Question:

Where in the UK can I purchase Spark Arresting Grease Filters from please?

Replies:

1. Try CK Direct – Tel: 01733 230378
2. If they mean kitchen extract baffle filters, LTS make them. Email MD Bob Leigh robert@leightec.com
3. Longar or Veritech. Although they are not certified as spark arrestor, none of them are.
4.  Ian Levin is a very good guy on anything ventilation.
5. Yes we do spark arrester filter if you could let me know the size of their existing filters I can get a quote and lead time prepared – Robert Leigh of LeighTec. Email: robert@leightec.com. Tel: 01405 752401. Mobile: 07951 743708. Website: www.leightec.com
6. Die Pat can supply them; however, they are a special-order item and they do not keep them on the shelf. Contact helen.brady@die-pat.co.uk stating what size and quantity you require, and they can put a request in with their purchasing team to advise on prices and lead times.
7. Contact Longar Industries for their Data sheet for the Spark Arrester baffle filter.
   Tel: 01264 332993 Website: www.longar.co.uk Email: rachel@longar.co.uk

Question:

What is the best 3D software for producing models and high quality renders? For both catering equipment and the wider interior side of things. Thank you

Replies:

1. 3ds Max with a Vray plugin to render. Excellent results.
2.  We use Autodesk Revit, which suites our needs and the needs of the wider project based construction industry.
3. 3d studio max would be the one for very high-end renders for interiors (from memory it is expensive.)You could also you Revit (also expensive) or Sketch-up.

Question:

How are all responding on costs for projects thereafter Brexit deadline suggested October 2019 when being requested to provide fixed costs?

Replies:

1. We are telling clients that we will order before 31 October and store at client cost with off-site valuation or we cannot fix costs.

2. We have spoken to all of our supplier manufacturers that bring the equipment in from Europe and they have suggested to us that they will not and cannot guarantee prices. They have suggested as much as a 10% increase could be levied just down to the currency fluctuations and more for new tariffs if no deal is reached.

3. We’ve added a standard clause detailing;

1) Any tarifs that maybe imposed after 31st October will be added to existing quotes as appropriate.

2) Given the slide in the value of the £ it’s possible that manufacturers may impose price increases with little or no notice, should these happen they will be applied to exiting quote.

Question:

Does anyone know of a subcontractor for PVC Wall Coverings that would work in the Yorkshire area?

Replies:

1.  We’ve used HCS before, they’re actually based there – http://hcsyorkshire.co.uk/
2. There is a company based DN12 4LH  (think Doncaster area)  called Igloo surfaces ltd. Email: Sharon@igloosurfaces.com Tel: 01709 329117
3.  HCS Yorkshire Ltd. Colin Nash. Based in West Yorkshire
4.  Try Colin Nash at HCS – Hygienic Cladding Solutions.
   Mobile: 07766 655816
   Email:  enquiries@hcsyorkshire.co.uk or colin@hcsyorkshire.co.uk
   Website:  hcsyorkshire.co.uk
   Address: 16 Chestnut Way, Adel, Leeds, West Yorkshire. LS16 7TN
5. We have used Bioclad to supply the materials and they usually advise on what subcontractor to use to install depending upon where it is and the availability of installers at the time. Bioclad, Unit 1 Greengate, Cardle Park, Harrogate, North Yorshire, HG3 1GY.
   Tel: 01423 857816
   Email: joe.kay@bioclad.com
6.  I’m sure Kirk can help, all correct cards etc for construction.
   Contact: Kirk Hooker
   Email: kirk@commercialcoverings.co.uk
7. We use a company called HCS, who are based in Leeds.
8. Hygienic Cladding based in Yorkshire. Not sure if they are still trading so enquirer will need to check.
9.  Please contact Commercial Coverings – Kirk Hooker.
   Email: kirk@commercialcoverings.co.uk
10. A company called Bio Clad based in Huddersfield.
11. Scobie McIntosh can help – contact Jono Macmillan.
    Email: McMillan@scobiemcintosh.com
    Switchboard: 0845 5040 466
12. Sigma Catering Equipment can help. Contact Selina Ferry
    Email: Ferry@sigmacateringequipment.co.uk
    Tel: 0191 2636363
13. Peter Wilson at Commercial Coverings can be contacted via Sigma Catering Equipment.
    Tel: 0191 2636363
14. Please see below details. (I can highly recommend this company).
    Matty Hardy
    Contracts Manager: Hygienic Wall Systems Division
    JJS FLOORING & HYGIENIC WALL SYSTEMS
    244 Price Street
    Birkenhead
    Merseyside
    CH41 3PS
    Tel:  0151 650 0043
    Mobile: 07870 986 035
    Email:  matty@jjs1.co.uk
    Website:  jjs1.co.uk

Question:

Please ask our members if they can recommend any UK supplier of the following please?

• Freestanding professional kitchen fermenting cabinet.
• Good quality professional countertop dehydrating unit, s/steel 6 tray.
• Herb refrigerator freestanding.

Replies:

1. I would suggest contacting:
   CHR Equipment Ltd
   Astar House
   Fourfields
   Bamber Bridge
   Preston
   PR5 6GSTel: 01772 499 774
   www.chrequipment.co.uk

Question:

Can anyone recommend a company who can install an acoustic ceiling in a school dining room?

Replies:

1. There is a company is the North East who might be worth contacting. I’m not 100% sure they do acoustic ceilings, but might be worth asking. The gents name is Stephen Wake.
   Fulwell Ceiling Contracts Ltd
   178 Fulwell Road
   Sunderland
   Tyne & Wear
   SR6 9QTTelephone:  0191 5481419
   Mobile:       07930521714
   Website:     www.fcc-ltd.co.uk
   Email:         steve@fcc-ltd.co.uk
2. Scobie McIntosh are happy to help.
   Please contact Jono McMillan
   Email: Jono.McMillan@scobiemcintosh.co
   Switchboard: 0845 5040 466
   Website: www.scobiemcintosh.com

Question:

Does anyone know of a company other than Elro or Kuppersbush who offer bratt pans with cooling lids please?

Replies:

1. Therma via Electrolux may do this type of kit
2.  MKN

Question:

Can anyone recommend a reputable commercial Laundry Equipment installation company for a London based project please?

Replies:

1. Allsop and Pitts https://www.allsopandpitts.co.uk/

2. JLA https://jla.com/

3. We can provide Machinery and install Commercial laundry Machines if required. Please contact John Ward via 07918 690275 or john.ward@scobiemcintosh.com

4. Electrolux Professional will have an agent covering London

5. WashCo are good. Contact James Holmes (Sales Director) via 0800 054 6546

Question:

We are due to do some installs at nine airports over the next two months.
Do you know if there is a single form you can fill out that covers every airport as it’s becoming a bit of a pain filling out each individual set of Rams.
Heathrow are telling us we need to go to site for a meeting.

Replies:

1. Unfortunately, no, each airport will have its own Airport security and they will have to apply to each one, we do work at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Edinburgh and all are separate to each other.
2. Annoyingly, there is not a single form – each Airport sets its own standard.
3. I would think that with such high-profile sites it is pretty certain that RAMS will have to be site-specific.
   A generic single form would not be accepted.
   We have had experience of this with Luton airport both for an installation (airside) and multiple service engineer’s attendances (airside and landside).
   Being called to site to sit through a site contractors Health & Safety brief is quite common – despite the inconvenience it’s rarely avoidable, if requested. In the interests of distributor/contractor relations it is also probably best to comply!
4. I can confidently say that no, there is no 1 single form you can fill in. It’s all down to the individual site requirements! Painful, I know. The best thing is to get each RAMS done and accepted – I always get them for the remainder of the year I am applying for.
5. I have had experience at three airports, Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton.
   The last two use a P2W (permit to work) system and you need a separate log into both, Gatwick was the hardest to deal with and on one occasion it took me four weeks to get one permit approved. With both, you had to attend a training course with the relevant FM company to use the system and to understand their expectations on information being provided.
   Heathrow was a nightmare and yes you had to attend site meetings. I had a couple of occasions where we had installs of one appliance in and one out. The client managed to do the donkey work on organising the work and I only had to provide rams.
   On all sites the attending engineers will have to be vetted so that a contractors pass can be issued.
   If the work is considered airside this can take longer for a pass to be issued.
   If they have to take a delivery vehicle airside, more hoops to jump through.
   One last thing, if the installs are into what is considered a construction site then CDM Regulations 2015 will apply, good luck with adhering to those.
   Not sure that helps but airports are difficult ones until you get in the door, then it’s easy.
6. RAMS need to be site specific, your method statement might be generic across the scope of works that you will undertake on each site, but the access route, working conditions in each different environment will be different thus the hazards/ risk and how you intend to deal with them will be site specific and different on each instance.
   I certainly expect that Heathrow would need a site visit as it’s a high security environment,
   and with enormous implications if an incident occurs for both its operation and the public.
7. Each airport has its own requirements and there is no shortcut/easy solution.
8. There isn’t any one form as airports are owned by different companies.  It is correct that you have to jump through hoops to get access. This is by no means an easy achievement.  We currently do work for Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heathrow and Gatwick and it is best that you first contact the Customer Support Centre at csc@gatwickairport.com
   I have telephoned them and they have said if you email them they will give instructions, however , they can only advise on the airports that are owned by the same company.
9. I would strongly advise that the CEDA member embraces the opportunity to visit site as RAMS must capture site specific access constraints. If an accident occurred to an engineer or member of the public and an agreed delivery route / method of delivery hadn’t been identified the CEDA member would be exposed. Generic RAMS should never be accepted. Whilst the additional expense and time of the meeting may want to be avoided it will likely offer the member a solution to devising the most efficient, safe and approved method of getting goods to their final destination.

Question:

Integrated hot holding cupboard : the issue is to prevent children from touching the hot surface of a hot holding cupboard, so an integrated cupboard would hopefully prevent this. Anyone aware of the availability of this type of unit?

Replies:

1. ceda member company ‘Kitchequip’ https://ceda.co.uk/members/kitchequip-co-uk  have said ‘We can provide a number of different models of hot holding cupboards, that we supply to schools and hospitals etc. The heat is within and are only ‘warm’ to the touch externally for user friendly practicalities. We can provide integrated models, varying sizes available’.
2. I would have though hot-holding would be kitchen-side and away from children. If it is kitchen side, a void in servery countering to allow a roll-under holding cabinet (or space close to point of service) should do the job. These are widely available from Victor/Hatco/Alto Shaam/Blanco/BGL Rieber/Prince Castle/Tournus to name a few (there are others!).
   These are not strictly ‘integrated’ but they would not normally need to be so in a school kitchen.