ABB fast-chargers prove reliability in frozen Arctic and desert heat
ABB Terra DC fast-chargers flawless in extremes of arctic weather and heat of competitive motor racing Terra 53 DC chargers from ABB have proven their absolute reliability during extreme cold-weather testing at the Jaguar Land Rover Ice Academy, in Arjeplog, Sweden, by powering an I-PACE eTROPHY racecar. Running the I-PACE at sub-zero temperatures, at a test track on the edge of the Arctic Circle, required the unmodified Terra 53 units to charge the car’s 90kWh battery in conditions outside its normal operating range. Chris Crump, Southern Europe Operations Team Leader for Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The ABB chargers at the Ice Academy are one of the most northerly of all DC charging infrastructure across Europe, and it is one of the most remote and coldest installations on the planet. The stations have been designed to perform in extreme conditions from minus 35 degrees to plus 55 degrees Celsius.” The chargers, which have been supplemented by four more Terra HP chargers installed at the Ice Academy function flawlessly – echoing the performance of custom Terra DC units used to provide power to 12 Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY race cars during their first competition in the Saudi capital of Ridyadh . The chargers will be used again for their racing return at the Mexico City round of the I-PACE eTROPHY. The Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY is the world’s first international all-electric racing series for production- based cars and is a support series at 10 rounds of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. ABB’s role as official charging partner for the I-PACE eTROPHY builds on its partnership as title partnerof the ABB FIA Formula E Championship and extends the company’s commitment to support andexpand the future of e-mobility. For more information from ABB please click here
Van Drivers Health Warning: 8 Top Tips to Combat Risks
Britain’s four million van drivers have been warned of the serious health risks they face from sitting behind the wheel every day. Motoring experts from LeaseVan issued the warning after researching the health dangers of being seated in a driving position for up to eight hours every day. With millions of van drivers spending the majority of their working lives sat behind the wheel the researchers found they were at increased risk of health issues such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease. Jobs, such as driving, which feature prolonged periods in a seated position were even found to be linked with increased cancer risks. LeaseVan supply thousands of vans across the UK each year but estimate that many drivers could be overweight as they struggle to get enough exercise. Here are LeaseVan top tips for drivers to stay healthy: Plan your meals. By preparing lunch the night before drivers can avoid greasy takeaways and save cash too. Know your routes. Drivers are encouraged to research their routes and not rely too heavily on sat nav. Knowing the route can help them avoid congestion trouble spots and reduce time spent sitting. Take regular breaks. Even pulling over and stepping out for two minutes can make a massive difference. Park away from the job. Van drivers should avoid pulling up right outside an address. By parking on the next street they can gain vital exercise. Grab your tools. It’s difficult for drivers to find the time to visit the gym but by using the tools of the trade they can easily fit a workout in during their working day. A toolbox makes a great weight for curls and lunges. Use the van. Even the vehicle itself can be utilised as a mobile gym with drivers blasting out push ups and dips while parked up. Be mindful. Drivers should try to stay calm and avoid anger and frustration while out on the roads. So take a deep breath and simply smile if cut up. Track it. Drivers can use an app on their phone to measure activity and record hours sat down at work. The researchers found that life on the road also led to a poor diet for many drivers who are forced to dine at garages and motorway service stations. Now the company has issued a health warning to drivers to make them aware of the risks they face from their sedentary lifestyle. They are also offering eight top health tips, encouraging drivers to take regular breaks and make the time to climb out of their vans and get some exercise. Grabbing a tool box to blast out some bicep curls while safely parked or even utilising their vehicles for a quick set of tricep dips off the back bumper were just two of the tips LeaseVan offered drivers. They also urged drivers to use their smartphones to track the hours they spent sitting and also download a fitness app to encourage them to exercise during a lunch or coffee break throughout the day. Gareth Roberts from LeaseVan said: “Britain’s van drivers are the lifeblood of the UK economy. They are often small business owners who do a hectic and stressful job navigating busy roads to attend to their customers. They are sat behind the wheel for much of the day yet despite being seated their stress levels are often sky high as they deal with traffic jams and other road users. This leads to an increase in adrenaline and stress hormone cortisol in the blood stream so it’s little wonder many drivers struggle with health issues such as diabetes and obesity. We have issued our warning just to remind van drivers that they need to prioritise their own health as highly as their devotion to getting the job done. We understand that many work incredibly long hours and it can be difficult to make the right food choices or find time to exercise but a little meal planning and a few improvised exercises in the van itself can make a huge difference. Some experts have commented that sitting down all day is the new smoking. We are saying to van drivers just get out from behind the steering wheel throughout the day and stay healthy. The health risks they face should not be ignored and we take every drivers well-being very seriously. Our strategy outlines a few small ways in which they can improve their health, which we hope will make a big difference.” for more information from LeaseVan please click here
Essentra Components explains when is a screw not a screw? When it’s a coated fastener
Essentra Components understand their customers fastener requirements cover a vast array of industries, from space shuttles to freezers. As a result, they can provide fasteners in a wide range of sizes and materials but it’s the coating on the fastener where the innovation is found. The coating can make a fastening significantly stronger, smoother or more resistant than a regular screw. Coated fasteners are a requirement for specialised machinery and for processes that involve extreme conditions like waste management, or even space travel. Coated fasteners can withstand the harsh industrial processes, meaning that they do not require regular maintenance and replacement, which can delay and disrupt production, or compromise the quality of a product. So, what are the fasteners typically coated in? Well the choice of coating logically depends on the product requirements and the environment that the product is going to be used in. Coatings typically consist of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Xylan or Halar. Halar ECTFE as a coating can be made transparent It has different grades which can be used dependent on the project requirements, for example, it can be applied as a powder or a fluid. PTFE works well under high temperatures and low friction and is also resistant to corrosive materials. This means that it’s a good choice when parts need to be cleaned using specialised industrial cleaners. Xylan is a plastic alloy. Like PTFE it offers fasteners resistance to extreme temperatures. It also reduces friction for smoother application and removal if required. This material also makes the component resistant to salt-water, chemicals and the elements. Xylan also benefit fits from good adhesion to most surfaces.- it will stick to practically any material, whereas PTFE occasionally will not. It can also be applied in an extremely thin film over the component which offers a smoother surface. Coated fasteners have a protective shield against temperatures, conditions, friction and chemicals. This gives these fasteners a high fire safety rating, making coated fasteners a safer option for many industrial processes. Further information on Essentra Components products can be found on the Essentra Components website, or contact sales@essentracomponents.com. Follow them on social media: https://facebook.com/ www.linkedin.com/company/essentra https://www.youtube.com/channel
ANPR HELPS TO SECURE NORTH WEST AMBULANCE SERVICE REGIONAL HQ
As part of a new centrally controlled vehicle security system, The North West Ambulance Service has recently updated the security of its premises at its Lancashire regional headquarters using the Nortech stainless steel bollards that house Nedap ANPR cameras. The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) NHS Trust operates around 1,000 vehicles to provide 1.1 million emergency and non-emergency patient journeys. It was established in 2006 by the merger of ambulance trusts from Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside, Cumbria and Lancashire. The Lancashire regional HQ is based near Broughton in Preston. The trust needed to secure the perimeters of their premises at the Lancashire regional HQ and appointed Expert Security UK, Frank Whittle Partnerships and W. Monks Ltd to design and install the new centrally controlled vehicle security system. Expert Security UK approached Nortech in order to integrate the Nedap Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) into the system and new automatic barriers were installed to secure the perimeter and prevent unauthorised vehicles. Nortech supplied the ANPR camera housed in a robust stainless steel bollard to protect the camera from any potential vehicle knocks. As vehicles approach the new barriers, the ANPR reads the number plates and converts each valid number plate into a Wiegand ID string, which it sends to the access control panel in the same way as a standard card reader. The Wiegand number can then be checked centrally for access rights so that vehicle access can be granted or denied accordingly. Danny Scholfield, Sales Director at Expert Security UK, commented: “We are all delighted with the final result. The system is very fast and ticks all the boxes for us. As we are already using the Net2 system here at the HQ, it is great to see the ANPR integrating into the system without complication. The barrier system is a great security measure for us and has prevented unauthorised parking.” The benefits of the Nortech ANPR system is that it integrates with most access control software, avoids the need for manned gates or vehicle tags, allows automatic vehicle identification at between three and six metres and prevents unauthorised vehicle access. Nortech has supplied products and solutions to the security industry for over 25 years as an independent British company. The company uses extensive experience and expertise to create new security products to fit their clients’ needs and designs everything with the customer in mind. Further information is available from Nortech on 01633 485533 or by emailing sales@nortechcontrol.com or by visiting the company’s website at here Nortech is supported byVantage PR
FIRST EVER TRADESMEN BLACKLIST LAUNCHED
There is no single trusted source of cowboy builders and workmen available to the general public, until now, PropertyHeads.com, the property and social network portal, has just launched a Tradesmen Blacklist of rogue traders that have a criminal record – the first of its kind. propertyheads.com/tradesmen_blacklist. With over 1,000 names recorded in the Tradesmen Blacklist, homeowners are invited to report rogue traders on the portal, so they can be added to the database. Users can search the portal’s database of hundreds of convicted tradesmen, as part of their background checks when looking to hire some help. But the Blacklist is about more than just cowboy builders and fraudsters, it has several convicted murderers and rapists on the Blacklist – not people you would knowingly invite into your home. Research from the Traders Blacklist reveals that the majority of rogue traders are builders (26%), followed by roofers (17%), driveway traders and gardeners (13%), painter and decorators (11%), plasterers (10%), bricklayers (6%) and carpenters (4%). Many rogue traders are repeat offenders and some have more than 50 convictions. High risk areas include County Durham, Kent and Essex with low risk areas including Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Greater London. Ben Davis, CEO of PropertyHeads.com comments: “We are appalled that so many homeowners are being ripped off by rogue traders and want to help. Quite simply reputable companies do not doorstep for new customers and homeowners would be well advised to avoid those that do.It is widely accepted that the best way to engage a reliable tradesman is by word of mouth. But how can you possibly know which of your friends and colleagues has used a reliable tradesman without asking all of them? And why is it that traditional tradesman review websites are built around anonymous reviews? PropertyHeads.com addresses both of these issues as it shows users the reviews from people they already know and trust when they search for a tradesman. This is great news for the consumer. Not only do they easily get reviews, they can also attribute to a friend, or colleague. It makes the process of referencing and inspecting tradesmen’s work that much easier too. It’s also good for genuine tradesmen, as they are able to grow their businesses by word of mouth. Three things struck me when we put together the Tradesman Blacklist. Firstly, rogue tradesman will go to extraordinary lengths to mislead their victims including faking their own cancer and using vehicles with government agency sign-writing. Secondly, even those with seemingly reputable backgrounds – we have several ex Police and military in our Blacklist – are capable of awful crimes. And third, the sheer number of victims involved. If our Blacklist helps just one homeowner avoid being ripped-off, then we will have done a good service.” It’s vital that people carry out research before they have any building or maintenance done, as it could save them thousands in the long run. Ask for recommendations, perform background checks, insist on and keep all paperwork and do not pay in advance. There is so much information available online but, only PropertyHeads.com shows consumers reviews from people they already trust. PropertyHeads.com has also put together some advice on how to avoid rogue traders: Be suspicious of anyone who comes to the door offering to fix your roof etc. Do not work with door steppers at all. The PropertyHeads.com Tradesmen Blacklist has hundreds of examples of doorsteppers often preying on the elderly (oldest reported victim 99) and sometimes returning to time and again until life savings have been taken. Never pay upfront For larger jobs have a detailed payment schedule with clear milestones. If you do pay for materials only pay when they arrive on site Get paperwork in order. Keep copies of the contract, invoices and receipts. Ask for details of insurance and keep those too. No written contract / details of work, best avoid. Go with your gut. Price seems too good to be true? Little idea of how long the job will take? Don’t seem to have the right tools? Cash? Ask for and check out at least two references. Inspect the work if possible. Of course it’s easier to inspect the work and quiz the referee if you already know that person. Do some basic checks. They should have a landline phone, an address and be registered with Companies House as a minimum. By far the best thing is to get word-of-mouth recommendation. Easiest way to do that is on PropertyHeads where you will be shown the tradesmen known by your existing trusted contacts. For more information about the Tradesmen Blacklist, please visit www.propertyheads.com.
UK Fire Association celebrates 10th Birthday with Anniversary Logo and NEW Websit
February 2019 marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of The UK Fire Association (UK-FA), created to support small and medium sized Fire Prevention and Protection companies across the UK. To mark the occasion the organisation has created an subtly updated anniversary logo and invested in a new website which gives both trade association members and consumers an easy to navigate, up to date platform to search for advice, regulations and members who can offer Fire Safety services, education and training. Alan Palmer, founding Director and UK-FA Secretary told current members: “this project has taken a while to come to fruition as we all juggle our professional roles with delivering and developing the UK-FA.” He continued “I am incredibly proud of the UK-FA and this website is a tool that can make our members more accessible to consumers and each other, when looking for potential partners, using a fantastic new member’s directory.” Treasurer and founding Director Tom Law continues: “we now have over 200 members across all regions of the UK and this online platform is vital to link them together and bring them to the forefront of consumer who, often in an emergency, are looking for Fire Safety Solutions. The new website creates the opportunity for members to take control of their directory listing and to undertake automatic membership renewal and meeting bookings. This makes our administration more efficient which can only be good for members as we focus on delivering technical support and advice.” Andrew Berry, UK-FA Chairman believes the new website will attract other small and medium sized companies to join and create a more interactive and vibrant association for the next 10 years and beyond. For more ifnromation about the UK-FA please click here
Time LED’s New Products For The Domestic and Commercial Environment
Expanding the TIME LED brand with a fantastic range of indoor, outdoor and decadent pendant lighting. Providing lighting choices to both the domestic and commercial environment, the new collection features pendants with a touch of industrial chic while adding warmth and atmosphere to your home, restaurant or bar. The pendants perfectly compliment the antik lamps which inject a creative design feature into any area. With all the retro charm and latest LED filament design, the range is complete with a lifespan of 15,000 hours. The new flood lights are perfect for illuminating gardens, driveways and commercial spaces. With a durable yet high quality finish, the LED’s produce a bright but cool white light. Adding an additional level of security, the PIR LED Security Lights are activated by movement, making it ideal for residential and commercial spaces. Create a modern look in your kitchen, living room and hallway with the new range of downlights. These offer a smart, unobtrusive alternative to halogen spotlights and can be used in a range of applications. The new collection includes a downlight holder packed with 2 features; the dimmable inner GU10 to allow for a cosy atmosphere and the LED strip around the edge for a modern lighting solution. Great for supporting areas with low light such as a garage, warehouse or loft, the batten light range is perfect for installations on ceilings or walls. With an IP65 rating, offering protection against dust and water. “LED technology has come on leaps and bounds, which is why we are expanding our range to offer customers new options when it comes to TIME LED. Delivering quality products, colour temperature choice and long-lasting lifespan has been and remains important to us. We set ourselves an ambitious goal and the latest products will bring a new life and style to TIME LED.” Levent Aci, Pitacs Limited Director TIME LED was developed by Pitacs Limited in 2016, manufacturers and distributors ofheating products and electrical cables in the UK as well as supplying over 38 countries across the world. They combine design, quality and practicality to take products to homes and work environments. The TIME LED product range is available from hundreds of electrical wholesalers cross the UK. That’s why they live by instant illumination and future proof technology. The new LED products are available either via the head office or on the website. T: +44 (0)1908 271155 E: info@timeled.co.uk W: www.timeled.co.uk
UK IS A NATION OF NEGLECT AS RESEARCH REVEALS WE PUT HOMES IN DANGER
According to new research by the Consumer Protection Alliance – a group made up of Dispute Resolution Ombudsman, Gas Safe Register, NICEIC and Which? Trusted Traders, with the aim of promoting consumer safety and protection in the UK – over half of Brits (55%) do not unplug electric appliances that are not designed to be left on, whilst some 52% do not know how to test their smoke alarm for functionality. Shockingly, 22% don’t check that the front door is locked before turning in, leaving them open to potential disaster – yet over half of the nation (51%) would check that the curtains are closed at bedtime. A staggering 62% of Brits admit to not checking the hob is turned off before going to bed; risking appliance damage, or worse. Despite the importance, 44% of Brits admit that they do not carry out annual safety checks on the electrical appliances in the home. Of those, 42% don’t know how to check them, over a third (34%) are not aware of which appliances need checking and almost a quarter (23%) ‘can’t be bothered’ to organise the check. Aligned to this, 28% would wait until an appliance had completely broken down before being prompted to get it assessed, meaning what could have been a simple check develops into a major issue. More than a quarter (26%) would only organise a safety check-up when they heard about a friend’s misfortune, such as a boiler breaking down or the hob conking out. Cheryl Cox, Public Affairs Manager at NICEIC and member of the Consumer Protection Alliance, comments: “It’s worrying that the nation is turning their attention away from safety in the home, and that some wouldn’t even consider using the professionals in times of need. Gas and electrical safety is important year-round, but especially during the winter months when an extra strain is placed on our appliances in the home. We tend to forget that our appliances such as the boiler, gas hob and hot water cylinder are used so frequently that they need extra maintenance. Everyone needs to be aware of the dangers and we believe that safety is paramount, and education is key.” Worryingly, the survey of 2,000 British adults also reveals a lack of knowledge and understanding when it comes to home safety: 64% have ended up paying a professional to fix a botched job that was carried out by a ‘cowboy’ tradesman, which has resulted in spending up to an extra £500 on average 26% were unaware that a boiler requires an annual safety check 17% believe they could carry out a check on gas appliances themselves, with over three in five (63%) taking instructions and guidance from online resources such as Google, YouTube or social media 22% don’t know how, or simply wouldn’t bother, to check if their chosen tradesperson is registered in their profession In response, the Consumer Protection Alliance has launched a national consumer safety campaign warning homeowners and landlords about the dangers lurking in the home. Brits are advised to think safety first with these five top tips to ensuring your home is safe: Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors where appropriate and test them on a regular basis. Arrange for an annual safety check on the following gas appliances: Boiler Gas fires Gas cooking hob Hot water cylinder Carry out your own annual visual checks on plugs, sockets, cables, leads and light fittings and seek help from a registered electrician if you find any issues. Arrange for an inspection and test of electrical installations every five years, regardless of whether the property is owned or rented. When having a gas or electrical safety check carried out, always hire a registered, professional tradesperson such as those on the Gas Safe Register or those registered with NICEIC. Each year, 350,000 serious injuries are caused by electrical faults. There are as many as 250,000 illegal gas jobs carried out each year and 40 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning annually. The Consumer Protection Alliance was founded by Dispute Resolution Ombudsman, Gas Safe Register, NICEIC and Which? Trusted Traders with the aim of promoting consumer safety and protection in the UK. For further information about the Consumer Protection Alliance, please click here.
First Mats Launches New Safety Message Mats Range
The Premium Floor Matting suppliers, First Mats have unveiled a brand new range of safety message floor mats designed to bring a heightened level of health and safety compliance to commercial and industrial workplaces around the country. The innovative safety message mats highlight potential dangers and communicate essential safety information such as fire escape locations to staff and visitors with highly-visible messaging that simply can’t be missed. The new First Mats range is available in a choice of five different standard safety messages, all inspired by common industrial safety signs, warning of forklift truck operation, ESD hazards, ear protection or hard hat requirements as well as a Fire Exit floor mat. The safety message mats are based on the firm’s popular Logo Mats which means that in addition to these standard designs, First Mats can also create custom safety messaging mats at no additional cost and will add additional options to the range later this year. Each of the five safety message mats is available in a choice of three standard sizes, ranging from 60 cm x 85 cm to the larger 115 cm x 180 cm, with the option to request your own bespoke size. As well as being practical from a safety perspective, the mats also pull double duty as high quality, functional floor matting for busy commercial and industrial spaces. The mats feature a slip resistant Nitrile rubber backing and hard wearing pile fibres for long-lasting durability even in areas of heavy foot traffic. The absorbent surface material also absorbs dirt, dust and moisture, keeping workplaces clean and hygienic, whatever the weather or position of the mat. Marketing Director, Richard O’Connor said: “All workplaces will have safety signs in place to draw attention to things like fire exits of course but the problem is the signs are often small and are easy to overlook. Printing the safety warning onto a mat is a smart, highly visible solution that can be used to pre-emptively warn staff and visitors of important safety information in a way that is much more noticeable than a small sign stuck to the wall. The great thing about this range is that it’s also highly functional and, while we have a core stock of five standard safety signs, we can create bespoke mats featuring safety notices specific to any type of workplace on request.” The safety mats, from First Mats, range starts from £66.50 (excluding VAT). To find out more and view the products, please click here
