Government To Regulate Conservatory Building

The Government is focusing on conservatories and home extensions to help reach its carbon reduction target by 2020.Although they suffered defeat once in 2002 with the same proposed legislation, Managing Director of Conservatory Quote Online.com - Stephen Giles said: "We expect the Government to be successful in 2010 as it only has 10 years to achieve the carbon emissions target and part L of the Building Regulations is the only tool they have to use."

Proposed 2010 version of Part L of the Building Regulations

The draft consultation for the 2010 version of 'Part L of the Building Regulations' is to include conservatories. For the first time, the new 2010 version of Part L would apply higher carbon reduction targets for all conservatory out buildings, impose electric heating restrictions as well as floor, wall and glass restrictions, all aimed at making conservatory outbuildings more energy efficient.

What Does This Mean To Home Owners?

Home owners will be expected to pay thousands of pounds extra for their conservatories which will impact heavily on the conservatory supply and installation industry. "Most conservatory buyers at present secure some form of finance for these type home extensions, plus the fact that we are in a recession and most people have already had to tighten their budgets, the only logical conclusion is that by adding further cost, the conservatory market will suffer, putting a strain on suppliers and the building industry" - Stephen Giles managing directory of Conservatory Quote Online.com.

Federation of Master Builders

In a direct response to the new 'Part L' proposal Brian Berry, external affairs director of the Federation of Master Builders, said it was likely to reduce demand from the domestic sector at the worst point of the economic cycle. "Right now the industry needs a kick start, not a kicking".

GT Trax Are All Set To Clean Up

GT Trax, the Hertfordshire based ground protection rental specialists, have strengthened their ‘Green’ credentials following the purchase of an automatic ground plate cleaning machine that operates from recycled rainwater.

“In the past we washed all our ground products by hand, using a heavy duty pressure washer”, explained GT Trax managing director, Trevor Tinker. “This was not only a very cumbersome way to clean our products, it also meant that we used a considerable amount of water.”

The new washing machine, called the Commando Rotawash, was developed jointly between GT Trax and the Norwich based cleaning equipment experts, Hugh Crane Cleaning Equipment Ltd. A single person can load the Rotawash, with each item progressing along a conveyor, through a series of powerful water jets and onto a stacking area, making them immediately available for hire. The Rotawash simultaneously cleans both surfaces to a very high standard.

“Due to the individual cleaning requirements demanded by the type of equipment we supply, the standard Rotawash did not entirely meet with our needs. So we worked in conjunction with Hugh Crane to develop a machine that completely met our particular requisites,” continued Mr. Tinker.

The clean water supply is harnessed via a rainwater collector and the wastewater is filtered through a series of filtration tanks. The filtered water is passed back into the Rotawash ready for the next batch of dirty ground protection plates. At full speed the Rotawash can clean up to one hundred 3-metre plates in just one hour, ensuring that a clean stock of plates are nearly always available for hire.

“Despite the current economic climate we took the decision to invest over £50,000 in this system,” confirmed GT Trax financial director, Graham Crisp. “The method will make the whole process of cleaning our equipment more cost-efficient and ensure that our plates are cleaned to the very highest quality, whilst helping to save a vital natural resource.”

GT Trax ground protection products are manufactured from recycled HMPE or PVC plastic. The company was formed in early 2005 and has developed into one of the leading hire firms specialising in the rental of plastic ground protection products. GT Trax supplies both the construction and outside event markets and is the sole UK supplier of GWW-PRO innovative plastic products.

The Tillium – The Kitchen Installation Assistant

Tillium is a specialist-lifting appliance that enables kitchen fitters to transport, deliver and install heavy granite worktops safely, effortlessly and without straining an installers back. Even the very heaviest counter tops can be easily and swiftly installed using the Tillium granite table feature. The Tillium has many features and benefits that make it ideally suited for installing all types of counter tops and built-in appliances, such as cooker hoods, microwave ovens and air conditioning units. The Tillium is CE approved and manufactured in the EC to the very highest quality.

Tillium is mobile, maneuverable and quickly set up. Because of its modular build, the Tillium can be transported compactly. It is only 27 inches wide and will fit easily through any standard doorway.

The Tillium is the brainchild of the Dutch inventor, Gerrit Ophuis. “The Tillium arose out from an individual enquiry from a Dutch kitchen installation company. Quite simply they were fed up with having to employ a team of installation personnel to set up these very heavy appliances and the expense incurred when something gets damaged”, explained Mr. Ophuis, “We have been manufacturing the Tillium for a couple of years and have been very successful in marketing it to Dutch kitchen installers,” he added.

Heavy counter tops give the modern kitchen a wonderful look, but they can cause many problems during the installation of the kitchen. The weight is one of the most important causes of back problems and joint problems in kitchen installers. According to the Health and Safety Executive -  More than 1.0 million workers in Great Britain suffer from back pain or repetitive strain injuries, making these the most common form of work related injury in the country.

In 1997/8, over 119 million days a year were lost due to registered disability caused by back problems, if short spells are added, the total estimate may be close to a staggering 180 million lost working days. On average, each person with back injury pain and related conditions takes 13 days off work. 10% of all employee major injuries take place while handling, lifting or carrying.

The Tillium is now available in the UK through the construction equipment-marketing specialists, Stilton Surveys Limited and a series of demonstrations are planned for early 2009. Stilton Surveys believes that the Tillium will be of interest to both the end user and the UK equipment hire industry. To arrange a demonstration, contact Stilton Surveys by telephone or email.

PLANT HIRER STICKS WITH KUBOTA FOR FLEET UPGRADE

T. Louch Plant Hire Ltd has reaffirmed its confidence in Kubota mini excavators by updating its fleet with nine 1.5 tonne zero tail swing U15-3 machines. They replace nine two-year-old 1.5 tonne KX41-3 minis on long-term hire to a utility company, who are using them on gas main replacement work in London and the South East.

They join three other minis in the Didcot, Oxfordshire plant hirer's all-Kubota fleet, two recently bought KX41-3s and a 3 tonne KX71-3, which are also on hire to the utility company. The latest batch of machines, like the previous three, was bought from Leach Lewis Plant, which has a depot in Witney. Supplied with 9 and 12 inch wide buckets, Leach Lewis met Louch's requirements by taking the teeth off the buckets and welding on an extra toe plate to prevent damage to underground pipe work during digging operations. This also extends the life of the buckets. T. Louch Plant Hire's owner, Trevor Louch, said: "I have tried other makes of minis before and consider Kubota to be the best of them all. They are pretty much trouble free and I get good back-up service from our local dealer, Leach Lewis. It's a case of why change if you are satisfied with what you have got?" He said he was also offered a good finance deal through Leach Lewis, while the new three-year standard warranty now being offered by Kubota was also very appealing.

Formed in 2003 by Mr Louch - a former mayor of Didcot - and his wife Shirley, the hire firm also stocks a range of compressor generators. The Kubota U15-3 has a maximum dig depth of 2,310mm, with a digging force of 15.4kN, and has a maximum reach of 3,840mm. It has a variable track width which is adjustable in seconds from 1240mm down to 990mm. This lets it slip through the narrowest of doorways or gain access to tight and awkward working areas.

Like other Kubota minis the boom cylinder is mounted on top of the boom for maximum protection, particularly during breaker or dumping operations. The hydraulic hoses are routed through the cylinder boom for maximum protection. It features Kubota's unique 'ANTI-THEFT' system, the only key-based security system of its kind fitted as standard equipment by a mini excavator manufacturer. Designed for fast, convenient movement between sites, the U15-3 delivers safe and high performance digging, particularly in confined and awkward areas.

With a wide range of minis available, Kubota provides 19 base models spanning the weight range from 850kg up to 8 tonnes, including the largest selection of highly versatile zero tail swing machines from 1 to 5 tonnes – all featuring Kubota engines to provide economic and environmentally sound performance.

The compactness, productivity, versatility and cost-effectiveness of Kubota mini excavators make them ideal for many different applications and end-users; from building, construction, civil engineering, quarrying, demolition, recycling and landscaping, to plant hire companies, utilities and owner operators.

STIHL USERS STAY SAFE … AND LOOK GOOD IN THE WOOD

Foresters and arborists appreciate the quality of STIHL chainsaws.  When you
work with them daily they can be trusted to perform.  Equally important is the quality of clothing – the personal protective equipment every operator must wear.  Recent additions to the STIHL range are new boots and helmets, including a tree care helmet which is already proving popular for arborists’ wear.   They have also updated their Forestwear range with Forestwear Classic – a co-ordinating jacket and trouser set providing smart protection for every chainsaw operator.   

New Tree Care Helmet
Meeting the unique needs of the practising arborist, STIHL has introduced a new tree care helmet to the market.  The ‘VENT’ hard hat set combines the popular and top of the range Petzl ® Vertex Vent helmet, with a nylon mesh visor and Peltor ear defenders which provide SNR 28 (108 dBA) noise reduction.  The helmet has no peak (important for those working in trees), and its polycarbonate construction is resistant to impact and wear.  Comfort is assured in all seasons thanks to five closable vents on each side of the shell, and a thick foam headband is adjusted via a simple wheel.  Ensuring further comfort and a critically secure fit, an adjustable 4-point chin strap reduces the risk of losing the helmet when working or during a fall.  An accessory weather shield visor is also available and clips easily to the helmet for wet weather wear.

STIHL EXTREME Hard Hat Set
Another recent addition to the STIHL PPE range – the EXTREME hard hat set provides quality protection for every chainsaw user.  The helmet shell is made of UV-stabilised polycarbonate which meets EN 397 European Safety standard; and well distributed ventilation holes ensure a good flow of air for comfortable wear. The helmet peak is relatively narrow, enabling a good field of vision without compromising anti-dazzle properties, and the steel mesh visor provides 3-zone face protection.  The helmet lining can be rotated through 180 degrees – turning the peak to the back for those working in confined spaces, and a synthetic leather sweatband along with a simply adjusted neck strap promote comfort in wear.  Completing the set, ear defenders provide SNR 28 (108 dBA) noise reduction; they clip simply out of the way when not in use.

‘STANDARD’ Boots
Chainsaw operators who prefer to wear rubber boots when working will welcome the ‘STANDARD’ boots available now.  The boots incorporate steel toe caps and a cut resistant inlay with Class 1 protection at 20 m/s - tested to EN ISO 17249 standard.  Constructed of high quality rubber for long life, the rough tread profiled rubber soles ensure a firm foothold and good damping properties – important when working with a chainsaw.  Equally important is comfortable wear, which is promoted via ankle protection and a cushioned lining to the foot.   The boot’s textile collar has a quick fastening lace-up system at the top of the leg, providing for adjustable comfort and an optimum fit.  They are available in nine sizes - from 5½  (39) to 12 (47), the smart black and orange boots.

New Forestwear Classic range
The Forestwear range has been a popular PPE choice for chainsaw users since it was launched to the market some eight years ago.  Comfortable, durable and practical to wear, the range includes a standard trouser as well as bib & brace design, and Class 1 cut protection in both Design A and Design C – making it suitable for professionals as well as those who are less practised in chainsaw use. 

A tribute to the strengths of the original range, new Forestwear Classic embodies the same qualities and values in the same extensive range; the primary change being the
new colourway.  Popular and practical as well as comfortable to wear, retained features include the trouser’s radio/mobile phone pocket and an extended rear panel above the waistband which protects the lower back from drafts – particularly when working in a stooped position.  The outer fabric construction offers good thorn-proofing, water repellence and resistance to dirt; its distinctive new orange/black colourway not only ensures good visibility when working in the wood.