Joh Shipman Contracting Ltd. (JSC), a company that manufactures a large range of pipe joint kits and pipe apparatus for the world’s leading VRF systems, recently launched Reflok. The new Reflok system combines a compression pipe coupling with specially produced VRF components. It has been developed in the UK by JSC’s team, together with various companies within the VRF industry in the UK and abroad, which helped refine and trial the product. JSC now has agents in the UK, America, North and South Africa, Baltic Sea States, and is following up enquiries in Russia and India.

 

The use of heat can be a problem. Jon Shipman, Director General de JSC, said: ”We are seeing interest emerge within the developed countries, where the use of a naked flame can present problems, for example in airports, underground stations, hospitals, petrochemical facilities, military facilities, schools and hotels.“ The requirement to obtain hot works permits and to have fire alarm stand down is irksome and time consuming for the fitters, as is nitrogen purging. All of these requirements cost time and money. According to the company’s press release, Reflok allows the fitter to simply turn up on site and begin work immediately with no delay. The other area where interest is growing is in less developed countries, who have a low skill base and simply no fitters with experience of installing VRF systems.

 

With its Reflok Installer training programme, where personnel are trained either in house, on site or at customers premises, JSC is building up a database of registered installers that can be accessed through their web site. Potential customers of the Reflok product can now access the web site, find a registered stockist (or apply to become one) and contact a registered installer to carry out the work. This way, installation problems are avoided.