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UK tank manufacturer Harlequin, is reporting strong sales across all markets of its 'Basic' Bunded Oil Tank range, as oil heating technicians and oil tank installers go 'back to basics'.

Launched in Autumn 2008, 'Basic' Bunded Oil Tanks are an evolution of the company's previous Bunded Contract Oil Tanks, but feature an enhanced product specification and an even greater choice of models. Like all Harlequin Bunded Oil Tanks, the 'Basic' range has been engineered to exceed all applicable UK, Irish and European requirements for the storage of heating oil at agricultural, commercial, domestic, industrial and institutional premises, including the requirements of OFTEC's OFS T100 Standard.

As a result of changes to Building Regulations and Standards across the UK, Harlequin now estimates that Bunded Oil Tanks are now a requirement at over 90% of new and replacement domestic oil tank installations in the province. Additionally, OFTEC Technical Instruction Book 3 requires that comparable levels of environmental protection are afforded to oil storage tank installations in the Republic of Ireland.

Not surprisingly, the majority of Harlequin's oil tank sales today consist of Bunded Oil Tanks – and according to the company's Marketing Manager John Switzer, that proportion is increasing all the time. By contrast, the number of old-fashioned Single Skin Oil Tanks sold by the company and which omit the environmental benefits of Bunded Oil Tanks, is in steady decline.

The premise behind Harlequin's 'Basic' range is that each and every oil storage installation is different.

Therefore, oil tank installers and technicians can choose from a range of five popular tank capacities and then add the ancillary equipment they require, without having to pay for equipment they don't. According to the company, the result is a 'compelling' product proposition at many installations, which permits installers and technicians to tailor oil storage tank installations to sitespecific requirements.

“Every Harlequin Basic Bunded Oil Tank is supplied complete with factory fitted, lockable fill, inspection and access points; integral, weatherproof venting; failsafe overfill prevention capability; and a 1″ Bottom Outlet.”, explains John.

“Once installers and technicians have selected their tank, they can choose from a range of useful options and accessories including a bund warning alarm, oil tank fitting kit, Tiger Loop de-aerator and of course an electronic oil tank contents gauge, which is quite simply a 'must have' for many consumers today.

“If however, they require a fully specified Bunded Oil Tank, Harlequin's market leading Standard Range of Bunded Oil Tanks is available. The Standard range consists of no fewer than 46 different models, 12 different capacities and 3 different colourways. Standard Bunded Oil Tanks are additionally supplied as standard with electronic oil tank contents gauge, bund warning alarm, tank fitting kit and a choice of top or bottom outlet.”

“It is difficult to underestimate the significance of the new Basic Bunded Oil Tank range at a time when counting the pennies has never been more important.”, says John. “Through empowering installers and technicians to select the ancillary equipment they require at an oil storage tank installation, it is possible to narrow the price differential between Bunded and Single Skin products.

“Bunded Oil Tanks are proven to significantly reduce the risk of oil pollution at any oil storage installation. Therefore, we would expect that the proportion of environmentally preferred Bunded Tanks being installed will increase still further. That's not just good news for anyone selling or installing Harlequin products. Environmentally responsible fuel storage is good news for the wider oil heating industry and great news for the environment too.”

Harlequin 'Basic' Bunded Oil Tanks are currently in production at the company's ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS18001 Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Moira, Northern Ireland and available from over 1,000 Harlequin Accredited Resellers throughout the British Isles.

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Klober’s new brochure 'Taking control of air leakage' explains how to develop an effective roof airtightness strategy, with specific reference to the use of vapour permeable membranes, vapour control layers and air barriers. It explains the nine method of assessment categories in the Code for Sustainable Homes, the principles of building fabric air permeability and requirements of Building Regulations and BREEAM. Managing Director David Arendell commented, “Energy and CO2 emissions make the biggest overall contribution to the CSH. As we improve the thermal efficiency of new homes and move towards zero carbon construction, it is inevitable that air leakage will become even more significant”

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The campus at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) is now one of the most energy efficient in the country thanks to an installation of solar panels.

Three of the university’s buildings have been equipped with 400 Sharp solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on their roofs, including the students union and library.

The modules, which have been installed by leading renewable technology specialist, Energi Holdings, will generate between them a total of 43,000kWh of electricity per year, which is enough to make over 2,100,000 cups of tea.

Display screens have been fitted in two of the buildings to monitor energy generation and students will be able to use the information for case studies.

The solar PV panels have been linked in with the university’s electrical network and all of the energy generated will be used on site, reducing the amount procured from the national grid.

The panels were switched on at a special launch event which was attended by council dignitaries, university staff and Energi Holdings.

Dr John Hindley, MMU’s environmental sustainability manager, said: “MMU uses more than 28 million kilowatt hours of electricity each year, so onsite energy generation is going to deliver real benefits in terms of both financial savings and reduced carbon emissions.

“The PV panel project is just one element of MMU’s sustainable development strategy. Along with the recently introduced energy rating scheme for university buildings and ‘Zero Waste’ project across halls of residence, MMU’s £120 million Hulme super-campus is aspiring to be the greenest in the UK with aims to have a zero carbon footprint.”

Mark Dickinson, managing director of Energi Holdings, said: “MMU were very ambitious in their carbon reduction plans and the installation will go a long way to helping them meet energy targets.

“This is another example of work we have undertaken across the education sector and universities in particular are looking at increasingly progressive ways of reducing their energy bills and carbon footprints.”

The £480,000 project was part-funded through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, which gives up to 50 per cent funding to qualifying renewable energy projects.

Energi Holdings is fully accredited under the BRE Global MCS scheme for solar PV installers and are members of the REAL Assurance Scheme.

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Chris Thomas – CEO of Electrium and former BEAMA President explains why RCBOs offer the best option for compliance with the 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations.

The much anticipated 17th Edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations was published in January. At first glance the implications seem most onerous upon domestic installations where, in the majority of cases, the entire installation will require additional protection by 30 milliamp RCDs.

Presently the majority of domestic properties would have a part of the installation protected by a 30mA RCD which would be contained within a split load consumer unit. The RCD would most likely be protecting circuits such as socket outlets, electric shower and power in the garage or outside. With this type of arrangement when a fault causes the RCD to trip all of the lighting remains on. The benefits of this good practice are already obvious. Even so under the 17th Edition the effects of a single fault – particularly upon a lighting circuit – are now prescribed as a standard design consideration in Chapter 31 (Division of the installation).

However, if under the new regulations all circuits require 30mA RCD protection there could be a situation whereby power to some lighting circuits could be lost even though the lighting circuits are without fault. These circuits should be arranged in such a way as to avoid such risks.

Electrical designers will have to carry out a risk analysis to assess just how many circuits need to be independent and how many can utilise shared RCD devices before specifying a consumer unit. For example, it may be an inconvenience to lose all socket outlets at once but this is probably unlikely to cause another hazard, as would be the case if lighting circuits were affected.

There are other considerations such as smoke alarm circuits. BS5839 part 6 (Code of Practice for design installation and maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems in dwellings) recommends independent circuits for certain grades of mains powered smoke alarms systems, and further recommends that if RCD protection is required then the RCD should serve only that circuit.

The 17th Edition requires every installation to be divided up into as many circuits as necessary to avoid hazards and minimise inconvenience in the event of a fault, and take account of the effect of a single fault, particularly on a lighting circuit. Designers should also reduce the possibilities of unwanted tripping of RCDs and facilitate safe inspection and maintenance as well as providing separate controls for circuits requiring independent controls.

Independently protected circuits throughout is the safest option, alternatively four or five RCBOs in a Split Load Unit would provide independence to essential circuits such as lighting and smoke alarms. Using RCBOs, is by far the best way to divide and conquer the RCD requirements.

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Flag-Soprema’s 100-page technical brochure for its Optigreen green roof systems contains extensive information ranging from preliminary roof inspection and structural assessment to choice of planting, installation and aftercare. It explains how membranes should be used to provide substrate and root barrier protection and examines factors affecting irrigation, drainage, wind uplift and erosion for nine green roof solutions. Advice is given on roof usage, environmental conditions and how to provide a balanced planting medium for plant lists ranging from sedums to shrubs and trees.

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Mira Showers – the UK’s leading manufacturer of showering products and accessories – is bringing about an exciting new ‘revolution’ in the bathroom by literally turning showering on its head. With the launch of the Mira 360 range of showerheads, the company is offering consumers a unique four-in-one shower experience thanks to its innovative FlipstreamTM technology.

Each showerhead is capable of four spray modes which are chosen simply by flipping the head through four turns of 900 each. Each quarter-turn ‘flip’ changes the spray pattern: so users can enjoy the ‘rain’, be invigorated by the ‘burst’, get drenched by the ‘storm’ and luxuriate in the ‘cloud’.

FlipstreamTM technology uses a diverter mechanism in the head to vary the spray pattern according to its position. Axial rotation of the head – which sits on a gimbal (a pivoted support that allows the rotation of an object about a single axis) – actuates an instant change of water flow from one style of spray pattern to the next.

The 360 delivers stockists and installers a great opportunity to ‘sell up’ – either in new shower or retrofit applications – while providing the consumer with a ‘bespoke’ shower experience, depending on taste or mood.

The range is available in three different design models – the 360m, the 360r and 360i – all of which can be used with any system and all pressures, giving the user the opportunity to transform and revitalise their showering.

The 360m is minimalist in design with a contemporary, geometric aesthetic while the 360r is rounded, soft and natural in form with organic flowing curves. The 360m is offered in either chrome (handset) and white (sprayhead), or chrome and black. The 360r also comes in chrome (handset) and white (sprayhead), or white and white. For a bolder design statement, the 360i is iconic and striking with its black/chrome format. All styles feature the same functionality.

The launch of the 360 range sees the showerheads initially offered alongside a dedicated version of the company’s classic fitting kit, featuring slide bar, bracket and hose. Each 360 showerhead comes in eye-catching, ‘interactive’ packaging – which allows the customer to ‘feel the flip’ – to create real stand out in-store while a dedicated microsite, www.mirashowers.co.uk/360, provides full product detail and a short video demonstrating the innovative features of the 360 range.

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A completely new range of specialist fluorescent ‘proof’ luminaires has been introduced by Thorn. The X-Force family – whose powers include, super strength, endurance, and the ability to resist harm – goes into battle in the harshest of environments.

Five specific products cater for hot, cold, stormy, corrosive and impact related conditions enabling individual performance requirements to be met. Although fluorescent lamps are sensitive to temperature the HeatForce and ColdForce luminaires are designed with special control gear to operate reliably, and with good light output, at up to 65°C or down to –30°C respectively. StormForce is a rugged exterior luminaire – courtesy of a steel reinforced canopy and gull wing fixing brackets. CorrosionForce, with its PMMA diffuser will resist most trace chemicals in the atmosphere, such as in a processing plant or garage. As the name suggests ImpactForce will withstand a direct impact, up to IK07, and continue to operate.

All X-Force products share the same high build quality, stainless steel toggles and IP65 compliance. Within most families there is a choice of lamp type and ratings, plus digital dimmable ballasts and lighting control accessories so that the amount of light can be scaled precisely to the needs of the application. Emergency and Connect versions can be provided.

Perhaps the most appealing feature of the X-Force is its clean, cigar-shaped lines, which make it ideal for applications ranging from kitchens to car parks.

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Leading excavator attachments manufacturer Hill Engineering has taken thousands of semi and single-locking automatic couplers out of commission and replaced them with one of the safest and most technologically advanced couplers on the market after its 'new-for-old' exchange program proved to be an unprecedented success.

The Northern Ireland-based company has increased production of its ultra-safe Auto-Loc 3 coupler, with its fully automatic dual pin capture system, to satisfy an increasing demand from UK contractors and plant hire companies wanting to upgrade now out-dated couplers on their excavator fleets.

Their decision comes in the wake of continuing safety concerns over the use of semi-automatic and single-locking automatic models and a move by a number of leading contractors to ban all but dual pin capture couplers from their sites.

This has, at a stroke, made thousands of excavators up and down the country ineligible for use on some of the major UK construction projects.

Hill claims that its Auto-Loc 3 model is the safest and most technically advanced quick coupler of its type on the market and says it has helped the company to establish itself as one the UK's leading specialists in the field of coupler design and production.

Not only does the 'new-for-old' program see Hill remove a customer's existing coupler and replace it with an Auto-Loc 3 model, but it also provides comprehensive on-site training, full installation assistance and guidance, after-sales support and advice, as well as any necessary customisation to suit individual customers’ specific coupler requirements.

Ian Hill, Managing Director of Hill Engineering, said the success of the 'new-for-old' program and the significant customer acclaim already received for the user-friendly Auto-Loc 3 coupler is both good news for Hill and for the construction industry.

“The widespread adoption of the dual pin capture technology will increase on-site safety and help prevent accidents and avoid fatalities for years to come.”

He also revealed that Hill has met with London-based Quattro Plant, the second largest UK railway orientated plant hire company, to discuss how the couplers can be adapted for use in the rail industry.

The rail industry has its own specific coupler requirements, due to the widespread use of specialised high value attachments. Many of these attachments cannot be disengaged in the normal crowded position without introducing further risks into the changeover.

Following several on-site visits to fully assess the risks involved, Hill demonstrated a solution at a meeting involving Quattro Plant and one of its major customers. The outcome of this was an agreement by all parties, and Quattro Plant is now fitting the Auto-Loc coupler to its machines.

Ian Hill said: “The response to our 'new-for-old' program has been overwhelming. However, having previously identified the safety concerns surrounding the use of semi-automatic couplers and single-locking automatic couplers, we anticipated the requirements of the industry and were already well prepared. We are therefore extremely well positioned to meet the increasing market demand.

“The adoption of the Auto-Loc 3 coupler by companies has been helped by the discounts available through the 'new-for-old' program, which reduces the cost of upgrading their couplers.

“Our Auto-Loc 3 success has many other benefits. By combining the exchange program with our safety message and thorough training, we are making a significant and positive impact on the safety of personnel on construction sites all over the UK.”

Safety is at the very heart of the Auto-Loc range. Hill has specialised in the design and manufacture of couplers for more than 15 years, and in 2005 set up an in-house R&D department specifically to find a solution that would eliminate the risk while using couplers.

The result, the original Auto-Loc, went on sale in August 2006 and further refinement, made by working with key customers, has resulted in the very latest Auto-Loc version.

Dual pin capture fully automatic couplers are a significant step forward within the coupler market, because not only do operators no longer need to leave the cab and insert a locking pin by hand, the coupler also locks onto each attachment pin independently.

This means that if the operator fails to connect the attachment properly with the back pin, the front pin will remain securely locked in place, ensuring that the attachment does not separate from the coupler.

The Auto-Loc coupler allows operators to visually confirm from within the cab that the bucket or other attachment is securely locked in position and only allows attachments to be released in a safe working position.

Although new semi-automatic couplers are no longer being supplied to the UK market as a result of a joint HSE and manufacturers’ agreement, the use of existing models is still allowed.

However, more and more sites are imposing bans on semi-automatic and single-locking automatic couplers, while a number of major contractors, including Bovis, Skanska and Balfour Beatty, say that they will only now permit excavators with dual pin capture couplers on their construction projects.

Tudor Thomas, chairman of Kaill Plant Hire, based in Stockport, Manchester, believes more contractors are likely to follow suit, which made upgrading his fleet a priority.

Kaill operates over 100 excavators including JCB, Terex, Takeuchi and Volvo machines, ranging from 1 tonne to 33 tonnes, which were fitted with a mix of semi-automatic and single-locking automatic couplers. The company is now investing in Auto-Loc 3 models after signing up to Hill’s ‘new-for-old’ program. Mr Thomas said: “The Auto-Loc 3 'new-for-old' programme is the best on the market and the implementation process has been very straightforward. Hill gave us the required training and provided us with on-site guidance.

“Subsequently the changeover of the couplers took just an hour, meaning less downtime for our machines. They couldn’t have done more for us.

“An increasing number of contractors are insisting on dual pin capture couplers and this will continue to cascade down the industry. Such is the speed of the change that if we did nothing, 75 per cent of our machines would be obsolete in 12 months time.

“Any company that has yet to look at replacing its couplers will miss out on the major UK construction projects.”

Another company which signed up to Hill's 'new-for-old' program is One Call Hire, based in Enfield, North London, with a current fleet comprising in excess of 500 machines.

Every machine over 13 tonnes that it has bought over the last three years has been fitted with Auto-Loc couplers and it has now bought 200 Auto-Loc 3 couplers for all of its smaller machines.

Anthony Fitzpatrick, One Call Hire's joint Managing Director, said: “We are very proactive when it comes to health and safety matters and prefer to stay ahead of legislation.

“We realise that semi-automatic couplers will probably be made illegal in a few years and we don’t want customers turning our machines down or having them barred from sites because they don’t have a fully automatic quick coupler.

“The Auto-Loc 3's advanced safety features were the main reason we switched, but there is another benefit. We replace our excavators after 14 months and having a safety feature like the Auto-Loc fitted means that when we sell them on, we are assured of a good price.”

The Auto-Loc 3 is compatible with a mixed range of attachments such as hammers and rippers and its success has provided Hill with valuable additional business despite the current downturn in the construction industry.

Mr Hill added: “There is no doubt that the Auto-Loc range has come of age and taken its place at the forefront of an industry in which safety is of paramount importance.”

“Manufacturing products that help to improve on-site safety has always been part of Hill Engineering’s philosophy and the Auto-Loc range of couplers is the epitome of everything we stand for.

“It is technologically advanced, expertly engineered, and, thanks to the success of our 'new-for-old' program, it will play a major role in ensuring that the kind of coupler-related accidents within the construction industry has now become a thing of the past.”

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Customers of iron technology leader Saint-Gobain PAM UK have given the company a glowing accolade in its latest independently commissioned customer survey.

Customers from across the country gave Saint-Gobain PAM UK high scores in the 20 issues that they deemed most important. These included: effectiveness of technical advice, quality of products, on time deliveries, ease of placing an order and speed of response to emergency situations. Leadership Factor Ltd, an independent research specialist, conducted an initial survey to establish the most important customer issues and then asked participants to measure how well Saint-Gobain PAM UK performed in these key areas.

Satisfaction scores across the 20 categories were all marked highly, with quality and technical performance of products and the effectiveness of the technical advice line among the most impressive scores. Ease of placing an order, the condition of goods and packaging on delivery and accuracy of invoicing all received an average score of more than eight out of ten.

Paul Minchin, managing director of Saint-Gobain PAM UK, commented: “We are delighted that, in the aspects that matter most to our customers, we have been given some very positive feedback and we are really pleased to see that our customers find us easy to do business with.

“Our highest rating was with ‘adherence to health and safety regulations’ – something that we consider to be the single most important issue within any business. We work hard to meet our ‘zero work related incidents’ and ‘zero occupational illness’ aims in every aspect of our operations. This commitment extends to our customers and we have been recently awarded by Morgan Est, a leading supplier, for our efforts in continuing to seek easier and safer handling methods for our products.

“Since the survey, Saint-Gobain PAM UK has pledged to continue to improve in key areas to maintain and increase levels of customer satisfaction and is actively looking to work with customers on how we can help improve our products and service offering.”

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