UK’s leading supplier of ironmongery to the trade, IronmongeryDirect, has been named as one of the top internet retailers in the UK. The company has appeared, for the first time, in the Internet Retailing UK Top 500, entering within the first 350 businesses. The IRUK Top 500 report ranks retailers
East Grinstead, 19 February 2019: The Facilities Event, the leading exhibition dedicated to the UK’s facilities and workplace industry, has announced top FM experts who will be tackling the industry’s biggest challenges during a packed seminar programme at this year’s event held at NEC, Birmingham on the 9-11 April 2019. The
The strength of GRAHAM’s highways and rail sector expertise has been recognised by Countryside Zest (Beaulieu Park) LLP and Highways England following the recent award of a design and build contract for the Chelmsford East Beaulieu S278 Works (RDR Phase 3) project. The works in Chelmsford, Essex, comprise of a
Makita’s first DAB Job Site Radio with Bluetooth, the Makita DMR112, is the latest addition to the audio range that will meet everyone’s taste in music and quality. With a dual power source by either AC adaptor or by Makita’s CXT or LXT Lithium-Ion batteries, that can be found in
As a small or large business owner, buying used forklift truck can be an amazing and cost-effective way to be able to meet up with order requirements. Read more here. But these second-hand machines has its very own problems which might cost you, clients, later on when they malfunction. Below,
The coastal West Sussex region has become a hub for development, with significant progress being made on new key sites throughout the area. The Coastal West Sussex Partnership, which brings senior leaders from the public and private sector to champion economic growth within the area, has given its support to
Being able to measure flow accurately is extremely important to many applications – this is especially true in industrial plants, where it can make a genuine difference to a company’s ability to make a profit. Lacking an understanding of flow can lead to issues not being corrected and the will
Arena Group is thrilled to support a new initiative lead by the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and London Marathon Events Ltd with a competition for aspiring young architects to design the Mile 18 marker for the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday, 28 April. On the evening of 7
For eager and entrepreneurs and potential investors the construction industry has never been more profitable, and with more demand for better infrastructure in cities with growing populations, the number of firms working in the UK has been rising according to the Office of National Statistics. A significant increase of 6.2%
If you’re involved in a farming operation, then you’ll be aware of just how much energy is needed to maintain a living. Whether it’s tractor use, ensuring the needs of livestock are met, or heating any number of crop stores – all are extremely energy-intensive. The predicament can be even more
UK’s leading supplier of ironmongery to the trade, IronmongeryDirect, has been named as one of the top internet retailers in the UK. The company has appeared, for the first time, in the Internet Retailing UK Top 500, entering within the first 350 businesses. The IRUK Top 500 report ranks retailers by revenue, store networks and website traffic as well as undertaking in-depth analysis into an organisation’s approach to customers. Wayne Lysaght-Mason, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, said while they had experienced their best financial year to date, the Basildon-based wholesaler was not resting on its laurels – with further expansion planned in 2019 and beyond. He said: “We are thrilled to have made it into the IRUK Top 500 internet retailers. To be included in a list of companies that consist of the likes of Amazon, John Lewis and Argos is a great reflection of our achievements and is an indication of the positive direction that IronmongeryDirect is heading in. “In the digital age where the standard 9-5 working hours are becoming less applicable, IronmongeryDirect is leading the way and continually evolving our business strategy, placing our customers firmly at the centre.” IronmongeryDirect has recently completed a major expansion of its warehouse and is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary later this year. Wayne continued: “The expansion has enabled us to improve our service offering whilst continuing to grow our product range, bringing the total range to over 17,000 products. This further cements our position as the leading supplier of ironmongery and related products to the trade in the UK. IronmongeryDirect is the UK’s largest specialist ironmongery supplier, with over 17,000 products in stock, available for next day delivery when you order by 8pm Sunday to Friday and by 4pm on Saturday. Free delivery is available on orders over £45 together with free returns. For more information, visit IronmongeryDirect.com or call their team of specialist advisors on 0800 168 28 28.
East Grinstead, 19 February 2019: The Facilities Event, the leading exhibition dedicated to the UK’s facilities and workplace industry, has announced top FM experts who will be tackling the industry’s biggest challenges during a packed seminar programme at this year’s event held at NEC, Birmingham on the 9-11 April 2019. The free-to-attend programme will be hosted from a central theatre, The Facilities Hub, and will consist of 18 sessions featuring 30 of the most knowledgeable professionals in the UK’s FM industry today. All session content is CPD accredited and will be delivered across what the organisers are calling the ‘Five pillars of FM’. These five streams cover key elements within the FM profession and include cleaning services, security, catering, property management and support & technology services. “Our aim has been to design a programme which appeals to all levels of FMs working in the UK today. We know that there are many time pressures on those who are keen to attend The Facilities Event. This year our focus has been to deliver valuable training sessions with very practical take-aways with content that attendees can use to improve working practices at their organisation.” says Rachel Godfrey, Event Manager, The Facilities Event. Those attending The Facilities Event 2019 will also get free access to its co-located events; The Fire Safety Event, The Health & Safety Event and the brand-new The Security Event. Each event features its own professional seminar programme and a host of global brands demonstrating their technology and services. From legislative trends in health & safety to essential fire safety and security updates, the four events provide the ultimate opportunity for FMs at every level to update themselves on vital business knowledge. Godfrey explains “By attending the sessions and meeting with this year’s exhibitors, FMs will have the opportunity to create a personalised event experience and find real solutions to the issues that facing their business. We guarantee that those who attend will learn skills, experience and touch innovative technology and meet new industry colleagues.” Free visitor registration is now open, visit www.facilitiesevents.com to claim your free badge. Interested in exhibiting? Contact Rachel Godfrey on 01342 333714 or email rgodfrey@western-be.co.uk.
The strength of GRAHAM’s highways and rail sector expertise has been recognised by Countryside Zest (Beaulieu Park) LLP and Highways England following the recent award of a design and build contract for the Chelmsford East Beaulieu S278 Works (RDR Phase 3) project. The works in Chelmsford, Essex, comprise of a new viaduct over the Great Eastern railway and A12 and carriageway works (RDR Phase 3) linking into the Boreham Interchange. The scheme, which is being directed by Countryside Zest in partnership with Highways England, is subject to a single-phase procurement process, although the works will be split into two phases. The first, a £1.4m-valued ‘Stage 1 Pre-Construction Services’ appointment, will focus on design development in order to secure technical approval from the relevant authorities, including Highways England and Network Rail. Detailed site surveys and investigation, plus a robust assessment of possession requirements and timescales, represent complex elements of this phase. Stage 2 ‘Construction’, with an estimated value of £11.8m, will then involve the commencement of an engineering and construction programme based on the agreed outputs from Stage 1. Track record GRAHAM has a proven track record in the Chelmsford area having completed the award winning A138 Chelmer Viaduct – a £32m strategic highway, which has increased transport capacity and significantly improved journeys for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. GRAHAM’s Managing Director for Civil Engineering, Leo Martin, is looking forward to his team delivering a similar high-calibre piece of infrastructure as part of the Chelmsford East Beaulieu S278 Works project. “This contract award is a tremendous result for us and it once again underlines our combined approach and reputation for excellence in both the highways and rail sectors,” said Leo. “The first phase of this contract requires a fully-coordinated design methodology that meets the approval and standards of Highways England and Network Rail. We have enjoyed long-term relationships with both organisations and fully understand their technical requirements. “I’m confident that our existing knowledge and design expertise will not only meet, but exceed, their expectations, which will ensure a seamless transition to Stage 2 and the beginning of the construction works. “As we proved with the A138 Chelmer Viaduct, we use our expertise and creativity to identify and implement solutions that reduce cost, drive efficiency and enhance outcomes and therefore we are looking forward to replicating this approach for the Chelmsford East Beaulieu S278 Works project.” Phasing The approved phasing of the development requires the initial stopping up of the existing Generals Lane highway and the subsequent demolition of the bridge structure, which currently crosses the Great Eastern railway line in advance of the commencement of the RDR Phase 3 carriageway and bridge construction. The design requirements for the project include a radial distributor road, a bridge structure crossing the Great Eastern mainline and drainage and services. Design work is well under way and is expected to be completed in 2020.
Makita’s first DAB Job Site Radio with Bluetooth, the Makita DMR112, is the latest addition to the audio range that will meet everyone’s taste in music and quality. With a dual power source by either AC adaptor or by Makita’s CXT or LXT Lithium-Ion batteries, that can be found in Makita’s cordless power tools range, this radio provides total convenience and cost efficiency. Receives DAB, DAB+, national and local radio stations Compatible with all Makita batteries Excellent, high quality audio sound The Makita DMR112 radio with Bluetooth is capable of receiving DAB, DAB+ and many national and local radio stations. DAB+ is the current standard across much of Europe with the main advantage of being three times more efficient, carries far more radio stations than DAB, and at a far higher audio quality. DAB+ is also a much greener technology because the overall transmission power required is far lower. This radio has a two-way speaker system of twin 89mm diameter speakers that provide high quality sound and a maximum output, when using an 18V LXT Li-Ion battery, of 4.9 watts from each. This rugged IP64 protection-rated dust and showerproof site radio has an elastomer bump-protecting casing, foldable antenna for added protection, an AC adaptor jack and digital amplifier and LCD display, which offers equal protection to the existing range from Makita. This new body only radio has a Band III frequency range of 87.5 – 108 Mhz and is equipped with Bluetooth Class 2 to wirelessly play music from a mobile phone, MP3 player or tablet with a range of up to 10 meters. A neat, flat top surface provides stability for mobile devices and features a USB output port that allows mobile devices to be charged from the radio. An AUX-IN jack allows connection to personal audio players This intelligent and rugged Job Site Radio with Bluetooth has a soft grip carry handle, that swivels to 90°, is compact and light weight at just 4.3 kg plus batteries. For more news and product information about Makita UK please visit www.makitauk.com. Follow us on Twitter @MakitaUK, Facebook.com/makitauk and google.com/+makitauk
As a small or large business owner, buying used forklift truck can be an amazing and cost-effective way to be able to meet up with order requirements. Read more here. But these second-hand machines has its very own problems which might cost you, clients, later on when they malfunction. Below, you will find our best tips that will enable you to explore the potential problems that might be hidden on the trucks or by sellers. Ensure the truck will be able to meet your lifting needs Forklift trucks may appear to be pretty the same to a novice. But, they are actually so different based on the model and intended uses. What will you use the forklift truck for – heavy or light loads? How big should the truck be? Will you need to use it on a routine basis? Is your truck going to work outside or inside? Do you need to abide by any rules on fumes and noise in the environment? Does it have long poles that can reach high platforms and shelves? You have to think of all this while picking the appropriate truck. A trustworthy seller will only sell the truck to you after examining your site in order to determine if the truck will be suitable for your business needs. Do note that most online retailers are less likely to do this. To be on the safe side, you should ask a certified Virginia dealer like to visit your business and provide a quotation for both used and new trucks. Then you will get a clear idea on the exact equipment that you need and costs. Do visual assessment Having to depend on the pictures and description of the seller is one of the unmistakable detriments of purchasing online. Ensure that you check for leaks, welding, rust or any other damages that might indicate underlying problems. This is easier to do if the dealer is in your local area. Otherwise, just ask for more pictures or even a video of the truck. Scrutinize the warranty It is essential to have a decent warranty when purchasing a used truck. Check carefully to see how long it lasts, what it covers and what isn’t covered. Even if the truck still has a warranty from the manufacturers, call them to confirm if the warranty can be transferred or not. Test drive it It is harder to buy a used truck than a used car. The reason is that forklift trucks are regulated and substantially more dangerous. Never pay anyone for a truck that you are yet to test drive. If you are unavailable or unfit to drive it, hire an operator to do that. The operator will be able to test all the functions and check for exhaust fumes and hydraulic leaks. Ask for Thorough Examination Certificate All trucks are legally required to have one. This guarantees that the vehicles conform to PUWER and LOLER directions. But it is similar to a vehicle MoT, you should depend entirely on it since it does not check the complete condition of the truck. Ensure the truck is certified and not illegally imported In the used forklift market, there is a developing trend of imports by rogue dealers. It is recommended that you stay away from them. Though there are still many trustworthy suppliers. You can check out Sun Equipment used forklifts, and lift trucks from other companies which provides registered trucks. If you buy from rogue dealers, you will find it almost impossible to move it to your location and find parts for the truck in the future. In case of a mishap, it might even make your insurance invalid. Always check that the truck has an authentic CE mark. Also, ensure that the CE Certificate, user manual, identity plate, and other labels, comes in the right language. Ensure the battery life is good if you are buying an electric truck The battery for forklift trucks can be very expensive – worth over 40% of the truck’s value. It is extremely vital that there’s a lot of mileage remaining in the battery cells. As a standard guideline, the normal FLT battery last for about 1200 charges and each charge will run for 5 hours. Get a rough estimate by dividing clocked hours by 5. Assess the battery for any damage or leaks. Consider getting extra insurance cover for the battery. Visit here for more info: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352152X17304437. These few tips will ensure that you don’t buy a dud. Also, make sure that you check the truck mileage versus the one in the service history. Don’t forget to also verify the suitability of the mast and ensure it extends smoothly. When leasing a forklift, always make sure you research.
The coastal West Sussex region has become a hub for development, with significant progress being made on new key sites throughout the area. The Coastal West Sussex Partnership, which brings senior leaders from the public and private sector to champion economic growth within the area, has given its support to several developments that it anticipates will have a ‘larger than local impact’. These include the Lady Bee Enterprise Centre in Shoreham, New Monks Farm in Lancing and Salt Box and Oldlands Farm in Bognor Regis, which is part of the Enterprise Bognor Regis area. As part of the Shoreham Port Masterplan, £3m has been allocated for the Lady Bee Enterprise Centre. The centre will provide 14 units of commercial space and will comprise of three blocks of modern business space, extending to a maximum of 18,000 square feet Tim Hague, Director of Property and Development at Shoreham Port, said: “We are delighted to report that we are now more than half way through the construction of the Lady Bee Enterprise Centre. “There is a chronic shortage of commercial space in this area. The new units will generate significant employment numbers, adding to the 1,600 already employed within the port. “They are part of a wider improvement plan for this area, which will result in an enhanced atmosphere with a greater draw for the local community.” Meanwhile in Lancing, the New Monks Farm Development will provide 600 new homes and a new IKEA store that will bring much-needed jobs to the area. Enterprise Bognor Regis is a 70-hectare commercial and employment development opportunity located on the northern edge of Bognor Regis in West Sussex. Landlink Estates, the developer of Salt Box on Shripney Road is awaiting the planning approval of plans that include a mix of both commercial and retail development. Tenants destined for the site are Warburtons, Richmond Motor Group, Aldi and Starbucks. Plans for another site within the Enterprise Bognor Regis have recently been put before the public. Oldlands Farm is 23.8 hectares and would bring forward further commercial and retail space. “It’s an exciting time for the area, with great new opportunities for businesses and a good number of new homes,” commented Caroline Wood, Director of the Coastal West Sussex Partnership. “There are some large development opportunities coming forward along the coast in Worthing, Shoreham, Chichester and Bognor Regis,” “We offer our support to those developments that can bring both jobs and homes into the area as well as having that larger than local impact.” For more information, please visit https://coastalwestsussex.org.uk.
Being able to measure flow accurately is extremely important to many applications – this is especially true in industrial plants, where it can make a genuine difference to a company’s ability to make a profit. Lacking an understanding of flow can lead to issues not being corrected and the will impact an organisation’s bottom line. To measure flow, you need an instrument known as a flow meter. These devices are mused to measure either the volumetric or mass flow rate, or the amount of fluid passing through a pipe. Flow meters are used in a variety of different applications in measuring their volumetric flowrate or their mess flowrate. The actual application defines the type of capacity of the flow meter; both liquids and gases are measured in terms of volumetric and mass flowrate. There are actually many different types of flow meter, and the one that you need depends entirely on the application that you want to use it for. In this article we take a look at five of the common types of flow meter to understand their applications. Differential pressure flow meter One of the more common forms of flow meter found in applications around the world, differential pressure flow meters are often used in the oil and gas industries. They also have applications in everything from HVAC and pharmaceuticals to mining, paper and chemical production – their uses are clearly extremely wide. These meters measure the differential pressure across an orifice where the flow is related directly to the square root of the differential pressure that is being produced. The meters work with two elements: primary and secondary. The primary element produces a change in kinetic energy either through a flow nozzle, an orifice plate or a venturi flow meter. The secondary element is used to measure the differential pressure and then provide the signal. Positive displacement flow meter Positive displacement (PD) flow meters are well known for being extremely accurate. This means that they have a range of uses in the transferring of oil and other fluids such as gasoline and hydraulic fluid. They even have use around the house with applications in water and gas. PD flow meters are used to measure a volume filled with fluid, deliver it and then fill it again. This allows the meter to calculate the amount of fluid that has been transferred. The majority of forms of flow meter measure some sort of parameter and convert the value into a flowrate – PD flow meters actually measures the flow of the fluid. Some of the meters include piston meters, nutating disk metres and rotary vane type meters. Velocity flow meter Another common form of flow meter is the velocity flow meter. These instruments are used to measure the velocity of the stream in order to calculate the volumetric flowrate. Velocity flow meters are less sensitive when the Reynolds number of the fluid is higher than 10,000. Some examples of velocity flow meters include electromagnetic and sonic/ultrasonic, turbine, paddlewheel and vortex shedding flow meters. Mass flow meter Mass flow meters measure the force resulting from mass accelerating through a pipe, this means that they are most effective in mass-related processes. They work by measuring the force of mass moving per a unit of time, rather than volume per a unit of time. Common forms of mass flow meters include thermal dispersion meters and Coriolis mass meters. Many of the major applications for mass flow meters are related to chemical processes. They are often found in the gas and chemical industries, as well as throughout power, pharmaceuticals, waste water and mining. Open channel flow meter Finally, we come to the measurement of liquid in open channels. This occurs in v-notch, weirds and flumes. They allow for a concentrated or a limited free-flow of liquid depending on the shape of the structure. Some of the most common applications for open channel flow meters include measuring free-flowing liquids such as those found in rivers, streams or sewers. Image courtesy of: Applications Engineering
Arena Group is thrilled to support a new initiative lead by the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and London Marathon Events Ltd with a competition for aspiring young architects to design the Mile 18 marker for the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday, 28 April. On the evening of 7 February 2019, the winning team were revealed at the Stephen Lawrence Centre in South London: Ayanna Blair-Ford, Shreeya Radia and Quincy Haynes – all Part 1 graduates from separate London architecture practices. The design, which celebrates the life and legacy of Stephen Lawrence, who was 18 when he died, will form an inspiring focal point for runners and spectators during the marathon. The competition has provided a rare opportunity for young architects to have their design built and seen by the 41,000 runners in the marathon and millions more around the world watching the race on television. The competition also reflects Stephen’s own aspiration to pursue a career in architecture as well as his love of running – he was a member of the Cambridge Harriers running club, and competed in the Mini London Marathon in 1988. Before submitting their final designs, ten shortlisted teams were invited to the Arena workshop in St Ives, Cambridgeshire to observe how the marker is constructed, and to demonstrate the need to be practical with their design concepts. For over two decades, Arena Project Director, Martin Clark has supported the Marathon with temporary structures, as well as seating for the start and finish lines. He was also invited to be part of the competition judging panel, alongside Baroness Lawrence, representatives from London Marathon Events Ltd, and the Trust’s architecture advisory board. “We are delighted to have supported the London Marathon event for 24 years. It is one of my favourite events to deliver,” said Clark, who has spent over 30 years working at Arena Group. “We organise a skilled team to tackle the logistical challenges of installing over 50 structures in just 48 hours before the event and removing them only several hours after the runners have passed, which is a pretty impressive accomplishment given we are working in the City of London, alongside open roads. “This year is very special and significant. The #BecauseOfStephenWeCan Mile Marker is going to look awesome and we can’t wait to build it with the winning designers!” Clark adds: “We are so proud to be partnering with the Trust, London Marathon Events and the winning team. Together we will be a real driving force behind this inspiring and ground-breaking initiative. “We feel incredibly privileged to be part of the competition and to have responsibility for overseeing the build and delivering the Marathon Mile 18 marker with the winning team.” The winning concept was praised for the creative way it celebrates the life and legacy of Stephen Lawrence, and will form an inspiring focal point for runners and spectators on the day of the event. The Mile 18 marker will incorporate brightly coloured plaques with quotes from young people describing the personal impact that Stephen Lawrence’s life and legacy has had on them. The structure will also project a mix of music and brief audio clips of people describing Stephen’s impact. The design is also being developed to ensure that it meets health and safety requirements which is crucial for such a major sporting event. Quincy Haynes, a member of the winning team, said “We wanted our design to acknowledge the tragedy of Stephen’s death, but also to celebrate his legacy and the work of the Trust. We are incredibly excited to see it built and hope that it will motivate runners as they reach one of the toughest miles of the Marathon.” The winners will return to the Arena workshop next week to undertake a working at height training course so they can assist with the build, and to support their career portfolio. The shortlisted designs are currently on display in a public exhibition at the Stephen Lawrence Centre until Friday, 15 February 2019.
For eager and entrepreneurs and potential investors the construction industry has never been more profitable, and with more demand for better infrastructure in cities with growing populations, the number of firms working in the UK has been rising according to the Office of National Statistics. A significant increase of 6.2% in 2017 was recorded, meaning that there were 314,590 active in the UK. With increased earnings, the rising value of new construction orders and highest level of employment to record the numbers sound evermore impressing. The industry does encounter some downfall however, even with these numbers, the delivery from the client can be impacted. A whole development plan can need changing if there are hazardous materials detected on building sites. This costs the business time and money, which might not be an option for them. Environmental consultants are now being invested in by construction developers as they realise that this type of waste needs to detected early and removed as soon as possible. Hazardous waste, what is it and how can you handle it? Hazardous waste is when it contains harmful substances to human health or the environment, even if it does not have an immediate effect states The Health and Safety Executive. Whether the business is a producer, carrier, consignee or holder they’re responsible for handling the hazardous waste. The most common types of hazardous waste are: Asbestos Chemicals Batteries Solvents Pesticides Oils Various equipment that include ozone depleting substances and general hazardous waste containers — which can be quite common in construction. Excavated soil or demolition materials contaminated with any of the above The above hazardous substances can come in solid, vapour, micro-organisms, liquid and gas forms. Some of the substances can appear in more than one of these forms at the same time, therefore businesses handling these must be properly equipped to do so. Each year globally, we produce 400 million tonnes of hazardous waste, that’s around 13 tonnes every second. This figure has increased massively over the years and businesses are pressured by the governments around the world to ensure they keep their waste levels to a minimum through The Waste Hierarchy, which is to prevent, reuse, recycle, or recover waste in that specific order. General waste and hazardous waste must be stored differently, with security, safety and environmental protection being the main focuses. A good understanding of Hazardous properties such as flammable, ecotoxic, explosive and carinogenic are important to allow you to segregate or store wastes properly with the security, environmental protection and safety in mind. Making sure that your waste is labelled appropriately so there’s no mix up in identifying it and making it secure is key. This prevents your construction site from contamination and waterproof covers are also recommended to make sure there are no waste run offs to contaminate other areas. Records must be kept so that everything is accounted for alongside taking the correct physical precautions. You must fill out a consignment note before your waste management company comes for collection, this is required when: Collections from businesses that are registered waste carriers. Movements from one premises to another within the same organisation. When another business has produced waste, movements from customer premises. The consignment note is not needed when: The movement of domestic hazardous waste – other than asbestos. Waste has been imported and exported under international waste shipment controls that require a different movement note. All this paperwork should be kept on file, in some cases for several years. EA (in England and Wales) and SEPA (in Scotland) deal slightly differently with Hazardous wastes. Development projects require a lot of thinking when it comes to hazardous waste. Making sure you’re well prepared for your next build by analysing the site you’ll be working on before getting plans put in place or having environmental consultants in is a necessity. Sources: https://www.gov.uk/managing-your-waste-an-overview http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/hazardous-substances/key-points.htm https://www.gov.uk/dispose-hazardous-waste https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/constructionindustry/articles/constructionstatistics/number192018edition http://www.theworldcounts.com/counters/waste_pollution_facts/hazardous_waste_statistics
If you’re involved in a farming operation, then you’ll be aware of just how much energy is needed to maintain a living. Whether it’s tractor use, ensuring the needs of livestock are met, or heating any number of crop stores – all are extremely energy-intensive. The predicament can be even more critical during the autumn and winter months, when harsh conditions make it more difficult for farmers to harvest, package and distribute produce. Add this to the challenges that come with heating rural, remote and off-grid agricultural locations (traditionally served by inefficient fuels like oil), and a farm’s energy supply can become quite problematic. For farmers looking for a greener, cheaper and more effective off-grid fuel solution that’s reliable even in colder seasons, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) could be an alternative. LPG has increasingly become a go-to for farmers looking to meet ongoing heating or operational needs without compromising on outputs and the quality of their end product – or becoming dependent on an expensive alternative fuel. Farming and off-grid use Available in gas cylinder and bulk form, LPG provides an alternative to oil and solid fuels for off-grid agricultural use. It can be used for heating or transport in all types of farming processes, and delivers a range of operational and environmental benefits. From dairy processing and poultry rearing right though to maintaining the perfect temperature for crop drying (or even propane enrichment of biomethane in anaerobic digestion plants), farmers have turned to LPG for its cleaner, more cost-effective and easily-controllable capabilities. For farmers looking to understand the benefits of LPG, here is advice on how gas can become an essential part of efficient farming in the winter months: 1. Livestock and energy usage Whether it be barn ventilation, lights, supplying food and water or manure handling, poultry cultivation requires a huge amount of energy. For birds and livestock, a constant heat supply is crucial to their survival – especially during colder seasons. By choosing LPG, farmers and animals can potentially benefit from: – An efficient and cleaner-burning fuel, LPG reduces the risk of contamination within livestock (through feeds and litter) – ensuring that animals are kept as safe as possible. – The moisture produced by LPG heating is the perfect level to promote speedy feathering and weight gain amongst poultry. – Choosing an LPG supplier with a national supply network means deliveries can be made quickly and efficiently, keeping birds warm all-year round. 2. Weighing up the green benefits For farmers looking for greener ways of working, LPG can offer environmental benefits. It’s a lower-carbon alternative to conventional fossil fuels, cutting carbon emissions by approximately 15 % compared to heating oil (and 33% compared to coal). It also doesn’t produce black carbon – which is a major contributor to climate change. As a transport fuel for tractors or other farming machinery, it’s also estimated that LPG (or propane) produces up to 24% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline, and 11% fewer emissions than diesel engines. Not only that, but the risk to the local environment is also kept to a minimum, as propane is non-toxic – providing a cleaner, greener, and cost-effective fuel solution for all kinds of farming uses. 3. When heating is needed for horticulture Maintaining constant temperatures for commercially grown plants and flowers is crucial to securing profits. When temperatures begin to drop, plants are naturally at greater risk of being damaged by frost, so it’s important to have the right heating system in place. LPG, as opposed to other off-grid options like oil, allows plant growers to benefit from a cleaner burning fuel, ensuring crops remain free from contamination. Depending on the size of the operation, farmers can also choose between an LPG gas bottle (which can easily be handled and lifted) and LPG gas tanks (which can be topped up automatically), meaning an energy system that delivers a constant heat supply for horticulture. 4. Using LPG to dry crops and grains When it comes to drying crops and grains, an LPG system can be a huge commodity to farmers looking to dry their produce quickly. As a highly controllable source of fuel, LPG makes for a more precise drying process, allowing farmers to maintain ideal levels of moisture without over-drying. The result is quicker drying all round, whilst also enabling farmers to preserve the quality of their crops, and ensure that the final product meets market specification. Additionally, with LPG grain drying technology, there’s the potential to recycle heated air, providing an even more efficient way to dry grain, without increasing fuel consumption. Sources https://lpg-apps.org/index.php?mact=LPGApi,cntnt01,application,0&cntnt01application_id=16&cntnt01returnid=17&cntnt01sector_id=2&cntnt01subsector_id=24 https://www.flogas.co.uk/business-lpg-farming#lpg-supply-options-41 Gas for Off-grid Britain’ Report, UKLPG, https://www.uklpg.org/resources/gas-for-off-grid-britain Gas for Off-grid Britain’ Report, UKLPG, https://www.uklpg.org/resources/gas-for-off-grid-britain https://www.smithgas.com/propane-uses-in-agriculture