The Toolshed

1 Manifold delight

The Testo 550s and Testo 557s are smart digital manifolds with Bluetooth and two-way or four-way valve block. They feature a large graphic display, showing the measurement data and evaluation of the results. The new digital manifolds also come in multi-purpose kits. Guided menus accompany the measurement and allow the automatic recording of parameters. According to Testo, Bluetooth probes can be wirelessly and automatically connected to the instrument with a range of up to 150m. The Testo 550i is a compact, digital manifold designed to be controlled by a smartphone or tablet. It communicates wirelessly and automatically via Bluetooth 5.0 with the wireless Testo Smart Probes for temperature, pressure and humidity, and calculates parameters automatically in the Testo Smart App. The Testo 552i is an app-controlled wireless vacuum probe. Testo says the vacuum is measured wirelessly (without hoses) via just one service port, without any loss of refrigerant. The probe also communicates via Bluetooth with the Testo Smart App. Go to: www.testo.com ■

2 Road to recovery

Numerous studies have shown that increased outdoor ventilation rates improve our health and productivity while reducing the transmission of germs such as airborne virus and bacteria. Due to compliance issues, however, HVAC system designers face limitations increasing the rates, says Armcor Air Solutions. “Every time we double the outdoor ventilation rate, we reduce the concentration and therefore the transmission rate of all indoor contaminants by 40 to 50 per cent,” says the company. “But the cost of introducing fresh air has usually meant that we have designed HVAC systems with the minimum outdoor air to comply with the standards.” The answer to this conundrum, Armcor says, lies in energy recovery. “If the mandatory 10L/s per person of fresh air costs $30 per annum, doubling this will consequently become $60 per person. But if energy recovery was installed, it is possible to introduce 20L/s per person for a cost of $18 per annum.” Armcor Air Solutions is an Australian-owned and operated enterprise specialising in manufacturing energy recovery fresh air units. Its range of products includes fresh air packaged units, dehumidification units, INDEC indirect evaporative cooling units, and multi-flow compact ceiling-mounted units. Go to: www.armcor.com.au ■

3 Magnehelic marvel

The Series AT-605 is an ATEX/IECEx-approved magnehelic differential pressure indicating transmitter from Dwyer Instruments. The unit provides for both visual monitoring and electronic control of very low differential pressures in hazardous locations. The dial gauge is supported by the two-wire, 4–20mA control signal, utilising the Dwyer magnehelic gauge mechanical design and Series 600 transmitter technology. The two-wire design simplifies any 4–20mA control loop powered by a 10–35VDC supply. Product applications include: monitor duct, room, or total building pressures; filter monitoring; local indication of clean room pressures with process signal sent to control room; and hazardous area pressure measurement and transmitter output. Go to: www.dwyer-inst.com.au ■

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4 Aussie ICU innovation

The McMonty Medihood is a specialist ventilation system designed and developed by the head of mechanical engineering at Melbourne University, Professor Jason Monty, in collaboration with Dr Forbes McGain from Western Health, and Westaflex. Primarily designed for containment of large droplets, the McMonty Medihood can be assembled and mounted over a patient and is typically used in the ICU ward of a hospital. The ventilation unit has a fan located on the back that pulls air over the patient and away from the caregiver. The air is then released through a HEPA H13 filter, designed to clean and scrub the air of smaller droplets of the virus. “Healthcare workers are able to treat and monitor patients with minimal restrictions, as it provides peace of mind with the added layer of protection,” says Medihood. “It is also easy to remove should the patient require immediate clinical intervention.” The product is distributed by Westaflex Australia. Go to: www.westaflex.com.au ■

5 Bring in the cleaners

Global clean air solutions manufacturer Camfil offers a complete range of in-room air cleaners designed to improve indoor air quality through the removal of ultrafine airborne particles, specific odours and hazardous gases. Available through Camfil Airepure, air cleaner configurations include particulate filtration using Camfil Absolute HEPA filters or E11-rated filters and molecular filtration using activated carbon or custom gaseous filtration options. Camfil’s CC 6000 ProSafe model conforms to BRCGS standards for food safety to help food and pharmaceutical processing facilities comply with stringent industry standards on safety, traceability and control. Camfil air cleaners are designed for use within communal shared spaces, commercial offices, hotel rooms, hospital suites, warehouses, server rooms, cleanrooms and food production facilities. Go to: www.camfil.com.au or www.airepure.com.au ■

6 On guard!

Activ8 Barrier Guard HVAC is a Queensland-made, TGA-registered COVID disinfectant designed for use in the HVAC industry. According to air conditioning system supplier Complete Air Supply (CAS), the product includes non-toxic products that are anti-bacterial, anti-fungal as well as anti-viral. It is available in 5L and 15L containers. “These products create a barrier, which provides a protective layer on any surface,” says Complete Air Supply. “Once bonded, it is extremely difficult to remove, and it stays active for up to 30 days against bacteria on hard surfaces (independently validated).” Go to: www.completeairsupply.com.au ■

7 Pumping ion

IAQ Ventilation is bringing to market Needlepoint Bipolar Ionisation (NPBI) from Global Plasma Solutions (GPS). According to IAQ Ventilation, needlepoint bipolar ionisation is a technology that produces a stream of ions that can capture gaseous and particulate contaminants in the air

– including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odors – to improve indoor air quality. “NPBI produces ions that kill pathogens by robbing them of life-sustaining hydrogen,” says IAQ Ventilation. “The ions also break down harmful VOCs into harmless compounds like O2, CO2, N2, and H2O.” According to IAQ Ventilation, the NPBI technology releases ions that immediately begin attaching to particulates. “When ions come into contact with pathogens, they not only make them more filterable, their microbicidal effects also reduce the infectivity of the virus,” says the company. Go to: www.iaqventilation.com.au ■

8 A+ for AFPRO

The HQ85 A+ bag filter from AFPRO Filters is designed for use in air treatment cabinets, air conditioning systems, public areas, and as a pre-filter in cleanrooms and the pharmaceuticals industry. Made from both polymer and glass fibres, the unit’s medium structure are assembled in a galvanised steel or aluminium frame. “Although these filters will initially be more expensive to purchase, they will be cheaper in the long run,” says AFPRO Filters. “A dirty air filter causes your heating and cooling system to run longer in order to keep the temperature constant.” Main benefits include the effective filtration of fine dust particles (PM1), energy efficiency due to low air resistance filter media with a durable pre-layer, Eurovent-guaranteed performance, longer use time, fewer filter changes per year, and less labour expenses. Go to www.afprofilters.com.au ■

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9 Take a virtual tour

Temperzone has announced the launch of a new virtual exhibition showcasing Temperzone and Hitachi products. According to the company, the site was partly created to circumvent COVID-19 restrictions that have made it difficult to present products at physical exhibitions. The virtual tour provides a visual perspective of the products, as well as the ability to download information and view video content. “The tour will also be expanded to hold training seminars and other functions,” says Temperzone. “Displaying our products at exhibitions will always be desirable, however, this is a way to bring an element of exhibitions to customers in regional areas and those who may not be able to attend actual events at specific dates.” Other features of the virtual exhibition include multiple digital touch points, one stop for all visual and technical data, and digitalisation to extend the life of the exhibition design. Go to: www.temperzone.com ■

DO YOU HAVE A NEW PRODUCT TO GO IN THE TOOLSHED? Email mark.vender@airah.org.au All submissions received will be considered, though publication cannot be guaranteed.

The hospital provides the best surgery. AFPRO Filters provides the clean air.

Everyone is entitled to clean, healthy air. It is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and essential in all public spaces. That is why we take our filters to the next level. AFPRO Filters stands for health, sustainability, efficiency and innovation. They all come together in our latest creation: the AFPRO A+ filter.

Find out more at www.afprofilters.com.au sales@afprofilters.com.au +61 3 9312 4058

AFPRO A+ filter main quality features are:

● effective on even the smallest fine dust particles (PM1) ● extremely energy efficient due to low air resistance ● innovative filter media with a durable pre-layer for easy installation ● Eurovent guaranteed performance