ESP spotlights Aperta IP multi-way door entry system

Fire and security solutions supplier ESP's Aperta IP PoE access control range offers installers high-spec door entry solutions that are quick and easy to install and suitable for a wide range of projects. From large apartment blocks to small commercial properties and domestic dwellings, the range has been designed to offer more flexible installation and improved performance compared with traditional ‘two-wire’ and ‘four-wire’ systems. At the top end of the range is the Aperta IP Multi Way Outdoor Station which offers a range of features and benefits, including simple PoE installation, HD video, IP65 ingress protection, and a user-friendly 4” GUI display. The system is powered by a PoE switch and includes proximity fob and keypad functions to release connected door locks, making it an ideal system for buildings housing multiple apartments or offices - particularly as up to 200 individual apartments or offices can be accommodated per outdoor station. For larger projects than this, contractors and specifiers are encouraged to contact ESP’s dedicated technical team for further information (design@espuk.com). App integration The Aperta IP system is powered by the ClickSmart+ app, which gives control of the whole Aperta IP range. App functions include receiving calls from the outdoor station, with clear, two-way audio and video; lock release to allow access to the property; snapshot to mobile phone; and monitor playback for missed events (which requires a microSD card installation). The outdoor station is manufactured from an aluminium alloy offering a robust housing design solution with a high impact rating. It features a high-definition camera and full duplex audio to provide clear communication during a visitor call. Wider features The Aperta IP range includes 7” monitors, available in a black or white housing option and featuring a slimline, contemporary design. They offer Wi-Fi and LAN connection to support the various functions of the ClickSmart+ app, including the ‘Call Divert’ feature, which transfers calls to the app when a visitor calls from the outdoor station. The monitors incorporate a user-friendly touchscreen GUI monitor and offer a full, high-definition live view from the out station’s camera, as well as duplex audio. They also include a record function (microSD card required). All devices are connected together via PoE switches, making installations convenient by removing the requirement to have a power supply per device. Unlike other options on the market, the Aperta IP door entry system does not require programming software to configure the system. A brochure showcasing the Aperta IP range can be downloaded from the ESP website, as well as from the Scolmore Group app. For more from ESP, click here.

Hampshire launches ECA electrical skills alliance

Businesses, education providers, and local authorities have launched a new Electrotechnical Training and Careers Alliance (ETCA) for Hampshire and Solent, with the aim of addressing regional skills shortages across the electrical sector. Developed by the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA), ETCAs are intended to strengthen collaboration between employers, education providers, and the wider skills sector to improve access to training and support future workforce development. Representatives met at Solent University on 14 July 2026 to establish the alliance's initial priorities, focusing on skills shortages identified in the Hampshire & Solent Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP). The launch follows continued concerns over skills shortages across the construction, engineering, and building services sectors. ECA recently contributed to a Fabian Society report highlighting workforce pressures and the role of apprenticeships in helping to develop a skilled workforce. Priorities for regional workforce development The Hampshire and Solent ETCA has agreed to focus on strengthening collaboration between employers, training providers, and manufacturers; increasing awareness of the alliance; and providing clearer guidance on training routes and pathways to competence. The alliance says these measures are intended to improve access to electrotechnical training, raise awareness of careers in the sector, and help more people progress into qualified roles. It also aims to support Hampshire's future housing, infrastructure, clean energy, and wider economic growth. Keith Sanderson, Head of Education and Skills at ECA, comments, "We are pleased to introduce this new ETCA covering the Hampshire and Solent region, where strengthening the local skills system is a key priority, as set out in the recently published 2026–2029 LSIP. "ECA's Electrical Skills Index 2026 revealed [that] many areas of Hampshire and Solent experienced low and very low apprentices starts for the 2024/2025 academic year, highlighting a key area of opportunity to enhance skills provision and support growth of the electrical industry across the region." Mandy Boughton, President and LSIP Partnership Consultant at Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, adds, "Electrical apprentice starts in Hampshire and the Solent have nearly halved in recent years, whilst nationally we've lost almost 45,000 electricians since 2019. "This poses a significant risk to some of our key sectors such as defence, maritime, construction, and aerospace. "This new alliance between the Hampshire Chamber, ECA, and key regional stakeholders is an important collaboration, bringing everyone together to address a shortage our LSIP research has identified as critical." Organisations represented at the launch included electrical contractors, colleges, universities, industry bodies, manufacturers, the Ministry of Defence, NICEIC, The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP), the Joint Industry Board (JIB), and Unite the Union. For more from ECA, click here.

Registration opens for LiGHT 26 exhibition

Registration has opened for LiGHT 26, a UK trade exhibition dedicated to lighting specification, which will take place at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London, on 18–19 November 2026. The two-day event will bring together manufacturers, architects, lighting designers, interior designers, engineers, consultants, and specifiers to showcase new products, technologies, and developments in the lighting sector. LiGHT 26 will also be the first edition of the exhibition to take place under the ownership of Messe Frankfurt UK, following its acquisition of LiGHT Expo London. Exhibition to feature technical content and networking The exhibition will include hundreds of architectural and decorative lighting brands, alongside a programme of talks curated by [d]arc media. Speaker details for both the [d]arc thoughts theatre and the Associations Lounge are expected to be announced in the coming months. Returning for 2026, the Technical Zone will focus on lighting controls, emergency lighting, OEM components, lamps, gear, and connected technologies, reflecting the increasing integration of intelligent lighting systems into building design. The event will also feature a new art installation, networking opportunities throughout the exhibition, and a late-night drinks reception following the first day. Simon Albert, CEO of Messe Frankfurt UK, says, "LiGHT has become one of the most important meeting places for the UK lighting specification community, and we're delighted to welcome the industry back this November. "As the first edition under Messe Frankfurt UK, LiGHT 26 will continue to deliver what visitors and exhibitors value most - exceptional brands, inspiring content, and meaningful connections - while benefitting from the international reach and expertise of the wider Light + Building portfolio." Attendance is free, with registration now open for visitors.

Ovia highlights its five-in-one exit sign, Orbik Synex5

Lighting brand Ovia, part of the Scolmore Group, continues to strengthen its Orbik by Ovia emergency lighting range, a portfolio that has undergone significant investment to elevate innovation, performance, and compliance. A major part of the upgraded portfolio is the Synex5, a five-in-one exit sign. Designed for maximum flexibility, the Synex5 provides multiple mounting options within a single unit: ceiling and wall mount as standard, with additional accessories available for suspended, recessed, or side-mounted installations. This provides contractors and specifiers with a true five-in-one solution, adaptable to any application. In addition to Synex5, every product within the Orbik by Ovia range benefits from a number of key technical and functional upgrades including enhanced self-test functionality, long-life LiFePO4 battery technology, a five-year warranty, and refined designs to meet the evolving demands of modern emergency lighting applications. The expanded Orbik portfolio The Orbik range is broken down into the following categories: exit signs, ‘Five in One’ exit signs, hanging exit signs, exit boxes, twin spots, circular and square spots, bulkheads, pin spots, and control gear and accessories - encompassing a comprehensive selection of emergency lighting solutions designed to meet diverse commercial and industrial requirements. Bespoke emergency lighting designs Ovia also offers bespoke emergency lighting design schemes engineered to comply with the latest BS5266 code of practice, incorporating all design objectives for optimal performance. Ovia’s highly skilled specialists produce detailed, accurate lighting layouts tailored to project requirements, ensuring comprehensive solutions that are perfectly engineered for safety, compliance, and peace of mind. For more information on the Orbik emergency lighting range, visit Ovia’s website or download the Scolmore Group app. For more from Ovia, click here.

Overheating in social housing: Preparing for Awaab’s Law Phase 2

UK summers are becoming hotter. Following record-breaking temperatures and intense heatwaves, social housing providers face a growing challenge: managing overheating properties while navigating increasingly strict regulatory demands. The scale of the problem According to the UK Climate Change Committee, 50% of UK homes are currently at risk of overheating, a figure projected to rise to 92% by 2050. Data from Aico’s Dr Silviu Nistor reveals that, during recent heatwaves, average indoor temperatures across England, Wales, and parts of Scotland exceeded 25°C, with some southern areas surpassing 32°C. Understanding unsafe temperatures While there is no single legal threshold for unsafe indoor temperatures, landlords must be aware of several critical benchmarks: • 24°C: The WHO warns that temperatures above this can cause discomfort or harm to vulnerable groups. • 25°C: The BRE Guidance notes a visible increase in strokes and mortality. It is also the HHSRS ceiling for winter heating. • 28°C: CIBSE TM59 states temperatures should not exceed this for more than 1% of sleeping hours. Crucially, risk is context-dependent; the same high temperature poses a far greater threat to an elderly resident in a top-floor London flat than a healthy adult in a semi-detached home. Practical mitigation strategies Landlords can implement several measures to reduce indoor temperatures: • Insulation: Double glazing, draft sealing, and cavity insulation keep external heat out. For top-floor flats, reflective roof coatings are highly effective. • Purge ventilation: High insulation can trap heat at night. Opening windows and running fans when outside temperatures drop helps purge hot air. • Shading and appliances: Blinds, shutters, and awnings block solar gain on south- or west-facing windows. Using eco-friendly appliances and kitchen ventilation also reduces internal heat. Preparing for Awaab’s Law with HomeLINK The urgency for housing providers is mounting. This October, Awaab’s Law Phase 2 will introduce tight inspection and repair deadlines for seven new hazards, including extreme heat. To avoid an unmanageable wave of emergency complaints during future heatwaves, providers must transition from reactive fixes to proactive risk management. HomeLINK offers an efficient, preventative solution. Aico's smart sensors continuously monitor indoor temperature, humidity, and CO2. Through its dashboard, housing providers can identify high-risk properties at a glance, receive real-time hazard alerts, and conduct portfolio-wide risk assessments. Residents are also provided with live temperature data, empowering them to take action when necessary. By utilising these insights to prepare now, landlords can protect vulnerable residents and ensure full compliance before the new regulations take effect. To learn more about HomeLINK technology, click here to visit the website. For more from Aico, click here.

BEAMA publishes low-voltage switchgear specification guide

UK trade association BEAMA's Low Voltage Switchboard and Busbar Systems (LSBS) Group has published a new guide to help improve the specification and procurement of low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies. The publication, Specifying a Low-Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear Assembly, has been developed to help specifiers and procurement teams ensure assemblies comply with relevant standards and are suitable for their intended operating conditions. Designed to complement the BS EN IEC 61439 series of standards, the guide covers key considerations including conformance, design verification, environmental conditions, and marking requirements. The guide aims to support informed specification decisions that contribute to the safety, performance, and reliability of electrical installations. It also builds on the BEAMA LSBS Group's ongoing work to promote best practice within the low-voltage switchboard sector, following last year's Consequence of Non-Compliance campaign. Supporting best practice in electrical specification Nick Hayler, Head of Building Electrical Systems at BEAMA, comments, "Correct specification is critical to the safety, performance, and efficiency of low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies. "Developed in close collaboration with technical experts from our Low Voltage Switchboard and Busbar Systems Group membership, the new Specifying a Low-Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear Assembly guide sets out practical and safety-critical considerations to consider before selecting an assembly. "Too often, assembly specification is treated as a box-ticking exercise and there is a tendency for selections to be driven by price considerations rather than a full assessment of the appropriate specification, when it should be based on a clear understanding of conformance, design verification, and the environmental conditions an assembly will face in service. "Getting this wrong can have serious consequences. It can affect assembly performance and the safety of everyone who installs, operates, and maintains it. "By addressing marking requirements and other details that can be missed, we want to support the specification of robust, fit-for-purpose electrical distribution networks." For more from BEAMA, click here.

Circular Lighting Live 2026 speakers announced

Recolight, a UK not-for-profit compliance scheme for lighting waste recycling and sustainability, has announced the speaker line-up for Circular Lighting Live 2026, a one-day conference and exhibition focused on the circular economy in the lighting sector. Taking place on 8 October at the Minster Building in the City of London, the event will bring together designers, specifiers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and supply chain professionals to discuss topics including embodied carbon, material selection, product repairability, and end-of-life responsibility. The conference programme will run alongside an exhibition showcasing developments in sustainable lighting products and practices. Conference explores circular economy challenges The event opens with two keynote presentations: • John McRae, Director of Orms, will present Vision 2040, examining how the lighting industry could move beyond traditional linear manufacturing models. • Sabine De Schutter, Founder of Studio De Schutter, will deliver a keynote titled Beyond Fast Lighting, focusing on upcycling as a design approach. Delegates can then attend a range of themed sessions covering environmental product declarations (EPDs), emerging circular economy legislation, material innovation, AI-assisted design, lighting specification, remanufacturing projects, carbon literacy, and approaches to reducing waste from Cat A fit-outs. The programme will also include the Build Back Better Awards 2026, recognising projects and organisations contributing to environmental progress within the lighting industry. Attendance is free for eligible lighting specifiers, including independent lighting designers, architects, consulting engineers, wholesalers, and end users, while discounted early bird tickets for manufacturers are available until 31 July. The conference is sponsored by Light Projects Evolve, Albis, Fagerhult, Thorlux Lighting, and WAGO. For more from Recolight, click here.

TRILUX lighting supports radiotherapy centre refurbishment

TRILUX, a manufacturer of professional lighting systems, has completed a bespoke lighting installation at the Maastro radiotherapy centre in the south of the Netherlands, helping create a more comfortable environment for patients undergoing cancer treatment. The project formed part of a wider refurbishment programme that included the replacement of radiotherapy equipment and a redesign of treatment spaces. Working with Architecten aan de Maas and installation partner Equans, TRILUX developed a lighting scheme intended to make the highly specialised treatment rooms feel less clinical. Each of the six treatment rooms has been designed around a different theme, including water, meadows, marl, and cherry orchards. Bespoke sky images have been incorporated into TRILUX Arimo LED panels above treatment units to create the impression of looking at the open sky. Liesbeth Cloin, Manager Facility Management at Maastro, says, "Nobody comes here by choice. That's exactly why we wanted to move away from the cold, clinical feel often associated with healthcare environments. "We looked at how light, colour, and themed interiors could bring a sense of calm to what is, for many patients, an anxious experience." Lighting designed around patient wellbeing The lighting design extends beyond the treatment rooms to support patients throughout their journey. A Finea light line provides wayfinding through access corridors, while Sonnos downlights deliver even illumination. Within the treatment rooms, the lighting has been specifically positioned to improve patient comfort during treatment. The project also required adaptations to integrate the Finea luminaires into the centre's suspended ceiling system. The redesigned spaces combine lighting with colour schemes and artwork by a local graffiti artist to create a more welcoming environment. According to Maastro, the lighting system also benefits staff by reducing visual fatigue through programmable lighting levels and supports the organisation's sustainability objectives. Four treatment rooms have now been completed, with the remaining refurbishment work planned as part of the centre's wider modernisation programme. TRILUX lighting will also be installed in offices and waiting areas. Liesbeth concludes, "We want patients to feel safe and relaxed. If lighting helps achieve that, then we've done our job." For more from TRILUX, click here.

Manrose launches black bathroom extractor fan

Manrose, a British ventilation manufacturer, has introduced its new Black Tiled Fan, expanding its range of domestic ventilation products with a model designed for modern bathrooms and WCs. The fan features a black tiled fascia intended to complement contemporary interiors, providing an alternative to traditional white extractor fans for residential installations. Designed for wall and panel mounting, the fan is available in several versions, including a model with an integrated timer, making it suitable for a range of domestic bathroom and WC projects. The unit delivers an extraction rate of 75m³/hr (21l/s) and operates at a maximum power consumption of 16W. Manrose says the fan has low operating noise while providing effective ventilation. Designed for domestic installations Ashley Smith, Product Manager at Manrose, comments, "The Black Tiled Fan is an exciting addition to the Manrose range. "Customers increasingly want products that not only perform well but also complement the look and feel of modern interiors. "The Black Tiled Fan gives wholesalers and electricians a stylish, reliable, and easy-to-install fan that makes it easy to recommend and sell." Manufactured from thermoplastics, the fan incorporates an integral backdraught shutter and a motor with a minimum warranted lifespan of 30,000 hours. Manrose says these features are intended to provide long-term durability and help reduce maintenance requirements. For more from Manrose, click here.

DALI-2 controls support £18.8m Innovation Centre

A new £18.8 million Skills and Innovation Centre in Suffolk has incorporated a DALI-2 lighting control system designed to improve energy management, simplify maintenance, and support the building’s sustainability targets. The three-storey development forms part of Gateway 14, a business, innovation, and logistics park adjacent to Junction 50 of the A14 and part of Freeport East. The centre has been created to support businesses, training providers, and education partners, with facilities including office space for high-growth start-ups, collaboration areas, meeting rooms, training facilities, and a café. The project is focused on supporting sectors including the green economy, digital technology, and artificial intelligence, while also helping address regional skills requirements through partnerships with organisations including the Universities of Suffolk and Essex, West Suffolk College, Suffolk New College, and Colchester Institute. The £18.8 million development received £16.66 million in funding from Freeport East, with the remaining contribution provided by Mid Suffolk District Council. Designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating, the 35,000ft² (3251.6m²) building incorporates a range of measures intended to improve energy efficiency and reduce operational demand. Lighting controls throughout the building were delivered using a DALI-2 solution from B.E.G. - a German manufacturer of occupancy sensors, motion detectors, and lighting control products - incorporating occupancy detection, daylight harvesting, emergency lighting testing, and energy monitoring. For the main contractor, Fusion360 Group, the project represented its first B.E.G. installation using a DALI-2 lighting control system. B.E.G. provided technical support throughout the specification, installation, and commissioning stages, helping the project team deliver the system successfully. Mohamed Abosharaf, Head of Engineering for the UK & Ireland at B.E.G., says, “The lighting strategy at Gateway 14 needed to support the wider objectives of the building, particularly around energy efficiency and operational management. A DALI-2 system provided the ability to control lighting according to occupancy, available daylight, and building requirements, rather than relying on fixed lighting operation. “By integrating occupancy detection, daylight harvesting, and monitoring functions, the system helps reduce unnecessary energy use while providing the facilities team with better visibility of lighting performance. This is particularly important in a building designed to support businesses and training activities where different areas will have different patterns of use.” Centralised control and monitoring The installed DALI-2 network was set up to ensure there was centralised lighting control across the building, with integration into the building management system (BMS). This allows facilities teams to monitor system status, receive fault information, and manage lighting operation from a central interface. Occupancy detection then adjusts lighting operation based on whether spaces are in use, whilst daylight harvesting is designed to automatically respond to changes in natural light levels to help maintain appropriate lighting conditions and reduce reliance on artificial lighting. The system includes automated emergency lighting testing and reporting, removing the requirement for manual testing routines and providing recorded compliance information. Energy monitoring also provides visibility of lighting consumption, allowing building performance to be reviewed over time. Mohamed continues, “For electrical contractors, open protocols such as DALI-2 provide flexibility because they allow lighting systems to be integrated with wider building services. It also gives building operators access to information that can help them manage energy use and maintenance more effectively throughout the life of the installation. “At Gateway 14, the objective was to deliver a lighting system that was appropriate for a modern commercial building - one that could respond to how spaces are used, support energy management, and provide reliable information for those responsible for operating the facility.” Dan Glynn, Sales Director for the UK & Ireland at B.E.G, adds, “The Skills and Innovation Centre at Gateway 14 represents a significant investment in the region, providing a base for businesses, educators, and training providers while supporting the area’s economic development plans. “The project demonstrates how DALI-2 lighting controls are being used in commercial buildings to improve control, monitoring, and energy management while meeting the requirements of increasingly connected building environments.” For more from B.E.G., click here.