As part of its continued commitment to raise brand awareness, Channel has invested in strong launch campaigns to deliver the message of innovation, knowledge and vigilance. By understanding and identifying the needs facing the electrical wholesale and contractor markets, Channel has enhanced its comprehensive portfolio with an array of value-added products which bridge the gap between quality and affordability.

Since the beginning of the year, Channel has launched:

• Alpine™ - a stylish, affordable LED emergency exit sign
• Meteor LED™ – a sleek and discreet emergency LED bulkhead
• RESitech™ – a comprehensive, cost-effective range of domestic smoke detectors, including mains interlinkable and wireless options
• Veritas 2™ – the ‘in-the-box’ range of conventional 4-wire fire detection kits

In order to market these products correctly, it was essential to identify the best ways for Channel to communicate to its end users; electrical contractors. By placing advertisments within Electrical Contracting News (ECN), Channel has been able to spread-the-word on its new products to wholesalers and contractors alike.

Over the coming months, Channel will continue to bring exciting new products and the solutions to market and ECN will play a vital role in its advertising strategy.

Keep an eye on future editions of ECN to see what Channel has in store, or if you’re a wholesaler sign up for email updates here.

To view our previous advertisments in ECN, click the images below:

ECN 1/2 Page Feb 2012 - Alpine & Meteor

ECN Full Page Feb 2012 - RESitech

ECN 1/2 Page March 2012 - Veritas

You would, however, be wrong…

Put the date in your diary; 28th February 2012 – the next All-Party Parliamentary Fire Safety and Rescue Group convenes to discuss fire safety systems, including fire supression systems.

We will be summarising after the event, but if you can’t wait – here’s a draft agenda of the fire-hot topics up for discussion.

• To create and promote an environment in which Members may enhance their business and develop the market through discussion, communication and education.
• To promote the interests of the electrical wholesale distribution industry.
• To collect and disseminate knowledge and information about market trends and activities.
• To encourage and facilitate market development.

Once again we are honoured to be affiliated with the EDA, so please look out for us at future events, where we will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have regarding our work with electrical distributors. To visit the EDA website please click here.

This week is Carbon Monoxide awareness week so we have taken a look at the perils and dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

 The Silent Killer

Carbon Monoxide is a gas that can be produced by any fossil fuel burning appliance or heating source. The human senses are unable to detect Carbon Monoxide (CO) as it has no recognisable sight, smell, taste or feel. Too much exposure to the deadly gas can lead to unconsciousness, brain damage and ultimately death. Exposure over a long period of time, even at low levels can also be very dangerous, often resulting in symptoms commonly mistake for flu, headaches, dizziness and fatigue. The most vulnerable are children, pregnant mothers and the elderly.

The department of health’s recent analysis has revealed that each year 4,000 people admitted to A&E, 200 people are hospitalised and 50 people die each year inEnglandandWales.

There are several common potential sources of Carbon Monoxide including:

• Gas appliances
• Gas or oil boiler
• Portable gas or kerosene heaters
• A Gas or wood burning fireplace
• Blocked up chimneys

The Law

Taking effect in Englandand Waleson 1^st October last year, the 2010 Part J Approved Document (AD J) requires a carbon monoxide alarm in the same room as a new or replacement fixed solid fuel heating appliance.

The Health and Safety Executive recommends that: “Before purchasing a CO alarm, always ensure it complies with British Standard EN 50291 and carries a British or European approval mark, such as Kitemark.” This third party approval is essential as having only a CE mark is insufficient to demonstrate consistent performance. Complying with all the standards would ensure occupant safety and will avoid the legal implications of supplying or fitting unapproved alarms.

For more detailed information Click Here

Important Notice

A carbon monoxide detector is not a substitute for a smoke alarm.

For extra information about Carbon Monoxide. Please take a look at the Carbon Monoxide awareness Home Page.

The Chase:

On Friday 21^st October a celebrity was born. This was no ordinary celebrity; he was a Channel Safety Systems celebrity. A rare breed indeed, in fact he is one of a kind…

His momentous journey started way back in May when his daughter introduced him to the game show ‘The Chase’ which airs on ITV. After watching many weeks of tough-luck and near-miss stories, our knowledgeable Service Operations Manager,David Edwards, fancied his chances and began his online application.

After being hand-plucked from a bin bag of the choicest applications, he was then called for a telephone interview where he answered twenty questions to see whether he was ‘smart enough’ for the challenge. Showing great promise, he was invited to attend an audition where things really started to get serious. There were around twenty people in total at the audition which involved a series of tasks like “practicing to introduce oneself” to the cameras and a quiz show trial. By the end of the day he was told the news that he had made it through to the show. His obvious intelligence and ‘good looks’ were enough to see him through and show the world his godlike intellect.

Suddenly it was time. Our heroic contestant was facing the newest chaser on the show. Surely nerves might play a part on the overall outcome; however unknown to the chaser, our intrepid adventurer was in his natural habitat. He thrived under the unrelenting pressure that the chaser put on him. There was only one wrong answer in the first round and he comfortably added to the overall kitty.

Now side by side in the trenches with his two team mates, they edged towards the final round and were playing for the money. As individuals, they had each beat the chaser. As a team they were unstoppable. Dave ‘The Daring’ Edwards was appointed ‘voice’ of the team and cemented the victory when he knocked back the chaser to pull off a triumphant victory.

It was a true underdog story whereby one man defied the odds to claim a cool £8,000. It had all been kept a secret to his friends so it came as a shock when he was looking back at them through the TV screen. He has no real plans to spend the money as of yet so it begs the question: What would you do with the money? Message us on facebook or twitter!

Channel Safety Supplies Help For Heroes Latest Endeavour:

Staff and patients at Headley Court work together towards a single aim: to help servicemen and women rejoin their unit and get back to work as quickly as possible.

Shoreham is the oldest licensed airfield in the UK and has a Grade 2* listed Art Deco-style terminal building. This means that the building is of a special architectural or historic interest and needs special protection.

For Channel Safety Systems to be able to supply emergency lighting and exit signs to this marvellous site, both internally and externally, is a great achievement. This was particularly challenging as strict criteria need to be followed, like ensuring that the form and character of the building is conserved. Moreover any alterations must be carried out in such a way that the character of the building is protected.

For those that are unaware of how buildings are listed they are:

Grade 1- Buildings of exceptional interest, usually judged to be of national importance.

Grade 2*- Particularly important buildings of exceptional interest and of outstanding importance.

Grade 2- Other buildings of special interest which warrant every effort to preserve them.

Channel Safety Systems supplied a number of products, most notably the Brook bulkhead. In total 119 Brook fittings can be found in the main building alone and as they are discreet, they do not alter the aesthetic of the terminal’s interior. Moreover Grove Twin Floodlights were installed to the exterior and can function effectively in the fierce weather conditions of the south coast.

What is most impressive however, is the LED functionality of ALL the light fittings installed at Shoreham. This has brought the airport into the 21st century with the latest advancement in lighting technology, which most importantly does not detract from the building’s character.

Brook

Grove LED Twin Spot Fitting Weatherproof

From when the order was received it took a matter of weeks rather than months compared to what others may have taken to complete the installation. This allowed the airport to continue to function and ensure the safety of thousands of travellers and air enthusiasts, making sure they all find their way. The high quality Dale exit sign was the perfect complement to a high profile building; the perfect solution to the exit signage problem faced by many grade 2* listed buildings.

Dale

Acknowledgements to Steve Turner (Project Sales at Channel Safety Systems).

In a digital era, with the proliferation of new and innovative ways to shout about and promote yourself, it is more important than ever before to distinguish an organisation’s brand against that of its competitors. And, ever since the World Wide Web was itself launched back in 1991, it is the website which has become the most widely used means of communication for businesses to interact with their customers.

Channel Safety Systems is no different. It has always had a strong product offering (and an excellent service record to boot), but its previous web-offering, although informative, lacked the brand’s prowess and was distinctly at odds with a reputation for dealing in quality. Recognising the time was right for a complete overhaul, the wheels were set in motion to create a clean, comprehensive and unique internet offering that would align with the brand’s status of reputable trade.

The new Channel website has been developed by a team of creative development professionals, specifically with the Wholesaler and Electrical Contractor in mind. The site has an intuitive design and in addition to serving as an online ‘product list’, visitors have access to an exclusive depository of industry related information, guidance notes and legal advice.

For the Wholesaler, Channel has invested in a dedicated ‘Wholesaler Login Area’, where it is possible to request a quotation on different products, access promotional offers and view historic quote data. Wholesalers can also update their branch contact information and opt-in to receive newsletters and e-marketing.

Channel knows that a simple ‘face’ of a company is no longer an option online. As innovators in the Fire Detection, Emergency Lighting and Assistance (Equality Act & DDA) sectors, Channel has again shown its commitment to flexibility and growth by offering another way of conducting business with its customers.

Welcome to channelsafety.co.uk