Help & Advice

The legionella bacterium is a common species found in natural water bodies such as lakes and rivers as well as in man-made water systems used in domestic, commercial and industrial properties. In normal conditions, it poses very little problem for humans but favourable conditions will encourage its growth which in turn increases the risk of inhaling the bacteria and suffering from resultant Legionnaires’ disease (Legionellosis).

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The presence of leaks in hot water systems is often first indicated by low boiler pressure or a constant need to top up the boiler, meaning that there is very little clue as to the location of a leak before investigations begin. Identifying hot water pipes throughout a property and finding water leaks can be a time-consuming and labour intensive process when the system is hidden under tiled or concrete flooring. Conventional inspections lead to digging up floors which in turn results in great expenditure in terms of both materials and labour as flooring is lifted and restored. Thermal imaging provides a cost-effective, time-saving solution to these problems.

Technical Bulletin 118 (TB118) from the Gas Safe Register - updated on 30th January 2018 - sets out the steps that should be taken by gas engineers to properly isolate appliances that use an electrical supply. This includes the majority of appliances in domestic and commercial environments. Safe electrical isolation is vital to ensuring that engineers do not receive a potentially dangerous electric shock, which can cause anything from mild discomfort to death.

When properly specified, socket testers provide a fast and effective solution to identify potentially unsafe installations and wiring faults. They can be particularly useful as a service tool for identifying potentially unsafe conditions prior to installing new plant and equipment. Socket testers are not an alternative to the full verification of wiring installations, however they are an essential tool for all maintenance teams as a first line indicator.

Annual calibration of test and measurement equipment is recommended by the vast majority of manufacturers and it may also be appropriate to carry out more frequent calibration should test results start to fluctuate. However, the processes behind loss of accuracy are often little understood and they are influenced by a wide array of factors. This article aims to explain the influences behind variations in accuracy and clarify the actual calibration process your tester will undergo when it comes to our laboratory.

With Christmas just around the corner, everyone’s main focus should be on having fun and enjoying the festivities but it is also important to stay safe, particularly when it comes to decorations. All the extra clutter around the house can pose a fire risk and Christmas is the only time of year when infrequently used fairy lights are draped both inside and outside the house. The risks are shown by the fact that during the Christmas period in 2011/12, fairy lights caused 47 house fires. However, there are a few simple steps that will let you enjoy them without needing to worry.

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Data network testers have a reputation for being both expensive and complicated which discourages many electricians from branching out into network installation. However, with Ideal VDV II models available from under £100, this need not be the case, especially as these testers require no special training to operate. At the other end of the scale, an Ideal LANTEK III can cost over £5000 despite seemingly performing very similar tasks so this post will explain the differences within the Ideal Networks range and help users find the best instrument for them.

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Exposure to excess vibration through the hand and arm (HARM) has been known to cause debilitating conditions for nearly a century. The most common permanent condition brought on by excess vibration exposure is hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), commonly manifested in vibration white finger. The condition affects workers across a range of industries with the Health and Safety Executive calculating that nearly two million people are at risk.

As winter approaches and central heating boilers switch on throughout the UK, now is the opportune moment to look at the state of gas safety across the nation and discuss the practical steps everyone can take to prevent incidents related to gas leaks, fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Electric shock is an ever-present danger to professional electricians and maintaining safe working practices is crucial to preventing serious injury and loss of life. Unfortunately accidents do happen so it is important to understand the effects of electric shock on the body, as well as to know the correct response procedure when a colleague is injured.