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Rinnai – on demand hot water heating units on LPG is low NOX, sustainable and perfect for off-grid hot sites

Rinnai’s range of condensing hot water heater units using LPG are more economic to run than other sources such as oil or electric counterparts and they deliver lower carbon emission figures, greater energy efficiencies – this makes them the first choice for off-grid installations.

For installers, helping an off-grid user select an energy efficient water heater is critical — and a condensing continuous flow water heater using LPG is one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly options available. By choosing a continuous flow water heater, an end user can reduce energy costs by up to 50% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 61% (compared to electric equivalents). When compared with oil-fired systems this saving is even greater.

Tests show that a Rinnai Infinity condensing water heater has 107% efficiency and is low NOX compared with an oil boiler that emits approximately 364 mg/kwh NOX. That means a Rinnai condensing water heater emits approximately 10% of the NOX that an oil boiler emits, a 90% reduction. Therefore, combining a gas boiler and a Rinnai water heater will radically reduce NOX.

The EU is recommending that the maximum NOX level be reduced to just 56mg/kWh by 2018. Rinnai water heaters are already compliant with this proposed standard. This forms part of the new rules under the Eco-design of Energy-using Products Directive (ErP).

If we now compare the production of CO₂ between gas and electricity we find that for every GJ (277.78kW) of energy used gas will produce 44.44kg compared to 103kg with electric. We can see that for the same energy used electricity will produce twice the amount of one of the major greenhouse gases.

Then if we look at the emission per kW from thermal generation of electricity we find that electricity will produce 0.5kg of CO₂ compared to 0.16kg for the same kW generated with LPG, NOX production works out at 258kg per KW as compared to only 0.184kg.

The efficiency of this type of electrical generation is as low as 40%. So if we now compare the use of electricity to LPG to heat hot water we find that electricity is 40% efficient in comparison to a Rinnai water heater which returns 107% efficiency.

Electricity is not the ‘green’ fuel that its marketing portrays it to be. It has potential to produce more CO₂ and NOX and can be very costly.

A Rinnai LPG continuous flow water heater is an ‘on-demand’ system. When a hot-water tap is opened, the unit reads the demand and starts the heating process. The water flows through a heat exchanger, where it heats to the desired temperature using only as much gas as is needed. When the tap is turned off, the heater automatically shuts off.

For more details on RINNAI products visit www.rinnaiuk.com.
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Saving money saving lives

Kidde Safety’s Firex range of smoke and heat alarms offers opportunities to improve fire safety during refurbishments at lower costs.

Hard-wired, interconnected smoke and heat alarms, with reliable power back-up should now be the norm for all housing, whether existing or new-build. This is spelled out in the Code of Practice BS 5839-6:2013, which takes the form of guidance and recommendations. Although not in itself mandatory, it does form the basis for Building Regulations and is used as a benchmark in housing standards (including HHSRS), specifications, legal, insurance or other situations.

Minimum Standard

While BS 5839-6 is based on a risk assessment approach, it recognises that in most cases guidance tabulated in the Code can be applied as a minimum standard. It lists the minimum Categories (locations for alarms) and Grades (power sources) recommended for different types of housing. Typically, for houses up to 3 storey and individual flats, the Code recommends Category LD2. This means smoke alarms in all escape routes and any areas where fires might start, such as living rooms, plus heat alarms in all kitchens.

The Code also recommends Grade D hard-wired, interconnected smoke and heat alarms with back-up power. This is demanded by Building Regulations for new housing and changes of use, where battery-only smoke alarms are not permitted. But Grade D is also important for existing buildings. In another important change, the 2013 edition of the Code now excludes Grade F battery-only systems from all rented homes.

Long-life Low-cost

The resulting growth of hard-wired systems has developed interest in energy saving products. In response, Firex smoke and heat alarms offer a much lower, maximum mains consumption, with substantial energy savings over previous models and significantly lower running costs. Other features include an Alarm Memory Function, identifying which alarm has triggered, as well as dust compensation and bug screens on all optical alarms to minimise nuisance alarms and call-backs. Accessories include a wired, remote ‘Test and Hush’ switch, and a relay pattress to operate other devices.

An important Firex innovation is the introduction of long-life lithium battery back-up options for all three sensing technologies (ionization, optical and heat), alongside the usual loose battery and integral rechargeable battery versions. This innovation ensures reliable back-up throughout the whole alarm life, without the need to change batteries, at a much lower price than rechargeable products.

Firex alarms can also interconnect with Kidde’s 4MCO and 4MDCO hard-wired carbon monoxide alarms, as well as with each other, using the unique ‘Smart Interconnect’ feature. Here, the alarms have different, distinct alarm sounder patterns for carbon monoxide and fire – an essential facility, supported by different display messages on the 4MDCO model. So, without the need for any further operation of the system (such as remote switches), Smart Interconnect automatically alerts occupants throughout the property of the specific hazard that confronts them. It allows them to respond quickly, making the right choice from the very different actions for either fire or carbon monoxide.

Firex is manufactured and supplied exclusively by Kidde Safety. For more information, call: 01753 766392, email: sales@kiddesafety.co.uk or visit: www. kiddesafetyeurope.co.uk.
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Fire safety, smoke control and compliance – charting a path through the regulations

The legislative environment governing the smoke control and fire safety industry is, unsurprisingly, complex, far-reaching and absolutely vital to ensure that these systems not only operate faultlessly when they’re needed, but also provide effective safety protection and allow people to escape.

Even so, you would probably be surprised by the number of construction companies that contact us after they have completed a block of apartments and find that Building Control has rejected the structure due to the omission of a smoke ventilation system, which is required by law for any residential building of 3 storeys and above.

Clearly, there’s no suggestion that designers, specifiers and building companies are brazenly flouting the regulations, but it is apparent that the main issue is ignorance of the complex and essential regulatory framework that governs this sector. But, as is often quoted, “Ignorance is no defence.”

Navigating the maze

Building Regulations Approved Document B, The Machinery Directive and The Construction Product Regulations, via the various parts of the European EN12101 standard, provide a tight and far-reaching regulatory framework. Yet, this is only part of the story.

The Smoke Control Association’s (SCA) ‘Guidance on Smoke Control to common escape routes in apartment buildings’ quickly became the default reference document for many designers, installers and approving authorities throughout the UK, when first published in 2012 and has since been updated with even more key information.

Alongside this, BS 9991:2015, which covers ‘Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings – code of practice’ is also a vital reference when addressing fire safety specification and requirements.

However, if your seeking a signpost to provide an effective route to achieving compliance, then, arguably, the best start point is the BS7346 – Part 8 Code of Practice. Prior to this, no single document existed that provided guidance for the industry from initial design, through installation to maintenance.

The core benefit of BS7346-8 is that by adhering to its guidelines; designers, installers, commissioning engineers and maintenance teams can create, install and operate a fully compliant smoke control system.

Clearly, providing any definitive guidance in the space available is impossible, but as the penalties for non-compliance are punitive and can involve imprisonment, it is always advisable to seek professional specialised input from organisations such as SE Controls, that work with the regulations on a daily basis.

The main things to remember is that you have obligations for safety, design and construction, which cannot be avoided.

For more information please visit www.secontrols.com.

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Lucideon launches new balustrade testing service

Lucideon, the international materials technology company, has launched a new balustrade testing service. The testing covers free standing glass, post, rail, spindle and infill balustrades to BS 6180: 2011 ‘Barriers in and about buildings’ and Eurocode 1.

The new service will allow designers, manufacturers, distributors, importers and suppliers of new balustrades, and Health and Safety and Facilities Managers of existing in-situ balustrades, to obtain performance testing to ensure that the temporary or permanent barriers (panels and structural components) protect people from hazards or restrict access.

Balustrades can be tested in Lucideon’s large-scale construction laboratory in Stoke-on-Trent or on-site, if the system is already in place. It is crucial that balustrades are safe and fit for purpose before installation and during service.

Steve Newman, Product Manager, Lucideon said “Balustrades can look great in any setting, but without complying with regulations and meeting specifications, they can pose a serious risk. Loading tests ensure the safety and performance of balustrades and their components.”

In addition to balustrades, Lucideon also offers testing for staircases, balconies, handrails, and Glass-reinforced Plastic (GRP) products. The GRP products include canopies, chimneys and dormer windows.

To find out more about Lucideon’s balustrade testing services, visit www.lucideon.com/balustrades.

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Kee Safety provides safe access with self-closing safety gates

Kee Safety, a global supplier of fall protection equipment and safety railing systems, has launched Kee Gate, a range of self-closing safety gates, which provides industrial workers with a safety solution when working at height and on ground level.

Designed to work both internally and externally, on ladder and stair access points, roof hatches, walkways and roof tops, Kee Gate, ensures maintenance, inspection and warehouse staff can fulfil their job, follow best practices and comply with current safety standards, without putting their safety at risk. Kee Gates are spring loaded so can automatically close behind the user, providing an added level of security and overcoming the potential for human error. This type of system is the preferred solution to chains, bars or sliding tubes, as these traditional forms of protection can lead to a hazardous void, when used incorrectly.

Kee Safety self-closing safety gates are available in galvanised steel and if required can be powder coated in safety yellow. The safety gate is available with standard ‘U’ bolts for fixing to uprights of 33.7, 42.4 and 48.3 mm diameter, enabling the gate to be fixed quickly to existing supporting structures, posts or stringers. An additional fixing pack is provided which allows the gate to be fixed to square, flat or angle uprights. Easy to install on all types of handrails or to retro-fit existing structures, such as galvanised handrails and roof edge protection systems, Kee Gate is 1 metre wide. Designed to be trimmed on-site, this solution saves companies the time and money it takes to fabricate their own gates.

Kee Gate is compliant with the requirements of EN 13374 Class A, EN ISO 14122 Part 3 & Part 4 and is CE marked to EN 1090. The range is also compliant with international standards, meeting OSHA, O.B.C and I.B.C requirements. The system has undergone extensive testing to ensure total reliability of the gates. These include salt spray testing to ASTM B117-11 Neutral solutions over 200 hours to assess the coating’s corrosion resistance, life cycle testing to BS 6375-2:2009 Clause 6.5 – Opening and closing of Gate through 90 degrees 50,000 cycles and Abuse Testing where 9 x 25kg weights were suspended from the gate to test what happens if pressure is applied. This ensures durability, superior corrosion resistance and defence against signs of wear.

For more information, please visit www.keesafety.co.uk.
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New fire system for UK college demonstrates Advanced advantages

An Advanced, intelligent fire system with touchscreen repeaters, internet control and backwards compatibility, has been chosen to protect Ringmer Community College in East Sussex.

Originally opened in 1958, Ringmer Community College is a leading secondary school Academy with specialisms in technology and the arts. The college also has a Sixth Form that boasts excellent engineering and media facilities.

The specification and installation of the new fire system was undertaken by Pyrotec Fire Detection, long-time partner of Advanced. The completed network includes Advanced’s TouchControl remote control terminal/repeater panels which feature Active Maps and zone plans, networked with an eight-loop MxPro 5 panel and a two-loop MxPro 4 panel with an IP Gateway for control and monitoring via the internet.

The use of Advanced’s updated EN54-2, 4 & 13 approved MxPro 5 panel, with its older MxPro 4 sister and its latest product, TouchControl and internet control, on the same network demonstrates the backward compatibility and interoperability built into Advanced’s product range.

The Principal at Ringmer Community College, Kathryn Stonier, said “Safety of our staff and students is the utmost priority and the Advanced system ticks all the boxes in that department. We needed a system that could work seamlessly right across the site and we’re very pleased with the performance of the Advanced products and the new TouchControl panel. We’re also impressed by the ability to update and expand the system in the future without the need for a full replacement.”

Mark Mathers, spokesperson for Pyrotec Fire Detection, added “We needed a system that not only covers the main building, but also the outlying buildings and the swimming pool. We install Advanced panels in ninety eight percent of our projects, mainly due to their ease of installation, configuration and commissioning and they were the obvious choice. The spare loop capacity also allows for future upgrades and the potential addition of new buildings.”

TouchControl is a fully functional remote terminal and repeater and 10 HD inch touch device that delivers new features including integrated graphics, called Active Maps that are easily added to the system from almost any drawing, even google maps.

TouchControl’s unique interface offers fire panel and network control and reporting right down to individual device level and allows users to immediately identify zones and devices in fire, fault, disablement and test using dynamic colour-coded status buttons. The TouchControl panel is available across most of Advanced’s analogue addressable fire systems.

Robin Kemp, Advanced Sales Manager for the South, commented: “We spend a lot of our development time ensuring we deliver the right products for installers and end users, especially in terms of long term cost of ownership and each of installation and use.”

MxPro offers customers a choice of two panel ranges, four detector protocols and a completely open installer network, backed up by free training and support. MxPro panels can be used in single loop, single panel format or easily configured into high speed, multi-loop panels in 200 node networks covering huge areas. MxPro’s legendary ease of installation and configuration and wide peripheral range make it customisable to almost any application.

Advanced is a world leader in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems. The legendary performance, quality and ease-of-use of its products sees Advanced specified in locations all over the world, from single panel installations to large multi-site networks. Advanced’s products include complete fire detection systems, multi-protocol fire panels, extinguishing control, fire paging and false alarm management systems.

More details can be found on the website at www.advancedco.com.
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Rental Regulations Compliance Clarified

Kidde Safety makes sense of the complicated new requirements for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in private rented housing.

New Regulations apply to all private rented premises in England occupied on or after 1st October last year. They call for a smoke alarm on each floor and a CO alarm in any habitable room with a solid fuel appliance. The landlord must check that alarms work at the start of each tenancy and replace any that do not, highlighting the need for long-term reliability.

The new Regulations do not specify the type, location or power-source of smoke alarms. However, these aspects are covered in the Code of Practice BS 5839-6:2013. For most existing – as well as new – houses up to 3 storeys and individual flats, the Code recommends smoke alarms in any areas where fires might start, such as living rooms, heat alarms in all kitchens and smoke alarms in all escape routes.

Hard-wired Alarms

The Code also recommends Grade D hard-wired, interconnected smoke and heat alarms with back-up power, excluding Grade F battery-only alarms from all rented homes. This is already a legal requirement for rented properties in Scotland. With hard-wired alarms, there is a growing interest in energy saving and Firex smoke and heat alarms from Kidde offer substantially lower, maximum mains energy consumption of less than 15mA – in the order of just 3.5W. This is less than many household items left on standby and represents a 70% energy saving over previous models.

Another Firex innovation is the introduction of long-life lithium battery back-up options for all three sensing technologies. This offers back-up throughout the whole alarm life at a much lower price than rechargeable products, enabling landlords and their agents to meet legal requirements for working alarms at the start of every tenancy and avoiding low-battery warnings.

Carbon Monoxide

The same requirement for a working alarm at the start of every tenancy applies to CO alarms as well under the new Regulations for England. But these only require a CO alarm with solid fuel heating appliances. In contrast, the latest rules for rented properties in Scotland require a CO alarm wherever there is a combustion appliance, including in inter-connected spaces such as integral garages. Appliances include a boiler, fire, heater or stove – whether using gas, oil, wood or other fuels – although, unfortunately, it does not cover fittings used solely for cooking, despite recent deaths from misused gas cookers. A CO alarm is also needed where a flue passes through a bedroom or main living room.

For peace of mind, all Kidde CO alarms are BSi Kitemarked and comply with the latest edition of BS EN 50291:2010. Kidde also manufactures its own sensors, allowing tighter quality controls to be applied. They use safer, environmentally friendly de-ionised water rather than acid-based electrolytes as well. Kidde’s self-contained 10LLCO and 10LLDCO carbon monoxide alarms enjoy a full 10-year guarantee covering both the alarm and sealed-in lithium battery, helping landlords meet their obligations, cost-effectively over the longer term.

Smart Interconnect

Alternatively, Kidde’s 4MCO and 4MDCO hard-wired CO alarms can not only be interlinked with each other but also Firex hard-wired smoke and heat alarms, using Kidde’s unique ‘Smart Interconnect’ feature. Importantly, all the hard-wired alarms have different, distinct alarm sounder patterns for carbon monoxide and fire, supported by different display messages on the 4MDCO model. So, without the need for any further operation of the system, Smart Interconnect automatically alerts occupants of the specific hazard, allowing them to make the right choice for either fire or carbon monoxide.

For more information, call: 01753 766392, email: sales@kiddesafety.co.uk or visit: www.kiddesafetyeurope.co.uk.

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False alarms: A burning issue

The Fire Industry Association estimates that false alarms are costing the UK taxpayer in excess of one billion pounds every year.

As well as this financial burden, high levels of unnecessary alerts also have other negative consequences for both fire services and businesses.

A recent Government report suggested the average response time to non-domestic building fires in England and Wales in 2014-15 was 8 minutes 28 seconds, an increase of 21 seconds from the previous year.

Not only do false alarms distract fire and rescue teams from attending genuine incidents, they can also cost businesses significant amounts of money from lost worker productivity and, in some cases, fines.

There are a number of simple actions that organisations can take to reduce false alarms in their premises.

According to Government figures, nearly two thirds of false alarms are due to apparatus issues. In England and Wales alone, faulty equipment accounted for more than 141,000 incidents in 2015. In most cases, this is due to improper maintenance or installation, as even the most high-spec fire safety equipment can malfunction if neglected or fitted incorrectly.

By choosing a reputable installer to fit intelligent, high integrity systems, building owners and managers can help minimise any potential issues from the moment of installation.

During the lifecycle of the fire safety system, regular inspections and servicing of equipment must be undertaken and recorded in a logbook according to recommendation BS 5839. By doing this, building owners and managers can accurately build up a pattern of false alarms, as well as stay on top of the required maintenance processes, ensuring compliance.

By taking simple steps to confront the issue of false alarms, building managers and owners can help increase occupant safety and avoid the legal and financial ramifications.

For more information, including a free-to-download white paper on the subject, visit www.hochikieurope.com.

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Advanced protects vital data and computing assets at Cambridge University

ExGo suppression control panels from Advanced have been installed in a £20m, state-of-the-art data and high performance computing centre at the University of Cambridge that is working on some of the globe’s greatest challenges.

Situated on the West Cambridge site of the University of Cambridge, the building is the new home for high performance computing, centralised data storage and also business operations, teaching, learning and research. The High Performance Computing Centre is working on data from two of mankind’s greatest and data heavy science projects, the Large Hadron Collider and BRIDGE Genome Project.

ExGo, Advanced’s ultra-dependable extinguishant release system, was configured and installed by Advanced customer Advanced Fire Solutions Ltd. The suppression control system installed in the building comprises four ExGo panels with mode select key switch assemblies.

Jonathan Bacon, Managing Director of Advanced Fire Solutions Ltd, said: “We selected ExGo because the installation required a suppression system that could deliver reassurance and long-term reliability for this crucial building. We have an established partnership with Advanced and we knew that the equipment would be of the highest quality. The system also offers the flexibility and expandability to meet all future requirements.”

ExGo has been developed specifically for sensitive and strategic assets such as server rooms, historic and cultural attractions and control rooms. It has been installed in high-profile buildings across the globe, including the Magna Carta vault at Lincoln Castle, Romanian National Library and strategic oil pipelines in Sudan.

Ian Tasker, Manager of the West Cambridge Data Centre, added “The West Cambridge Data Centre reflects the University’s commitment to excellence in the provision of information services to research, students and staff”

ExGo is suitable for almost all single-flooding area applications and includes a range of control options and devices. It is approved to EN54 parts 2, 4 and 13 and EN12094-1 and is among the first systems to combine these with EN12094 Part 3 in a single solution. EN12094-3 relates to the integrated manual release on the front of the panel. ExGo can be integrated into Advanced’s Axis and MxPro fire panels, or any third party fire system.

Robin Kemp, Advanced sales manager for the South East region, commented: “The West Cambridge Data Centre is a strategically vital part of the University of Cambridge’s infrastructure and essential to its operations and those of its many international stakeholders. We are delighted to be part of it.”

Advanced is a world leader in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems. The legendary performance, quality and ease-of-use of its products sees Advanced specified in locations all over the world, from single panel installations to large multi-site networks. Advanced’s products include complete fire detection systems, multi-protocol fire panels, extinguishing control, fire paging and false alarm management systems. More details can be found on the website at www.advancedco.com.

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Kee Safety ensures optimal safety with KeeGuard® ladder kit

To provide optimal safety to those working at height, Kee Safety, a global supplier of fall protection equipment, has launched KeeGuard® Ladder Kit, a permanently fixed guardrail system that is used in conjunction with safety ladders and self-closing gates.

KeeGuard® Ladder Kit has been designed to provide a working at height safety solution that complies with EN 14122-4. This standard recommends that ‘to prevent falling through the access opening at arrival areas, the opening shall be provided with a gate.’ It also states that at drop edges of arrival areas, ‘a guardrail should be provided at least 1.5m either side of the ladder.’

To ensure it complies with the standard, KeeGuard® Ladder Kit is a ‘retro-fit’ guardrail solution that fits to existing fixed ladder or cat ladders, providing 1.5m guardrailing on both sides of the ladder. Quick and easy to install, it simply clamps on to the existing fixed ladder, forming a continual link from the guardrail to the stringer. The kit’s unique fitting can clamp around a flat or tubular stringer up to 75mm in width/diameter and does not need to be mechanically fixed to the roofing membrane or building’s structure.

“Awareness of the dangers of working at height has increased in the past few years, with legislations such as the Work at Height Regulations of 2005 coming into play” explains John Ingram, Group Product Manager – Fall Protection at Kee Safety. “Great steps have been made to ensure the safety of workers undertaking work at height, and we believe that the introduction of this new product is another step in the right direction.”

Available in a galvanised steel finish, KeeGuard® Ladder Kit has been independently tested and complies with EN 14122-4.

For more information, please visit www.keesafety.co.uk.

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