Studies have shown for several years that nature baths help reduce anxiety, slow down heart rate, improve mood, and increase vitality.

On the occasion of the World Wellness Day last June, Finland invited travelers to connect with nature and experience its beneficial effects on the body and mind. Renowned for its landscapes adorned with vast forests, sparkling lakes, and majestic mountains, the country is an exceptional territory for well-being.

A destination even more extraordinary in the summer, as the midnight sun blankets the happiest country in the world with its golden light.

In contact with water

Throughout their history, Finns have regarded the sauna as a place of purification, where one can disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with oneself. With the country boasting 3 million saunas for 5.5 million inhabitants, Lehmonkärki Hotel stands out as a must-visit destination.

Situated on the shores of Lake Päijänne, two hours from Helsinki, the site comprises cottages and villas, featuring around ten saunas—smoke saunas, electric saunas, wood-fired saunas, igloo-shaped saunas, and those with panoramic views.

Regardless of the chosen method, the benefits for the body are well-established: elimination of toxins, stimulation of blood circulation, relief of tensions, and a tranquilized mind. To enhance these effects, it is whispered that Finns open the sauna door to head towards the waters of the lake, which warm up in the summertime, immersing themselves entirely for a “Nordic” swim.

Source : https://www.spa-de-beaute.fr

The role of corrective maintenance, also known as breakdown maintenance, is to restore the normal operation of a system, machine, or equipment when a breakdown or malfunction occurs. It aims to diagnose the cause of the failure, carry out necessary repairs, and bring the element in question back to an operational state.

Corrective maintenance comes into play after a breakdown or issue has been identified. It may involve actions such as replacing faulty parts, repairing damaged elements, or resetting software. The primary goal is to minimize downtime and quickly restore the normal functionality of the equipment or system.

However, it is worth noting that corrective maintenance is generally considered less preferable than preventive or predictive maintenance. Corrective maintenance is reactive, meaning it is performed after a problem has already occurred. This can lead to higher costs associated with unexpected downtime, emergency repairs, and productivity loss. Therefore, many organizations seek to implement preventive or predictive maintenance strategies to anticipate potential issues and avoid major breakdowns.

For any requests for intervention related to the maintenance of your technical equipment, feel free to contact us:

Email: contact@cet-building.ma

Phone: 0661 90 32 23

Classification of general ventilation filters (NF EN ISO 16890)

The classification of filters based on their efficiency is now assessed by the NF EN ISO 16890 standard, which replaced the NF EN 779 standard as of July 1, 2018.

It provides better information for professionals and the general public about the actual protection that can be expected from filters against fine particles in the air, whether taken from the outside or inside if the unit with a filter operates in recirculation mode.

Impact of Fine Particles on the Body

Our body has effective natural defenses against particles larger than 10μm. Below this threshold, air filters constitute the only effective barrier against particles that our body cannot block.

Principles of Classification

Tests are conducted on particles ranging in size from 0.3 to 10 µm to define efficiency -e- across 3 groups: PM1 (particles from 0.3 to 1 µm), PM2.5 (particles from 0.3 to 2.5 µm), and PM10 (particles from 0.3 to 10 µm).

To fall into a certain category, the filter must capture at least 50% of the corresponding particle size. If a filter captures more than 50% of PM1 particles, it is classified as an ISO ePM1 filter. If a filter captures less than 50% of PM10 particles, it is classified as a coarse ISO filter.

• ISO ePM1 > ePM1, minimum ≥ 50%
• ISO ePM2,5 > ePM2,5, minimum ≥ 50%
• ISO ePM10 > ePM10 ≥ 50%
• ISO grossier > ePM10 ≤ 50%, Classification based on initial capture.

Correspondence between NF EN 779 and NF EN ISO 16890

Classification of Absolute Filters (NF EN 1822-2019)

Principles of Classification

Very high-efficiency air filters with very low penetration, used in the field of ventilation and air conditioning, as well as in technical processes, such as applications in cleanroom technology or the pharmaceutical industry, are classified in Europe according to this standard.

The standard defines 3 classes:

• Group E: EPA filters (Efficient Particulate Air filters | Efficient Air filters)
• Group H: HEPA filters (High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters | High-Efficiency Air filters)
• Group U: ULPA filters (Ultra-Low Penetration Air filters | Very Low Penetration Air filters)

Absolute filters block at least 85% of the most penetrating particles (MPPS) with sizes ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 μm.

The classification indicates the percentage of MPPS particles retained, ranging from > 85% (class E10) to > 99.999995% (class U17).

AC motors (asynchronous motors) and DC motors (synchronous motors) are two very popular models of electric motors, but what sets them apart?

Here is a comparison of AC motors and DC motors to help you better understand and distinguish between them.

An AC motor operates on alternating current. Alternating current flows in one direction and then the other. It is measured in hertz (Hz), representing the number of changes in current direction per second. AC is commonly used for electricity distribution due to its limited intensity and reduced heat loss compared to direct current.

A DC motor is powered by direct current. Direct current flows in only one direction (from the negative pole to the positive pole) and is generated by a source such as a battery, cell, or photovoltaic solar panels. It is occasionally used for electricity transmission but typically over very long distances.

The speed variation

Varied speed control of an electric motor is essential for certain domestic or industrial processes. However, the speed of motors is mostly constant in the majority of cases. Speed variation becomes interesting to transform the operation of the motor and the driven machine.

The rotational speed of a motor allows the conversion of electrical energy into mechanical motion. It depends on the motor’s construction, the type of power supply, and slip.

There are 3 techniques to vary the speed of an asynchronous electric motor:

• Increasing or decreasing the number of pole pairs (during construction);
• Adjusting the frequency of the power supply;
• Manipulating the slip of the motor (for slip-ring motors).

To vary the frequency of an AC electric motor, there are several solutions, but the most common and straightforward method is to adjust the supply frequency using a frequency converter. AC motors are preferably used in cases where speed variability does not require high precision. They are perfect for constant speed applications with minimal speed changes.

For a DC motor, it’s the variation in voltage that will modify the motor’s rotational speed. Speed variation is achievable here without additional equipment and very precisely.

Le moteur AC, conçu pour un usage intensif

The AC motor is a robust motor with a long lifespan, requiring minimal maintenance and offering an excellent cost-to-performance ratio. It is also energy-efficient.

The DC motor, a high-precision motor

The DC motor is a precise and fast-responsive motor (quick start/stop/acceleration). Additionally, it is perfect for applications requiring a high starting torque.

No three-phase motor for the DC motor

The DC motor is available only in single-phase, whereas the AC motor can be found in both single-phase and three-phase configurations. Today, DC motors are fading in favor of AC motors with frequency inverters. DC motor parts are indeed expensive and hard to find, while AC motors are offered at a more affordable price and require minimal maintenance.

The FM200 fire extinguishing system is a registered trademark of Dupont and also known as HFC-227ea [heptafluoropropane]. It is a clean halocarbon agent, which is waterless, non-explosive, non-flammable, odorless, and a clear liquefied gas, pressurized and used as a ‘fire extinguishing agent,’ classified for Class A, B, and C fires, providing a total flooding solution. It was introduced in 1993, replacing halon, which was banned due to its impact on ozone depletion and its contribution to severe climate change under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

Where can FM200 be used?

The automatic FM200 extinguishing system is used in several areas, primarily for automatic fire protection in the following areas :

• Data Centers
• Server Rooms
• Telecom Rooms
• UPS Rooms
• Switch Rooms
• Fuel Pump Rooms
• Libraries
• Museums
• Medical Facilities
• Industrial Applications
• Paint Booths

What does “Agent propre” (Clean Agent) mean?

A clean agent is described by NFPA 2001 as a volatile or gaseous extinguishing agent that is electrically non-conductive and leaves no residue upon evaporation.

Clean Agent FM200 vs. Water-Based System?

If we examine the types of areas these systems protect, the primary reason for using a clean agent suppression system is that during any discharge, whether accidental or intentional, there is limited risk of damage to the equipment and protected space. It is electrically non-conductive and leaves no residue, water, or corrosive materials.

The clean agent can be removed and cleaned from the space through simple ventilation.

In contrast, with a water-based system, water damage would typically be incurred, and it is much slower to react, resulting in increased business downtime, damage to equipment/materials/assets, and higher repair costs after a fire.

What are the different nomenclatures used for FM200 gas?

The most common name is obviously FM200, but there are others, such as:

• FM-200
• HFC-227a
• 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-Heptafluoropropane
• Heptafluoropropane

How does it work?

FM200 is designed to be maintained in the form of compressed liquefied gas in the bottle/cylinder. Once discharged into the piping and nozzles, it will change state to vapor due to its low boiling point, where it will absorb heat from the space.

As a fire requires three things to start—fuel, oxygen, and heat—eliminating the heat prevents it from igniting.

According to NFPA 2001, once a fire has been detected and FM200 has been released, it must discharge completely into the space, with a maximum allowed discharge time of 10 seconds, including extinguishing the fire [30 seconds for any inert gas]. Part of the design calculation involves determining the required height/depth at which the gas must be suspended, for example, at 2.2 meters above the finished floor, to fully protect the combustible space. The gas must maintain this height for at least 15 minutes.

Components of the FM200 Fire Suppression System.

The HFC227ea fire suppression system consists of two parts: a “mechanical” part and an “electrical” part.

Although the system seems quite simple, there are quite a few components that will be necessary to ensure that it works and functions correctly.

The mechanical components include the pipe, fittings, cylinder bracket, agent cylinder, HFC227ea agent, cylinder bracket, nozzle, discharge valve head, liquid level indicator, pneumatic actuator, pressure gauge, manifold, check valve, and signaling.

The electrical components include the fire extinguishing control panel, detector, manual release station, abort switch, electric actuator, low-pressure switch, discharge pressure switch, audible and visual notification devices, main reserve switch, auto-manual switch, and other fire safety control interfaces.

FM-200 Advantages & Disadvantages

– Advantages:

• Fast Action,
• Minimal Facility Downtime,
• Smaller Quantity of Agent Required Compared to Inert Gases, Meaning Less Storage Space Required,
• Easy to Install,
• Easy to Commission,
• Clean – Leaves No Residue on Sensitive Equipment such as Servers and Electronic Devices,
• Designed to Be Safe and Non-Toxic.

Disadvantages :

• Expensive compared to a water-based system,
• Designed for a complete flooding of the space to be protected, thus requiring a complete replacement of the bottles,
• The network and components through which the gas is discharged must withstand high pressure, requiring special structures and facilities.
• Health and safety considerations for installation,
• Not entirely environmentally friendly and contributes partially to climate change, much like HFC.

Clean Agent Standards:

The most common standard for fire suppression using a clean agent gas is NFPA 2001 – Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing.

The standard covers design, installation, testing, inspection, approval, operation, and maintenance requirements for systems.

Is FM200 banned?

No, FM200 is not banned. There is sometimes confusion with Halon, which, in early 1992, was ordered that no new Halon manufacturing would be allowed from 1994 onward under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. This was due to its environmental impact on the ozone layer. FM200 has become one of the leading global substitutes for Halon in fire suppression gases and clean agents.

Is FM200 dangerous?

FM200 poses no toxic danger according to the assessment method of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA). However, it should be noted that the vapors are heavier than air and can cause suffocation by reducing oxygen levels. Improper use or intentional inhalation abuse can lead to death without warning symptoms, due to cardiac effects.

What are the other fire suppression gases?

While FM-200 is the most common, it is not the only option when it comes to using a clean agent for fire suppression. Other available gases include:

• Novec 1230 [Halocarbon]
• Inergen [Inert Gas]
• Nitrogen [Inert Gas]
• Argonite [Inert Gas]