Story

The brand new MagnaClean DRX is now available.

Its innovative and compact design includes a magnetic belt wrapped around a precision engineered stainless steel case which makes installation and servicing quick and easy.

The MagnaClean DRX has a robust and versatile design

The DRX has joined ADEY’s family of filters which are designed specifically for commercial systems. It will provide essential protection for plant rooms and comes complete with a host of features to provide a versatile solution for heating engineers:

Innovative and compact design which includes magnetic belt technology

• Flexible installation options – for both in-line and side stream applications
• Easy to service
• Effective capture of black iron oxide sludge
• Captures large and small size particles
• Available in sizes 2”, 2 ½”, 3 “ and 4”

To see the DRX’s design for yourself, you can watch a brand new video that is available via the ADEY YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/mOVnVCFNpAs

Along with the rest of ADEY’s range of Commercial filters, you can also download Building Information Modelling (BIM) technical data for the Magnaclean DRX by visiting adey.com / bim-store or via bimstore.co.uk

ADEY’s Commercial Division has also been expanded to support their customers further:

The continued expansion of ADEY’s Commercial Division now means that customers have access to a dedicated and highly-experienced team who are able to offer focused technical insight, help and advice, no matter what the system size, scale or problem.

To request a free site visit where a member of the ADEY team will come out and assess your plant room, just go to www.adey.com/support/customer-support
You can contact ADEY on 01242 546 717 or via info@adey.com

You can also keep up to date with ADEY’s latest activities via their social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn. And if you would like to find out more about the MagnaClean DRX or ADEY’s Commercial range, please visit adey.com

View Adey's profile:

• 

Story

Arc Fault Detection Devices are a new addition to the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations. This product information feature from Crabtree discusses why arcing shouldn’t become an after thought.

The Wiring Regulations define danger as: “Risk of injury to persons from: fire, electric shock, burns, arcing and explosion arising from the use of electrical energy.” Not that this should surprise us, electricity is a dangerous commodity.

In England in 2016/17, there were 13,347 fires from an electrical origin. Electrical fires are continuing to occur at virtually the same rate year on year, even though many of these incidents are preventable.

Perhaps this is partly because buildings have more items of electrical equipment in them than ever before? Electrical fires caused by arc faults typically occur at loose connections, poor terminations, in damaged leads and cables, or through old, weak and failing insulation.

Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs), can decrease the likelihood of electrical fires from these conditions by detecting the arcing conditions before the overheating and ignition of flammable materials. In countries like the USA, where use of AFDDs started some years ago, there’s been a reported reduction of 10% for this type of incident.

Dave Enefer, Product Manager at Crabtree, comments: “The wiring regulations (BS7671) sets out requirements for electrical installations in the UK, including requirements for protection of persons, livestock and property against the risk from fires that may be generated and propagated in electrical installations.

“Designers and installers should ensure that the installation is arranged so that the risk of ignition from high temperatures or electric arc is minimised, and that protection from harmful thermal effects is provided. Protection requirements include protecting against fire caused by insulation faults, arcs and sparks and high temperature.”

Clearly the wiring regulations require certain design and installation standards. It is permitted to use RCDs as a measure for protection against insulation faults, it’s also a requirement to install other circuit protection devices such as MCBs to provide protection from overcurrent and other conditions.

However, those devices cannot detect or disconnect arc faults. AFDDs detect arc faults that will not be detected by RCDs or MCBs due to the fact that the magnitude of such arc faults is often insufficient to operate an RCD or MCB.

Crabtree Arc Fault Detection Devices cater for the all of the above requirements because the AFDD technology is combined with MCB and RCD technology in one single device, providing for all of the requirements of BS7671.

In countries that have already adopted this technology AFDDs are often used in buildings with sleeping accommodation, those made from combustible materials, and locations with rare or irreplaceable items. Imagine how many incidents could be prevented if these devices were installed in all such locations?

What’s an AFDD?

AFDDs work by protecting specifically against arc faults, as they automatically trip a circuit when they detect dangerous electric arcs – thus preventing the outbreak of a fire.

An arc fault occurs when the arc current either flows between active conductors in parallel with the load of the circuit or when it is flowing through the load(s).

Arcing is incredibly dangerous because it creates high intensity heating at the point of the arc, resulting in burning particles that may, over time, ignite surrounding materials. Moreover, repeated arcing creates carbon paths which generate temperatures exceeding 6,000 degC.

It can take time to develop, it can occur immediately or over a longer period, meaning that the onset of an electrical fire due to ignition of the cable insulation or nearby flammable materials is unpredictable.

AFDDs constantly monitor and analyse patterns in voltage waveforms and electrical current, looking out for divergence from normal patterns of waveform that denote a potentially dangerous arc.

They are designed and tested to not respond to arcing under normal operation of equipment, for examples vacuum cleaners and drills, whilst simultaneously continuing to respond to arc faults whilst the equipment is being used.

Electrical fires can be decreased in number by the use of this recognised device that installers can now easily access and install.

You can read more about Crabtree’s AFDD solution via www.electrium.co.uk/products/crabtree

And there is more about Arc Fault Detection Devices and the 18th Edition over at the 18th Edition Area of the Electrium website at www.electrium.co.uk/18th-edition

View Crabtree's profile:

• 

Story

Based on a century of experience in wood floor treatment, Bona’s revolutionary new floor care program for both wood and resilient sets a new paradigm in floor care. This new program offers much more than just great detergents; it provides floor care professionals with expert guidance, sustainable products and solutions required to protect and maintain floors, ensuring they remain beautiful for longer.

Developed for professional cleaners, caretakers, building service contractors and traditional wood floor contractors, this innovative program enables the floor owner to more effectively protect their investments, revitalizing the floor surfaces with new, revolutionary methods.

From oiled to finished floors, Bona offers high performing, fast and time saving care and maintenance solutions. A FIBA approved range of products, uniquely designed for sport floors is also included in the program.

As part of the Bona Care Program, Bona offers a unique possibility to restore or redesign worn and damaged rubber, PVC, PU, vinyl and linoleum floors, eliminating the need for full floor replacement. This reduces downtime by an impressive 50%, resulting in considerable savings for the floor owners.

“The new Bona Care Program for wood and resilient floors provides effective processes and professional support, enabling the building service contractors to offer optimal service and care that extends the life of floors and retains their original appearance for longer. We strongly believe that this will be a real game-changer for the industry,” said Davide Cavalleri, Sales Manager Jan San & Rental EMEA/APAC.

The Bona Care Program includes processes and products allowing everything from full renovation and recoating to daily cleaning resulting in a prolonged life of the floor and fresh looks. The program can be used in all types of environments – commercial areas as offices and hotels, to sports halls and airports.

View Bona's profile:

• 

Story

Triton has introduced Cemflex VB Steel Waterbar, a fully weatherproof BBA certified waterbar that doesn’t need to be protected from rain prior to the concrete pour. It addresses a key challenge in below ground basement construction for installers of quality ICF systems and pre-cast concrete twin wall systems, who need to form a good watertight seal between the ICF blocks or the twin wall panels and the basement slab.

Traditional hydrophilic waterstops have been around for many years and can be used successfully in most applications. However when the blocks forming the structure are not in-filled with concrete for some time, and the waterstop is exposed to rain within the open blocks, this will cause it to start swelling prematurely and result in subsequent underperformance in a very critical location. Attempting to remedy this by the removal of the waterstop is usually impossible due to its location inside the ICF blocks or twin wall panels.

BBA certified Cemflex VB Steel Waterbar is a galvanised steel plate encapsulated in a special patented coating that reacts only with the water within the concrete to provide a watertight joint. It’s designed for use in all non-movement construction joints in reinforced concrete – and is especially suited to ICF or twin wall installations.

Quick and easy to install with no sticky tape to remove prior to use, it can be installed before the concrete is poured by positioning to steelwork, or directly into the fresh concrete after pouring. Cemflex VB Steel Waterbar is 1.25mm thick and supplied in two metre lengths in a choice of 100mm or 150mm widths. Find out more at tritonsystems.co.uk or speak to your local Triton technical manager.

View Triton Systems's profile:

• 

Story

Podcast Now Available: BNE Product News – BBA – ‘Special Edition’ Interview

In this BNE Product News ‘Brand Leader’ podcast, Alvaro Enguita-Gonzalez – Head of Test at the BBA discusses the BBA Product Excellence Programme (PEP). The interviewer for BusinessNet Explorer is Mick de Leiburne.

Click to play interview on YouTube:

View BBA's profile:

• 

Story

Months of anticipation and speculation has come to an end as the 18th Edition of the IET wiring regulations has now been published.

BS7671:2018 was released on the 1st July 2018 and will become effective from 1st January 2019, but the new edition can be used immediately.

There are lots of changes in the 18th Edition. These include new and revised regulations, new chapters and restructured sections.

So with the big blue book now available where do you look to discover these changes? Hopefully these headlines will make your task a little easier.

(This is for information only. For the full details designers & installers should purchase a copy of BS 7671:2018 IET Wiring Regulations 18th Edition and follow the requirements & recommendations therein, this information does not constitute design advice)

Extended Scope

The scope has been extended to include an extra category (section 730 catering for electrical shore connections & inland navigation vessels). Section 730 contains the particular requirements for this added special location.

Chapter Changes

Chapter 46 is new and Chapter 53 has been rewritten. Part 6 is restructured & the regulations for inspection & testing move to new chapters and get new regulation numbers.

Definitions

There are several new definitions, and a few existing definitions that have been amended. For example, “Departure” is a new definition.

Departure is explained as an intentional decision to not fully comply with BS7671.This must be accompanied by a declaration from the designer that the safety levels achieved are not less than full compliance with BS7671 would provide.

Energy Efficiency

A new appendix on energy efficiency is included within the 18th edition. Appendix 17 makes recommendations for the design construction & assembly of the installation for optimising efficiencies in the use of electricity.

Only Use Approved Parts

Devices & components used in low voltage assemblies e.g. Consumer Units, Distribution Boards etc. shall only be those that have been declared suitable for that purpose by the manufacturer of the assembly.

If in doubt ask the manufacturer of the assembly to confirm compatibilities.

Note; if a deviation from manufacturer instructions is introduced then the person introducing the deviation becomes the manufacturer.

Arc Fault Detection Devices

AFDDs have been included in Chapter 42. These devices provide additional protection against fires that are caused by arc faults in AC final circuits.

Arc fault detection devices (when used) should be installed at the origin of each final circuit that is are being protected, AFDDS should be installed in consumer units and/ or distribution boards.

Appendix 6

In the schedule of inspections, under the section dealing with consumer units & distribution boards there is a reference to check for the AFDD six monthly test notice, similar to the requirements for RCDs & RCBOs.

Also in the schedule of test results form there is a new tick box for AFDDs which allows the installer to record operation of the manual test button on the AFDDs, again this is similar to RCDs & RCBOs.

Surge Protection

Within the 17th Edition of the Wiring Regulations, the requirements of surge protection were determined through risk assessment methods. Now, overvoltage protection is required in certain circumstances.

For example, where there is risk of serious injury or of loss of life, where many co-located people are affected, where there is an interruption to public services, or commercial / industrial activity. Other requirements are contained in 443.4.

For circumstances where overvoltage protection is not required, a risk assessment can be carried out. If a risk assessment is not carried out, overvoltage protection must be provided.

Before and After

Looking to get more pointers on the 18th Edition?

We have created a few ‘Before and After’ slides to show you how the 18th Edition might affect what you do.

Visit our 18th Edition Area and check them out.

View Electrium's profile:

• 

Story

Well known for its market-leading range of pumps and macerators for bathroom scenarios, Saniflo also leads the way in grey water pumping solutions for kitchen, utility and laundry environments. Whether a pump is required for domestic premises or for a commercial application, there is a choice of units that can be used when mains drainage connection isn’t an option.

The Sanivite + is one of Saniflo’s best-selling pumps for grey waste water. Ideally suited to a domestic kitchen or utility room, the powerful pump has four inlets for connection to a sink and other appliances including washing machines, dishwashers, ice machines; even a bath. The unit handles hot, soapy water with ease up to a maximum temperature of 60°C while the quiet pump has a low activation level of just 95mm to ensure water is promptly cleared from the unit. It can be installed in a kitchen unit or concealed behind a demountable panel so that it is out of sight, but easily accessible for service and maintenance.

For light commercial applications, the Sanispeed + features a robust motor to discharge waste from up to four appliances. The product is widely used in cafes, bars and shops particularly those that have undergone a change of use and didn’t have the appropriate drainage in close proximity for the discharge of water. The Sanispeed has also made its mark in offices, hairdressers, dental surgeries, laboratories and an array of situations where water needs to be pumped away. The unit has a carbon filter included as standard to ensure neutralisation of odours and can handle water temperature of 75°C for short periods of time.

As with its domestic stablemate, the Sanivite +, it carries a 5-year warranty once a registration card has been submitted.

The Sanicom 1 and 2 are powerful, automatic lifting stations suitable for busy commercial applications. With a choice of 1 or 2 heavy duty, reliable pumps both units start automatically to pump waste water from a selection of appliances. With two 40mm inlet pipes and an air vent the pumps can also be routed via a grease filter when they are used in busy kitchens. The Sanicom 2 has a back-up motor to provide continuity of service should one fail. It also has a hardwired alarm that emits a continuous beep for quick identification of problems.

These four powerful products from Saniflo each ensure that additional facilities can be installed in places not served by mains drainage. Whether it’s a kitchen, laundry, cleaners’ cupboard, utility room in the basement or the loft, there’s an option from Saniflo that will avoid the cost of expensive civils work.

View Saniflo's profile:

• 

Story

Saniflo UK – the country’s leading designer and manufacturer of macerators, pumps and shower cubicles – has launched a new website available at saniflo.co.uk, offering access to a a raft of information for homeowners wishing to find out more and upgrade their homes using a Saniflo product. Live from mid-October, the new website makes it easy for homeowners to search and find the products they need.

Selecting the right product can be achieved in a number of ways. The ‘Our Products’ tab enables a search via conversion type or product group. ‘Your Project’ takes the user through a selector tool that highlights the Saniflo products relevant to the job the customer wishes to carry out.

A range of installation videos are available on the home page. Aimed at highlighting the ease of installation of Saniflo products these videos are useful for plumbers, installers and DIY’er’s alike. Brochures can be downloaded from the customer service section and customers can also register purchase details here too to ensure they benefit from the generous 5-year warranty protection on the domestic product range.

The Pro site has an added link to the installation instructions for the full range of Saniflo products and has been designed for the addition of future content. In due course more product and instructional videos will be added along with educational assets.

Of course the Saniflo technical team is just a phone call away if any further information is required.

The best way to find out more about the new site is to try it at www.saniflo.co.uk

View Saniflo's profile:

•