BLYTH, Northumberland, UK, March 2, 2007 -- Establishing Draeger as the preferred vendor for the supply of fixed gas detection systems, United Utilities has signed a two-year Framework Agreement that will cover 80% of all United Utilities gas detection applications involving water and waste treatment. The contract, which was awarded in May 2006 and that also includes a three-year extension option, will mean the majority of United Utilities requirements can be managed with an approved and pre-selected range of equipment at a fixed cost.
Lorraine Morton, contracts & business manager at United Utilities explains, "Draeger first responded to the original OJEU notice by presenting our engineers with a complete portfolio of equipment that would be suitable for use in both clean and dirty water applications. From this information, together with product details obtained from other companies, our internal engineers were able to create a specification list to meet most of our needs for fixed gas detection throughout our sites. This then went out to tender and Draeger won. As a result, we have been able to unify our systems, simplify our ordering and ensure a very beneficial whole life costing."
The main purpose of the contract is to cover 80% of typical gas detection applications found within a water and waste water company. This means that United Utilities is able to perform budget appraisals for gas detection systems with minimum input from Draeger engineers, who only become involved as and when final design is required. In addition, for any requirements that fall outside of the 80% of applications, United Utilities is able to ask Draeger to quote for the equipment and, if Draeger cannot provide it, is then able to approach other organisations.
Jeff Hand, Utilities and Contractor Sales at Draeger Safety comments, "We wanted to provide United Utilities with a complete solution to cater for most of its' current and future needs. In clean water applications, for instance, we provide a combination of Polytron detectors and REGARD Controllers to monitor sulphur dioxide in the drum stores, hydrogen detection around the dosing rigs and, of course, for chlorine levels as well as oxygen generation and hydrochloric acid. Where dirty water is involved, we are checking for hydrogen sulphide in the filter process, for methane in the pump houses and oxygen in wet wells.
"It really could not be simpler," he adds. "All United Utilities engineers have to do is select equipment from the specification list and call us. Other contractors working on the site are required to specify Draeger equipment as well which means that, from a United Utilities perspective, the site engineers can be sure of both the reliability and suitability of the equipment, as well as the price."
To date, five applications have been completed involving Polytron 3000 hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide and Infra red carbon dioxide detectors and a REGARD Rack control panel, plus two sample systems for use with an Odor Control system.
Lorraine Morton at United Utilities concludes, "The benefit in choosing Draeger is that we now have a complete range of systems and accessories that can be selected to meet the exact specification for the job in hand and which can be delivered direct to site at a fixed, agreed cost. This whole life costing approach saves us both time and money and, so far, each of the applications has gone very well."
With a team of specialist technical personnel, Draeger Safety Gas Detection Systems (www.draeger-safety.co.uk) provides a comprehensive support service from initial advice right through to design, supply, installation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance for both sensors and fixed gas detection systems.
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