Building Information

Marketing 101: ALWAYS Do What You Say You Will Do

2008-02-14T01:50:00.000-08:00

It can be so frustrating when you get a number of people that volunteer to do something and they do not do it and it lands right back in your lap. Volunteer organizations are not the only ones to have such a problem; it exists in many businesses today. I worked for one of the top five companies in North America and part of my job was to gather information from various sources. I would ask at meetings for someone to forward the information to me and often got parts of what I needed from a variety of people. About eighty percent of the volunteers would get the information to me by the deadline I set. The others invariably let me down and I had to chase them for the information. We all have things we do not like to do and this puts us at risk for procrastinating about completing the task and perhaps letting someone else down by not doing it.

Do not put yourself into the shoes of not doing what you said you would do. Take the time to schedule it in, create a milestone and reduce the risk of not completing the task. Once it is in your calendar, you will see it and you may be prompted to finish it off. No matter what you do, you are still building business relationships whether they are internal or external to your company. Always complete what you say you will do and do it in a timely fashion.

Volunteer to work on projects that can expand your expertise and further your knowledge. Avoid volunteering if you cannot do an adequate job and get the project finished in the time allotted. Doing what you say you will do is the most important aspect in building the relationship.

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. is a speaker, author (over 170 books, articles, and publications), and consultant. She has provided marketing, sales, business development and training expertise for companies such as Peet's Coffee & Tea, Varian Medical Systems, Accenture, Avaya, Cisco Systems to name a few. Dr. Daoust has also done extensive work with small businesses in developing their marketing, training, and operational plans.

Corporate Team Building FAQs

2008-02-14T01:48:00.000-08:00

Corporate team building is a tool that helps in motivating a team for the fulfillment of organizational objectives. Today?s multi-cultural society demands working in harmony with different personalities, especially in intercontinental and multi-location corporations. Corporate team building techniques is a way by which team members are accommodated to the requirements of a firm. These techniques help achieve goals as a team rather than working on their own.

What are the benefits of corporate team building?

Team building techniques enhance communication between co-workers. The benefits also include improved morality and management skills, ability to tackle problems, and better understanding of work environment. Other advantages are the developments in communication, concentration, decision making, group problem solving, and minimizing stress.

What are the usual signs that indicate the need for team building?

The common signs include conflict or hostility between members, increased opposition groups among workers, lack of work involvement, improper decision making abilities, decreased productivity, and poor quality of customer service.

Describe different methods of corporate team building?

Corporate team building professionals and individual courses on ?how to work collaboratively? would be able to provide different methods of corporate team building. An important method of corporate team building is amusement activities that need communication between the members. The favored activities are fly-fishing, sailing regattas, road rallies, snowboarding, interactive seminars, quizzes, puzzle games, etc. All these activities would help workers compete and sharpen their lateral thinking abilities.

What services are offered by the team building trainers?

Most of the training companies offer entertaining features, from accommodation to meals and more. The packages also include vacation packages, rope courses, on-going office games, and ice-breakers. Training charges would depend upon location, number of team members, trainings, and class sessions. Discounts are available for long-term contracts and if the number of team members is high.

Name some famous corporate team building event providers in the U.S.

Some popular providers are Accel-Team, Experience Based Learning Inc, Performance Management Company, Team Building Productions, The Training Oasis Inc, Venture Up, Team Builders Plus, and Team Building USA.

What To Do When You Want 1,000 Subscribers In 7 Days

2008-02-01T03:42:00.000-08:00

Building your list is one of the best business-building activities you'll ever invest time in on the Internet. On the Internet, whoever has the list has the power. With a list, you have the ability to push a button, send an email, and make money on demand. So what do you do when you want to build a list of 1,000 subscribers in just 7 days?

Step #1: Get your essentials ready!

Invest in a good quality autoresponder like Aweber or Get Response and get a website up. These are the two basic essentials for building a list. You don't need a website to build a list, but it certainly makes things easier as it allows you to place an opt-in form that your prospects can see.

Step #2: Create your follow-up emails

In your autoresponder, it is important to create follow-up emails that will be sent to your subscribers after they sign up for your list. These messages can be spread out over a few days. In these emails, you should provide good quality information for your subscribers, so you can start building trust with them. If you just start pitching them with offers, they will simply unsubscribe!

Step #3: Send warm traffic to your opt-in page

Here's the step that makes a REAL difference: warm, targeted traffic! Your prospects, before reaching your page, should be interested in the topic you are touching on. You want your subscribers to arrive on your page feeling "thirsty". In other words, don't advertise your offer for golfing tips on a rugby site! Go to where the golfers are mingling together on the Internet, and present your offer in a subtle way, such as by posting good information in a forum and inviting them to visit your website.

What Is A Smart Building?

2008-02-01T03:40:00.000-08:00

The notion of buildings or homes having a "brain" where it actually adjusts and responds to the people living in them was actually proposed in the 1920s by pioneering modernist architect Le Corbusier. The definition of a smart building or an intelligent home has always been changing depending on the available technology of that time and the environment where it is to be implemented so, every time new technology is introduced, you can count on the fact that the definition of a smart building or intelligent building will change.

In the 70s, a smart building was one that incorporated energy efficiency in its design. The 80s saw the rapid growth of personal computers and this greatly influenced the definition of a smart building, where everything and anything can be controlled by the home computer, even from a remote location. From the 90s to the present, a smart building incorporates the 80s and 70s definition of energy efficiency and total management of a building plus incorporating technology that also maximizes the efficiency of its occupants.

Current works defining a smart building concentrates on multiple subsystems - environment control, telecommunications, power and new materials from manufacturers described as "intelligent. All of these subsystems converge to attain the common goal of reducing the operating cost of a building but still maintaining maximum efficiency for the occupants, which includes the desired internal environment.

Since all of these subsystems contribute to the cost of operation of a building, integration of these diverse technology to create a customized building automation is very complex. Several of these smart buildings or intelligent homes control the following factors: . Manage indoor environment This can mean controlling thermal transmissions through windows and walls and better indoor air quality.

. Anticipate utility costs and electrical demand. This also makes use of technology that "predicts" the weather.

. Adjust to the needs of building occupants by "learning". This fuzzy logic system can learn the habits and behavior of occupants so that it can, for example, turn on the air conditioner to the desired temperature, turn on the lights and turn on the TV to the desired channel when the home owner arrives.

. Monitor and detect critical systems of the building including intelligent materials' performance and condition. This is also sometimes referred to as the nervous system of a smart building or intelligent home. A smart building can sense seismic and structural integrity and do "predictive" maintenance.

There are also non-energy uses for automation in a smart building, like:

. Tighter Security
. Giving directions in a building

More complex subsystems include schemes that has sensors keeping tabs on anything and everything that can be monitored - mechanically, optically, chemically, magnetically, thermally, or even acoustically. And with today's wireless technology, more and more of these systems are linked wirelessly, making the actual implementation elegant and simple, a characteristic that Architects and Engineers love.

Also, a lot of commercial off-the-shelf information technology systems are used in the implementation of a smart building. All the incompatibilities, inconsistencies and vulnerabilities of these commercial products also factor in into the complexity of a smart building.

Custom Goes Modular: Creating Your Custom-Designed Home

2008-01-31T05:14:00.001-08:00

It may seem like a contradiction in terms to think of a modular home and a custom-designed home as one and the same, but with the creative and efficient building techniques developed by the current crop of upscale modular home builders, it's easy to construct a unique home off-site, ship it, and assemble it on the homeowner's land.

Typically, an architectural engineer will sit down with a prospective home buyer and discuss design ideas based on a combination of the customer's housing needs and the parameters set down by the home builder. Homeowners can choose from a shopping list of features to be integrated into one of a variety of available designs, Once the details are settled on, the home is constructed in sections and then moved to the home site.

One home design and building firm, Bensonwood Homes, combines traditional post-and-beam construction with a unique Open-Build technique. This technique deals with a building as an organized group of systems to be isolated and treated as separate structural elements. The building site, structural envelope of the building, the division of interior space, the electrical wiring, plumbing, heating and cooling fixtures, and the cabinets, furniture and other accessories all can be combined in a specific order in a highly efficient building process.

The result is a high-quality, rugged timberframe home, designed and constructed for many decades of use, created with the kind of speed that only modular building processes can produce-the perfect combination of old and new building techniques.

List Building Techniques Part I

2008-01-31T05:12:00.000-08:00

Practically everybody involved in internet marketing understands the importance of building an email list, and a knowledge of the list building techniques that are used to achieve this will be useful to anybody who is interested in making money online.

Article marketing is a good technique to use to build up a list of focused prospects with whom you can regularly keep in contact to provide information and make product offers to. You start by writing an article on an aspect of your niche. The article should be based on and optimized for a specific keyword or phrase that people interested in your niche are liable to use when searching for information on the internet. Once they reach your article it should provide good, relevant information, and make them want to learn more.

If you submit your article to as many article directories as you can, it will be exposed to large numbers of people who regularly use directories for information and website content, and might also be listed on the search engines for the keyword you are using. Some article directories have very good page ranking, and your article can be listed on Page One of Google for your keyword if it is well enough written and relevant to the keyword.

At the bottom of your article, or in a special box provided by the directory, you should provide a link back to your website for anybody interested in more information. If the purpose of the article is help you to build a list, that link should be to a squeeze page

Email Opt In List Building Excellence

2008-01-30T02:58:00.000-08:00

The opt-in list comprises of a list or database of names and email addresses of people who have visited your website or who have bought a product or service through your website. An auto responder is the email service that will opt people into your list and handle unsubscribe requests when people request them.

Building and organizing your opt in list is a proven marketing method that most business websites use to keep customers updated on the latest products available, or to convert subscribers into that all important sale. It's obvious that you need to build, and increase traffic to preserve a successful website. Building a robust email list is a formula for maximum web site traffic and most online marketers identify list building as the number one tool for success on the internet.

So, what's your top investment to generating net profits online? List building is a cost-effective advertising lead generation technique to increase sales. It is estimated that over 90% of all money made online is generated from email opt-in lists of subscribers. In numerous situations a well built email opt in list can considerably reduce, and in some cases shift the need for traditional forms of advertising. If you desire to build a large mailing list and you have almost no marketing budget, there are a variety of options available to you.

The simplest way to build a targeted opt-in list is to offer an information product in exchange for a name, email address, and permission to email again. Post the invitation to join your opt-in list noticeably on your web site and offer superior content right from the start. Building an informatory email newsletter list establishes you as an expert, deepens relationships with your website visitors and customers, and holds your business and products or services in front of them.

However, list-building is more than just throwing names into a database and blasting out offers. Yes, your email list-building page can enable you to attract a substantial customer following. The quality opt-list building skill is about persuading your customer to have a relationship with you.

List building is distinctly not a subject of if you build it they will come... List building is about evolving into relationships with the people on your contact list. By building a relationship with your list of subscribers, you will definitely have a solid foundation for an amazing long term internet marketing business.

About the Author: Don Downes is a top internet marketer who works with other industry leading internet marketers from around the world. He works with successful business coaches who specialize in helping individuals create 6-figure incomes working from home. To learn more about creating massive email opt-in lists, check out Don's website => Wealthy Marketer

Article Marketing And List Building - How to Combine Them

2008-01-30T02:57:00.000-08:00

Article Marketing And List Building – How to Combine Them

Two of the most effective methods of building an online business are article marketing and list building.

Use article marketing to drive traffic, and use list building to leverage your traffic for as long as you have a list.

It really is that simple.

You simply write articles, submit them to the various online article directories, then send the traffic from the articles to your squeeze page (you list building page).

The article writing and submission (article marketing) creates the first – effort traffic.

Then the list building creates second – effort traffic.

Second effort traffic? Yes, I said that correctly. Second – effort traffic. This is all the backend traffic that you get when you send emails out to the original visitors who came to your web site via the article marketing.

This allows you to leverage your traffic in extremely powerful ways.

You see, the article marketing creates the first visitor.

Then that visitor opts into your email list.

Then you send that visitor a series of emails that endears that subscriber to you – you build a relationship with that visitor.

Then you send that visitor to your web site again…and again…and again…leveraging your traffic to create many times the amount of traffic your visitor would have created the first time they went to your web site.

This is the power of article marketing and list building. Used together, they can really create a lot of traffic – the article marketing first, to the squeeze page, and the list building traffic, to your sales pages.

Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to article marketing success, ‘Your Article Writing and Promotion Guide‘

List Building Techniques Part I

2008-01-29T06:26:00.001-08:00

Building Muscle Naturally - Build Muscle Naturally Without Drugs

2008-01-29T06:25:00.000-08:00

Building muscle naturally isn't easy - it takes a lot of hard work, dedication and commitment. However, the payoff is that you can be proud of your body and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you did it without taking the easy way out. Not only that, but it is so much better for your body to build muscle naturally instead of relying on drugs, "potions" or steroids that do more harm than good.

Not only is building muscle naturally better for your body, but it is also better for your wallet. The muscle building industry knows that people are willing to pay a lot of money to get ripped, and they charge a lot of money for pills and potions that don't live up to their claims. Have you ever taken a look at the "latest and greatest" pill that hits the market? Odds are that it is identical to another pill or supplement that you already tried that didn't work.

Why would they create pills and supplements that don't work to help you build muscle? Because if you were successful building muscle using their pills then they couldn't sell you any more. There's big money tied up in the weight loss and muscle building supplement industry and they aren't about to give that up by creating a pill that actually works.

Here's another little interesting tidbit of information that you may not be aware of. Did you know that just about every major fitness magazine is owned by a supplement company? Do some research on the muscle building magazines that you have lying around your house and you will see the shocking truth. Why would a supplement company put out a muscle building magazine? Because they make more money from selling the supplements advertised in the magazines than they do from the magazines themselves. Do you really think you are going to find honest information on building muscle in a magazine that is owned and operated by a drug company that wants you to buy their supplements?

To build muscle naturally you are going to have to let go of many of the lies that have been fed to you over the years about the best way to go about building muscle. It is these same lies that have kept you from being able to gain muscle in the past, so it shouldn't be a problem for you to let them go and take a different approach to building muscle since you know what you have been doing isn't working.

If you are willing to keep an open mind and try a new way of working out and eating you can literally pack on muscle mass faster than you ever thought possible, using only natural muscle building techniques.

List Building Techniques Part I

2008-01-05T03:46:00.000-08:00

Link Building - Follow These Proven Steps For Increased Link Popularity

2008-01-05T03:45:00.000-08:00

Constantly applying link-building techniques that augments ones blog link popularity will very much serve to maximize your search engine rankings. Link building is a continuing process and should therefore be part of ones web site optimization procedure.

Nonetheless, Link building is repeatedly looked upon as a laborious and endless procedure and is hence generally shunned. Failing to constantly complete link building techniques will come out in shabby search engine rankings. As a Webmaster myself I consider reciprocal link building hard to incorporate so I have opted for some less labored and more fruitful means of building links to my website.

In this report I'm going to outline 3 steps for link building that not only give me extra back links, but also adds creditability and inflated targeted traffic to my sites as well.

Link building step #1 - Article Marketing

Compiling and submitting individual and informational reports to top article directories is an ideal way to help link popularity, boost creditability and drive targeted traffic back to your website. Not only will you secure incoming links from the reports directories, but you will also obtain back links from other websites and ezines that publicize your article.

Link building step #2 - Forum Marketing

Comparable to the article marketing method above, forum marketing will also help with adding creditability, inbound links and traffic. Assuming you post quality and positive content while always embedding a link to your web site in your sig file, readers will see you as an authority and will want to visit your site for more information.

Link building step #3 - Blog Comments

This step is peculiarly useful if you run a blog on your own site. Find popular newsletters in your chosen market and contribute to their content by submitting significant and useful comments. Always include your web site URL when commenting. The better quality comment you make the more traffic you will buildup. Here is where this strategy gets really interesting. The largest blog directory on the World wide web 'Technorati' will distinguish on these incoming links to your blog and classify them as authority back links, for that reason helping your blog popularity and link building efforts.

Ultimate Body Building

2007-12-19T23:39:00.000-08:00

Ninety-nine percent of body Building comes from just doing it. You can learn alot from a few fierce competitors like Dr. Joe Klemczewski, Dave Gooden, Lane Norton, Ben Tennesen, Rondney Helaire, and Mike Grant. Make sure that the sources of your information is a good, genuine drug-free bodybuilder who practices what he or she preaches.

If the source of your fitness/fat loss information is not in great shape, than something is not very genuine about his or her information. We all know that nothing feels like being in great shape. Everything is easier, nothing is unobtainable, and everyone is drawn to your strong, positive aura. Real energy and fitness are the keys to a true, balanced life of fulfillment. We all agree on this. Sure, we all have minor peaks and valleys but if you have had it once and then totally let it slip away, then you should not be teaching others how to obtain it and use it to a more fulfilled life. Fitness authors the reflect a good appearance and practice what they preach are typically genuine.

The average Joe is unhealthy or out of shape not because there is something wrong with them, but because they are getting wrong information through the health and fitness industry. The fitness/fat-loss health industry is a multi-billion dollar business. The love of money is the root of all evil. Most fitness companies spoon feed non-genuine fitness information down our throats. The answer to your bodybuilding endeavors does not come in a syringe or a bottle, or a miracle new diet or routine. It is not quick or easy. It is slow and methodical; it is a lifestyle. Good things come to those who wait!!

Let's stop right here and define "bodybuilding". It is doing it drug-free. It is life building. It is who we are. It is being honest with yourself and others. The #1 rule is that you can not lie. You have to pay your dues with workouts, nutrition, rest and recovery, or else you will not see the results.

Body Building Supplements

2007-12-19T23:38:00.000-08:00

A good body is something to be proud of. Not everybody has been given the gift of good and fast metabolism, and not everyone has the discipline to maintain a fit and healthy body.

That is why many people are trying to keep their bodies in excellent condition. People try different methods to loose the excess weight as well as to keep the muscles toned and well used. Some claim that diets work for them. Others state that they can only have great bodies through medical procedures and operations, while there are also people who are living testimonials of a strict bodybuilding regime.

For people who take up bodybuilding, bodybuilding supplements are oftentimes a part of the whole deal. These supplements are mostly taken to provide the much-needed balance of vitamins, proteins, and minerals that are lost during bodybuilding exercises and training. Also, these are needed to keep a body healthy and well.

Various kinds of bodybuilding supplements are offered in the market. There are some supplements that offer a specific element or ingredient, while there are others that provide various types elements in just one supplement. There are those that work simply to boost your energy level. There are some that provide relief for those aching muscles and joints. Some provide vitamins and minerals that are lost during your workout.

If you are interested in locating the right kind of bodybuilding supplements, there are various companies scattered around the country that offer these. You can easily check them out through the Internet. However, it is important to consult and talk to a doctor or professional first so that you are sure that you are not taking anything that could be disastrous to your health.

You could also try poring over health publications for information on these supplements. There are so many of them in different forms and kinds that you could easily get confused.

Information-based transformation: the need for integrated, enterprisewide informatics: it has often been said that health care is "data rich and infor

2007-07-03T22:53:00.001-07:00

There are lots of transactional systems collecting lots and lots of data, but it is often hard to mine the data to identify trends and opportunities. Executives and administrators in healthcare organizations are often frustrated when they know the data they need are "in there." but getting to them to support planning and decision making proves difficult and time-consuming. This situation has been getting steadily worse with the increasing adoption of advanced clinical information systems electronic health records. These systems are designed to provide fast response time, one patient at a time. They are not designed to easily support cross patient analysis and reporting. Organizations spend tens of millions of dollars acquiring and implementing these systems with a focus on clinical transformation--improving clinical efficiency and outcomes only to be stymied when trying to access the data to evaluate how EHR adoption is affecting the performance of the organization. The time has arrived for health care to seriously pursue methods to turn data into information.

Leveraging Data for Clinical Excellence
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The need for clinical, financial, and administrative analytics and reporting spans a broad spectrum of clinical and business requirements. Frequently, the focus is on quality outcome and patient safety initiatives. There is also the need to provide data for mandatory reporting to the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (core measures) or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (quality indicators). New pay mechanisms, such as pay for performance and related initiatives, need aggregate data reported on clinical outcomes. In organizations that have a research focus, there is a growing need to combine genotype and phenotypic data with clinical operations data to understand how genetic profile, clinical process, and therapies affect outcomes. This analysis can, in turn, lead to discoveries of new and improved approaches to clinical care.

This problem of leveraging the vast store of clinical and other data to support improvements in clinical excellence is not solved by simply dumping all the data into a giant data warehouse and giving folks (appropriated access with a reporting tool. More than one CIO has referred to this process as creating a data "landfill." The data warehouse might contain everything--including the kitchen sink--but the data are not necessarily organized in a way that the warehouse can be used effectively. People trying to run reports to analyze a problem--why a particular contract is not as profitable as anticipated, for example have to sift through a lot of useless stuff before finding what they need to answer their question.

Bringing together disparate data from multiple sources across the organization requires a plan that is driven by how the data will be used. In other words, the data warehouse needs to be built on the foundation of the clinical and business issues the organization intends to address. The issue of building an analytics environment needs to be approached holistically, from the top down, keeping in mind the overall clinical and business objectives of the organization. This will result in an integrated, enterprise informatics plan that will carry the organization through a multiyear design, build, and execute process.

Often, organizations begin the process of building a data warehouse by focusing on the technology it will use. Choosing database tools becomes the focal point. But before a data model can even be started, many issues around governance structure and process about how to manage the data must be put in place. The organization needs to define a knowledge management process. Not all needs can be met simultaneously. New sources of data and new needs for information will continually arise. A process for discussing the inevitable conflicts and prioritizing needs must be in place before an organization can begin the more tactical process of creating an appropriate analytics environment.

Taking Inventory

Once a knowledge management process is put in place, the organization should inventory all the various data analytic tools and databases currently in place. Understanding what exists and how it is used adds additional information to the overall integrated informatics plan. These existing tools can also be leveraged in the building of the new enterprise analytics environment.

Through this planning stage, which typically takes an organization three to four months, a decision framework needs to be defined that not only guides prioritization and decisions now, but helps support decisions into the future. This decision framework should be composed of a set of "principles" that describe the needs and aspirations of the organization around analytics. It should reflect the clinical and business goals and objectives of the organization

Size, strength, musculature: new "legal" performance pill hits market; Who would have thought a compound developed to help people overcome muscle atro

2007-07-03T22:51:00.000-07:00

In a remarkable turn of events, arguably one of the strangest in the history of athletic performance, an offshoot of research directed to help victims of muscle atrophy has now become an underground cult phenomenon among bodybuilders, world-class athletes and, strangely enough, couch potatoes from the "boomer" generation. And, if consumer sales are any indication of a product's effectiveness, Endothil[TM]-CR is nothing short of a miracle. Both professional athletes and weekend warriors are buying so much Endothil-CR (especially after the ban on steroids and steroid precursors) that finding a box has become just about impossible. Has everyone gone crazy? Well ... not really. Scientific Breakthrough or Dumb Luck?

Although Endothil-CR's functional component was already backed by clinical trials documenting its ability to impact the proper development of muscle and strength programs, the success of Endothil-CR as a body-building product was "dumb luck," says Louis Rinaldi, spokesperson for Novex Biotech,[TM] the compound's developers.

"When research was first published on the compound's ability to help rebuild traumatized muscle tissue, trainers (believe it or not, a lot of athletic trainers are physical therapists who help get trauma victims back in shape) began suggesting the compound's muscle- and strength-building attributes could be a safe replacement for the most controversial performance enhancers (which are currently targets of Congressional investigation)," says Rinaldi. "As these cutting-edge trainers began recommending the compound to their competitive clients, they began to receive feedback like, 'I can't believe how much it helps my muscle and strength program' and 'I never experienced anything like this.'"
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Dr. Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D., Novex Biotech's Director of Scientific Affairs, says, "Clearly, people were seeing results, but we didn't have a scientific explanation as to why this muscle mass and strength impact was occurring. However, based on the incredibly positive reports, it is impossible to just ignore the effectiveness of Endothil-CR."

Dumb Luck Strikes Again!

Then, in 2003, the results of an independent study of 31 fit males was released. During a double-blind, 6-week bodybuilding study, the active compound in Endothil-CR increased upper body strength by 100% and lower body strength by 249% after concentrated exercise (as measured by the amount of weight participants could bench press and leg press). And biceps circumference increased dramatically over placebo--more than a four-fold increase in circumference versus almost no increase with the placebo group (who were on the same bodybuilding program).

Since the study's release in December of 2003, researchers have been seeking a natural source for the active Endothil-CR compound. Finally, Novex Biotech discovered that, of all things, an extract of a special strain of green tomatoes could provide the active compound in the precise amount needed.

That discovery led to Endothil-CR ... a unique and proven method for muscle size and strength beyond what is acquired through the normal recruitment and differentiation of progenitor muscle cells. Finally, a way to assist your bodybuilding program for muscle and strength without steroids or steroid-like precursors.

But Is Endothil[TM]--CR Illegal?

As of this writing Endothil-CR has not been banned by any amateur or professional organized sporting body including the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) or the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Mowrey explains, "Most doctors understand the cumulative, detrimental effects steroid abuse has on the human body. Obviously, a compound that can impact muscle mass and strength has a clear and unambiguous benefit to both professional and amateur athletes ..."

So, if you see athletes popping a tiny little pink tablet developed to help trauma victims regain muscle size and strength, don't think they've gone off the deep end ... they may be smarter than you think.

So, What's the Catch?

To experience the full benefits of Endothil-CR you'll have to completely alter your workout routine. You can no longer do generalized, full-body workouts ... you'll have to focus on a single, specific muscle group and exercise that muscle group to exhaustion. Why? Because exercise to exhaustion creates "trauma" and Endothil-CR helps your body by impacting the recruitment of progenitor muscle cells to repair (build) traumatized muscle tissue. The results? An increase in both upper and lower body (whichever area you exercise) muscle size and circumference ... and increased strength.

A guide to Web-based facilities operation: do more with less by using Web-based anywhere information to amplify your existing building operational res

2007-06-19T02:38:00.000-07:00

The reality of today and tomorrow's economy is that we will be doing more with less to effectively manage our buildings. Given this challenge, our savior is that technology in the form of Web-based everything is now providing us a path to improved communications while simplifying the movement of complex building information to the evolving building operations specialist.

The rapid movement of the building automation industry towards being Web-based allows us to interweave critical dynamic building information into a browser-based anywhere presentation. This allows us to concentrate and amplify our existing building operation resources and operators into virtual operational centers, in which all critical information is exposed to all stakeholders. This visible-from-anywhere information allows authorized users to provide the correct input, management, and dollar accountability skills that will provide excellent comfort/energy performance with total accountability.

A Web-based presentation of dynamic building information allows nor only operators to operate from anywhere with full functionality, it allows interaction of contractors, equipment suppliers, and consultants to provide valuable feedback and feed-forward information to the building operating equation. Upper management can also participate by having browser-based bottomline screens that provide the dynamic proof of the success or failure of building performance.
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This new concentration and amplification of existing building operational resources and personnel will provide a strong refocus on the values of good operating principles.

This focus will cause management and operations to re-establish communications on what is important and what is required to achieve cost effective excellent building operations.

The creation of a new model of data and information and support provides an excellent opportunity to simplify and increase the ease of access to critical building operations. As the "DDC revolution" exposed the complex relationship between controls and equipment, the "net revolution" will expose our Lack of understanding of the complex cost/comfort/safety issues of today's buildings. This will cause us to economically invest in the need for increased knowledge to operate today's buildings cost effectively.

The Web-based presentation of static and dynamic building information of what is actually required to achieve the best of client comfort, while maintaining excellent IAQ for the least cost per sq ft will be an eye-opener for all. As these dynamic models evolve, reflecting the realities of day-to-day building operation, management will be required to re-evaluate the real cost of having less than the best possible operation people; they will arrive at the conclusion that the correct operation team can greatly add to the company's bottomline by enhancing the art of providing desirable cost effective buildings.

The new Web-based media access and presentation has the power to simplify and teach while greatly aiding the comprehension of building operations. The concept of creating a website for each complex allows critical building information to be located in one organized place accessible to all. The interweaving of actual dynamic building information allows contractors and consultants the ability to quickly understand complex building problems.

The fact that this information is exposed keeps the pressure on the building operation staff to achieve excellence. If it becomes obvious that existing personnel cannot operate the building effectively, areas of responsibility can be easily shifted to someone who can. Aggressive and talented operators will take on more, and some of the existing operators will be re-employed as maintainers.

Of course, the day-to-day operation of the building remains relatively unchanged. Only the complex operational issues and decisions are separated from day-to-day operation. The operating team would also control day-to-day issues to solve operating problems caused by equipment failure. The operating team would determine if equipment problems were best solved by on-site personnel or outside contractors.

The building's operational website and virtual operational center seems to be the logical place to control and store equipment maintenance information. An added advantage of control from this point is that maintenance is driven by the necessity to operate the building for the lowest cost per sq ft while maintaining an excellent environment.

ILM, tiered storage and active archive form a powerful trio: information life-cycle management is a data storage methodology and architecture that al

2007-06-19T02:37:00.000-07:00

The explosion of data in most oil and gas companies today is staggering and will continue to escalate as the business expands. Not only does the massive amount of data need to be stored, but it must also be rapidly available for use in making real-time, business-critical decisions. This information also needs to be backed up and protected from loss, corruption, deletion and a host of other real world security and business concerns. Today, oil and gas project data are typically kept on primary storage, because companies are unsure when, or how, the data will need to be referenced again. And the other alternative is tape, which is not only expensive, but also not efficient for the IT environment or the business. To address these challenges, oil and gas companies are considering information lifecycle management (ILM) strategies that utilize tiered storage and active archiving capabilities. This enables firms to better manage, store and rapidly access business-critical data from the burgeoning information infrastructure.

INTRODUCING ILM

To meet IT challenges accompanying massive data growth, companies in the oil and gas industry must take into consideration the business process, IT infrastructure and generated data. Far too many organizations try separate approaches because of the way that the enterprise is organized, not to mention the manner in which application vendors and IT vendors support the organization. ILM is not an out-of-the-box solution. It is a comprehensive strategy that is developed and refined over time to more efficiently and cost-effectively manage, store and access information based on its changing value in an organization. For instance, an operating company generates a tremendous amount of digital geological and geophysical data during exploration. As time passes, this information may not be as pertinent to the business (Fig. 1), but it may need to be retrieved quickly, based on future operational needs.

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In upstream computing environments, work is largely done on a project basis. Consequently, application vendors have made strides toward project-based organization, and infrastructure vendors have made strides toward moving and storing data based on the project. However, the two worlds are still managed separately, most of the time. This certainly does not relieve the massive data growth problem.

TIERED STORAGE--THE FOUNDATION OF ILM

Tiered storage architecture is the foundation of ILM. Rather than keeping all information on high-end, more costly storage, companies can classify data according to its criticality and put the most important items on the most expensive storage, and less important data on less expensive storage. This can be done in multiple tiers, depending on a company's data and reliability requirements. This is an effective strategy for lowering storage costs and complexity, but it is just a starting point.

There are more daunting questions that must be answered when classifying and tiering information. For instance, how do you determine which data go on which tier? How do you physically move the data? Do you accomplish all of this manually? Can the storage administrator determine how to accurately classify geological and geophysical data? If a user does it, is he creating a more complicated system? While this is a complex process, it will enable oil and gas companies to better understand the information that it generates, and the applications that it relies on to implement a system and storage that best meets companies' needs.

ACTIVE ARCHIVING

The idea of an active archive is simple. Keep data not currently being accessed, but that will be needed in the near term, online and readily accessible while reducing the primary storage pool. Active archiving makes the data in the primary storage pool easier to find and access, while reducing such aspects as 1) The backup windows for primary storage; 2) Storage management complexity; and 3) Total cost of ownership. And, from a business perspective, it speeds information discovery, decreases decision time and increases decision accuracy.

This concept has been around for a while, and it even provides the basic reasoning for tiered storage. However, until recently, the technology to make active archive a reality was not available. After all, if an active archive is deployed on an additional network-attached storage or ATA device, it is just another storage tier. It does not drive the true value of an active archive. It still needs to be managed, backup windows are not improved, and it does not enable the scalability demanded by explosive data growth without further proliferating storage targets.

One is not enough: Graphisoft rounds out building model with construction model

2007-06-18T22:45:00.000-07:00

This month, Graphisoft plans to expand into the construction software market with a set of products for construction modeling, model-based estimating, and sequencing. The plan is more ambitious than the typical new product launch--Graphisoft hopes to cultivate a whole new specialty within the ranks of the construction industry: the construction modeler.

This approach breaks with the idea of a single building model, a centerpiece of the BIM (building information modeling) approach to architecture. Much like a mechanical design assembly contains all the parts required to build a product, this building model would eventually contain all information needed for building design, construction, and ongoing maintenance. Data is entered once, then accessed as needed during subsequent phases of the process.

Likewise, the sheer volume of details required to design and build anything larger than a garden shed could easily overwhelm the most robust workstation, especially when it's all stored in a single database that's being accessed by all parties involved in the design and construction process. And the Graphisoft solution nicely sidesteps the territorial sensitivies of a shared building model. Both the architect and the builder make their own models, so the traditional division of labor remains intact. The contractor is also free to choose to use a construction model even when the architect elects not create a building model.

Is it worth the extra effort required to hire and train a construction modeler and add a new element to the construction process? Graphisoft predicts that such a person, using Graphisoft's new products, can cut 2-3% of the cost out of every building project. It's no secret that the construction industry suffers from inefficiency. Estimates of waste range as high as 25% of any project, and a report from NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) puts the annual cost of inadequate interoperability in the AEC industry at $15.8 billion.

Graphisoft's new products have the advantage of extensive field testing. They're based on six years of development and production by YIT Corp., a $2-billion Finnish construction firm. YIT also attests to real-world cost benefits. It now produces estimates in half the time (or less), and its quantities approach 99.5% accuracy.

Graphisoft Constructor 2005 (price is expected to be around $6,000, which includes Estimator 2005) is the tool for building a 3D construction model and linking it to the project schedule (which is done in an external application such as Primavera). Graphisoft Estimator 2005 (price around $4,000) performs both traditional and model-based estimating to help companies make the transition from traditional manual takeoffs to extracting quantities automatically from their construction model.

Building Student Skills and Capabilities in Information Technology and eBusiness: A Moving Target

2007-06-07T02:41:00.002-07:00

n discipline areas such as information technology and eBusiness, technology advances so rapidly that the issue of developing student skills and capabilities adequate to the demands of the industry becomes a moving target. Industry-related learning models such as cooperative education can help academic programmes meet the challenge of keeping the IT and eBusiness curricula up-to-date. This paper presents the results of an investigation into student and employer perceptions of the relevance of the professional academic content and outcomes of an undergraduate programme with specializations in IT and in eBusiness. The research models used in the study are derived from a general framework, based on a nomological net of constructs representing three major stakeholder groups: academia, students, and industry. The study found that while both employers and students placed an increased emphasis on technical skills, the need for better understanding of the processes of convergence and integration within the business was also evidenced. Areas in need of specialized curriculum development are identified, as well as a possible misconstruction of the eBusiness discipline as perceived by employers and students.

Integrated information: technology is the new IT: how is the hospitality industry pushing the boundaries of what intelligent buildings can do? Check

2007-06-07T02:41:00.001-07:00

T professionals may be surprised at how quickly buildings are changing and, more importantly, at how much computing power is deployed in buildings. The state of IT in buildings today is outlined here, emphasizing the hospitality market. Intelligent building concepts have seen a revitalization recently because of the proliferation of IT and Internet services. Many of these developments have begun to elevate average structures to intelligent buildings.

One indication of this trend is the widespread use of the same terms when referring to IT and building technology. Convergence is used to describe how building systems are blending with IT and the Internet. IT people use convergence to refer to blending of data and functionality from several software applications. Terms like standard, E-business, and real-time are used the same way for buildings and IT. Grid is a common term, but IT people are talking about grid computing while buildings people mean the national electric system. Other terms like integration, collaboration, optimize, Internet-ready (or enabled), and intelligent have varied meanings and cause confusion in both worlds. Nonetheless, both industries are using the same language.

THE EMERGENCE OF IIT

Intelligent buildings are real, but more important, so is the integration of IT (including business processes like finance) with independent special systems for building automation and other functions. Integrated IT is the new IT or (IIT); it is just another way of saying "intelligent building.

Corporate enterprises are forever changed with real-time building information

2007-06-07T02:39:00.000-07:00

Real-time information is creating a revolution that is changing the direction and purpose of the corporate enterprise. This wealth of continuously generated and instantly updated data is breathing new life into corporate enterprises while spouting new business models. The results are changing forever the traditional core company values.Some of the greatest movements are in the area of company reorganization independent of geographical location. To do this, the CEO, CIO, and their managers must look through the Web or their internal virtual networks and view the full extent of their domain unlimited by physical location. To add clarity to this view, real-time data with instant feedback is required. Decisionmakers need to feel (measure and sense conditions), see (video conferencing, Web cameras, etc.), and hear (voice-over IP, cellular phone, pagers, etc.) what is happening in all corners of the managed domain. The constantly and automatically updated enterprise itself can be the obvious vehicle for feeding back information to remote locations. Feedback can be enhanced with live video and networked digital signage. The harbinger of this real-time movement was the centralization of most corporations' cash flow operations, and much of this new real-time information can be centralized through the enterprise in a similar manner.
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Although the ability to operate remotely is a big part of the overall real-time movement, there are other game-changing concepts, such as the deep integration of building security with human resource records as outlined in Rod Zivney's "Access Control--The Missing Link?" Client preference profiling concepts are changing how we look at building real-time information. Also in the following pages, Jack Mc Gowan provides insight with actual examples of how the hospitality industry is using real-time data to profile clients and manage energy in his section "Integrated Information Technology Is the New IT." Evolving nationwide concepts like GridWise are also playing a part.

ENTERPRISE INTEGRATION CONNECTING BUILDING SYSTEMS TO BUSINESS SYSTEMS

I have extracted part of an interview with Paul Ehrlich that appeared on the AutomatedBuildins.com website as part of the coverage for this year's Enterprise@BuilConn Track.

Ehrlich has established the Building Intelligence Group, an independent consultancy whose primary purpose is to help system suppliers, as well as building owners and managers, to maneuver their operations through the vast changes prompted by enterprise building management.

Sinclair: What exactly is enterprise integration?

Ehrlich: In the past, we have always considered buildings to be operated in a largely standalone manner. The concept of enterprise integration is that groups of buildings can now be centrally managed and also that we can connect building systems to business systems.

Sinclair: How does enterprise integration compare to systems integration?

Ehrlich: Systems integration is the process of connecting building systems together within a facility to provide a common user interface and also to achieve functionality between systems.

Examples of systems integration are connecting all of the HVAC equipment together into a cohesive system or connecting together card access, lighting control, and HVAC so that when an employee swipes a card after hours, the lights and HVAC come on.

Enterprise integration is more at a management level. For example an enterprise integration may look at all of the energy use from a group of buildings in several states, read utility rates in real time, and then place all of the buildings into a particular energy saving mode based on the rate. A second example would be bringing critical building parameters up to the enterprise then using that information to make maintenance decisions.

Sinclair: I understand that the focus this year of BuilConn is on what is real, more so than what is possible. Who is actually using enterprise integration?

Ehrlich: We see owners with large portfolios of buildings already using or looking to use these systems. For example "big box" retailers, college campuses, and large corporate real estate owners.

Another example of real-time data combined with the enterprise changing the business model is found in "Automation Takes a Bite Out of the $400+ Billion Commercial Food Service Industry" by Michael Burdett, vic president of sales and marketing, Arecont Systems, Inc. The article is posted on our website, /news/jan05/articles/arecont/burdett.htm. Burdett stated that real-time data "accommodates unique hospitality features such as temperature logging, drive-through timers, soda fountain monitoring, DVR camera integration, sign and lighting control, power monitoring, climate systems control, and still maintains an open design structure that makes it configurable for virtually any control task you can dream up.

Business-building breakout sessions: Cheers Beverage Conference attendees took advantage of outstanding speakers and presentations packed with informa

2007-06-02T02:54:00.000-07:00

Noted beer expert Stephen Beaumont (left, standing), facilitated a panel discussion on beer dispensing innovations by (from left): Roseanne Leake, Anheuser-Busch, Brian Lane of Boston Beer Co., Scott Nielsen of Coors and Sean Fadden of Diageo during the "Draught Technology & Equipment" breakout.

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"Get a Clue ... A Piece of Advice from the 'Fairer' Sex" involved a panel of top female mixologists, educators and consultants discussing how women guests differ from their male counterparts at the bar. From left: moderator Steven Olson of akaWineGeek and Beverage Alcohol Resource, Debbie Zachareas of Bacar Restaurant, Julie Reiner of Flatiron Lounge, Kim Haasarud of Liquid Architecture and Bridget Albert of Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois.

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Mike Ginley of Next Level Marketing (left) and Jeff Grindrod of NOVA Marketing presented "On-Premise Consumer Trends," including results of recent consumer surveys regarding beverage alcohol purchasing and consumption behaviors.

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Robert Plotkin (left, standing) of BarMedia and recipient of the 2007 Cheers Raising the Bar Award moderated a panel on "Drink Presentation & Development," where panelists (from left) David Commer of Commer Beverage Consulting, Phil Raimondo of Patrick Henry Creative Promotions and Jeff Ruth of ShowTenders outlined creative and executable drink ideas.

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Teresa Siriani of People Report discussed the results of research on employment trends and practices that affect on-premise operations and staffing in "Workforce 2007; Getting & Keeping Your Share of the Labor Pool in the New Economy."

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In "You've Gotta Reach Them to Teach Them," moderator Karen Brennan of Bravo! Entertainment brought together young employees from three restaurant organizations to discuss what motivates them and which training, development and communication strategies they find most engaging. Panelists included Jonathan Betterton of Ralph's on the Park, Sam Smith of Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Chris Hanes of Outback Steakhouse, Sharricka Lee of Olive Garden and Jessica Ladreyt of Chili's Bar & Grill.

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Cheers Beverage Conference, a plaque recognizing his contributions to the growth of the event in size and quality was presented to conference program director Laddie Weiss (center) by Cheers vice president and group publisher Charles Forman and editor Donna Hood Crecca.

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Robert Lachky of Anheuser-Busch outlined the history of beer in the U.S. culture and economy and discussed ways to convey its heritage and value in "Beer Industry Initiatives--Elevating the Image of Beer."

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Hudson Riehle of the National Restaurant Association delivered the "Foodservice Industry Forecast & Outlook" presentation, providing insights on how economic, consumer demographic, labor, technology and beverage trends will affect restaurants and suppliers.

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Doug Frost, M.S., M.W., wine educator and Beverage Alcohol Resource principle (far right), facilitated a discussion entitled "Does Size Matter? Sizing Up the Critical Components of a Great Wine List ... Small or Large." Panelists included (from left): Kevin Boyer of Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Ken Collura of Andina Restaurant and Greg Rees of Olive Garden.

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Wine expert and author Dan Berger outlined important trends in the wine market that will affect on-premise operators during "Wine ... Global & U.S. Trends."

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"Industry Issues: Association Leaders Speak Out" brought together (from left) Steve Gross of the Wine Institute, Jim Boudreau of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, Jeff Becker of the Beer Institute and Rick Berman of the American Beverage Institute for a lively discussion of pressing issues such as ignition interlock and preventing underage drinking and drunk driving.

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Donna Shields, M.S., R.D., CPT and consulting director for The Coca-Cola Company, discussed how new flavors being used by chefs will influence beverage trends and influence food and beverage pairings.

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Strategies for "Building Beverage Alcohol Sales in Casual Dining Restaurants" were presented by Warren Solochek of The NPD Group, who discussed recent research and its implications for beverage operations.

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Building preservation partnerships: the Library of Congress National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program

2007-06-02T02:53:00.000-07:00

Congress authorized the Library of Congress to undertake the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP) to prevent the loss of our digital heritage. This work, as with all digital preservation activities, is challenging because of technical issues and also because traditionally there have been few effective collaborative mechanisms to leverage resources and expertise. NDIIPP aims to address both issues while also ensuring the preservation of at-risk digital content. Concrete steps have been taken recently with the establishment of eight partnership consortia, each of which has committed to working with the other and the Library on collaborative digital preservation initiatives. The eight consortia represent the formal launch of an NDIIPP national network of preservation partners. Currently, NDIIPP is exploring how best to involve states and territories in the network.

While it has been evident for some time that management and preservation of digital information is challenging, until recently there has been little in the way of a coordinated approach to meeting the challenge. The reasons for this are familiar: tools and best practices for preservation are developmental; resources available to address the issue are limited; and digital content itself continues to evolve. Absent as well has been a mechanism that links into a collaborative partnership all the various institutions and other entities that manage digital assets. But as more and more significant details about our society are recorded in bits, the need for moving beyond these limits grows.

Millennia of dependency on preserving knowledge and cultural expression are starkly threatened in a digital environment. Analog objects can survive with minimal care for centuries, but no electronic format can hope to persist more than a short while without careful (and perhaps expensive) intervention. There will be no digital equivalent of the Lascaux cave paintings, Mayan stone scripts, Dead Sea scrolls, or other kinds of rediscovered ancient knowledge. For that matter, there may not even be the digital equivalent of Emily Dickinson's poetry, which languished for only a few years in original form before its posthumous publication. Today's digital record of creativity and knowledge is at risk of wholesale loss tomorrow due to obsolete software applications and file formats, degraded tape and other recording media, and other hazards wrought by rapid information technology advances. There will be little opportunity to recover anything that is untended.

Tending to digital information is, however, a complex undertaking. Digital objects have come into prominence only within the very recent past, and there is little collective experience to draw upon about how best to create, manage, and preserve them. There are huge--and growing--quantities of content available at any given moment. At the same time, much of this content is constantly changing or disappearing in favor of something newer. Thorny copyright, privacy, and other rights-related issues loom over all aspects of the digital life cycle. And, while entities ranging from universities to corporations to government agencies are rapidly accumulating important digital content, there is no precedent for these stakeholders working in concert to preserve significant digital information.

In 2000 Congress recognized that the nation needed an exceptional effort to prevent the loss of our digital heritage. Legislation enacted the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP) and directed the Library of Congress to determine the shape of the effort and set forth a strategy for its implementation. Public Law 106-554, providing up to $100 million of funding, was authorized to support NDIIPP, with $75 million contingent on a dollar for dollar match from nonfederal sources. Congress understood that the Library, with a core mission to make information available and useful and to sustain and preserve a universal collection of knowledge and creativity regardless of format for current and future generations of Congress and the American people, was uniquely qualified for this assignment.

After spending nearly two years meeting with diverse stakeholder communities across the nation and studying critical aspects of the challenge, the Library issued a comprehensive plan for tackling the digital preservation problem. The plan, Preserving Our Digital Heritage, (1) outlined an approach to build a national network of entities committed to digital preservation and that are linked through a shared technical framework. This strategy also recognized the need for identifying best practices and supporting advanced research into tools, repositories, and overall models for digital preservation. Underlying this approach was a strong commitment to partnership: given the scope and size of the digital preservation challenge, no single institution--not even the Library itself--could realistically hope to meet the challenge alone. Instead, the most effective way forward lay in harnessing the collective interests, talents, and resources of individual institutions. Collaboration is key to making partnerships work, and NDIIPP rests on a firm commitment to sharing information and building on the insights of others. The Library's role is to provide leadership in building the partnership network and also in spurring awareness of preservation issues and cooperation with content creators, distributors, stewards, and users.

Data trending of key

2007-05-01T03:23:00.000-07:00

A fleet of diesel locomotives at Corus Group's Teesside Cast Products (TCP) plant is now set to benefit from several recently-installed features, including a new data logging and remote radio control system and additional safety features. Three locomotives have already been successfully fitted with the new systems, with 13 more locomotives to follow.

The locomotives, which are used to transport large molten iron containers (torpedoes) weighing around 350-700 tonnes, are currently operated remotely using radio control equipment known as 'Phase 1 TH-MP' systems.

These systems are now being replaced by new 'ECLO' systems from Hima-Sella, which incorporate several additional safety features and a data logging/monitoring system, which can be used for the monitoring and diagnostic interrogation of up to 32 locomotive signals - including digital, analogue, frequency and relay inputs and outputs.

The installation of the new systems is being carried out jointly by CNES' Electrical and Process Control Workshops and Teesside Cast Products' (TCP) Locomotive Repair Workshop.

The equipment supplier, Hima-Sella, assisted in the installation work on the first locomotive - Corus will complete the other 15 locomotives itself.

Chris Burnett, manufacturing engineer at CNES' Electrical and Process Control Workshops at Teesside, comments: 'We are responsible for project managing the upgrade work'.

'Three locomotives have already been commissioned safely and are now in full operation'.

'The upgrades will enable us to look at data trends, which will help us improve preventative maintenance and the overall safety of the locomotives'.

'We can log multiple signals, including brake pressure, engine speed, road speed, throttle power, air reservoir pressure, emergency stop, passive stop and lone worker/man-down alarms'.

The data logging system, which is incorporated into the radio control system, uses a global positioning system (GPS) to provide regular, real time updates for date and time.

The system is not a true GPS, but there are plans to incorporate full global positioning capability in the near future, which will enable each locomotive to be tracked around the Teesside site, improving logistics at the site.

The new radio control systems meet the latest European safety standards (EN50239) for radio controlled locomotives and have additional safety features such as 'standstill detection' and 'overspeed prevention', providing automatic controlled braking.

Support for low energy rated homes

2007-05-01T03:22:00.000-07:00

The National Home Energy Rating (NHER) scheme for energy assessors has welcomed this week's announcement of support for homebuyers wanting to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Responding to the announcement from Housing Minister Yvette Cooper, Brian Scannell, Managing Director of National Energy Services, says: 'Every Home Information Pack will contain an energy performance certificate with targeted energy saving recommendations that will help lower fuel bills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

'The recommendations for homes that receive an E, F or G energy rating are generally very cost-effective and result in real savings for the homeowner.

For example, cavity wall insulation is one of the best things you can do.

It can reduce heat loss through the wall by 60% and it can pay for itself in less than two years.

And yet, of the 15 million homes with cavity walls, a staggering 10 million or so still don't have any insulation in them.

'For a typical 1930s three bedroom semi-detached home, installing low cost measures such as loft insulation, a good fitting hot water cylinder and cavity wall insulation will save the householder GBP360 a year in fuel costs and will cut nearly 3 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

Taking this action would be reflected in their home's energy rating too - the home would move from an and#145;F' rating to a and#145;D' rating.

'If such improvements are widely implemented, we will see an enormous difference in our efforts to reduce carbon emissions across England and Wales.' Brian Scannell added that it is now unlikely that there will be a shortage of qualified energy assessors when HIPs become mandatory on 1st June.

'Becoming a domestic energy assessor requires undergoing rigorous training and assessment - but we are delighted by the numbers coming forward.

NHER's training and assessment programme for energy assessors is signing up about 80 new candidates every week.

We are confident that there will be enough energy assessors to satisfy market demand.'

New additions to

2007-05-01T03:21:00.002-07:00

Carlo Gavazzi has introduced a room temperature controller, wireless light switch and wireless base station to its Smart Building range for automation and management of domestic, industrial and commercial applications. The compact G8145 2579 temperature controller features PID loop technology to enable fast and easy setting and adjustment.

This works by backing off the heating before set point is reached, which prevents temperature overshoot.

The LCD screen shows the set point and room temperature, together with status indication for heating, cooling and night set back.

All adjustments are made with just 4 buttons, temperature range adjustment can be limited locally to prevent over or under heating to save energy.

The temperature controller does not require any external power as it is powered by the communication bus from the main controller.

Multiple controllers can be linked together to provide individual room control for greater comfort and energy saving.

The new wireless light switch integrates a 4-channel 868MHz transmitter to control lights or other electrical systems such as blinds over a license-free radio link.

Wireless operation gives architects and installers the freedom to choose convenient switch locations, and re-position them if required.

As an inherent benefit of Smart Building technology, the light switch can easily be re-addressed to control other lights or functions without rewiring.

Additional base stations (G3486 0058) can be added in large installations if the 100m range is exceeded.

The new switch (model number G8186 440x 703) is available in white, light grey and charcoal grey.

Dimensions are 55mm x 55mm x 11mm matching the growing range of Smart Building LK FUGA fittings.

Power comes from a 3V Lithium cell that has a lifetime of at least 5 years, and can easily be replaced without requiring an electrician.

Carlo Gavazzi has also introduced a new wireless base unit dedicated to its wireless switches including the new G8186 440x 703, allowing installers to quickly incorporate the switches into any Smart Building network.

The G3486 0058 base unit is supplied in a standard H4 plastic housing for easy mounting, and is able to support an unlimited number of switches connected via the wireless interface.

The new unit operates from a 230VAC, 45-65Hz supply, allowing direct connection to mains supplies throughout Europe.

Use of recycled PVC in new products

2007-05-01T03:21:00.001-07:00

Recovinyl is urging major retailers, wholesalers and distributors to stock products containing recycled PVC material amid general growing consumer awareness and support for sustainability and environmental issues. The PVC industry's recycling initiative has launched a major campaign to encourage greater use of plastic recyclate in new products, especially in the construction and DIY sectors.

A Europe-wide scheme, Recovinyl has been particularly successful in the UK.

In 2006, over 20,000 tonnes of post-use PVC products - mostly PVC-U profile - were recycled; more than double the original target.

The 2007 figure is expected to be even greater.

Recent commitments to sustainability by high-profile companies, such as Tescos, Sainsburys and Marks and Spencer, reflect current trends towards priority of environmental issues in the retail/construction sectors.

Hence retailers are increasingly looking to stock environmentally-friendly products to gain a competitive edge.

Examples range from garden furniture to building products, pipes and conservatory components.

Recovinyl is currently discussing marketing opportunities and product development options with a number of leading construction sector retailers and small builders' suppliers who are keen to stock products containing PVC recyclate.

According to Roger Morton of Axion Recycling, Recovinyl's UK agents, there is growing interest in the concept.

'Because PVC can be recycled into a high quality and versatile polymer that can be cost-effectively re-used in so many new products, we are experiencing considerable levels of interest from companies, particularly in the building and DIY markets.' Roger explains: 'With the rapid growth in volumes being recycled, recyclers are always looking for new outlets for PVC recyclate, particularly in the retail and building sectors.

Manufacturers have the added benefits of cost-savings in using recycled PVC compared to using more expensive virgin material, as well as promoting the eco- credentials of their products'.

He adds: 'We would like to hear from suppliers with existing products using recycled PVC content, or those with creative proposals for new items incorporating recyclate; particularly in the construction and DIY sectors.

Such items could include ducting, flooring, pipe or even concrete replacement goods like paving stones or garden edging blocks.

'Given the growing awareness of 'green' issues, products with recycled content are attracting increasing interest and our initial research indicates that retailers are looking to stock these items.' Recovinyl is funded by the PVC industry body Vinyl 2010 formed to demonstrate commitment to sustainable development.

It is backed by the British Plastics Federation and supported by the Waste and Resources Action Programme.

For more information, contact Axion Recycling on 0161 426 7731 or visit the website.

Fears hampering drive

2007-05-01T03:20:00.001-07:00

Many businesses in the building sector are turning their backs on energy efficient power and heating systems because they fear that the savings such systems can produce are too good to be true, according to one of the UK's leading energy management companies. Paul Hamblyn, head of market development for energy management company, ENER-G, says that some organisations view the energy efficiency issue and the well-proven and successful technologies that go with it as a 'black art'.

'At ENER-G we sometimes find ourselves in the bizarre position of being able to deliver savings of 25-30% only to discover that the client believes it is all too good to be true'.

'No matter how well and how often these technologies prove themselves there remains a minority who see them as a black art '.

The same organisations become enthusiastic converts once they see the systems working and delivering the kind of savings and efficiencies they previously thought was done with smoke and mirrors,'Paul Hamblyn said.

'The recent Stern Report on climate change called for private and public sector organisations to make reducing carbon emissions a top priority and government has said repeatedly that new technologies will play a vital role in helping organisations reduce their carbon footprint'.

'Climate change is now a headline issue around the world and the push to reduce carbon emissions has found its way onto boardroom agendas everywhere'.

'The Kyoto Protocol didn't just change the way governments are expected to tackle global warming, it also placed a burden on organisations of all kinds to find ways of cutting their emissions through the use of new energy technologies and energy efficiency management'.

The problem is that some organisations are missing out on opportunities to cut their energy costs and improve their energy efficiency because they don't know what to believe and who to listen to.

That makes no sense for them, it makes no sense for the energy management industry and it is damaging Britain's ability to deliver on its Kyoto targets'.

It is a collective failure to the get the energy efficiency message across to the organisations that need it most'.

'Government, our industry and the media has a responsibility to tackle the suspicions and doubts'.

'We have the technologies and expertise to make a huge difference to organisations in this country - the proof is out there for anyone to see - but we simply have to do more to get that message across,' Paul Hamblyn said.

Cash boost for timber transport projects

2007-04-14T05:38:00.000-07:00

Projects aiming to reduce the impact of timber transport on Scotland's rural roads have been given cash injection of over GBP3.7m through the Strategic Timber Transport Fund.

Seven projects aiming to reduce the impact of timber transport on Scotland's rural roads have been given the green light for a cash injection of over GBP3.7m through the Strategic Timber Transport Fund (STTF). The GBP13m fund aims to help the industry deliver practical solutions to reduce the impact of timber lorries on Scotland's rural roads and offer real benefits to rural communities. Announcing the successful projects, Sarah Boyack, Scottish Forestry Minister, said: 'The timber industry is a growing sector of the Scottish economy'.

'However, much of the timber resource is accessible only by fragile rural roads which were not built to meet the demands of modern road haulage'.

'The challenge, now that many of our forests are maturing, is to find ways to get the timber from forests to the processing mills, with minimum impact on local communities and other road users'.

'It is encouraging to see applications that involve partnerships between the forestry sector and local authorities working to identify and tackle issues before problems arise'.

''The biggest award made to date from the Strategic Timber Transport Fund will take a large number of timber lorries away from the village of Eskdalemuir, reducing the environmental impact and disruption to their community - which is exactly what the fund is designed to do.' The projects that have been offered funding are: Eskdalemuir, Dumfries and Galloway, awarded GBP2.5million.

This is the biggest award made to date under the STTF.

It will remove around 10,500 timber lorry journey's away from the community by providing a sustainable transport route with the creation of 4.2km of new forest haulage route for timber lorries.

The project will also strengthen three sections of the B723 from Watcarrick to Sandyford Bridge and south of Boreland such that it can sustainably carry timber lorries and enable some additional beneficial developments to be carried out.

In addition, a new 3000 metre trail for walkers or cyclists will provide a valuable link from the Kagu Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist Centre to the village, separating vehicle traffic from pedestrians using this busy route.

B836 Timber haul route, Argyll and Bute, awarded GBP655,000.

Road improvements will widen and strengthen the road allowing large vehicles to pass more easily and improve visibility and drainage on this significant haulage route.

Traffic calming measures will also be introduced at Clachaig village and Balagowan Bridge.

Arran link road, North Ayrshire, awarded GBP318,000.

The link road will allow timber lorries to travel through five different forests, taking lorries away from public roads.

It will also have additional tourism benefits by creating a new forest road route for walkers and cyclists.

South of Scotland Timber Transport Officer, Ayrshire, Borders and Dumfries and Galloway, awarded GBP85,000.

The officer will analyse current timber transport issues and seek ways to identify and overcome local problems.

Peaton Hill Timber Haulage Route, Argyll and Bute, awarded GBP45,000.

A new section of forest road will be built to link forests to a new access point at Peaton Hill.

This will remove around 4,000 lorry movements passing through Kilcreggan and Garelochhead and almost completely relieve timber lorries on the B833.

Ardfern Bypass, Argyll and Bute, awarded GBP40,000.

The creation of new forest roads and the up-grading of 3km of farm track will remove timber lorries from the minor roads through Ardfern and the B8002 single track road.

Round Timber Haulage Driver Training programme, Dumfries and Galloway, awarded GBP17,700.

This project will develop and pilot a training course to provide specialist training for timber hauliers in safe and fuel-efficient loading and in forest driving.

This will help mitigate the environmental and social cost of timber haulage, reduce carbon emissions and improve safety.

Healthy Brunch As Two Team Up With New Carton

2007-03-27T04:04:00.001-07:00

Two brand owners have teamed up to bridge the gap between breakfast and lunch.

By combining an Orange Maid probiotic yoghurt drink with a Jordan's fruity Frusili cereal bar in a 250ml Tetra Prisma carton, consumers can take a quick, healthy, thirst-quenching snack with a daily dose of probiotics, which are contained in the straw.

Carton So Good For Promotional Offers Space

2007-03-27T04:03:00.002-07:00

The So Good soya milk's series of on-pack offers featured the chance to win a Mini Cooper.The Mini was featured on Tetra Rex 1 litre packs of chilled So Good in a free-to-enter prize draw.Martin Pamplin, So Good sales and marketing director, said: 'We have been keeping the soya milk fixture interesting for customers with a series of innovative on-pack offers.

The Mini Cooper was the largest.

Using Tetra Rex cartons provided us with lots of space on-pack to feature all the prize draw details and offers great on-shelf impact.'

Chipboard Boxes A Work Of Art

2007-03-27T04:03:00.001-07:00

Boxes Edson has been contracted by Kidderminster-based Colart Fine Arts and Graphics, a supplier of artists' materials, to provide cartons for two craft kits from its Dryad range.

Boxes Edson has been contracted by Kidderminster-based Colart Fine Arts and Graphics, a supplier of artists' materials, to provide cartons for two craft kits from its Dryad range. To provide protection and strength, Boxes chose a 600 micron coated white lined chipboard and a double walled glued lid and base construction. Both cartons are printed in five colours with a high gloss UV varnish.

Boxes Edson's business development manager FMCG sector, John Morgan, commented: 'We have been working with Colart Fine Arts to develop new constructions in both conventional folding cartons and plastics over the past 12 months and we're delighted this research has now resulted in our first contract with this world famous company.'

Boxing Clever With 4th Consecutive Award

2007-03-27T04:02:00.001-07:00

For the fourth year in succession, Northamptonshire-based Boxes Prestige has won the 'Creative Use of Folding Boxboard' category in the Spotlight Awards with Virgin Vie Goddess Christmas Range. The cartons were produced using Iggesunds Incarda Silk 485 micron board, printed with a gold background wash followed by 80 per cent of a special gold and then 100 per cent gold, two hits of black plus a specially formulated iridescent gold pearl varnish and a high-gloss varnish. Boxes Prestige has also won the award for Design and Printing on Uncoated Paper or Board for Liz Earle's Naturally Active Skincare Christmas Range.These cartons were produced on 440-micron Curious Metallic Ice Gold Board supplied by Robert Horne.

Printed in blue, the packaging was coated with sealer varnish to the reverse and the face was printed in three colours with a sealer varnish.

Apertures were formed at the cutting and creasing process to hold cords and/or ribbons

Re-cycle old cardboard packaging in-house

2007-03-27T04:01:00.000-07:00

Companies currently paying for the collection and disposal of cardboard packaging and products could benefit from doing cardboard recycling in-house by using a new range of recycling products.

Schleicher and Co International are creating a great deal of interest with their new range of cardboard recycling products. The Pacmaster range of carton converters recycle surplus cardboard, which many companies pay to have removed in skips, into a flexible lattice work of card. This can be used instead of bubble wrap or polystyrene chips.

Users of the machine are delighted to save money and do their bit for the environment.

The Pacmaster carton converter helps keep the warehouse tidy as well.

Cardboard boxes can take up a great deal of space.

By feeding the boxes through the cutter on the top of the machine, the card can be stored tidily.

When packaging is needed, the stack can then be easily turned into packing material.

Some businesses have found that they get the capital outlay back on the machine in months.

The packaging it produces is popular at the delivery end, because customers appreciate that it is biodegradable and doesn't leave a trail of polystyrene chips around their homes or offices.

Schleicher and Co International are the world's leading manufacturers of the Intimus range of paper shredders.

They have more than a hundred varieties of shredder and baler to suit virtually every requirement.

The unique cutting heads, which are manufactured, from high-grade steel are especially hardened to increase both performance and durability are guaranteed for five years.

They also distribute Intimus letter openers, paper folders, trimmers, guillotines and Olympia office products, which include typewriters, calculators, cash registers and copiers.

New Huntsman welding blankets

2007-03-23T00:16:00.002-07:00

Jackson Safety new range of Huntsman brand welding blankets for use whilst cutting and welding to protect component surfaces and work areas against spatter and other hot sparks.

ackson Safety, the West Midlands, UK subsidiary of US based Jackson Safety Inc, personal and industrial safety equipment manufacturers has launched a new range of Huntsman brand welding blankets for use whilst cutting and welding to protect component surfaces and work areas against spatter and other hot sparks, which may cause damage to components or even cause fires. These welding blankets, product tested to meet BS EN 1869.1997, are available in a number of different weaves and material weights providing protection against temperatures from 550degC - 1,300degC. Sizes available range from 1,000 mm x 1,000 mm to 3,000 mm x 2,000 mm and they are also available in 50 m.

rolls.

They are designed for use in a number of industries including shipbuilding, rail trackside and equipment maintenance, automotive repair and production, general workshop and out door fabrication, anywhere where a fire or surface damage is to be prevented.

They are available with a coated material providing resistance against abrasion and are easily cleaned, whilst uncoated blankets are more pliable and are better suited for draping over components and should be considered for stress relieving super heated components as the coating has a lower heat resistance and may smoulder under prolonged heat contact.

All Huntsman welding blankets are self hemmed and stitched with high strength fibreglass thread to prevent fraying and are also available with eyelets to secure two or more blankets together or hung in a vertical plane.

Phil Chew, Managing Director EMEA, Jackson Products said: 'This is a new important safety product that we have introduced to the existing Huntsman range and we would recommend using multiple blanket layers for added protection and that all welding blankets should be checked on a regular basis for integrity and damage'.

'Before using welding blankets, we also recommend users seek advice from a qualified health and safety advisor.'

Wolf at Safety and Health Expo 2007

2007-03-23T00:16:00.001-07:00

The Wolf Safety Lamp Company will be highlighting its latest products on Stand J20 in Hall 10 - a favoured spot for the last four years. The recently publicised 'famous five' Zone 0 Hazardous Area range of mini and micro torches, hand and head torches and hazard warning indicators will be on show, along with the ATEX versions of the most comprehensive range of explosion-proof portable lighting products manufactured in Europe. In response to the huge demand from UK and European Fire Brigades, the Company will also exhibit its modular rail-mounted multi-gang charger bank for the Wolf rechargeable torch range and Wolflite Handlamp Chargers - an example of what can easily be produced for installation within fire fighting vehicles, ambulances, defence vehicles and aircraft.

Over the last 12 months, Wolf Safety has increased its turnover by 20 per cent and recruited additional staff to maximise the increasing sales opportunities for its products throughout the world.

Major additional manufacturing and warehousing facilities are nearing completion to meet this continuing expansion programme.

Behave safely at the Safety and Health Exhibition

2007-03-23T00:15:00.001-07:00

Visitors invited to behave themselves at the Safety and Health Exhibition UK based training consultancy Pivotal Performance invite those attending the Safety and health exhibition to behave safely on their stand. Pivotal Performance, based in Kettering, Northants, propose that behavioural safety is a complex problem and not a quick fix. Pivotal take a holistic view of the issue and have an approach that incorporates both health and safety consultancy and training with organisational change, leadership development and coaching.

The approach has attracted interest from a number of professionals within the industry and is now in practise with a number of organizations.

To emphasise the importance of behaviour in safety performance, Pivotal will approach the issue with a fun, interactive stand that raises the point of how easy unsafe behaviour is, and it's potential impact.

Companies choose No Skidding Anti-Slip Tapes

2007-03-23T00:14:00.000-07:00

No Skidding range of tapes is out performing many of its' competitors in slip resistance, longevity and appearance.

More companies are now using No Skidding Anti-Slip Tapes as their preferred choice in manufacturing. No Skidding supply a large number of major manufacturing companies across the world with their range of premium grade tapes, ensuring the products they manufacture meet the high demands of industry and the consumer alike. From the Marine Industry to the National Health Service the No Skidding range of tapes is out performing many of its' competitors in slip resistance, longevity and appearance.

Manufacturers are turning to No Skidding for slip injury prevention, not solely in the manufacturing process, but also in ensuring the safety of their production staff and operatives on a day to day basis.

HANDL Solutions Limited is the exclusive UK and Eire distributor for No Skidding and can offer the most comprehensive range of tapes for both high traffic and bare skin applications; from machine shops to wetrooms, Industry to the Leisure sector.

Call us today for a free sample and brochure of our products.

Finesse first for energy efficiency

2007-03-23T00:09:00.000-07:00

Finesse Windows and Conservatories has become the first independent domestic manufacturer/installer of PVCu windows and doors in the Midlands to be awarded the energy saving Trust's 'Energy Saving Recommended' certification. To qualify, the company had to achieve a minimum 'C' energy rating with the British fenestration Rating Council, which it has done for its Thermal-Guard-C suite of windows and doors, with BFRC-accredited certification body BM TRADA. The Thermal-Guard-C range, manufactured at the company's Kings Norton factory, combines the latest five-chamber Swish extrusion with warm-edge 28mm Argon-filled double-glazing.

Swish itself has been so impressed that it has marked this latest achievement with a special Product Innovation Award.

According to Finesse Sales and Marketing Director David Bown, the range combines 'the best in energy efficiency and security'.

It is fully steel-reinforced and only Secured by Design recommended hardware is used.

The company has, in fact, always led the field in security, to the extent that it is a Finesse conservatory which has been built onto the West Midlands Police Community Safety House in Brownhills as a 'Centre of Excellence for Crime Reduction'.

With global warming very much in the news, however, homeowners are becoming much more aware about the need to improve the thermal efficiency of their homes.

Mr Bown added, 'It is our aim to meet our customers' needs and we are proud to be able to offer a product which offers both security and thermal efficiency.'

Arco strengthens position in Yorkshire

2007-03-23T00:08:00.002-07:00

Arco is strengthening its position in West Yorkshire by opening its third branch in the region.

The UK's leading supplier of personal protective equipment, clothing and workplace safety products invests a quarter of a million pounds in a new Leeds branch, giving it three outlets in the region which are forecast to produce GBP16m in three years time. In the current climate, there is more onus on businesses than ever before to take responsibility for the health and safety of their workforce. The number of routine health and safety inspections has fallen over recent years, with an increased expectation that employers take responsibility for ensuring that the necessary equipment and procedures are in place to meet their legal obligations.

With this in mind, Arco is strengthening its position in West Yorkshire by opening its third branch in the region.

Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive show there were 146,288 accidents to workers in 2005/06 across Britain, 212 of which were fatal.

In the Yorkshire and the Humber region, there were 21 fatal injuries to workers from a total of 15,006 reported injuries.

The Leeds branch, situated at Holbeck Triangle, off Gelderd Road, close to Armley Gyratory, will be opened today (Monday 26 February).

Stocking a wide range of protective clothing and equipment, Arco can also provide expert advice on health and safety issues in the workplace.

Industries to benefit from the new branch will include manufacturing, transport and distribution, utilities, food and construction.

Established in 1884, this fourth generation family business is intent on increasing its market share in the UK.

The Leeds branch will be Arco's 32nd nationally.

Arco currently has branches in Ossett and Bradford and the addition of the Leeds branch will boost sales to GBP16m within three years.

A GBP250K investment in Leeds includes refitting the 7,300 sq ft unit and employing six staff.

'Leeds is an important opening for Arco - we can see the potential locally and know we can provide an excellent PPE service to businesses in the area'.

'We have built our reputation on being experts in our field and the staff at the branch will be highly trained to advise customers and make sure they buy the correct equipment for their requirements,' said Alan Colquhoun, Leeds branch sales manager.

Arco makes a difference to local businesses by providing a package of solutions which simplifies the buying process - a choice of ordering channels, a range of payment methods, invoice solutions - paper or electronic, central account management for national accounts and proactive account management.

Arco has three methods of reaching its customers - through the branches, its annual catalogue, the Big Red Book and on-line.

It supplies all the PPE and clothing required to meet health and safety requirements from ear plugs to smoking shelters and respirators to hard hats.

The branch network stretches the length and breadth of the UK from Aberdeen to Plymouth and Cardiff to Bury St Edmunds.

Arco intends to open more branches this year and the Leeds branch will be a valuable addition to Arco and the local business community.

Parking control solution for Mott Macdonald

2007-03-23T00:07:00.002-07:00

Fast acting MC Security Barriers from the UK's leading access control company, APT Controls, are playing a central role in improving security at the Croydon offices of the international management, engineering and development consultancy Mott MacDonald. Following the successful installation of barriers at the new Mott MacDonald Voyager house building in Croydon, APT Controls was recently asked to install a new barrier at the Sydenham Road building, replacing an old barrier which had become worn over time. The decision to choose APT Controls was straightforward as Dee Hyatt, Facilities Manager at the Mott MacDonald offices in Croydon explains: 'The existing barrier at Mott MacDonald House was old, battered and in desperate need of replacement.

Since we were extremely pleased with the service we received during the installation of barriers at our Voyager House building, we chose to contact APT Controls again.

'The barrier enables speedy access while solving our problems with unauthorised parking, and once again we were thoroughly impressed with the service received from APT Controls.

We are sure that the robust barrier will serve us for many years to come'.

Tony Girard, APT Controls' Managing Director said: 'We were very pleased to work with Mott MacDonald to provide a simple yet durable solution to a common parking problem.

The MC Security barrier is ideal in sites and situations such as this and APT Controls are glad to have been of help'.

The APT Controls MC Security Barrier enhances site security with its fast operating action and strong barrier arm.

The robust design and the advanced technology of the motion control mechanism protects components from the stress of high-speed operation ensuring long-lasting reliability.

Ideal for office car parks, perimeter security and hotel car parks, the MC Security barrier is well suited to sites with medium traffic flow where non-paying access is required.

As well as being extremely robust, the barrier is flexible to suit different needs, with a choice of logic controllers to suit all remote control devices, and various models with differing arm lengths available.

The APT Controls' range of barrier systems covers everything from simple, manually operated posts through to fast-acting, automatic systems for high flow traffic situations.

Mott MacDonald is a world-class consultancy delivering solutions that add value to many areas of everyday life, from transport, energy, building, water and the environment, to health and education, industry and communications.

It is a wholly independent, employee-owned company with 10,000 staff working in over 100 countries worldwide and has a turnover of $1 billion.

New Smith and Wesson polarised safety glasses

2007-03-23T00:07:00.001-07:00

Smith and Wesson brand CE approved ViewMaster polarised safety glasses has been launched by Jackson Safety , the West Midlands, UK subsidiary of US based Jackson Safety Inc, personal and industrial safety equipment manufacturers Famous for its Customer Loyalty, the Smith and Wesson line has achieved this acclaim for the 'comfort factor' of its eyewear. Designs such as the ViewMaster concentrate on maintaining pantoscopic angle and position of tangential wear. Combining these parameters results in a streamlined 'swept line' providing maximum comfort, style and safety.

Together they create a sealed security enclosure about the wearer's face without even feeling it or knowing it is there.

The ViewMaster safety glasses with polarised lenses provide 99.9% UV protection and have been designed specifically for general industrial eye safety usage both indoors and on site.

Employees enjoy protection from reflected glare along with reduced eye strain and enhanced vision.

They are ideal for use by plant and agricultural equipment drivers, offshore and shipping operatives, machinery operators and a wide range of other users who may be affected by reflective glare in their course of their work.

The classic streamlined frame is made from durable GS7 nylon with ergonomically designed temples and pressure pads to enhance comfortable and precise fit.

Finished in a metallic grey finish with the Smith and Wesson brand on the left temple, these spectacles also come with a handsome silk-like microfibre carrying pouch which doubles as cleaning cloth.

These new spectacles meet DIN EN 166 EC Health and Protection Directive on Personal Protective Equipment 89/686/EEC and exceed the American National Standards Institute ANSI Z87.1+ high impact standards and requirements.

What is a polarised lens?.

When three dimensional light from the sun hits a reflective surface such as water, snow, a wet road or a windscreen it becomes polarised or profusely two dimensional often called reflected glare, i.e.: more intense than surrounding light.

This results in unsafe conditions, and increases eye strain by creating a bursting effect on surrounding colours.

For example, on the surface of water, reflected glare becomes a barrier that keep you from seeing down into or across clear water.

A quality polarised lens eliminates all reflected glare that hits the lens and a portion that hits from other angles, thereby helping to eliminate eyestrain and allowing you to see safely your surroundings in natural state.

This allows those working on water to view above and below the water surface, by eliminating reflection.

Ian Williams enters PFI market

2007-02-15T21:44:00.002-08:00

Working in partnership as a sub-contractor with Brent Coefficient Consortium, Ian Williams will be responsible for delivering a full facilities management service for London Borough of Brent.
One of the UK's leading property service companies, Ian Williams has entered into its first Private Finance Initiative (PFI) project. Working in partnership as a sub-contractor with the Brent Coefficient Consortium, Ian Williams will be responsible for delivering a full facilities management (FM) service for the next 30 years and meeting standards set by the London Borough of Brent. The Brent Coefficient Consortium, which comprises Hyde Housing Association, Bank of Scotland and Bouygues UK, part of the Bouygues Group, a multi national French lead company, has been nominated as the preferred bidder to provide 500 new properties in the London Borough of Brent.

Ian Williams' role will be to provide a full facilities management service to the homes once they have been built including telephone helpdesk and round-the-clock responsive maintenance service, cyclical maintenance, soft FM (including cleaning and grounds maintenance), stock condition surveys as well as an asset renewal programme.

Operations for Ian Williams are scheduled to start in 2008 and, over the lifetime of the partnership, the contract value to Ian Williams is likely to be in the order of GBP28 million.

Although the agreement marks an expansion into new territory for Ian Williams, the initiative is a natural extension of the partnering relationships the company has long championed.

Until recently housing stock was managed almost exclusively by local authorities and housing associations, however, Ian Williams believes PFIs offer numerous benefits over traditional contractual arrangements by creating relationships in which customers and suppliers work together towards agreed goals for the benefit of all parties.

Alan Soper, Ian Williams' Managing Director says: 'This is a hugely exciting project.

PFIs have a key role to play in achieving improved asset management and delivering long-term benefits to both customers and their partners and all those involved in the management of social housing.'

UK Mobile Communications Conference

2007-02-15T21:44:00.001-08:00

Ian Williams, one of the UK's leading property service specialists, recently gave a presentation at the UK Mobile Communications Conference in London. The event gave an insight into creating a fully supported mobile infrastructure in order to deliver flexibility within a business, regardless of location. Rob Lomas, Operations Support Manager, and Stephen Harvey, IT Manager for Ian Williams gave their presentation to a packed audience, which included delegates from John Lewis Partnership, PricewaterhouseCoopers and major Housing Associations.

They discussed the implementation of handheld technology in the delivery of asset management services.

They also shared the challenges the company had faced during the implementation stage and detailed how they had chosen the right handheld device for their technicians.

As a company that highly values its customers, Ian Williams' decision to use mobile technology has added great value, generating a 30% improvement in efficiency from its mobile work force.

The use of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) has enabled technicians to download their daily schedule, rather than having to go into the office each morning.

This now means technicians often arrive for their first job early and remain punctual for all their appointments during the day.

Clients can now access and track any job online, view the status of work, look at due dates and even log a repair.

Rob Lomas says: 'We were delighted to be given the opportunity to explain the successes we have achieved with mobile technology, to companies such as IBM, Siemens HiPath Wireless LAN and Nokia'.

'Using mobile technology has been hugely beneficial to us and our clients'.

'Not only have we been able to streamline our working practices, we now use mobile vehicle tracking to improve our responsiveness'.

STG wins sustainable Eco-homes contract

2007-02-15T21:43:00.002-08:00

Strategic Team Group has been awarded a GBP865k contract with Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust for part design and build of six futuristic, new sustainable homes.

The innovative sustainable development is to take place in New Earswick, York, and represents the penultimate stage of a competition launched by JRHT in 2005 called ' Suburban Housing for the 21st Century'. The competition was looking to find a reusable design that would enable the Trust to create affordable, replicable, sustainable solutions to 21st century suburban housing; whilst demonstrating that high quality 'intelligent and green' homes can be affordable, attractive and enhance neighbourhoods.

STG will provide part design and full build services on the project, taking into account the need for the six properties to be adaptable, low energy and low maintenance.

STG will be using timber panelling and off-site fabrication methods that respond to orientation, sunlight and daylight; and ensuring Lifetime Homes principles are cohered to throughout the build.

Nigel Ingram, Director of Development at Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, said: 'The strategy behind the project was to develop homes that are both for the present and for the future'.

'This way we are allowing for environmental changes as well as home-life and working pattern changes within the family'.

'We believe that the majority of the features of these new properties should be standard for all new homes as they offer better long-term value than current schemes and address real 21st century issues'.

Once complete the Trust aims to use the properties as a model for future low-energy, sustainable, affordable suburban housing and residents will benefit from lower heating and water bills; less CO2 emissions; natural daylight and ventilation; excellent sound separation and healthier indoor environments.

The Trust was established in 1904 (then named the Joseph Rowntree Village Trust) and is a York-based charity and registered social landlord.

JRHT is part of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and owns the freehold of nearly all properties in New Earswick.

In addition to providing good quality, affordable housing JRHT also tests out new ideas and approaches to housing, care and sustainable communities in order to demonstrate new forms of tenure, meet special needs and explore new features of design.

Strategic Team Group (Strategic Team Maintenance ) is one of the UK's fastest growing suppliers of building property services.

Since its inception in 2000, the company has developed a culture and a reputation for delivering service excellence and a sound customer base.

Strategic Team Group now has a turnover of circa GBP20m, employing over 120 employees and boasting a strong financial position.

In 2006 STG was awarded three National Business Awards in the Regional Finals, representing a first for any competing organisation.

STG was also recognised by Fast Track 100 as the UK's 63rd fastest growing private company and was selected as a finalist in Contract Journal's Best Company to Work For Awards and the Growing Business Awards.

Affordable housing and sustainable construction

2007-02-15T21:43:00.001-08:00

Integrated construction consultancy Avebury has been shortlisted for a top prize at a leading construction industry awards ceremony. Avebury is among the finalists in the WRAP Award for sustainable construction category at the 2007 Building awards, for its work with William Sutton in Bow Road, London, the only affordable housing project on the shortlist. The category was added to the prestigious awards in 2007 to recognise and reward those UK construction businesses at the forefront of sustainability best practice.

Other shortlisted organisations include Bovis Lend Lease and Taylor Woodrow.

The Bow Road redevelopment, in the East End, used Avebury's integrated services to deliver risk management, architecture, construction and project management.

Combined with an environmentally-efficient modern method of construction (MMC) solution, WAVE, the results have been reduced build costs, reduced CO2 emissions and improved long term sustainability for a mixed use development on the site of a former car showroom.

Plymouth City Council partnering with Ian Williams

2007-02-15T21:42:00.000-08:00

Plymouth City Council is entering into a three year partnering framework agreement with potential for a fourth year extension with Ian Williams as part of the Council's new Corporate Construction Framework. Plymouth City Council has awarded Ian Williams two contracts to date under this agreement following a 'mini competition' in each case based on price and quality within their value band to select the suitable partner. Under one of these contracts, Ian Williams will be responsible for delivering 'reactive' maintenance projects across the City of Plymouth - including work on corporate buildings, social services buildings and potentially schools buildings.

The variety of End-Users pose some unique on site challenges, for example, social services will have important security needs while schools may require maintenance work to be carried out with a particular emphasis on safety and minimising disruption.

Meeting them successfully will require the breadth of experience and understanding, which Ian Williams prides itself on being able to draw upon.

Ian Williams Maintenance and Minor Works Manager, Stuart Weddle, explains, 'Strategic working partnerships as a result of project work are becoming more and more common for us'.

'Using our intelligent approach to project partnering, we are able to add value, decrease costs and minimise risks and pitfalls for Corporate Clients and End Users'.

'This has been helped by our team in Plymouth and Plymouth City Council staff, being committed to 'seamless integration', whereby both organisations are dedicated to finding the best possible solutions to each project's needs.'

Welding equipment and consumables market boost

2007-02-10T03:24:00.001-08:00

The highly mature European welding equipment and consumables market for shipbuilding applications is facing mounting competition from suppliers based in East Asia. However, healthy orders from shipyards over the next three years will boost revenues for welding equipment and consumable manufacturers. At the same time, the intensifying trend towards automation in shipyards will help to support revenue growth.

Frost and Sullivan finds that the European welding equipment market for shipbuilding applications earned revenues of $43.2 million in 2006 and is estimated to reach $70.1 million in 2013, while the European welding consumables market for shipbuilding applications earned revenues of $61.5 million in 2006 and is projected to achieve $99.8 million in 2013.

The market is currently in an upswing owing to dynamic developments in the European shipbuilding industry.

The push to modernise and expand fleets, accompanied by improved technology and highly productive equipment, is creating exciting growth potential in the welding equipment and consumables market.

'Shipbuilders are increasingly investing in more reliable and effective equipment and consumables that can reduce production costs and address issues of smoother welding processes and enhanced productivity,' comments Frost and Sullivan Research Analyst Archana Chauhan.

'Shipyards are also constantly trying to automate welding processes, which is triggering demand for more sophisticated welding equipment'.

'Such trends are expected to continue and result in higher revenues over the long term'.

Despite this optimistic scenario, it is becoming increasingly difficult for European-based companies to expand their market share owing to the shift of manufacturing projects to East Asia.

Another key challenge for market participants will be to clearly demonstrate the high quality and standards of their equipment and consumable offerings to customers.

Advanced welding equipment and automated processes undoubtedly encourage faster, superior-quality welding.

However, the recent rise in steel prices is having a negative ripple effect on market growth.

'To counteract the lack of revenue potential from declining sectors in the shipbuilding industry, welding manufacturers should investigate untapped applications in the area,' advises Ms.

Chauhan.

'Product differentiation, effective cost-cutting and sales strategies, accompanied by a parallel emphasis on new technologies that offer improved productivity, will also be critical for manufacturers to safeguard their position in this end-user sector'.

Growth strategies of large multinational companies include imparting product knowledge to end users through demonstrations, seminars and related events.

Efforts to maintain and strengthen traditional relationships with several shipyards have also continued, enabling manufacturers to gain further contracts.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the latest analysis of European Welding Equipment and Consumables Market for Shipbuilding Applications, please send an e-mail to Michael Banks, Corporate Communications at michael.banks@frost.com with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail address, city, state, and country.

We will send you the information by e-mail upon receipt of the above information.

European Welding Equipment and Consumables Market for Shipbuilding Applications is part of the Industrial Automation Subscription, which also includes research in the following markets: Western European Metallic Welding Equipment Market.

All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

Interviews are available to the press.

Frost and Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years.

The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities.

Frost and Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics.

For more information, visit the website.

New site waste management legislation

2007-02-10T03:23:00.000-08:00

Two thirds of construction businesses still don't know what a Site waste management Plan is, according to new research by NetRegs. - Over 60% do not realise the plans are set to become a legal requirement next year. - NetRegs' campaign highlights the importance of taking immediate action to reduce site waste and is backed by the industry and government.

The construction industry and the Department of Trade and Industry are backing a new campaign launched today by NetRegs - a free and confidential website that provides practical, industry-specific guidance to small businesses on their environmental obligations.

Margaret Hodge MP, Industry Minister, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), Construction Skills, and Travis Perkins are supporting the 'Site Waste - It's Criminal' campaign, aimed at raising awareness of Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs).

They are encouraging small businesses in the construction sector to wake up to using SWMPs by highlighting the financial and legal importance of preparing early for the plans, due to become a legal requirement in Spring 2008.

The 'Site Waste - It's Criminal' campaign has been launched by NetRegs - set up by the UK's environmental regulators - in response to its recent survey of small businesses in the construction sector across the UK.

The survey found almost a quarter (24%) had never introduced any practices that prevent harm to the environment and more than half admitted that although they try their best, they could work harder at being environmentally friendly.

Most concerning was that two thirds of respondents (66%) said they didn't know what an SWMP is and 63% were not aware that SWMPs could soon become a legal requirement.

Yet construction waste costs businesses money.

The average eight cubic yard skip costs around GBP150 to hire and its discarded contents is worth, on average, over GBP1,200.

In the UK it is estimated that 13% of all materials delivered to site go into skips without ever being used (Source: CIRIA).

The NetRegs campaign will provide construction businesses with a new online guide to explain SWMP legislation.

Freely available through www.netregs.gov.uk 'Site Waste - It's Criminal - A simple guide to Site Waste Management Plans' is packed with easy-to-understand, practical information and straightforward, downloadable data sheet templates that businesses can use as a basis to create their own SWMP.

Regular updates on the legislation will be provided to businesses that register for NetRegs' online e-alerts service.

By putting an effective SWMP in place, construction projects will be legally compliant, enjoy significant cost savings and play an important role in improving the local environment.

Richard Martin, Programme Manager at NetRegs, said: 'Every year the construction industry produces approximately five tonnes of waste for every person living in the UK.

Our research shows that 89% of small business in the sector would welcome more information on SWMPs.

'Site Waste - It's Criminal' is designed to help construction businesses better understand the importance of SWMPs while providing practical guidance on how to prepare for them becoming law.

It's not just the legal implications they need to consider, but also the huge amount of money they could save.' Margaret Hodge MP, Industry Minister, welcomed the campaign by saying: 'This site will help businesses find out what they need to know about the new legislation before it comes into force next year.

The legislation needn't be a burden to businesses.

Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) are a good way to help businesses be careful about how they use, store and dispose of materials.

It will also benefit the environment by reducing the waste generated from construction sites.

'The NetRegs site will be a very useful tool for businesses to consult and to help them prepare their own SWMPs'.

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is supporting the campaign.

Tom Dibaja, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said: 'With the new SWMP legislation not due to come into force until next year, it might be tempting for businesses to put off planning until later in the year.

Our advice is don't, it's a false economy.

Prioritise the introduction of waste minimisation and responsible methods of disposal and you'll benefit from saving time, money and avoid the risk of prosecution'.

Karen Pimley, Project Manager for Sustainability Projects at ConstructionSkills, said that training has an important role to play in changing current practices: 'Sustainability is an issue central to our built environment.

If we are to meet the current demand of the construction industry and help deliver the government's targets for a sustainable future, the workforce must be skilled in modern and sustainable building techniques.

The NetRegs campaign helps to deliver this message both on a national and at a local level and complements the range of training courses available at our National Construction College covering sustainability and site waste management'.

For further information about Site Waste Management Plans or to download the guide, visit www.netregs.gov.uk Small businesses can also register on NetRegs to receive its free e-alerts email service that provides updates about environmental legislation and guidance on how to comply.

Lloyd Instruments Service Manager UKAS accredited

2007-02-10T03:22:00.003-08:00

UKAS or equivalent accreditation outside of the UK is becoming an increasingly important requirement for companies that provide local test and calibration facilities.

Materials testing machine manufacturer Lloyd Instruments, an AMETEK company, announce that Jurgen Pletsch, Service Manager responsible for the UK and Germany, is the latest member of the group's large service team to become a UKAS accredited operator for the force calibration of universal materials testing machines to ISO 7500-1. UKAS (United Kingdom accreditation Service) is the UK's sole recognised body for the accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories, and organisations that provide certification in inspection services. UKAS or equivalent accreditation outside of the UK is becoming an increasingly important requirement for companies that provide local test and calibration facilities.

With an international network of distributors offering technical and service support, Lloyd Instruments continues to offer accredited facilities at locations throughout the world.

Lloyd Instruments has been a nationally recognised UKAS calibration laboratory (Accreditation No.

0251) for 15 years offering customers UKAS approved verification and calibration of the force measuring system in tension and compression.

These services are available to customers using Lloyd Instruments' test systems and to customers using other manufacturers' test machines (for verification only).

The laboratory complies with the requirements of international standard BS EN ISO/IEC 17025.

The dedicated team of field service engineers, are themselves fully UKAS accredited and frequently travel anywhere in the world to offer the same high standard of verification and calibration services.

In France, sister company AMETEK S.A.S.

holds COFRAC accreditation.

COFRAC (Comite Francais d'Accreditation) is the official French authorising body.

COFRAC certificates are equivalent to those issued by European and international bodies, and are therefore recognised by UKAS.

Calibration accreditation is not limited to Europe.

Lloyd Instruments' service partners in India, Hemshell Services, (a Calibration Division of Hemetek Techno Instruments Pvt) is accredited to ISO 17205 for site force calibration of universal materials testing machines.

ISO 17025 was written to incorporate all the ISO 9001 requirements that are relevant to the scope of testing and calibration services as well as specifying the technical requirements for technical competence.

Lloyd Instruments Service Manager UKAS accredited

2007-02-10T03:22:00.002-08:00

Automation and control in water and waste water

2007-02-10T03:22:00.001-08:00

Frost and Sullivan to host Quarterly Analyst Briefing on automation and control solutions in the European water and waste water sector..

Stringent European Union (EU) regulations are a key driver for growth of automation and control solutions, as they necessitate investment in the water and waste water sector, especially in Eastern Europe. Manufacturers of automation and control solutions are also constantly introducing technological innovations and producing easily compatible systems in order to increase end-user adoption.

However, the mature Western European region is likely to limit demand for new installations.

Under the influence of these factors, the automation and control solutions market is expected to register steady growth in the future.

The briefing will immensely benefit automation and control solutions manufacturers, system integrators, distributors and OEMs, providing them with a bird's eye view of the major trends in the automation and control solutions market in the European water and waste water sector.

'Technological advancements and increasing demand for asset management solutions are expected to drive growth in the automation and control solutions market in the European water and waste water sector'.

'With the Eastern European region offering scope for newer installations, the key to growth lies in identifying and capitalising on all the existing opportunities in the water and waste water sector,' says Karthikeyan Balasubramaniyam, Research Analyst for Frost and Sullivan's Automation and Electronics group.

Highlights of the briefing include: an analysis of automation and control solutions, such as PLC, SCADA, IAM, MES, DCS and HMI, and challenges, threats and future prospects for automation and control solutions used in the water and waste water sector.

Frost and Sullivan will hold this conference call at 14.00 GMT on Tuesday 30 January 2007, which will provide industry participants with an outlook on automation and control solutions in the European water and waste water sector.

To participate, please e-mail Michael Banks at michael.banks@frost.com with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail address, city, state and country.

Upon receipt of the above information, a registration link will be e-mailed to you.

Frost and Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years.

The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities.

Frost and Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics.

Chloride ion ingress in reinforced concrete

2007-02-10T03:21:00.001-08:00

Special testing services to check the levels of chloride ion ingress in reinforced concrete now available from CERAM Building Technology

Special testing services to check the levels of chloride ion ingress in reinforced concrete now available from CERAM Building Technology (CBT), will prove to be a useful aid for the construction industry. CBT is a division of CERAM, the internationally renowned centre for materials and technology, based in Stoke-on-Trent. One of the major forms of attack is chloride ion ingress which can lead to the corrosion of the reinforcing steel and a subsequent reduction in strength.

Bridges are particularly susceptible as the main source of chloride ions is road salt.

Reinforced concrete used in coastal environments is also at risk.

CBT's Prof Geoff Edgell, explained; 'Relatively impenetrable concrete is often used as a means of preventing chloride penetration, however, as the passage of chloride ions through concrete is naturally very slow it would be uneconomic to test at the normal rate'.

'We are able to use accelerated test methods to assess the potential for and ease of passage of the chloride ions through the concrete'.

Reinforced concrete is expected to last in any particular environment, often with little or no maintenance or repair for long periods of time (often over 100 years).

CBT's ability to carry out accelerated testing will be important for Consulting and Civil Engineers, either in the event of a degradation problem or when checking concrete structures for potential future problems.

TRADA Technology new Market Research Manager

2007-02-10T03:20:00.000-08:00

Helen Daniels has joined TRADA Technology as Market Research Manager. She comes from a background of international market research and business development and brings with her 30 years' experience of qualitative and quantitative market research across a wide range of industries, from both the client and agency perspective. Formerly Director, Business Development for international market research consultants Andrew Lester and Associates, Helen was responsible for generating new and repeat business across the postal, freight, dental and plastics business sectors.

Her role also encompassed major account management, including new project design, specification and delivery.

Helen, an honours graduate from the University of Bath, will report to Jeremy Vibert, Manager - Information and Business Services, who said: 'We were looking for someone like Helen, for whom building customer relationships and understanding the marketplace are critical success factors.

Under her leadership, we are planning strong growth in our Market Research business in 2007 and beyond.'

TRADA frameCHECK 2007 timber frame training

2007-02-10T03:19:00.000-08:00

TRADA Technology's on site consultancy arm frameCHECK will offer five one-day timber frame training courses in 2007, to suit a range of roles and knowledge levels. All of the courses may be offered in-house, too, and the team of experienced consultants will also develop bespoke training programmes for any organisation. The venue is the company's High Wycombe headquarters, unless otherwise specified.

- Everyone's talking timber frame - are they right?

(For those new to timber frame); 22nd May; cost GBP180 + VAT (TRADA member), GBP220 + VAT (non-member).

- Timber frame buildings: design and build; 24th April, 3rd July; cost GBP180 + VAT (TRADA member), GBP220 + VAT (non-member).

* Timber frame: manufacture and erection - efficient modern methods; 6th March; cost GBP180 + VAT (TRADA member), GBP220 + VAT (non-member).

- Timber frame design for architects - essential detailing; 9th May; cost GBP320 + VAT (TRADA member), GBP450 + VAT (non-member), to include a copy of 'Timber frame: Standard details for houses and flats'.

Lloyd Instruments new materials testing brochure

2007-02-10T03:18:00.001-08:00

Lloyd Instruments has produced an 18-page full colour materials testing Solutions brochure, which covers the complete range of the company's single and twin column universal materials testing machines, it's software and application solutions, as well as the Davenport range of plastics and polymer testing instruments. The brochure also contains a demonstration CD for the highly acclaimed new NEXYGENPlus multilingual materials testing software for the range of 'Plus' universal materials testing machines. In addition to detailed technical specifications for test machines ranging from 1kN-300kN (225lbf-67443lbf) the brochure contains details of the company's systems and accessories, which can be used throughout a host of industries as well as in research and higher level teaching.

These range from a comprehensive series of jigs and fixtures to tailored systems designed for low and high temperature work, to high elongation sample testing and extra large sample testing using a 'pogo' arrangement.

A complete section of the brochure is devoted to NEXYGENPlus software.

Details are provided on the extensive capabilities of NEXYGENPlus, including test creation, data collection, reporting and exporting test data, video and still picture capture, test data security and audit trails, and test automation and customisation.

Another section of the brochure focuses on the myriad of applications that are possible with this range of instruments (or even on the same instrument using appropriate grips), including industry-standard tests and custom generated tests.

Examples are given in the fields of plastics, products and components, packaging, rubber, metals, textiles, paper and board, foam and food.

ELECSA new year challenge

2007-01-04T03:12:00.001-08:00

It has been two years since ELECSA, the independent Government authorised, no-nonsense scheme was newly formed to enable businesses to self certify under Part P. ELECSA is now recognised as a leading professional body within the electrical contracting industry, across local authorities and within other industry sectors such as the building industry. If you are looking to register with ELECSA or transfer to ELECSA for FREE from an existing Part P Competent Persons scheme provider, ELECSA is inviting you to take the ELECSA Challenge.

Contact an electrician/tradesman who is already registered with ELECSA in your local area to find out for yourself how simple, user-friendly and straightforward it is to register with ELECSA.

As Julian Carter, General Manager, ELECSA said 'ELECSA's approach is about helping businesses to understand and comply with Part P in a simple, honest and straightforward manner'.

'We understand that some electricians are committed to compliance but may not have registered for self certification because they still have unanswered questions and just need a little bit of support and guidance.' All ELECSA's assessors are time-served practising electricians who understand the real needs and concerns of being an electrician and how to work with you on Part P to ensure compliance.

The assessors are employed directly by ELECSA's operational partner the British Board of Agrandeacute;ment (BBA) who is a leading authoritative and independent body for the testing and certification of building products for over 35 years.

Every client of ELECSA receives great care and attention from ELECSA's dedicated assessors who can talk with authority while offering support and guidance on Part P compliance and related issues.

To date, over 3000 applications has been received with many still being processed.

Those few who have not passed the registration requirements are offered help and direct access to their local assessor for on-going advice.

ELECSA's dedicated telephone registration team has dealt with over 25,000 enquiries from electricians, Local Authorities, training colleges and electrical wholesalers, through to housing managers, solicitors and estate agents.

Luvipol achieves Q-Mark for full fire door range

2007-01-03T03:11:00.000-08:00

Luvipol achieves Q-Mark for full fire door range Leading door manufacturer Luvipol in Alicante, Spain has achieved the BM TRADA Q-Mark for all its fire doors, giving added reassurance to specifiers that they are choosing a product that will perform consistently to exacting standards. The family-owned company exports around 60% of its production and has been selling doors to the UK - its third-largest market - for more than 20 years. As Export Director Pablo Puig explained, however, 'There is some confusion in the market about what a fire test certificate means.

It provides evidence that the door tested will perform to a certain standard.

The Q-Mark goes far beyond a fire test, as it guarantees that every door we manufacture will perform as expected.' BM TRADA has operated the Q-Mark Timber Fire Door Scheme since 1981.

It is a third-party scheme, providing independent assurance to architects, specifiers, enforcing authorities and building owners that all doors sold under the scheme meet the specified technical and regulatory requirements.

BM TRADA Product Certification Manager Simon Beer said, 'Fire doors save lives and protect property and as such it is vital that they are manufactured, installed, specified and checked correctly.

Scheme members must, of course, have appropriate test evidence, but they must also demonstrate that the product is manufactured under strictly controlled conditions to the same high standard day after day, week after week'.

This, he added, is usually achieved through a factory production control (FPC) system complying with ISO 9001:2000.

'In addition, scheme members will undergo regular factory audits, while the long-term effectiveness of the FPC system is tested periodically by taking doors from standard production and subjecting them to audit fire testing'.

Handl Solutions - more choice in safety tapes

2007-01-02T03:10:00.000-08:00

Handl Solutions - Offering you more choice in safety tapes. Handl Solutions can now supply No Skidding Photo luminescent safety tape in three different grades. All grades use the latest photo luminescent technology to absorb and store energy from ambient fluorescent light:.

- NS75100 tape is rated to produce a 1 hour glow.

- NS75200 is rated to produce a 5-6 hour glow.

- NS75500 produces a 24 hour glow.

All the tapes are high tack self adhesive and are available in 30' rolls in a variety of widths, circles, arrows and custom sizes .NS75200 is also available in Black, Red and Green with a photo luminescent stripe.

AWM Group and recycling of oily contaminated waste

2007-01-01T03:09:00.000-08:00

Multi-disciplined waste management company, the AWM Group have joined ventures with Glasgow based Hitech Environmental to launch their solution to the recycling and pre-treating of oily contaminated waste and materials in the Midlands area. Latest legislation is stipulating that waste going to landfill is now pre-treated. Material from many factories and automotive companies in the region are finding that their rags are often saturated with oil and therefore, being rejected for landfill due to their hazardous nature.

The AWM group has partnered up with Hitech Environmental, with the aim to provide a solution to local companies facing this difficulty and at the same time helping to reduce the amounts of waste ending up in landfill.

Using Hitech Environmental's 'contaminant extraction' process up in Scotland, which was highly commended at the National Recycling Awards 2006, for 'Best Industry Recycling Initiative' for this oily materials process, the AWM Group will collect oily rags from around the Midlands area which will then be treated appropriately to extract the hazardous content.

Thus, leaving a waste which can then be re-categorised as non-hazardous, with many of the rags being recycled and reused, reducing the amounts going to landfill.

'Many companies in the Midlands's area have been facing problems due to the new legislation'.

'We felt able to offer a solution to this predicament at the same time reducing levels of waste ending in landfill, through recycling' Said Paul Woodhead, Managing Director, the AWM Group.

'We are delighted to join forces with Hitech Environmental especially after their recent win at the National Recycling Awards for their oily rags process and being awarded 'Best Waste Minimisation Project 2006'.

Hitech Environmental was awarded the awards on November 15th.

The judges said: 'The Company has some up with what appears to be a safe, secure and sensible way of dealing with this hazardous waste locally.' The AWM group is also celebrating again, after another double victory for the waste management company.

They have just been honoured with two awards which include being named as one of 'Professional Builder's Top Products 0f 2006' for Asbestoclear and have been presented with an ARCA National Training Award.

Asbestoclear rolling-out to roofers

2006-12-31T03:08:00.000-08:00

The AWM Group's highly successful Asbestoclear product and service has been commended by the roofing industry nationwide. Since its launch in spring this year Asbestoclear has had a phenomenal response and was recently named in Professional builder as one of the 'Top Products of 2006'. Designed to aid general builders and tradesmen after the recent legislation this year stipulating that tradesmen are no longer allowed to dispose of asbestos related materials at local authority sites, the Asbestoclear pack widely picked up by roofers throughout the country allows them to safely remove and bag the asbestos, and then call to arrange a convenient collection from the dedicated AWM Group team.

Although the use of brown and blue asbestos was banned in 1985, and the use of white heavily restricted in 1991, asbestos is still found in many roofs including, roofing felts, tiles and claddings.

'For roofer's the exposure to asbestos can be unsafe, many only come in to contact with a small amount where it is more likely that the removal is done with little previous experience, no safety equipment and no instruction' said Paul Woodhead, Managing Director, The AWM Group.

'We wanted to provide a product to roofers and all tradesmen that would reduce the dangers of removing the hazardous material and to enable them to easily dispose of it in accordance to the laws and regulations surrounding asbestos removal'.

This has led to Asbestoclear packs enjoying a speedy roll-out of their cement-based asbestos removal packs and safety disposal service from builder's merchants and purchased by roofers throughout the UK.

The catalyst for their success in the roofing sector is the multi-disciplined SIG Group (including Asphaltic, SIG Roofing) who has been stocking the product in its stores.

Paul continues: 'The success of and response to Asbestoclear that we have recieved this year has been exceptional, more than we ever expected'.

'All of us here at the AWM Group have believed in the product from the start, but the uptake we have experienced has still proved overwhelming'.

New Pipe Grabber Pipe Marking Sleeves

2006-12-30T03:07:00.000-08:00

The new Pipe Grabber Pipe Marking Sleeves make applying durable pipe markers to dirty, rusty or unlagged insulated piping fast and easy. Graphic Products announced that they have started shipping their new Pipe GrabberT Pipe Marking Sleeves. These are clear plastic sleeves that fit around pipes.

They provide a clean surface allowing labels to be applied to pipes that are covered by insulation or are too dirty, rusty, or otherwise in a condition that does not allow a label to adhere to it.

'Properly labeled pipes are an important part of safety in any facility'.

Commented Steve Hudgik, Internet Marking Manager with Graphic Products.

'But in addition to that, pipe markers help improve productivity by helping employees and staff to quickly identify pipe contents and appropriate shut-off valves'.

'Pipe markers are also a critical component in ISO 9000 certification, which is required if you are competing in the worldwide market'.

'They demonstrate your commitment to quality, organization, and the establishment of process standards'.

'The new Pipe Grabber Pipe Marking Sleeves making it easy to label pipes that in the past could not be labeled'.

Pipe Grabber Pipe Marking Sleeves are clear plastic tubes that are pre-formed to curl tightly around a pipe.

They can be used in either of two ways.

They can be applied to a pipe and then a label can be applied to the sleeve.

Or labels can be applied to sleeves in the shop or office.

The labeled sleeves are then taken into your facility where they are quickly snapped onto the pipes.

This provides the advantage of not having to carry around a label printer, and the label can be applied under comfortable conditions-resulting in fast, high quality application of labels and fewer mistakes.

Pipe Grabber T Pipe Marking Sleeves can be permanently secured to a pipe using plastic ties.

Solution for domestic wind turbine system

2006-12-29T03:04:00.000-08:00

ELECSA, the Government authorised no-nonsense scheme for Part P of the building regulations announced today that it has formed a partnership with WM Certification to deliver a public schedule course for the installation of domestic Wind Turbines. With continual increases in electricity bills and Britain having the most consistent wind in Europe, a domestic wind turbine represents a real sustainable, eco-friendly option compared to energy derived from fossil fuels. For homeowners, domestic wind turbines offers them the ability to take part in delivering green energy direct to their home while contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions and savings off their average annual UK electricity bill.

Property owners can apply for grants for domestic wind turbines from the energy saving Trust and some local authorities are willing to top this up.

With wind turbines currently falling under the scope of Part P, ELECSA and WM Training have jointly developed a recognised training course and qualification for domestic wind turbine installation which meets the industry standards set for Part P self certification.

Successful candidates are awarded 'EL4001- electrical installation of domestic wind powered small scale embedded generators' which is jointly certified by ELECSA and WM Certification.

The five day course of the Installation of Wind Turbines which covers the electrical installation, testing and certification of the turbine and inverter and ensures that trainees are able to install correctly and to the standards set down by the 16th Edition Regulations and Part P.

All fixed electrical installations such as wind turbine installations and alteration work that has been carried out must be certified as complying with Part P of the Building Regulations.

Legally, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to prove compliance which can be demonstrated in two ways:.

- Obtain approval from the relevant local authority and pay for an inspection visit to have them confirm that the electrical installation has approval under Part P the Building Regulations.

- Have the work undertaken by an electrician/tradesman who is registered with a Government authorised Competent Person scheme such as ELECSA.

This means that when property owners install a domestic wind turbine using an ELECSA registered business who has undertaken WM Training's Wind Turbine Installation course, ELECSA will notify the relevant Local Authority and issue a householder certificate which can be used as legal evidence that the wind turbine installation has been self certified as complying with Part P of the Building Regulations and that the appropriate Local Authority has been notified.

This is vital since when the time comes to selling a property, the purchaser's solicitor, while undertaking the necessary searches for building work notices, will ask for evidence that any electrical work installed after 1 January 2005 complies with Part P of the Building Regulations.

Commenting on this development Julian Carter, General Manager, ELECSA, said 'We are pleased to be working with WM Certification, a leader in electrical training courses to make life easier for electricians wanting to self certify under Part P.

ELECSA is proud to be at the forefront for Part P and the training of renewable energy which is becoming increasingly important as a means of reducing carbon emissions to support the Government's goal of reducing the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by the year 2050'.

Blankfort passes Q-Mark fire door audit

2006-12-28T03:03:00.000-08:00

BM TRADA Q-Mark fire door scheme member Baillargeon Doors Inc of Quebec has passed its annual surveillance audit without a single non-conformance. Furthermore, it has achieved exactly the same pass result in the audit test, demanded by Q-Mark, for the Blankfort door blanks covered by the scheme as it achieved in the initial type test when it became a Q-Mark member eight years ago. According to Chiltern International Fire Test Engineer Mark Cummings, who carried out the audit test this month, 'This underlines the absolute consistency of production of the Blankfort product, which again performed very well in the test.

'Blankfort door blanks have been selling in the UK and the Middle East for more than 10 years', said UK agent and technical consultant Bob Williamson.

The Q-Mark has been an important marketing tool for Blankfort, he added, especially as architects and other specifiers are now recognising Blankfort door blanks as 'technical products that provide solutions'.

Instead of being tied to a range of standard fire doors, Blankfort can be specified and then accessed by joinery manufacturers as well as specialist door manufacturers.

The fact that the Q-Mark is well established in other markets such as Dubai is another strong selling point.

Blankfort fire doors blanks are manufactured from laminated softwood cores with particleboard and/or MDF faces and are available with 30-minute and 60-minute fire resistance, both covered by the Q-Mark scheme.

Blankfort is currently the only laminated softwood-cored door blank product available to the joinery and specialist door sectors, now with the added benefit of Q-Mark certification.

The BM TRADA Q-Mark Timber Fire Door Scheme is a third-party certification scheme for fire door and door blank manufacturers, fabricators and installers, which demands consistency of production, usually achieved through a factory production control (FPC) system complying with ISO 9001:2000 or equivalent.

Regular factory audits are a necessary part of membership, as is audit fire testing of products randomly selected from the production line.

Q-Marked Polar Windows win major hospital contract

2006-12-27T03:01:00.000-08:00

Chesterfield-based Polar Windows has secured a minimum three-year partnership agreement with Chesterfield Hospital to replace initially more than 600 windows in the 1970's built hospital complex. Polar Windows produces high performance PVC-u windows in a wide range of opening configurations and last year achieved BM TRADA Certification's Q-Mark for enhanced security windows and for both PVC-u window and insulating glass Unit (IGU) manufacture. Business Development Manager for Polar Windows, Rob Hawkins, said,' The windows in large sections of the hospital desperately need to be replaced, including in the wards, intensive care and recovery rooms'.

This poses a tough contract management challenge for the company, as medical staff will often have to ask the window installers to 'come back later' as patient needs demand.

Mr Hawkins explained, however, 'We had already replaced the windows in the nurses' accommodation and had impressed the hospital with the way we managed the project.

If we have to stop work in one area we move to another'.

Other challenges to face include the hospital ban on the use of mobile phones.

To overcome this, Polar Windows has armed its supervisors and fitters with pagers so that they can maintain two-way contact, especially when they have to move out of clinical areas at a moment's notice.

A climate for developers

2006-12-26T04:33:00.001-08:00

It has become widely accepted that our reliance on fossil fuels for transport and energy generation increases greenhouse and contributes to climate change. Construction developments are exposed to a wide range of climate-related risks, such as subsidence and heave, slope instability, mould growth, flooding, degradation of building fabric (particularly cladding) and damage from wind-related events. As the UK's built environment stock is generally expected to last between 50 and 100 years it is essential for the construction industry to understand how projects can be designed today to allow for the uncertain climatic conditions of tomorrow.

The G-8 summit in Gleneagles failed to set any targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and similarly there is little evidence of mainstream UK construction companies implementing (or even considering) possible measures to reduce the impacts of climate change.

Construction industry professionals and developers who ignore the risks posed by climate change do so at their financial peril.

They could face higher insurance premiums, greater maintenance costs, indirect costs associated with reputation and costs relating to contractual arrangements with buildings and infrastructure not meeting the design life.

CIRIA's new publication Implications of climate change for the construction industry (C638) advises that climate-related issues should be addressed through risk-based processes, as the magnitude and timing of climate changes are uncertain.

It explains the possible consequences of climate change for the construction industry and provides designers and constructors with a method for assessing risk (such as those associated with ground movement, rain penetration and wind loading) and how they should be managed, enabling rational decisions to be made about whether to incorporate climate change consequences in project planning.

To buy a copy of Implications of climate change for the construction industry (C638) or for further information visit www.ciriabooks.com or contact CIRIA,

New BBA Certificates

2006-12-25T04:32:00.000-08:00

New BBA Certificates added between 26 July 2005 and 11 September 2005. 05/4239 CHESTERTOP - CHESTERFELT LTD. Two-layer polypropylene sheet for use in unsupported, ventilated pitched roofs.

05/4240 CHESTERBREATHE ACTIVE AND RAPID LININGS IN ENERGY-EFFICIENT NON-VENTILATED COLD pitched roof SYSTEMS - CHESTERFELT LTD.

Multi-layer spunbonded, non-woven breathable membranes for use in non-ventilated, cold pitched roof systems.

05/4252 BWK TYPEF ROOF TILE UNDERLAY - BWK DACHZUBEHOR GMBH.

A four-layer polypropylene sheet for use as an unsupported roof lining material.

05/4254 APPLY3 FPO ROOF WATERPROOFING MEMBRANES - MARLEY WATERPROOFING.

For use in fully adhered systems on flat and pitched roofs with limited access.

05/4255 QUINN THERM QW PARTIAL FILL CAVITY WALLBOARD QUINN THERM LTD.

Rigid polyisocyanurate foam board for cavity wall insulation.

05/4209 DALTEX ROOFTX MAXI BREATHABLE ROOF TILE UNDERLAY - DON AND LOW LIMITED NONWOVENS.

Roof tile underlay for use as an unsupported or fully supported roof lining for tiled/slated pitched roofs.

05/4236 DALTEX ROOFTX VAPOUR PERMEABLE ROOF TILE UNDERLAY IN ENERGY-EFFICIENT NON-VENTILATED COLD PITCHED roof systems - DON and LOW LTD NONWOVENS.

A water vapour permeable film laminated between two layers of non-woven polypropylene for use in non-ventilated cold pitched roof systems.

05/0152 HYDROTECH MONOLITHIC MEMBRANE 6125 ROOF waterproofing membrane - ALUMASC EXTERIOR building products LTD.

LABC Chief opens BBA Customer Centre

2006-12-24T04:31:00.000-08:00

The British Board of Agrement was delighted that LABC Chief Executive Paul Everall accepted its invitation to perform the formal Opening Ceremony for its new Customer Centre at its offices in Garston recently. Paul is well-known to the BBA as a former Observer on its Governing Board when he was Head of the building regulations Division at the ODPM and the Board welcomes his recent appointment to head the LABC. Paul's visit to the BBA was hosted by Chief Executive Greg Cooper, who said 'The BBA has a long history of co-operation with local authority building control and we know that our Certificates are of great help to individual building control personnel as they seek to establish if products can be used safely and in compliance with Building Regulations on developments in their locality'.

'We are pleased that we were able to use our upgraded Customer Centre facilities for our meeting with Paul and his colleagues'.

'These mark a major step in the progress of the BBA, not just in the way we meet clients and our other visitors, but also how we handle enquiries about the BBA, our Certificates or Approved Installers or the work we do in support of FENSA and ELECSA, whether by phone, e-mail, post or fax'.

Responding, Paul Everall thanked Greg Cooper and commented that he was honoured to be asked to open the BBA's new Customer Centre, adding'.

Opening of new BBA Customer Centre

2006-12-23T04:30:00.000-08:00

BBA leads in EN testing for windows and doors

2006-12-22T04:30:00.000-08:00

The BBA has awarded more than 200 BBA Certificates for PVCu Windows and lists all of the UK's extruders of profiles for these products among its clients. The door market is more fragmented but here again the BBA ticks all the right boxes for approvals. 'We can justifiably claim to be No 1 in approvals in this sector' says Chief Executive Greg Cooper 'and we have made clear our commitment to retain this position by a substantial investment in equipment to test profiles and finished windows and doors to the new European Standards now coming through (EN 12608 for profiles and prEN 14351-1 for window and doorsets)'.

'This is not simply an intention to invest, we have spent the money and now have the equipment in position and ready to go' Included in the array of test equipment is the Atlas Xenon Tester, for accelerated weathering testing - unique to the UK in the field of fenestration - as well as a suite of equipment to test thermal and other properties.

The BBA also expects increased interest in its services related to British Fenestration Ratings Council gradings.

The BBA holds both BFRC gongs - Approved Simulators and Approved Independent Agency - and is the agency of choice for 80% of the window firm ratings currently listed on the BFRC website.

Online BBA Certificates reach 1000

2006-12-21T04:29:00.000-08:00

The number of BBA Certificates available in full text on the BBA website has passed the 1000 mark. The rate that Certificates are being added to the list is increasing steadily as the value of BBA approval is recognised by more and more industry decision makers at home or further afield. The BBA's website is also one of the industry's busiest, with a monthly figure of over 400,000 hits and 25,000 visitors.

The website also featured in a recent survey undertaken for the BBA among specifiers and purchasers, where it was widely praised for content and ease of navigation.

7000 new Home Inspectors required

2006-12-20T04:28:00.000-08:00

From 1st June 2007 almost every residential property coming onto the market will require a Home Information Pack including a Home Condition Report.

This will require around 7000 new Home Inspectors and the good news is there is no existing qualification requirement to train.

At www.hipsdirect.com we provide News, Information and Opinion on all aspects of the revolution in the home buying and selling process and in particular, guidance for potential Home Inspectors on how to get qualified and start an exciting new career

Days off due to boiler failure a thing of the past

2006-12-19T04:28:00.000-08:00

For the past 12 months, no school under the jurisdiction of Cheshire County Council has been forced to close due to boiler failure, thanks to the success of a three year boiler renewal and replacement project undertaken between Cheshire County Council, MITIE Engineering Projects and their consultants Paul Moy Associates, and boiler manufacturers, Potterton Commercial. Nineteen properties including schools, libraries, a family centre and council offices were refitted in 2004, with 13 in 2005 and replacements to a further 15 anticipated for 2006. One of the key issues to be considered in terms of installation and commissioning is the time sensitivity of much of the work; Norman Cassata of Cheshire County Council, who was responsible for the initiation of the £3million project, explains: 'The majority of the work has to be completed within the six weeks school summer break, this puts pressure on Potterton Commercial not only to have the required stock available for immediate call off but also to meet multiple, simultaneous commissioning deadlines and so far, we haven't been disappointed.' Roy Rogers, contracts manager at MITIE Engineering Projects , is one of the people responsible for proposing Potterton Commercial as the preferred partner in the programme.

The decision rested on reliability of product, simplicity of use, high level, post-commissioning support, price and efficiency.

He says: 'There were four contenders for the contract.

Potterton Commercial won the business because the products they proposed are simple to operate with intelligent controls.

'Their systems are cost-effective and yet there's no compromise on quality.

One of the stated measures of success is ease of operability; gone are the days of full-time, on-campus caretakers, who are able react immediately to heating and ventilation issues.

The beauty of Potterton boilers is they are simple to control with easy override facilities, striking that necessary balance between energy efficiency and operational effectiveness.' The Potterton Commercial boilers chosen for the job included; NXR3s, NXR4s, Derwent Compacts and Paramounts.

The key benefits are contained, lifetime costs, ease of installation - they're perfectly suited to installations in basement boiler houses - and increased energy efficiency.

The NXR3 and NXR4 can also be linked effortlessly into existing pipework.

The NXR3 and NXR4 are cast iron sectional boilers with multiple flueways that increase the heat exchange surface area and achieve maximum combustion performance.

Increased insulation reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, aiding compliance with environmental legislation and the Clean Air Act.

'e' conveyance pilot launch October 2007

2006-12-18T04:27:00.000-08:00

Baroness Ashton of Upholland, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, has given the go-ahead for Land Registry to launch its e-conveyancing pilot service (the system to be used for domestic sales) in October 2007. This follows consultation with stakeholders, who have indicated that the housing market's quieter period between October and January would be the best time to launch the new system. The date has also been chosen to give the industry time to adjust to Home Information Packs, which will be introduced on 1 June 2007.

The 2007 pilot will represent one of a number of incremental steps towards full e-conveyancing.

It will follow the launch of a prototype of the Chain Matrix in 2006, in Bristol, Fareham and Portsmouth.

The Chain Matrix is a key component of the system which will provide information about each transaction in a chain, thereby introducing much greater transparency than at present.

Both exercises will be limited to voluntary users.

Land Registry Chief Executive, Peter Collis said: 'The e-conveyancing programme will be introduced incrementally to the property market and initially on a voluntary basis'.

'It will, nonetheless, be a massive change for everyone involved which makes it important that we proceed in manageable steps and in accordance with a clear timetable'.

'Stakeholder feedback has helped us to identify a preferred date for implementing compulsory use of the electronic system by 2009 or 2010'.

'We will continue to listen to the stakeholder community and to refine our plans as appropriate'.

ODPM launch Home Information Pack website

2006-12-17T04:26:00.000-08:00

ODPM launch dedicated Home Information Pack website As part of the government's increasing awareness campaign , a dedicated web site Containing information on all aspects of Home Information Packs has just been launched .

First impressions are reasonably favorable and the information contained in the site is fairly comprehensive.

Principality backs Home Information Packs

2006-12-16T04:26:00.000-08:00

The Principality Building Society has reaffirmed its support for the introduction of home information packs, despite a survey showing that the majority of the UK's mortgage lenders have serious reservations. The new packs, which are due to be introduced in June next year, will see house sellers being res-ponsible for commissioning a detailed report on their properties up for sale. The Government say the packs will cost about £635 to put together and will include proof of ownership, local authority searches and a home condition report into the state of the property.

However, a survey last week showed that nearly two-thirds of mortgage lenders think the introduction of HIPs will have a negative impact on the property market.

Lenders are worried that the packs will slow down transactions, increase the cost of selling a home and create short-term distortions in the market, according to the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association.

However, Principality director of business development, Mick McGuire, pictured, believes HIPs will have a positive impact on the housing market.

Mr McGuire said, 'HIPs will carry a cost for people selling a house, but they will save buyers _ especially first-time buyers - from paying for a survey.

For Principality borrowers, HIPs will also reduce or negate the cost of a lenders' valuation.

'They will also increase transparency in the housing market and, by speeding up the house buying process, be good news for both buyers and sellers alike.

'However, for customers to fully benefit, there is a need for everyone in the industry - including estate agents, solicitors, surveyors and lenders - to fully embrace the changes and work together to make HIPs happen on time'.

The Principality said that currently some £350m a day is wasted by consumers as a result of aborted transactions, as buyers often spend hundreds of pounds on valuations, legal advice and searches.

The mortgage lender said that by providing key information at the beginning of the house-buying process, HIPs will prevent waste and significantly cut the number of sales that fall through.

The home condition report, an objective report on the condition of the property, is a key part of the HIP.

Mr McGuire said, 'We are committed to delivering a market-leading HIP proposition for all our customers and to support estate agents in Wales.

HiTech House translates into success for LonMark

2006-12-15T03:14:00.000-08:00

LonMark International participated in the annual buildings market trade event of the year in Moscow - HiTech House. This well attended event focused on the building construction market with seminars and vendors from both the commercial/industrial and the residential space. There was a very noticeable interest in open, integrated building control systems and the strengths of LON based systems.

Several large, key integrators shared their successes and experiences and the attendees were impressed by the relative ease and simplicity of delivering such systems.

LON had a very prominent presence at this years show with over 1000 square meters of LON product vendors.

In attendance were device manufacturers, system integrators, tool suppliers, and user interface providers.

LonMark International had a booth staffed with both English and Russian speaking representatives.

Elena Shyshlo, LonMark's newest staff member, helped many visitors understand the value, benefits, and focus of LonMark.

At the annual press conference, Ron Bernstein, the LMI Executive Director, delivered an overview of LonMark's focus, objectives, and programs for the coming year.

Questions and comments were addressed in both English and Russian languages.

LonMark International sponsored the annual BACScenter Awards.

This annual awards program recognizes the achievements of Russian industry professionals for their publications in the area of building construction and controls.

'LonMark is very pleased to support the BACScenter Awards program'.

'More effort is needed to educate and support this industry and those that submitted nominations for their publications are to be thanked for their efforts'.

'This years winners are to be congratulated for their outstanding accomplishments', announced Ron Bernstein, LonMark's executive director, who handed out certificates of accomplishment and gifts from LonMark to the winners in a ceremony held at HiTech House.

Armo Engineering, a LonMark Associate member, graciously hosted the first LonMark Russia kickoff meeting during the show.

Members of seven companies attended the meeting to structure the foundation of the LonMark Russia.

Goals and objectives were set and Gregory Latyshev was selected as interim director to guide the group towards official affiliation status.

Elena Shyshlo will assist as interim organization secretary and both will work towards growing LonMark membership and presence in Russia.

HIPs online keeps operating costs to minimum

2006-12-14T21:38:00.001-08:00

I'm speculating that all of us involved in the property professions have been wondering this week about the implications of the supermarkets entry into the estate agency business. Yes, they have tried this before, back in the eighties, and it didn't take off. So why are they trying again?.

Clinton famously had 'It's the Economy, Stupid' posted on his wall during the 1992 presidential campaign.

I've modified it slightly to 'It's the Internet, Stupid'.

That, in a nutshell, is the big difference.

People are now very familiar with the concept of going online to search for their next house and it is a logical progression for them to consider selling a house through an online portal.

Many vendors are already using the profusion of online sites to try a DIY sale.

Bring this together with a brand name like Tesco and proposed fees of around 1% including a free home information pack, then the business opportunity is clear.

Tesco have built a reputation in the areas of home insurance and financial services, with over one million customers.

If Tesco get the required customer service levels right then there is no doubt that this business model would work.

So how are the traditional local estate agency and conveyancing solicitors to compete?

Well, big corporates have tried to muscle in on estate agency over the years with varying degrees of success.

Certainly a considerable part of market share now rests in the hands of the larger companies.

However, the independents are still thriving and this comes down to local knowledge, local contacts and personal service.

Here at Hips Direct, our ethos from the start has been to put an IT infrastructure in place that would support local businesses and the existing relationships that exist between solicitors and estate agents and surveyors.

We support nomination of local home inspectors and solicitors and will provide the HIP online so that agents can link directly to it from the website, with a back link to independent estate agents websites if somebody has come to us directly.

BBA launches CE Marking Guides

2006-12-13T21:37:00.000-08:00

CE Marking of construction products was heralded by the publication of the European Commission's Construction Products Directive in 1988. Nearly 20 years later CE Marking has not reached what could be considered as a critical mass in the UK construction industry, but some CE marked products are beginning to appear here. Some of these are for UK produced products, but far more are from overseas, where CE marking may well be a mandatory requirement, unlike the situation in the UK.

Although the UK has signed up to CE marking, many specifiers and others, including purchasers and building control personnel, are unsure of the link between CE marking, particularly for products from overseas, and the requirements of UK regulations, codes and building practice.

To overcome this problem, the BBA has launched a new series of documents, entitled CE Marking Application Guides (CEMAGs).

The first of these has now been awarded and covers Guaraply Pine Plywood, manufactured by Industria de Compensados Guararapes a, Brazil.

The CE Marking Application Guide held by Guararapes relates to the six Essential Requirements of the CPD and comments on how the ratings of the material square with UK requirements are identified by a BBA-logo-derived symbol against each of the relevant statements.

Notable among these are the comments on compliance with BS5268, the established code for timber in building.

CML view on Home Information Packs

2006-12-12T21:36:00.000-08:00

With one year to go until the introduction of compulsory home information packs, the Council of Mortgage Lenders says that the detail expected over the next month will be crucial in determining how effective the implementation will be. HIPs are a political hot potato. Both the pro-HIP and anti-HIP lobby hold strong views.

CML's members' opinions vary, but lenders collectively recognise that what the government hopes to achieve through a combination of HIPs and e-conveyancing is a set of reforms to speed up transactions and reduce wasted costs, for the benefit of consumers.

The CML welcomes this overall aim - the important thing is to ensure that implementation achieves it in practice.

The government has made it quite clear that it believes the implementation timetable is on course.

The detail that will emerge over the next month - in terms of regulations covering the contents of the packs, business and technical standards (including complaints and redress), and information about the government's forthcoming baseline research to examine the current market - should make it easier for the professionals involved in the housing market to assess whether they agree.

At present, the CML sees the timeline as possible but challenging.

Much will depend on the extent to which amendments and refinements emerge throughout the implementation phase.

Two aspects to which the CML urges the government to pay particularly close attention are ensuring that the market impact assessment now being undertaken is robust and is taken account of; and ensuring that there are clear, unambiguous and widely supported success criteria for assessing each of the three separate phases of the 'dry run'.

These are both useful tests to help provide, in a politically sensitive environment, some objective assessment of the relative costs and benefits of HIPs and their implementation.

Commenting on the brink of the 'year to go' point, CML Director General Michael Coogan said: 'The government is determined that HIPs will become compulsory in a year's time.

This timescale may be achievable, although it is very challenging.

Over the next month the government is due to publish a detailed range of implementation information.

Reactions to this will help to determine whether any delays are likely to emerge.

'Over the next month we also expect to get findings from our own research on lenders' valuation practices and the influence that HIPs (in particular home condition reports) may exert.

Taken together with the impact assessment that the government has now announced it is undertaking, this will help us to form a clearer view about how HIPs will influence the market.

Law Society HIP Survey

2006-12-11T21:35:00.000-08:00

The Law Society has commissioned a survey which shows most people are totally ignorant of the biggest ever shake-up of the property market, which is only one year away. Sixty-four per cent of people questioned by ICM have never heard of the term 'home information pack' (HIP). Only one in three people who are aware of HIPs realises that the packs will contain important legal documents - including title documents and local searches.

Trustworthiness was the most important factor in choosing a HIP provider.

Fifty-seven per cent of respondents said they would be most likely to trust a solicitor to prepare the pack, and 70 per cent said they would rely on their solicitor to interpret the information contained in the HIP.

Anyone marketing their property for sale after 1 June 2007 faces a fine of £200 per day if they do not provide potential buyers with a HIP.

Sellers must pay the cost of producing HIPs, which could range from £600 to £3,000, depending on the size of the property.

Commenting on the results, Kevin Martin, Law Society president, says: 'This survey also shows that few people realise that packs will contain important legal documents'.

'The danger is the public may be vulnerable if they obtain a pack from a HIP provider that is uninsured, unregulated and not legally trained'.

'Solicitors are insured, undergo rigorous training and education, and are the only provider to be regulated by a national body, should anything go wrong.' 'The results show a huge lack of public awareness, and with only 12 months to go there is real cause for concern'.

'A huge campaign is needed to educate homeowners about this massive overhaul to the home-buying process'.

'There's a real risk that people will find themselves breaking the law if they market their property without the correct information'.

'It is important that consumers can interpret the legal documents in the packs'.

'From the outset, buyers and sellers must get good quality and independent legal advice from their solicitor'.

ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1,001 adults aged 18-plus by telephone between 19 May 2006 and 21 May 2006.

Interviews were conducted across the country, and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.

ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

A full copy of the survey is available from the Law Society Press Office.

All respondents were provided with the following brief statement about home information packs: 'From June 2007, all property sellers will need to have a home information pack before their property goes on the market'.

'This pack will contain information about the property so that potential buyers have all the necessary information before they make an offer'.

'For example, it will contain legal documents including title documents, searches, replies to enquiries, list of fixtures and fittings and the Home Condition Report'.

'The cost of the pack is likely to be between £600 and £1,000, and could take about two weeks to prepare; the agency preparing the pack will be liable for its contents.' Respondents were then asked who they would most trust to prepare a HIP for the sale of their property.

Over one-half of all respondents (57 per cent) indicated that they would most trust a solicitor to prepare a HIP.

Just over one-third of respondents (36 per cent) had heard of the term 'home information pack'.

A larger proportion of property owners indicated an awareness of the term (41 per cent) compared to those who were currently in rented accommodation (24 per cent).

Over one-half (52 per cent) of respondents who had been involved in the property process within the past five years were aware of the term.

Government unveils detailed contents of HIPs

2006-12-10T20:19:00.000-08:00

The Government has unveiled the detailed contents of Home Information Packs. This is set out in the statutory instrument laid before parliament SI 2006 1503. The following press release accompanied the latest developments.

Government is taking action to transform home buying and selling in England and Wales and boost consumer rights and benefits, Ministers announced today.

On the day the Government unveiled the detailed contents of Home Information Packs, Housing Minister Yvette Cooper and Consumer Affairs Minister Ian McCartney set out a three-way strategy to overhaul home buying in England and Wales, involving Home Information Packs, local searches, e-conveyancing and stronger redress against estate agents and others when things go wrong.

Buying and selling your home can be fraught with costs and delays, with £350m wasted by buyers and sellers each year when sales fall through.

Under the current system home sales in England and Wales take longer than in almost every other European country and consumers are often left feeling baffled, misled and even ripped off in the process.

Measures outlined today will:.

* give reliable information on the condition and energy efficiency of homes up front, to cut waste and duplication.

* speed up sales by making conveyancing and local searches cheaper and faster.

* provide simplified redress for consumer complaints against estate agents and other market providers and a single point of access for all complaints about the buying and selling process.

The aim is to encourage greater competition and transparency in home buying and selling, so that people know exactly what they are paying for.

Yvette Cooper said: 'For too many people, buying or selling their home is still a real nightmare, with long delays and duplication.

People should be entitled to proper information at the beginning of the process.

We know there are still vested interests who make money out of the current system and who are opposed to reform, but this is about getting a better deal for the consumer'.

Consumer Affairs Minister Ian McCartney said: 'Estate agents play a key role in the housing market.

It is vital that people buying and selling property are adequately protected against rogue agents and unfair practices.

'We are committed to put in place approved redress schemes for consumers.

Those who refuse will be prohibited from acting as estate agents.

The legislation is already in place to tackle complaints involving HIPs and we want to extend that right of redress to cover all complaints against estate agents as soon as possible.

These changes will be introduced at the very first legislative opportunity'.

The Home Information Pack regulations published today make clear that:.

* Information on searches and surveys will be included in the pack so several buyers won't end up paying several times for the same information.

* HIPs will include a Home Condition Report which sets out detailed information on the condition of the property.

At present, 30 per cent of sales collapse under the current system, often at a late stage when terms have already been agreed.

* An energy performance Certificate will be included as part of the Home Condition Report which, just like a fridge rating, will show how energy efficient a property is and indicate its likely running costs as well as offer advice on how further savings can be made.

* Most of the information contained in Home Information Packs, such as searches and title deeds, is already provided and paid for under the current system, but the HIP transfers costs from buyers to sellers, so first time buyers will be much better off Home Information Packs have long been called for by consumer association Which?.

Alongside the regulations the Housing Minister also published the certification scheme standards establishing the strict requirements to be met by Home Inspectors who will complete the Home Condition Reports.

This will require high standards and proper indemnity insurance for Home Inspectors so that buyers, sellers and lenders can all rely on the report.

The certification schemes will also include independent redress against Home Inspectors when things go wrong.

Estate agents will also have to join an approved redress scheme for their work on HIPs and the Government intends to go further and legislate in respect of all their work.

Ms Cooper also welcomed the news of a proposed new awarding body for the Home Inspector qualification so that more Home Inspectors can be trained.

The Government is also planning new legislation to extend independent redress against all aspects of estate agents' work, as well as simplifying the system for customer complaints.

BBA invites comments on web

2006-12-09T20:18:00.000-08:00

The British Board of Agrement is redesigning its website, to update its appearance and functionality. The existing site is very well used (35,000 visitors a month) and scores highly in the Google ranking of usefulness, but the BBA team is not complacent and believes further improvement is always possible. The BBA invites comments from all sectors of the industry on its web presence.

How lenders really feel about HIPs

2006-12-08T20:15:00.000-08:00

New research commissioned by the Council of Mortgage Lenders, and reported today at a CML seminar on home information packs, reveals how lenders really feel about HIPs. In a survey of lenders undertaken for the CML , it is clear that - Lenders are generally supportive of HIPs. Two thirds intend to provide packs.

But lenders expressed significant concern that the technical standards necessary to build the required systems to use home condition reports in their processes could not be made available sooner.

Lenders believe that the number of properties put up for sale will increase in the run-up to HIPs and decrease immediately afterwards.

Home condition reports are likely to have a major impact on lenders' practices.

Nearly 8 out of 10 lenders believe the need for a physical inspection will reduce, and 7 out of 10 believe that the use of automated valuations will have increased a year after HIPs are implemented.

But the full impact of home condition reports on lenders' valuations will not be immediate.

And automated valuations are unlikely to become the default method.

Five years after HIPs, lenders still expect physical inspections to account for about half of all valuations, and automated valuations for about 40%.

Initially at least, there is likely to be a significant strain on surveyors' resources to cope with doing both HCRs and valuation inspections for lenders.

The research also explored lenders' and other stakeholders' views of wider issues in relation to conveyancing innovations.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment has been the lack of progress with the National Land Information Service (NLIS).

NLIS was established in 2001 to speed up the provision of local authority searches by enabling them to be made and delivered electronically, but three quarters of local authorities are still unable to provide a fully electronic service.

There has been inadequate investment, and no compulsion on local authorities to interact fully.

This urgently needs to be addressed.

Commenting on the research, CML head of policy Jackie Bennett said: 'This research shows, as we have so often repeated, that lenders are generally not anti-HIP in principle.

It is the practicalities, the Government's expectations, and the possible unintended consequences that cause them concern.

'Even those who are enthusiastic about HIPs do not expect to replace physical inspections with automated valuations on a wholesale basis.

Currently a physical inspection is used in 99% of applications for house purchase.

Although the market may move more quickly than anyone can anticipate, lenders' current best estimate is that 40% of valuations will be automated five years after HIPs have been in place.

DCLG response on Home Information Packs

2006-12-07T20:16:00.000-08:00

Department for Communities and local government (DCLG) response to CML research. We are pleased to hear that most lenders are supportive of Home Information Packs and that lenders believe HIPs will not have a significant effect on the number of transactions, despite recent alarmist reports to the contrary. Given that the Home Condition Reports are significantly more robust and extensive than the surveys lenders currently use for valuations, in practice there will be no excuse for additional physical surveys in the majority of cases.

We expect consumers and competitive pressures to push take up much faster that this, for example Nationwide and Principality have already said they expect to use Automated Valuation Models based on the Home Condition Report in 60 per cent of cases.

There is no good reason for others not to follow suit.

DCLG Response to Oxford Economic Forecasting Report This report reaches conclusions based on unfounded assumptions.

The idea that the introduction of Home Information Packs will increase unemployment by 93,000 is simply nonsense.

In Denmark, the number of transactions increased when the Packs were introduced, rather than fell in the year after the Packs were introduced.

The reality is that the level of sales depends on much wider issues in the housing market and wider economy that change over time, such as interest rates and earnings.

Facts.

There is considerable volatility in the market.

For example last year transactions fell by 17% per cent - unemployment did not increase as a result - it actually fell slightly.

- see facts below:.

This is based on:.

2004 transactions=1,227,830.

2005 transactions=1,021,352.

source: Land Registry.

2004 unemployment = 4.8% (1,426,000).

2005 unemployment = 4.7% (1,425,000).

source: ONS.

Your latest questions answered:.

Q:.

A seller can market their property indefinitely without a HIP, if it was already on the market before 1 June 2007.

A:.

No - this is not true - the regulations laid on 14 June state that all homes for sale will need to have a Home Information Pack by 1 November 2007 - irrespective of whether they put it on the market before or after 1 June 2007.

Q:.

Sellers can market a property for up to 14 days even if they don't have a HIP?.

A:.

No - sellers must have a complete Pack at time of marketing - unless a certain document cannot be obtained in time, in which case they may market the property with an incomplete Pack 14 days after the request for the document in question, so long as they can demonstrate they have made reasonable efforts to obtain the document.

The seller will need to add the document to the Pack as soon as it becomes available.

Q:.

Is it true that the Packs will cost up to £1,000 for a detached house and £800 for a semi-detached property?.

A:.

Estimates based on the current costs of the components of Home Information Packs suggests an average cost of around £600 - 700 plus VAT to compile.

Most of this cost is not new and is being met at present by both buyers and sellers.

Some organisations have said they would offer the Packs at reduced cost or even for free - market forces will apply.

BBA launches Fast-Track

2006-12-06T20:12:00.000-08:00

BFRC The British fenestration Rating Council scheme for the energy rating of windows has gained momentum recently at the same time as the running of the scheme has been taken over by the Glass and Glazing Federation. The British Board of Agrement is well-known in the windows, doors and conservatory sector of the industry both for its approvals of products and systems but also for its work as the inspection agency undertaking installation inspections under the FENSA scheme. The BBA is also a key player in the BFRC scheme as it is both an Approved simulator - able to carry out computer simulation and calculation of window thermal values - and an Approved Laboratory - able to undertake complex thermal testing on its sophisticated Guarded Hot Box apparatus - one of only two UKAS accredited Hot Boxes in the UK.

The BBA has been offering BFRC registration - 42 BFRC registrations have been issued on the basis of work done by the BBA - and we have now developed our processes to introduce a fast-track BFRC system.

The new process, from initial order to us( with payment) to supply of the information to BFRC to allow listing on the website will now take days where companies have all the relevant information to hand and meet the BFRC requirements.

If we have looked at a system on behalf of a system supplier and one of their fabricators wishes to go for a BBA Certificate we will include the BFRC audit at no charge.

HAPAS Approvals for Highway Paints

2006-12-05T20:12:00.000-08:00

The British Board of Agrement, which operates the Highways Authorities Product Approval Scheme (HAPAS), has announced the completion of the Technical Guideline setting out how Highway paints will be assessed under the requirements of the Scheme. Previously the Highways Agency (and earlier the Department of Transport) approved paints for highway uses on the basis of Item Numbers in BD 35 (Design Manual for Roads and Bridges: Quality Assurance Scheme for Paints and similar protective coatings). These items covered particular polymer types and applications, and the Highways Agency introduced new items to cover new paint types as they became available, and withdrew others as they became obsolescent.

With the increasing pace of change in the paint industry, as it has developed new products and adapted existing products in response to concerns about air quality, worker safety, toxicity and ozone depletion and to meet new challenges in demanding areas such as in the North Sea oil industry, it became clear a more responsive procedure was necessary, and a HAPAS Specialist Group was set up to prepare a Guideline.

This Group included representatives of the BBA, Highways Agency, County Surveyors' Society, British Constructional Steelwork Association, British Coatings Federation, Corus, network rail and independent experts.

One of the aspirations of the work was to harmonise the requirements of different specifiers for the same service conditions, and Network Rail was invited on to the Group to achieve this.

As the work neared completion the Highways Agency revised BD 35 in May 2005 to require that paints used in highway work should hold a BBA HAPAS Certificate, and the BBA and Highways Agency cooperated to issue 9 HAPAS Certificates covering 101 separate products which had previously been covered by approvals under HA item sheets.

The HAPAS Guideline for the Assessment and Certification of Paints and similar protective coatings has now been completed and approved.

The Guideline introduces the BBA's routine factory surveillance to highway paints, allows the applicant to submit existing data conducted to UKAS standards, defines tests to be conducted on liquid paints, separate components and on the whole system, and requires an exposure trial to be set up and monitored.

Autodesk 3ds Max help win architecture projects

2006-12-04T02:17:00.001-08:00

Autodesk 3ds Max software help win competitive bids, generate project stakeholder support and complete large portions of project design in the proposal stages.

Autodesk announced leading design firms such as GMJ Design, Paul Steelman Design and Neoscape are using Autodesk 3ds Max software to create 3D architectural visualisations that help them win competitive bids, generate project stakeholder support and complete large portions of project design in the proposal stages. Autodesk's architectural software portfolio includes AutoCAD, Autodesk Architectural Desktop, Autodesk Revit Building, Autodesk VIZ and the 3ds Max animation, modeling and rendering product. 'Autodesk's visual communication tools help customers visualise and share their ideas, designs and work-in-progress in many industries, from manufacturing and infrastructure to entertainment and architecture,' said Marc Petit, Autodesk's Media and Entertainment vice president.

'Still pictures, movies and interactive presentations created with Autodesk 3ds Max help architects sell concepts by providing a photorealistic, immersive experience of the end result'.

'3D visualisation is an increasingly important component of the architectural workflow,' said Michael Arrington, senior analyst at Acacia Research Group.

'As in other engineering fields, accurate visualisation gives project decision makers the tools they need to get their efforts rapidly from the drawing board to reality'.

'Autodesk 3ds Max software is ideally suited for this work'.

GMJ Design, a London- and Paris-based visualisation firm, is using 3ds Max for its World City Models project.

The studio has completed a thirty-six square kilometre, 1:500 scale digital model of central London.

This highly accurate topographical roof model includes all visible elements that are more than one metre in size.

It was created in 3ds Max using high-resolution aerial photography combined with a ground-level survey.

The model is also available in Autodesk's DWG file format, which allows for easy sharing of data between design, architecture and engineering teams.

'The London World City Model contains 12 million polygons and is a one-gigabyte Autodesk 3ds Max file,' explained Robert Graves, creative director at GMJ Design.

'Due to the enormous amount of data, the model previously had to be broken down into a number of files to be viewed'.

'Now, with the 64-bit version of 3ds Max 9, the project can be viewed in one 3ds Max scene'.

Paul Steelman Design in Las Vegas and its Los Angeles-based subsidiary, Phrenic, specialise in casino resort and entertainment design.

By using 3ds Max to visualise designs, the company is able to complete 80% of the final design in the proposal stages.

Time savings cascade through the project cycle due to interoperability between Autodesk 3ds Max and AutoCAD software products, allowing for project data exchange amongst architects and design teams.

The company used 3ds Max to visualise The Sands Macao, which is the largest and most profitable casino in the world'.

'Once we created a visualisation of The Sands Macao casino, it didn't take long to win the project,' explained Paul Steelman, CEO and president of Paul Steelman Design'.

'We spent five days developing a design visualisation with Autodesk 3ds Max, and won the contract as a result; that's a powerful thing.

When you create design visualisations, there is no hesitation'.

'The clients know exactly what they're going to get'.

Boston-based Neoscape provides visualisation and marketing services for a wide range of projects, including luxury condos and hotels.

Using 3ds Max, the firm visualised the New York Park Plaza hotel's $350 million renovation and rebirth as a private residence'.

'On the Park Plaza project, the architectural detail, mood and other elements took us into uncharted territory,' said Rob McLeod, Neoscape founder and vice-president'.

'Without Autodesk 3ds Max, the detailed ornamentation alone would have been a daunting task'.

'We have embraced 3ds Max because it's the best and most universal tool for design visualisation'.

'Along with 3ds Max, we use AutoCAD, enabling our work to integrate seamlessly in our clients' architectural pipelines'.

Now shipping worldwide, 3ds Max 9 supports 64-bit technologies and contains a number of enhancements for design visualisation.

Rendering is greatly improved with the mental ray 3.5 rendering core.

Features such as new architecture and design shaders, as well as improvements to the Physical Sun and Sky system, enable architects and designers to spend less time on rendering setup and more time on design.

Client demand now green building practice driver

2006-12-03T02:16:00.000-08:00

Architects Predict Significant Increases in Practice of Sustainable Design, According to 2006 Autodesk Green Index. Client demand now primary driver for adoption of green building practices. 16th November 2006 - Autodesk today announced the results of the 2006 Autodesk Green Index, which provides a measure of the adoption of sustainable design techniques by architects.

The overall Green Index number, based on a score of zero to 100, is expected to double by 2011, from 30 in 2006.

Seventy-seven percent of this year's respondents indicated that client demand is the top driver for architects to practice sustainable design, up from 64 percent in 2005's Green Index.

In last year's survey, customer demand was tied with fuel costs as leading drivers for the adoption of green building practices.

'This year's study reveals a growing commitment by architects and owners for supporting sustainable design principles,' said Jay Bhatt, vice president, Autodesk building solutions.

'By enabling our customers to collaborate more effectively and estimate more accurately, Autodesk solutions help architects predict the overall lifecycle costs of their designs'.

In 2005, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) established a goal to reduce building- and construction-related fossil-fuel use by 50 per cent by 2010.

More than 60 per cent of architects responding to the 2006 Autodesk Green Index survey predict that their integrated/high performance design work will help meet the 2005 AIA goal.

Design Software, Energy Modelling Expands and Enables Green Building Practices According to the 2006 Autodesk Green Index, architects expect to expand their use of design software for energy modelling in the next five years for a variety of tasks, including:.

- A 300% increase in the use of design software to specify material quantities and schedules to minimise waste during the construction process (to be used by 36% of architects on most of their projects in 2011, compared to 9% in 2006).

- A 258% increase to predict and evaluate solar heating (43% in 2011, 12% in 2006).

- A 176% increase to predict and evaluate solar lighting (17% in 2011, 47% in 2006).

- A 105% increase to evaluate and explore alternative building materials to maximise energy performance and minimize environmental impact (45% in 2011, 22% in 2006).

- A 112% increase to conduct energy modelling/baseline analysis (53% in 2011, 25% in 2006).

The most prevalent energy-saving initiative for architects are high-efficiency HVAC systems, with 64 per cent of the study's respondents specifying their use on more than half of their projects over the past year.

Five years ago, only 36 per cent of architects used high-efficiency HVAC systems on over half of their design project; 85 per cent expect to use high-efficiency HVAC systems on most of their projects by 2011.

OmegaIP lone worker protection survey

2006-12-02T02:16:00.000-08:00

Latest survey from OmegaIP shows that 21% of those surveyed had no sort of monitoring system in place for lone workers, 42% indicated that the organization simply supplied a mobile phone and 40% agreed that technology would be their preferred solution. The latest survey from OmegaIP shows that 39% of organisations are aware of verbal threats to lone workers in the last 12 months with 28% of these reporting up to 10 incidents. Of the people surveyed 36% were aware of physical threats to workers in the last 12 months and 31% were also aware of unsupervised accidents to lone workers in the last 12 months.

Respondents were asked to identify what types of lone workers they had with the most popular at 31% being off site, and a close second 30% being out of hour's workers, such as shift staff and late office workers.

Those polled were also asked what types of hazards their lone workers faced, 18% of people worried about verbal abuse and 17% of people worried about physical attack.

The majority of people (40%) feared unsupervised accidents and their response to them, yet 21% of those surveyed had no sort of monitoring system in place and of those that did 42% just supplied mobile phones.

How lenders really feel about HIPs

2006-12-01T02:32:00.000-08:00

Controversial HIPs research

2006-11-30T02:31:00.000-08:00

New controversy has been introduced into the Home Information Pack debate with research commissioned by GMAC-RFC, the UK's 10th largest lender. This research was given the remit of estimating the impact to the economy of a fall in property transactions by 10% and 25%. Using these parameters, Oxford Economic Forecasting (OEF), who are pre-eminent in this field, produced figures for the effect on GDP, consumer spending and unemployment.

Assuming a 10% reduction in property transactions, GDP will fall by 0.2%, consumer spending by 0.3% and unemployment will rise by 42,000.

Assuming a worse case of a 25% reduction in property transactions, GDP will fall by 0.5%, consumer spending by 0.7% and unemployment will rise by 93,000.

Sounds bad, but why have GMAC-RFC plucked these figures from the ether.

Stephen Knight of GMAC-RFC has admitted that this was a completely speculative exercise.

Pressed further he has also stated 'I cannot overstress that nobody is saying that these reductions will happen'.

'We're just making the point that nobody can guarantee that they won't'.

'For that reason it is useful to at least frame the economic impact'.

One cannot help but assume that GMAC-RFC are somewhat against the concept of Home Information Packs and would prefer the existing status quo.

They have not commissioned research to investigate the likely impact of Home Information Packs on transaction levels and one wonders why not.

The Department for Communities and local government (DCLG) has commented on the new research by saying ' This report reaches absurd conclusions based on unfounded assumptions'.

'The idea that the introduction of Hips will increase unemployment by 93,000 is simply nonsense.' 'In Denmark, the number of transactions increased when Hips were introduced, rather than fell in the year after Hips were introduced'.

'The reality is that the level of sales depends on much wider issues in the housing market and wider economy that change over time, such as interest rates and earnings'.

The DLCG has also pointed out that transactions fell by 17% last year and unemployment did not increase as a result, it actually fell slightly.

Our view?

The reporting of this type of research is a little one-dimensional and doesn't present a balanced argument.

Take for example, the latest SPLINTA press release headline 'Report Warns That Home Info Packs Will Damage UK Economy' or the Daily Mail article today stating 'a major report warns of the devastating knock-on effects on the government's controversial plans ranging from unemployment to soaring house prices.' Both these statements seem factually incorrect, regardless of your view on Hips.

We have always been ready to post news items that are critical of the Government's HIP policy, but have always tried to separate reasoned argument from the usual 'white noise' that accompanies any major change that so fundamentally affects so many vested interests.

BBA launches Fast-Track

2006-11-29T02:31:00.000-08:00

HAPAS Approvals for Highway Paints

2006-11-28T02:30:00.000-08:00

BBA has announced the completion of the Technical Guideline setting out how Highway Paints will be assessed under the requirements of the Highways Authorities Product Approval Scheme.

The British Board of Agrement, which operates the Highways Authorities Product Approval Scheme (HAPAS), has announced the completion of the Technical Guideline setting out how Highway paints will be assessed under the requirements of the Scheme. Previously the Highways Agency (and earlier the Department of Transport) approved paints for highway uses on the basis of Item Numbers in BD 35 (Design Manual for Roads and Bridges: Quality Assurance Scheme for Paints and similar protective coatings). These items covered particular polymer types and applications, and the Highways Agency introduced new items to cover new paint types as they became available, and withdrew others as they became obsolescent.

With the increasing pace of change in the paint industry, as it has developed new products and adapted existing products in response to concerns about air quality, worker safety, toxicity and ozone depletion and to meet new challenges in demanding areas such as in the North Sea oil industry, it became clear a more responsive procedure was necessary, and a HAPAS Specialist Group was set up to prepare a Guideline.

This Group included representatives of the BBA, Highways Agency, County Surveyors' Society, British Constructional Steelwork Association, British Coatings Federation, Corus, network rail and independent experts.

One of the aspirations of the work was to harmonise the requirements of different specifiers for the same service conditions, and Network Rail was invited on to the Group to achieve this.

As the work neared completion the Highways Agency revised BD 35 in May 2005 to require that paints used in highway work should hold a BBA HAPAS Certificate, and the BBA and Highways Agency cooperated to issue 9 HAPAS Certificates covering 101 separate products which had previously been covered by approvals under HA item sheets.

The HAPAS Guideline for the Assessment and Certification of Paints and similar protective coatings has now been completed and approved.

The Guideline introduces the BBA's routine factory surveillance to highway paints, allows the applicant to submit existing data conducted to UKAS standards, defines tests to be conducted on liquid paints, separate components and on the whole system, and requires an exposure trial to be set up and monitored.

Ian Williams sponsors building management seminars

2006-11-27T05:15:00.001-08:00

The 'Ensuring buildings work for you - not against you' seminars organised by the University of the West of England and sponsored by Bristol based property service specialists, Ian Williams, got underway this month. The seminar which took place at the Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, attracted 47 attendees. Delegates including head-teachers and bursars from primary, secondary and higher education across the region spent the day in a series of lectures from both the public and private sector.

The seminar's objectives were to emphasise the benefits of long-term partnering agreements and advise on best practice for building maintenance within an educational environment.

The Government has committed significant funding for the improvement of education facilities including the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) initiative.

The Government has also allocated GBP2.2bn per year to rebuild and renew every secondary school in England.

In recent years schools have gained greater autonomy in many areas including construction, maintenance and refurbishment.

However greater power has come at a cost and as a result the following issues are now widely acknowledged within the sector:.

* Schools largely manage their budgets and manage maintenance locally as a consequence of government devolution.

* Schools need support from both the LEAs and private sector to ensure that they meet current legislative requirements.

* Those responsible for maintenance and capital projects are becoming increasingly dependent upon external advice.

Providing guidance and advice on such issues is why Ian Williams took the opportunity to run such seminars.

Sponsoring the event provided Ian Williams with an opportunity to learn from the delegates on how they felt about the implications of devolvement and its long-term effects.

These findings will form part of an unprecedented research document, providing statistics and opinions from those working in the education sector.

Initial findings from the day indicate:.

* The quality of buildings directly impacts upon educational performance.

* Management of buildings is becoming increasingly challenging for teachers, bursars and property managers.

* The cost of maintenance is difficult to benchmark between schools.

* The use of Asset Maintenance Plans is variable.

* The private sector can assist schools to reduce costs whilst at the same time help to improve the educational experiences that students receive.

* The education sector is willing to work with the private sector but it is difficult to find organisations that have the experience and competence to manage educational facilities on behalf of the teachers and staff.

Commenting on the day's success Mike Turner said: 'Today is the first of our education premises seminars and it has been beneficial to both Ian Williams and the delegates.

We are keen to help clarify some of the complex issues surrounding schools and colleges and provide advice and guidance on engagement with the private sector.

I am delighted with today's feedback and encouraged by the willingness of delegates to consider collaboration as a way of meeting long-term objectives.

We have also been invited to attend a number of schools to talk through our ideas in more detail.'

Businesses responsible for own fire exits

2006-11-26T05:14:00.000-08:00

The Signkit low voltage FE LED fire exit sign could provide small businesses that are now responsible for their Fire Safety Order with a low maintenance solution. This energy efficient fire exit sign has a minimum life of 60,000 hours and an automatic battery backup to ensure continuous illumination in the event of power failure. With the abolishment of Fire certificates, all non domestic properties are now responsible to comply with the Fire Safety Order.

This new law which comes into force on the 1st October 06 requires employers, building owners and anyone else who has control over premises to carry out a fire risk assessment.

Part of the assessment will include ensuring that suitable fire exit signs are in place and to consider emergency lighting.

The Signkit low voltage FE LED fire exit sign complies with Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) regulations 1996 and comes complete with a battery back-up unit to keep the sign illuminated for over 3 hours during a power failure.

The sign requires no maintenance and consumes 80% less power compared to similar T2 fluorescent systems.

This unique illuminated emergency fire exit sign offers all the benefits of LED technology and is available in two standard sizes (480mm x 160mm or 300mm x 100mm) or can be bespoke.

The sign comprises a clear acrylic panel (10mm or 8mm thick accordingly) with laser engraved and infilled graphics.

Both panels feature a quality silver anodised aluminium mounting system of a slender modern design.

'Signslot' and 'Signblock' can be ceiling or wall mounted.

The Signkit FE LED fire exit sign is a new addition to Signbox's Sign Kit range of precision engineered components for the display of signs and media.

Buying a Modular Home

2006-11-25T01:48:00.001-08:00

There are a lot of people who purchase modular homes every year. They bring them out to the lot in pieces and assemble them right there in front of you. When I first graduated from high school I got a job at a local construction plant working on the assembly line for modular homes. My specific job was to paint the rooms, we did bathrooms, kitchens and closets. I saw a lot of things go on at that plant that made me think that I would never buy a modular home, then I started working around stick built homes. Let me tell you that they are much worse as far as the quality goes than the modular homes.

When it came time for me to buy a home I ended up purchasing a modular home. It came in two pieces and was delivered to the lot in the morning. By early in the afternoon we were standing in our own home. It was fantastic, and there were several reasons that made me decide on buying a modular home. First I really liked the fact that they are built under roof so that the raw building materials are not exposed to the elements. Second they tend to be built with more heavy duty materials so that they survive the ride on the trailer on the way to the lot. The insulation tends to be better in a modular as well.

So if you are thinking about buying a modular home I say go for it. If you have any reservations about buying a prefab home then you should see if you could get a tour of the assembly line. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how well they are put together.

Finding Your New Home

2006-11-25T01:47:00.000-08:00

When the time comes for you to make that leap and purchase your own home there is no doubt that you will be a little nervous. This is really a big step for you and it would be unusual for you not to be nervous when entering into a contract that is longer than you have probably lived. Add to that the fact that you might have been living pretty foot loose in an apartment community without all that much responsibility other than paying rent and you have the recipe for a sleepless night or two. But don't take it to heart, there are many reasons why owning your own home is a great idea, and here are two of those reasons.

1. Security and Financial Growth - Sure owning your own home is a bit more expensive from month to month but the price of your home will continue to rise as the years go by. There are ways, and you can look this up in your local library, for you to own a home outright within 10 years. This is a great thing but takes discipline and patience. So settle into your mortgage knowing that every month your home is worth more than it was the month before.

2 Freedom - Did you ever have one of those landlords that did not like you to do anything to the house, not even to hang a picture? And if you did hang that picture then heaven help you, you were going to have to pay for the repair. Well, guess what? You aren't going to have to worry about that any longer. When you own your own home you don't have to worry about what color you wan the walls or how much noise you want to make (as long as you don't disturb the neighbors) Just enjoy the freedom that owning your own home can provide.