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In anticipation of the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations, Megger is hosting 50 free seminars around the country to unravel the mysteries surrounding testing in accordance to the new requirements.

Electricians are often confused by new regulations and how they are affected. To aid understanding of the imminent 17th Edition of the IEEE Wiring Regulations, Megger, in collaboration with the National Association for Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT), have organised 50 free seminars around the country. The evening is aimed at helping local electricians understand the range of test certificates required for domestic electrical installations.

The new regulations look rather different from the present edition, and they contain a lot of new requirements with regard to installation practice. NAPIT will explain what these mean for test and inspection. Megger will also be on hand to discuss the benefits of easy to use software that enables on-site completion of test certificates. Megger will also examine the latest range of contractor testers, including insulation, continuity, loop and RCD testers, as well as the latest in multifunction testers. Between them, these instruments cover day-to-day contractor needs, as well as addressing the requirements by the 17th Edition.

The events, which are open to all local electricians, will take place at various locations around the UK up until March 2008. To find out where and when your local event is being held, visit www.megger.com/uk/events.

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The BBA’s Website www.bbacerts.co.uk is one of the industry’s busiest, with over 50,000 visitors each month spending several minutes finding information on Agrément Certificates, including downloading full text versions, as well as details of other BBA services, such as approved installers, testing and of course the What’s New page.

The site has been unchanged for several years now and the world of the web demands frequent refreshing of the look of websites, as well as their functionality as advancements in IT allow greater flexibility.

The new site has changed in both appearance and operation, with a more up-to-date look and an up-front Search facility on the home page. The Search facility was the most-often used part of the old site and the new site means users can get straight to it – one less click of the mouse. Searches can be made in listings of Agrément Certificates and Approved Installers. In the Certificates area, searches can be made by Agrément Certificate number, company name or Product Sheet Number (this is a new search field allowing individual Product Sheets under the same Certificate number to be found).

Searches can also be made by keyword. This is like searching in one of the commercial search engines such as Google or Yahoo. A word is keyed in and all Agrément Certificates featuring that word in their title or summary will be shown, with the option of downloading the full text PDF versions.

A Search Tips option gives a list of keywords that will definitely find relevant Agrément Certificates. On the installer’s side, the Search focuses on Cavity Wall Insulation but unlike the old website you can search on a Postcode Search as well as the Company Name or Installer Number.

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Improved Sanitaryware

Striving for continual product development ECO-Logic UK now offers an outstanding range of WC and basin designs for secure environments manufactured from a new production unit.

The anti-ligature WC has integral seating, improved blockage prevention and offers a 4 litre flush format for substantial water savings. A WC pan for the less able is also available for secure areas. The seat is 80mm higher than the standard fitting to conform with disability standards.

The ECO-Logic range is set to grow and already includes a secure bathroom shelf and mirror manufactured in high security polymer.

Sports Halls, Schools and Colleges Save Water

Alongside a commitment to secure and healthcare markets, ECO-Logic UK is now focusing on secure water efficiency for education and sports installations. A new products and applications portfolio, published in September 2008, has already received a great response. The range includes robust shower and basin products, secure sanitaryware and safe temperature controls.

Furthermore, ECO-Logic electronic lockout and shutdown controllers are ideal for isolating water supplies to specific areas of the building when not in use, meeting BREEAM requirements. Significantly, the sensors are easy-to-use by all ages and enable unique solutions for the less able.touh point eco-logic uk

New ECO Pipetank 250

The success of ECO Pipetanks for WC flushing is due to their ability to conceal the water storage and flush up to two toilets from one tank. In response to demands for increased capacity units, a new Pipetank design was launched at the Healthcare Estates Exhibition last year.

The new ECO Pipetank 250 can flush up to three WCs and includes an integral overflow pipe. The unit can accommodate one or two inlet float valves, meeting demands for rapid repeat flushing in stadiums, sports complexes and exhibition centres. The 250 Range also includes a smaller 700mm high unit which is ideal for single flush installations. The ECO Pipetank 250 is shown here with two float valves and the new ECO 35P Solenoid Valve.

Improved Trans Sense

A new manufacturing facility accompanies an improved Trans Sense design. The sensor is ideal for close proximity ‘Non Touch’ or ‘One Touch’ operation where heavy use requires secure fixings.

This unique sensor is concealed behind the finished wall surface. The sensor area can be identified to the user by a graphic, coloured tile, engraving or even Braille. These developments run alongside the introduction of our Trans Sense Blockage Alert systems for WC and urinal waste pipes. The improved sensors have an enhanced reactive field for ‘Non Touch’ operation in demanding areas. The basin sensor targets can be installed into the new Secure Sanitaryware.

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CHALLENGED with getting better value from tight budgets and reducing road maintenance costs, local and national highways engineers are turning to asphalt reinforcement technology from Tensar International.

A new Tensar brochure, Asphalt Pavements – reinforcing asphalt layers in roads and trafficked areas, details how the range of Tensar solutions can both significantly reduce construction costs over traditional methods and increase road service life, for improved total life-cycle costs even with heavy traffic loading.

Tensar asphalt reinforcement has been shown to address structural problems such as fatigue cracking and reflective cracking. In addition, the solutions can provide excellent rutting resistance and mitigation of cracking due to differential settlement, for example in road widening projects. Tensar have been involved with asphalt reinforcement solutions for more than 25 years but recently their range of products and experienced UK installers have been significantly expanded.

The new brochure deals in detail with the decision process for selecting the appropriate Tensar asphalt reinforcement system for control of reflective cracking, improved fatigue resistance or reduced rutting. The products are easy to install, and their advantages have been demonstrated on major and local roads in the UK as well as internationally in a wide range of climates.

In addition, Tensar’s ground stabilisation solutions, including the award-winning TriAx™ geogrid, have been used to improve the bearing properties of road foundations by mechanically stabilising the granular base layers. TriAx™ also reduces the amount of aggregate required for the subgrade, providing excellent sustainability benefits and cost reductions for road construction projects.

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Following their prize winning sales growth last year, which led to a Medilink award, ECO-Logic UK is working hard to satisfy a growing order book. Focusing on secure and healthcare installations, the company has seen their design, development and investment in high technology Modular Controllers reap rewards with new orders from prisons, mental healthcare and secure accommodation projects in the UK and Ireland.

At the Healthcare Estates show in Harrogate they unveiled the new Modular Controller, which enables a comprehensive control system for water, low energy lighting, security, communication and audio/tv. Each installation is a bespoke design and this flexibility met with strong interest from engineers.

Modular Controllers

Building designs have to reflect the growing demand for greater energy efficiency and low maintenance in order to control the overall support costs. ECO-Logic’s bespoke Modular Controllers fit this energy and design criteria for accommodation and en-suite bathrooms with:

• Comprehensive water control and waste prevention
• Innovative designs for safe water temperature
• Low energy lighting control
• Heating & Air Movement Control
• Call systems and secure communication
• Lockout systems
• Links to ECO-Logic BMS computer networks

With links to proven electronic brassware and sensors, the controllers also enable a high degree of user choice even in secure environments. This same modular capability is ideal for student accommodation, prison and healthcare en-suites and hotel rooms.

Medilink Intelligent Homes

As a leading coordinator of services for the medical supplies and hospital markets, Medilink West Midlands are leading the development of services and products to monitor and assist the elderly and less-abled in their own home without unnecessary intrusion.

Medilink have refurbished a home in West Bromwich to incorporate all the latest technologies, including ECO-Logic water control systems for WCs, basins and kitchen sinks. The advanced thermostatic ECO Super-7 Shower provides safe and simple temperature selection linked to a remote control outside the shower area to assist bathing.

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The talk about poor quality cables is reaching a crescendo. But what is it all about? And why should it be of concern to everyone? Mark Froggatt of Draka explains.

When the former DTI [Department of Trade & Industry], now called the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, and BASEC [British Approvals Service for Cables] go public about their concerns regarding rogue cables being available on the UK market, it is most certainly time to sit up and take notice.

While some of the evidence is anecdotal, it is too plentiful to continue ignoring, particularly with the increasing prospect of legal action following in the aftermath of a fire. And the situation shows little sign of abating. Like many of the reputable cable manufacturers, Draka has a sin-box of sample rogue cables that is filling up fast.

The message from BASEC could not be clearer. A press release issued by the organisation in July included unequivocal advice to everyone in the market: do not take a supplier’s claim at face value, as faulty or non-compliant products are becoming a major industry issue. Its warning is that there is now a “severe danger” of cables being supplied and installed that lack independent third-party approval.

Dr Jeremy Hodge, chief executive of BASEC, is quoted as saying: “A common misunderstanding is thinking that a cable is compliant, or is even BASEC approved, just because the supplier claims that it has been produced to a certain standard. This is not the case. Cables marked with just a standard number should be treated with caution. It is possible that no-one has independently examined that cable.”

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

The problem seems to have its origin in the copper price rises. Reports soon circulated that some unscrupulous producers had fallen prey to the temptation to cut corners and use less copper in the manufacturing process. Reducing the diameter of the copper wire too much has the effect of reducing the current rating and increasing the resistivity of the cable. This could potentially result in overheating which could lead to fire or reduce the level of safety against electrical shock.

From there the situation worsened. Recently, there have been instances where materials other than pure copper, such as steel wire, copper-coated aluminium or badly recycled copper have been used in cables. These instances seem to be restricted to imported cable, and now also seem to include incorrect cable construction resulting in inferior fire performance. This can have a serious detrimental impact on the safety and reliability of fire detection and alarm systems, and emergency lighting installations.

WHY WORRY?

Because surely, this is a problem for everyone, nobody can wash their hands of it.

Just consider the following scenario. A contractor buys cable specifying that it is to comply with a specific British or European standard. Cable is supplied that proudly bears the kite-mark. Thousands of metres of the cable are installed when fate steps in and fire breaks out. The cable is found to be defective. Welcome to the world of litigation, substantial costs, and a reputation that has taken time to build and grow, goes from well respected and into the dustbin in one quick step.

The specifier defends his actions by pointing out that he had clearly stated the standards to which the cable must apply. Attention then swings to the installer. In turn, they show the cable the wholesaler supplied, which probably has the standard printed on the outside. They will undoubtedly argue that they asked for compliant cable, and relied on the wholesaler’s expert advice and care. Finally, the wholesaler will be asked to prove that the materials supplied were backed up by the required levels of certification and accreditation from their supplier.

Sound bad enough? Well, that could be just the beginning. How long do you think it would be before other installer customers are asking questions about the “kite-marked” cable supplied to them? It is this scenario which is causing concern and why there are certain manufacturers who are delivering this message to the whole of the supply chain. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order has made the market far more conscious of the need to use only proven, third-party approved, top quality products. Relying on assertions that a cable is manufactured to a specific standard, simply will no longer do. The Fire Safety Order places responsibilities on all of us to take ‘reasonable’ steps to ensure fire safety and so it is reasonable for wholesalers to demand independent test certification by such organisations as BASEC, TUV or LPCB. These organisations are accredited by UKAS – United Kingdom Accreditation Service – to ensure that their credentials are of the highest international standards.

The importance of this third-party accreditation is that the wholesaler and the installer can be sure that the cable being supplied today is built to exactly – and the key word is “exactly” – the same standard and specification as the cable that was originally tested and approved. If the cable is from a producer that does not have this third-party accreditation there is, in reality, no guarantee whatsoever that it is manufactured to the standard being claimed for it.

This is important even when buying cable from a reputable manufacturer. Earlier cable from that supplier may have been up to standard, but re-sourcing materials and accepting a different specification, changing the formulation of the coating or sheathing, or modifying the design are just examples of changes that can affect the performance of a cable that still proudly – but now erroneously – bears the kite-mark.

NEVER MIND THE QUALITY, WHAT’S THE PRICE.

The fact that these rogue cables and sharp practices have come to light actually increases the need to insist on selling only third-party accredited cable (and, of course, making sure that hard evidence of that accreditation is produced). This gives out very positive and powerful messages, for example, it can be used to illustrate the fact that the quality of the product is of paramount importance, whilst also demonstrating an understanding of the legislative environment in which the installers now operate, and of their need for compliance with the Fire Safety Order and the recent changes to the Building Regulations.

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The Bollard People, ATG Access, the global manufacturer of bollard systems for ram-raid deterrent, traffic management, high security and counter-terrorism have recently set up a Southern Office. Located in Slough, the strategically placed building serves as a base in the South of the UK. It demonstrates ATG Access’s continual commitment to the UK market and sits well alongside its international expansion.

ATG Access global head office location will continue to be the North West of England although they moved from Lowton into a brand new purpose built facility in Haydock in October 2008.

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New Daikin concealed ceiling ducted indoor units featuring inverter driven fan motors in both VRV (FXSQ and FXMQ) and Sky Air (FBQ and FMDQ) product lines reflect the company’s continuing emphasis on energy efficiency and installation flexibility.

DC inverter based units with higher efficiencies

Daikin pioneered the use of DC inverter technology in its compressors, which modulate the speed of the motor to suit system demand, resulting in optimum efficiency and user comfort. Applying the same technology to the indoor unit fan motors results in reductions in energy consumption up to 40%, the FBQ71 model fan for example consuming 113W compared to 181W for the previous model. Also, enlarging the heat exchanger of the unit where possible, further improves efficiency.

The units also offer the Daikin ‘home leave’ function via the wired remote controller, allowing additional energy savings by preventing excessive cooling of unattended rooms in winter.

Easy and flexible installation

The system also provides automatic airflow adjustment via the wired remote controller, thereby fine tuning the airflow to the nominal rate during installation. Thus, calculation of duct dimensions and ESP are no longer as critical to optimum system operation. This results in quicker and easier installation, avoiding multiple manual airflow adjustments of the ducted system. Design flexibility has also increased, with an enlarged range of available external static pressures supported from 50 to 200 Pa for the FXMQ50.

Improved user comfort

A new three step airflow control allows the user to tailor the system for optimum comfort and minimum noise (down to 26 dBA for FXSQ25 and 29dBA for FBQ71). The duct units blend with any interior, with only the intake and exhaust grilles visible. A built-in air filter ensures a constant supply of clean air and an integral drain pump increases system reliability.

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M&E contractor Longcross Engineering has become the 15,000th licensee of AMTECH’s FastTest Test & Inspection software

In extending its use of AMTECH’s FastTest software to increase productivity, Longcross Engineering, the M&E division of Longcross Group, has recently purchased the 15,000th licence for this market-leading Test & Inspection software. The event was celebrated with the presentation of champagne and a specially commissioned trophy to the company’s Testing and Commissioning Manager Tony Taylor.

“Using FastTest is a quick and efficient way of producing accurate, validated test certificates and gives us around 40% time savings compared to other methods,” Tony explained. “The ability to print certificates onto plain paper makes the production of extensive certificates very cost-effective and there are a number of useful tools to increase productivity. New users also find it very easy to use, so they’re up and running in a short space of time,” he continued.

Longcross has been using AMTECH’s FastTest and ProDesign packages for several years and increasing the number of FastTest licences is proving invaluable in managing a rapidly growing portfolio of M&E contracts. “Making smart use of technologies such as FastTest helps us to maintain high levels of service to clients across a wider range of projects,” said Operations Director Daryl Fortune. “With prestigious clients such as Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and HM Prisons, the quality and consistency of our service is a number one priority,” he added.

Tony Taylor’s department is responsible for verifying testing and commissioning data from all of the company’s electrical installation projects. “FastTest takes care of a lot of the routine work and has dramatically reduced the amount of paper we have to handle. This enables us to respond to customers’ needs faster and more efficiently,” he concluded.

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DECO resin based surfaces provide a 2-3mm decorative coloured quartz surface that have been used extensively throughout Scandinavia & Iceland for many years. As part of our continuing development and our links with a Norwegian resin formulator/manufacturer we are delighted to offer the ADDAGRIP DECO surface to the UK market.

Suitable for a variety of locations including supermarkets, shops, offices and display showrooms ADDAGRIP DECO will provide you with an attractive and hard wearing surface. The photographs shows a high quality DECO installation in a supermarket that was carried out by Golflausnir Malland, Iceland.

To find out more or to receive samples of the ADDAGRIP DECO please do not hesitate to contact us.

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