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Gerber crystal and satin gold centreset
Centreset in Italian marble
faucet styled with lead-crystal lever handles and matching pop-up knob, plus a wash basin in an ornate medal- lion pattern in gold on a white bowl, or in black on a choice of coloured bowls.
Both the widespread and centreset faucets have standard centres for easy installation on standard drilled wash basins or countertops.
MOISTURE METER
A compact moisture meter device weighing only 8 oz and known as the AIC Wet Check has been produced specifically for the construction indus- tries.
It has a rectangular face marked with three main scales: T for timber, P for plaster and C for concrete. Direct readings are given of the water content of a specific material relative to its dry weight. For timber and plaster the scale reads from 12-25 per cent, and for concrete it reads from 0-25 per
cent.
Two hardened-steel needle probes protrude approximately 3/8 in. (9.5 mm.) from a hand-piece which is con- nected to the meter by a removable extension lead. To obtain a reading, the needles are pushed into the mate- rial, automatically activating the device, which switches itself off when the needles are withdrawn.
Power is provided by a standard PP3 battery. The meter has a casing of plastic which measures 4 in. long by 2 in. wide by 1 in. deep.
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Anwill Instrument Co., 70 James Street, Great Harwood, Blackburn, Lancs., UK, are the makers.
EFFLORESCENCE
Efflorescence on buildings, where salt-contaminated aggregate or brack- ish water has been used for construc- tion, can be combated with a chemical fluid made by Croda Polymers Ltd., 153 New Bedford Road, Luton, UK.
This penetration solvent is a fast drying resin that can be applied either by brush or spray, after the surface being treated has been cleaned to a firm base. The resin will stabilise weak chalky cement paint or distemper which would be difficult to remove, as well as reinforce friable cement render ing or roughcast to ensure a founda- tion free from excessive porosity. De corative materials may be applied after a 12-hour drying period and, because the fluid is resistant to alkaline attack, it can be used on new cement work.
SPRAY PLANT
The Model V2A Volspray Voliquid unit sprays light-base fluids. Its range of uses includes applying anti-wood- worm and dry-rot chemicals to timber, and spraying deodorants in factories, offices, theatres, etc. A special nozzle design atomises the liquid, enabling it to penetrate otherwise inaccessible
areas.
The sprayer operates from any nor- mal power point and therefore needs neither transformers nor special elec- trical supplies. Powered by a 2 h.p.
V2A Volspray unit
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220/240V motor rated at 50 a.c., it weighs 33 lb. and measures 1ft. 3in. long by 8in. wide by 10in. high.
A carrying handle is fitted at the point of balance. The plant includes a 6ft. suction hose and filter, delivery hose and spray lance nozzle. A variety of spraying heads is available.
Volspray Ltd., Crabtree Manorway, Belvedere, Erith, Kent, UK, are the makers.
GAUGING SUNLIGHT
A device which simulates the light from a patch of sky or the rays of the sun can tell an architect or town plan- ner exactly how much sunlight, day- light, shadow or solar heat his build- ings will receive before they get off the drawing board. This can be done on plan without a model.
The Sunscan has been developed by a planning officer in Britain's De- partment of Environment to help the designer space the buildings in a de- velopment so that the lower storeys get enough light without wasting land by spacing them too far apart.
The instrument projects a speck of light on to the plan, enabling precise measurements relating to daylight, sunlight, shadow and solar heat receiv- ed by the buildings to be taken. The position of the spot of light depends on the setting of scales on the Sunscan which correspond to the scale plan, the sky factor, latitude, season, alti- tude even the hour of the day.
Sunscan was developed with the backing of Britain's National Research Development Corporation. It is now being produced by Research En- gineers, Ltd., 11-31 Orsman Road, London, N.1.
CONCRETE TESTER
A portable, ultrasonic concrete tester which offers a practical alterna- tive to cube testing and allows check- ing after compaction and curing has been developed by C.N.S. Instruments Ltd., 61 Holmes Road,
Holmes Road, London, N.W.5.
The unit enables test zones to be selected for their critical importance in a structure. Typical applications are the assessment of structural strength of in-situ reinforced concrete mem- bers, the detection of voids in pre- stressed concrete bridges, pilot tests on precast products and the determina- tion of elastic modulus of cast in-situ prestressed concrete beams.
Weighing 7 lb., the unit generates low frequently ultrasonic pulses and measures the time taken for them to pass from one transducer to another through concrete thicknesses from 6in. to 33 ft. This time is displayed in digi- tial form to within plus or minus half a microsecond. A zero adjustment is provided for checking against refer- ence specimens.
The power unit is a rechargeable battery that runs for at least five hours.
Far East BUILDER, April 1971