SPONSORED Legionnaires’ disease –tackling hidden risks

19 April 2013

Facilities and premises managers faced with the problem of monitoring hard to reach water temperature points now have the ideal solution thanks to a handy new device from TM Electronics, leading the market in temperature measurement for legionella risk management

The TC Wall Porthelpstackle the hidden risks presented by outlets which are difficult to access - boxed-in TMV’s, concealed pipework and covered water tanks. These outlets must be monitored – typically once a month – to ensure safe water temperatures.

What’s a safe water temperature?
To prevent an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, the HSE recommends that hot water in a building should be stored above 60°C and distributed above 50°C, and cold water distributed below 20°C. Older buildings, facilities with a large number of water outlets present, and accommodation used by vulnerable groups like the elderly or those with impaired immune systems, are the kind of premises which present the most risk.

What is a TC Wall Port?
The new device is a thermocouple temperature sensor monitoring point which can be conveniently wall-mounted to facilitate spot checks on any test point with difficult or impaired access. This allows temperatures to be taken by simply ‘plugging’ a standard thermocouple thermometer into the wall port – much easier and less time-consuming than dismantling boxing below sinks or using ladders to access covered tanks, necessitating working at height.

Main features
The new device is primarily designed for use with fine wire probes which are attached to the temperature test point and left in-situ. These wires are then run to the port – a small white box measuring just 52 x 52mm – which is screwed to the wall, providing an unobtrusive and easy to install solution.

Applications
? Boxed-in TMVs – no need to access the valve each time to check hot water temperature.
? Pipework including boiler flow and return points.
? Water Storage Tanks (with KM07 immersion probe)
? High-level test points - avoid using ladders and Working at Height restrictions.
? Remote measurement of cold storage, environmentally sensitive rooms or hazardous areas.

Compatibility
The new device can be used with other thermocouple sensors such as the company’s Velcro, Magnetic, Rubber Patch and Immersion Probes. Also, the front cover is recessed to take an ID or barcode label for use with the company’s MM7000 Bluetooth Barcode logging thermometer if required.

Trust the experts
The TC Wall Port is the latest in a range of innovative products developed specifically by TMElectronics to support water temperature monitoring and remote monitoring of sensitive or hazardous environments.

This UK manufacturer supplies robust, high-accuracy instruments, specifically designed for the job. Its innovative waterproof thermometers, specialist probes and temperature kits are trusted in schools, hospitals, leisure facilities and offices all over the country. The company has led the way in producing robust, waterproof equipment and portable kits, and is also unique in offering an advanced Bluetooth Barcode logging system, recording not only the temperature, time and date of each test but also the unique location of every pipe, tap or calorifier downloaded to PC, PDA or smart phone.

“Listening to those at the sharp end of water temperature monitoring, has enabled us to come up with designs that solve actual problems experienced on the ground,” says MD, Tom Sensier. For example, our dual purpose surface/immersion probe routinely halves the time required on site and our MM2000 thermometers are so robust they last for years – and I mean that literally: the current record is 17 years and counting!”

TM Electronics will exhibit at the Facilities Show 2013 on 14-16 May at the NEC Birmingham. For free demonstrations and advice on a wide range of temperature monitoring applications visit Stand 2D70.