Pro Installer December 2016 - Issue 45 | Page 36

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PRO PRODUCTS

DECEMBER 2016 PRO INSTALLER
www. proinstaller. co. uk

LAYERING FOR ALL SEASONS

The UK weather is incredibly changeable and while it’ s difficult to know exactly what it will throw at us, it pays to be prepared when it comes to health and safety. Here Sangeeta Aeri, technical manager at Supertouch, highlights some of the common issues and the kit to keep everyone safe on site. Health and safety managers and employees alike must understand the importance of Personal Protective Equipment( PPE) in all situations, and then adapt as required. The last few autumns have actually been quite mild,
with just a touch of frost in the evenings and early mornings. Layering therefore provides the perfect remedy, enabling individuals
to add or remove layers when necessary. The concept of layering isn’ t new, but in an environment that has a hi-vis
requirement, health and safety managers need to consider each and every layer that employees may wear. Another important factor to consider is the breathability of the materials – ensuring comfort no matter what the conditions. Supertouch’ s breathable 4 in 1 parka for example, enables the user to mix and match the layers depending on the environment and the temperature. Users can
choose between the hi-vis reversible body warmer and an outer jacket, that can either be worn alone or in combination with the body-warmer. Versatility and functionality are crucial to ensure wearability and there is also the option to include hi-vis t-shirts too. This is an important layer when you consider it’ s the closest to your skin – a comfortable base can enhance performance. Along the same theme of comfort is breathability – many materials are now‘ breathable’ and it’ s important that this is considered during specification. When the body is active, we sweat to prevent overheating – if
materials aren’ t breathable and don’ t allow the skin to breath, evaporation can’ t occur. As a result, the wearer gets hot, uncomfortable and feels unpleasant, potentially risking health and safety when they strip off the layers. Material breathability is as important in winter as it is in the summer, as it allows the air to circulate within the garments, regulating body temperature and helping users feel comfortable for longer.
For more information and to discover the wide-range of PPE and workwear available at Supertouch, please visit www. supertouch. co. uk

App cuts risk of fire injury

Building owners and venue managers are risking the safety of customers- as well as incurring fines of up to £ 2,000 per incident and two years’ imprisonment- by failing to ensure fire doors are unlocked and unblocked during times of occupancy. Penalties can reach £ 100,000 in some instances for multiple offences identified in a single fire safety inspection. Now a new smartphone app, Lodgic, enables managers on site to check that fire doors are attended and unlocked when the building is scheduled for access by the public and other visitors, and then secured again at the correct time for out-of-hours site security. The Lodgic app can be downloaded, for a monthly subscription. It features a‘ tour’ programme with a pre-set activity log; a message and alarm prompts the user to go to and then secure or unlock each fire door on site at a pre-set time, which can be changed according to varying opening hours. A staff member goes to each door and uses the smartphone and the Lodgic app to scan a printed QR bar code, using the camera function, which is attached to a plaque near the exit point and uniquely identifies each door.
At the Lodgic control centre at Redditch, the software system remotely monitors the activity that is logged on the app. There is an automatic alert if each scheduled activity is not completed within pre-set time parameters. A series of warning prompts are sent to the user on site; if the task is not completed then the centre manager is alerted and will phone the designated member of staff immediately. If there is no response, the pre-agreed escalation of an incident can include contacting senior staff, on or off site. The scanning of each bar code is time stamped, with the physical location recorded from the smartphone’ s GPS system – so that there is a record for the company and the fire inspection authority that required activity was completed on time for each door on a tour.“ Many sites fail to manage multiple fire doors consistently across several sites; locking times vary and you’ re reliant on a staff member to remember. The app gives the site manager- and senior management- the reassurance that all fire doors are under control at every site, at all times,” says Simon Chapman, of Lodge Service, which operates the Lodgic app and control centre service.
www. lodgeservice. com

DOUBLE GLAZED UNITS JUST A CLICK AWAY

Glazing installers can buy top quality double glazed units( DGUs) online 24 hours a day in a few clicks using the MyGlassolutions service from sealed unit manufacturer Glassolutions.
Using MyGlassolutions is easy and, says the manufacturer, it is perfect for small independent glaziers and self-employed installers. Only a simple one-off registration is needed and, once online, customers can configure their DGUs to meet their exact specification, get instant quotations, place orders and track their orders in one place. Orders are fulfilled through the established Glassolutions sealed unit manufacturing plants and branch network, ready for collection inbranch or delivered to customers as required. MyGlassolutions enables glaziers and installers to specify DGUs which feature any of the Planitherm low-e glass products, including Planitherm Total +, along with float glass, conservatory glass and special glass types to achieve sound insulation or solar control. All standard thicknesses are available and, as with all Glassolutions’ sealed units, they come with a five-year guarantee. DGUs are the latest addition to the extensive range of products available through MyGlassolutions, joining stock glass, mirrors, backpainted glass and pattern glass, plus laminated glass for shopfronts and balustrade glass. The service is attracting strong interest from tradespeople throughout the glazing and building industries as online purchasing becomes a greater part of their everyday lives. Rosie Carr, marketing manager for MyGlassolutions, says:“ This gives smaller independent glaziers and installers easy access to our sealed units that are used by customers large and small right across the country. Our four sealed unit plants, in which we already manufacture thousands of DGUs every year, are now fully integrated with MyGlassolutions which means customers can have total confidence in the same high quality products whichever way they choose to buy their sealed units.”
To register for your free MyGlassolutions account please visitwww. glassolutions. co. uk / myglassolutions.