H&C News meets with suppliers regularly to keep up to date with the latest product and service innovations, aiming to get the inside track on what companies offer to the market and how it is delivered.This week, we met with Steve McMahon, MD at S&S Northern the UK’s leading commercial kitchen gas safety experts to gain a better understanding of the business.
What sectors of the gas safety market do you work in?
When I established S&S Northern eighteen years ago our main market was in gas detection. We manufactured gas detection systems mainly for boiler house type applications.
As a natural progression we started in 1996 to manufacture gas detection systems for laboratory applications, chiefly in schools and universities.
These systems check the gas lines at start-up to ensure there are no gas leaks. They were installed to protect pupils during school hours, to protect the building out of hours and to give the teacher control over the use of gas.
The commercial kitchen market became a new market opportunity for us in 2001 with the introduction of BS6173. Manufacturing and supplying gas ventilation and interlock systems for commercial kitchens is now our largest market, accounting 65% of our sales last year. We now supply thousands of our products to kitchens across the UK and in Europe, from small take away restaurants to international restaurant chains, mainly through a network of kitchen installers and catering equipment manufacturers.
What legislation is there for gas safety in the commercial kitchen sector?
BS6173 was introduced in 2001. It stated that in any new or refurbished commercial kitchen, the fans should be interlocked with the ventilation system, so that if the kitchen fans are not operational the gas valve remains closed. Interlocking ensures the quality of the air in the kitchen is kept at a safe level for staff. BS6173 also stated that if any new or refurbished kitchens had equipment that didn’t have a flame failure device fitted, then a means of carrying out a pressure test on the gas line should be installed. The updated BS6173:2009 now states that an indirect means of monitoring the operation of the fans can also be used, making it acceptable to use current monitoring.
More recently a Technical Bulletin (TB140) has been issued by IGEM (Institute of Gas Engineers and Managers). This has been brought about partly to assist in the smooth running of a kitchen but obviously with the emphasis still on gas safety. This recommends that Carbon Dioxide detectors can be used as a safety back-up precaution in commercial kitchens. Basically if there is a fan fault and a Carbon Dioxide detector is fitted this can be used as a back-up whilst the fan problem is addressed.
What products do you offer for the commercial kitchen markets and how do these support legislation?
We have developed a full range of products for use within the commercial kitchen market to meet the requirements of BS6173:2009 and TB140. Using these products, restaurant owners, managers and chefs can be assured that they are ensuring the health and safety of their staff and customers and the smooth running of the kitchen.
The Merlin 1200s is a cost effective gas interlock that monitors the fans using air pressure differential switches.
It can be used where all the catering equipment has flame failure devices fitted. The Merlin CT1250 is similar to the Merlin CT1200s in that it is used when all the catering equipment has flame failure devices but it has two built-in current monitors which are used as an alternative to air pressure differential switches. A recent addition to the range is the Merlin 1650 panel.
This works in the same way as the Merlin 1250 panel but has the facility to be used in CO2 mode, so that if it is used with a carbon dioxide detector fitted, and there is a fan fault, it can be changed to the Co2 mode, allowing for the smooth running of the kitchen whilst the problem with the fan is sorted.
If any of the catering equipment does not have flame failure devices fitted gas pressure proving is required, the Merlin 2000GD panel would then be recommended. This can be used with either air pressure differential switches or current monitors.
Due to demand from our customers we have recently developed two new panels, the Merlin 1400 and Merlin 1450. These both work with built in current monitors or air pressure differential switches and have built-in speed controllers. The Merlin 1400 controls one fan whilst the Merlin 1450 can control two fans. Both these panels have the CO2 mode integrated. Having the interlock and built-in speed controllers reduces the amount of space needed on the wall which is always an issue in kitchens. It also reduces installation time and cost.
S&S Northern also specialise in the manufacture and supply of CO2 detectors with a clear and easy to use ‘traffic light’ display which alerts users if CO2 levels are higher than recommended. These can be used in commercial kitchens and in school classrooms and laboratories.
What makes S&S Northern’s offer different from competitors?
As a family business we are passionate about service. We strive to give our customers the service they want and expect and because we have bases in both the north and south of the UK, we are able to be very responsive to customer needs. We are always prepared to go that extra mile and this has proved to be highly significant in the value of repeat business we receive from our customers, which is over 85% of our total business. The technical expertise and back-up we offer is also known in the market as second to none.
Our UK designed and manufactured Merlin range is known in the market for its high quality and all our products carry a three year warranty and meet CE full standards. The Merlin range was specifically designed to be user friendly, easy to install and provide simple cost effective installation. Our factory complies with all ISO9001 requirements.
We are members of CESA (The Catering Equipment Suppliers Association) CESA membership guarantees that customers will always receive professional advice and service alongside high quality products from S&S Northern.
What other services do you offer?
S&S Northern was one of the first in the industry to launch an e-commerce site to allow customers to browse stock and order goods to be delivered the very next day. The website has been carefully designed to be user-friendly and to help customers, gas fitters and consultants, keep better control of their budgets. We also have a unique online Spec Wizard tool which helps customers to identify the perfect gas safety solution for each specific project, saving time and costs.
How can customers get in touch?
Our helpline is available every day from 7.30am to 5.30pm on 01257 470983
Customers can also contact us though our online live support facility at www.snsnorthern.co.uk
Or please send us an email info@snsnorthern.co.uk