2DA 

Tel: 01577 863028 Fax: 01577 866704 

e: enquiries@multiswivel.com www.duradiamond.com 

RR: 83081 


news... 

System Sensor Europe 

launch conventional 

zone interface 

New from System Sensor Europe is the M210E-CZ conventional 

zone interface module, used in intelligent fire 

systems to enable a zone of up to 32 conventional twowire 

detectors to be managed by the control panel via a 

single module address on a loop. Fully compatible with 

existing intelligent control panels the module can be 

mounted in a stand-alone enclosure or on a standard 

35mm DIN rail. Optional short-circuit isolation can be 

enabled if required to preserve loop continuity in the 

event of the device failing and a tri-colour LED gives 

local status indication. 

When existing conventional systems are being replaced 

and upgraded with a new addressable system, undertaking 

the work in stages is often convenient. By linking an 

existing conventional zone via the M210E-CZ, the new 

system can be installed without loss of protection. The 

module can also allow the use of lower cost conventional 

detectors in physically well defined locations such as 

separate machinery 

rooms and 

boiler houses, 

where knowing 

the individual 

detector address 

is not necessarily 

important. 

The power for the 

conventional 

detectors can be 

supplied from the 

loop, from a dedicated 

feed from 

the control panel 

or from an external 

power supply. 

RR No.: 83127 

On-line help in selecting 

suitable plumbing 

fittings and appliances 

John Deere gets the Decosound 

and Softsound treatment 

Courses run by John Deere’s Nottinghamshire 

training centre are a lot more effective since 

the workshops were fitted-out with acoustic 

products, DecoSound and SoftSound by 

Hodgson & Hodgson Group. The four training 

workshops were highly reverberant, making 

audibility very difficult for both lecturers and 

attendees. Not surprisingly the company was 

anxious to resolve the problem. 

John Deere is one of the world’s best known 

agricultural vehicle manufacturers and retains 

leadership in an increasingly competitive worldwide 

market. ln the UK, it has maintained a 

presence in Nottinghamshire since the 1960’s, 

holding a Royal Warrant for over 30 years. 

Hodgson & Hodgson Group’s consultant engineers 

recommended that a reduction in the 

reverberation time (RT) in the workshop of more 

than two seconds could be achieved by fitting 

specially constructed acoustic panels to three of 

the four walls. The proposal was proved by fitting 

out one of the workshops with I 70m2 of 

Hodgson & Hodgson’s own branded DecoSound 

acoustic panelling. 

DecoSound is manufactured from a semi-rigid 

mineral wool, faced on one side with non-woven 

mineral-fibre tissue. Specifically designed for 

use in commercial and industrial buildings to 

reduce reverberant noise, the panelling also 

improves the thermal insulation of the structure 

it is used to treat. The panels were fitted to the 

walls of John Deere’s workshop (each 3.6 

metres high), using a conventional suspended 

ceiling T-grid system incorporating perimeter 

channels. 

Hodgson & Hodgson’s installation in the first 

workshop was very successful, with tests confirming 

that the calculated reduction in reverberation 

times had been achieved. John Deere 

consequently decided to have the other three 

workshops treated with DecoSound, and further 

asked if a treatment could be recommended for 

the cafeteria area. This space was also highly 

reverberant, having a measured RT of around 

3.0 seconds. A reduction of more than two seconds 

was considered necessary and Hodgson & 

Hodgson proposed that its SoftSound wall panels 

should be used in conjunction with, in this 

instance, the use of DecoSound as a ceiling 

panel. 

SoftSound is manufactured from acoustically 

absorptive mineral fibre covered with a high 

quality open-weave fabric. The panels are 

designed to absorb high levels of reflected noise 

within a room thereby creating a comfortable 

environment for rest time. SoftSound panels 

were applied to one long wall and the panel fabric 

was matched to the existing cafeteria colour 

scheme to preserve the aesthetics of the room. 


To encourage the use of WRAS 

Approved products, the WRAS 

process equipment. Non-metallic 

materials for use in contact with 

Water Fittings and Materials drinking water in the construction 

Directory is now available on the 

internet, free of charge, having 

previously been only 

of plumbing systems and water fittings 

are also listed. 

The Directory 

for sale as a book or 

The Directory is 

has links to the 

CD. Access to the online 

Directory is via an essential manufacturers 

websites of 

the WRAS website: 

of Approved 

reference for 

www.wras.co.uk, by 

Products and 

clicking on the button anyone in the to related lists 

marked “Water 

(DWI Approved 

Fittings and Materials 

UK who designs, 

materials and 

Directory”. 

specifies or installs WRc Approved 

The Directory lists a 

Products and 

wide range of products plumbing systems Services). 

which have been tested 

and shown to comply with the 

legal requirements of the Water 

The Directory 

is an essential reference for anyone 

in the UK who designs, specifies or 

Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations installs plumbing systems. The 

1999 (England and Wales), the 

Scottish Byelaws and the Northern 

Ireland Regulations. The approved 

products include metallic and nonmetallic 

Regulations require water fittings 

to be of an appropriate quality and 

standard to avoid waste, misuse, 

undue consumption and contamina- 

pipes, valves and storage tion of water supplies. WRAS 

cisterns, pumps, backflow prevention 

devices, water heaters and 

WCs. Also approved are appliances 

such as washing machines, dishwashers, 

drinks machines and 

Approval is a ready means of 

demonstrating compliance with 

this legal requirement. 

Reader Reply 

No.: 83067 

water-using catering and industrial 


interiors - flooring 

Tessera enters 

random-lay, 

batchless carpet tile 

selector with ‘Mix’ 

Tessera has launched Mix, its first ‘randomlay’, 

batchless carpet tile range: an exciting 

development made possible by a £1million 

investment in a state-of the-art CMC ‘Infinity’ 

tufting machine. 

Mix has a soft-edged, geometrically inspired 

Cannon Textile care 

helps concerned 

employers 

Employers go to many lengths to 

ensure that their staff are working 

in the most safe and comfortable 

environment, such as introducing 

plants and specialist lighting 

to the workspace. However 

many people spend their whole 

working day on their feet in 

intensive jobs in manufacturing 

or the service industry. 

Cannon Textile Care has introduced 

its new ‘Ultrasan(tm)’ anti-fatigue 

mat to improve working conditions 

design which cleverly disguises tile edges to 

achieve a deceptive broadloom appearance. 

Dark areas merge with light at random, resulting 

in a textured, multi-layered look which complements 

large and less spacious interiors alike. 

No two tiles are identical. There is no right or 

wrong way to position 

each tile. This means a 

quick and easy fit with 

very little waste for the 

contractor, and a totally 

individual carpet tile 

installation for the 

client. 

Mix is available in 

for employees in environments 

such as kitchens, factories, food 

processing, pharmaceutical and 

medicinal environments. 

The anti-fatigue mat helps employees 

by providing a surface to walk 

and stand on which has unique 

cushion ergonomics that reduce 

fatigue and noise. The mat is available 

on a rental basis with a fortnightly 

exchange service for laundering, 

which increases its effectiveness. 

Oliver Weisflog, Cannon’s managing 

director says “Over the past year 

we have been listening to our customer’s 

and have identified this 

specialist range as a key requirement. 

By working closely with our 

suppliers I am confident that we 

are providing a solution to our customer’s 

needs. 

“We are always looking to improve 

working standards and this is a new 

way to ensure that people who are 

on their feet all day are being 

aided through a mat that reduces 

fatigue. This in turn improves 

working environments and ultimately 

productivity.” 


twelve contemporary 

colourways, each featuring 

two tonal shades 

of hardwearing, lightfast 

Antron(r) yarn from 

Invista which has 

Environmentally 

Classrooms, washrooms and toilets 

at the new-build Jenyns First 

School in Braughing Village, near 

Ware, Hertfordshire, feature an 

innovative acoustic flooring system 

from commercial flooring 

specialists Polyflor Ltd, specially 

designed to meet more stringent 

sound insulation regulations for 

school buildings. 

Specified by property services company 

Mace Ltd, of Hertford, the 

Polyflor system features Polytred 

Acoustifoam - a 2mm closed cell 

foam backing sheet incorporating 

glass-polyester reinforcement - 

which can be installed under any 

Polyflor heavy duty or safety sheet 

vinyl floorcovering 

to 

achieve a minimum 

sound 

insulation of 

18dB. 

At the Jenyns 

First School, 

Dunstablebased 

flooring 

contractor Hi- 

Tec Floors has 

employed this 

combination 

extensively, 

using bright 

colours from 

Preferable Product 

(EPP) status. Effectively 

‘batchless’, different 

production consignments 

can be used together without the usual 

risk of visible variation. This simplifies ordering, 

and further eliminates waste as there is no need 

for the client to carry spares. If replacement 

tiles are ever required they can simply be purchased 

in single box quantities at the time they 

are needed. 

Sarah Ludlam, Senior Designer at Tessera says: 

“We believe that Mix brings something new to 

the random-lay carpet tile sector. It has a subtlety 

that doesn’t overwhelm interior spaces, 

even smaller premises.” 

She adds: “Mix is just one of many different 

design routes we can take using our advanced 

Infinity tufting technology. This is a really exciting 

time for our design team. We have hardly 

scratched the surface of what can be achieved 

with our new manufacturing capabilities.” 


Sound thinking 

for new school 

Polyflor’s low maintenance 

Polysafe Astral and Polysafe Design 

heavy duty sheet vinyl safety 

floors. 

In addition to the acoustic performance 

achieved by the combination 

system, both products incorporate 

quartz crystals, aluminium 

oxide and silicone carbide particles 

for enhanced safety underfoot. 

Both also feature Supratec, the 

second generation of Polyflor’s 

unique patented soil-releasing 

polymer system, now including 

polyurethane for reduced dirt pickup, 

even easier maintenance and 

cleaning cost savings of up to 60%. 



interiors - flooring 

Stunning designs meet 

hospital arts strategy 

Stunningly bold and colourful floral 

and geometric inlaid floor 

motifs are brought to vivid life 

throughout the new children’s 

unit at the Gloucestershire Royal 

Hospital. 

Featuring a range of eye-catching 

shades from the Polyflor Mystique 

PUR range of low maintenance 

heavy duty sheet vinyls, the 

designs are the work of Falmouth 

based artist and arts lecturer Sue 

Kinley. They are a key part of the 

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS 

Foundation Trust’s “Leading the 

Bonar Floors opens new 

London Business Centre 

Bonar Floors, the international 

flooring company that owns the 

Tessera Carpet Tiles, Flotex, 

Nuway, Coral and Chocflex brands 

has opened a new London 

Business Centre in Suite 105 of 

the trendy Tea Building, a hotbed 

of creative talent in the heart of 

Shoreditch. 

200m2 of the unique building with 

Way” arts strategy - a three-year 

programme of art commissions and 

arts projects aimed at enhancing 

the hospital environment. 

The finished designs were created 

via the Polyflor Expressions Design 

Service, which uses computerised 

water jet cutting techniques to 

reproduce design concepts in precise 

shapes and style, and the 

flooring was installed by Teessidebased 

K&C Flooring. 

Non-directionally patterned 

Polyflor Mystique PUR is available 

in 24 modem colourways and features 

a high quality polyurethane 

reinforcement which, combined 

with a superior closed surface finish, 

facilitates a low cost, polishfree 

maintenance regime for the 

lifetime of the floorcovering, providing 

savings of up to 48% compared 

with untreated vinyl floorcoverings. 

Polyflor Mystique PUR meets the 

general performance requirements 

of EN 649 and, fully tested to fire 

safety standard EN 13501-1, is certified 

as Class Bfl-S1, achieving the 

criteria EN ISO 9239-1 ≥ 8kw/in2 

and the mandatory requirement of 

EN ISO 11925-2 pass. The flooring 

also features homogeneous monolayer 

construction for even wear 

and 100% useful life. 


its beautifully restored 

architectural features is 

now dedicated to floorcoverings 

and flooring design. 

Suite 105 acts as a 

workspace for Bonar Floors 

and Tessera sales teams and 

designers, a hospitality 

venue for their clients, and 

a showcase for customers 

to view Bonar’s diverse 

range of flooring products 

in an accessible and welcoming 

location. 

The floorspace is naturally 

used as a display area. 

Tessera’s most innovative 

design-led carpet tile 

ranges are on display, 

including ‘Mix’, the company’s 

brand new random-lay, 

batchless range. These are 

shown alongside a combination 

of coordinating Coral 

entrance matting, Chocflex 

low maintenance acoustic vinyl and 

the new Flotex contract flooring 

ranges. 

Anyone wishing to view products on 

display, discuss their projects with 

sales managers, or talk face to face 

with designers about bespoke manufacturing 

in appropriate surroundings, 

is welcome to visit. 


Infinite adaptability 

with the refreshed 

Entropy 

Inspired by nature for infinite 

adaptability, Interface’s Entropy 

collection of tufted patterned 

loop pile tiles has now been 

refreshed with exciting new 

colourways. 

Entropy now consists of 17 existing 

and eight new colours ranging from 

Baltic, Deep Blue and Wheat to 

Mesquite, Lava and Amethyst. The 

innovative design of Entropy is 

detailed to create spectacular 

floors and can respond to fastchanging 

environments. It is now 

Interface’s fastest growing product 

due to its complete flexibility. 

Tandus Europe carpet for 

flagship justice centre 

Tandus Europe has provided over 

3000 square metres of carpet for 

the UK’s first one-stop justice 

centre, which was opened by the 

Princess Royal in March. The £13 

million Warwickshire Justice 

Centre at Nuneaton brings together 

under one roof the police, the 

Crown Prosecution Service, four 

magistrates’ courts, a family 

court, the probation service, the 

youth offending team, and victim 

and witness support. 

It’s anticipated that the idea will 

be copied across the UK. By colocating 

the complete justice system 

in one place, the various agencies 

are able to work together and 

exchange information more efficiently. 

As a result, case progression 

is likely to be increased, with 

better support for victims of crime, 

Entropy’s pioneering concept is 

based on biomimicry. Just as with 

fallen leaves caught by the wind, 

the tiles maintain a randomness of 

pattern however they are laid. This 

natural patterning has the important 

benefit of allowing tiles to be 

replaced without the usual problem 

of colour compatibility. It also 

allows for easy installation as there 

is no concern about matching patterns 

at tile edges and no need to 

check the back of the tile for directional 

arrows. The result is faster 

installation, far less waste and 

greatly reduced cost. RR No.: 83092 

and more effective handling of 

offenders. 

The Centre is one of a number of 

major installations for C&A City 

Point, which was launched last 

year. This UK-manufactured tile 

range is designed to provide a distinctive, 

high performance floorcovering 

at a competitive price. It’s 

available in an attractive palette of 

twelve standard colours, each of 

which is named after a point in one 

of the world’s leading cities: the 

Warwickshire Justice Centre uses a 

combination of Notre Dame and 

Soho. The colourways have pointillist 

effects that both complement 

and contrast, enhancing the product’s 

aesthetic appeal and design 

flexibility. 

Solution-dyed nylon is used as the 

face fibre - for maximum colour 

fastness and fade resistance 

- tufted in 1/10 inch 

gauge textured loop pile 

construction. With Heavy 

Contact Class 4 and continuous-use 

castor-chair rating, 

the product is well 

suited to high traffic installations, 

and has a15-year 

performance warranty. The 

carpet can be fully recycled 

at the end of its useful 

life. Reader Reply No.: 83107 


interiors 

Beyon at 

Bramdean 

Beyon’s Beam desk and storage units have 

been supplied to Bramdean Asset Management 

LLP, Nicola Horlick’s new venture. The 5,000 

sq ft offices, situated opposite Harrods, were 

designed by the architects de Metz Forbes 

Knight for Bramdean, using Beyon’s highly successful 

Beam desk and storage range to support 

the staff. Bramdean, launched in January 

2005, is an asset management company committed 

to providing a new and exciting 

approach towards their clients, which is 

reflected by the environment they work in. 

Julian de Metz, Senior Partner of de Metz Forbes 

Knight Architects comment on why Bramdean 

selected Beyon: “The brief given to the architects 

by Nicola Horlick was to provide a space 

that would break the mould of typical corporate 

fit-outs. She also required the complete project 

to be designed and implemented within 16 

weeks. De Metz Forbes Knight specified Beyon to 

give the office a sharpness with a delicate 

touch. Beyon’s Beam desk was selected for its 

flexibility, sense of generosity and simple but 

sharp lines, which was part of the original brief 

from Bramdean. 

They required a bench system with complete 

flexibility to support the anticipated increase in 

employees over the coming year. Beyon accommodated 

Bramdean’s precise timeframe, providing 

a refreshing range of furniture to suit the 

overall colourful and open approach to the 

office space. 

The refreshing approach was implemented by 

selecting pale cream rubber for the office floor 

and resin bound beige marble chipped flooring 

Simmtronics new 

LCMs accommodate 

DALI technology 

for the reception area, along with a 5m long 

brown leather reception desk and a semi 

translucent screen with a fine fabric laminated 

within. Delicate voiles lead into the meeting 

rooms with domestic style angle poise lamps 

hung from the ceiling. Different types of lighting 

with emphasis on ‘accenting’ areas to avoid 

flatness, as well as, a fish tank and the selective 

use of soft colours used set the atmosphere in 

the office space, including Pistachio Green and 

Financial Times Pink. A mixture of client meeting 

rooms and work areas are located opposite 

the front elevation of Harrods, providing an 

indulgent and equitable workspace. All staff at 

Bramdean are treated to the same quality of 

workspace whatever their position in the company. 

Beyon Beams were supplied in a variety of 

lengths ranging from 1.8 to 5.4m, fitted with 

acrylic screens, including a convenient tool rail 

for monitor arms and filing trays. Vivacious pistachio 

green storage units are used to divide 

areas, while a wall of Beyon bulk storage in off 

-white, used as filing cupboards, are placed at 

the rear of the office. Individual pedestals are 

Simmtronic has expanded its 

SPECS3 range of fully-addressable 

lighting controls with the introduction 

of systems for corporate 

development projects where DALI 

electronic ballasts are specified. 

The Company has launched two 

new compact LCMs for use within 

chilled beams and structured suspended 

ceiling luminaires and 

further developed its well-proven 

9-output LCM to accommodate 

DALI technology in office environments. 

The compact new single and 3 output 

LCMs are ideal 

for use in tight 

bulkheads and 

ceiling voids. They 

can control up to 

18 DALI ballast, 

accommodate up 

to I0 input devices 

(switches, presence 

detectors 

etc.) and incorporate 

emergency 

relay. 

The single output 

module has been 

designed with a 

40mm profile -making it slim 

enough for installation within 

chilled beams. With the 3-output 

module the eighteen DALI ballasts 

can be connected to one output 

leaving two spare ports for future 

use and with conventionally 

switched luminaires. 

Simmtronic has completed more 

than 500 commercial projects, supplying 

future-proof, fully addressable 

lighting control systems for 

many of the UK’s largest and most 

prestigious corporate developments. 


Twyford Bushboard know 

that when it comes to refitting 

education premises 

the process needs to be a 

fast, simple and cost effective. 

Twyford Bushboard’s 

Tuff Stuff range offers the 

perfect choice as it is 

designed specifically for 

education applications. 

Tuff Stuff, as the name suggests 

is both strong and 

durable and includes cubicles, 

vanity units and ducting 

panels. It is available in 2 

performance options; Dricor 

and Ultracor. Ultracor Panels 

are totally impervious to 

water and exceptionally resistant 

to impact and surface damage 

making them ideal for the most 

demanding of environments. Panels 

are fixed with ‘lintel style’ aluminium 

head rails, continuous hinges 

and wall fixings to ensure that 

these robust cubicles live up to 

their name. In addition, doors and 

partitions are available in 3 heights 

providing appropriate levels of 

supervision for all age groups and 

with 4 different pilaster styles, 30 

panel colour options and 5 hardware 

colour options the design possibilities 

are endless. 

Contractors have recommended 

also available for all staff to store their personal 

belongings. 

The Bramdean project was completed on time 

and under budget. Bramdean’s team of investment 

professionals feel enthused by the office 

space around them, using colour, light and flexible 

office furniture, provided by Beyon to uplift 

and inspire. Reader Reply No.: 83010 

Twyfords Bushboard 

is made of tuff stuff 

Twyford Bushboard Tuff Stuff range 

for many school washroom refurbishments 

including a recent installation 

at Fairford Primary School in 

Gloucestershire. Andrew Cressey, 

Chief Estimator/Buyer for Yorke 

Construction Ltd, worked on the 

Fairford Primary washrooms comments, 

“We chose Twyford 

Bushboard because they offer an 

extensive range of cubicles and are 

a recognised brand with a reputation 

for quality. The client had a 

clear idea of what they wanted and 

was attracted to Tuff Stuff because 

of the bright colours.” 



interiors 

PROJECT: chosen for 

city centre refurbishment 

Project: has completed a major refurbishment 

at the London headquarters of 

Alexander Forbes, one of the world’s foremost 

independent providers of financial and risk 

services. 

Due to the short contract timescale and the central 

London location, installation of more than 

700 workstations was completed outside normal 

working hours, within three weeks. 

This was achieved using the Project: Rapide system 

that was modified to meet Alexander 

Forbes’ particular needs. 

The Project: installation is spread over seven 

floors of the Alexander Forbes building and was 

completed to a brief that called for the creation 

of a stimulating, modern office environment; 

one that maximised the effective use of floor 

space, while meeting the company’s sophisticated 

technology and international communications 

requirements. With a worldwide workforce 

of over 6,000 employees, Alexander Forbes is 

the eighth largest global insurance broker. The 

solution had to be able to meet the company’s 

changing needs over the coming years; what the 

company describes as “future proof”. 

The Project: team worked closely with 

Alexander Forbes’ project management consultant, 

ISG Occupancy. This ensured that the furniture 

installation schedule was fully integrated 

with the extensive building work being undertaken 

at the same time, and that Alexander 

Forbes’ cost constraints were adhered to. 

The Rapide system was chosen from a number of 

leading competitors’ offerings because it was 

judged to best meet Alexander Forbes’ design 

Message under 

your feet 

Employers go to many lengths to 

ensure that their staff are working 

in the most safe and comfortable 

surroundings, however safety 

messages can sometimes be 

lost in an environment which is 

increasingly aware of the problems 

that can occur when these 

measures are not adhered to. 

Cannon Textile Care can help 

employers by providing bespoke 

logo and message mats to portray 

any messages, including safety 

reminders, or company strap lines, 

to employees, visitors or colleagues. 

The image mats can be 

custom-made to customer’s 

requirements, including eye-catching 

decorations and are also highly 

effective absorbing dirt and moisture. 

To ensure that everyone understands 

safety messages the mats 

act as a permanent reminder to 

brief and budget. It features 

maple worksurfaces and elegant silver-finish I” 

frames, with a worksurface depth reduced to 

meet the floor grid requirements. This also 

allowed for the incorporation of continuous, 

steel cable trays along the rear of the linear 

worksurfaces, in place of the standard Rapide 

cable baskets. Project: also supplied mobile 

steel pedestal units for every workstation for 

staff’s personal storage and a total of 650 tambour-fronted 

storage cupboards. 

Managers’ cellular offices were furnished with 

rectangular Rapide desks similar to those used 

emphasise quality and mandatory 

rules and regulations. 

In today’s image conscious business 

world the mats are a feature which 

can portray a first impression to 

visiting customers and clients. 

Oliver Weisflog, Cannon’s managing 

director said: “Message and logo 

mats give clients a clean-cut 

image, while conveying essential 

messages to employees and colleagues. 

I have great confidence in 

this service from Cannon Textile 

Care, especially as the mats incorporate 

all the features 

required in a 

dust mat, absorbing 

dirt and moisture. 

“In the health 

and safety conscious 

industry, 

the mats are 

another way 

to follow 

regulations and legislation, ensuring 

the safety of employees and 

visitors and in some cases preventing 

slips and falls.” 

Message mats are just one of the 

services provided through Cannon 

Textile Care, the company also provides 

roller towels, work wear, corporate 

wear and laundering services. 


With investment, imagination, 

new technology and a lot of style, 

one of the North of England’s 

most prestigious hotels has been 

restored to its former glory, 

thanks to companies such as 

Muraspec. 

The Queens hotel, a Grade II listed 

building, located on City Square, 

Leeds, was acquired by 

Quintessential Hotels in 2003. The 

213 roomed hotel was in much 

need of love and attention to reinstate 

it as the premier conference 

and banqueting venue in the city 

and the award winning Ransley 

Interiors team at Scott Brownrigg, 

was commissioned to bring the 

hotel into the 21st Century, whilst 

throughout the open plan areas. However, they 

incorporate a mesh modesty panel and a 

desk.high linked return that also incorporates a 

steel cable tray. A number of the workstations 

incorporate height-settable legs. Workstations 

in the open plan areas incorporate aluminiumtrimmed, 

fabric covered, pinable screens that 

are fixed to the underside of the worksurface, 

rather than be desktop mounted. This decision 

was adopted to achieve an uncluttered appearance 

and to aid the neat positioning of cables 

along the rear of the worksurfaces. 

The use of shared, mid-run legs between workstations 

was a major factor in keeping costs 

within Alexander Forbes’ budget, while the 

extensive use of common components satisfied 

the company’s need for a ~future proofed” solution. 

Deborah Holland, Alexander Forbes’ 

Purchasing Manager said: ~Alexander Forbes 

exists to create value for its shareholders so, 

naturally, we looked for value in the new furniture.” 

She continued: “Our business is all about wealth 

creation, wealth protection and wealth management 

and we applied these principles to the 

office furniture. We sought the best solution for 

today’s needs; one that will stand the test of 

time, and one that will represent the best 

achievable total lifetime cost.” 

Commenting on the completed interior, Deborah 

Holland concluded: “With the new Rapide furniture, 

our London offices have been given a complete 

makeover. It has improved working conditions 

one-hundred percent and, as a result, staff 

morale has rocketed.” Reader Reply No.: 83038 

Muraspec at 

The Queens 

maintaining its historic past. 

Following a £10 million makeover, 

the results are astonishing. Not 

only has the Queens hotel been 

returned to its former Art Deco 

glory, but bedrooms have been 

upgraded, and a new restaurant 

and additional conference space 

created, bringing the hotel into the 

21st Century in style. 

Muraspec, Europe’s leading manufacturer 

of contract wall coverings, 

provided its Thai design from the 

Studio Suite range for use in the 

bedroom corridors and stairwells of 

the eight-storey hotel. Studio 

Suite Thai was chosen as it offered 

compatibility with the overall interior 

scheme and being fabric 

backed, durability in high usage 

areas. The range is also fully washable, 

fire retardant and fade-resistant. 

Richard Wallington, Muraspec’s 

head of marketing, comments: “We 

are proud that Muraspec product 

has been chosen in such a prestigious 

refurbishment. The end 

result compliments the dramatic 

impact that the designers were 

working towards, and by using our 

fabric backed wall coverings, have 

ensured that the public areas will 

look great for many years to 

come”. Reader Reply No.: 83101 


interiors 

A reception desk tailored to your needs 

in just 10 days - or your money back 

For companies who would like hand-finished, 

made-to-order reception furniture quickly but 

don’t want to compromise on quality, Clarke 

Rendall’s Evolution Express guarantees the 

answer in just ten days. So confident of this 

unique service, Clarke Rendall promises to 

give you your money back if your desk is not 

delivered within ten working days 

Since its launch three years ago, the Clarke 

Rendall Evolution range has become the benchmark 

for quality, style and choice in customised 

reception desks. The Evolution collection covers 

a huge range of shapes, finishes and sizes 

including the Compact range for smaller spaces 

Simmtronic lighting controls 

employed at Marks & Spencer 

Simmtronic has supplied the complete lighting 

control system installed in Marks & 

Spencer’s new HQ at 1 & 2 Waterside, 

Paddington Basin, having initially successfully 

fulfilled the lighting controls contract on the 

building shell and core. When Marks & 

Spencer took the building, electrical 

contractor Hills Electrical called on 

Simmtronic again to provide the lighting 

controls for the full Cat B fit-out, 

tailored to meet the precise requirement 

of the new tenant. 

On this dramatic I 0-storey office development, 

the consultants elected to have 

mainsborne signalling as it simplified 

installation into what is a conventionally 

wired building. The SPECS3 system 

supplied by Simmtronic combines energy-efficient, 

variable daylight linking 

and occupancy control, driven by over 

1300 lighting control modules. 

Throughout the main open plan areas 

presence based control is employed with 

energy-saving photocell dimming control 

on perimeter lights responding to daylight 

penetration. Meeting rooms have 

been provided with scene setting functions 

and Simmtronic has employed 

presence detection linked to a specially 

produced display panel, representing 

the floor layout, to provide a constant 

indicator of each meeting room’s occupancy/availability. 

The lighting control 

system has also been utilized to monitor 

disabled toilet alarms. 

Simmtronic has completed more than 

500 commercial projects, supplying 

future-proof, fully addressable lighting 

control systems for many of the UK’s 

largest and most prestigious corporate 

development. 


and smaller budgets. Now, Clarke Rendall is able 

to offer some of the most popular designs and 

sizes as Evolution Express. Delivery is ‘guaranteed’ 

within ten working days of order (subject 

to terms and conditions), without compromising 

the style and quality. 

The Evolution Express service offers a choice of 

eight designs from the Evolution Classic and 

Evolution Compact ranges, each in three woodgrain 

laminate finishes - maple, beech and cherry. 

Customers can also choose between white, 

blue or green etch effect glass upstands, and 

even have the option of customising them with 

their own cut-out logo. 

Managing Director Martin Clarke explains, “New 

efficiencies in our 15,000 sq ft production facilities, 

together with a strengthened work force 

mean we can manufacture a number of products 

both quickly and cost effectively. The range is 

competitively priced and every desk comes with 

a metallic silver three-drawer mobile pedestal 

unit that matches the detailing on the inner side 

of the desk”. 

Clarke Rendall is renowned for its quality and 

attention to detail. It manufactures a comprehensive 

collection of reception desks and boardroom 

furniture, from the cost effective to the 

truly luxurious - including completely bespoke 

one-off commissions and, with the Evolution 

Access range, products that comply with the 

recommendations of the Disability 

Discrimination Act. Reader Reply No.: 83069 

Bisley’s towering 

storage achievement 

Recognising that personal storage needs change almost 

from desk to desk, Bisley has launched Pedestal Towers, 

a new range of adaptable, stylish and functional workstation 

storage units. 

Designed to seamlessly complement almost any desking 

system, Towers comes with a variety of internal configurations 

including filing drawers, open storage, adjustable 

shelves and work surfaces and in both desk top or screen 

heights allowing it to be used as an extension to the work 

surface and integrate with screens to provide privacy. Up 

to four shelves of filing can accommodate all types of 

media from ring binders and box files to computer consumables 

and stationery, as well as desk items and 

under-shelf filing. 

Adaptable and secure, the units can also be used for 

most types of personal equipment from laptops to sportsbags 

that can be neatly tucked away behind the tambour 

closure. Pin-able screens allow users to personalise their 

work area and tool-rails hold desktop accessories such as 

letter-trays 

that can be 

easily transferred 

to the 

desktop and 

then stored 

away after 

use. With an 

elegant, 

sculpted 

design, Bisley 

Pedestal 

Towers feature 

a smooth, 

safe sliding 

mechanism 

with a choice 

of recessed or 

applied handles. 

Reader Reply 

No.: 83103 


ict 

Hilton Hotels is first 

major customer for 

The FM Company plc 

The FM Company plc has launched patented 

technology that enables facilities managers to 

monitor over the internet, in ‘real time’, key 

performance indicators for the provision of 

maintenance and other services by external 

contractors. 

The London-based company is currently raising 

£1.25 million through an offer for subscription 

for 3.3m shares, some 25 per cent of the equity, 

at 38p a share, to finance additional working 

capital and sales support staff. 

The new on-line system links buildings of all 

types with supplier organisations: the progress 

of work carried out is updated via a touchscreen 

‘site terminal’, on which service personnel 

log their arrival and departure and any critical 

operational information. Records of attendance, 

maintenance schedules and other management 

data is stored on a central database, 

operated by the FM Company, which can be 

viewed on a secure web site by client businesses 

and service contractors. 

Customers already include Hilton International, 

who can now manage maintenance activity at 

hotels across Europe and Africa over the internet 

from any location in the world. Darren 

Cook, Director of Engineering, Hilton Hotels 

Europe, says:- 

“The FM Company’s web-based application and 

site terminals have enormous potential and will 

transform the way in which we deliver service 

within our hotels. The software is user friendly, 

transparent and extremely sophisticated, a 

class-leading combination which made the product 

stand out.” 

Turnover at the FM Company was just under 

£150,000 for the year to September 2004. The 

business is expected to move into profitability in 

2005, with annual sales then increasing to £10 

million by the end of 2007 from application service 

subscriptions for a projected 3,800 buildings 

in the UK. 

The company subscribes to the 535X online news 

and information service for small capitalisation 

public companies, which enables investors to 

view current indicative share prices. Founder 

and chairman Adrian Godwin says the intention 

is to list on AIM within the next 12 months. The 

company is advised by Capital Index. 

The new system was invented by Adrian Godwin, 

who was previously managing director of an 

international firm of consulting engineers. From 

his experience in advising on the maintenance 

of lift installations, he identified the opportunity 

to use the internet to provide premises’ managers 

with fast and accurate information on 

planned maintenance and site visits in response 

to service requests. Reader Reply No.: 83030 

RR: 83057 

24 

www.practicalfm.co.uk

BIFM 2005 - a successful 

conference for i2 

Mobile Solutions 

i2 Mobile Solutions, one of the 

UK’s leading mobile computing 

systems integrators was amongst 

a select number of exhibitors at 

the annual conference of the 

British Institute of Facilities 

Management, held at Queen’s 

College in Cambridge last month. 

i2 Mobile Solutions used the conference 

to showcase Pendulum, its 

powerful and innovative development 

software package that eliminates 

the need for expensive specialist 

programming, enabling nonprogrammers 

to create sophisticated, 

tailor-made mobile applications 

for Pocket PC-based devices. 

Pendulum applications can be run 

on anything from consumer PDAs to 

highly rugged, industrial portable 

terminals. 

To demonstrate what can be 

achieved, i2 Mobile Solutions has 

used Pendulum to create a suite of 

three basic facilities management 

applications for asset monitoring, 

PAT testing and condition surveying. 

These applications can be used 

either as they are, or as a basis for 

more tailored solutions, developed 

by the end-user or by i2 Mobile 

Solutions’ own technical staff. 

Ian Quint, Managing Director of i2 

Mobile Solutions comments, “The 

BIEM conference has an excellent 

reputation and was accordingly 

very well attended. It proved to be 

an ideal place to introduce our FM 

suite powered by Pendulum.” 


INSEN today announces the 

launch of SimplePAGE - a fast and 

effective messaging solution 

aimed at onsite and facilities 

management or where personnel 

are not desk-bound, with the key 

benefit of no on-going costs. 

If communication with your 

team is a daily challenge 

then 

SimplePAGE is 

an ideal solution. 

The 

ability to stay 

in touch with 

your team, no 

INSEN launches 

SimplePAGE 

matter where 

they are on site, 

is now possible 

using INSEN’S 

SimplePAGE messaging 

system. If someone on site has 

an urgent phone call, or an important 

visitor is waiting at reception 

or you simply want to pass a discrete 

message during a meeting, 

SimplePAGE is the low-cost option 

for instant communication. 

With a one-off cost, and no additional 

monthly charges, 

SimplePAGE enables you to stay in 

direct contact with your staff. 

Installation is quick and simple and 

can be integrated into your existing 

network or run on a standalone PC. 

Each employee is issued with a 

ict 

pager. The transmitter is connected 

to the server running the 

SimplePAGE software while each 

user runs the SimplePAGE client on 

their computer (SimplePAGE comes 

with a licence that supports 

up to 10,000 

users.) Coverage of 

up to one mile is 

available as 

standard, with 

additional 

coverage also 

possible. 

When an 

employee 

needs to be contacted, 

they are selected 

from the pager list, a message 

is entered in the message field 

and the send button is selected 

sending the message immediately. 

Click on a name, type in the message, 

press send...simple! 

“Urgently reaching personnel on a 

large site has always been problematic, 

and the deployment of 

mobile phones is cost prohibitive” 

said Duncan McInnes, Managing 

Director, INSEN. “However, 

SimplePAGE now enables building 

and facilities managers to deploy a 

low-cost solution that will enable 

instant messaging without any further 

on-going costs”. 


RR: 83057 


ict 

Hands on technology 

for London Borough 

of Lambeth 

RR: 83104 

26 

Quality 

monitoring 

in hand 

London Borough of Lambeth Housing 

Association invests in innovative handheld 

technology to improve cleaning service levels 

for local residents. 

Providing consistent high levels of cleanliness 

for local residents is vital to meet public expectations, 

constantly improve on these and justify 

council expenditure. Managing these services 

over the area of a whole London Borough with 

over 30,000 residents is no easy task. 

The introduction of Maximiser, the handheld 

computerised quality monitoring system, and 

StaffTrack, for route monitoring, are making this 

process easier and more efficient every day. 

Project Manger for the Housing Reframing Team, 

Martin Weston said: “Quality monitoring is generally 

regarded as the key performance and 

benchmarking indicator; so the ability to accurately 

monitor and compare services has taken 

on extra significance for us with the use of 

Maximiser.” 

Lambeth have purchased fifty three HP 2410 

handheld units for monitoring officers out in the 

field assessing the level of cleaning through a 

series of bespoke checklists together with a 

scoring system. The completed inspections are 

downloaded to a PC at five different regions 

within the Borough allowing them to produce a 

variety of reports and trend analysis charts to 

improve the level of service they deliver. This 

information is then centrally collated by the 

council IT department who posts the results for 

The Latest In Quality 

Monitoring Data Technology - 

Expolink Europe are proud to announce the 

very latest in data collection technology to 

make quality monitoring even easier. 

Quality monitoring systems have 

traditionally involved the generation of a 

large number of forms, which are manually 

completed, the results being keyed into a 

programme, such as Excel, for analysis. 

Other systems have relied upon every unit 

being given a bar code or the creation of 

data trees – both time consuming activities. 

Originally developed in 1996, Maximiser is a 

unique, simple to use quality monitoring 

system ideally suited for measuring 

performance levels in a wide range of 

businesses. These include cleaning, catering, 

grounds maintenance and health & safety. 

You can inspect tasks in any order, make 

comments on any subject, at any length and 

at any time during use. Or attach a camera to 

store still or moving images of maintenance 

problems. And when everything’s done simply 

transfer the data to your office PC for 

consolidation of results. Maximiser removes 

the time taken to prepare reports following 

monitoring inspections and makes in-depth 

analysis easy. The result is a saving in time, 

an improvement in efficiency and, therefore, 

a saving in costs. 

Used in hundreds of locations including NHS 

Trusts, Councils as well as the private 

sector, Maximiser is supplied ready for use 

with your own client data entered, enabling 

inspections to be undertaken immediately 

after the training session. It plays a major 

role in the continuous improvement and best 

value initiatives as it can measure 

performance against target and be used in 

benchmarking. 

For more information on how Maximiser could help your business or a no-obligation 

demonstration, contact: 

Expolink Europe Ltd 

1 Greenways Business Park, Bellinger Close, Chippenham SN15 1BN 

Tel: 0870 121 5253 Fax: 0870 121 5254 Email: sales@expolink.co.uk 

www.expolink.co.uk 

each region on the web site for residents to 

examine. 

The results from this forward thinking technology 

are also used to provide an overview of service 

performances at monthly networking meeting 

across the Borough. These meetings provide 

an ideal opportunity for managers to share 

information and new ideas on areas of concern 

and how they have overcome certain issues in 

their region. 

Expolink have also seen a welcome benefit of 

the Lambeth venture as the final stage of being 

invited by Hewlett Packard to join their 

Developer & Solution Partner Programme, 

Mobility and IPAQ Developers Programmes. 

These programmes have been designed to help 

independent software vendors (ISVs), developers, 

and system integrators (SIS), create unique 

solutions across the broad spectrum of HP’s 

platforms and operating systems. The goal of 

the program is to match high-quality services 

with their partners’ development cycle, marketing, 

and sales needs. 

Martin adds: “We are using another Expolink 

product called StaffTrack, to help us manage 

the repeat frequency of cleaning in some areas 

and identify the reasons behind to ensure the 

best possible levels of services for the residents 

at all times. We have been able to highlight 

where an increase in the number of cleaning 

staff is required through their working patterns. 

We can also manage staff time more effectively, 

and for the first time we can actually prove that 

staff have been to clean different areas which is 

a huge improvement on what we could previously 

offer.” 

One hundred and fifty RFID (radio frequency 

Identification) handheld units have been issued 

for cleaning staff to use together with 2000 

strategically located tags to track the whereabouts 

of cleaning staff throughout the day. 

RFID is replacing traditional bar code tags that 

are open to abuse, can be removed from the 

wall and duplicated. The StaffTrack RFID tags 

can be used in many different environments 

read through wallpaper, plaster and are also 

waterproof making them suitable for outdoor 

use. At the end of each shift the collated route 

data is once again downloaded to a PC at each 

region. Detailed activity reports are produced to 

show the exact route taken by each cleaner, 

how long they were in the area and how long 

they took to get from one area to the next. All 

information recorded by the StaffTrack system 

from the five Boroughs is once again collated by 

the IT department and posted on the council 

web site. 

Martin concludes: “We have been able to optimise 

the use of the same technology, offering us 

extra product value, to carry out checks on boilers 

and fire doors in accordance with the standard 

Housing Association Health and Safety obligations.” 



health & safety 

Folding rooftop safety 

for new sports block 

Dunn & Cowe’s folding guardrail 

system, Fold-Shield, has been 

selected by Balfour Beatty as a 

non-intrusive rooftop safety solution 

for a new PFI sports hall and 

changing block at James Brindley 

High School in Stoke-on-Trent. 

Balfour Beatty required a collective 

man safe system to protect its staff 

working on the future 23-year 

maintenance contract for the 

building. Fold-Shield, which was 

installed by Highwire Ltd, was 

specified for the roof of the four 

metre high changing block as an 

economic means of preventing 

falls. 

Site manager Geoff Dunn 

Morgan Stanley initiates 

defibrillator programme 

Morgan Stanley offers a complete range of 

financial services to clients and customers 

throughout the world. At its European headquarters 

in London’s Canary Wharf, around 

6,000 staff occupy over 20 floors across 4 

buildings known as the London Campus. To 

help improve the survival rate of its employees 

should they suffer a sudden cardiac arrest 

whilst at work, Morgan Stanley has initiated a 

defibrillator programme, in which sixteen 

Laerdal Heartstart First Aid Defibrillators have 

been strategically placed throughout the campus 

for emergency use before the arrival of an 

ambulance. 

Over 270,000 people in the UK suffer a heart 

attack each year - that’s one heart attack every 

two minutes. Thirty percent of sudden cardiac 

arrest victims die before they even reach hospital. 

If defibrillated within two to three minutes 

of collapse, the chances of the victim’s survival 

are increased by up to 50%. Without defibrillation, 

the rate of successful recovery decreases 

by an alarming 10% per minute. In the absence 

of a defibrillator, CPR alone is not enough. 

Without early defibrillation, the patient will 

almost certainly die. 

Amanda Jackson, Occupational Health Advisor 

for Morgan Stanley at Canary Wharf, explained, 

“Although we have had a fully equipped medical 

centre and medical staff here on site for over 

four years, I was acutely aware of the “actual” 

response times of the emergency services in 

London and the benefits in training workplace 

First Aiders to use automatic external defibrillators 

(AEDs). With the advances in science making 

AEDs even easier to use, and the government 

initiative re defibrillators in public places, I 

decided to investigate installing AEDs in our 

working environment. London Ambulance 

Service was instrumental in providing information 

to carry the idea forward as a justifiable 

business plan. Through an initiative championed 

by the Health & Safety Manager, Peter Hillier, at 

the end of last year, Morgan Stanley approved 

the installation of Laerdal Heartstart First Aid 

Defibrillators throughout its London campus, 

together with further first aid and defibrillator 

training for Security Staff and First Aiders.” 

Although Laerdal’s HeartStart First Aid 

Defibrillator is a technically advanced piece of 

equipment, it is small, robust and surprisingly 

easy to use. In fact, independent scientific user 

trials show that it is the most simple to operate 

AED on the market. Automated voice commands 

and comprehensive diagrams take the operator 

through each step of the way. Through pads 

explained, 

“Fold-Shield 

was the perfect 

solution. It 

could be 

attached to the 

roof without 

penetrating the 

felt roofing 

already in place 

and so doesn’t 

effect the 

waterproofing 

of the roof 

which would 

cause future 

maintenance 

problems.” 

The system is also the only know 

folding guardrail on the market 

which means it can be folded out of 

sight when not in use using a one 

way hinge, locking bolt and sleeve 

mechanism. Architects specify the 

system because it does not spoil 

the line of the building, or where 

planning regulations won’t allow 

the use of a permanently erected 

guardrail. 

Fully galvanised, Fold-Shield complies 

with health and safety standards 

including guidance contained 

in HS/G-33 Health & Safety in roof 

work 1998. 


Major changes in the fire safety 

legislation are impacting heavily 

on Estates Managers. The reforms 

place responsibility squarely on 

the shoulders of a designated 

‘Responsible Person’ - and, in the 

NHS, Estates Managers seem an 

obvious choice. 

Defined as the person deemed to 

be ‘in control’ of the premises, a 

key duty is to undertake regular 

fire risk assessments; No real problem 

here as most FM’s would consider 

this to be a crucial and existing 

task. 

However, the new legislation states 

that an offence is committed if, 

during a risk assessment, a serious 

hazard is ignored which could pose 

a risk of death or injury to a building’s 

occupants. The designated 

‘Responsible Person’ could be held 

liable for this offence. It would 

seem absolutely essential, therefore, 

to ensure NHS Estates 

attached to the patient’s chest, the machine 

analyses the heart’s rhythm and if necessary, 

will advise the operator to administer a safe, 

controlled shock. It then continues to assess the 

heart’s rhythm until an ambulance arrives, and 

during this time, will advise further shocks if 

necessary. 

A risk assessment was carried out at Canary 

Wharf offices by Morgan Stanley and London 

Ambulance Service, with consideration of the 

Resus Councils guidance. It was advised that 

defibrillators should be located at strategic 

points throughout the buildings to achieve a 

three to five minute response time to wherever 

occupants should collapse. A defibrillator is 

now positioned at all main receptions in every 

building, and at each main Security post 

(manned 24 hours a day by trained Security 

Staff), and is taken to every emergency/first aid 

call. 

Amanda added, “All Security Staff, as part of 

their job role, must be HSE “approved first aid 

at work” qualified, but as part of the programme, 

we have extended their contracts to 

include competence in the use of defibrillators. 

London Ambulance Service conducts initial and 

refresher courses in the use of defibrillators on 

site, in conjunction with our own Occupational 

Health department. Since we launched the 

defibrillator initiative, over 60% of voluntary 

first aiders, in addition to our Security Staff, 

have chosen to take on additional defibrillator 

training. Training and installation of the AEDs 

commenced in January 2005.” 


Are you the 

responsible person? 

Managers have accessible, standardised, 

up to date buildings services 

information. 

Working with Topscan, an increasing 

number of NHS Estate 

Management Teams are achieving 

the required standard and accessibility 

of information. John 

Shorttle, Estate Director at 

Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust says 

“The new multi-layered CAD footprint 

supplied by Topscan, is of a 

high quality and provided to an 

agreed standard. It has been a 

huge help in developing our fire 

strategy - and much more besides.” 

Alisdair Lamplugh, at Topscan says 

“With increasing legislation hitting 

already stretched Estate 

Management teams, our service is 

becoming more and more of a priority. 

We are particularly experienced 

in the NHS environment and 

offer a bespoke service to Trusts 

across the country.” RR No.: 83113 

www.practicalfm.co.uk 

27


Holistic therapy balances work 

related stress and wellbeing 

In many modern day workplaces, particularly 

in environments where long working 

hours and tight deadlines are part of the 

culture and/or PC workstations are prevalent; 

complaints of work-related stress 

and upper limb disorder are on the 

increase. In the UK alone, 25% of all 

absenteeism is stress related and more 

than 30% is back pain related. In addition 

to risk assessments and preventative procedures, 

in answer to these modern day 

workplace tensions, holistic relaxation 

and wellbeing therapies are being introduced 

into more workplaces. Channel Five 

Broadcasting has introduced a unique 

“Hela Zone” to address the needs of their 

staff. 

Hela Zone is a unique, non-intrusive massage 

solution that provides effective relief for stress 

and muscular tension - a common cause of back 

pain in the workplace. Hela Zone incorporates 

an integrated sound system and relaxation 

music to treat the user to an effective wellbeing 

treatment at work. The professional massage 

chair provides a remarkably effective deep 

tissue massage, from the lower vertebra to the 

upper neck, including leg and foot vibration. 

Kneading, tapping, rolling, pointing and vibrating 

for approximately 15 minutes, it makes the 

user feel relaxed or revitalised, depending on 

the programme used. 

The Hela Zone was introduced to Five’s offices 

to provide a relaxing space away from the busy 

work environment for a short time, where 

employees could go to revitalise their creative 

New Sonomax system wins 

prestigious industry award 

Hagemeyer Environmental Health & Safety is 

celebrating the resounding success of its new 

Sonomax hearing protection system, after 

picking up the much sought after Innovation 

Award at the recent Safety & Health Expo in 

Birmingham. 

Sponsored by the British Safety Industry 

Foundation (BSIF), the coveted award was presented 

to Hagemeyer, who fought off stiff competition 

from 11 other finalists - including major 

manufacturers such as Centurion, Posturite and 

RoSPA. 

Eight prestigious figureheads were involved in 

the judging process. These included Godric 

Jolliffe, editor of Health and Safety Practitioner, 

John Howard OBE, CEO of RoSPA, Michael 

Clapham MP, chairman of the MP’s All Party 

Group on Occupational Safety, Allan St John 

Holt, head of safety at the Royal Mail, Hugh 

Robertson, senior policy officer, TUC, Ivor 

Harris, CEO of Safety Services Ltd and representatives 

from BSIF - Sir John Cullen, President 

and Geoff Hooke, Secretary General, who both 

also presented the award. 

All submissions for the award were studied by 

the judges against specific criteria. To win the 

award, the product had to demonstrate that it 

was unique in concept, design or performance, 

that it uses new technology, contributes towards 

improvements in occupational health and safety 

and assists in the reduction of occupational 

accidents or injuries. 

The judges felt that Sonomax fulfilled these 

prerequisites with the highest ability. Sonomax 

is a truly unique hearing protection system that 

has acoustic filters, able to eliminate ‘toxic 

noise’ dangers whilst still permitting the user to 

carry on normal conversations. Each system is 

custom fitted to the wearer and adapted by a 

computer software process to the noise level 

exposure of the employee. 

Hearing protection continues to be a major issue 

in the health and safety industry, with up to 

81,000 employees reporting hearing problems 

due to work in the UK in 2003/2004. Recent 

research estimates that 170,000* people in the 

UK suffer deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions 

as a result of exposure to excessive noise 

in the workplace. 

Sonomax is the first hearing product which can 

be qualitatively and quantitatively tested for 

sparks or relax by fading away into the background. 

Sunny Bains, Five’s Health and Safety 

Officer, explains: “Five’s culture is to “work 

hard, play hard”, the general ethos being that 

the company will give you the best and you will 

give the company your best. The Hela massage 

chair was placed in a prepared, designated room 

with scented oils in the relaxation area. The 

“Revive at Five” Zone was marketed via our 

intranet, with a computer calendar booking system 

set up to book a session or check on immediate 

availability. When in use, an “On Air” sign 

outside the door enables the user to relax in the 

confidence that they will not be disturbed at 

any time during the session.” 

“Staff wellbeing is very important to the culture 

of Five,” Sunny continues. “Employees are 

offered a variety of services that encourage 

health, fitness and wellbeing at work. Herbal 

refreshments are even offered on the tea trolley! 

Hela ‘Revive at Five’ Zone is one of 

the perks that employees really like. One 

of the benefits is that it’s available seven 

days a week and it is free of charge for 

employees. However, Five also offers 

other services to its employees such as a 

fortnightly visits by a woman who provides 

hands-on massage and an osteopath 

visits twice a month. Staff pay for these 

services, but they are available on site. 

The ‘Revive at Five Zone’ is one of the 

most talked abut perks with new starters 

and so we hold periodic training sessions 

for all new starters. For the long term 

benefits it provides, Five finds the cost of 

Hela Revive at Five Zone worth every penny 

spent.” 

According to the World Health Organisation 

Regional Office for Europe1, stress at work and 

other psychosocial factors have now joined traditional 

problems of unemployment and exposure 

to physical, chemical and biological hazards 

as major occupational health concerns. 

Stress is reported to be the most common cause 

of long-term sickness absence amongst nonmanual 

workers.1 The British Occupational 

Health Research Foundation now estimates that 

17 million working days are lost each year due 

to work-related stress, more than twice as many 

as caused by workplace injury. 

Even though half a million people in the UK 

experience work related stress, a recent survey 

of 1,400 HR Professionals has revealed that 56% 

of employees do not have a specific strategy for 

managing it. Reader Reply No.: 83045 

measurable hearing protection. Allowing safe 

noise into the ear, the Sonomax system lasts for 

three years which will also lead to a reduction 

in waste, usually produced by disposable plugs. 

Following the launch at the Expo, Hagemeyer 

has received enormous support for this groundbreaking 

new product, attracting the attention 

of a number of large organisations, ranging from 

Formula 1 to the music industry - which is working 

to promote hearing protection for young 

people attending concerts. Backed by a worldwide 

network, Hagemeyer is the exclusive supplier 

of Sonomax to the health and safety industry 

in the UK. 

Brian Powell, general manager of Hagemeyer’s 

Health and Safety Division, says, “Sonomax is 

completely exclusive to Hagemeyer in the UK 

and is an example of our ability to attract suppliers 

of innovative market-leading products. 

Winning the Innovation Award is testimony to 

the outstanding hearing protection benefits that 

this product can bring. 

“The launch of the new range has been a 

resounding success and many significant blue 

chip companies are interested in the benefits it 

can bring to their businesses. Hearing protection 

has traditionally been uncomfortable, ineffective 

and in the case of disposable plugs - the 

same size and shape for every worker regardless 

of the level of noise exposure. Sonomax offers 

a solution to all of these problems, whilst helping 

businesses save money and reduce waste.” 


28 


❲❊❏■❳❪ 

❏▼❱❲❳ 

ESSENTIAL 

WORKPLACE 

SKILLS 

CIEH QUALIFICATIONS GIVE THE 

PREFERRED SKILLS TO ALL 

EMPLOYEES IN HEATH AND SAFETY 

With CIEH qualifications you can: 

• reduce workplace health and safety 

incidences 

• protect/reduce insurance premiums 

• improve the working environment 

• limit staff absenteeism 

• demonstrate commitment to quality 

To find out how you can do all this, 

please contact Rebekah on 0207 827 5855* 

(email: r.ford@chgl.com) 

*Lines are open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, except Public Holidays 

BE CERTAIN 

BE QUALIFIED WITH CIEH 

www.CIEH-Coursefinder.com 

RR: 83072


Busy safety show as SAHS 

goes for FM market 

Safety & Health Expo 2005 was a major success 

for Safety at Height Services (SAHS), the 

specialist hire and maintenance division of fall 

arrest specialists Capital Safety Group 

Northern Europe. The show provided the ideal 

venue for SAHS to launch its exciting new 

Facilities Management package as well as generating 

further awareness of the company and 

its capabilities throughout the UK. 

Big safety benefits 

from MINI and MICRO 

LifeSavers 

Aberdeen-based SAHS has mainly been known in 

Scotland and is now looking to expand throughout 

the UK and Europe. General Manager, 

Laurence Reilly reports that all three days of the 

show were extremely busy, with representatives 

of some big names visiting the stand. These 

included UCI, British Waterways, the RSPCA, 

Customs & Excise and the Health & Safety 

Executive. 

Lone workers in small companies 

and isolated workers in large businesses 

can now benefit from high 

level emergency protection with 

the introduction of the MINI and 

MICRO SBES LifeSaver systems. 

Protection for lone workers is one 

of the primary areas of concern 

within the latest Health and Safety 

legislation, and bosses must 

demonstrate they are taking steps 

to protect those workers who may 

be isolated from colleagues or work 

alone. 

The MINI and MICRO SBES LifeSaver 

systems automatically alert colleagues 

in the event of a worker 

falling, collapsing or being rendered 

unconscious, ensuring an 

immediate response in the vital 

first few minutes following an incident. 

The system includes a wireless 

alarm transmitter, worn by the 

worker in belt clip form and activated 

either automatically through 

a tilt sensor or manually via push 

button. When activated the transmitter 

sends a signal indicating the 

wearer’s identity and location. 

The SBES LifeSaver MINI is a four 

zone system that accommodates up 

to four ‘Lone Worker’ wire-free 

alarm transmitters, with up to 

eight installed ‘Help Points’ or a 

combination of these as required. 

The highly visible SBES Help Points 

are easily activated by anyone in 

trouble and use wire-free transmission 

with a 300m range for easy 

installation and relocation. 

The SBES LifeSaver MICRO is a single 

zone system that offers a single 

worker protection on a fixed site. 

Both the SBES LifeSaver MINI and 

MICRO systems have been used successfully 

in offices, workshops, 

stores, gymnasiums, warehouses, 

farm buildings, airport fuelling 

bays, laboratories and plant rooms. 

SBES Ltd has also achieved a world 

first in developing an Ex-rated version 

of the transmitter which can 

be used in potentially explosive 

environments such as workshops 

which contain flammable materials 

or solvents. 


New System from Sypol 

nudges staff to review 

h & s knowledge 

A Champagne reception launched the Facilities 

Management package, and Laurence is delighted 

by the interest it generated from potential customers 

and the press. 

This new package extends SAHS’ full service 

capability of hire, service and repair to the 

Facilities Management sector. It can be tailored 

to satisfy the needs of either the larger construction 

and new build groups who have a 

Facilities Management arm to project-manage 

material availability on site, or the more traditional 

Facilities Management companies responsible 

for building repair and maintenance. 

Demonstration of the Sala Suspension Trauma 

Safety Strap, which allows the fallen worker to 

stand in their harness while they wait for rescue, 

also attracted a lot of attention. This 

potentially life saving innovation importantly 

relieves the pressure on their legs as blood can 

pool in the veins of the leg, leading to suspension 

trauma and unconsciousness, serious injury 

or even death. 

Laurence says, “Both the FM package and the 

Suspension Trauma Safety Strap lead to some 

great discussions. Our presence at the Safety & 

Health Expo certainly extended awareness of 

the SAHS operation and we have collected some 

excellent leads and contacts which we look forward 

to following up. 


With health and safety legislation 

requiring more and more information, 

assessment and training, 

leading health, safety and environmental 

consultancy Sypol is 

making this obligation easier to 

manage with the launch of 

SafetySmart. Developed in consultation 

with leading commercial 

organisations, SafetySmart provides 

an integrated modular solution 

to management systems, risk 

assessments, access to emergency 

response information, training, 

evaluation and record keeping. 

First time users of SafetySmart are 

automatically identified by the 

software and taken through online 

health and safety induction training 

tailored to their job description, 

location and health and safety 

needs. An interactive health and 

safety quiz is then delivered to 

measure how well the information 

has been understood. Poor understanding 

is flagged to line managers 

so further training can be provided. 

Once trained, staff are asked to 

compile online assessments by 

completing simple questionnaires. 

If issues are highlighted, 

SafetySmart first delivers tips for 

improvement such as suggestions 

on how to adjust a workstation, 

then completed assessments are 

submitted electronically to line 

managers or others so that necessary 

controls can be implemented. 

SafetySmart also identifies and 

tracks the management of these 

corrective actions and maintains 

the required records. 

The Emergency Response Toolbar 

gives 24/7 access to user specific 

information such as emergency exit 

routes, nearest first aid kit and 

first aider. This is made possible 

because of SafetySmart’s knowledge 

of where the user is located. 


30 


expansion & relocation. 

Modular buildings: the fast way 

to quality working environments 

In recent years modular buildings have played 

an increasingly important role in the building 

sector, with Sir John Egan’s Rethinking 

Construction and the subsequent Accelerating 

Change reports both having a big impact on 

the market. 

Through these reports, Sir John called for a 

reduction in the price of construction projects, 

as well as for developments to be completed on 

time, on budget and with fewer defects. 

These challenges offer an excellent opportunity 

for the modular building industry as, due to 

their factory quality controlled production, this 

type of construction can reduce building project 

timescales by more than 50 per cent, as well as 

being less disruptive to the surrounding area of 

the site and being safer, quieter and cleaner for 

the duration of the project. 

While these factors offer significant opportunities 

for the industry, the key issue it faces is perception. 

A common view people have of modular 

buildings is that they are draughty and 

unwelcoming. However, the building range provided 

by Portakabin, the UK’s leading modular 

building provider, demonstrates that this is no 

longer the case, as they integrate the latest 

design techniques and the most advanced materials. 

All these qualities make modular buildings the 

ideal solution for facilities managers, whose 

responsibilities have increased dramatically in 

recent years. As more and more demands are 

placed on the time of facilities managers, high 

quality support and products from suppliers 

becomes increasingly important. 

The range of buildings available from Portakabin 

help to make life much easier for busy facilities 

managers looking for high quality building solutions. 

Ultima Building System 

The Portakabin Ultima building system meets 

all permanent building requirements and its 

energy efficiency performance is second-tonone, 

exceeding the revised Part L of the 

Building Regulations air leakage index by 90 per 

cent. 

Individual all-steel modules can rapidly construct 

buildings of up to three-storeys, while the 

design and layout of buildings can be tailored to 

individual customer requirements. 

Whether for multi-departmental offices, a medical 

centre or a new school building, the Ultima 

building system provides a quick, comfortable 

and flexible solution to a wide range of accommodation 

requirements. 

Titan building range 

When smart, spacious accommodation is needed 

quickly, Portakabin Titan buildings are the ideal 

solution. Available in four sizes, from 36m 2 to 

67m 2 - the largest building in Europe that can be 

transported in one piece - Titan buildings provide 

a comfortable, professional interior that 

can be open-plan or divided into separate rooms 

and offices. 

The building range also offers a versatile linking 

system that can create full building complexes. 

Portakabin FireSafe building 

Following extensive customer research, the 

Portakabin FireSafe fire-rated building has been 

purpose designed and built by Portakabin to 

offer the highest levels of fire containment, as 

well as protection against theft and vandalism. 

Features include: 

tested and certified by Warrington Fire 

Research Centre 

unique low-level lifting fulfils HSE guidelines 

to avoid working at height 

a range of security features offer outstanding 

protection 

excellent insulation offers high levels of 

thermal efficiency 

Portakabin classrooms 

To enable schools to quickly provide additional 

high-quality classroom space, Portakabin has 

developed a purpose-built classroom building, 

which can be delivered and ready for occupation 

within weeks. This is an ideal solution for 

schools that need to get accommodation in 

place during school holidays in time for the start 

of the new school year in September. 

The double-classroom building incorporates two 

64m 2 teaching rooms and a large cloakroom. It 

has been designed in consultation with DfES 

guidelines and incorporates the thinking 

detailed in the White Paper, Achieving Success, 

which states that any new school refurbishment 

programme has to promote good design, minimise 

the environmental impact and work to 

achieve the targets of Rethinking Construction 

such as reduced wastage, improved delivery 

time and better value for money. 

Lilliput Children’s Centres 

To help achieve the Government’s aim of 

increasing the number of children’s centres to 

3,500 by 2008, Portakabin has developed the 

Lilliput Children’s Centre. 

Through the introduction of children’s centres in 

the 30 per cent most disadvantaged areas in 

England, the aim is to provide children and parents 

with affordable, good quality childcare, 

family healthcare, legal and career clinics and 

parenting skills, helping to create stronger, 

safer communities for children to grow up in. 

Lilliput Children’s Centres enable local authorities 

to start providing these facilities as quickly 

as possible, as the centres take less than half 

the time of a traditional building to construct. 

Including a wide range of features that make 

them an ideal learning environment for both 

children and the wider community, the children’s 

centres can be constructed as stand alone 

buildings or used as an extension to an existing 

building to enable it to provide the facilities 

required of a children’s centre. 

These are just a few examples of the high quality 

buildings available from Portakabin. Each 

project is tailored to meet the needs of individual 

customers, to ensure that every building 

provides the best possible environment for its 

occupants. 

Plus, with its unique Customer Charter*, 

Portakabin promises to deliver projects on time 

and on budget, answering the demands of Egan’s 

Rethinking Construction. What’s more, if the 

company fails to do this, customers will be compensated 

- a week’s free hire for every day they 

are late, or an additional six months product 

warranty, depending on whether the buildings 

are hired or purchased. By doing this, 

Portakabin offers its customers complete peace 

of mind that a Portakabin modular building is 

the best solution for today’s facilities managers’ 

accommodation needs. 


*Terms and conditions apply. Copies available on request 


expansion & relcoation 

Austin Reed 

relocates with ROC 

The Austin Reed Group, one of 

the UK’s best-known fashion 

retailers, has relocated its 

London offices with the assistance 

of Roc Relocations. 

Previously based over four floors 

in Sackville Street, the offices 

have moved to the top two floors 

of Austin Reed’s recently redeveloped 

flagship store in Regent 

Street. 

The move, which took place over 

two weekends to avoid disruption 

to Austin Reed’s business operations, 

was not straightforward 

operation and several major challenges 

had to be overcome. 

Roc Relocations had to move 

all the office furniture, filing, 

office equipment, PCs 

and ancillary equipment 

from the Sackville Street 

offices using small and old 

lifts - around 500 crates 

were required. It also had to 

handle the busy London traffic 

and numerous one-way 

systems as well as dealing 

with the various needs of 80 

members of staff. 

According to Geoff Snowdon 

of GSA Projects, who managed 

the project on behalf 

of Austin Reed: “Roc 

Relocations successfully 

completed the move in 

extremely short timescales 

enabling Austin Reed to seamlessly 

transfer all staff to the new offices 

without interruption to the business. 

We were also impressed by 

the expertise and enthusiasm of 

Roc Relocations’ staff throughout 

the project.” 

Roc Relocations was responsible for 

unpacking after the move and setting 

up all the desking according to 

open plan layouts provided by 

Austin Reed. It also provided a post 

move team to deal with any snagging 

issues and ensure a successful 

project completion. 


Removals and storage 

solutions from PHS Teacrate 

As all FM’s know, organising your company’s move to a new office can 

be a daunting task. That is why choosing the right logistical partners 

with the experience to help you succeed are essential. 

When it comes to choosing a crate rental specialist, with the expertise 

and ability to help turn your plans a reality, one name should spring to 

mind - PHS Teacrate. 

As the UK’s leading crate rental specialist, PHS Teacrate has become the 

natural choice for many of the UK’s leading removals companies and it 

isn’t hard to see why. With the largest range of crates specifically 

designed for the removals and storage market - including Teacrate’s 

exclusive I.T.1 crate: designed to securely store a 21” monitor during 

removal - Teacrate is able to provide a tailor made solution to your problem. 

With over 1 million crates currently in circulation, no other company 

is better equipped to meet your demands all year round. And to 

ensure complete satisfaction, all of our customers receive clean crates 

every time, meaning you don’t get any hidden surprises! 

Of course, providing the right answer to the problem is only part of the 

Are you Ready to Move? 

The lifecycle of businesses means 

that they are constantly on the 

move in order to adapt to changing 

market conditions and opportunities, 

or to reflect the current 

economic climate. However big or 

small the change, it is critical that 

the move is planned and executed 

as efficiently as possible. 

This is where Business Switch can 

help. Business Switch, formerly 

known as IT-RPMS, are specialists in 

the relocation of people, premises 

and technology, and are experienced 

in managing office relocation 

projects for a wide range of 

blue chip and SME organisations. 

To help you ensure that you have 

catered for every eventuality 

before you embark on a business 

move, Business Switch has produced 

a professional guide to business 

relocation, ‘Ready to Move’. 

‘Ready to Move’ examines the 

wider aspects of business relocation 

to help you plan your move 

successfully. It does this by looking 

at the wider picture and highlighting 

some of the obvious, but often 

overlooked, areas, which can 

affect the success of your move. 

The team at Business Switch have a 

vast amount of project management 

experience and are experts in 

premises and technology, enabling 

them to provide a service that will 

meet your relocation requirements. 

One of their points of difference is 

that they can be ready to work on 

the very first day of a project, 

using their two custom-designed 

planning tools that capture essential 

data for the move. 

Business Switch can tailor their 

products and services to meet the 

needs of the individual client. They 

consider the wider perspective and 

focus on ensuring a strong project 

team, providing effective project 

tracking and financial controls. 


solution. That is why PHS Teacrate have invested heavily in their logistical 

infrastructure - a benefit derived from being part of one of the UK’s 

largest B2B service providers, the PHS Group plc. With branches situated 

throughout the UK, and one of the largest fleets in the industry, PHS 

Teacrate offer a flexible same day / next day delivery and collection service 

that can work to even the most demanding schedules. With the capability 

to deliver any number of crates, anywhere in the UK, when you 

want them, Teacrate makes sure you have one less thing to worry about! 

Whether placing a new order or simply updating an existing one, we 

believe this should take as little time as possible, so you’re free to get on 

with the important things. 

At PHS Teacrate, each customer is assigned an individual account manager, 

which means there is always someone there when you need us most. 

Customers can also take advantage of Cratelink - Teacrate’s unique online 

service that is available to customers 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Cratelink allows customers to order stock anytime of the day, gain access 

to their historical records and run a full range of auditing tools at the 

touch of a button. 

For the more demanding projects, customers can also benefit from 

Dynamic Pooling. Taking advantage of Teacrate’s substantial stock pool, 

Dynamic Pooling is a continuous stock flow system that minimises costs 

yet guarantees the crates you want, when you want them. 


Diary Dates 

32 

July 2005 

Commercial Awareness for FMs 5-6 July Harrington Hall, London SW7 www.quadrilect.co.uk 

Managing Safety for Senior Executives 5 July Harrington Hall, London SW7 www.quadrilect.co.uk 

Project Management 6-7 July Harrington Hall, London SW7 www.quadrilect.co.uk 

Performance Improvement 13 July Harrington Hall, London SW7 www.quadrilect.co.uk 

Disaster Recovery 14 July Harrington Hall, London SW7 www.quadrilect.co.uk 

September 2005 

Recycling and Waste Management Exhibition 13-15 Sept Birmingham NEC www.rwmexhibition.com 

October 2005 

Total Workplace Management 11-13 Oct Earls Court London www.twmexpo.com 

Context 11-13 Oct Earls Court London www.contextlive.com 


expansion & relocation. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RR: 83110 

Have you ever considered off site 

records management? 

You know the name Pickfords, but did you know that 

Pickfords Records Management is also one of the 

world's largest suppliers of record management 

services? We work with a huge number of clients 

from major international organisations to national, 

regional and local companies. With 32 dedicated 

RM centres across the UK Pickfords Records 

Management offers a complete range of services to 

fully support your document management needs. 

the best kept 

secret in records 

management... 

Why Pickfords? 

• An unrivalled audit tracking process providing 

complete peace of mind 

• Your information at your fingertips when you need it 

• Physical storage as well as electronic archiving 

• Document scanning and hosting 

Information is power, and well-managed information 

can give you that competitive edge! 

Call: 08457 21 21 77 

www.pickfordsrm.com 

a best kept secret, is best kept by... 

records management 

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority 

RR: 83128 


expansion & relcoation 

Dudley hospitals 

healthy, during moves 

PHS Teacrate has become the preferred crate 

rental supplier of the Fox Moving Group, after 

a long and successful relationship with Fox’s 

Stourbridge branch, including effective partnership 

over one of the largest contracts in 

the removals industry for years. The £180 million, 

four year project to consolidate the NHS 

Corbett, Wordsley and Guest hospitals into the 

1,200 bed Russells Hall Hospital (Dudley’s new 

‘super-hospital’) began in March 2003, requiring 

water-tight logistical planning, responsiveness 

and flexibility from its contractors. 

Kevin Dom, branch manager at Fox Moving & 

Storage in Stourbridge, believes PHS Teacrate 

was absolutely the right partner for this important 

contract: 

“Because all four hospitals remained fully operational 

during the moves, this contract has been 

sensitive and extremely demanding, requiring us 

to meet tight time schedules. Our excellent 

partnership with PHS Teacrate has allowed us 

not only to meet, but to exceed our client’s service 

expectations.” 

“Managing a contract of this magnitude has 

proved challenging and rewarding, not to mention 

stressful at times, but PHS Teacrate’s 

responsiveness and management systems have 

certainly helped with the smooth running of all 

the moves. I am now looking forward to the 

Relocating to new premises or merely moving 

from one office to another is often the time 

when people decide to have that long awaited 

“clear out” they have been promising for 

months if not years! 

But what can you throw away? What do you 

need to keep? Where can you put it? 

Why not let the professionals help? Pickfords 

Records Management is part of the SIRVA Group 

of Companies. As such we have offices in over 

more relaxing ‘summer season’ of the removals 

industry!” 

Some interesting statistics from the project are 

as follows: 

• A medical records department was moved 

over a two-month period, involving safe transfer 

of over 2 million records. These had to be ‘in 

position’ within 2 hours of being packed. 

• A maternity department was moved, involving 

50 van-loads of documentation and equipment 

over a period of 3 days. 

• 25,000 crates and 4,000 security cages have 

been used on the project so far. 

With numbers like these, and with demand fluctuating 

on a daily basis, crate supply has to be 

sophisticated and responsive. Nick Burke, PHS 

Teacrate’s Regional Sales and Service Manager, 

worked closely with Fox Moving & Storage at 

Stourbridge throughout their long relationship, 

and was instrumental in the company’s move to 

preferred-supplier status with the Fox Moving 

Group. He comments on how they managed 

crate supply on the Dudley hospitals contract: 

“At PHS Teacrate, we operate a system called 

‘dynamic pooling’, which is especially helpful on 

large, complex contracts like this one. With 

dynamic pooling, we keep large stock levels at 

our depots, allowing our customers to call off 

more crates as and when needed, or push them 

Thinking of 

relocating? 

45 countries across the globe and, through the 

Pickfords business, a heritage stretching back 

over 350 years. 

Pickfords entered the Records Management 

industry in 1994 as a natural progression to our 

already world-famous moving and storage business. 

We were able to adopt and improve upon 

many of the best practices of our established 

competitors - meaning you, our customers, got 

the best possible service 

at the best possible 

price. 

Our team of field-based 

experts will be able to 

advise you on the latest 

retention policies, legislative 

requirements, 

storage options from 

deep store to live filing 

and even media and 

tape or scan on demand 

options. Once you 

realise the full potential 

of off-site data management 

you may not want 

to go back to having a 

filing cabinet in your 

new offices at all! 

Pickfords Records 

Management has 32 

dedicated locations 

across the UK, Eire and 

Republic of Ireland so 

we are bound to have a 

branch near you! All of 

our pricing is fair and 

transparent and we can 

provide up to the 

back in our direction when not. This gives the 

customer plenty of flexibility, and avoids the 

inconvenience and unnecessary extra cost 

involved in holding unwanted excess on their 

own premises ‘just in case. 

“PHS Teacrate is the UK’s largest crate rental 

specialist with the financial backing of the PHS 

Group plc, which is why we have the resources 

to be able to offer customers Fox Moving & 

Storage and the Dudley hospitals contract.” 

Reader Reply No.: 83110/229 

minute Management Information to help you 

manage your records. 

Through our latest on-line portal you can also 

retrieve and return documents on line and, if 

you wish, you can chose a scan on demand or 

back scanning option which means you receive 

an electronic copy of the document direct to 

your desktop - no need to even recall that old 

paper file! Reader Reply No.: 83128 

34 


security focus 

Tower 42 adds digital 

CCTV recording suite 

Tower 42, the multi-tenanted 

skyscraper that is the City of 

London’s tallest building, is the latest 

customer to receive a digital 

CCTV conversion from its integrated, 

corporate security systems 

Bewator proves to be 

a success in the Sahara 

Two codelocks from access security 

specialist Bewator, have been 

used in another Hollywood blockbuster 

film - Sahara, starring 

Matthew McConaughy and 

Penelope Cruz. 

Bewator’s K-24 and K-44 codelocks 

were used in the film. The codelocks 

are very popular with end 

users as they are easy to install and 

offer effective, secure access to 

commercial and residential buildings. 

Bewator’s codelocks are suitable 

for both external and internal use 

and secure doors without the need 

for keys, which can be lost, copied 

or stolen. The key benefits of the 

K-42 and K-44 are the ease of 

installation and maintenance. The 


provider Bell Security. 

The landmark site’s 

VCR/multiplexer installation 

has been 

replaced by a digital 

recording suite embracing 

hard- and software 

elements. This includes 

five 600Gb, nine-input 

DVR units, with CD/RW 

write capabilities and 

new monitors. The system 

now possesses 40- 

plus days of image 

archive storage capacity 

and permits senior security 

personnel to have 

network access to the 

images at authorised 

workstations throughout 

the building. 

Tower 42’s Estate 

Security Manager, Steve 

Crossley, (pictured, 

right, with Bell 

Security’s Service 

Manager, Andy 

McQueen) commented: 

“The new system has 

surpassed my expectations. 

Bell tabled a range of options 

for our consideration and has seamlessly 

upgraded us with a flexible, 

reliable and highly efficient solution.” 


locks also provide multiple, timed 

access levels, which can be controlled 

to allow authorised people 

access to secure areas at specified 

times. 

Darren Martin, marketing manager 

at Bewator Ltd, said, “We are 

extremely pleased that Bewator’s 

products have been chosen to feature 

in this hit film. This underlines 

Bewator’s reputation as a 

world leader in the field of security 

solutions and also demonstrates 

that our systems really are suitable 

for all environments - even the 

extreme conditions of the Sahara 

desert!” 

The K-42 is one of the most popular 

codelocks on the market and offers 

two separate codes - ideal for caretakers 

or tradesmen, and tenants 

or employees in residential 

or commercial buildings. 

The K-42 also has a time management 

option, which can 

be used with both codes. 

The K-44 codelock offers a 

more complex system and has 

the ability to store up to 30 

codes at one time. This codelock 

also has the added benefits 

of an anti-tamper switch 

and code-blocking system 

after three failed dialling 

attempts. RR No.: 83033 

MAKE YOUR 

BUSINESS 

A SMOOTH 

OPERATOR 

OCS Technical provides a range of services 

to effectively manage the maintenance 

of your business’s property or assist your 

maintenance team. 

Experienced and reliable, OCS Technical 

can make maintenance both effortless 

and cost-effective through a broad range 

of specialist products and services: 

• Bespoke Building Maintenance 

• Access Platforms 

• Safety Systems 

• Surveys & Risk Assessment 

TRANSPORT // CATERING // CLEANING // TECHNICAL // 

HYGIENE // SECURITY // INTEGRATED SERVICES 

To speak to a specialist call 

08702 200 914 

www.ocs.co.uk 

RR: 83129 

35


Anyone visiting Vital’s facility in 

West London cannot fail to be 

impressed with the serious 

approach that the company has 

taken to security. Perimeter fencing, 

external infra-red cameras, 

internal high resolution cameras, digital video 

recorders, intrusion detection and a sophisticated 

access control system are all part of a 

sophisticated integrated security system in 

place to protect the assets of their customers. 

This high level of security is of paramount 

importance to Vital who are a leading provider 

of disaster recovery services. Post 9/11, the services 

offered by Vital have never been in greater 

demand as more and more organisations look to 

protect data essential to the survival of their 

business. Vital recognise that they have to 

employ the highest standards of care to ensure 

the safe keeping of clients’ data much of which 

is stored for business continuity purposes. 

Nothing has been left to chance with over £22m 

so far invested in the ultra high-tech 30,000sq.ft 

OCS, the largest privately owned property 

support services company, is sponsoring a 

major national study into the future of security 

in the UK through Professor Martin Gill from 

the University of Leicester. 

In a University-Industry collaboration, OCS is 

supporting the three-year research of Martin 

Gill, Professor of Criminology at the University 

of Leicester and Director of Perpetuity and 

Consultancy International (PRCI), a spin-out 

company from the University. 

Results from the study should lead to more 

effective security in businesses based on sound 

knowledge of what works and what does not. 

The study will assess clients’ views of security, 

the value attached to security, and security 

effectiveness. 

Chris Cracknell, chief executive of OCS, said: 

“We at OCS see this as an excellent opportunity 

to enable us to assess the clients’ view of security 

and the significance of this study highlights 

the link of the industry to the University of 

Leicester, the foremost University undertaking 

research into criminology. As a company I 

believe we can learn a lot from experts such as 

Professor Gill, which is why the OCS Group has 

links to many different universities nationwide. 

“ 

The study will benefit clients such as councils, 

leisure centres, schools and colleges who can 

learn from the outcomes of the research. 

Professor Gill said: “Even when businesses take 

security seriously, I have found it is based on a 

poor understanding of what is effective. 

Business crime is at a high despite a plethora of 

security measures. The fact is that as offenders 

MAXxess security 

for vital information 

OCS supports security study 

get smarter - so should security.” 

The study, called the Security Research 

Initiative (SRI), is supported by the leading security 

associations: ASIS International, the British 

Security Industry Association and The Security 

Institute. The study is comprised of three annual 

studies, the first one of which focuses on the 

clients’ views of security. 

Professor Gill added: “This is a unique opportunity 

to better 

understand the 

security sector. 

That top quality 

companies have 

given their support 

is indicative 

of the need for 

such a study. Our 

aim is to generate 

new insights and 

to better understand 

the role of 

security in a 

changing world. 

We are starting 

with a project on 

clients’ views, 

and then we are 

moving on to consider 

the value of 

security, and the 

effectiveness of 

security measures.” 

With a turnover 

exceeding £500 

facility including the provision of multiple 

redundant electricity feeds, back-up power supplies 

via generators and batteries, smoke detection 

and fire suppression systems and environmental 

control systems. 

Vital provide accommodation for over 500 individual 

servers. Whilst 

these servers are 

physically housed in 

close proximity to 

each other, they must 

all be protected as 

though they were 

housed in separate 

buildings with exclusive 

access rights. 

“Our reputation rests 

on our ability to keep our clients’ data safe and 

secure as well as being accessible at all times”, 

said Bob Wright, Managing Director of Vital. “We 

have therefore put a security system in place 

that will detect and deter any unwanted visitors 

and at the same time strictly control who can 

gain access to sensitive areas”. 

Reading based Galeco Communications were 

chosen by Vital to provide an integrated security 

solution at the heart of which is an AXxess 

NS(tm) Security Management Software system 

from MAXxess Systems. Galeco Communcations 

have been installing and maintaining Intruder, 

Access Control and CCTV Systems since 1989 and 

as a MAXxess Authorised Master Dealer they 

have considerable experience in the design of 

complex security solutions. 

The AXxess NS software provides security personnel 

with the ability to monitor and control all 

the component parts of the security system 

from a single screen. It also provides a full 

record of who has gained access to different 

parts of the facility as well as an update if 

required on where staff or visitors are located at 

any given time. 

Bob Wright added: “The MAXxess system gives us 

the flexibility we need to customise access levels 

within the building. While proximity card 

readers control general building access, a more 

sophisticated biometric system allowing for 

many access levels is required to control access 

to individual servers. It is also a major benefit to 

us that the system can be adapted and expanded 

as our business grows with the addition of 

new servers.” 

Vital have recently expanded the services they 

offer to clients with the opening of their new 

remote monitoring centre. “It is a logical expansion 

of our business activities. With such a 

secure building we are able to take over responsibility 

for our clients’ CCTV and security systems 

and react on their behalf”. 

Vital have invested in a second AXxess NS system 

to manage data and images from what can be an 

unlimited number of remote sites. The AXxess 

NS’s CCTV Monitor module provides the capability 

to connect, manage and view video images 

from different manufacturers equipment on a 

single PC screen. The images retrieved from 

DVRs, IP Cameras or Video IP Servers can be 

viewed simultaneously on a dedicated portion of 

a screen whilst operators are viewing other data 

at the same time. Reader Reply No.: 83037 

million and increasing expansion throughout the 

UK and across its international operations, OCS 

is one of the market leaders in the provision of 

property support services. Offering one complete 

solution from a single point of contact, its 

six divisions encompass technical, security, 

catering, transport, cleaning and hygiene. 

Reader Reply 

No.: 83129 

36 



Controlling access for 

changing occupancy 

Gibson Terrace is a new Home for 

the Homeless in Ashton-Under- 

Lyne comprising 25 bedrooms to 

provide temporary accommodation. 

To overcome any security 

problem for the rapid occupancy 

turnover, the DOM CardSystem 

has been installed. Here, individual 

doors are opened by holding 

up a proximity card but security is 

never compromised because the 

card can be rapidly reprogrammed 

by PC and reassigned. 

All the door ironmongery was supplied 

by Laidlaw Solutions including 

door closers, lever handles 

and key overriding facilities for 

staff. 

The DOM Card System is a user 

friendly access control system primarily 

designed for hotels, hostels 

and colleges where the occupancy 

changes and high security is a continuing 

priority. The programmable 

key card offers a practical and 

secure alternative to the conventional 

room key. Cards can be programmed 

as required to include a 

time-sensitive validity for guests, 

variable access for staff or for special 

purposes, such as emergencies, 

special functions or one-off maintenance. 

Doors are opened by swiping the 

card or holding it up to be read, 

depending on whether the door is 

fitted with a magnetic or proximity 

door reader. For audit trails, the 

reader records the last 400 times of 

access; this information can be 

read with a hand-held terminal and 

can be recorded and printed via a 

PC. The card readers are designed 

to be aesthetically pleasing and 

can be easily fitted to any door. 

Many other functions can also be 

added. 


Access control by 

Autopa 

Over 45 years of experience 

manufacturing parking solutions & 

vehicle access control products:- 

l Parking posts 

l Ornamental bollards 

l Recycled plastic furniture 

l Automatic barriers 

l Manual gates & barriers 

l One-way flow plates 

l Warehouse/car park barriers 

l Cycle storage & security 

l Cycle lockers 

l Smoking shelters 

AUTOPA LTD, Cottage Leap, Rugby, 

Warwickshire, CV21 3XP 

Tel: 01788 550556 Fax: 01788 550265 

E-mail: info@autopa.co.uk Web: www.autopa.co.uk 

Security with 

staying power 

For the best in manned security 

protection choose ISS 

Our manned guarding comes with 24x7 back-up, site visits to suit your 

requirements and service level agreements you can trust, all underpinned 

by professional security management. 

Through our ‘Guard Development Programme’ we improve our guards and 

your service. Our commitment to quality extends to our people; we will 

have them prepared for SIA licensing by November 2005. 

Join clients like the BBC and British Airways for security with staying power 

...you can depend on us! 

For your FREE Security Evaluation call now 

on 0870 382 1702 or email enquiries@issukoffice.com 

FS88642 


37


Who Cracked the Bewator Code? 

Access security specialist, Bewator, has 

announced the winner of the online competition 

it ran in celebration of the opening of its 

new high tech demonstration suite. 

Keith Pitcher of Optimum successfully cracked 

the Bewator code and is the lucky recipient of a 

new Dell PDA. Keith was presented with the PDA 

at Bewator’s Systems Group office in Essex on 

28th April. 

Entrants to the competition had to answer several 

questions about Bewator, including how 

many countries it operates in - 80 and the number 

of its latest integrated security solution - 

2010. The answer provided them with a code. 

The new demonstration suite was launched at 

Bewator’s Newport office in March and has been 

designed to enable Bewator to illustrate the 

advanced capabilities and unique features of its 

integrated security control solutions to 

installers and end users. 

Bob Cotterill, managing director for Bewator UK 

Limited, sees the development of the new 

demonstration suite as a reflection of the company’s 

integration philosophy. 

“The new demonstration suite enables our customers 

and installers to gain an insight into the 

features and benefits of our latest integrated 

Access Security solutions,” said Bob Cotterill. 

“It also underlines our commitment to providing 

customers with the information and technology 

they need to meet their specific security 

requirements.” 

The new suite will allow Bewator, specialists in 

the fields of Intruder Detection, Digital Video & 

Access Control, to give practical demonstrations 

on the following integrated security solutions: 

· Bewator 2010 - relatively new to the UK, 

this is a truly unique system, offering a 

complete integrated security solution providing 

intruder alarm, access control, 

video management, and fire warning systems 

from a single source. 

· Bewator Eventys Digital Video 

Management System (DVMS) - a digital 

video recorder / server designed to incorporate 

the functionality of traditional 

video recorders, multiplexers, motion 

detectors, and video transmissions. 

· Remote Monitoring Centre - The Eventys 

RMC (Remote Monitoring Centre) is a solution 

for centralised monitoring and control 

of several remote surveillance sites. 

Extending the accessibility of the system 

over networks - no more limitations of 

time and place! 

· Bewator SOLARIS - the latest in dome 

camera technology, which offers unparalleled 

levels of accuracy, speed and configurability. 

It is fitted with an External 

Termination Unit (XTU), which enables 

users to set up the dome easily and accurately 

using the LCD panel and a range of 

intuitive menus. Reader Reply No.: 83028 

Cardax FT feature set extended 

The latest version of Cardax FT - Version 4.20 

- is scheduled for release in June 2005. 

Version 4.20 introduces selected new functionality 

around anti-passback and general 

door management enhancements which will 

be particularly relevant for high security sites. 

Developments in this version are indicative of 

Gallagher Security Management Systems commitment 

to continually enhance the Cardax FT 

system. Free upgrade to Version 4.20 is provided 

to those participating in the Cardax FT 

(‘soft’ provides an alarm but allows entry; 

‘hard’ provides an alarm and disallows entry). 

A new feature which complements anti-passback 

is ‘anti-tailgating’. This prevents people 

from following other cardholders into a room 

without presenting their own card on entry. 

While standard anti-passback restricts entry to 

an access zone if there have been two consecutive 

entry attempts with no exit, anti-tailgating 

offers the opposite by restricting people leaving 

an access zone if they have not had a valid 

Software Maintenance Agreement programme. 

entry. 

In Version 4.20 where a physical area consists of 

With the release of Version 4.20, Cardax FT now 

has one of the strongest anti-pass back features 

available in any system. Key enhancements have 

been made to configuration options. Systemwide 

anti-passback is supported and is configurable 

by person, access zone or access zone 

group. This means specific access groups may be 

configured to not be bound by the anti-passback 

rules. Soft and hard anti-passback are supported 

more than one access zone, individual access 

zones can be configured into one group called 

Access Zone Groups. An Access Zone Group is 

treated as one zone for the purposes of zone 

counting, anti-passback or anti-tailgating. 

Zone counting offers the ability to keep a continuous 

count of the number of cardholders in a 

zone. In Version 4.20 it can be configured with 

dual authorisation as the mechanism for “No 

“These new features combine to enhance 

the powerful security functionality of 

Cardax FT to protect customers who 

have significant assets or want higher 

levels of access control functionality” 

comments Kahl Betham, 

Manager GSMS Product Strategy. 

Alone Zones” where at least two people must be 

present at all times for security or safety reasons. 

The Cardax FT Remote Arming Terminal can be 

associated with a reader to operate in a similar 

way to Cardax FT plus PIN reader. This is particularly 

applicable to high security access control 

where high level encrypted PIN communications 

are specifically required. The other key feature 

that comes with this is the option of using the 

user code that is normally used for RAT logon as 

a PIN for door entry. 

“These new features combine to enhance the 

powerful security functionality of Cardax FT to 

protect customers who have significant assets or 

want higher levels of access control functionality” 

comments Kahl Betham, Manager GSMS 

Product Strategy. 

Cardax FT Command Centre now offers Mifare 

Smart Card encoding from within Photo-ID. A 

new barcode format, Telepen, is available. 

Mifare cards are now able to be encoded from 

the Cardax FT system (Fargo printer, model 

DTC-525 currently supported). 

Cardax FT now provides the ability to configure 

different special holidays for different geographical 

regions. 

Version 4.20 also features improved foreign language 

support. Language can now be selected 

from the Logon screen. This enables the user to 

change the language, for example, with an 

Arabic language version it is possible to select 

English at logon so that a person not literate in 

Arabic can trouble shoot the system from the 

English language menus. 

“The changeable language feature and regional 

calendar support further cement Cardax FT as a 

truly global system,” comments Betham. 


38 



Specifications 

MVR1 

Protocol: Wiegand, 

Dimensions: 120 x 90 x 20mm, 

Power: 12 VDC, Current: 150mA 

Environment: IP68; 100% RH, 

Read Range: 50mm - 75mm 

MVR2 

Protocol: Wiegand, 

Dimensions: 115 x 70 x 20mm, 

Power: 12 VDC, Current: 150mA 

Environment: IP68; 100% RH, 

Read Range: 50mm - 75mm 

Touch sensitive vandal 

resistant access control 

MVR3 

Protocol: Clock & Data Track 2, 

Card encoding: 75bpi, 

Dimensions: 140 x 74 x 33mm 

Power: 12vdc, Current: 150Ma, 

Environment: IP67 

Temperature 20 to +60°C (non-condensing) 

Sometimes access control readers are 

installed in vulnerable locations where vandalism 

is rife and readers are damaged, often 

beyond repair. This prevents users accessing 

the door, often for days at a time while 

replacements arrive, is frustrating and annoying 

to say the least. 

To help combat this problem Multilink Access 

Control Systems have developed several new 

vandal resistant readers, two proximity devices 

and one magnetic swipe. These elegant devices 

have been developed using proven reader technologies. 

Two units feature ceramic 

piezo keypads so they are touch sensitive 

with no moving parts or buttons, 

the result .. there’s nothing to get 

jammed. 

Multilink’s MVR1 HID compatible proximity 

reader, combined piezo touch 

sensitive keypad and vandal resist 

case, which is constructed from solid 

aluminium, making it practically impervious 

to attack. A proximity only version, 

the MVR2, is also available and 

uses the same technology as the 

MVR1. Where systems require magnetic 

card media, the MVR3 has a 

water resistant reader head and the 

same peizo keypad as the MVR1. 

Of course access control readers all 

need control systems and the Multilink 

DDS Toplock range of controllers are 

second to none in performance, reliability and 

price. Controllers can be standalone, networked 

or real time online and may be connected over a 

LAN or WAN. Amadeus 5 software controls the 

programming and functionality of the systems, 

even providing ID card printing options if 

required directly for the software, no bolt on programmes, 

get all the info from one place and 

produce stunning ID cards with you own logo. 

For complete systems Multilink can advise and 

design your access installation, including high 

quality locking devices and exit buttons etc. 



39


Integrated security operations - 

getting the balance right 

Driven by the need to reduce costs, many 

businesses are turning away from manned 

security protection towards more electronic 

security surveillance. This means more CCTV, 

PIN code locks and other computerised security 

mechanisms. However, robbing Peter to 

Smartcard technology 

is key to access control 

A rising number of public and private sector organisations 

are recognising the benefits of installing 

sophisticated access control systems using smartcard 

technology. 

The UK’s leading developer of smartcard applications, 

G2 Integrated Solutions, uses the latest technology to 

provide access control solutions that challenge traditional 

security processes. 

G2’s access control solutions enable facilities managers 

to reduce the threat of terrorism, criminal damage 

and trespass while protecting employees and 

members of the public. Smartcards are used to restrict 

or enable the access of individuals or groups through 

buildings and sites at or between predetermined dates 

and times. 

Benefits include the ability to: 

• restrict unauthorised entry and enhance on-site 

security 

• monitor individual movements of employees and 

members of the public 

• provide computer-based central management and 

pay Paul will increase the risk to your business. 

First there are the increased compliance levels. 

For example CCTV operators must understand 

and have signed up to the system Codes of 

Practice and Procedures, including matters 

relating to Human Rights, Data Protection, PACE 

Act 1984, and Criminal Procedures and 

Investigations Act 1986. Non-compliance represents 

a breach of UK law. 

Second is that CCTV is not a deterrent to security 

breaches. These systems may warn you of a 

security breach but how you respond to that 

breach is just as important. How do you get a 

conviction when most criminals hide their identity? 

How do you remain secure in the event of 

a system crash? A power cut? An office evacuation 

due to fire, flood or even a terrorist threat? 

Having trained security personnel in place 

strengthens your hand especially when crisis situations 

occur. Your guards are there to deter 

and diffuse difficult or life threatening situations, 

to ensure the safety of your people, to 

raise the alarm when security has been 

breached and to protect the assets of your 

organisation. 

Any business can realise cost savings by developing 

multi-disciplinary security officers. Do 

you have designated fire and mail people? 

Modern guards are being trained to also cover 

reporting 

• issue permanent, temporary, visitor and contractor 

passes 

• integrate with third party MIS, on-site parking systems 

and G2’s own ID card and cashless payment 

solutions. 

Myriad ESi is the true enterprise-wide networked 

access control solution. Operating over a LAN or WAN, 

it can provide access control, ID card production, visitor 

management, alarm monitoring and a versatile 

reporting service. Its PC based software is available as 

a series of fully integrated modules, which can be 

combined to create a totally scalable system suitable 

for any size of organisation. 

G2 has major clients across the education, health, 

public sector, corporate and commercial markets, 

more than two million cardholders are currently using 

a G2 solution on over 1,500 site installations nationwide. 

Clients include major blue chip/FTSE 100 companies 

and household names such as HBoS, Unilever 

and Addenbrookes NHS Trust. 

Sylvia Campbell, G2’s sales and marketing director, 

said: “Access control and restricting the movement of 

staff and public has become part of the business agenda 

for facilities managers, and the issue is an integral 

and continual part of their business planning. 

“Many of our clients are also choosing smartcard applications 

to future-proof their system, knowing additional 

modules will allow the use of the same cards for 

other applications, such as ID, enrolment or cashless 

payment. 

“Due to the benefits of such systems, we are confident 

that the uptake of these solutions will continue to 

grow in popularity and the use of smartcard technology 

will become more and more commonplace.” 


the roles of fire officer; first aid and even internal 

mail distribution. Also your insurance company 

will welcome a physical security presence 

and may offer considerable discounts. 

When reviewing your security measures you 

should ask yourself the following - Do we have a 

security back-up plan in place? Are our personnel 

trained to combat security breach situations? 

Do we have quality management systems 

in place to maintain security continuity? Are 

there other things that our guards can do to provide 

and deliver added benefits to our business? 

Have we got a service level agreement in place? 

Are the KPI’s being met? 

A well-run security operation will be managed 

by a professional security provider. Quality standards 

of training and management of all security 

personnel are paramount in the delivery of a 

credible and reliable service. If the safety of 

your organisations’ assets and personnel are 

your number one priority, make sure you have a 

security operation that can warn and respond to 

security/crisis situations. 

ISS as part of its market research are offering 

free site surveys and support for businesses 

looking to develop multi-disciplinary security 

guards both in-house and contracted. This is on 

a first come first served basis to Emma on 

emma@issukoffice.com. 


practicalfm.co.uk 

All editorial published 

within Practical 

Facilities Management 

Magazine, upon 

publication, is 

added to a fully 

searchable database 

which can then be 

accessed through 

www.practicalfm.co.uk. 

Over 2,000 articles are 

now included within the 

database and where 

available each article 

has hyperlinks and 

email links making the 

database an essential 

reference tool for 

today's facilities 

manager. 

Each editorial carries a 

'Reader Reply Number', 

which relates directly 

to the articles on the 

website, where 

contact details are 

freely available. 

40 


usiness news... 

Prima management team sells 

business 5 years after MBO 

The management team at workwear and uniform 

suppliers Prima Corporate Wear have 

sold the company they bought five years ago. 

Along with Barclay Ventures (a leading UK mid 

market private equity house who supported the 

Management Buy Out in 1999), they have agreed 

a £4million cash deal with Bristol-based 

Alexandra plc, one of the country’s largest 

groups supplying corporate clothing. 

The negotiations for the sale were conducted by 

independent corporate finance house 

Livingstone Guarantee who carried out a competitive 

sales process that generated worldwide 

interest, resulting in three firm offers for the 

business, one from South Africa. 

Nigel Morgan who led the negotiations says: 

“The management had created a business model 

and strategy that was attractive to potential 

buyers, particularly following the acquisition of 

Sharps Freeman in 2001. We received three 

firm proposals for the business but deemed 

Alexandra Plc the most deliverable purchaser 

Modelling some of the Prima uniforms are (left to right): 

Nick Atkinson - MD Prima, Mike Williams - Chairman Prima, 

Phil Booth - FD-Prima, Paul Taberner - Barclays Ventures, Rob 

Huson - Ops Dir.Prima, Nigel Morgan - Livingstone Guarantee 

OCS & Ryhurst celebrate 

hat trick of PFI hospital 

contract wins 

Work has begun on the new 

Lymington Hospital in Hampshire, 

the third successful project 

through Ryhurst Ltd, in partnership 

with OCS, to develop, build 

and operate a hospital under the 

Government’s Private Finance 

Initiative (PFI). 

OCS used its experience in providing 

services to the healthcare sector 

to help the consortium, led by 

Ryhurst Ltd and including other 

partners, to develop a successful 

bid which demonstrated a thorough 

understanding of the hospital’s 

operational needs. In addition to 

specifying the high quality services 

Practicalfm 

under our timetable.” 

The acquisition by Alexandra Plc will further 

strengthen Prima’s position as a leading supplier 

of corporate wear, with a strong market position 

in the transport and security sectors. Prima provides 

corporate wear to a range of UK companies, 

including the Go Ahead Group, Morrisons, 

Rayners, Securitas Cash in Transit, OCS Facilities 

Management, Amey and GSL. 

Nick Atkinson, Managing Director, Prima 

Corporate Wear, comments: “The completion of 

the MBO and subsequent Sharps Freeman acquisition 

presented many challenges. This exit is 

an excellent result for all shareholders.” 

Paul Taberner, Barclays Ventures, says: “The 

Prima management team has done an excellent 

job in driving out the benefits of the Sharps 

Freeman acquisition and consolidating its market 

leading position in the transport and security 

sectors.” 

Nigel Morgan adds: “It has taken us less than six 

months to conclude a transaction that has provided 

Barclay Ventures with the exit they 

required and a significant return for the management 

team who were shareholders in the 

company. 

“Prima is a fine example of a company in the 

service industry that has proved an attractive 

acquisition proposition for a larger organisation. 

It is typical of the scenario we expect to be 

repeating itself in the coming months as there 

are many successful owner managed businesses 

across the country, similar to Prima, that would 

make serious acquisition possibilities for companies 

embarking upon expansion programmes.” 


which OCS would be delivering to 

the completed hospital, the company’s 

expertise was used to help 

develop the proposed design and 

specification for the build. 

OCS chief executive, Chris 

Cracknell, said: “The Lymington 

contract is the third, and largest, 

hospital contract that we have 

helped Ryhurst to secure, and it 

demonstrates that our companies 

have established a winning formula. 

“The relationship with Ryhurst sees 

us using our considerable experience 

in the healthcare sector and 

our high quality standards to produce 

a proposal 

which shows attention 

to detail and 

best practice.” 

OCS will deliver 

catering, cleaning, 

security, car park 

management, waste 

control, pest control, 

window cleaning and 

portering to the hospital 

on its completion 

in November 

2006. 

RR No.: 83043 

Muratec UK has awarded CURA 

Technical a major contract to support 

more than 300 new multifunctional 

products (MFPs) for 

Orange, one of the world’s most 

advanced and fastest-growing 

mobile communications companies. 

CURA Technical will be providing 

a range of specialised services 

including delivery, installation, 

commissioning, user training 

and onsite maintenance throughout 

the three-year contract. It 

will also take responsibility for 

disposing of Orange’s old 

machines to meet the requirements 

of the proposed WEEE 

Directive. 

Orange is the first UK customer for 

Muratec’s new MFX1330 - an MFP 

that provides high performance 

printing, copying, faxing and scanning 

functionality in a single, 

robust package that also offers 

exceptionally low running costs. 

Jonathan Whitworth of Muratec UK 

commented: “CURA Technical was 

selected as our partner of choice 

because it is the only independent 

support company with the expertise 

and infrastructure to handle 

specialised contracts of this type 

GSH puts safety first 

GSH has appointed a leading authority on FM health and 

safety as its new National Health & Safety Manager. The 

selection of Rob Greenfield, a BIFM Director and 

Chairman of its Health & Safety Special Interest Group, 

reflects GSH’s recognition of the increasing importance 

of risk management within FM and its continuing emphasis 

on creating a safe working environment for staff. 

In his new role, Rob will advise GSH and its customers on 

forthcoming safety legislation, risk management procedures, 

safety audits and practical measures to improve 

staff safety at all levels on a national basis. He has a 

proven track record working for leading companies 

including Land Securities Trillium and Drivers Jonas and 

a strong building management background. 

Rob Greenfield, GSH’s new Safety Director, commented: 

“Recent industry surveys show that health and safety is 

the top priority for in-house facilities managers across 

the industry. We believe outsourced FMs have a vital role 

to play in advising clients on best practice in health and 

safety management. By implementing and enforcing correct 

working practices, we can put the onus on accident 

prevention and protect employees in the workplace.” 


Muratec hands major 

support contract to 

CURA Technical 

throughout the UK without subcontracting. 

It also has the resources 

to dispose of old equipment to 

meet the proposed WEEE 

Directive.” 

CURA Technical will be holding 

stocks of the new Muratec MFX1330 

at its Billericay warehouse to be 

called off in batches for delivery to 

Orange retail stores nationwide. It 

will also provide an 8-hour onsite 

fix for all requests for service calls 

placed via CATS, CURA’s 24/7 

online fault reporting and tracking 

system. Reader Reply No.:83029 

41


MailSource success 

with 4th RoSPA gold 

RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) 

have honoured MailSource with a seventh prestigious 

award, their fourth consecutive at Gold level.MailSource 

continues to demonstrate focus on the welfare of all 

employees through its mandatory training schemes and 

health and safety assessments which are conducted by 

all on-site Managers. 

The RoSPA scheme does not simply take account of accident 

rates, but is also based on adjudication of a broad 

portfolio of evidence about the level of development 

and performance of an entrant’s health and safety management 

system. 

Roger Bibbings, the Society’s Occupational Safety 

Adviser, reports: “Increasingly, businesses large and 

small are being judged by the way they manage health 

and safety. A consistently high standard of health and 

safety risk management is seen as a hallmark of business 

effectiveness and professionalism.” 


Nilfisk-Advance is 

Initial’s first choice 

OCS wins 

Lamb and 

Edge client 

contract 

Leading cradle access specialist, OCS 

Technical, has signed a 5 year contract with 

clients of Chartered Surveyors Lamb & Edge to 

provide maintenance services for one site. 

OCS has worked with Lamb & Edge for over 5 

years, providing an annual maintenance service 

of its cradle systems for clients. During this time 

a good working relationship has developed and 

now, thanks to the team’s proven track record, 

OCS has secured a new contract which increases 

the service to include additional emergency 

call out cover. 

Chris Cracknell, chief executive of OCS said: 

“We have worked with Lamb & Edge for several 

years. They are aware of the helpful and professional 

manner in which we approach the 

maintenance and testing work carried out at 

their sites, and have trust in the work that we 

do. 

“We are thrilled to be providing a comprehensive, 

quality service to this longstanding contract 

for a further five years, and the new 

agreement reassures Lamb & Edge that if any 

unforeseen problems occur on site, the emergency 

call outs will be included in the package.” 

Incorporated in the contract is a preventative 

maintenance programme that will entail site 

specific Risk Assessments. The assessments are 

critical to ensure the safety of cleaning and 

maintenance staff (such as window cleaners) 

when working on a building where there is a risk 

of slips or falls from a height, or electrocution 

from outdoor cables. Safety measures concerning 

all building access equipment, such as window 

cleaning cradles, are also taken into consideration. 

The thorough inspections and assessments 

undertaken by OCS ensure that maintenance is 

carried out with a clear knowledge of the building, 

which includes identifying the best working 

methods for each different situation. 

In this way, experts at OCS can support clients 

by providing safe working conditions which 

adhere to regulations and comply with British, 

European and International standards. 

Through three divisions - Safety, Access and 

Mechanical & Electrical - OCS Technical surveys 

premises and recommends, installs and maintains 

systems for properties nationwide. OCS 

ensures that installations comply with legislation 

and offer long lasting, cost effective solutions. 


GSH announces listing 

on the Alternative 

Investment Market 

ators unrestricted access to congested 

areas without having to find 

the nearest electric socket, and 

has no trailing cables to cause a 

potential safety hazard. 

With a sound level of just 46dB, 

Nilfisk’s GD2000 vacuum cleaner 

range allows cleaning to be completed 

with the minimum of inconvenience 

to office staff and visitors. 

GSH, a leading provider of a comprehensive 

range of bespoke 

facilities management solutions, 

has floated on the Alternative 

Investment Market (AIM) in a 

move to support its continued 

Initial has selected the top-of- 

growth strategy within the 

the-range HDS version with HEPA 13 

filtration to ensure ultra-clean air 

in machine rooms and IT departments. 

Ian Whittingham, UK Operations 

expanding outsourced FM market. 

It is believed the enhanced commercial 

reputation and general 

market visibility that a listing 

brings will have a tangible commercial 

Director of Initial Contract 

benefit for the Group. 

Initial Contract Services is investing 

Services, says: “As well as being 

exceptionally quiet, we chose the 

HDS2000 because it offers do-ityourself 

servicing, so we don’t 

Colin Tennent, Chief Executive of 

GSH, said: “This is an established 

and successful international business 

that is growing strongly. Our 

Revenues have grown consistently 

during the last three financial years 

reflecting GSH’s record of contract 

renewals and contract wins. In 

in a wide range of Nilfisk- have to call out an engineer for blue chip client base, which 2004, the Group generated rev- 

Advance machines to service 

bluechip cleaning contracts in 

London’s Docklands, including low 

noise vacuum cleaners, compact 

scrubber/dryers and a ride-on 

powered sweeper for outdoor 

areas. Many of the machines used 

by Initial are battery-powered 

versions, such as the recently 

launched battery Backuum - an 

ergonomically designed backpack 

vacuum cleaner. 

This versatile machine offers oper- 

simple maintenance procedures.” 

Initial’s cleaning team is also finding 

the Nilfisk-Advance BR 700 rideon 

Scrubber/Dryer ideal for removing 

daily dirt and debris from marble 

floors - a popular choice for 

prestigious office foyers. And for 

tackling hard to reach areas, such 

as escalators, the ultra-compact 

Nilfisk CA 330 pedestrian scrubber/dryer 

is proving an equally 

worthwhile investment. 


includes companies such as T- 

Mobile, Hewlett Packard, HBOS and 

IKEA is testimony to our provision 

of leading edge bespoke FM solutions. 

We believe this flotation will 

enhance our commercial reputation 

and ensure we continue to 

retain and attract talented people 

that will take us to the next stage 

of our development as the contracted-out 

FM market continues to 

grow.” 

enues of £101 .8m and profit 

before tax of £3.5m. It is committed 

to further increasing its share 

of the contracted out FM market, 

which is estimated at over £59 billion 

in the UK and growing at 3% 

p.a. 

The Group has operations in the 

UK, Eire, Benelux and the United 

States and a corporate strategy 

based on developing its strong 

client base. 


42 Practicalfm


Applied Energy Products Ltd, the manufacturer 

of heating, bathroom and ventilation solutions 

through its Creda, Xpelair and Redring 

brands, has launched the Decent Homes 

Support Package, a brand new initiative to 

help people working in the social housing sector 

to meet the Decent Homes Standard. 

Designed to lead anyone who works within the 

social housing sector through the maze of regulations 

and legislation that has been introduced 

as a result of the Standard, the comprehensive 

support package will guide anyone involved with 

the Decent Homes Standard. 

The aim is to provide housing professionals with 

a useful and convenient resource to enable 

them to meet and exceed the Decent Homes 

Standard. Incorporating a variety of on-line and 

printed information with a programme of training 

and events, the DH Support Package clearly 

summarises the key issues, making them easy to 

understand, and provides specialist advice on 

best practice solutions with all the information, 

product solutions and support they need. 

Decent Homes Standard manager, Chris Tait, 

said, “The Decent Homes Standard is the first 

OCS Technical acquires 

Building Environmental 

Services 

Meet the 

Decent Homes 

Standard with 

Applied Energy 

products 

comprehensive review of housing for 23 years 

and will affect everyone who supplies and provides 

services to the social housing sector. 

“Because of our breadth of knowledge and 

experience, we are in a unique position to offer 

a solution for everything to do with the 

Standard, from bespoke product solutions to a 

commitment to after sales care.” 

The Decent Homes Support Package has been 

launched to support a variety of tailored solutions 

from the existing Applied Energy product 

range and includes service support, partnering, 

bespoke literature, CPD-accredited training and 

specialist advice, all available in different formats 

and designed to be as accessible as possible. 

There will also be a dedicated website at 

www.DecentHomesStandard.co.uk and a telephone 

helpline on 01733 456829. 

As well as comprehensive product and installation 

details, the package will also focus heavily 

on Continuous Professional Development. A programme 

of roadshows has been developed offering 

the opportunity to learn more about the 

Decent Homes Standard, its likely impact and 

how Applied Energy can help practitioners to 

meet the Standard. Reader Reply No.: 83119 

OCS Technical, the multi-functional 

engineering divisions of 

property support services giant 

OCS, has acquired Building 

Environmental Services (BES) in a 

deal that will strengthen and consolidate 

OCS Technical’s share of 

the mechanical and electrical 

engineering market place. 

OCS Technical, proficient in maintenance, 

design and installation 

recognise that BES, an established 

and highly respected building services 

specialist, will enhance OCS’ 

growing reputation for client excellence. 

BES, founded in 1984 with a 

turnover of £8.5M; focus upon 

design, installation and mainte- 


nance of services that have commonality 

within commercial and 

computer environments. OCS will 

benefit from BES’ efficiency, 

expertise and professionalism. 

Martin Lewis, managing director of 

BES, said: “BES has seen a steady 

growth of business in the building 

services industry; its core works 

activities have expanded to encompass 

a fully comprehensive range of 

building services across a diverse 

client base. The marriage between 

BES and OCS is the ideal springboard 

for the next phase of the 

company’s development.” 

Martin Lewis, an experienced professional, 

will remain with the 

company and continue to manage 

the activities of the business. He 

will work closely with OCS 

Technical’s management; together 

they will strategise the company’s 

future development, in particular 

expanding BES’ presence in London 

and the South East. The offices in 

Royston will provide an ideal base 

in which to reinforce OCS’ 

stratagem to extend and cement 

business into the Midlands. 


GSH joins forces with 

‘Forum for the Future’ 

and puts sustainability 

into practice 

GSH is at the forefront of sustainable 

development in the FM sector 

becoming the first major player 

in the sector to join forces with 

Forum for the Future as a 

Foundation Corporate Partner. 

Forum’s Business Partners are 

selected according to their commitment 

to continuous improvement 

of their environmental and 

social performance, in line with 

the charity’s focus on accelerating 

the transition to a sustainable 

way of life. 

Working closely with the Forum, 

GSH will embrace the implications 

of sustainability in all areas of corporate 

activity and at all levels. 

The Forum has an international 

reputation for driving improvements 

in the sustainability performance 

of businesses. GSH will gain 

expertise in good sustainability 

practice which will be implemented 

internally and shared with its 

extensive client base. 

David Simons, GSH’s Chief Financial 

Officer, commented: “There is an 

increasing awareness at the highest 

Axminster’s new look 

‘Highlights’ magazine 

out now 

Axminster Power Tool Centre’s FREE Highlights magazine 

is packed full of great offers and superb savings. The 

new look Highlights takes the best-selling items from 

Axminster’s 2005 catalogue which is well recognised as 

holding the most complete range of tools, machinery, 

accessories and consumables in the UK and is a ‘must 

have’ for all tool and machinery users. 

This year Highlights has increased its size by over a third 

and the page size has almost doubled, allowing even 

more new products, old favourites and a comprehensive 

range of top name brands. Offering great choice, easy 

ordering and a quality next day delivery service, not to 

mention extremely competitive prices. 


level that companies must do business 

in a way that reflects their 

wider corporate responsibilities. 

We believe sustainable development 

is a dynamic process and are 

delighted to join leading blue-chips 

like Marks & Spencer, HBOS and 

Vodafone Group that share this 

approach.” 

Martin Hunt, Principal 

Sustainability Advisor at Forum for 

the Future said “The operation and 

maintenance of our built environment 

has a significant impact upon 

the natural environment as well as 

our quality of life, and the FM sector 

can contribute greatly to sustainable 

development”. 


43


OCS Catering 

drives forward 

OCS Catering has successfully 

secured a prestigious contract 

with two of the best known names 

in the British motor manufacturing 

industry, Jaguar and Land 

Rover, delivering catering services 

to five sites in the Midlands 

and one at Halewood on 

Merseyside. 

OCS will provide restaurant, coffee 

shop and vending facilities as well 

as hospitality catering and retail 

shops. .The introduction of a 

unique portfolio of brands has 

enabled OCS Catering to increase 

the product range at all sites, 

responding to customer demands, 

and providing an improved service 

that has been well received. 

The refurbishment of current facilities 

at the sites is providing staff 

with a modern and fresh environment. 

The introduction of 

new amenities also means 

that staff at Jaguar and 

Land Rover will be provided 

with an increased range of 

catering and retail options. 

OCS Catering supplies staff 

at the six sites with fresh, 

varied, homemade and 

made-to-order bistro and 

deli-style foods in an exciting 

environment. Cashless 

payment is being introduced 

to reduce queue 

times and increase speed 

of service. 

Chris Cracknell, chief executive of 

OCS comments, “Catering’s aim is 

to integrate fully into our customers’ 

culture so that we become 

not simply their service provider 

but part of their team’s success. 

The value of such outstanding service 

to customers will be repaid 

immeasurably by improvements in 

both productivity and morale. 

“This contract was an important 

one to have secured and is a testament 

to the quality of food and service 

our management and staff provide 

to Jaguar and Land Rover.” 

The OCS portfolio of brands and the 

opportunity to build a relationship 

was a deciding factor in Jaguar and 

Land Rover’s choice of OCS as their 

catering supplier. 


LCC win Lloyds TSB 

support contract 

Rotherham company 

launches life-saving 

initiative 

LCC Support Services, the London 

based contract cleaning and facilities 

management company, has 

won a major contract that has 

taken the company’s turnover to 

in excess of £10m. 

With immediate effect LCC will be 

cleaning 530 Lloyds TSB Southern 

Region buildings in Hertfordshire, 

Essex, Middlesex, London, Kent, 

Hampshire, Buckinghamshire and 

Bedfordshire. 

The premises which include offices 

and many high street banks will be 

Bob Vincent, Managing 

Director, said: “The flexible 

system introduced by 

LCC is the way ahead for 

the cleaning business as it 

maintains a constant standard 

and the right environment 

for both our customers 

and staff. Cleaners 

are given a specific time 

to maintain standards and 

whilst some tasks need to 

be carried out each day, 

others are carried out on 

a ‘needs’ basis which allows staff 

to focus on priorities.” 

The Lloyds TSB contract involves 

transferring 700 staff from the 

incumbent five cleaning companies 

and will involve more daytime 

cleaning. According to Bob Vincent, 

this is the way that cleaning will 

develop for many clients. “Our 

clients understand the need to 

ensure its customers enjoy high 

standards of cleanliness throughout 

the day. As well as addressing this 

and the obvious Health and Safety 

ness and kill people - it’s as brutal 

as that. Often companies are 

unaware of the dangers until it’s 

too late. 

“In our experience, more than 70 

per cent of electrical installations 

over five years old breach current 

legislation. Our priority is to help 

change this with the launch of 

NECTA. It will take us to a new 

level and give us a national presence, 

which will also be good for 

Rotherham.” 

Companies signing up to NECTA will 

benefit from having their premises 

fully electrically inspected and 

tested. NECTA’s comprehensive service 

will also give companies the 

opportunity to access technical 

advice, consultancy services, comprehensive 

electrical inspection 

and testing programmes, a host of 

electrical training Courses, risk 

assessments and the development 

of Safety Policies. 

Once certified by NECTA, companies 

can have peace of mind, not 

only because the risk of an accident 

the council’s regeneration team, 

has supported us throughout our 

journey, with everything from grant 

applications to finding premises. 

This support gives you the extra 

confidence to develop,” said Ted 

Lowe. 

The company also safeguards companies 

and their employees through 

a range of training programmes. 

These are aimed at engineers and 

supervisors as well as newcomers 

to the electrical trade, who need 

basic safety knowledge and technical 

awareness. Indeed, one of the 

more recent initiatives undertaken 

by the company is the re-training 

of redundant electricians from the 

MG Rover Longbridge Plant. 

Ted Lowe explained: “This is a natural 

progression, since we are currently 

in the process of opening our 

latest training centre in Coventry 

to complement our existing centres 

in Bracknell and Rotherham.” 

RiDO’s business development manager, 

Paul Woodcock, said: “It’s 

always rewarding to see a company 

maintained on an ‘Output benefits to the lone worker, our 

is greatly reduced but also you’ve been involved with doing so 

Specification’ basis; a flexible system 

that will ensure that buildings 

are constantly maintained to a high 

specification - not based on each 

task being carried out on a specific 

own staff are enjoying the opportunity 

to achieve a better workllife 

balance and we are seeing applications 

from new areas of the labour 

market” 

because the certification is evidence 

of having a responsible safety 

management policy. This means 

that in the event of a serious incident, 

firms are less likely to have a 

well. Lowe Group is a real credit to 

Rotherham. The fact that it operates 

nationwide helps us spread the 

word and demonstrate that the 

borough is a great business location.” 

day. 

Reader Reply No.: 83074 problem with their insurance com- 


44 Practicalfm 

pany or face the threat of being 

sued. 

Ted Lowe said: “Latest full-year 

figures show that fires due to electrical 

faults accounted for around 

20% of all large loss insurance 

claims. A number of insurance companies 

are now refusing to underwrite 

new business or renew existing 

cover. We’re working with 

insurance organisations to try to 

solve this and the launch of NECTA 

is something that the industry is 

interested in because we will be 

operating to the highest safety 

standards.” 

It is intended that the launch of 

NECTA will be on the 1st July 2005. 

It is the latest stage in the Lowe 

Group’s growth that has seen 

turnover this year exceed £15m, 

which has prompted plans to 

expand into additional nearby 

premises. The customer base continues 

to grow, 

with leading 

names such as 

Rank Hovis, 

JCB, MFI, Coors, 

BOC, British 

Sugar, Walkers 

Crisps, Nestlé, 

Caterpillar and 

British Gas. 

“Since we set 

up in the boro 

u g h , 

Rotherham 

Investment & 

Development 

Office (RiDO), 

A pioneering electrical company 

is launching an initiative that will 

save businesses money, property - 

and lives. 

The Rotherham-based Lowe Group 

will mark its 10th Anniversary this 

year by launching the Electrical 

Inspection, Testing & Training arm 

of the group with a name change to 

NECTA (National Electrical 

Certification & Training Alliance). 

It comes with a stark warning from 

chairman Ted Lowe, who set up the 

company in 1995 and has grown it 

from just one employee to over 

200: “Electrical fires are consistently 

number two after fires 

caused by arson, yet businesses 

don’t take enough steps to protect 

their staff and property. 

“When we go into premises to carry 

out inspections we are amazed by 

the potential hazards we spot. 

Electrical accidents can ruin a busi-


ABB captures 30% of 

HVAC drives market 

ABB has increased its market share of drives 

in the UK heating and ventilation (HVAC) 

industry to 30% and is aiming to reach even 

higher by the end of this year. The position 

has been achieved after only three years’ 

presence in the market. 

The expansion is in line with the forecasts made 

when ABB entered the HVAC market with its 

drive products in 2002. ABB now estimates that 

it is the largest supplier of HVAC drives in the 

UK. The growth has mainly been achieved at the 

expense of other major manufacturers, but also 

through growth by the market as a whole. 

The initiative in the UK is part of a worldwide 

push by ABB to break into HVAC, which is one of 

the fastest growing application areas for variable 

speed drives. The HVAC business is now 

making a healthy addition to ABB’s sales of 

drives. Over the past year, the factory output of 

drives up to 110 kW grew by 67%. Most of this 

was due to increased sales in HVAC. 

“Although we were newcomers on the market in 

2002, there has been little resistance to change 

Learning and Skills Council 

support OCS Training Drive 

OCS is receiving full support from the 

Learning and Skills Council (LSC), and demonstrating 

its commitment to training, by providing 

courses offering nationally recognised 

qualifications, for its cleaning staff and more 

recently has developed a programme specifically 

aimed at its frontline operational managers. 

The OCS Business Skills Initiative began as a 

pilot project last year, developed by Thomas 

Danby College in Leeds. It aimed to cater for the 

specific needs of the managers within their roles 

at OCS, covering key business principles including 

communication, finance and IT. The course 

enables employees to achieve a qualification 

outside of the OCS Group - as part of the course 

the employees sit the National Literacy Test at 

Level 1 or Level 2. For greater flexibility, learning 

is delivered in two to four hour sessions over 

12 weeks, and the course finishes with a workbased 

assignment and presentation. 

Areas covered by the course include managing 

time and workloads, motivation, recruitment 

and selection, effective working relationships, 

customer service and budgets. The course is 

designed to include a broad range of students 

including people from different areas of the 

company, different qualification and educational 

backgrounds and also people whose first language 

is not English. 

The results to date have been exceptional and 

OCS is particularly proud of the standards 

achieved in the final work-based projects and as 


amongst customers,” says Nick Thome, HVAC 

drives sales manager for ABB. “ABB’s standard 

drive for HVAC is widely acknowledged to be the 

best product in the market. The only obstacle to 

change is when there are existing frame agreements 

in place.” 

The growth of ABB ‘s market share has intensified 

the price pressure in the market, mainly as 

a result of longer established competitors trying 

to protect their market share. As a result, prices 

have been reduced by some 20% over the past 

year. There have also been product launches by 

competitors of very basic products, aiming to 

win business on price alone. 

“We are not taking part in any price war,” insists 

Thome. “We merely follow the market. Nor are 

we threatened by the simpler products now 

being launched. Our product has a range of features 

that the customers want. If we wanted to 

tackle the low cost end of the market, ABB has 

other products in its portfolio with which we 

could achieve this.” 

ABB’s standard drive for HVAC comes pre-programmed 

with all common HVAC applications. 

The panel is as easy to handle as a mobile phone 

and the set-up can be done in seconds. The 

drive has interfaces for all common bus standards, 

including the recently introduced 

BAGnet, and includes many other useful features 

such as a fault logger and a real-time 

clock. 

Thome is expecting further growth in the years 

to come: “Energy prices are on the way up. At 

the moment, there are not enough incentives to 

encourage users to opt for energy efficient 

technology, but the coming energy price hikes 

will change this. Reader Reply No.: 83085 

one delegate explains “completing the course 

has given my confidence a great boost and I now 

have the knowledge to deal lots of operational 

issues, using my own initiative and the skills I 

have developed, rather than having to refer 

matters to other managers”. 

The pilot scheme in Leeds, backed and funded 

by the Learning and Skills Council in West 

Yorkshire, saw 12 OCS Cleaning Service 

Managers successfully complete the course. A 

second course has been held in Leeds, also being 

delivered by Thomas Danby College, with further 

courses being piloted in 

London and Bristol. The final pilot programme 

completes shortly in Camberley by which time 

almost 40 managers across the pilots will have 

successfully completed the programme. 

Feedback from the pilots will be evaluated by 

representatives from college providers, LSCs 

Society for the 

Environment Awards 

Membership to CIOB 

The CIOB has been awarded membership, to become a 

Constituent Body, of the Society for the Environment. 

The Society for the Environment (SocEnv) is an organisation 

comprised of professional bodies and learned societies, 

known collectively as Constituent Bodies. It aims 

to lead on the development and regulation of environmental 

practitioners and to be a respected voice in environmental 

affairs and sustainable development. 

Through the expertise of its Constituent Bodies, like the 

CIOB, and their members, SocEnv looks towards helping 

society move towards a more sustainable environment 

by providing an inclusive platform for debate, responding 

to consultations and developing new policies which 

will deliver sustainability effectively. 

After being accepted as a member, the CIOB will now 

apply for a license to grant the Chartered 

Environmentalist qualification to members of the 

Institute. Those members who are recognised for their 

expertise in sustainable environmental management and 

development will qualify for consideration. 

Michael Brown CIOB deputy chief executive said, “We 

are delighted to become a member and this furthers our 

commitment to embrace sustainability and promote best 

practice of the environment.” RR No.:83086 

and OCS practical bespoke programme in their 

local area. A number of other colleges and LSCs 

have shown a keen interest in the project. 

The initiative reflects the importance OCS 

places on training. Chief executive, Chris 

Cracknell, who is also a director of Asset Skills, 

the Sector Skills Council, said: “We firmly 

believe that training has benefits for both OCS 

and our staff. Helping people to perform better 

in their jobs provides them with greater job satisfaction 

and our customers with better motivated 

staff and an improved service. 

“Our training is also intended to provide people 

with the skills needed to achieve career development 

within our organisation, which in turn 

helps us retain staff and develop a stronger 

team.” 

The support provided by the Learning and Skills 

Council includes funding for the tuition fees and 

production of course materials, which are free 

of charge for colleges who want to get involved. 

The Learning and Skills Council is providing full 

financial support for the scheme. LSC West 

Yorkshire Skills Development Coordinator Fiona 

McManaman said: 

“This is exactly the type of scheme which we 

would like to see other large organisations running. 

The LSC exists to create greater access to 

training and improve the skill base of the UK 

labour market. If employers are willing to help 

us achieve this, we are able to provide support 

for them, including, in some cases, financial 

assistance.” Reader Reply No.: 83022 

45


DDA compliance brings extra 

benefits for service-providers, 

says Contacta 

Some service-providers may be underestimating 

the operational benefits of DDA 

compliance for the hard-of-hearing, says 

Contacta. 

The company is also encouraging organisations 

not to overlook the statutory requirement 

to ensure that all systems are properly 

maintained and checked on a regular basis. 

The final phase of the Disability 

Discrimination Act [DDA] came fully into 

force on 1st October 2004. It is now illegal 

for any organisation that provides services to 

the public to treat disabled people - whether 

customers or staff - less favourably than others 

for reasons related to their disability. 

Hearing impairment is a recognised disability 

under the DDA. 

Simon Thomas, Contacta’s Managing 

Director, believes that there are still many service-providers 

who have yet to comply fully with 

the DDA by providing induction loops for hearing 

aid wearers. He also says that, as well as risking 

legal action, these organisations are thereby 

delaying an outstanding opportunity to enhance 

their customers’ experience of the services concerned. 

“It isn’t just a question of simply putting in 

Get CPD accreditation 

without leaving your desk 

Dozens of housing professionals have taken 

the opportunity to brush up on their knowledge 

of the Decent Homes Standard by 

attending Applied Energy Products’ Decent 

Homes Standard Roadshow. 

The Roadshow, a series of CPD-accredited 

events which toured the country throughout 

May, proved to be extremely popular with 

dozens of people attending each session and 

qualifying for one CPD certificate. 

Seminars are also being held at several CPD 

events across the country until October, where 

delegates will be able to learn more about the 

Decent Homes Standard, understand how it will 

affect them and qualify for one further certificate. 

Now, hot on the heels of this success, there is a 

enough auxiliary aids to satisfy the legislation. 

It’s more to do with achieving a less daunting, 

more welcoming environment for the hard-ofhearing. 

It’s a valuable way of giving them greater confidence 

in being able to participate fully and successfully 

in whatever transactions or conversations 

are taking place. It means less risk of misunderstandings 

- and more chance of positive 

new opportunity to get CPD accreditation, at 

practitioners’ own convenience and from the 

comfort of their own home or office. 

Anyone logging onto 

www.DecentHomesStandard.co.uk will be able 

to complete online modules on three different 

topics including An Introduction to the Decent 

Homes Standard; Fitness for Habitation and 

Disrepair and Modernity and Thermal Comfort. 

The successful completion of each section will 

result in a CPD certificate, which counts 

towards professional status. 

The online modules and seminars are part of 

Applied Energy Products’ Decent Homes Support 

Package. Together with bespoke literature and 

training, the package is designed to give specialist 

advice on best practice solutions and help 

everyone working within 

the social housing 

sector to meet the 

Decent Homes 

Standard. 

Decent Homes Standard 

manager, Chris Tait, 

said, “Meeting the 

Decent Homes Standard 

doesn’t have to be a 

task that is undertaken 

alone. Applied Energy 

Products understands 

what needs to be done 

to conform to the legislation 

and through its 

brands, Creda, Xpelair 

and Redring, is in a 

unique position to offer 

advice and expertise.” 

Reader Reply 

No.: 83120 

rewards in terms of customer loyalty. “ 

Contacta is the UK’s leading provider of 

induction loops with its Infoloop(tm) systems 

- and provides a unique start-to-finish 

support programme for serviceproviders. 

This starts from an initial, 

expert audit of the operational environment 

in each service type and function, 

and of DDA compliance needs for hearing 

aid wearers, whether visiting or working 

there. Contacta’s comprehensive expertise 

then continues through specification, 

installation and staff training, to after 

sales service and scheduled maintenance 

routines. 

Simon Thomas also stresses the importance 

of proper maintenance checks on 

all equipment: “Having the auxiliary aids 

in place isn’t quite the whole story as far as DDA 

compliance is concerned. The systems must 

also be available and working properly at all 

times. That’s why we encourage our clients to 

take advantage of Contacta planned maintenance 

programmes, just to be sure that their 

customers are not disappointed and inconvenienced.” 


Cannon 

Consumables 

on track 

Cannon Consumables, formerly known as Cannon 

Hygiene’s Disposables Division, has updated its vehicle 

tracking system in a move to improve productivity, customer 

service and employee satisfaction. 

To aid drivers and customers Consumables recently 

installed its new internet-based vehicle tracking system, 

designed and manufactured by Quartix. Backed up by 

the Orange network, the system provides real-time 

information accessible online, and a full log of vehicle 

activity is delivered by email every morning. Because it 

is internet-based there is no special software to install, 

and data is supplied in either HTML or Microsoft Excel 

format. 

Cannon also sees the commercial benefits of using 

Quartix’s industry-leading system as a key part in its 

future pricing strategy, the system will plan out routes, 

mileage and fuel usage, expecting to help mitigate the 

rising fuel prices and ensuring costs remain competitive. 

Oliver Weisflog, managing director of Cannon, said: 

“Quartix’s tracking system already delivers tangible 

commercial benefit for nearly 600 UK businesses and has 

worked very well for us, enabling Consumables to identify 

where there are problems on a particular customer 

site and to see where a driver may not be able to take 

sufficient breaks. The system can give instant, online 

snapshots of where any of the vehicles are at any given 

time and provides an accurate breakdown of the miles 

covered, the average speed, and routes taken. 

“I believe Cannon’s move to introduce this system in line 

with the new ‘Working Time Regulations’ is an important 

step forward in the industry. Cannon employs many 

drivers to deliver products and services and we need to 

be confident that they are being looked after by the 

company as well as the law.” 

On 1 April 2005 the new ‘Working Time Regulations’ 

came into place across the UK. Targeted at drivers and 

mobile workers they help to ensure that workers are 

allowed the right break times. 


46 Practicalfm

Cooling solutions from 

Rapid Heatbusters 

A new rapid response service to 

provide portable cooling solutions 

for all commercial applications has 

been launched by hire specialists 

Rapid Heatbusters. Rapid 

Heatbusters supply a comprehensive 

range of portable air conditioners, 

evaporative coolers, spot coolers 

and fans to suit all applications. 

Calling on more than 25 years experience in the industry, the company 

provides a telephone Help Desk (0800 804 6161) to give advice to 

customers on the most suitable products to meet their needs. The 

company also provides free site surveys. 

Hiring portable air conditioning equipment has a number of advantages: 

you only pay for it where you need it, when you need it and you 

are assured of getting the latest and most efficient equipment. 

In addition to their extensive range of portable cooling equipment, 

Rapid’s award-winning Unico ‘all in one’ air conditioning system, part 

of the company’s revolutionary Easi-Fit range, is designed to efficiently 

and cost-effectively bridge the gap between portable equipment and 

fully installed systems. 

Further Information www.rapidheatbuters.co.uk RR:83014 

new product showcase 

Cannon Textile Care’s 

differing styles 

Cannon Textile Care is launching a range 

of Corporate Clothing, consisting of 

men’s and women’s tailored garments, 

including a fully washable collection of 

ladies suits. 

Cannon has selected a core range of fabrics 

for the corporate clothing range and 

is providing a wide selection of styles, 

enabling women in particular to mix and 

match an outfit which suits them. Four different jacket styles are available 

individually, which can be teamed with a choice of two skirt styles 

or trousers. By using Cannon’s corporate clothing service, customers 

can preserve uniformity and a consistent corporate ‘look’, whilst offering 

a choice of garments, which Cannon believes will improve wearer 

acceptance and satisfaction. 

Further Information call 0161 975 5414 

RR:83066 

Robbens underfloor heating combines 

flexible use with close control 

A Robbens underfloor heating 

system is helping to Burgess 

Hill Baptist Church to play a 

new community role. 

Church buildings are now frequently 

called upon to provide 

for a whole range of activities, 

ranging from meetings to day 

care centres for the elderly 

and the very young. 

Completely concealed 

beneath the floor Robbens heating technology provides a perfect partner 

for such projects - combining safety and comfort with flexibility of 

use and control. 

The Church at Burgess Hill has been refurbished in a carefully phased 

programme. New toilet and kitchen facilities were installed as part of 

Phase 1 and the second Phase has seen the construction of a new 

church hall with teaching rooms at mezzanine level and a covered link 

to the adjoining manse where the minister lives. 

The new hall is designed for multi-purpose use, including providing a 

home for the local “Fish and Bricks” playgroup and a Church youth 

centre. 

All of the new areas are served by a Robbens underfloor heating system 

embedded in the screeded concrete floor. During installation, 

loops of Robbens’ multi-layer pipework were fixed in position on the 

floor insulation material with the loop ends connected to discreetly 

located manifolds. The manifolds are connected in turn by flow and 

return services to the new gas-fired condensing boiler. 

After pressure testing, a sand and cement screed was poured to integrate 

the heating system into the floor structure and provide a 

smooth, even surface for the carpet tiles. 

The concealed system is completely safe and tamper-proof. Easy 

access is provided to all areas and all of the wall space is available for 

use. Robbens underfloor heating makes a perfect complement for 

modern condensing boilers. The low return temperatures keep the 

boiler in high efficiency condensing mode for maximum economy. 

Further Information call 01424 851111 

RR:83032 

Kalamazoo gives text appeal 

to visitor management 

Birmingham based Kalamazoo Security 

Print, today launched the latest version of 

its widely deployed, visitor management 

solution, VisitorNet Version 3. The latest 

version makes it much easier to notify 

hosts of the arrival of visitors with the 

addition of email and SMS text alert notifications 

that can be sent almost instantaneously. Controlling access is 

paramount to the security of any organisation and this solution allows 

for the quick identification of any visitor, helping to keep staff, premises, 

property and business information safe. 

The system gives organisations the ability to capture detailed information 

of all on-site visitors whilst promoting a professional and 

organised image of the company the moment a visitor steps into the 

building. 

Information www.kalamazoosecure.co.uk 

RR:83083 

COATING SOLUTIONS FOR 

STEEL CLADDING 

Before 

After 

Saville launches Communique 

Saville Audio Visual has launched an exclusive 

new concept that blends audio visual and 

videoconferencing technology into a prestigious 

‘total communications’ centre. 

Saville Communique combines the latest display 

and control techniques with state-of-theart 

TANDBERG videoconferencing. It enables 

instant, multi-site virtual meetings plus presentations 

from computers, DVD, video or external 

broadcast sources, all with full stereo sound. 

The standard Communique package includes a 

custom-built panelled wall and credenza/cabinet, dual plasma displays, 

speakers and a VC camera, plus a matching veneered table and 

chairs. The installation means no trailing cables, unsightly brackets or 

stands. All the source equipment is fitted inside the credenza and operated 

from a single cordless control. 


Practical Facilities Management 

RR:83059 

47 

Steel wall and roof cladding systems develop surface problems over the years, 

which lead to severe deterioration of building fabrics as well as spoiling the 

appearance of the premises. 

C.A.S.A.L.’s have coating systems designed to solve these problems as well as 

restoring the outward appearance of the building. 

C.A.S.A.L. Provides: 

• Free, on site surveys 

• Detailed work specifications 

• Quotations 

• Installation 

• Guarantees 

• Insurance 

CALL C.A.S.A.L. 

Coatings & Safe Access Ltd 

P.O. Box 11, Wilberfoss 

York YO41 5YP 

Telephone: 01759 380804 

Facsimile: 01759 380329 

email: CasalYork@AOL.com 

web: www.casalyork.co.uk 

RR: 83076

new product showcase 

Cleaning up with SEBO 

With the responsibility of maintaining a large 

number of public establishments, Staffordshire 

County Council has to rely upon the highest quality 

equipment for cleaning purposes. In order to 

accommodate the 665 schools, nurseries, 

libraries, police and other public facilities, the 

council has invested in 400 SEBO vacuum cleaners. 

“With so many establishments under our 

jurisdiction, we aim for quality,” comments Chris 

Ryan, Product Development Officer at 

Staffordshire County Council. “Our policy within 

local government is to reduce product maintenance 

costs,” continues Chris Ryan. “SEBO has an aftercare strategy 

with readily available, affordable parts should the occasion arise. We 

do intensive research into our chosen products regarding the benefits, 

value for money and efficiency under our Best Value policy.” 


RR:83093 

New freestanding VFD display from 

Messagemaker. 

For many years the Messagemaker Displays have led 

the way in quality, design and engineering when it 

comes to providing leading edge intelligent electronic 

signs. The introduction of the new generation of VFDs 

(vacuum fluorescent displays) represent the next 

chapter in the company’s determination to offer its 

customers not only the latest technology but also 

products derived from it at an affordable price! 

One such product is the VFD Infomaster Monolith, 

which, with its slim good looks and eye catching bright 

blue characters, is set to replace the larger, more 

expensive LED Monolith, which for the past five years has been the 

number one choice reception display, of many large blue chip companies 

including BA, British Energy and the BBC. 

Paul Bubb, of Messagemaker said, “Whilst sales of our existing LED 

monolith display have grown over the years, we felt that it was a product 

geared to large corporate companies and as such we may have 

been missing out on sales. As a company that listens to its customers 

we have introduced this VFD technology to help provide a lower cost 

solution whilst maintaining the high standards that our customers 

demand.” 

Further Information call 0845 021 2340 

RR:83115 

Hometronic wireless home 

automation system 

A Honeywell Hometronic wireless home 

automation system is controlling a massive 

19-zone heating system and the domestic 

hot water in a large private home. “Despite 

the system’s complexity and a temperature 

sensor in every room, the controls needed no 

wiring due to radio frequency (RF) signalling,” 

revealed Neil Thackeray of NRT 

Plumbing & Heating. Each of the home’s 19 

rooms is a separate heating zone with a wireless Honeywell room sensor 

allowing local adjustment within +/- 12 o C of the set value. Each 

room sensor transmits the actual temperature and offset value by RF 

to a Hometronic controller, sited next to the appropriate manifold, 

which checks the values against the programmed time and temperatures 

transmitted by RF from that floor’s Hometronic Manager. 


RR:83098 

New chilled water 

cassette 

A stylish new chilled water cassette 

designated FCA, has 

been launched by Aermec, 

Italy’s leading air conditioning 

manufacturer. Demand 

for hydronic systems in and 

above suspended ceilings is 

expected to expand in the light of the F- 

GAS Regulations which will require regular 

inspection of refrigerant pipework in the conditioned space. 

The Aermec FCA comes in five models with capacities between 1,500 

and 8,300 watts and obviously fits standard ceiling panel layouts. Units 

are available for 2 or 4 pipe applications. All are extremely quiet in 

operation, an Aermec signature benefit, and come with easy to remove 

washable filter. 


RR:83034 

Tyco unveils new i3 inert gas system 

Tyco Fire and Security has unveiled Hygood i3, its 

latest inert gas fire suppression system for total 

flooding applications, that is non-toxic, non-corrosive 

and odour-free, is zero ozone depleting and has 

zero global warming potential. Designed to protect 

computer suites, telecommunications facilities and 

archive stores, it is also expected to be used extensively 

to safeguard petrochemical and power generation facilities, offshore oil 

and gas production facilities and gas turbines. In fact, i3 is claimed to 

be effective for virtually all combustible material and flammable liquid 

fires. Among its many benefits, i3 is fast acting and has a low life-cycle 

cost; it is electrically non-conductive and has no breakdown products 

or residue, so there is no risk of damage to sensitive equipment, plus 

i3 has zero impact on the environment. Significantly, where space is at 

a premium, i3 has a smaller footprint than traditional lower-pressure 

inert gas technology. 


RR:83109 

CUNO water filters chosen as best for plumbed-in 

cooler systems 

Smart Water Coolers, trading as the appropriately 

named Glug Glug Glug Ltd, provides 

drinking water solutions to the workplace 

through the application of plumbed-in water 

coolers. After talking to various other filter 

providers and manufacturers, they chose CUNO 

water filtration systems as best meeting their 

customers’ requirements. The company has 

recently changed to the CUNO AP2-401 S systems 

to filter the water supply, which is then 

dispensed through a variety of different coolers. 

They are installed to EPDWA guidelines. 

Cuno AP2 filters feature a ‘valve in head’ eliminating the need to externally 

shut off the water supply for cartridge changes and the sanitary 

quick-change cartridge for clean, quick and easy change-out. 


RR:83118 

Personal Monitoring For 100 Days With New 

Draeger Pac 1000 

Designed to meet the needs of short-term 

projects, the new Draeger Pac 1000 

Personal Monitor provides an immediate 

alarm as soon as harmful concentrations 

of carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide or 

oxygen are detected. Offering 100 days 

of maintenance-free protection, without 

requiring battery or sensor to be replaced, 

it also provides three alarm functions and 

is easy to use. Small yet robust and featuring simple push-button 

operation as well as a language-free, back-lit liquid crystal display, the 

Pac 1000 provides a clear readout of the hazard concentration during 

an alarm.Two alarm points can be set to meet the needs of different 

applications and, in addition to a two-tone audible alarm, the user benefits 

from both vibrating and visual alarms. 

A warning will also be issued in the event of instrument error and 

before the end of the unit’s useable life. For maximum reliability, the 

display also features a bump test icon that informs the user as and 

when a function test is required. 


RR:83108 

Two new heat pump product 

ranges launched by Powrmatic 

Powrmatic has broadened the appeal of its air 

conditioning range with the introduction of two 

important new products. 

Designed to compliment the R410A wall mounted 

and cassette units launched last year, the 

new products comprise a range of multi-split 

units and inverter units. 

All of Powrmatic’s air conditioning range is 

based around the latest heat pump technology, 

enabling both cooling and heating to be provided 

in a single unit - a feature which has proved especially popular with 

its customer base. Now, with the increased range, Powrmatic can provide 

products for a much broader range of commercial and light industrial 

applications, where multiple air conditioning units are required 

throughout the building. 


48 

Practical Facilities Management 

RR:83126

Security solutions... 

• CCTV 

• Access control/Smart cards 

• Intruder/Fire 

• Systems management 

...for a 

corporate 

world 

a Securitas company 

Contact: Steve Steeds, Bell Security Ltd/Bell Fire Ltd 

Tel: 0845 601 2775 Fax: 020 8478 8052 steves@bellsec.com www.bellsec.com

www.interfaceeurope.com 

NOW WE 

CAN ALL 

BREATHE 

A LITTLE 

EASIER 

Cool Carpet from Interface, the industry’s first climate neutral carpet. 

We, at Interface Europe, are concerned about global climate change, and support the growing scientific consensus that increased CO 2 

levels in the 

atmosphere are a major contributor to global warming. 

In addition to the many sustainable design and manufacturing improvements we’ve made, we can now offer ‘Cool Carpet’, a scheme which makes it 

possible for our customers to buy products that are ‘climate neutral’. 

Essentially, we calculate the total CO 2 

emissions created during the lifecycle of our carpet tile products. This includes the extraction and processing of 

raw materials, internal manufacturing and transportation, sales and administration, product installation and maintenance, and final disposal or recycling. 

This figure is then offset through investment in a number of projects which reduce or reverse the impact of those emmisions, such as the 

re-establishment of rainforest in Uganda. 

For further information on Interface Cool Carpet and other sustainable issues visit 

www.interfacesustainability.com 

or contact Blake Bower, Sustainability Manager 01274 690690 

Interface Europe, Shelf Mills, Halifax, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom HX3 7PA email enquiries@eu.interfaceinc.com 

Interface Showroom - 1 Northburgh Street, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 0AL tel 0207 490 3960

Practical Facilities Management Magazine

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?