Rolec EV named official charging partner for Farnborough International

Farnborough International has named Rolec EV as the official charging partner for the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre. Rolec’s 15 years’ experience in the EV industry positions the company as exclusive provider of EV charging hardware to visitors of the centre as it rolls out 18 superfast 22kW fully branded charge points, in time for visitors attending Fully Charged Live 2023 later this month. Rolec EV will also be providing load balancing across two of the visitor car parks to offer a fully scalable solution, with plans to roll out additional charge points across the site in the future. All on-site charging will be powered by Monta’s back office, making the EV charging experience easier to access and operate. Frankie Mellon, Sales Director at RolecEV, says, “The Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre has been actively providing a platform for the EV industry for years; hosting events such as Fully Charged Live, as well as ITT Hub and the British Motor Show, and we’re excited to be officially working with them now, and in the future, to deliver reliable EV charging to its visitors.” Gareth Rogers, CEO of Farnborough International, adds, “Our partnership with Rolec and the implementation of superfast 22kW charge points is a demonstration of our unrelenting focus on customer service and driving innovation across the organisation. This collaboration will enable us to continue to pioneer first-class experiences at our award-winning venue and we look forward to working with Rolec on this exciting project.”

First sponsor announced for the ECN Awards

Electrical Contracting News is thrilled to announce that Selectric has been confirmed as the first sponsor of the ECN Awards, being held at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Coventry on 30 November 2023. Selectric will sponsor the Projects category, which comprises the Best Sustainable Project of the Year and Best Overall Project of the Year Awards. Selectric is a family run business which was founded over 35 years ago. The company is a worldwide manufacturer, importer and exporter of electrical products from China and Europe and has over 4,000 products in its inventory. Selectric's wiring accessories and lighting products are supplied exclusively through electrical wholesalers in the UK, Ireland and also export markets. The company endeavours to serve the needs of all people; from its customers and the end users, to all of its employees. Selectric is committed to achieving a first-class experience for everyone it interacts with and it says it is proud to be sponsoring the Projects Category at the ECN Awards. The ECN Awards have been designed to recognise the very best of the electrical contracting industry. The electrical contracting industry is vast, and we believe that those who strive to make all sectors of the industry safer, more advanced, more efficient and more sustainable deserve recognition. This is why we have created 20 awards within the following categories: Products, Sustainable Products, Projects, Training and Companies. To enter your company or project for an award please click here and to purchase tickets to this not to be missed event, please click here. If you would like to discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kelly Byne on 01634 673163.

Broadcaster Nick Ross elected as BSIA President

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has elected broadcaster and campaigner Nick Ross CBE as its new President. Nick will replace Sir Keith Povey, who retires as president after 14 years, taking up the role on 19 April at the association’s annual general meeting in London. His primary goal will be to continue the work of developing the relationship between police and private security. Starting as a junior reporter while still at university, Nick covered the Northern Ireland Troubles for the BBC and moved to host programmes such as Radio 4's The World at One, PM and The World Tonight. He became a TV reporter, documentary director, political correspondent and chaired live debates, but was best known for the crime-appeals programme Crimewatch, which he presented for over two decades. He conceived the new discipline of crime science which focuses on practical, multidisciplinary and outcome-focused approaches to crime reduction, and he founded the Jill Dando Institute at UCL -  which has grown into one of the largest academic crime prevention departments in the world. He has served on several government crime prevention committees and has advised Victim Support and the National Police Chiefs Council. Nick has been involved in several other community safety initiatives, notably in road accident reduction and fire safety, and has a long interest in healthcare and public understanding of science. Simon Banks, BSIA Chairman, says, “It’s an honour to welcome Nick as our new President. His experience in law enforcement and the security sector will provide huge benefits to BSIA member companies. We must see the police and the private security sector working together, alongside deployment of the latest technology whilst sharing event intelligence to increase public safety.” Nick says, “Crime is a measure of society’s wellbeing, and the UK does not have a good enough record, midway down the league table for industrialised nations. We all know prevention is better than cure, and learning is better than blame. Crime reduction requires industry to take responsibility for making its services and products safe, as well as an ever-closer relationship between the private sector and police. “The BSIA is a key player. It represents the often-undervalued army of informal guardians and sometimes brilliant innovators who help make our world a safer place. I hope the next few years will see a growing alliance between technologists, ethicists, police and the private sector to help communities be more at ease with themselves and to drive improvements for the UK’s record of crime reduction.”

EnviroVent expands ventilation range with whole-house heat recovery system

EnviroVent has launched a new MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery) range, which is Passivhaus certified. The Sabik 350 and 500 series has been designed to provide balanced and sustainable ventilation for new and refurbished homes, incorporating modular features, with user-friendly controllability. Mark Isles, New Build Director at EnviroVent, says, “These high efficiency whole-house ventilation systems are a major innovation in ventilation system design, as part of our commitment to helping the new build sector meet increasingly stringent ventilation and airflow requirements. The Sabik 350 and 500 Series includes modular options offering Passivhaus compliance and incorporates key features as standard, including on site unit handing configurations providing installer flexibility, in addition to optimised ventilation, good indoor air quality and reduced overall energy consumption.” The Sabik 350 and 500 systems have significant airflow capacity of up to 414m3/hr and 601m3/hr respectively, and are suitable for handing airflow directions and drain on site to offer flexibility when it comes to ducting configurations. These modular units incorporate a range of features as standard, including integrated relative humidity sensor, touchscreen controller and frost protection. The Sabik 350 unit is Passivhaus certified providing that the modular preheater and enhanced ePM1 70% filter are installed. The Passivhaus concept is the only internationally recognised, performance-based energy standard in construction. Optional features of the Sabik 350 and 500 systems include a pre-heater, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) sensor, wall spacer bracket for tight installations, and constant flow module which provides the ultimate versatility. The units offer flexible commissioning methods to ensure easy install and commissioning which includes the use of the modular constant flow control. Available in two sizes to suit different properties, the systems benefit from minimal noise levels thanks to reduced air leakage, as well as offering energy efficiency benefits which help to save on annual heating costs. The range’s mechanical summer bypass function provides an improved comfort level in warmer weather and can be controlled manually or automatically. When connected to an AirSens sensor, the Sabik 350 and 500 systems react automatically to changes in air quality, instantly increasing the extraction rate to maintain a healthy environment when needed.

Tate Consulting makes high profile appointment

Tate Consulting has appointed Aaron Willis as an associate to work on the company’s growing portfolio of global projects, which coincides with the company expanding into new offices in Leeds city centre. Aaron brings more than 20 years’ experience designing and overseeing the installation of all types of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, predominantly specialising in the retail sector, spanning shop fitouts through to new shopping centres. He is now part of the senior leadership and management team at Tate Consulting, overseeing a wide range of projects which include industrial, distribution and manufacturing developments, as well as large scale city centre apartment schemes, throughout the UK, Europe and North America. He will also develop new business opportunities and work with existing clients to help them achieve their energy efficiency and ESG ambitions within their existing property estates. Aaron’s appointment coincides with Tate Consulting relocating its Leeds office into a newly refurbished office suite within Bruntwood Works’ 14 King Street development, in the heart of Leeds city centre’s financial district, which will further support the growth of its team. The company, which also has offices in Belfast, London and Harrogate, was previously based near Elland Road. Aaron says, “Over the past decade there has been a seismic change in the types of large-scale distribution centres and automated warehouses that are being developed, largely in response to the growth of online shopping. In addition, city centre residential markets are now being driven by high-rise, energy efficient, build to rent developments with high quality amenities. “Tate Consulting is at the forefront of both these sectors and is currently working on an impressive range of projects, on behalf of national and international clients, throughout the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Czech Republic and North America. The opportunity to work on and manage these types of career defining projects, within a growing team, makes this a very exciting move.” Ray Cavanagh, Leeds Office Director at Tate Consulting adds, “Aaron has a wealth of experience across the building services and MEP sectors, as well as excellent sustainability and energy saving credentials, which will further enhance the services that we offer our clients. Crucially, his appointment will also help to shape the next generation of our senior leadership team in Leeds. “We now plan to continue growing our Leeds team and will recruit more mechanical and electrical engineers at all levels this year, and relocating into Leeds city centre will support this. As well as giving us space to grow, 14 King Street offers meeting rooms, break out areas, showers, cycle storage and an impressive reception area, in a prime central location with the railway station and all the city’s bars, restaurants and shops on the doorstep, which makes it a fantastic place to work. “The move also gives our colleagues and customers better access to the office via the public transport network, thus supporting our growth strategy to attract and retain the very best talent, as well as our environmental commitment to reducing our carbon footprint.

Marshall-Tufflex adds adjustable bends to trunking range

Marshall-Tufflex has introduced new adjustable bends to its Sterling Curve and Sterling Compact PVC-U perimeter trunking ranges. These solutions provide electrical installers with an expert finish, avoiding unsightly gaps when fitting trunking around any corner. Capable of accommodating building corner variances of +/-5o (85-95o), the new internal and external adjustable bends provide a quick, simple and neat trunking solution for corners that are not precisely 90o square. This latest launch offers even more flexibility for installers using Sterling Curve Profile 1 dado trunking or Sterling Compact. Users can now choose between using either the existing, standard-fixed bends, or the new adjustable bends for corners that aren’t perfectly square - making it easy to achieve a good, neat finish every time. Martin Russell, Group Product Manager, from the Hastings-based manufacturer says, “For over 80 years, we have led the way in areas of product research, development and innovation to evolve our portfolio of solutions to meet the needs of electrical installers. We are pleased to launch the new adjustable bends as a product that aims to improve user experience, so that when working on corners that are square or uneven, installers can achieve a superior finish without gaps or compromising the trunking connection.”

New CPE devices bring multi-gigabit connectivity to smart homes

S&T Iskratel has unveiled its Iskratel Innbox X24, a multi-gigabit XGS-PON Optical Network Terminal (ONT) that offers symmetrical upstream and downstream data rates of 10Gbps. The speed of the internet connection on the ONT is verified by the integrated Ookla Speedtest. Also showcased was the Iskratel Innbox M92, an EasyMesh compliant mesh Wi-Fi 6 access point that extends the availability of bandwidth-consuming services over the air with multi-gigabit coverage. The Innbox M92 supports the delivery of services such as multiple ultra-high-definition (UHD) IP TV streams. “The COVID-19 pandemic proved that reliable broadband is paramount for remote working and learning, and with more businesses offering working from home or hybrid working, the market for faster and symmetrical internet is continuing to expand,” says Mitja Golja, Director Business Development at S&T Iskratel. “With the rapid growth of devices inside the home and in offices, our new CPE devices can meet the demands of upstream and downstream data rates required in every corner of the smart home and business.” The Iskratel Innbox X24 can operate as a bridge or router, offering a dual-box FTTH setup in both single or multi-operator deployments. In addition to a gigabit Ethernet LAN port, the Iskratel Innbox X24 has a 10-gigabit LAN port which supports multi-gigabit speeds of 2.5Gbps, 5Gbps, and 10Gbps and provides an enhanced user experience. The device has an integrated fibre-termination unit (FTU), simplifying deployment and reducing operational expenditure. The unique Iskratel Innbox M92 does not only function as an agent access point or a mesh controller but can utilise its gigabit ethernet WAN to act as a home gateway, excelling in single-box ETTH setups and dual-box setups with FTTH or 5G FWA. While supporting 1,800Mbps cumulative Wi-Fi data rate, Iskratel Innbox M92 delivers full gigabit throughput over dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and two gigabit ethernet LAN ports. The device hosts the Innbox Premium Application Suite that enhances security and privacy of users and enables operators to increase revenue.

Scenariio helps spearhead new money-saving lighting movement

Scenariio says that UK firms could be wasting thousands of pounds on electrical installation costs because they are unaware of the full range of capabilities of ethernet cables. Scenariio believes that the country has fallen behind other nations in its understanding of how the cables can be used to a greater extent by carrying electricity, as well as data, to devices with increased power demands such as LED lights, security cameras, AV and monitors. Earlier this year Scenariio became only the second UK firm to join the Power over Ethernet Consortium, a global industry trade group set up last year to promote PoE. PoE has been used for years to power telephones and laptops and is increasingly being used in smart building schemes to enable owners and operators to monitor and control heating, lighting and security via devices linked to the internet. It saves money because there is no longer a need for a separate power source to each device, meaning there is no need to employ an electrician, no need for extra wiring, no need for safety approval and no need to modify building plans. The likelihood of an LED light failure is also reduced as drivers - the component at the back of the bulb which regulates the power - are removed and now sit in a centrally accessible comms room, improving the longevity of the LED and making it easier to replace light fixtures. The use of PoE technology is fast-growing, especially in the USA and other countries around the world including India, Germany, Mexico and the Middle East. However, Rob Pritchard, Managing Director of Scenariio, says that while the rest of the world is waking up to its benefits - and despite the RJ45 plug found on the end of each PoE cable being a globally accepted power supply - the UK is lagging behind. Rob says, “It is accepted that a traditional telephone cable provides electricity for the telephone as well as carrying the signal, and this same cable can power a number of devices at the same time, including LED lights, sensors and security cameras, without a separate AC supply. “Installing only one type of cable on one infrastructure network from a central comms room reduces complexity and opportunities for issues. This makes it much more flexible and cost-effective and saves significantly on installation and cabling, but for some reason the take-up is still relatively low in the UK. “We want to change that, which is why we’ve joined the PoE Consortium. It’s still early days but there are some major names involved and we’re very pleased to be lining up alongside them. “In the low-carbon, post-lockdown world, smart buildings are the future and if UK companies are to deliver the cost savings and sustainability strategies they’re being required to achieve, then innovations such as power over ethernet is vital to their chances of doing so.”

Deta Electrical launches new EV charge points

Deta Electrical has announced the launch of a range of EV charge points for residential and commercial applications under its new sustainability brand - eVolo. eVolo EV charge points are fitted with cutting edge technology, offering smart, safe and secure charging solutions for residential (single dwelling and communal) and commercial (workplace and public) parking. An intuitive charge app provides drivers with a convenient solution for managing their charge point, either in situ or remotely from the palm of their hand. Jason Peters, Commercial Director of Deta Electrical, says, “Following regulation changes for new builds and existing homes, we recognise the UK’s growing demand for futureproofed electric vehicle charging solutions. Through our established UK distribution network, we will be able to present housebuilders, contractors and end users with a stylish, compact and feature rich range of EV charge points.”

New report shines light on off-site’s carbon reduction potential

A new report, published by the Supply Chain Sustainability School, reveals that nine significant opportunities exist for off-site manufacturers to help their clients in their drive for low carbon construction projects, both in new build and the retrofitting of existing buildings. The built environment industry needs to rapidly decarbonise existing and new buildings, as well as reduce embodied carbon produced in the production of building materials and elements, construction, and maintenance of assets. The ability of off-site construction processes to reduce whole life carbon is often expressed, but evidence of this has been patchy. Drawing on the experience of more than 40 organisations working across homes, commercial, public and infrastructure, the new report, ‘Whole Life Carbon Guidance for Offsite Construction’ highlights the opportunities and challenges for carbon management and reduction for the offsite sector. This includes common benefits around the material and resource efficiency of premanufacture, reduced fuel and energy use in logistics and on site, as well as greater confidence in operational energy performance with standardised designs. Some of the strongest evidence for carbon reductions exist in energy and fuel use for transport and construction processes, with studies finding savings of 30-40%, even when factory energy use is included. However, most of the embodied carbon within construction projects comes from materials and manufacturing. The report proposes that there is a big opportunity for Design for Manufacture and Assembly to drive emissions savings in this stage, sharing evidence for this across homes, schools, and commercial projects. It recommends early collaboration between manufacturers and design teams in order to fully realise low carbon design options. This collaboration will also aid robust whole life carbon estimates, which are likely to become mandatory in coming years. The report also encourages manufacturers and contractors to embed processes for the collection and communication of activity data. Andrew Shepherd, Managing Director at TopHat Communities, says, “We all know that carbon is a problem, but without knowing how much of a problem, it is very difficult for us to start addressing some of the key problem areas. This report provides guidance on how to start assessing whole life carbon and understand the impact that each stage of the development cycle has on the environment around us.” Naomi Pratt, lead author of the report and Consultant at Action Sustainability, comments, “It’s been really encouraging to see projects cutting embodied carbon through offsite techniques. What these have in common is a design approach driven by material and carbon efficiency. What we need to see now is more organisations adopting this focus and sharing data.” Ian Heptonstall, Director of Supply Chain Sustainability School, says, “The good news from this report is that yes, off-site and MMC (Modern Methods of Construction) can help us tackle the climate emergency. However, as the evidence suggests, we are currently missing many opportunities, and it’s clear as an industry that we need to think and act differently. My challenge to those not at the forefront of tackling carbon is: will you act now and make a difference, or be left behind whilst your customers transition to a low carbon economy?” The examples of best practice highlighted in the report are crucial for whole life carbon reduction and the journey to net zero. The authors encourage organisations working within the sector to show leadership, take advantage of the opportunities, and share data and experiences. You can read the report here.