Author: rusty

The British Lung Foundations Breathe Easy Week

News:

Breathe Easy Week encourages public to love their lungs

NOTTINGHAM, England (June 24, 2009) – One of the many events held in support of The British Lung Foundation’s flagship campaign, ‘Breathe Easy Week,’ was hosted by the Nottingham group who, amongst other activities, encouraged members of the public to take a lung test.

The BLF’S 2009 theme of ‘Love Your Lungs’ is aimed at advising people with symptoms such as a persistent cough, breathlessness or wheezy chest to visit their GPs early as a precautionary measure against lung disease.

Luxfer Gas Cylinders is continuing its support of British Lung Foundation activities across the Midlands region, and this year's Breathe Easy events were supported by a grant for 'Love Your Lungs' branded merchandise.

Lung diseases — asthma, emphysema, tuberculosis and lung cancer affect eight million people in the UK. The British Lung Foundation is the only UK charity working for everyone affected by lung disease. It provides support for people affected by lung disease today and works in a variety of ways, including funding world-class research, to improve treatment, care and support for people who will be affected by lung disease in the future.

BLF provides information via its website, www.lunguk.org, and telephone helpline: 08458 50 50 20.

Luxfer launch new 2 litre lightweight cylinders at RettMobil

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Luxfer Gas Cylinders launches new 2-litre lightweight cylinders at Rettmobil 2009

FULDA, Germany (May 20, 2009)—Rettmobil 2009 proved once again to be a record-breaking show for Luxfer, attracting large numbers of specialists from Germany’s fire, rescue and emergency medical services.

The event showcased Luxfer’s next-generation ultra-lightweight EMS cylinders including the new 2-litre Journey aluminium cylinder developed to replace heavyweight steel equivalents in the German market.

Luxfer co-hosted a stand with German distributor DEHAS, which launched a new advertising campaign message: “Say Goodbye To Steel”. Sarah Fernandez from the Luxfer marketing department said: "Because it has been developed to help make work for front-line EMS crews easier, our new 2-litre Journey aluminium cylinder proved to be a particularly strong attraction to visitors, giving us a unique opportunity to demonstrate weight-saving advantages to EMS specialists within Germany.”

DEHAS specializes in providing a wide range of medical oxygen and patient-monitoring equipment across the German emergency medical services (EMS) and hospital markets.

For more information please contact Jens Mittendorf at DEHAS: www.DEHAS.de or + 49 451 290 3234.

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Luxfer sponsoring young competitor in Duke of Edinburgh challenge

NOTTINGHAM, England (April 15th, 2009) — Luxfer Gas Cylinders will sponsor local student Scott Harrison in his attempt to climb the Austrian Alps and eventually Mount Kilimanjaro in pursuit of a “gold” Duke Of Edinburgh award.

Launched in 1956, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is dedicated to the personal development of young people from all backgrounds. It now has the widest reach of any UK youth charity, with 275,000 young people (including 30,000 from disadvantaged backgrounds) undertaking programmes to inspire, guide and support them in their self-development. Different levels of awards recognise their achievements.

Vicky Butler, Luxfer marketing manager, said: “Scott’s mother, Sharma, is a production planner at Luxfer’s Nottingham site, as well as an active fund-raising campaigner for the Gold Challenge. To date, the Duke Of Edinburgh scheme has helped four million people in the UK and, thanks to more than 120 sister organisations, another two million internationally. For our small part, we are delighted to help support Scott throughout the challenge, during which he will also raise awareness for this deserving and hard-working charity.”

For more information on the Duke Of Edinburgh Challenge please visit www.dofe.org.

Andy Butcher President of Luxfer Gas Cylinders USA

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Andy Butcher named president of Luxfer Gas Cylinders USA

Andy Butcher, 40, has been named president of Luxfer Gas Cylinders U.S.A., the nation’s largest manufacturer of aluminum and composite high-pressure cylinders.Mr. Butcher has general management and administrative responsibility for manufacturing facilities in Riverside, Calif., and Graham, N.C., as well as a sales and distribution network that serves customers around the world. He reports to John Rhodes, president and managing director of all global Luxfer Gas Cylinders operations. Mr. Butcher joined Luxfer in 1991 as a project engineer. Over the past 18 years, he has served as engineering and information technology manager, plant manager of a facility in England, director of operations for Luxfer Europe, general manager of the Luxfer Composite Cylinder Division and, for three years prior to his promotion, executive vice president of Luxfer Gas Cylinders U.S.A. Before joining Luxfer, he was an engineer with Jaguar Cars for four years.Born and educated in England, Mr. Butcher holds an engineering degree from Cambridge University and a master’s degree in business administration from Keele University.Founded in England in 1898, Luxfer is the world’s largest manufacturer of high-pressure aluminum and composite cylinders for a variety of applications, including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for firefighter life support, alternative fuel vehicles and storage, medical, beverage, industrial and specialty gases, inflation, automotive, scuba diving, paintball and performance racing. In addition to its U.S. operations, Luxfer Gas Cylinders has manufacturing facilities in England, France and China and sales offices worldwide.Luxfer Gas Cylinders is part of the global Luxfer Group of companies specializing in manufacturing and high-performance engineering materials (www.luxfercylinders.com).

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Lonnie Smith named general manager of Luxfer Gas Cylinders operations in Asia Pacific

SYDNEY, Australia (Dec. 8, 2008)—Lonnie Smith has been named general manager of Luxfer Gas Cylinders operations in Asia Pacific.

He has management responsibility for all operations throughout Asia Pacific, including the composite cylinder manufacturing plant in Shanghai, China; the Australian distribution centre in Sydney, Australia, where his office is located; and Luxfer’s interests in India.

He reports to John Rhodes, president of Luxfer Gas Cylinders.

Smith joined Luxfer in 1996 as engineering manager for the Composite Cylinder Division (CCD) in Riverside, California. During the subsequent 12 years, he served as CCD assistant general manager, general manager in charge of the start-up of the Shanghai composite cylinder plant and general manager of composite cylinder operations in Riverside.

Before joining Luxfer, he worked as engineering manager for Structural Composites Industries (SCI) and as an engineer for Northrup Corporation, Lockheed Corporation and Stone & Webster Engineering.

Smith holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, and a master’s degree in management from the Peter F. Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University.

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Luxfer and Enviromech showcase new NGV facility at Turin World Fair

TURIN, Italy (September 27-28, 2008)--The Third World Fair for NGVs and H2Vs (natural gas vehicles and hydrogen vehicles) attracted more than 10,000 visitors from around the world and proved to be a highly successful event for Luxfer Gas Cylinders and its European partner, Enviromech.

Luxfer and Enviromech showcased the recent opening of their new Alternative Fuel Centre in Brescia, Italy.

The conference theme, “Clean Energy For A Sustainable World,” highlighted the need for European initiatives to convert both public and private transport systems to alternative fuels within a viable timescale.

Mark Lawday, Luxfer’s global marketing manager for alternative fuels, commented: “The opening of our European Alternative Fuel is another important milestone as Luxfer Gas Cylinders and Enviromech march forward in the AF market. The facility provides local European technical expertise, dedicated customer service and a large stock-holding of cylinders to ensure that we consistently meet automotive sector lead-times.”

Grant Lindberg, managing director of Enviromech Industries’ European Division, said: “The opening of the Luxfer-Enviromech European Alternative Fuel Centre provides customers with complete alternative fuel systems solutions. From engineering and manufacturing through service and support, the Luxfer-Enviromech partnership provides unmatched alternative fuel systems expertise, quick turnaround and competitive pricing.”

British Lung Foundations Active programme

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Ilkeston’s Breathe Easy group gets active

NOTTINGHAM, England (Aug 29, 2008) – Members of the Breathe Easy group in Ilkeston Derbyshire are getting fitter with the help of a donation from Luxfer Gas Cylinders.

The newly-formed group, set up by asthma sufferer Darren Bailey, is one of the many groups across the country taking part in the British Lung Foundation’s ‘Active’ programme run by Jo Mist, an instructor with specialist respiratory training.

Danielle Smreczak, exercise coordinator for the BLF ‘Active’ programme explained: ‘BLF Active is the result of a six-month pilot project in which 225 people were involved in exercise in 10 different locations across England. Results were overwhelmingly positive, showing improvements in people’s ability to walk further and being less depressed and anxious. People involved in the pilot say they are now more active and that it has given them much more confidence.’

The British Lung Foundation has a network of 185 Breathe Easy support groups throughout the UK that are run by patients for patients. Most groups have a dedicated health professional who provides help and advice. Groups vary in size and activity, with some having between 10-20 members and others as many as 500.

Breathe Easy is a self-help network that provides support and information not only for people living with lung conditions, but also for those who look after them. Groups provide a friendly atmosphere for people to meet and talk, find out more about their lung conditions and participate in awareness events, campaigning, fundraising and social outings.

Vicky Butler, Luxfer’s global medical marketing manager, said: ‘We were delighted to help by funding a venue for the BLF “Active” programme classes since people with lung conditions and those who care for them often feel isolated from the outside world. We also like helping members get fitter. New BLF classes offer a much-needed opportunity for social activity, particularly in the winter months when many people feel isolated and depressed.’

The British Lung Foundation is the only UK charity working for everyone affected by lung disease. It funds world-class research and provides support for people affected by lung disease to bring about positive change in treatment, care and support.

Visit the British Lung Foundation website at www.lunguk.org for more information.

News:

SAFETY ALERT aluminum alloy beverage cylinder failures involving nitrogen carbon dioxide gas blends

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (August 1, 2008)—It has been reported to Luxfer that an older aluminum alloy CO2 beverage cylinder has failed due to over-pressurization when filled with a nitrogen/CO2 (N2/CO2) gas blend. Since the use of such gas blends to dispense beverages (e.g., beers, ales and lagers) is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, Luxfer is issuing the following guidelines concerning this usage:

In accordance with Federal regulations, a cylinder with “CO2” stamped on its crown must be filled only with CO2 and equipped with a valve suitable for CO2. The same restriction applies to older Luxfer beverage cylinders stamped with the names of specific beverage companies (e.g., Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola, etc.); these cylinders were intended for use only with liquid CO2 filled by weight.
Mixing liquid CO2 with gaseous nitrogen in a standard Luxfer CO2 beverage cylinder can cause a rapid pressure increase that exceeds the 1,800-psi operating pressure of the cylinder. Do not mix liquid CO2 with gaseous nitrogen in a Luxfer cylinder.

Luxfer aluminum alloy beverage cylinders may be filled with nitrogen or N2/CO2 blends under the following conditions:

The cylinder must not be stamped, marked or otherwise identified as containing only liquid CO2; this includes cylinders stamped with the names of specific beverage companies.
For authorized transportation, the gas mixture must meet all applicable federal and state labeling and manifesting requirements.
Any gas mixing or blending must be done with equipment designed for that purpose prior to filling the cylinder. A Luxfer gas cylinder should not be used as a ‘mixing’ container. The cylinder must only be filled with the final gas mixture—not with separate, unmixed gases—such that at 70 degrees F, the gas mixture does not exceed the stamped or marked service pressure of the cylinder.

In all cases, never fill a cylinder such that gas pressure at 70 degrees F exceeds the allowable pressure stamped or marked on the cylinder crown. (The service pressure for standard Luxfer beverage cylinders, whether stamped for CO2 use or not, is 1,800 psi.)

For nitrogen and N2/CO2 gas blends used in the beverage industry, Luxfer recommends the use of higher-pressure cylinders, which need to be exchanged and filled less often. Valves on such higher-pressure cylinders must be rated for the cylinder service pressure and be suitable for the gas being used. Luxfer offers appropriate cylinder models rated at 2,215 psi and 3,000 psi.

Please address questions concerning this subject to Luxfer customer service at 800-764-0366.

Deutsche Hospital Ausstattung and Service

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DEHAS using Luxfer’s Voyage oxygen cylinders in new lightweight backpacks for emergency medical teams

BAD SCHWARTAU, Germany (June 4, 2008)—DEHAS Deutsche Hospital Ausstattung & Service have recently announced the launch of new lightweight backpacks that will ease workloads for frontline emergency medical and rescue teams across Europe. DEHAS, specialists in patient monitoring and oxygen medicine, are using Luxfer’s lightweight Voyage oxygen cylinders in their new backpacks.

Weighing between 8kg and 15kg, the revolutionary backpack is ergonomically designed to reduce the risk of occupational injury by combining extended oxygen delivery in a compact cylinder together with exceptional strength and durability even under extreme conditions.

Teams also have the convenience of combining a flexible backpack with clearly laid out interior compartments and easy-open transparent compartments for quick access to medical equipment. The backpack does not need to be removed during patient transport since the contents can be accessed via exterior zipper compartments.

Ideal for air ambulances and emergency services bikes, the backpack is manufactured from hard-wearing, high-visibility fabric and includes an ultra-lightweight, 1-litre, 200-bar Voyage oxygen cylinder, part of the proven Luxfer Medical product range manufactured by Luxfer Gas Cylinders.

DEHAS Managing Director Jens Mittendorf said: “Luxfer’s Voyage cylinders were the ideal choice for our new backpack since they have been ergonomically designed to minimize occupational injuries associated with patient and equipment handling. Major advantages for life support teams also include the option of storing greater pressures of gas than same-size traditional cylinders, together with easy portability – especially in situations involving stairs or confined spaces.”

DEHAS are specialist distributors for patient monitoring and portable oxygen systems, pulsoximetry sensor technology and accessories. A dedicated manufacturer-distribution centre for pulsoximetry is currently under construction. For more information please contact www.dehas.de.

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DEHAS führt neues, leichten Rucksack für den Rettungsdienst ein

BAD SCHWARTAU, Germany (June 4, 2008)—Vor kurzem gab DEHAS die Einführung eines neuen, leichten modularen Rucksacks bekannt, das bereits dazu beiträgt, die Arbeitsbelastung von medizinischen Notdiensten und Rettungsmannschaften in ganz Europa zu verringern.

Mit seinem niedrigen Gewicht zwischen 8 kg und 15 kg und seiner ergonomischen Auslegung trägt das revolutionäre Backpack dazu bei, das Risiko von berufsbedingten Verletzungen zu verringern. Zu diesem Rucksack gehört auch eine kompakte Gasflasche, die ein höheres Sauerstoffvolumen bietet und durch ihre außergewöhnlich hohe Stabilität und Haltbarkeit selbst unter extremen Bedingungen besticht.

Für raschen Zugriff auf die Medizinprodukte hat der Benutzer die Möglichkeit, den flexible Rucksack durch übersichtlich angeordnete Innenfächer und einfach zu öffnende, transparente Fächer zu ergänzen. Aufgrund des einfachen Zugriffs über Außenfächer mit Reißverschluss braucht man das Backpack während des Patiententransports nicht abzunehmen.

Das ideal für den Luftrettungsdienst und Motorradstaffeln der Notfalldienste geeignete Backpack aus strapazierfähigem, reinigungsfähigem Material umfasst eine superleichte Voyage-Sauerstoffflasche (Volumen 2 Liter, Druck 200 bar) aus dem bewährten Luxfer Medical Produktsortiment, das von Luxfer Gas Cylinders hergestellt wird.

DEHAS Verkaufsleiter Jens Mittendorf sagte: „Luxfers Voyage Flaschen waren aufgrund ihrer ergonomischen Auslegung, die mögliche Berufsverletzungen beim Umgang mit Patienten und Hilfsmitteln auf ein Minimum beschränkt, die ideale Wahl für unseren neuen Rucksack.

Von unschätzbarem Vorteil für die Notfallteams ist auch die Möglichkeit, größere Gasvolumen mit der 300 Bar Technologie der Firma Luxfer Gas Cylinders ,als in herkömmlichen Flaschen derselben Größe , sowie die hohe Beweglichkeit , die aufgrund des geringen Gewichts gestattet werden – insbesondere in Gebäuden mit Treppen oder in engen Räumen.“

News:

Luxfer helps sponsor Staffordshire Fire and Rescue team that will climb Mount McKinley

DENALI NATIONAL PARK, Alaska (April 25, 2008)— A team of firefighters from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue services in the West Midlands region of England will soon be climbing 20,320-foot (6,194-meter) Mount McKinley, the highest mountain on the North American continent, as part of a “Fire and Ice Expedition” to raise money for charity.

Luxfer Gas Cylinders is helping sponsor the challenging expedition, which will take place May 6 through June 1. The Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Team hopes to raise £34,000 (about $64,323) for the Fire Service Benevolent Fund, which assists injured firefighters.

Experienced climbers will accompany the team to the summit and back. Team members have been undertaking a strict fitness regime to prepare themselves both physically and mentally.

Mount McKinley, part of the Alaska Range, was named after U.S. President William McKinley in 1897, but the mountain is also known as “Denali,” a much older name that means “the big one” in the Athabaskan language spoken by Native Americans of the region. Denali is now also the name of the beautiful U.S. National Park that surrounds the famous mountain.

In terms of elevation above sea level, the world’s highest mountain is 29,028-foot (8,848-meter) Mount Everest in the Himalaya Range in Tibet and Nepal. However, many geologists and mountaineers actually consider Mount McKinley to be the world’s highest mountain, per se, because of its significantly greater vertical rise. The base of Mount Everest sits atop the 17,000-foot-high (5,200-meter) Tibetan Plateau, and the real rise of the mountain itself is only about 12,000 feet (3,700 meters). Mount McKinley sits on a 2,000-foot-high (610-meter) plateau, so its actual vertical rise is 18,000 feet (5,500 meters)—some 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) higher than Mount Everest. McKinley is also a much bigger mountain in terms of sheer bulk and square mileage.

Even in May, Staffordshire expedition members may face severe temperatures of -35 degrees C (-31 degrees F) as they traverse glacial ice fields and ascend toward the perpetually snowbound McKinley summit. During storms, winds high on the mountain can exceed 150 miles per hour.

On June 17, 1913, Walter Harper, a native Alaskan, became the first man to reach the summit. The mountain is regularly climbed today, and about half the expeditions reach the summit successfully. But climbing Denali is still a dangerous undertaking—especially since the risk of altitude sickness is unusually severe on this mountain not only due to high altitude, but also because of its latitude that compounds the effects of oxygen depravation. More than 100 climbers have died on Mount McKinley—the latest in 2003.

“The mountain’s nickname is ‘Deadly Denali,’” said Andy Topham, Staffordshire expedition co-ordinator. “We will face extremely low temperatures, the risk of possible avalanches and crevasse falls, the dangers of altitude sickness and frostbite. However, all of these can be avoided with proper training and preparation.” Each team member will be carrying about 80 pounds of gear and supplies up the mountain in stages. They will eat high-calorie dehydrated food and sleep in tents, igloos and, if necessary, snow holes.

For additional details about the expedition, visit the team website at staffordshirefire.gov.uk.

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Luxfer to host Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) safety training session

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (April 16, 2008)—NGV fleet professionals … give your team the best NGV safety training available anywhere!

June 17-19, 2008 Riverside, California

You now have the opportunity to provide your employees with the highest quality NGV safety training available anywhere. The training will take place June 17-19 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day at Luxfer Gas Cylinders' training room, 3016 Kansas Avenue, Riverside, California.

Choose to attend one or both sessions:

June 17-18: NGV Fuel Storage Cylinder Inspection Training*. These two days will focus on teaching you the proper techniques for inspecting on-board compressed natural gas fuel storage cylinders. NHTSA requires that on-board vehicle CNG fuel storage cylinders manufactured after 3/95 be visually inspected every three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.

June 19: NGV Driver and Mechanic Training. This one-day course is devoted to training drivers and mechanics on safe driving, fueling and maintenance of today’s natural gas vehicles. Trainers are welcome and will go through the same training as drivers and mechanics and will also receive "Train the Trainer" instruction and all course materials and support software.

*At the end of the Cylinder Inspection Course, you may choose to take CSA America’s certification exam for an additional fee of $150. With more than 23 years experience in the natural gas vehicle industry, Leo Thomason, NGVi’s Executive Director, provides attendees with thorough, detailed instruction, as well as hands-on training. The training is so complete that more than 90% of attendees pass the CSA certification exam.

Here’s some good news: the U.S. Department of Energy has scholarship monies available that will pay for the cylinder training and CSA exam. It is easy to apply for these scholarship monies. You simply complete a short scholarship form and return it to Hank Seiff, Director of Technology, Clean Vehicle Education Foundation (CVEF). CVEF is the administrator of the scholarship program. If approved, you will receive reimbursement once you provide a receipt and documentation that you successfully completed the course and passed the CSA exam. For more information contact Hank Seiff (703-534-6151 or hseiff@cleanvehicle.org.)

If you have questions about either of the training classes offered by NGV Institute or the possibility of having our course delivered at your facility, please call NGVi at 1-800-510-6484. If you have questions about the scholarship program, please call Hank Seiff.

Save $100 on the registration fee by registering through May 16. You can register on-line at www.ngvi.com. Or, for more information and to register by phone, please call Kelly Cofer at 1-800-510-6484.

p.s. Don’t miss the largest alternative fuel and vehicle conference of 2008 – the Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference + Expo 2008, May 11-14, in Las Vegas. Click here for more information.