Gas, HVAC and Plumbing

Confined spaces pose a significant hazard to workers’ lives. Recently, BBC East Midlands published a story covering a corporate manslaughter trial taking place in Leicester Crown Court. Greenfeeds Limited is charged with two counts of corporate manslaughter after two of its employees, Nathan Walker (19) and Gavin Rawson (35), lost consciousness due to high CO2 concentrations and subsequently drowned inside a tanker.[1] Seven years before this incident in May 2009, two men, Maarten Pieter Den Heijer (30) and Robert MacDonald (45), died as a result of low O2 concentrations beneath the deck of a barge moored on Loch Creran, a sea farm near Oban. Scottish Sea Farms and Logan Inglis were fined £600 000 and £40 000 respectively (these fines were later reduced to £333 335 and £20 000) for breaches of health and safety regulations such as failing to train staff for working in confined spaces like the sealed chambers present on the Loch Creran barge.[2] Approximately 15 people in the UK lose their lives due to accidents in confined spaces; this number includes fatalities resulting from failed rescue attempts.[3] Therefore, it is vital to understand the risks, regulations, procedures, and equipment pertaining to working in confined spaces before you or your employees undertake any work. Thankfully, Crowcon has answered several frequently asked questions about confined spaces using the information outlined in the HSE's (UK) and OSHA's (USA) documentation on the subject.[4] Continue reading →

Buy a Fluke 114, 115, 116, or 117 Digital Multimeter and get a FREE 1AC VoltAlert. Starting on the 1st April 22, up to and including 31st May 22. Continue reading →

To mark International Women’s Day (8th March) and World Plumbing Day (11th March), we’re celebrating a woman who chose to #BreakTheBias in the plumbing industry. Allow us to introduce Lillian Ann Baumbach, the USA’s first female Master Plumber. Continue reading →

After years of research and development, KANE has created KANE LINK, a wireless interface that connects your KANE LINK-enabled 458S, 958, or 988 Flue Gas Analyser to KANE LINK probes, adapters, and monitors, allowing you to carry out measurements wirelessly and remotely. With KANE Link you don’t have to carry multiple pieces of test equipment or navigate dangerous trailing wires; results are wirelessly transmitted to your flue gas analyser, and you can send data to print or to a smartphone/tablet with the KANE LIVE app installed, enabling you to work faster, easier, and more accurately. Continue reading →

Test equipment manufacturer Testo has launched their new 2022 winter promotion! They are giving a lucky customer the opportunity to win a FREE Nissan Electric Van. Continue reading →

Unfortunately, there continues to be no shortage of news stories about illegal and dangerous gas work carried out by unregistered, unqualified “gas engineers”. Therefore, it is vital that you stay vigilant and always employ a Gas Safe registered engineer that is qualified to work on your gas appliance and your fuel type. You can find a Gas Safe registered engineer or check your engineers’ credentials on the Gas Safe Register or by calling the free helpline on 0800 408 5500. Additionally, always ask to see your engineer's Gas Safe ID card and make sure you check the back of it for the appliances and gas types they are qualified to work on. Ensuring gas work is carried out by a qualified and gas registered engineer is critical to protecting yourself and your community against potential gas leaks, carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, and explosions. Continue reading →

Buy and register a Testo 300, 320B or 327 Flue Gas Analyser or Flue Gas Analyser Kit between the 1st September and 31st December 2021 to receive your first year of service, worth over £100, for free! Continue reading →

HIKMICRO are about to launch their new generation mini smartphone thermals in the UK. Be one of the first to find out more about how these new handheld thermography products can help you in your day-to-day work! Continue reading →

Read how Stultumshire Comprehensive School solved an unexpected plumbing problem using a Testo 883 Thermal Camera.

Thermal imaging cameras detect infrared energy and convert this into a thermal image allowing you to see the distribution of heat throughout the scene. PASS stocks a range of thermal imaging cameras optimised for building, heating, and plumbing diagnostics, including models by FLIR and Testo. Plumbers and heating engineers use thermal cameras to improve the ease and efficiency of jobs as they provide a fast and simple method of identifying damp, water damage, radiator blockages, and leaking pipes. Read on to discover five ways a thermal imaging camera can help you in your daily work. Continue reading →