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Wylex have launched a new product to support customers with the 18th Edition wiring regulations, the single module arc fault detection device. The latest innovation contains 3 forms of technology in one. Including MCB, RCD and AFDD technology. The device prevents electrical fires from arc faults, and can be retrofitted into existing boards

Smaller device. Greater Protection.

Wylex has launched a new single module arc fault detection device to help prevent electrical fires.
One of the leading brands of Electrium, Wylex, has been providing electrical safety excellence in the UK electrical distribution industry for over 100 years.
The launch of the single module arc fault detection device is one of several solutions made available by the brand to help customers conform towards the IET 18th Edition of the wiring regulations.

How does it work?

This clever little device detects and disconnects arc faults which could lead to an electrical fire in the home.

It does both the job of an MCB and RCD, and it is able to detect arc faults that these types of technology simply can’t. What’s more, it is half the size of its predecessor and can be retrofitted into existing boards. Providing you with more space and time on your next job.

Wylex AFDDs carry out a self-test function when initially powered up, and the AFDD repeats this self-test function every 15 hours. They also have a test button (just like an RCDs or RCBOs), which you can use during the initial verification or EICR. Model certificates now include AFDDs among the devices listed, with space for test results.

What the regs say

As part of the latest IET wiring regulations, the 18th Edition does say that the using arc fault detection devices is recommended to provide additional protection against fire caused by arc faults in the final AC circuits. In a recent survey on Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs), the majority of respondents agreed that the technology can help to prevent electrical fires.

However, protecting people and property from electrical fires is mandatory as Simon Rowlinson, Product Manager for Electrium, recently discussed.

Get more on single module arc fault detection devices

Learn more on our dedicated site and see why there are so many reasons to choose Wylex’s single module arc fault detection devices.

Ready to protect your customers? Get in touch with your local sales engineer today.

Discover more about arc fault detection devices and the 18th Edition in our dedicated site right here.

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Saniflo UK – the country’s leading designer and manufacturer of macerators, pumps, and lifting stations – announces a new website for the Kinedo brand of shower cubicles, trays and shower enclosures, available at kinedo.co.uk.

The new website offers a slick, contemporary design and feel, plus access to a raft of information for homeowners wishing to find out more and upgrade their bathrooms using a Kinedo product.

Live now, the new website makes it easy for homeowners to search and find the products they need. Industry professionals will find the new Kinedo website’s ‘Expert Centre’, particularly helpful.

The Kinedo website is easy to navigate and allows users to search by product category of shower enclosures, shower cubicles and shower trays and also includes sections on accessible showering, plus the configurator for the Kineduo walk-in shower baths, brochures and a blog offering useful tips. Visitors can also locate their local Kinedo supplier or request a call back from a Saniflo representative.

Saniflo UK Head of Marketing and Product Development, Ann Boardman, comments: “The new Kinedo website is super easy to navigate and understand, for both homeowners and industry professionals. It contains everything you could wish to know about the quality and versatility of the Kinedo range from Saniflo. The blog offers homeowners creative ideas for the use and installation of Kinedo products. It has never been easier to understand the features and benefits of the Kinedo range of shower cubicles, shower enclosures and shower trays.”

Please visit www.kinedo.co.uk

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Ancon has extended its technical services offering with the addition of webinars to complement a highly successful CPD-approved seminar programme of over 30 years. The first webinar available in the series is entitled The Correct Use of Wall Ties in Brick-to-Block Construction.

This webinar provides viewers with information on the various types of cavity wall restraints and their design considerations including how to limit heat/sound transfer. The webinars are delivered by Ancon technical staff who have considerable technical experience of applying seminar content in practice and in answering questions from both specifiers and contractors.

The webinars are available on demand from the ‘Resources’ section of the Ancon website here: www.ancon.co.uk/resources/webinars

For more information, please contact Ancon on 0114 275 5224 or email info@ancon.co.uk.

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Decorative specialists Armourcoat have provided the finishing touches to The Soak, a new bar and restaurant next to London’s Victoria Station with an all-day menu that is built around signature soaked flavours through fermenting, pickling, brining and steeping techniques.

With interior design devised by a partnership between creative agency CAB and interior design studio MAS, the grade II listed building retains many original features including a carved leaf design which is now incorporated into the bar interior.

Armourcoat’s Koncrete polished plaster finish is used to great effect on the bar front with recessed logo. Koncrete is an urban range of polished plaster colours and finishes designed for contemporary projects. The range offers a wealth of design options to achieve a distinctive modern look including distressed effects or recessed ‘shutter’ markings.

Outside the building, Armourcoat PPX has been used to repeat the restaurant logo design. PPX is a low maintenance, durable external limestone render system that can create stunning honed and textured stone like finishes for both new build and renovation projects.

Glh Design Team commented on the project, “We were delighted to work with Armourcoat on this project, and the use of polished plaster finishes to the entrance wall and bar front adds a modern twist to the design. The team at Armourcoat have enabled us to make an entrance with an impact and the rough textured finish on The Soak logo is such an impressive contrast to the smooth concrete of the finish on the wall.”

Photography: © Franklin & Franklin

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JS Air Curtains has expanded its team with the appointment of Loredana Groza as its new technical sales advisor.

Loredana will be providing support and assistance in all aspects of air curtain design, specification and installation to consultants, contractors and specifiers.

Commenting on the new appointment, Kerry Jones, UK and Ireland Sales Manager said, “We are delighted to welcome Loredana to the JS Air Curtains sales team. The company has experienced considerable growth in recent years and Loredana’s appointment will help us maintain the responsive technical assistance our customers rely on.”

Loredana, originally from Romania, has three degrees in Engineering, Environmental Science and Geology, from studying in Romania and Spain.

JS Air Curtains has been supplying a comprehensive and competitive range of air curtains for all commercial and industrial applications since 1999. The company offers professional advice on air curtain projects, system design, supply, service and after-sales support. More information is available at www.jsaircurtains.com.

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Precision Technology Supplies Ltd have recently added the Nordlock range of Stainless Steel Wedge locking washers to their ever expanding range of products. Famous for offering secure bolting solutions, Nordlock are specified in a wide variety of applications where secure locking is required. Now available from stock at www.pts-uk.com

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A recently published scientific study¹ by Yale University has shown that breathing air with a low humidity reduces our immune system’s capability to fight off flu infections. The research results showed that using humidifiers in the winter to increase the moisture content of air in occupied buildings, such as offices, schools and hospitals, is a potential strategy to reduce the seasonal impact of flu on society.

It is estimated that in the UK influenza causes six million working days to be lost every year, accounts for 400,000 GP consultations, 600 deaths directly and an estimated 10,000 further deaths from flu-related causes. Even though many scientific studies, such as the recent one from Yale, have shown the importance of humidity in relation to combatting flu, no legal requirement exists in the UK for public or commercial buildings to maintain a minimum indoor humidity level for health.

The Yale study, carried out in the laboratory of Dr Akiko Iwasaki, used mice that respond to flu in a similar way to humans. The mice were infected with flu and kept in either low humidity or mid-level humidity conditions. Their physical reactions to the flu virus were then examined, including weight loss, temperature changes, their ability to clear the virus from their respiratory system and heal resultant inflammation, and ultimately their mortality rate.

The scientists found that the mice kept in low humidity (10-20%RH) suffered a much worse disease course than the mice kept in mid-level humidity (50%RH). They suffered more rapid and greater weight loss, were unable to maintain a normal body temperature and experienced a higher mortality rate.

Dr Iwasaki commented, “What we found was that low humidity impairs the ability of the respiratory tract, lung and nose to get rid of the flu virus. In the airway cells, hair-like projections called cilia, are constantly moving inhaled particles along to get rid of them. However, in low humidity we found that this cilia movement, as well as particle removal, was impaired. This is particularly important for people who are very susceptible such as the very young infant or the older person over 65, as mortality from flu mostly occurs in this age group.”

The researchers also observed that low humidity reduces the ability of cells in the lungs, damaged by flu, to repair themselves. A third effect of low humidity identified in this study, was that infected cells stopped signalling for help from neighbouring cells. The ability to recruit additional immune cells to fight invading viruses or bacteria is an essential part of the body’s natural defence system, and is key to limiting disease from infections.

Commenting on the study, Dave Marshall-George, UK Sales Manager at humidity control specialist, Condair, said, “This study is yet further evidence for a regulatory minimum humidity level to be set for public places to reduce the impact of seasonal flu. It is relatively simple to maintain a healthy indoor humidity of 40-60%RH in public buildings using commercial humidification systems. However, unlike temperature, humidity is not easily perceivable by occupants. This results in building operators saving money by not installing, or even turning off, their humidifiers and allowing indoor humidity to drop dangerously low in the winter.”

Dave continues, “The problem is compounded by legislation that requires building operators to reduce energy consumption. Building owners and designers are forced to minimise building services to become more efficient. However, the result is necessary services, such as humidity control, are being sacrificed at the expense of occupant health. Given the massive impact that flu has on society, both on the economy and the health service, it is time the governing bodies took notice of the science and introduced minimum indoor humidity levels.”

Commenting on the results of the study, Dr Stephanie Taylor, Infection Control Consultant at Harvard Medical School and an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer, said, “Dr. Iwasaki’s research shows that balanced humidification increases our overall immune defences and therefore can be applied to both viral and bacterial diseases, not limited to seasonal influenza. This study clearly shows the need to maintain indoor relative humidity at 40–60% in homes, schools, offices, hospitals, aeroplanes and all other occupied spaces.

“ASHRAE must recognize this excellent study as evidence to support a minimum RH level in occupied commercial buildings.” Dr Stephanie Taylor concludes.

The Condair Group is the world’s leading specialist in humidification and evaporative cooling, with energy efficient, hygienic and innovative technologies for commercial, industrial and heritage applications. Condair is represented in the UK by Condair plc, which offers system design, manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning, maintenance and spares. You can find out more by visiting the company’s website at www.condair.co.uk.

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