HEALTH AND SAFETY NZ DUCT+FLEX Safest in the world. Most energy efficient, too. Two big claims in the stringent world of dust and fume filtration in the workplace; health and safety now an absolute priority rather than what was once only a mere concern. But it is from that rock-solid foundation that New Zealand Duct+Flex can speak, knowing that it has the right gear to back up the words, and confident in the knowledge that its products actually make a difference, to people. The company’s sales manager, Geoff Ebdon, says that the latest range of filtration products are bettered by none, and although NZ Duct+Flex selects on a quality first approach, he explains that outstanding performance bely a very competitive price point thanks to the over 60 years’ experience and economy of scale from the manufacturer, JFK of Denmark. Today, some eight years on from the local purchase of an Australian-owned company – selling then just SpeedLock ducting – Duct+Flex’s products are varied and in hot demand. “All you have to do is look at the difference between a dust explosion using JFK filters – specified to ATEX European safety standards – and others that are out there. That’s a pretty good hint of which way you should be going,” says Geoff. He adds that all other manufacturers “fit the explosive release membranes on the sides of Danish JKF Superblower filter installed in Christchurch by NZ Duct+Flex the filter, if they fit them at all,” as there is no legal requirement to do so in New Zealand. In Europe they have been required for over 20 years. However, when these valves release a fire or dust explosion, they do so with a shockwave and fire, bursting easily 50-60 metres horizontally from the unit with often serious consequences including property damage and injuries. "Our JKF units can release just the pressure wave vertically – not horizontally - upwards towards the sky from the top of the filter and they contain the dust and fire inside the unit. No fireball. “We want to give Kiwi companies the safest products out there, which VFV does but we also offer the most energy efficient compressed air pulse cleaning filters." As well as the vertical force venting, where no fire leaves the filter most of our filters can be installed with PowerPulse, he says. The key to PowerPulse is its sensors. Rather than simply firing compressed air into the filter socks every 30 seconds or so, PowerPulse waits, sensing when the socks need cleaning. It can select just enough compressed air for the clean. “Every other filter manufacturer uses a fixed pulse, (normally around 5 bar) but PowerPulseR adjusts automatically between 1.5 and 5 bar depending upon the degree of dust build up. Basically. that means 70-90% less compressed air use. The less frequent, gentler clean also means the socks last much longer too.” Buying a second warehouse is the result of a fast-growing reputation of excellence and the supply of quality products to the NZ market. Providing options for its customer-base is important to the company and ranges have been extended in flexible plastic and stainless steel ductings as well as mobile extraction units and material handling fans. “If someone needs it, our aim is to have it, in stock as much of the time as we can” says Geoff. “Being a privately-owned company without outside shareholders to please, means we can invest in stock holding levels that a more short term focused company, simply wouldn’t contemplate. Fast too… often same day shipping or within 4-14 days from Europe if we need to get it in. We have also, resulting from decades of experience, stuck with North European suppliers only. They think like us, you can trust their word and the quality is the best you can obtain.” And while waerhouse staff are kept flat stick with orders as product demand continues to grow, NZ Duct+Flex’s installation staff are on hand to make sure the final stages of the supply chain meet not only customer satisfaction but also warranty and guarantee criteria. “From complete systems to just ducting, fans, fumes arms, or mobile filters… we do the lot. “Our safer, more energy efficient products, are often the same price as others. And if the price is the same, wouldn’t you rather be safe than sorry.” The world’s choice for clean, safe workplaces 54 May 2017
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