| The silent killer carbon monoxide may become | | | | Simon Simpson, commercial director, of Flowtech |
| less of a threat to personal safety if things go | | | | Controls, said: "The system has been fully |
| wrong in homes, offices and residential buildings | | | | approved by the appropriate authorities. The |
| with the development of a new detection system. | | | | gas valve can be switched off in the event of an |
| Flowtech Controls Ltd, at Whitchurch, Shropshire, | | | | emergency and the mechanical control valve can |
| part of Peerless Gas Controls Group, has brought | | | | easily be fitted to interact with the gas meter |
| to the market the Flowtech Wireless CO | | | | lever which is turned off by what might be |
| Protection System (COPS) to detect and cut off | | | | described as ‘an artificial hand.' |
| carbon monoxide leaks. | | | | Simon said: "We have also developed a smoke |
| The company has already appointed four | | | | detector to go with it and if there is fire on the |
| distributors, Marine Vessel Gas Protection | | | | property the gas is automatically switched off |
| Systems, through Leisure Products at Bolton; | | | | which is a real benefit to firefighters." |
| Eurodeal Products, Birmingham, focussed on | | | | "This is a combination of development work in the |
| heating and plumbing; in Dublin, Emmrow | | | | UK by Flowtech Controls, the Peerless operation |
| International Marketing and Magneflo of Solihull | | | | in Shanghai, a Japanese sensor manufacturer and |
| which is in the housing associations and local | | | | Australian electronics firm Tytronics. All the |
| authorities sectors. | | | | intellectual property rights have been registered." |
| The COPS detectors are located around the | | | | He said trading standards authorities were finding |
| property to provide visual and audible alarms in | | | | more products coming into the UK from China |
| the normal manner but the system also send a | | | | which did not have the right sensors and failed to |
| wireless signal to a panel which controls a shut-off | | | | comply with European Standard EN50291 although |
| device. This closes the gas supply to prevent a | | | | they may be badged to claim there is compliance. |
| further build-up of either carbon monoxide or | | | | "The first major market to benefit from the |
| other combustible gases. | | | | system will be the residential environment," said |
| The valve can not be reset to get gas flowing | | | | Simon. "At present there is a reliance on a visual |
| again until the hazard has been cleared and safety | | | | and audible alarm and in some cases individuals |
| restored. Its use is also being tested by the | | | | may not be physically able to turn off the gas |
| leisure industry for installation in static holiday | | | | supply or know how to turn it off. The Flowtech |
| caravans, chalets, holiday homes and boats. | | | | Controls system turns it off for them and |
| The installation of the mechanical control valve is a | | | | prevents a further build-up of gas. This COPS |
| simple DIY job and does not require a Gas Safe | | | | system has huge potential." |
| Registered Engineer. | | | | For residential protection there is a wired system |
| The COPS system has a sensor manufactured by | | | | and a wireless system, both with a choice of |
| a specialist company in Japan and up to 40 | | | | either a pulse valve or a mechanical control valve |
| sensors can be used through one control panel | | | | to shut-off the gas supply. Both systems are |
| making it ideal for multi-occupancy premises and | | | | approved to EN50291 carbon monoxide and |
| also almost eliminating the risk of an explosion in | | | | EN50194 combustible gases standards. |
| the event of a gas leak. | | | | |