Category Archives: Products and Services Reviews

Categories of Hardwood Plywood Cores

Plywood
December 22, 2018   Products and Services Reviews

Plywood

There are numerous plywood options on the market. Hardwood plywood is a type which has a back veneer and face made of hardwood, unlike other options. The common types of hardwood plywood include mahogany, teak, oak, beech, ash, poplar, oak, and hickory. The panel of hardwood plywood is made of a core of hardwood or softwood.

Most clients of plywood dealers find the variety of cores available for hardwood plywood confusing. This, in most cases, causes them to make a wrong plywood choice for their projects. Here are some tidbits to guide you in making the right core choice for your hardwood plywood.

MDF Core

Medium density fibre cores are made of wood dust combined with binding agents then thermal pressed. This process results in a functional, resilient and sturdy material. MDF core does not splinter and maintains an even surface which holds screws in place and resists warping. It, however, weights 70-100 pounds.

Particleboard Core

Particleboard core closely resembles MDF core. It is however made of bound wood pieces rather than wood dust which is heat pressed to make a smooth material. It is commonly used in place of MDF core in carpentry and cabinet making and is the cheapest option available. Unlike MDF core, particleboard core is lightweight which makes it a popular choice.

Veneer Core

This comprises three veneer layers which have spread out grain at right angles. The spreading out of the grains makes veneer core stronger than if the grains were running parallel to each other. The veneer layers are adhered together to boost their strength. Veneer core is often used for cabinets, tabletops, and countertops.

A large portion of the above cores is glued using formaldehyde-free glue. This makes them unsuitable for outdoor use since the adhesive is not moisture resistant. If you wish to use your hardwood plywood for speciality applications like in the marine field, opt for exterior grade hardwood plywood.

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3 Important Reasons to Inspect and Test Fire Dampers

workers checking the system
December 17, 2018   Products and Services Reviews

workers checking the system

Both commercial buildings and homes should have a heating and cooling system that is in top shape. Other than inspecting and checking the system itself, it’s also crucial to check the other parts. For instance, fire dampers may not be the most dazzling part of the fire safety system, but they are among the most important.

If the fire dampers are not checked regularly, the ventilation and ductwork systems can easily aggravate a fire by spreading flames and smoke throughout the properly rapidly. Fire damper testing in Kent is necessary to ensure that a fire incident will not worsen due to a faulty part of the fire safety system.

What are Fire Dampers?

Fire dampers are parts of the building that work by preventing fire and smoke from travelling through the ductwork and ventilation areas. When fire and smoke access these areas, it would be easier for them to spread throughout the property or building.

When the fire damper senses smoke or heat, it will automatically close to contain the fire and keep it from spreading rapidly. That said, it gives the people inside the building time to evacuate. Why is fire damper testing that important? Read on to find out.

1. Proper Maintenance Guarantees That During a Fire the Damper Will Work

Many properties and buildings have fire dampers, but because of restricted access, they are difficult to maintain and check. More attention is given to fire safety equipment that is more visible, such as water sprinklers and fire alarms. Since fire dampers are often neglected, checking it regularly is important.

air compressor system room

With proper maintenance and inspection, it will guarantee that the fire dampers will work properly in cases of fire. You must make sure the dampers undergo testing regularly and in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines and agency regulations.

3. The Law Says It’s Important

The law imposes a strict and obligatory testing of fire dampers by a reputable and competent person or agency upon completion of installation and at least once a year. This is based on the law, an update to BS 999 implemented in January 2017. The previous law requires at least once-in-two-years inspection and maintenance.

But in some cases, building owners test their fire dampers every 10 to 15 years and sometimes, it’s never tested at all. That said, strict implementation of the law is crucial for fire safety.

3. To See If There’s a Need for Parts Replacement

Regular maintenance ensures that all damaged parts are replaced right away. A faulty fire damper can lead to the rapid spread of fire when accidents happen. If the fire damper is well maintained, the fire will not spread rapidly, making the work of firemen easier and faster.

In addition, checking for damages while they’re still small is better than waiting for the fire damper to become damaged beyond repair. Buying a new fire damper is more expensive than investing in regular maintenance and inspection.

A fire damper is an important part of fire safety elements in every building. It is often neglected, but it plays a pivotal role in keeping everyone in the building safe during a fire incident.

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Buyers’ Manual: What You Need to Know About Compressed Air Systems

February 21, 2018   Products and Services Reviews

Man checking the air systemThe manufacturing industry is reliant on compressed air systems to ensure practicality and cost-efficiency in their energy consumption. Considering the extensive and varied systems available in the market, it is crucial that you are in the know with regards to the basics of compressed air technology. Here are crucial facts that can help you make an informed consumer decision.

Compressed Air Technology

When buying a compressed air system, you must first identify the type you need. There are three kinds:

  • Packaged rotary air compressors, which boast of low maintenance cost and noiseless operation.
  • Reciprocating compressors, which are favoured in small industrial applications.
  • Centrifugal compressors, which are the most energy-efficient systems in the market and are used in high volume air applications.

These three types usually share these components: compressor, air receiver tank, dryer, distribution system, air cooler, filter, and condensate trap. It pays that you know a thing or two about these mechanisms before signing a deal with your chosen provider.

Areas to Look Into

Knowing product red flags will save you from making a faulty purchase. In terms of compressed air systems, here are some things you need to be wary of:

  • Interconnecting piping that is too small, which restricts airflow and pressure.
  • An undersized compressor, which leads to premature failure and higher upkeep costs.
  • Poor air demand management. The best systems take into account the peak periods in operation through strategic drops in air pressure.
  • Insufficient storage. Air reservoir should be appropriately sized with demand.
  • Zero staged regulation and surge tanks, which can cause system failure due to mismanaged pressure fluctuations.
  • Improper routing. Piping should ideally be as smooth and straight as possible, without tee unions and tight turns that compromise air pressure.

Smart energy consumption in the manufacturing industry begins with choosing a competently designed compressed air system. With the information included above, you’re now ready to make a choice.

 

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How the Different Types of Sandblasters Work

February 14, 2018   Business and Marketing, Products and Services Reviews

man sandblasting metal beamsOtherwise called media blasting, sandblasting is a process that cleans paint or rust off a metal surface. It is an efficient and robust process that requires skill. At the end of successful cleaning, the metal surface should be ready for finishing.

There is more than one type of sandblaster in NZ. However, all of them use a universal principle: A powered gun propels sand to a surface at high speeds, cleaning it thoroughly. Below are the three types of sandblasters you can use to clean surfaces.

1. Gravity-fed sandblaster

Here, the gun relies on gravity to direct the silicon sand to the surface. The surface of the gun has a hopper whose job is to supply sand as the pro works.

Upon pulling the trigger, the machine releases sand while it lets more into the barrel through the hopper. The hopper then stores the sand for use in the future.

2. Pressurized sandblaster

A pressure blaster has a pressurized canister that holds the sand. When connected to the gun, and the trigger is pressed, sand comes out of the canister. This type of blaster is expensive because the canister is not refillable — expect to pay more if this is your pick.

3. Siphon blaster

As the name suggests, this blaster relies on a siphon. The gun connects to a sand reservoir and an air compressor. When air gets in, it forms a uniform sanction, causing the gun to pull the sand out through the barrel. You can reuse sand in this operation, and it is ideal for cleaning large surfaces.

Sandblasting comes in handy during home renovation or auto refinishing. It makes work efficient and saves time and energy. What takes you hours to do will take the pro a few minutes, depending on the size of the metal surface. Selecting the right kind of abrasive media goes a long way in making the process perfect.

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4 Outstanding Characteristics of Carbon Steel Fittings

January 23, 2018   Products and Services Reviews

Carbon steel fittings35-word description: In this article, we will be discussing why carbon steel fittings is a good choice for industrial projects.

Deciding on what material to use for your next huge industrial project is not an easy task. You would have to discuss it with your team, go over the benefits and advantages, and see if it will be the best fit for the whole project.

One of the most popular choices for industrial projects is carbon steel fittings. Its durability is unbelievably good, and for its price, it is unbeatable. If you aren’t convinced yet and want to know more about its benefits, then keep on reading.

Resistant to Corrosion

Carbon steel fittings are simply corrosion-resistant. It does not matter if you are planning on transporting it for hours on end, as it would never go rusty.

Durability

Like mentioned earlier, carbon steel fittings are very durable and has extreme strength. Steel alone is a very strong material, and when you add carbon to it, the strength doubles up. This type of material usually goes under heat treatment to make it even stronger and resistant to any damage.

Cost Effective

Buildings, or any type of establishment for that matter, needs to be able to withstand extremely high pressures. With carbon steel fittings, you can be sure that this will be the case, even after years or decades have passed. It can go on for a very long time without the need for a replacement!

Shockproof

Carbon steel fittings are very much well-known for being shockproof, which makes it perfect for underground infrastructure. With the number of vehicles that we have on roads today, we need a material that can withstand even the strongest shock or vibration from huge trucks and cars.

Never use materials for your projects that you know can cause problems in the long run. Choose one that can withstand the test of time and extreme weather conditions – you will thank yourself later.

 

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What are the Benefits of Retail Display Solutions?

January 19, 2018   Products and Services Reviews

A retail store purchaseIf you are thinking of opening a retail store or you want to renovate your old one, you might want to invest in innovative retail display solutions. Media companies have recently done a study on the effectiveness of retail displays, and they found out that approximately 60% of a store’s total sale could be attributed to it. So, retail store shelves and displays play an important role in the success of retail businesses. Here are more benefits for you to explore:

Product promotion

Retail display solutions can help you develop and implement innovative merchandising techniques that will allow you to arrange your products so that they can attract the attention of more consumers. This way, you get to influence their purchasing decisions. Retail fixtures are especially useful for promoting and launching new products.

Products are more noticeable

Products on retail display shelves are more noticeable, so customers are drawn to them right away, especially the ones at eye level. But more than that, retail display solutions also make it easier for customers to find what they are looking for. Also, if you arrange the products right, customers may end up buying other products as well, even the ones they did not intend to buy when they first entered your store.

Build brand awareness

If you want to grab your customers’ attention, you can add signs and banners that contain information and featured messages about the product on display shelves. This is a great way to build brand awareness, especially if you are promoting a new product.

Your store will look more organised

Another advantage of retail display fixtures is that it helps your store look organised because it is easier to group the products by category. From wood to glass, there are various types of shelves to choose from. You can also have it customised to make it match your overall store decor.

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Top 3 Reasons to Get Temporary Construction Shelters

January 8, 2018   Products and Services Reviews

temporary construction shelterWhen working on a big project, do you really need a temporary construction shelter? This may be a difficult decision, especially if you are working on a tight deadline and should finish work within the shortest duration possible.

That may be the popular belief, but the truth is that every crew needs a temporary structure regardless of the kind of job they are doing. If you have an outdoor building project, the question is not whether you need a temporary structure, but when will you set it up.

Here are three reasons these temporary structures are a necessity:

Minimising Work Delays

If this is not your first building project, you can attest that extreme weather conditions cause delays in the project delivery time. These do not only cost more, but they also affect the productivity of workers adversely.

Shelter from Weather Elements

Having a temporary structure over the site means that you can continue building irrespective of whether it is raining heavily or it is extremely hot or cold outside. It would have been challenging to deliver the best services, within the set time, in such conditions.

That will also apply to your workers if they were in the same situation if you do not give them a temporary structure at the job site.

A Place to Enjoy their Personal Time

Where do your employees get to enjoy their food of the day? Are they taking their meals in places with loud noises and dust? Temporary buildings act as a right place for your team to have their lunch and relax during their break times.

One great thing about temporary construction shelters is that you can have them in any size, and customise them the way you want them to suit your individual needs.

You may argue that the comfort of your workers may not be at the top of your to-do list right now, but the quality of their work breaks will affect their productivity.

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A Glimpse on the Different API Storage Tank Standards

July 15, 2017   Products and Services Reviews

A large storage tank The maintenance of energy storage tanks can be compared to automobile repairs or a regular trip to the dentist, only with certain differences on timing and purposes.

For storage tank fabrication and compliance, the American Petroleum Institute (API) has implemented several standards, including the API 653 guidelines, for tanks used for ethanol storage.

Different Standards

The API 653 guidelines particularly cover oil storage tanks, aiming to prolong their lifespan and functionality. Security also played a central role when the API devised these standards, as ensuring public and community safety are just as important to keeping valuable commodities.

While tank inspections may be similar to dental visits, maintenance checks differ in terms of schedule. A licensed inspector should check for any problems every five years. However, inspections may happen more frequently based on factors such as stored commodities, corrosion of tank materials, and the tank’s location among others.

Meanwhile, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said that construction costs for new gas plants dropped by 30% in 2015.

Cheaper Facilities

The EIA said that construction expenses for wind, gas, and solar facilities dropped in 2015, but costs for building natural gas plants fell the most in the same period, which the agency attributed to the increase in efficient combined cycle plants.

The average cost of natural gas generators installed in the same year amounted to $696 per kilowatt-hour, down 28% from 2013. Likewise, costs for utility-scale solar plants dropped 21% to $2,921 per kilowatt hour from $3,705 per kilowatt hour in the same period, while wind turbine installation costs fell 12% to $1,661 per kilowatt-hour.

The API guidelines serve as a preventive measure to uphold safety in energy storage, which is why companies should only transact with suppliers that comply with these measures, whether they intend to build gas plants or above ground storage tanks.

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What is the Difference Between a Boom Lift and a Scissor Lift?

boom lift
March 27, 2017   Products and Services Reviews

boom liftAerial lift equipment can ease jobs for your business, especially when a majority of your projects involve work at height. Picking the right one, however, can be a bit challenging because you will come across a wide range of models. How do you distinguish one from the other when discussing options with a service offering platforms for hire in Staffordshire?

Some of the factors that can influence your choice of lift equipment are your job site, the height you need to reach, and the weight you need to carry along. Here is a quick guide to help you make the right choice:

Boom Lifts

These are versatile aerial lifts. A boom lift features a base, and a controllable arm with a work platform at the end. Apart from work platforms, you may also use attachments, such as buckets, lifting hooks and lumber forks.

There are also various types of boom lifts, namely:

  • Towable Boom Lifts
  • Electric Boom Lifts
  • Straight Telescopic Boom Lifts

Scissor Lifts

These refer to vertical lifts with bases matching the size of the platforms. Used for both indoor and outdoor projects, these lift both people and equipment. While boom lifts can move in a stable backward and forward movement, scissor lifts only go up.

Despite its height in comparison to boom lifts, scissor lifts can carry more weight, having an unrestricted weight capacity of at least 1,000 pounds and even higher restricted weight capacities. Some types of scissor lifts you can consider are electric scissor lifts and rough terrain scissor lifts.

Aerial lifts are very useful in industries where it is necessary for you to reach high places. Before you hire one for your business, make sure that employees receive proper training in work at height hazards and lift equipment operation.

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Stand Out from Competitors: Let Your Fitness Center Appeal to Health Buffs

Fitness Centre in Auckland
January 27, 2017   Products and Services Reviews

Fitness Centre in AucklandIn today’s somewhat unhealthy world, many people are now actively looking for a way to keep themselves fit and fab without necessarily missing out on the foods that they love to eat. You may have chosen to put up your own fitness centre to meet this growing problem head on. With so many fitness centres out there, competition can become pretty tough. Hence, it would be best for you to ensure that your place of business is a hands-down winner.

Maintain Cleanliness

If there is one thing that makes people stay as a member of a particular fitness centre, it is the high degree of cleanliness that it adheres to. According to Active Wellness, more than the majority of members of fitness centres expect the centres to be free of germs. This means having to look at a spic and span interiors, as well as polished and dust-free equipment. As a result, members are retained, new members are satisfied and revenues simply keep on climbing.

Maximise the Use of Mirrors

Fitness centres do need mirrors, and these could come in a range of sizes, depending on the area targeted. Normally, you will have full-length mirrors fronting the treadmills. Many members would love to see how they are progressing with their fitness programs and would constantly check on their reflection. With the help of Auckland Glass Ltd, you may also want to try adding mirrors in areas devoted to stretching, planks and other exercises where correct body form is of utmost importance.

Offer Fabulous Classes

People who join fitness centres may have different reasons, but the bottom line there is they want to be fit. Now, you have already met this requirement, but there is still one thing that is lacking – fun. By holding classes, you are providing your members with the fun aspect, something they can truly look forward to.

So remember that in order for you to level up the ante when it comes to your fitness centre business, you can always follow the methods mentioned here. Using these three can surely give your fitness centre the boost that it needs.

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