RECENT PRODUCT NEWS

FBS Contracts, first established as a laboratory furniture company over 20 years ago, says that, having successfully diversified into the mental health sphere ‘several years ago’, it has since built up an excellent name.

ELGA Process Water has introduced a new monitoring tool to help in microbiological control of water systems. ‘Bactiquant-water’ is a simple-to-operate test system that gives a rapid indication of total viable bacteria count – a test which normally takes two or three days – in under an hour.

Beacon Medaes has developed a new emergency reserve manifold – incorporating the primary manifold header – which it says is the highest specification such unit on the market.

Pall Corporation’s QPoint tap water filter assembly, the latest addition to the company’s range of advanced point-of-use filters for protection against waterborne pathogens, offers enhanced features, improved performance, and a longer capsule life of up to two months.

In a claimed world first, it has been reported that ‘antimicrobial copper’ surfaces in a Greek hospital ICU have not only reduced contamination but, due to a ‘halo effect’, have also lowered contamination on adjacent surfaces.

Knauf Facades’ new ThermaFrame system is designed ‘to meet the thermal requirements of any construction by greatly reducing thermal transfer through the wall, and removing the need for external insulation’, making U-values as low as 0.15 W/m2K ‘easily achievable’.

Seating and tables from Knightsbridge Furniture’s specialist Challenging Behaviour Collection have been specified for the Redwoods Centre in Shrewsbury (HEJ – October 2012), a £46 m inpatient mental health facility recently opened by South Staffordshire & Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

A planning tool designed to help customers find the right IPS system for their medical location has been launched by Brandon Medical in partnership with Esa Grimma, a ‘specialist in secure, efficient, electrical distribution and control’.

Performance doorset manufacturer, Leaderflush Shapland, can now offer ‘a highly effective’ intumescent seal option for doors – EcoGuard – that provides up to 30 and 60 minutes of fire resistance, and allows ‘an extremely clean and simple installation’.

In hospitals and other environments where there are infirm, incapacitated, and infectious people, it is highly desirable to specify a detection system that provides the earliest possible warning of fire.

Electrical safety specialist, Bender UK, is celebrating achieving the industry’s flagship standard for occupational health and safety best practice at its headquarters in Ulverston, which houses product testing facilities, and delivers sales, service, project management, and technical support.

As healthcare provision is driven by constantly changing needs and ever tighter budgets, a different approach is needed when planning for different accommodation requirements; and, Premier Interlink says, off-site construction methods ‘are fast becoming the preferred solution for hospitals and healthcare buildings’.

‘More energy-efficient steam systems’ are the promise of the new STS17.2 steam trapping station just launched by Spirax Sarco in an expansion of its Quick-Fit steam trap range.

A ‘new and improved’ Union Angle Valve used in Pegler Yorkshire’s thermostatic mixing valves features a new locking capability in the closed position that enables water supplies to be turned off and secured to prevent use during servicing or replacement, reducing scalding risk and wasted water.

The latest ‘safety product’ from medical gas pipeline and cylinder installation specialist, Medical Gas Services (see also Letter to the Editor on page 14), is a range of ‘Do not use plugs’ and isolation kits to enable safe working practices and ensure patient safety during shutdowns, for example during medical gas system maintenance work.

A ‘major technological advancement in Isolated Power Supply (IPS) design’ is how Bender UK describes its new, ‘compact’ ATICs automatic changeover device for the healthcare market. Bender says that, ‘traditionally’, IPS systems are supplied via one cable, typically from an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

A portfolio of furniture designed specifically for use in demanding environments, including facilities accommodating those demonstrating ‘challenging behaviour’, has been created by Knightsbridge Furniture.

Eco Building Products has supplied over 200 photovoltaic panels rated at 245 Watts, and SMA inverters, which together convert the sun’s energy, into usable electricity, for an installation on the roof of the Deeping Medical Practice in Market Deeping, Lincolnshire.

Atlas Copco Compressors has expanded its AQ oil-free, waterinjected screw compressor range with new models from 15 to 30 kW installed motor power that incorporate ‘energy-efficient’ Variable Speed Drive (VSD) technology.

ICS Temperature Control claims to be ‘one of Europe’s leading specialists’ in the purchase, rental, installation, and servicing, of cooling and HVAC equipment.