The recent spectacular expansion of the Irish and United Kingdom logistics and distribution sector has been largely driven by the internet and electronic commerce. As welcome as the growth has been to industry participants, there is a consensus that online sales have mandated significant changes in the way they do business and that evolution is going to be the constant watchword for companies trying to achieve growth. In this piece, we discuss the three key ways in which online commerce has triggered improvements in the demand chain. Continue reading Online sales and their demad on supply chains in 2020 →

Gas boilers (and all gas appliances) are potentially very dangerous pieces of equipment. They work by combusting (burning) gas, and that presents the risk of fire and explosion. They can also give off carbon monoxide if they are not burning correctly, which is a highly toxic gas.

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You can make sure that your gas appliances are safe by having them installed, serviced and safety checked by a Gas Safe-registered engineer. This includes any appliances and your boiler and heating system which you should have installed and checked by a Boiler Service Essex company like https://www.essexcountygas.com/essex-boilers/boiler-service-essex/ to ensure it is running smoothly and more importantly, safely.

Gas Safe-registered engineers

According to the Gas Safe Register website they are the official listing site for gas businesses that have been registered to work safely and legally on gas appliances such as boilers, cookers and fires. It is illegal for an unregistered engineer to work on your appliances.

The Gas Safe register works hard to protect the public from unsafe gas installations and repairs. They have a national investigations team who actively track down illegal gas installers and repairers.

They carry out regular inspections of work carried out by Gas Safe-registered engineers, and they investigate reports of unsafe work. They also work hard to raise awareness of gas safety issues, including carbon monoxide poisoning. The Gas Safe Register took over from the CORGI register in 2009.

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Radiators

As you are having your heating system checked by a gas safe engineer you could possibly look at what radiators you have and potentially make an upgrade should you need to.

Insurance cover

When you use a Gas Safe engineer for the work will be covered by your insurance if anything does go wrong. By choosing a registered installer such you will know that your insurance will be valid, and you will not be left out of pocket if something happens during or after the work.

The safety of your loved ones

It is not possible to put a price on the safety of your loved ones. Yet, millions of jobs are carried out by unregistered, and therefore illegal, operators every year. This puts millions of people at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning, fires and explosions. People have died and many more have been injured.

The only way to be sure that your engineer is both qualified and experienced enough to work on your gas appliance is to check yourself by visiting the Gas Safe website and using the search facility.

You can check if they are on the register at all and then check that they are competent for the specific job that they are doing for you.

Electricity is all around us and it’s a very important concept in science but is often misunderstood. Here is the definition of what electricity really is:

It is a type of energy resulting from an electric charge flow. Energy can be defined as something capable of work or applying force onto an object to make it move. For electricity, the power is the attraction or repulsion that occurs between charged particles.

If you have electricity, it can be either in the form of kinetic or potential. It is most commonly experienced in the form of potential, such as stored energy from the position of charged particles.

The movement of charged particles is what we call electricity. Another form is static electricity. This occurs because of an imbalance between the positive and negative charge of an object. It is a form of potential energy as well. If there is enough of the accumulated energy it can be discharged in the form of a spark, like lightning, for example. When this happens, the potential energy has been transformed into kinetic energy. For any electrical issues in your home, always be sure to use a qualified Electrician Essex like Electrician Essex SM Eectrical

How does it work?

It was Michael Faraday, a British scientist who discovered a way to produce electricity in the early 19th century. Experiments involved moving a conductive metal loop through magnetic poles. What he was able to prove is that the electrons in copper wire move freely and all electrons carry a negative charge.

This movement is controlled by attractive forces between the positive charge and the electrons, while the repulsive force occurring between negatively charged electrons and ions. Simply put, the electric field around the charged particles, such as electrons, puts the force on the other charged particles, making it move and work.

As long as a particle is charged, it can produce electrical energy, whether it is the electrons, protons, positive or negative ions, positrons or atomic nuclei.

Where is it used?

This energy is what we use to power our appliances. Every time we turn on a light bulb or power up the television, this is an example of potential energy turning into electrical energy. The potential energy becomes a different sort of energy, such as heat, light, kinetic and mechanical example.

A further example of electrical energy is found in the battery. With the battery, the energy source will come from ions in solution than the electrons in the metal.

We can even find an example of electric energy in the human body itself. Electrons, ions and hydrogen ions are found in high concentrations on one side of the membrane, creating an electrical potential that is used for processes such as moving materials around the body, nerve impulses and muscle movement.

Some examples of electric energy are:

battery

alternating Current (AC)

direct current (DC)

lightning

the energy generated by an electric eel

capacitors

It’s important to remember that a moving charged particle, electron, ion or proton always generates a magnetic field. Also, when changing the magnetic field, an electric current will always be produced in a conductor, such as copper wire. For this reason, they often call the study of electricity electromagnetism because they are always linked.

As glass technology continues to evolve and manufacturers seek ways to make window products more efficient and cost-effective, speculation mounts as to what we can expect from the insulating glass industry in the future.

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Increased information flow

Glass experts claim that in recent times, there has been a more open information flow in the industry, on both a local and global scale. Experts reckon this will continue, as modern technology and advanced logistics encourage the sharing of industry knowledge.

Trend towards sustainability

Glass manufacturers on a global level have been turning their attentions to sustainability, and this will remain a dominant feature in the years to come. However, sustainability will take a wider approach in the future, with more emphasis on choosing sustainable solutions that impact the entire supply chain and its management.

The rise of triple glazing

Triple glazing used to be a select product used in certain countries only, but it is starting to become more mainstream, and this trend is set to continue. In particular, as manufacturers strive towards becoming more energy efficient, the units of glass have been insulated with gas fill.

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According to Glasstec, the problem with triple glazing is its substantial weight of 30kg/m2 which can cause difficulties with installation and transportation. To help combat this problem, manufacturers are increasingly looking towards vacuum insulation glass, which has a low E-coating and is around 50% lighter than standard triple glazing. Although not yet available as a marketable product, it is only a matter of time before this changes.

The future of quadruple glazing

Anyone looking to replace their windows will currently choose a reputable supplier, such as Double Glazing in Cheltenham, Firmfix. Whether you require double glazing in Gloucester or elsewhere, it could be that in the future, more suppliers will offer their customers the chance to purchase quadruple glazing, which boasts excellent thermal insulation.

Stricter requirements

Quality insulation glass requirements are continually increasing, especially with regards to legislation. Over time, these requirements will pave the way for more stringent rules for manufacturers. The issue of multifunctionality is one aspect that is likely to be an ongoing concern, now and in the future, where manufacturers are faced with the challenge of creating smart glazing that is secure, insulates sound, preserves heat and makes effective use of solar radiation.

Relocating a laboratory is a major endeavour, involving often hazardous substances and fragile, expensive apparatus. Before attempting such a move, here are some essential things to know:

1. Regulations for transport

There are many different regulations to consider depending on the type of materials being moved, where they are moving from and their end destination. As well as national regulations, there will be local and facility-specific regulations to adhere to as well. This can become complex, so it’s best to hire a professional lab relocation outfit to ensure all is carried out as it should be. For Lab Relocation Services, visit a site like Aport Global, suppliers of Lab Relocation Services.

2. Hazardous substances

There will be different regulations for the transportation of any material considered hazardous. Such regulations are designed to protect public safety and the safety of those working in the transportation.

3. Transportation if different temperatures

The ability to maintain a certain temperature for substances is one of the main issues affecting a lab relocation. A professional relocation service will be able to offer reliable transport in climate-controlled environments. The temperatures will be monitored at all stages of the move and emergency back-up plans in place to prevent any thawing of frozen samples, for example.

4. The cost

As you can imagine, moving all the different components of a laboratory is a costly operation, both in terms of time and money. Instead of organising multiple agencies to deal with a multitude of tasks, hiring one specialist company to deal with a lab relocation brings the whole process together, saving costs, time and effort.

Dealing with one company is much easier than contacting multiple organisations. A coordinated move under one professional outfit will be far less stressful and easier to avoid the hassles of dealing with loss and compliance.

5. Loss prevention

During any move, whether domestic or commercial there is a risk of things going missing, equipment getting damaged and set-up being required at the final destination. The more people involved in a relocation, the more opportunities there are for problems to arise with issues such as loss and damage. Laboratory equipment is delicate and expensive so there is a great deal of trust put in those tasked with transporting it.

When setting up the equipment in the new location, there will be a period of extensive cleaning, installation and recalibration. To ensure that these practices are carried with ultimate efficiency and safety, it’s a good idea to have one professional relocation expert dealing with the entire project.

If you fight back pain at work and your office chair is just not cutting it, it’s time to take action! That being said, it might be a little difficult to convince the boss to invest in new luxury seating for you and your colleagues.

First things first, you need to know what kinds of office chairs will most benefit you and your colleagues. Start by analysing your personal area of discomfort. Then ask around to see if any of your colleagues are struggling with the same problem. The more colleagues you have on board, the more likely your boss will listen to and invest in new seating.

You will then want to take your search to the web. Find an office furniture supplier who can provide tons of useful information that will help you convince your boss when the time is right. For Office Furniture Bristol, visit a site like 1^st Dzine for top Office Furniture Bristol.

Do not approach your boss with a “new office chair is a must” especially after a stress-filled workday. In doing this you will surely be met with some resistance. Or, you’ll want to wait until the time is right and they are in a good mood. At lunch, after work, or during the office party is the perfect time to present ideas.

Start by telling your boss how you are experiencing discomfort and how it relates to your seat. Then give the information on better seats that you’ve already researched. This way, they will have a good idea of what to expect price wise. You’ll also want to explain that a lot of co-workers are struggling with the current performance of their seats too.

You will also want to inform your boss the benefits that the new seats with adjustable ergonomic features will deliver. Support and productivity are both keywords worth mentioning!

If your boss does not seem keen on the idea of buying new chairs at first, do not be discouraged. It may take a little convincing. Ask your boss to sit in your seat. Show the features and how they are just not cutting it. If they can experience personal inefficiency, they will be more sympathetic to your needs. This may be the eye opener you need to push them to a decision.

Have you stopped to wonder whether their work chair is cutting it? Do not be afraid to ask them. You may present an initial request in a question such as “Is your office chair doing the job? I really struggle with mine”. This open-ended inquiry sounds much better than “Hey, I need a new chair. Can you buy one?”

When you do take delivery of your new office chair, be sure to let your boss know how grateful you are for it. Invest some time in mastering the seat’s benefits. Why not assist your boss in purchasing a new one for themselves as well? Show them that investing is a great idea for productivity!

It’s that time of year when thoughts inevitably turn to the new; a new year, new resolutions and maybe a new look for your home environment? It’s the perfect time to take a look at your bathroom and see how you can improve it whilst simultaneously taking advantage of January sales bargains. Here we outline some quick fixes to make a big difference with only a small sale investment: Continue reading March is here and Spring Cleans are a must →

Many people know about the word asbestos, and realize that it’s substance that’s very perilous and harmful to health and wellbeing, yet there can be a great deal of misconception about the particular ailments that exposure to asbestos can cause.

Specifically, most people associate asbestos with just the one condition named Asbestosis, and don’t know about the other various different conditions that can be brought about by exposure to asbestos. Continue reading Conditions associated with asbestos exposure →

Unexpected roof problems are an absolute pain and have a big impact on your business, costing money, time and effort. Recognising the issues that can arise from industrial roofing problems and how to avoid them, can save a lot of hassle and minimize any downtime.

Some of the top roof problems that are most common:

1- Extreme weather

Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to prevent winter and extreme weather. However, there are things you can do to minimize the impact these conditions will have on your roof.

In summary, the main requirements you will want to keep an eye out for are:

Extreme temperature changes – this can result in melting ice and snow, which in turn creates a lot of water, which can lead to water ingress and overflowing gutters

Extreme wind – can lead to loosening of roofing materials and debris collection, leading to leakage and overflowing gutters

Heavy rain and snow – if your roof is already in a poor state of maintenance then heavy rain and snow fall can cause severe water ingress. Continue reading Common Industrial Roof Problems →