Newcastle University and testo Saveris 2
Newcastle University’s Faculty of Science is home to more than 270 staff. The institute explores the basis of disease, the development of new methods for diagnosis, treatment and assessing the impact of new treatments – all pretty important stuff.
It goes without saying that it’s crucial such important work is stored correctly. Incorrect storage or system malfunctions can result in years of work and investment being lost. It’s also vital a detailed record is maintained to see any discrepancies in temperature.
We spoke with Lee Reed, the Laboratory Manager at Newcastle University fibrosis group. The failing of their old system due to connection issues and lack of support meant a new solution for freezer security had to be identified. What did they decide on? Testo Saveris 2 T3.
Saveris 2 allows for automated temperature measurements, storing and collating data in one central and secure place. It also has the option to monitor relative humidity. This reduces effort of staff and eradicates the risk of data being misplaced. Reports can be set up to be sent automatically via email, SMS or app. It also works with WPA2 enterprise network if this is required. Not bad, right?
As Newcastle University is home to more than 50 freezers at -80 degrees, testo recommended the testo Saveris 2 T3 with an exceptionally fast temperature probe. This combination can monitor temperature as low as -195 degrees. An advantage to the T3 is that is has 2 channels. This means, providing the measurement points are close enough (within approx. 4 meters), 2 freezers can be monitored with a single logger.
Reed has found that one of the biggest advantages for Newcastle University has been the automated alarm function that has prevented the loss of valuable research samples “the system has already alerted us to some freezer breakdowns, allowing us to respond quickly and save samples that would have previously been lost”.
Overall? Reed says that “testo have supplied us with a robust and trustworthy monitoring system that supports all our needs and more”.
Learn more about testo Saveris 2 systems here: https://www.testo.com/en-UK/products/saveris-2
For more information on Testo data loggers or any of our products please go to https://www.testo.com/en-UK/ or call us on +44 1420 544433 and we’ll be happy to help.
Thermal Imaging – How it can help you
Applications for plumbing and heating engineers
Thermal imaging can be hugely useful when installing or maintaining heating systems. More and more engineers are beginning to see the value in a thermal camera, from a commercial to a domestic level. You can pinpoint any irregularities to the temperature distribution right away, so it’s easy to locate problems like clogged radiators and leaks. Testo thermal imaging cameras are incredibly accurate and easy to operate – the perfect tool for such tasks.
You could take our word for it, but we thought it would be better to show you how thermal imaging can be applied to daily tasks. Below are some examples of how thermal cameras are used in the plumbing and heating industry and how they can help engineers to be even more precise and efficient in their work. Enjoy!:
Radiator Blockages
Figuring out where exactly a radiator is blocked can be a challenging task. With a testo thermal camera it couldn’t be simpler.
Feeling chilly? Some radiators are particularly bad – this one produces barely any heat!
Underfloor Heating
Understanding the exact location of the wiring or hydro pipes for under floor heating is extremely useful when carrying out renovation work
Show off your great work by easily pointing out to customers where heat is coming from and that there aren’t any leaks
Ventilation and Air Conditioning Units
Been called out to a malfunctioning unit? Find the error easily with a testo thermal camera..over heating much?!
Damaged Pipe
Don’t waste time digging around looking for the leak, find it in a matter of seconds using a thermal camera.
Water Damage and Damp
See the full extent of water damage and how far it has spread
Spot areas at risk of damp before signs are visible to the human eye
Testo thermal cameras
testo thermal imaging cameras are now more affordable than ever with prices starting from only £699! Boasting 160×120 pixels and extensive measuring ranges, it’s almost too good to say no..
Like some more info?
For more information on Testo instruments or any of our products please go to www.testo.co.uk or call us on +44 1420 544433 and we’ll be happy to help.
What you need to know about NOx
Measuring NOx…what’s the future?
When the Energy Related Products Directive (ErP) was first implemented with regards to the domestic and commercial heating sector, our industry knew that this was only the first steps towards ever tightening legislation for manufacturers to meet. Since 26th September 2018 the next phase of the directive has come into place which has set maximum nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission levels for all new domestic and commercial heating and hot water products that are rated up to 400kw.
These new NOx limits correlate to a maximum of 56mg/kWh for gas and LPG fired boilers, and 120mg/kWh for oil fired boilers, and all boilers supplied by manufacturers within the rated range will need to be compliant to the new NOx levels on or after the September date.
One common misconception is that NOx levels are related to energy efficiency, however this is not true. Measurement of NOx values is actually directly related to the measurement of the exhaust products after combustion has taken place, and nitrogen oxides are formed through the high temperatures around the combustion process. The reason NOx levels are under increasing scrutiny is the effect they can have on air quality and health, especially in large cities where a combination of NOx from both road vehicles, heating plant, and industry, can often combine to form high pollution levels.
Taking London as a typical large city, it is thought that up to 33% of the NOx emissions are now coming from heating systems. The focus is to bring in ‘greener’ technology to try and reduce the levels of pollution and to therefore reduce the approx. 24,000 early deaths each year which are currently attributed directly to poor air quality (according to DEFRA figures).
Installers of this new wave of low-NOx boilers currently are not required to monitor these NOx values as part of any installation or servicing, as the manufacturers themselves will have put their boilers through a type approval process to ensure it meets the legislation guidelines.
However, many heating service companies are looking to future-proof their flue gas analyser needs by ensuring that any unit can either be supplied with the ability to measure NOx or be retrofitted with a suitable measurement sensor in the future. Some are even adopting NOx measurement as standard practice. One technical area to be remarked on is that to obtain a ‘total’ NOx value for a boiler being tested/serviced the flue gas analyser needs to measure both the NO (nitric oxide) and NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) gas components. Most commercial flue gas analysers are 3-sensor analysers which only have the capability to measure the NO component and then use a calculated fixed percentage of NO2 to obtain a total NOx value. Some more advanced analysers 4-sensor analysers such as the testo 340 emissions analyser can have measurement cells for both NO & NO2, enabling a true measured total NOx value.
For service companies and engineers looking for the potential to be able to measure NOx values the new testo 300 flue gas analyser offers the capability to have an NO sensor fitted either at point of ordering or retrofitted in the future. The testo 300 also has some other key features which enable it to work effectively from domestic sized boilers all the way up to 400kw, including a unique automatic ‘dilution’ system which enables the analyser to go beyond its normal CO measurement limit of 8,000ppm and actually still keep measuring up to 30,000ppm without risk of damage to the CO sensor.
With it’s innovative ‘smart’ style operation using a 5” HD full colour display bringing all the flexibility we have become used to with smartphones, the testo 300 also offers the user an integral customer site database for ensuring that records are kept in a simple manner, and the built-in Wi-Fi means that no smartphone app is needed to work the device.
Finally, the ‘long-life’ sensors are designed to give at least 5 years normal operating life, and this combined with the testo fixed price servicing means low lifetime costs.
Like some more info?
For more information on Testo instruments for gas safety or any of our products please go to www.testo.co.uk or call us on +44 1420 544433 and we’ll be happy to help.
The testo 270 Cooking Oil Tester
Save on oil costs and ensure consistent quality of fried foods – with a testo 270 Cooking Oil Tester
Whilst many have now adopted the technology, still a significant number of restaurants and food service providers don’t have a suitable system in place to show them when to change the oil in their fryers. Generally, they fall into one of 2 categories; changing their oil too frequently, or not often enough. Both cases create serious issues for the affected company, issues which ironically, are very easily rectified.
Without a system in place there is no way you can guarantee you are being economical in terms of oil consumption. In some extreme cases, we have found companies save as much as 20% on oil consumption simply by testing it on a regular basis. This soon adds up, especially when you think about this expenditure over the space of a year, or across multiple sites.
On the other end of the spectrum, restaurants will find they are not changing frying oil often enough. This puts companies in danger of producing a poor standard of fried food. The batter can become saturated with oil, giving you a greasy end product. There is an added risk with this, using such aged oil can also cause problems in terms of cooking, with the inner food (for example chicken, potato) not actually cooking properly. This, of course, could lead to a whole new list of problems for any company serving food.
Another huge issue surrounding oil quality is product consistency. This is perhaps the biggest reason to optimise oil use. Without regular cooking oil testing, you will not be able to produce the consistent level of fried product quality, which customer’s will have come to expect.
With a cooking oil tester such as the testo 270 you can test oil quality in seconds. Whilst the science behind the testing is, as you’d imagine somewhat complex, the instrument itself couldn’t be a simpler. Just wait for the oil to cool and insert the probe. It will then give you a colour coded reading to say whether the oil is OK or not. Green = Good, Amber = needs changing soon and Red = the oil is past the curve and will need changing immediately. The testo 270 is also NSF and HACCP certified.
The benefits of regular cooking oil testing cannot be denied. Huge numbers of restaurants and caterers profit across the globe. Join many of the world’s leading restaurant chains by adopting this innovative technology. By adding this simple spot-check to your restaurant’s daily quality checks, you will ensure you are optimising your oil expenditure, whilst guaranteeing the same great quality fried foods, every time.
About Testo
Thanks to a varied selection of measuring instruments for controlling food safety, Testo can help you meet your HACCP requirements effortlessly – enabling you to be sure you are storing, preparing and cooking food safely.
Our measuring technology includes professional thermometers, temperature monitoring systems, data loggers, cooking oil testers, as well as our full food safety management system, testo Saveris Restaurant.
For more information please visit https://www.testo.com/en-UK/products/cooking-oil-tester
Testo pledges its support for Gas Safety Week 2018
Testo Limited has pledged its support for Gas Safety Week, taking place this week (17-23 September 2018). The eighth annual Gas Safety Week will see organisations from across the UK work together to encourage all gas consumers to make sure they have their gas appliances checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer, to protect against the dangers of unsafe gas appliances, such as fires, leaks, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
This year, Gas Safety Week is addressing a whole range of gas safety matters. From tackling illegal gas work to reminding people to avoid DIY when it comes to gas appliances and instead leave it the experts – registered engineers who are legally qualified to make sure your appliances are working safely and efficiently.
Mike Murley-Hughes, Marketing Director at Testo Limited commented, “As a leading manufacturer of gas safety instruments, Testo is proud to support Gas Safety Week. Testo instruments, such as flue gas analysers and gas leak detectors, are used by Gas Safe registered engineers to ensure that domestic boilers are operating safely and efficiently and to provide consumers with evidence of this”.
To keep you and your family safe, follow Gas Safe Register’s top tips:
- Know the symptoms of CO poisoning; headaches, nausea, breathlessness, collapse, dizziness and loss of consciousness.
- If you smell gas or think there might be a gas leak, call the free 24-hour national gas emergency number immediately on 0800 111 999.
- Never attempt to work on a gas appliance yourself, always seek the help of a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer who can work on your gas cooker, boiler or fire in a safe way.
- ‘Don’t cut corners’ and always ask to see your engineer’s Gas Safe ID card. Make sure you check the back of the card, which will state which gas appliances they are qualified to work on.
- Only employ a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer when having gas work carried out in your home. You can find a registered engineer in your area by visiting the Gas Safe Register website or calling 0800 408 5500.
Like some more info?
For more information on Testo instruments for gas safety or any of our products please go to www.testo.co.uk or call us on +44 1420 544433 and we’ll be happy to help.
