| |
February 2003 |
| |
 |
House invader
Broadband, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi – just some of the technologies infiltrating our homes while 'smart houses' sit on the sidelines. We look at the lessons the USA holds for UK contractors.
|
| |
|
Possessive behaviour
We looks at a recent test case surrounding practical completion and the implications for contractors.
|
| |
|
Changing over
Time is running out for companies wishing to transfer their certification to the new qa standard.
|
| |
|
Construction set to slow
Growth in the construction industry is set to slow in the next two years according to the Construction Products Association.
|
| |
|
Smiths Group sell-off
Volution Holdings has paid £125 million for the ventilation and cable management businesses of the Smiths Group, which includes top industry brands Vent-Axia, Roof Units, Adaptaflex, Kopex and Elkay.
|
| |
|
Think 2010 promises new agenda
Industry bodies unite to set a challenging new agenda for the future of the building service sector.
|
| |
|
Go with the flow
SEC Lighting Services literally had to do that when installing lighting to the Shaldon Bridge in Teignmouth, Devon. Using an elevated platform pulled by a four wheel drive vehicle with balloon tyres, electricians had to wait for low tide before starting work each day to connect power to 22 lighting columns on the bridge over the river estuary. The work is part of a £3 million bridge improvement contract for Devon County Council.
|
| |
|
HVCA opts for assessment
Members of the HVCA have voted to introduce independent inspection and assessment for HVCA membership.
|
| |
|
Firms failing to insure
Start-up electricians are putting their businesses and homes at risk by failing to organise insurance before beginning to trade.
|
| |
|
Initiative to reduce falls
ECA joins with other industry bodies to promote a project aimed at reducing serious injury and death due to falls from heights and improper equipment use.
|
| |
|
Controls qualifications
Two qualifications created for the building controls industry to ensure a standard level of generic training will be administered by the ECA.
|
| |
|
SummitSkills gets nod
SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the electrotechnical, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration and plumbing industries has been given government clearance to move to the next phase of its development.
|
| |
|
Homes for the future
Swansea Housing Association has won the ECA-sponsored Housing Associations category in the National Home Improvement Council's 2002 Awards. The category covers modernisations that show a degree of innovation to inspire other projects, are outstanding examples of their type, and which benefit the immediate community.The winning project was a £5 million redevelopment of a former Royal Mail sorting office into a complex with offices, flats and cafes.
|
| |
|
Presidential view
The announcement of the approval for the development phase of SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the electrotechnical and wider building services industries is to be warmly welcomed.
|
| |
|
Pre-budget gets cautious welcome
David Pollock, director of the ECA, has given a cautious welcome to the measures announced by Chancellor Gordon Brown in his pre-budget report, including moves to review employers' liability insurance and the construction industry tax scheme and proposals to increase training support.By announcing a review of the Construction Industry Scheme the Government has effectively admitted defeat in its attempt to move construction workers onto company payrolls. The scheme has been widely criticised for its excessive red tape. The Inland Revenue is now to publish a consultation document and seek the views of the construction industry.
|
| |
|
Sound investment
Future events in the Gleneagles Hotel's ballroom will be transformed by a new audio system from AVC.
|
| |
|
Bright future
Philips Lighting Solutions has designed, supplied and installed new lighting to Ford's parts distribution centre in Daventry. The installation has increased the average illumination from 150 to 200 lux and reduced annual running and maintenance costs from £360 000 and £135 000 to £166 000 and £26 200 respectively.
|
| |
|
Back to the filter at futuristic Yorkshire school
Mitie Engineering Services (Leeds) has installed 39 universal feedthrough filter units to protect the power supplies to 350 computer sockets at a new state-of-the-art school in Leeds.
|
| |
|
The thrill of the chase
The Dodd Group has installed 500 Ei261 mains-powered carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to properties under the jurisdiction of Cannock Chase District Council.
|
| |
|
Quietly cool
Maxwell Stewart has specified and installed two DeLonghi air-cooled chillers from Powermaster to supply cooling to 16-19 Canada Square, a new retail and leisure complex in London's Docklands.The five-storey building houses a new Reebok sports club, Waitrose Food & Home Store and rooftop restaurants. The contractor recommended the DeLonghi product due to its low noise and energy efficient operation.
|
| |
|
Flexible friend
We look at developments in transformerless ups technology and the flexibility it offers to contractors.
|
| |
|
Egan bodies to merge
Rethinking Construction, the body overseeing the implementation of the Egan agenda, is seeking to merge with its subsidiary organisation Construction Best Practice.
|
| |
|
Hills in Quebec
Hills Electrical & Mechanical has completed a £1 million building services installation at Quebec's – The Leeds Townhouse. The 19th century building in Leed's city centre has undergone a £6 million conversion from the old Liberal Club into a luxury hotel. Hills was responsible for all mechanical, electrical and plumbing services.
|
| |
|
Does it pay to incorporate?
We look at the pros and cons of incorporating a small business as a limited company: seek advice before taking action.
|
| |
|
Small man's beef
Having read the leading letter, (EMC, September 2002) from Paul Antino, I wish to respond to his comments about small and one man band contractors.
|
| |
|
Are you wireless?
The article covering radio fire detection (EMC, Dec 2002/Jan 2003, p35-36) clearly illustrates the advancement of wireless components within the electronic security systems industry.
|
| |
|
True grid
We look at the UK market for integrated wiring accessories and associated equipment and asks: why can't we be more like Europe?
|
| |
|
Diverse solutions
The m&e contracting workforce fails to reflect the diversity of the UK's population. We hope that a major conference will be a catalyst for change.
|
| |
|
Joined up thinking
We ask whether electrical contractors can meet the challenge of producing integrated systems for end-users?
|
| |
|
Safety at work
The latest HSE figures show construction remaining as one of the UK's most dangerous careers. How is industry tackling the problem?
|
| |
|
Winter wonderland
Michael Palin may have been around the world, but it is a project in his home town of Sheffield that has won his heart.
|
| |
|
Eaton buys Delta's electrical arm
US giant Eaton Corporation has snapped up names including MEM and Bill for £130 million.
|
