The Toolshed

False alarms given the shaft

Gas Alarm Systems has released a new, more economical gas alarm to start the new year.

The company points out that a large number of projects are now going for VRV/VRF systems over traditional chilled and hot-water systems.

“This means refrigerant gas is travelling directly to the rooms,” says the company. “If the room is small and the condenser is large, a significant dump of refrigerant gas could take place if there is a leak in the system.

“Traditionally, low-cost semiconductor-based sensors are used for refrigerant leak-detection applications. While these are OK in plant-room-type installations, in indoor spaces these are a very big no.

“Constant false alarms from various gases are always a risk in indoor spaces. Smells from strong perfumes, spray and wipe cleaners, aerosols, VOCs from the fresh paint and furniture can all cause false alarms. This is the reason semiconductor sensors are to be avoided at all costs.

“Our range of NDIR sensors offer local, on-the-spot calibration, so there is no need to send the sensors back to the manufacturer, like the other brands.”

Go to gasalarm.com.au ■

Reliable and easy to use

Reliable Controls has released RC-RemoteAccess 3.5.

The flexible BACnet Virtual Private Network (B/VPN) solution is designed to simplify IT management and improve data communications security, while also being scalable and affordable.

“This easy-to-use software does not require additional routers or controllers to deploy and permits multiple separate VLAN configuration,” says Reliable Controls. “Save time and money by deploying and managing your own BACnet secure network.”

RC-RemoteAccess 3.5 is now web-based. It allows users to update B/VPN settings on connected clients in the RC-RemoteAccess interface rather than configuring each one locally.

The web-based interface allows users to configure and update B/VPN security certificates.

One or more B/VPNs can be migrated with their connected clients to a new RC-RemoteAccess server in a single operation, and the port and security certificate can be changed as part of the migration.

Users can also configure a separate instance of RC‑RemoteAccess as a redundant Failover server. If the Primary server is unavailable, B/VPN connections are routed to and maintained through the secondary Failover server. This server redundancy helps to ensure the reliability of B/VPN connections.

“Securing your BACnet connection from cyber threats has never been easier,” says Reliable Controls.

Go to www.reliablecontrols.com ■

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Danfoss control valves

www.airah.org.au/nation | March 2020 “The unique 100 per cent valve authority, achieved by a built-in differential pressure controller, remains unchanged,” Danfoss says. “This ensures the accurate control performance of the valves. Several significant changes and improvements have been implemented, making it a whole new valve rather than an upgrade.

“Most remarkable is the re-design of the inner construction. By using innovative PPSU polymer material the resistance of the valve to scaling and clogging has been considerably improved compared to any other HVAC control valve. Intensive testing proofs continued stability of the flow characteristics and accurate control performance.”

Danfoss says the pressure class has been increased from PN16 to PN25 while the required differential pressure continues to be just 16kPa.

“The adjustable flow rate of the AB-QM 4.0 valves has been significantly increased, for example from maximum 450 to 600 L/h with DN15, allowing bigger terminal unit capacities to be controlled by smaller dimension valves,” Danfoss says. “The minimum flow pre-setting has been reduced from 20 per cent previously, to just 10 per cent now. Alternatively, the valves are also available as high-flow or low-flow versions.”

Go to www.danfoss.com/en-au ■

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Konsider Kingspan K-Clad

Kingspan Insulated Panels has introduced K-Clad, which it describes as a viable alternative to the traditional construction methods of non-Section J buildings.

“K-Clad is a high-performing insulated metal roof system, with proven results that demonstrate it outperforms traditional construction methods in terms of speed of build, thermal performance, air tightness, weather tightness and condensation control,” Kingspan says. “All in a single component that provides a finished metal internal ceiling.

“Kingspan K-Clad is a superior alternative to traditional built up systems, ideally suited for large-scale logistics and distribution buildings, as well as temperature-sensitive environments such as cold storage and agricultural facilities.”

Kingspan says the Australian climate means that buildings are more often exposed to direct sunlight year-round. This impacts the thermal performance of roof structures as well as the indoor environment and level of comfort for occupants.

“Thermal modelling shows that, when compared to a traditional built up roof, K-Clad offers a measurable 40 per cent reduction in heat gain, resulting in a temperature decrease of more than 4.5°C between the two tested roof systems,” the firm says. “This significant reduction in temperature can directly improve the comfort levels of building occupants.”

Go to www.kingspan.com/au/en-au ■

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Yellow, oh yeah!

Because it’s the oil that does the work in a vacuum pump, a debate has raged for years as to what the ideal oil capacity should be.

The common and logical point has been that the larger the volume the better; the more oil, the more work can be done between changes, and the less wear and tear on the pump due to oil contamination and suspended particulates.

“Yellow Jacket has long held this view until a program run by its R&D department discovered that there is a definite point where more oil doesn’t lead to less wear and tear or more efficient and rapid evacuation,” the firm says. “However, too small a volume of oil leads to increased wear and tear, gallery blockages and reduced pump performance. Yellow Jacket subsequently found an optimal volume that will produce ideal pump performance.”

“This new range of optimised-oil-volume pumps have the same part number as before,” Yellow Jacket says, “but are recognisable by the new shape, sight glass and shoulder carry strap.”

Yellow Jacket’s Australian representative is Sky Refrigeration.

Go to www.skyrefrig.com ■

Radic8’s killer tech

According to Radic8, new viruses communicated through close human-to-human proximity and indoor pollutants and contaminants have driven demand for air purifiers.

“Radic8’s air purifiers and sterilisers for both home and commercial use have been proven to trap and destroy 99.9999 per cent of viruses, including the cold virus, flu virus, the SARS virus and even a previous coronavirus,”the firm says. “Tests were also conducted on the polio virus, which proved Radic8’s Viruskiller inactivates those viruses with 99.99 per cent efficiency.

“Medical centres, doctors’ offices and hospitals are filled with people who may be potentially contaminated and contagious or have compromised immune systems,” the firm says. “HEPA filters often operate well below their theoretical efficacy level even in places like hospitals. They do not have an ‘absolute’ solution to airborne contamination removal.

“A common misconception is that HEPA filters catch all air‑polluting pathogens and contaminants, when in fact the

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DO YOU HAVE A NEW PRODUCT TO GO IN THE TOOLSHED?

smallest and most dangerous airborne particles often cannot be caught. Radic8’s world-leading technology allows for those contaminants to be caught and neutralised.”

Go to radic8.com ■

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Ultimate integration

Price Industries’ Ultrasuite system combines hospital-grade LED lighting with precision-equalised laminar airflow diffusers to eliminate the traditional “light ring”, and open valuable ceiling space for surgical equipment.

“Incorporating LED lighting directly within each laminar flow diffuser allows lighting to be located directly above the surgical table, improving visibility and reducing shadows within the surgical zone,” the firm says.

“Flexible dimming control and optional green lighting facilitate improved visibility of flat-panel displays for non-invasive surgeries by enhancing images and eliminating the glare that traditional overhead white lights cast on monitors.

“The Ultrasuite ships in large, factory-assembled sections, and leverages quick-connect wiring and a … low-profile common plenum to significantly reduce the number of inlets and ductwork – and therefore installation time – required. LED drivers are housed in a remotely mounted control enclosure, providing easy access for maintenance and replacement.

“The Ultrasuite is built to meet all ASHRAE 170 and NFPA 90A requirements, and addresses several UL listing categories.”

Go to www.ecohvac.com.au ■

Email mark.vender@airah.org.au All submissions received will be considered, though publication cannot be guaranteed.

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