bcis online rates database

Blowing hot air

Air source heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular but what benefits can they bring and are they a viable means of heating a home?

Classified as either air-to-air or air-to-water depending on whether the heat distribution system in the building uses air or water, air source heat pumps can have a number of environmental and operation advantages. For a start, more heat is supplied to the building than energy is consumed by the heat pump. An air-source heat pump with a COP of three will supply three kilowatts of heat energy for the consumption of one kilowatt of electricity. If the heat pump is replacing (or being used as an alternative to) electric space heating, the use of the heat pump will offer significant carbon savings.

Read the rest of this entry »

Fast Track

Name: Steve McGuckin

Position: UK Managing Director

Company: Turner & Townsend

Type of Business: Global construction consultancy and programme managers

Read the rest of this entry »

Waste not, want not

With landfill space running out, what measures can be taken by the construction industry to minimise waste and re-use rubbish? And how realistic are zero waste to landfill policies for the construction industry?

Read the rest of this entry »

The West Should Embrace China and India

The West risks squandering a spectacular $10tri market opportunity if countries and companies fail to develop enduring commercial ties with these nations’ newly affluent consumers, according to a new book by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

Read the rest of this entry »

Frankfurt Airport Opens Pier A-Plus as Scheduled

Frankfurt Airport’s (FRA) new Pier A-Plus, the 800 meter-long westward expansion of Terminal 1, has opened on schedule after about four years of construction. Flight operations began on 10 October at the new pier, allowing Germany’s biggest hub to serve up to six million additional passengers per year, thus a total of approximately 65 million passengers per year. This €700m terminal complex will be exclusively used by Deutsche Lufthansa AG and its Star Alliance partners, including flights coming from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In particular, Pier A-Plus provides more docking positions for serving wide body aircraft like the Airbus A380 superjumbo and the Boeing B747 family.

Read the rest of this entry »

NEW ANTARCTIC RESEARCH STATION IS COMPLETED FEATURING WICONA GLAZING SYSTEMS

High performance aluminium glazing systems from Wicona are set to withstand some of the most extreme climatic conditions on earth, following the completion of a new research station in the Antarctic.

Designed by Hamburg-based architects, bof Architekten, the new Indian research station Bharati on the Antarctic coast comprises 134 prefabricated units wrapped in an aluminium envelope, which will withstand powerful winds of up to 270km/h, abnormally high thermal and mechanical loads caused by blizzards, huge quantities of snow, and temperatures of minus 40°C and below.

Read the rest of this entry »

Which? guide to damp solutions

With the return of the cold winter weather Which? Magazine’s damp expert David Prince (founder of dampexpert.com) highlights single-room ventilation solutions for controlling condensation and mould problems.

Read the rest of this entry »

Fibrelite is now RIBA CPD Providers Network Accredited

Fibrelite, who specialise in the design and manufacture of lightweight, composite, watertight access covers is delighted to announce the following RIBA CPD Providers Network material is now available to book as a CPD seminar:

Read the rest of this entry »

NW Systems’ RemoteManager casts a watchful eye inside m&s cheshire oaks site

NW Systems Group’s RemoteManager video solution was used by leading construction firm Simons Group to monitor and retain a visual record of the construction of the Marks & Spencer 195,000 square foot Cheshire Oaks site, near Liverpool.

Read the rest of this entry »

DELTA SECURITY TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT THE THEATRE ROYAL STRATFORD EAST

A fully integrated and wireless electronic locking system installed by Delta Security at the Theatre Royal Stratford East is helping the Grade II listed Victorian theatre to manage and secure access for both staff and visitors to different areas of the building, as well as safeguarding property and staff belongings.

Read the rest of this entry »