ICC-ES And UL Launch Dual PMG Listing Programme

ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) have established a dual PMG listing programme for plumbing, mechanical, and fuel gas (PMG) products. The purpose of the programme is to provide code officials and construction professionals with a reliable means to verify that PMG products to comply with applicable codes and standards. Manufacturers of PMG products who take advantage of this alliance are said to benefit from the combined strengths of ICC-ES and UL.

The programme will provide a scheme for the testing, inspection, certification, and listing of PMG products, with independent listings covering both code compliance and compliance with applicable technical standards. It provides ready acceptance of products by authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), due to the high recognition of the ICC-ES and UL marks, and the ability to leverage the strength of the two brands. There is a choice in service providers to show compliance through listing to both the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC).

The programme also provides acceptance of products nationally and internationally, wherever the IPC or the UPC codes have been adopted. Additionally, products evaluated to the National Plumbing Code of Canada (NPCC) are suitable for installation in Canada. The International Code Council (ICC), the parent organisation of ICC-ES, publishes the International Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes, which to date have been adopted in 47 states at either the state or local jurisdiction level and countries including Mexico, Jamaica, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.

The programme also provides a demonstration of product compliance to the new low-lead requirements in the California Health and Safety Code, and demonstration of product compliance to the US EPA WatersenseSM requirements (as applicable). The programme is said to provide an easier way of doing business, through one point of contact for both ICC-ES and UL listings. It offers wider exposure for PMG products, through the network of ICC-ES and UL customers, media channels, and corporate partnerships, and allows the use of both the trusted ICC-ES PMG Mark and the UL Plumbing Mark.

Code officials, will also benefit from the dual PMG listing programme, through: the added assurance that PMG products meet the rigorous testing and evaluation requirements of both ICC-ES and UL; simultaneous posting of approved products on the websites of both ICC-ES and UL; and access to UL's code correlation database. This database directly connects the listings with specific code sections, to assist AHJs in the acceptance of certified products, and allow designers and installers to readily find code-complying products.

The ICC, the parent company of ICC-ES, publishes the International Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes, which have been adopted in 47 states at either the state or local level. Between them, ICC and ICC-ES have on staff a full range of PMG product experts, and professional engineers with product evaluation experience.

ICC and ICC-ES offer a full range of resources, from code books and electronic media, to specialised training and certification services. There is also a dual PMG listing programme with UL that will ease the approval of PMG products for use in the field. UL's drinking water and plumbing product certification programme is fully accredited in the US and Canada and is recognised by the US EPA as well as all states and cities in the US that have adopted their own water product certification requirements.

Cinpres To Launch AIM Courses For Moulders

Courses in assisted injection moulding (AIM) are being launched to show moulders how to reduce costs, increase productivity and regain a competitive advantage in the face of a global recession. Cinpres Gas Injection, in collaboration with Polymer Training (PTL), an international resource centre for the polymer industry, will offer a range of modules at its facility in Cheshire, using live moulding machines and providing attendees with the chance to gain practical experience in the use of gas- and water-assisted injection moulding techniques.

Jon Butler, managing director of Cinpres, said: 'The new modules to be introduced this year will ultimately target those companies that could benefit from AIM to achieve greater market share and higher margins, both of which are critical in the current climate. 'Those who currently use AIM, or have in the past, will get to grips with the latest developments and techniques and those who haven't, and are presently settling for low-quality parts at high cost, will be introduced to methods that can transform their production processes,' he added.

PTL, which offers official training accreditation for its courses, will market, package and sell the courses on behalf of Cinpres. Mark Smith, director of PTL, said: 'Moulders are particularly keen at the moment to reduce costs and improve their service offering and I believe discovering the benefits of AIM technology will certainly be a welcome opportunity.'.

Self-Launch Glider Uses Li-Ion Battery System

The Antares 20E, an electric self-launching glider developed by Lange Aviation and powered by a Saft custom-designed, rechargeable lithium ion (Li-ion) battery system, is back in series production. For takeoff and powered flight the electric motor with propeller is extended above the fuselage centre section. For soaring, the pilot simply pulls a lever and the complete unit retracts into the fuselage to ensure optimum aerodynamic efficiency.

Axel Lange, chief executive of Lange Aviation, said: 'The Antares demonstrator LF-20E flew on Ni-MH batteries and performed well. 'But the extra power available when we switched to the Saft Li-ion batteries has enabled us to more than double the launch height, using a battery system that weighs 26 per cent less.' The Antares 20E is equipped with a custom-designed modular battery system, using Saft VL 41 M Li-ion cells, that pack as much power as possible into a lightweight and space-efficient package.

The battery system weighs 80kg, which is around 12 per cent of the glider's typical launch weight (with pilot and ballast) of 660kg. The battery system is split into two packs, positioned in the leading edges of both inner wings. Each pack consists of 36 cells in series, divided into 12 three-cell modules. Together, both battery packs provide an operating voltage of 212V to 288V, depending on the state of charge (SOC).

The dedicated battery management system ensures each cell is carefully and redundantly monitored and controlled, to ensure that it delivers maximum performance while remaining within its safe operational parameters. A full nine-hour charge from the onboard charger will deliver the Antares 20E approximately 3000m above its launch point. It is also possible to use the available battery power for one or more takeoffs and powered climbs. Each extra takeoff costs approximately 100m in final climb altitude.

Partial charges and discharges have no adverse impact on battery life. In common with all batteries, the performance of the Li-ion battery system is affected by the battery temperature. To counter this, the Antares 20E battery packs are equipped with electrical battery heating to maintain them at optimum temperature. If the battery charger is connected, it provides the power required to heat the batteries. While in the air, the battery modules use their own power.

This process happens automatically. It is possible to turn the heating off and on in flight in order to conserve energy during very long flights. Even with the battery heating turned off, the good insulating properties of the wing ensure that it takes a long time for the batteries to cool down to a temperature where their performance is affected. The capacity of a battery diminishes according to the number of charge-discharge cycles it undergoes, as well as its calendar life. Saft anticipates that the Antares 20E batteries will have an operational lifetime of up to 20 years, during which they will deliver several thousands of launches.

Atmos Heating Launch Revolutionary Combinair

Atmos to launch Combinair, a low cost route to level 3 and 4 of the code for sustainable homes, at this year's Greenbuild. Atmos Heating Systems, the low carbon heating specialist, unveils the ground breaking Combinair on Stand A1 at this year's Greenbuild, 17-18 June 2009, Manchester Central (formerly GMEX), Manchester. Boasting an efficiency of 300-400%, the revolutionary Combinair integrates a condensing gas combi boiler with an air source heat pump (ASHP) into a single unit. Designed to reduce CO2 emissions the unit offers a low cost route to achieving Code Levels 3 and 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

To gain Level 3 of the Code, a 25% reduction in CO2 emissions is needed, which can be achieved in a low energy house with the Combinair. This innovative ASHP combines the benefits of a heat pump with mechanical heat recovery ventilation in one unit. The Combinair draws warm air from the house mechanical extract ventilation system, together with outside air. Recovering heat from the extract air, and using only 655 Watts of electrical energy, the unit pumps up to 3kW of heat energy back into the central heating system, to achieve its amazing high efficiency. When the central heating demand exceeds 3kW, the high efficiency condensing boiler (90% Sedbuk A) cuts in to provide the extra heat demand.

Meanwhile, the weather compensating control system keeps the central heating flow temperature as low as possible, and thereby maximizes the efficiency of both the heat pump and the boiler. The system operates best with underfloor heating, but can also be used with low temperature radiators, or a combination of both. Hot water is supplied by the condensing gas combi boiler, which provides a generous 12 litres/min at 35 deg C temp rise from its 30kW power output. To achieve Level 4 of the Code, a 44% reduction in CO2 emissions is required. This can be achieved by adding the Atmos MonoSolar hot water system, which fits neatly beneath the Combinair to form a Code 4 packaged solution.

The Solar Combinair benefits from all the features and efficiency of the Combinair with the added benefit of providing 60% of the annual hot water required for an average two/three person house from a renewable heat source - the sun. "Air source heat pumps generally have a lower efficiency than ground source heat pumps, because the average seasonal air temperature is lower than the ground. However, the Combinair, takes all the warm house extract air, mixes it with the outdoor air, so that the average input air temperature is higher, resulting in a higher efficiency of 300-400% similar to a ground source heat pump," explains John Thomason, General Manager of Atmos Heating Systems".

In addition, Atmos will showcase its low carbon SolarCombi system, which can cut fuel costs and CO2 emissions by 50% compared to conventional gas heating systems. The SolarCombi presents two installation options, bringing together the Atmos MonoSolar drain-back system with either the Atmos Inter or Multi range of high efficiency condensing gas boilers. The MonoSolar features a 100 litre insulated thermal storage tank, complete with an integral copper tube heat exchanger, energy-saving variable speed pump and electronic control module, and a drain back solar collector.

Storage tank water circulates around the solar collector, absorbing heat from the sun which is transferred via the heat exchanger to the mains hot tap water to offer savings of up to 1,500 kWh of gas energy per year. The MonoSolar system includes a simple non-electric diverter valve, when the tank is above 45 deg C, the diverter valve activates to bypass the boiler and send water straight to the tap, via a thermostatic mixing valve for safety. This system reduces the boiler's operational time and hence reduces gas consumption. When the tank water is below 45 deg C the diverter valve sends the pre-heated water through the boiler to top it up to 60 deg C, or whatever the hot water temperature setting is on the boiler.

With the Inter and Multi condensing technology saving 35%, and the MonoSolar operation cutting energy consumption and costs by a further 15%, combined SolarCombi operation will save up to 50% in fuel costs, usage and related CO2 emissions. As a closed circuit system, the MonoSolar is virtually maintenance free. Because of the low volume of secondary water, and the stored hot water transfers heat through the copper pipe heat exchanger, there is no risk of legionella.

Meanwhile, because the drain back system empties the solar collector, there is no risk of overheating or freezing. Instead of an expansion vessel, the tank incorporates an air gap, and water automatically flows back into the tank's empty discharge space from the collector, eliminating the need for glycol antifreeze in the system.

Amplicon Launches Senses 6100 Panel PCs

Amplicon's Senses 6100 series comprises industrial panel PCs with a 17in or 15in display, touch screen and IP65-rated front bezels. The panel PCs are suited to applications in a variety of markets, including building automation systems, kiosks and as Scada terminals in factory automation and process control applications.

The 15in and 17in LCD models are available with dual PCI expansion slots for plug-in cards that provide fieldbus connectivity or without expansion - relying solely on the onboard dual-gigabit slot ports for network communication. Key features include: Core 2 Duo processors and low power options; dual Gigabit LAN with wireless LAN option for network communications; dual PCI slots for system expansion; and 3.5in and 2.5in hard drive support as well as 2.5in solid-state drive support for applications where high shock and vibration resistance is required.

Farm Building 'Bible' To Be Re-launched By RIDBA

Latest edition of the the Farm Buildings Handbook, to be published by the Rural And Industrial Design And Building Association (RIDBA). An up-to-date edition of the agricultural buildings bible that is a vital reference for farmers and estate managers considering constructing or maintaining their structures is to be published by the Rural and Industrial Design and Building Association.

The Farm Buildings Handbook is also aimed at contractors and designers who may not have an in-depth knowledge of the particular requirements of agricultural construction such as how much space to allow livestock and how much waste stock produces. RIDBA is set to re-launch the handbook at the Agricultural Building Show at Myerscough College in Lancashire on April 7th when it will become apparent just how much things have changed since the book was first published by MAFF in 1961.

Back then, there were grants towards the cost of constructing farm buildings and so the quality of design and construction was controlled. Now there are no grants, and as working farm buildings are not covered by Building Control regulations, there is no third-party check on their design and construction. Back then, health and safety legislation was not as rigorous as it is now - the total number of deaths at work reducing from 5.6% to 0.7% per 100,000 workers between 1961 and 2009, and a reduction in construction accidents likely to show a similar trend.

Back then, it was accepted that building contractors were the experts in building so their farmer clients were not expected to ensure they were themselves competent in health and safety. Now, farmers are partly responsible for the health and safety practices of the contractors they employ. And back then, the green issue was in its infancy. Now there are strict regulations on environmental impacts such as slurry storage, use and disposal, nitrates, the storage of chemicals, disposal of dead stock and hazardous waste.

This latest RIDBA issue of the Farm Buildings Handbook will cover all aspects of farm construction, from planning through to fit-out of all types of buildings, under sections such as legislation and regulations, construction technology, buildings for livestock production, storage and other purposes, and buildings for diversification. Contained within approximately 200 A5 pages, it is not intended to be the-be-all-and-end-all for farm buildings, more a guide to what needs to be considered, with informed pointers to where more detailed information can be found.

For example, the planning system in the legislation and regulations section advises farmers that they may be eligible for free planning consultancy advice under the Rural Enterprise Scheme administered by DEFRA.