Schools seeking an efficient and effective heating solution which frees up valuable wall space need look no further than high quality radiant heating panels for the answer Read more...

Once again Solray exhibits success at this recent prestigious event. The quality of visitors we had viewing the stand were of the highest order. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone of our clients who managed to take the time out of their very busy schedules to visit our slice of Hospital heaven. Many of the comments made by the people visiting were that they didn't know the source of the heating. Clearly our point was made, with Solray high quality ceiling mounted Radiant Panels just blending into the background. We are sure when you view the pictures above, you will agree.

David Wing, national Sales manger of Comyn Ching, who told H&V News that the whole market is booming thanks to the NHS. "It began to take off at the outset of the PFI's about two or three years ago but growth has really begun to accelerate now. I would estimate that in future nine out of ten new hospitals will be using radiant panels instead of conventional radiators," he claimed. Mr. Wing added that one of the main reasons these products are being specified is their efficiency. "This technology is low maintenance and therefore has a low cost, making them perfect for hospitals," he explained.

Solray Radiant Panels from Comyn Ching & Co - the market leader in radiant heating - have lived up to their billing as the hygienic, low maintenance heating solution at the award-winning Darent Valley Hospital - the UK's first privately financed acute hospital. Designed, built and commissioned under PFI by joint venture The Hospital Company for Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust, Darent Valley is a 50,000 sq m development just outside Dartford, Kent. Aside from hospital wards in two large, separate wings, the facilities at Darent Valley are extensive.

They embrace 450 in-patient and intensive therapy beds, 6 modern operating theatres, 3 day care theatres, A&E, elderly care, day surgery and ante-natal care buildings, out-patient clinics, a day hospital, a separate single-storey child resource centre, an ambulatory care centre and a three-storey administration block.

Project consultant Zisman Bowyer specified Solray Radiant Panels throughout the development to help meet the design brief for a clean and modern hospital environment. Since the hospital opened in September 2000, the Solray heating system has capably met these expectations. "Maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness are obviously critical concerns on any hospital development" explains Les Beeching, a senior mechanical engineer with the Carillion Services team managing the facility for United Medical Enterprises on behalf of the Trust. "This is where the Solray Radiant Panels really prove their worth. Since they're actually installed within the ceiling, no corners, ledges or joints exist where dirt, dust or harmful bacteria can collect - unlike with ordinary radiators. With their simple, wipe-clean surface, they're also much easier to maintain." Concealed within the ceiling, the Solray Radiant Panels also increase the available space on the development to its maximum potential while ensuring that the hospital retains a clean, modern and welcoming visual appearance. At the same time, they create far less dust and air movement than ordinary convective heating systems, so reducing any potential discomfort for any staff, patients or visitors with asthma or other breathing difficulties. Running on a low temperature hot water heating circuit, the Radiant Panels provide optimum heat distribution to deliver improved performance and significant savings on running costs compared to any other heating system.

They can also be used with medium temperature hot water, steam or electricity and are versatile enough for completely unobtrusive wall or floor as well as ceiling installation. Solray Radiant Panels are also quick and easy to install, minimising the pipework runs, boxing, controls and other components that would normally be required.

The Darent Valley Hospital has already received two prestigious industry awards since opening. It has scooped first prize in the Construction News Quality in Construction Awards 2001 and won the PFI/PPP Project of the Year award from the British Institute of Facilities Management. In July 2000 United Medical Enterprises took over the management of The Hospital Company, the special purpose company formed specifically for the project and comprising United Medical Enterprises, Barclays, Carillion and Innisfree. Darent Valley is one of a rapidly growing number of PFI projects featuring Solray Radiant Panels. Originally developed by Comyn Ching more than 70 years ago, Solray Radiant Panels have evolved through the generations into the modern, highly efficient, state of the art designs proving so popular today in public sector and commercial applications. Radiant Panels can be tailor-made to the highest standards of quality and manufactured to suit specific project requirements at the company's London-based design and production facility. For further details contact Comyn Ching & Co direct on tel 020 7987 8787

SOLRAY PRESS RELEASESOLRAY RADIANT PANELS PROVIDE THE CLEAN HEATING ON DARENT VALLEY PFI : SEPTEMBER 2002