UNDERFLOOR HEATING
UFH at its best A
n ambitious project by a Wiltshire couple, wanting to convert an unused void beneath their ultra-modern home into a comfortable
garden room, has included the installation of the Hydronic underfloor heating system from Gaia Climate Solutions. When the super energy-efficient home in
Marlborough was constructed in 2014, the UFH specialist was contracted to lay its hydronic pipework throughout the 4,000ft2
, two-storey
structure. Two years later, though, the owners decided to open out the space which was effectively a sub-basement built into the rising ground of their back garden, and again called on Gaia’s expertise. The project was made challenging not only by the earthworks and structural alterations required, but also the property’s near-passive energy performance with heating and hot water demands being met by an exhaust air source heat pump. Owner Keith Fryer takes up the account: “The
garden slopes quite steeply down to the back of the house and, although one area intended as a cinema room had been given a small window at high level, the space which backed onto the kitchen had no
natural light and was an empty void. “A central supporting wall had to be replaced and hundreds of tonnes of soil removed for us to open up the space with sliding doors but it now provides us with a 400ft2
garden room, linking to
the kitchen, which we can use all year round. “In terms of the heating, we approached Gaia as the original installer and were very impressed with their expertise, the layout detailing
provided, and the competitiveness of the quote. “The combination of underfloor heating and the
concrete floors – above and below – is ideal in that it allows the warmth to ease out into the occupied rooms.”
In addition to providing design calculations and extending the heating loops into the new garden room, Gaia also increased the size of the existing manifold to facilitate the alterations.
Safetymatters D
isposable gloves may seem like a part of everyday working life for plumbers. Working with harmful chemicals and germs in damp,
wet environments, gloves make a great barrier against these contaminants. So what’s the catch? Although they do make great barriers, disposable gloves can be the cause of some unpleasant skin complaints when worn for long periods of time. Extensive use of disposable gloves can actually
be the cause of some nasty skin disorders. When the skin is left to breathe normally, moisture is able to pass through the skin into the environment, as a means of regulating the body’s temperature. However, disposable gloves can trap this moisture against the skin, causing it to soften and wrinkle. This weakening of the skin can be harmful, and occupational skin disorders (OSDs) can often be the result. These can range from anything such as redness and soreness, to eczema and dermatitis. Sore, cracked fingers and hands, along with other symptoms of painful OSDs, can restrict hand
mobility and the ability to carry out essential and everyday workplace activities, such as gripping the tools required to complete everyday plumbing and heating jobs. Aside from this, simple tasks around the home such as making a cup of tea and turning taps can become an impossible or stressful challenge. And there’s more. As well as some nasty skin disorders, bacteria can become trapped under gloves, in a warm, moist environment – ideal for their growth. It goes without saying that if there are any cuts on the skin, however small, painful infection can soon follow and impact your ability to work safely. An independent study commissioned by Deb, a brand of SC Johnson Professional along with Swarfega, reported that the following issues were noticeable among people who regularly wear
gloves at work: • 74% found perspiration inside the glove
• 51% found gloves uncomfortable • 47% reported damage to skin / cracked hands • 44% reported a foul odour • 40% reported an allergic
reaction to gloves The skin care specialists at
Swarfega recommend the following steps when using disposable gloves: • Apply protection cream to the skin
before putting the gloves on.
• Remove the gloves regularly and allow the skin to dry out.
• Use a suitable hand washing product – if the skin isn’t heavily soiled, do not use a harsh hand wash as this can cause damage to the skin. • When finishing a shift and after washing the hands, use an after-work moisturising gel to help restore the skin’s natural balance. • Avoid re-using disposable gloves.
September 2018
www.heatingandventilating.net
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