January 27, 2021

How to Enhance Safety and Lower the Risk of Fire in the National Grid

Barriers and insulating components on strategic locations can help you reduce the impact of wildlife on your power system. When specified and installed correctly, power components can reduce fire risk, lower power outage instances and safeguard the environment for over four decades. Industrial power distributors and utility companies have to

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Centurion partners with helmet safety technology company Mips in UK first

Thetford, UK: Above-the-neck PPE specialist Centurion Safety Products, has announced a partnership with Swedish helmet safety technology company Mips, which will see the British manufacturer incorporate the Mips (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) patented helmet-based technology within their market-leading Nexus helmet.   When the Centurion Nexus with Mips helmet technology launches in

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Roofing 101: 4 Tips For Choosing The Best Roof Colour

A lovely roof and beautiful home exterior combination can strengthen a house’s charm for years. That’s why it’s crucial to look for the right blend which will suit your home’s distinctive personality.   Whether you’re installing a new roof or replacing the ones you have, read first the following four tips

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Issue 323 : Dec 2024

January 27, 2021

How to Enhance Safety and Lower the Risk of Fire in the National Grid

Barriers and insulating components on strategic locations can help you reduce the impact of wildlife on your power system. When specified and installed correctly, power components can reduce fire risk, lower power outage instances and safeguard the environment for over four decades. Industrial power distributors and utility companies have to face a prevalent problem where animals interfere with high voltage lines and power substations and cause bushfires that have a serious effect on the environment. Such power incidents may be a result of the following: • Fires resulting from the ignition of animal nests and other debris; fires at pole tops as well as the electrocution of animals and birds • Fire induced by vegetation when live conductors clash with vegetation • A clash of conductors, when adjacent conductors come into contact and generate travelling arcs, sparks and lead to conductor damage • Pollution flashover (airborne environmental pollutants and bird guano) where pollutants build up on insulated components. They then become conductors where the current flows through, increasing the chances of a flashover, flame tracking and arcing Vegetation and wildlife can cause phase-to-earth-faults when they form conductive paths, which connect the power equipment to the ground. They can also cause phase-to-phase faults that occur from the collision of the adjacent phases or getting connected via debris or wildlife (wire clashes or animal conduction). This often results in the production of molten metal particles that cause fires by igniting dry vegetation. These risks may be lowered by preventively installing  TE Connectivity’s (TE) Raychem Wildlife Asset Protection solutions. What are TE’s Wildlife Asset Protection solutions? They are insulating barriers and covers that lower a fire risk on substation and overhead line components. They are both reliable and retrofittable. Wildlife and Asset Protection products are always at a risk of premature failure and degradation due to environmental factors, which in turn may cause fire. Thus the selection of materials used in producing these products is very important. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked at the selection stage. Particularly important is that the polymers used are formulated to endure harsh environmental conditions without material breakdown for decades. The importance of choosing the right Wildlife Asset Protection Solutions Most utility companies find investing in systems to reduce the risk of bushfire from wildlife-related causes more of a reactionary or discretionary effort. However, these components indeed help enhance reliability in power connections as well as power safety, which would result in a significant payback of the power providers as they prevent fire catastrophes. The costly and far-reaching implications include: • Injury to people and sometimes, fatalities • Extensive damage or total loss of the assets in the power grid • Power outages and service interruptions (SAIFI and SAIDI) that not only disrupt communities and residential homes, but may also lead to dangerous conditions in hospitals, learning institutions, and industrial centers, among other places • Environmental pollution that may threaten wildlife, livelihoods and power infrastructure personnel, especially if potentially hazardous components are burnt in the process • Irreparable damage to horticultural and agriculture assets from the fire • Legal implications that result in litigations and penalties from the fires • Negative publicity on mainstream and social media outlets that not only damages the reputation of the company but also lowers the shareholder value. Choosing Materials for Wildlife and Asset Protection Installations The level of effectiveness of a Wildlife and Asset Protection product, and thereby its level of fire protection, varies based on the type of material it is made of. It is important that the manufacturer makes its products using materials formulations that can handle the harsh conditions substations and overhead lines are regularly exposed to for extended periods of time. These include mechanical stress, pollution build-up, high voltage stress, elevated temperatures and pollution-induced arching. If you do not select components made from the right performance material, you could end up increasing ignition sources. With this in mind, consider the following performance characteristics, as explained in selecting Wildlife and Asset Protection components. 1. Resistance to Erosion and Tracking (TERT) TERT measures the extent of tracking resistance of a material. This is its ability to resist ignition and surface arching when subject to high-stress environments. The ASTM D2303 abrasion test and a step method using 2.5kV to 3.25kV are the common methods to determine TERT. If the tracking resistance is inadequate, the material is susceptible to degradation over a given period. This, in turn, leads to the breakdown of the insulation, propagation of the flame and production of sparks. With the test standard in mind, the material with an excellent TERT resistance is one that can withstand more than a single Step TERT after the abrasion method has been applied. 2. Ultraviolet (UV) Resistance This is the ability of a material to withstand prolonged UV exposure without failing over a long period. This is because the materials will be outdoors all the time. Materials that do not have excellent UV resistance tend to degrade over time This gives a leeway to environmental pollutants to build upon the cracks, thereby increasing the chances of ignition, arcing and tracking from conduction from these pollutants. Scientists demonstrate UV resistance by the use of ASTM G154, UV-3, Cycle 3 test that takes at least 1,000 hours. However, to determine if the polymer at hand can perform for over 30 years, the materials are UV tested for at least 5,000 hours. 3. Thermal Endurance This is the measure for a material’s ability to resist deforming or melting (maintain mechanical integrity) in environments with sustained high temperatures. If a material can withstand melting, there is a reduced risk that it might drip down on dry grace or other vegetation and trigger fire. There are two methods used in testing thermal endurance in wildlife and asset protection components: 1. Thermal Index IEC 60216/IEEE 98. Here, the material is subjected to temperatures of105°C (221°F). If it can withstand these temperatures over 20,000 hours, it can last over 20 years. 2. Thermal Aging ASTM D2671that takes 750

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Centurion partners with helmet safety technology company Mips in UK first

Thetford, UK: Above-the-neck PPE specialist Centurion Safety Products, has announced a partnership with Swedish helmet safety technology company Mips, which will see the British manufacturer incorporate the Mips (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) patented helmet-based technology within their market-leading Nexus helmet.   When the Centurion Nexus with Mips helmet technology launches in March 2021, Centurion will become the first UK manufacturer to offer Mips helmet technology in a hard hat and be the first company globally to incorporate the new Mips  ‘cradle’ rotational impact protection system into their helmets. In contrast with helmets which only use a foam liner to reduce impact shock, the Centurion Nexus already features advanced protection in the form of a liner and six-point cradle system, which acts as a secondary layer, reducing impact shock further and helping to reduce risk for acquired brain injury. The addition of Mips helmet technology will further enhance the protection by decreasing rotational motion otherwise transferred to the head from certain oblique impacts.  Injury statistics show that our head is likely to hit the ground at an angle when we slip, trip or fall.  Also when we receive an impact to the head from a falling object or debris, off centre, rotational motion may be introduced to the head. The Mips Low Friction Layer allows the head to move inside the helmet (10mm – 15mm relative motion in all directions) on certain angled impacts, which can redirect the harmful rotational motion otherwise transferred to the head. Studies show that the human brain is 6–7 times more sensitive to rotational motion than linear motion. Impacts that generate rotational motion can cause strain to the brain tissue, which may lead to minor or severe brain trauma. Concussion injuries or even more serious brain injuries are commonly caused by rotational motion of the brain. Mips helmet technology is based on 25 years of research and is already popular in the sports market where many skiers and cyclists consider Mips a must-have feature in their helmets. Combining the advanced industrial safety standards and superior comfort of the Centurion Nexus with Mips helmet technology will create a market-leading helmet protection system.  Nick Hurt, CEO of Centurion Safety Products says: “As leaders in above-the-neck PPE, our customers trust us to be at the forefront of head protection innovation so we are constantly looking at how we can ensure our products not only meet relevant safety standards but exceed them.  “We are therefore excited to become the first company to incorporate the Mips cradle rotational impact protection system into our helmets. The Mips system will be featured in our market-leading Centurion Nexus helmet, which is already a stand-out product thanks to its advanced safety standards.” Max Strandwitz, Mips CEO says: “We are very proud to announce this partnership, Centurion is a trusted well-established British PPE Manufacturer of over 140 years, who share our values and lead in occupational head protection. We know that construction workers are particularly at risk for accidents, especially head injuries.  “For people who take a high risk because of their occupation, the best possible helmet at work should also be a priority. Protection against rotational motion should be as important for safety helmets as airbags and seatbelts are in cars,”  Despite the widespread and mostly mandatory use of hard hats, construction and industrial workers are still at risk for severe head injuries including concussion. They can suffer concussions from the impact force from a slip, trip or fall, as well as from, for example, falling objects. Be part of head protection history and join Centurion and Mips for the unveiling of the Centurion Nexus with Mips helmet technology on Wednesday 24th March 2021. Register here: https://centurionsafety.eu/save-the-date-and-be-part-of-head-protection-history/  Watch Centurion, CEO, Nick Hurt and Mips CEO, Max Strandwitz discuss their new partnership:  https://bit.ly/3ooRwlc

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Roofing 101: 4 Tips For Choosing The Best Roof Colour

A lovely roof and beautiful home exterior combination can strengthen a house’s charm for years. That’s why it’s crucial to look for the right blend which will suit your home’s distinctive personality.   Whether you’re installing a new roof or replacing the ones you have, read first the following four tips for choosing the best roof colour to guarantee you’re selecting the right shade for your home.   1 Search for Real-Life Models The optimal way to begin your search for the best roof colour is by checking existing roofs in your neighbourhood.  Likewise, you can google images of charming ceilings to kickstart your creativity, but remember nothing compares to observing the real thing.   Additionally, you’ll be seeing excellent colour combinations and those which are unsuitable. When you go around your area, you’ll also discover the prevailing theme in your location, which can be a huge factor in your decision. Typically, expert roofer recommend homeowners to select a shade that merges with the rest, but, at the same time, shines on its own.  2 Consider Your Home’s Climate Do you reside in an area that perpetually showcases hot weather? If your home features an attic, take note that the shade of your roof shingles can influence the attic temperature by roughly 20° to 40°. This fact can significantly impact the cooling or heating expenses of your home.   Remember that dark shingles draw in heat and help houses remain warm during wintertime. On the one hand, light shingles block the sunlight and reduce the temperature when the weather is hot.   3 Determine Whether to Revitalise or Tone Down Colour Meanwhile, if the exterior of your house features a variety of shades, it’s best to stick to low-key hues to defuse the splash of colours. But, if your home exterior is somewhat on the minimalist side, choosing a revitalising shade can do wonders for your structure. If you need help deciding whether to tone down or select a revitalising paint for your roof, consult a local roofing company near your area.  4 Match Colours Lastly, when choosing the best roof colour, keep in mind to match your shingles’ shade with the hues present in the trims, stones, tiles, stucco, or siding of your home. As an example, a black or dark grey roof combines well with a blue or grey home.   On the other hand, a blend of cream or brown shingles will look excellent in a tan, brown, or cream-coloured house. In case you own a yellow, green, or red home, these shades are more adaptable, and you can accentuate them with grey, brown, or black.   Final Thoughts Choosing the best roof colour can be a challenge when you consider all the available factors. Some homeowners prefer envisioning the result to help them make a decision. They try to visualise their roofs with metal, shingles, or tiles. Then they picture their preferred roof colour after the installation. Exploring many alternatives can be stressful. Hence, picturing the outcome can, in effect, remove unsuitable choices.  Please note that while some contractors recommend applying trendy shades to your roofs, those colours will not be attractive anymore in the future. Understand also that roofs last between 20 to 30 years. If you’re planning to market your home in the following 20 years, it’s best to adopt a subdued design. Remember, the majority of homeowners favour timeless charm rather than trendy styles for their houses.  

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