RECENT NEWS

By delivering natural daylight to all areas of a building, Monodraught SunPipes make a major contribution to the reduction of energy consumption in new build and refurbishment healthcare facilities.

The Chemical Biological Radiation Nuclear (CBRN) Division of Union Industries has introduced a new specialised infection control system for hospitals. The IsoArk intensive care isolation tent and the BioSafe 300 air filtration unit have been introduced as portable retrofit solutions to deal with the care of patients with contagious diseases.

A new air filter that is said to be unique due to a “memory” and self-supporting media, has been launched by Northumberland-based manufacturer AAF Air Filters.

UK manufacturer of window products, Nico Manufacturing has extended its range with the launch of a new Shootbolt for Euro groove profiles. Part of the Security Plus range, the Shootbolt combines effective design, robust construction and UK manufacture to ensure reliability, security and performance.

SGB Rovacabin has supplied modular buildings to a GP surgery in Norfolk while construction of a new building takes place. Swanton Morely nurse-led surgery in Dereham has been using SGB Rovacabin’s 9.6 m units as a temporary measure. The interlinked units are being used as a waiting room, offices, consulting rooms, nurses’ rooms, toilet facilities and a staffroom.

Two presentation days were recently arranged for factory visits to thermostatic valve manufacturer Horne Engineering by delegations from the East Midlands Branch of IHEEM.

To help builders, contractors and specifiers ensure that all commercial and public buildings satisfy the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and Building Regulations Pt.M:2004, Reading-based Kee Klamp has introduced a new range of galvanised iron fittings.

The European Working Group for Legionella Infections (EWGLI) this year held its meeting in Rome, hosted by the Istituto Superiore di Sanita. There were representatives from many countries of the world and presentations detailing where outbreaks occurred, the epidemiology and actions taken. Presentations included treatment therapies and insights into the way LD bacteria are hosted in biofilm found within water systems.

Kohler Mira has launched the Rada Autotherm-3 BSM, the UK’s first fully approved TMV3 bath shower mixer; a genuine innovation to comply with DO8 healthcare specifications. The product has achieved TMV3 approval in both high pressure and low pressure bath and bath / shower categories – an industry first.

Altro Imprint safety flooring offers stunning design elements without forcing any compromise on practical features. Imprint is perfect for use in general circulation and front of house areas where aesthetic qualities are as highly sought after as underfoot safety.

Advanced surface protection specialist, BioCote has entered a technology partnership to provide hygienic protection for specialist papers and boards manufactured by James Cropper Specialist Papers. These materials are suitable for the production of stationery, case notes, general literature and packaging, and will be of particular interest to companies supplying paper and board-based products for use in the medical and healthcare markets.

IHEEM is staging seminars on medical gas safety in conjunction with the Medical Gas Association. These will be held on the 14 September in London, on 20 September in Newcastle, and 8 October in Birmingham.

In the fight to help eliminate hospital acquired infections (HAIs), and the general spread of disease carrying organisms through cross infection, white moulded electrical lighting and power accessories from Crabtree can now be supplied with BioCote advanced surface hygiene protection.

Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust in London has deployed the Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway appliance to eliminate spam across its 5,500 email users. As a result of deploying the Proofpoint appliance, employees are now protected from unsolicited and offensive spam messages and Hammersmith has a reliable, flexible solution in place as future messaging security threats arise. The Proofpoint appliance was purchased through London-based channel partner Data Integration, which provided installation and technical support for this deployment.

A completely revised edition of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) guide to natural ventilation in buildings is now available. The publication brings together the latest guidance and research on the subject and provides an expert guide as to how natural ventilation can best be incorporated into buildings. Aimed mainly at building services engineers and designers, the guide will also be useful to facilities and building managers who want background information on the subject.

Azko Nobel Industrial Coatings can now offer manufacturers of flexible flooring systems a specially formulated coating which has been shown to kill a wide range of germs and bacteria, including the highly resistant MRSA. The new formulation is an addition to the company’s Accolade range of coatings, which have been specially designed to enhance flooring appearance and cleanability by reducing dirt pick-up, staining and scuffing.

An entertainment and communication terminal developed by Trident will allow hospital patients to keep in touch with friends and family, watch television or film channels and browse the web from their beds. The unit is designed for deployment under the NHS patient power project, whose aim is to provide a personal bedside TV and telephone service to every major hospital in the UK. Trident has partnered with Patient Power licence holder Premier Telesolutions to deliver a custom solution specifically for hospitals.

The 2005 Healthcare Estates Conference, organised by IHEEM, will develop the themes covered in the 2004 conference and will look ahead to what the future holds. Papers on proposed conference themes are now invited from all professionals working in the field of healthcare engineering, design and construction, and estates and facilities management.

For his article titled ‘Questioning oxygen flow rate guidance’, published in the August 2004 issue of Health Estate Journal, Stuart Ward of Guangdong Province, China, has been awarded the Northcroft Silver Medal.

SGB has acquired full ownership of its Mastclimbers joint venture partnership. The company acquired a majority shareholding in Mastclimbers in 2001, growing it from a regional base in Scotland into a national supplier serving the broader UK market. Today, Mastclimbers operates the UK’s largest fleet of rental platforms, with services that extend from project feasibility and design to site erection and dismantling.