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| 23rd August 2006
Press Release… |
| Cast iron radiators are hot in energy
efficiency and sustainability
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| Using cast iron radiators to heat a
home is energy efficient and environmentally friendly according to one
of the leading suppliers of cast iron products, Tuscan Foundry Products.
Cast iron is effective in spreading and retaining heat evenly for a much
longer period of time. Also, cast iron is sustainable as it can be
melted down and reused. Cast iron was one of the first materials used
for radiators during the Victorian times and is still one of the most
efficient ways to heat a room. Tuscan Foundry Products has replicated
the traditional designs of the Victorian and Nouveau radiator to provide
bespoke reproductions to heat any size of room efficiently. |
| Paul Trace, Managing Director of
Tuscan Foundry Products recommends: |
| “More and more people are
discovering the benefits of using cast iron radiators for their
aesthetics but also for their performance. Before buying a reproduction
cast iron radiator or getting one from the salvage yard, work out the
heat requirements of your room beforehand as cast iron will give off a
lot of heat.” |
| Tuscan Foundry Products’ ‘Victorian’ lends itself to both contemporary and traditional interiors. The ‘Nouveau’ features a relief scrolled pattern to create a more authentic look. Both reproduction radiators are available in sections and have the option of an independent heating element. Electrads
can be plugged directly into a standard wall socket or hard wired into
your electrical system. |
| For more information please visit
www.tuscanfoundry.com |
| Email
info@tuscanfoundry.co.uk |
| Tuscan Foundry Products is one of the UK’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of cast iron, steel and aluminium plumbing heating and drainage products |
| | | | Lumen weathers the storm |
The Lumen range of steel conservation rooflights has recently
undergone testing at the British Research Establishment to achieve the
weather performance test BS6375: Part 1: 2004.
The rooflight performed exceptionally well under extreme weather
conditions and achieved the following results:
Air Permeability +/- Class 4 up to 600 Pa
Watertightness 600 Pa Class 9A (no leakage)
Wind Resistance Class E2500 P1
Overall Class CE2500
P1 2500 Pa
P2 1250 Pa
P3 3750 Pa
So what does all this mean?
The rooflight is mounted into a test rig and the testing is carried out
in three parts in the sequence shown above.
The air permeability test involves the application of a series of test
air pressure differentials across the rooflight with the measurement of
air passing through the casement measured at each pressure step. This
test involves both positive and negative airflow. The maximum positive
and negative pressure differential was 600 Pascals (approx 70mph) in
pressure steps of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 450 and 600 Pascals.
The results are measured into 4 categories; class 4 is applicable to the
most airtight specimens while class 1 describes those with most air
leakage.
The watertightness test is carried out by applying specified amounts of
water spray (6 litres per minute) to the outside face of the rooflight
while steadily increasing the air pressure. The test pressure, time and
position of any water penetration are then recorded. The maximum air
pressure differential used was 600 Pascals (approx 70mph). Initially the
water is applied without the air pressure for 15 minutes. Then the air
pressure is increased at increments of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 450
and 600 Pascals. To achieve the required standard the rooflight must
remain watertight for 5 minutes up to and at each test pressure. So the
Lumen rooflight endured water application at the rate of 6 litres per
minute in pressures up to 70mph for 55 minutes without a single drop of
water passing through the opening casement. This means that the
rooflight not only met the requirements but exceeded them.
The wind resistance test involves a series of both positive and negative
air pressures. Measurements and inspections are made to assess relative
frontal deflection and resistance to damage from wind loads. The first
part of the test took the air pressure to 2500 Pascals (approx 150mph).
The second part of the test involved 50 cycles of pulsating pressure to
assess the performance under repeated wind loads. The particular part of
the test was carried out at 1250 Pascals (approx 100mph).
The air permeability tests are then repeated to measure whether the wind
resistance test has had any effect on the structure of the rooflight.
Once again the test confirmed the Class 4 rating meaning that the
pressures had little or no effect on the rooflight.
The final part of the wind resistance test is designed to assess the
safety of the test specimen under extreme conditions. The air pressure
was increased to 3750 Pascal (in excess of 200mph and 78lb/ft2). During
the wind resistance test, the rooflight is measured for deflection,
which is how much movement occurs in the glass and the framework. We
were delighted that even during such an extreme test our deflection rate
was less than 1mm and that no damage or functional defects were
recorded.
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Our products are used by RIBA in their architect specification system.
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