AIR4U LTD are delighted to welcome Adrian Adams to our team
Adrian joins us as an Engineer here at Arundel. He has a wealth of experience as an Engineer in the Compressed Air and Pneumatic Industry. This makes him a great addition to our Service Team. Adrian will be covering the west of our area.
We are looking forward to working with Adrian, as Air4u Ltd expands. We are all excited to see what the future holds for our Company.
To talk to one of our team about your Compressed Air requirements, please call 01903 257117 or email enquiries@air4ultd.co.uk
Air4u continue to be a member of the Chichester Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Air4u Limited have renewed our membership of the Chichester Chamber of Commerce and Industry for another year.
Chichester Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a successful networking organisation that offers support to the businesses and industries of Chichester and the surrounding areas. It encourages measures to improve the social and economic conditions of the local area and liaises with representatives about business interests affecting the city and its district.
It helps us to keep up to date with any commercial and local areas issues that may affect our business. They provide help and information with finding grants, funding, and business support initiatives. We can access training and workshops. Also, they have a variety of webinars and informal knowledge share sessions.
Finally, they provide a range of networking and business development opportunities at meetings and events. This is an excellent way of keeping up to date with all the local Business News and to catch up with other members at the regular CCCI Member's Meetings. The online Forum is a great place to ask for and receive advice.
Compressed Air Safety: Is Compressed Air Dangerous?
Is Compressed Air dangerous? If used incorrectly, yes it can be. Below are a few simple tips to keep you safe.
Do:
- Take care as compressed air injected into or aimed at the skin, at any pressure, can penetrate the skin and in extreme circumstances kill!
- All employees who are using Compressed Air should wear proper eye protection as well as hearing protection.
- Make sure you have had training on the task being carried out.
- Carry out Risk Assessments.
- Know the system limitation and pressure restrictions.
- Report any potential hazards or unsafe practices.
- All Compressed Air Equipment should be kept in good working condition. Inspect it regularly, and perform any maintenance as soon as possible.
- Check hoses. Air Tool hoses, in particular, can crack in warm temperatures and connections become damaged. Use crimp connections instead of worm drive clips.
- Ensure you have a WRITTEN SCHEME OF EXAMINATION in place and that items are being regularly inspected. ttps://www.air4ultd.co.uk/what-is-a-written-scheme-of-examination/
- And if the operators are breathing the Compressed Air, you must deliver the air quality required by BS EN 12021.
Do not:
- Fool around with blow guns. Blocking the end of a blow gun, even if it has a safety nozzle, is still dangerous.
- Use it to 'dust yourself off'.
- Use blow guns without the correct P.P.E.
- Use Pneumatic Equipment unless trained.
- Use air directly from a Compressor for breathing purposes, unless the system has been designed for breathing air and tested on a regular basis. https://www.air4ultd.co.uk/is-the-air-from-your-compressor-safe-to-breathe/
- Use hoses and fitting not rated for the maximum pressure of the Compressor.
- Leave hoses lying across the floor or aisles, where they are liable to cause personnel to trip and fall. When possible, air supply hoses should be suspended overhead, or otherwise, located to afford efficient access and protection against damage.
AIR4U are delighted to welcome the addition of Jenny Chakabva to our team
Jenny joins us as Branch Manager here at Arundel. She has over 20 years experience in the Compressed Air and Pneumatic Industry, which we are sure will be a great asset to Air4u Group Ltd.
She says that she is "looking forward to the challenge of a fresh, new role".
We are looking forward to working with Jenny too, and we are all excited to see what the future holds for Air4u Group Ltd!
To talk to one of our team about your Compressed Air, requirements, please call 01903 257117 or email enquiries@air4ultd.co.uk
Why use an Air Receiver?
Why use an Air Receiver? An Air Receiver, sometimes referred to as a Compressed Air Tank or a Pressure Vessel, is an integral part of any Compressed Air System.
The Air Receiver size has a direct impact on reliability and energy efficiency. The role of the Air Receiver (Pressure Vessel) is to:
- Act as a reservoir that can provide bursts of air to meet intermittent demands.
- Create a more stable pressure in the system.
- They also often separate condensate from the compressed air.
It is therefore important for receivers to be correctly sized for the specific system and to be resistant against corrosion.
Needless to say, Air Receivers from Air4u Group meet all these requirements.
What types of Air Receivers are available?
Smaller Air Compressors can be 'tank-mounted', which means that they come as a package and are mounted on top of the Air Receiver. This type of set-up is especially useful on sites where space is limited. Having a 'tank-mounted' Compressor can save on both space as well as initial installation costs associated with commissioning a stand-alone dryer. Small Compressors are offered with this option, but as you get up to larger Air Compressors, they are not suitable for tank-mounted options, as they become top heavy and could pose a safety risk.
The other option are floor mounted or stand-alone receivers which offer greater capacity. These are available as horizontal or, more commonly, vertical.
What size Air Receiver do I need?
We always recommend that the Air Receiver should be sized (in litres) to be a least 6-10 times the Compressor F.A.D. output in litres/second. An undersized Receiver causes the Compressor to cycle frequently in response to minor changes in pressure.
Air Receivers also need to be inspected regularly and are an important part of your Written Scheme of Examination (WSE). https://www.air4ultd.co.uk/what-is-a-written-scheme-of-examination/
To talk to one of our team about your Air Compressor requirements, please call 01903 257117 or email enquiries@air4ultd.co.uk
For more information about a Written Scheme of Examination, please see our blog: https://www.air4ultd.co.uk/what-is-a-written-scheme-of-examination/
Proud to continue to be a BCAS Member
We are proud to continue to be a member of BCAS for another year. Air4u Limited continue to be committed to providing the best possible advice and service to our customers.
So, who are BCAS (British Compressed Air Society)?
In a world of constantly changing legislation and standards, BCAS plays a crucial role in driving progress in the compressed air industry.
Founded in 1930, the British Compressed Air Society is the only UK technical trade association open to manufacturers, distributors and end users of compressors, vacuum pumps, pneumatic tools and allied products.
In addition, BCAS plays a crucial role in upholding standards and advising its members about changing legislation and standards to ensure compliance and safety within the industry. It is also an active member of Euris to lobby on UK matters , Pneurop to lobby on European legislation, BSI and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Crucially, BCAS is an independent source of advice and technical help to ensure that compressor equipment, its installation and maintenance is energy efficient, compliant and safe.
Another year! Another Anniversary for Air4u Limited
Another year has passed and Air4u Limited is 9 years old this month!
Where has that time gone? There have been a few changes with some good and some bad times over the past year.
In September 2022, we welcomed our first ever apprentice, Flynn Bennett. Then in October 2022, Jamie Fear joined us as Branch Manager. Air4u Ltd was expanding and continuing to grow!
We have just finished our busiest year since we began! Lots of interesting projects along the way. Some of the different ones we have done have been turning containers into mobile compressor houses. Also designing/ installating duplex high pressure safety valve sets and specialist air quality systems to name just a few!
All the team have done lots of training to improve our skill sets.
The staff enjoyed a Christmas Party in December 2022, which included a tour of Thatchers Cider along with a tasting session at Myrtles Farm in Somerset. Followed by a Christmas Party at an hotel in Weston-super-mare.
Sadly, as most of you are aware, our plans for Jamie did not come into fruition as he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in January 2023. The decision was made that he would continue to support Ian at Arundel and to carry on visiting customers, old and new. He remained positive all through his illness and managed to make lots of memories with his family and friends, with the help of the charity Bucket List Wishes. Jamie passed away on the 25th May 2023.
Some of our staff are considering doing a charity walk to raise money for some of the charities which helped Jamie and his family. More information regarding this will follow in due course.
We are looking forward to seeing what new challenges the next year will bring.
If you would like to talk to one of our team about your Compressed Air requirements, please call 01903 257117 or you can email us on enquiries@air4ultd.co.uk
Is your Air Compressor overheating?
With the current hot weather, it is not only us that feels the heat! Whilst overheating is a relatively common issue that affects Air Compressors, the occasional extreme heat experienced during summer could cause problems in your Compressed Air System. Or, intensify already existing issues.
This is partly due to an increase in the amount of water vapor in the air. Heat and moisture combined can spell trouble any piece of machinery. The reason for overheating could be the ambient temperature has exceeded the compressor’s maximum operating temperature, although this is actually not the most likely reason for an air compressor overheating. A dirty radiator, low oil level, or mechanical issues within your air compressor system could be the actual reason for excessive heat. The good news is that the most common reasons behind an air compressor overheating can be prevented with routine maintenance and daily monitoring.
When your compressor begins playing up, it’s wise to start investigating the concerns early on; quickly identifying the problems will prevent unnecessary downtime or future production loss, given that any necessary maintenance or repairs are completed.
What are the common signs of compressor overheating?
Compressor Won’t Start or stops unexpectedly . Most air compressors today are fitted with safety cut outs that will automatically stop an air compressor if it detects that something within the compressor is wrong. The aim of this is to prevent the compressor from doing serious damage to– overheating could be the root cause. Other related signs are:
The compressor requiring longer rest periods between cycles.
The compressor being much slower in reaching peak operation.
Compressor Is making strange noises. Hearing creaking and crackling noises from your compressor is never a good sign.
Smelling burnt oil. That could be a sign that the compressor’s internal components aren’t adequately lubricated. Since lubrication serves as a coolant, little to no lubricant = the potential to overheat.
Here are a couple of quick & easy steps you can take to make sure your compressed air system is ready for summer.
Check oil levels- Compressors pass trace amounts of oil during operation. If the oil level is too low, the machine will not have proper flow through the cooler. Therefore, it can easily overheat. Check your compressor oil level at least once per week to make sure that it is at the proper level. The manufacturer’s manual has instructions for proper oil check procedures. If topping up, make sure you use the correct specification of oil.
Clean Coolers - If the compressor operating temperature is too high, the coolers (or radiators) could be dirty. Dirt accumulates inside of cooler, whether it be dust from the shop floor or pollen (for those who may have ventilation from outside). Get ahead of this before it becomes a problem by making sure the coolers are clean before the heat hits. A quick fix can be as simple as blowing the cooler out in reverse direction of the air path to get your machine up and operational.
Check Ventilation - The ambient temperature of your compressor room tends to rise quickly on warm days, especially if the room is not properly ventilated. It is important to check the compressor room and adjust ventilation and air flow if necessary. Make sure the ventilation is clean and clear before the summer heat hits.
Check the drains - Higher humidity in the summer causes more condensate to drain from the drains. Make sure the drains are clear and working so they can handle the increased flow. Because the condensate sometimes mixes with the compressor oil, the water must be treated before it is released directly into the drain. Check treatment unit filters and separation tanks to ensure they continue to operate.
Clean Air and Oil Filters - Dirty and clogged filters can cause pressure drops, causing the compressor to operate at higher levels to accommodate demand. Filter performance can also be affected by additional humidity, so it is important to follow regular maintenance schedules and add additional checks for seasonal changes.
Routine Maintenance- The simplest action to take to prevent overheating is to have routine maintenance performed on your compressor!
To talk to one of our team about your Compressed Air requirements please call 01903 257117 or email enquiries@air4ultd.co.uk
The importance of having a back-up Compressed Air System
Have you ever wondered if you need a Back-up Air Compressor? Why is it important to have a Back-up Compressed Air system?
For companies that rely on compressed air for their business, it is essential to have a back-up compressed air system in place. If you only have one compressor and that must undergo routine maintenance or you have a breakdown and require emergency service, what happens to your production? It grinds to a halt, leading to costly downtime and a substantial loss in revenue.
The recent supply chain shortages can cause additional delays as you wait for a new compressor or spare parts. By simply having your back-up compressor ready to go, you can eliminate that downtime and keep working. You can keep your business going and your customers happy, while you wait for your system to be fixed or replaced.
The importance of back-up Compressed Air Systems.
There are several reasons why we think you will be grateful for your back-up compressed air system. It is not only for emergencies. You can also use it to help with fast turnaround expectations, load sharing and more.
It is unfortunate, but even the best equipment can fail.
This means that having a compressor system, complete with a back-up compressor, is absolutely critical. Being initiative-taking and purchasing one now, rather than down the road, is the smartest business decision. Especially when you weigh up the costs versus consequences of not having one.
An additional benefit?
Having back-up compressors means that maintenance can be done at virtually any point in time, rather than after hours, during the holidays or weekends, when production is not occurring.
Saved costs.
When you invest in a back-up, you can save money in the long run because you will not lose production if your main compressor package goes down. You will not have to pay employees overtime to meet deadlines.
No Project Delay.
You can switch to your back-up compressor instantly, allowing for the smooth continuation of the project you are working on. You can run your back-up compressor while you wait for any necessary replacement parts to come in.
Seamless Scheduled Maintenance.
Instead of facing downtime during routine or emergency maintenance, you can plan to run your back-up compressor during that time. That reduces the pressure on the maintenance technician to work quickly. It allow you to schedule maintenance on your primary compressor when it is convenient for you and the maintenance team.
Lead and Lag/Load Sharing.
Instead of letting your back-up compressor sit unused and wondering if it will work correctly when you need it, keep it in action! Spread the workload over both machines, sharing the demand. If the lead compressor should fail, the lag unit will continue to operate. This strategy minimizes wear and tear on both units.
Increased ROI and Production.
No downtime means to wasted time. Productions stays on schedule, so you can meet deadlines and keep clients happy. Your back-up compressor pays for itself over the years, with incresed production.
Operate Multiple Pieces of Equipment.
On a tight deadline, a large project or in anticipation of order to come, you can speed up production by using both systems at once to operate multiple pieces of equipment.
If you need a Back-up Compressed Air System, we can help!
Our Customer Care Team is friendly and responsive, and we are prepared to answer any questions you might have. Essentially, the costs of not investing in a back-up compressor can far outweigh the cost of purchasing one. You can take surprise shutdowns off the worry list!
Rest easy and avoid unplanned chaos - discuss investing in a back-up compressor today, please do not hesitate to follow the link to send us an email at: sales@air4ultd.co.uk
Jamie (Jay) Fear
It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of our colleague and friend Jamie (Jay) Fear on the 25th May 2023. He was a valued member of our team and we will miss his friendly nature and his charming personality. On a personal level, we enjoyed his sense of humour and his passion for football, Arsenal Football Club and Star Wars. He fought with everything he had for so long but, unfortunately cancer is cruel.
Our hearts go out to Jay's family at this difficult time. Please keep Deb, Jess and Sam in your thoughts.
R.I.P. Jay. We will miss you more than words can express.