Orders for industry leading KBB fire safety valve soar by more than 30%
Engineering specialist Teddington has reported strong sales of its industry leading KBB fire safety valve – with orders increasing by 30% in the last 12 months.
The KBB provides essential protection for properties using oil fired boilers, stopping the flow of oil if a set temperature is exceeded and protecting homes against the risk of fire.
Orders have risen by 30% compared to the previous year and by 73% in the last five years.
The KBB C90 – which triggers at 90oC – has proved particularly popular, with many manufacturers now specifying that boilers should be fitted with this higher temperature valve.
Teddington Sales Manager, Kenneth Maxwell, said: “The 65°C option used to be our most popular, but this year the C90 has taken over.
“Part of the reason for this appears to be because certain boiler manufacturers are now attempting to eliminate nuisance trip outs by specifying a 90oC valve should be used instead of a 65oC. One distributor alone has increased orders by almost 100%.”
The KBB, which is fully OFTEC approved and comes with a three-year warranty, is installed in the oil supply pipeline outside the building, with the sensor mounted inside the boiler above the burner. The valve will automatically close if the temperature at the sensor exceeds the set value.
Orders have also increased for Teddington’s KBT1000 Fire Valve Tester, which allows for quick and simple testing of the KBB to ensure it operates at the pre-set temperatures.
Kenny continued: “The low cost of oil compared to alternative off-grid sources such as electricity and LPG has led to a growth in the market. It continues to remain the cheapest fuel to heat people’s homes, offering a lower running cost even compared to mains gas according to latest Sutherland Table data.
“At the same time, I think technicians and homeowners are now more aware of the need for regular servicing and maintenance. Boilers should be checked at least once a year and testing the KBB is an important part of that.
“Although only small and low cost, the peace of mind a KBB can give – knowing that a property will be protected should the worst happen – is priceless.”
OFTEC regulations state fire safety valves should be inspected visually for any signs of damage or leakage at joints with the oil supply pipe.
The sensory capillary of the valve should also be checked throughout its length for any kinks or damage and to ensure it is adequately supported and protected.
The correct operation of the valve should be observed using test equipment such as the KBT1000.