Warranty claims on Frascold refrigeration compressors in the UK will now be handled by remanufacturer Wimbledon-based LH-plc.  

LH will use its state-of-the-art facilities to investigate compressors referred by UK installers under Frascold's two-year warranty scheme. Before the arrangement, compressors were shipped back to the manufacturer for examination in Italy.

Howard Davis, who heads up Frascold in the UK, said: "The failure rate of Frascold compressors is extremely low. However, we felt it was essential to support the brand and our UK customers and, as such, have arrangements in place to deal efficiently with any problems that may arise from time to time."

Unique characteristics of Turbocor compressors mean correct maintenance is vital, say Roberto Mallozzi and Ken Strong.

The principles behind the Turbocor compressor are completely different to conventional compressor systems. The high performance technology has proved to be exceptionally reliable, with an oil-less design and reduced number of moving parts.

But when it needs servicing it is vital to use trained specialists or it can result in very serious problems. The compressor is based on a two-stage centrifugal impeller and spindle, which is 'levitated' in a powered magnetic bearing. A DC inverter powers the motor, and the system is under the control of a sophisticated onboard microprocessor.

“It is probably the most significant advance in the service and maintenance of air conditioning and building services in the last 50 years.” So says Andy Boatwright, who heads up LH plc’s pioneering new online air conditioning service management platform, Leo.

“It is the equivalent of the electrification of the railways,” he says. “Leo is infinitely quicker, cleaner and cheaper than traditional paper-based service management systems. It gives customers complete control and transparency.” He believes it will become the standard way of managing air conditioning maintenance operations in the future.

A fire in an air conditioning chiller at a London hospital has highlighted the importance of ensuring regular maintenance of building services plant, particularly in the light of anticipated future cuts in public spending.

The water-cooled screw chiller was serving critical areas such as operating theatres in the hospital, as well as providing comfort cooling for patients and staff.