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With Part L of the Building Regulations being applied and less heat input required into new and refurbished premises, light-weight electric convector heaters are becoming a popular method of heating.
These are perfectly acceptable for domestic premises, but this type of convector has been found wanting when they have been installed in non-domestic buildings. To answer the need for a more durable and efficient product in this sector, Coverad Limited, well known for their robust LST radiator covers, have developed “intelligent” heaters that will meet more stringent specifications.
Coverad Limited has introduced a range of induced air-flow electric heaters for educational, public and commercial institutions including the hospitality sector. The new heaters are fitted with similar impact resistant polymer casings to those installed by Coverad to guard hot radiators in many NHS Trust premises, nursing homes, prisons and other public buildings.
The new range, called the MODUL8-LST™, the first of its kind, has been developed in conjunction with a County Council and a large, well known PLC, to meet the needs of current legislation and cater for a section of the market where safety, electrical efficiency, ease of installation, low maintenance and a robust construction are paramount.
The heater casings incorporate technology and detailing developed by Coverad that withstands heavy knocks and only requires a wipe over to maintain its new appearance. They are designed to minimise harm should a child or older person fall against them. Made from 4.5mm thick impact resistant polymer which is self-coloured throughout its thickness, MODUL8-LST™™ casings will not dent, rust, flake and never need painting.
Although the MODUL8-LSTs have a 2 kW heating element, the surface temperature of the casing does not exceed 43°C, thus it complies with Safe Surface Temperature Regulations required by the NHS, Health & Safety at Work Act, Disability Discrimination Act and the Building Regulations Part M.
Offered in two forms, the vertical model, 1500mm high x 470mm wide x 150mm deep is sized to fit in those awkward spaces between windows, whilst the horizontal model, 500mm high x 1000mm wide x 150mm deep is for under windows and along corridors.
John Batty, Coverad’s Managing Director explains:
“The MODUL8-LST™ heaters are specifically engineered to give electrical economy. The specially developed induced air-flow heating element in each heater is controlled by an integral digital thermostat with drift compensation providing staged modulation that ensures stable room temperatures. To take into account the different heating requirements of non-domestic premises, we offer a range of “intelligent” control options matched to the application. The bespoke programmes designed to match the occupation cycles of a building are chosen to reduce electricity usage when compared with other heaters currently on the market. For example, a wireless computerised time and temperature control can be specified which will operate at up to 30 metres providing zone management, an obvious advantage in schools, nurseries and private clinics. Economy set-back temperature and automatic frost protection control can also be selected to protect vulnerable equipment from cold or humid conditions and Passive Infra Red (PIR) sensors are easily included in the scheme if required.
“Although robust in construction MODUL8-LST™ vertical and horizontal heaters weigh 17 and 14kg respectively so they comply with the latest Health & Safety legislation for manual handling. Heaters are easily installed in prefabricated buildings during manufacture or retro-fitted in, for example, existing classrooms where old heaters have failed or are too expensive to run. Installation merely involves securing the heater to the wall using the brackets provided and plugging in to a nearby 13 amp electrical socket - a changeover that takes minutes so damaged or low specification heaters can be replaced with ease with far superior equipment”.
