Olympic Challenge for Instrument Hire Firm

Ashtead Technology Rentals has come to the aid of Olympic chiefs preparing for next year’s Equestrian Games in Hong Kong, as part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The firm stepped in when contacted by Dr David Marlin BSc, a scientific consultant with expertise in respiratory disease, on behalf of the FEI – The International Federation for Equestrian Sports, who wanted to analyse dust and organic compounds at the site of the equestrian events of the next Olympics, which will be held in Hong Kong.

As a result of the warm and humid climate and the use of airconditioned stables and indoor training arenas, the FEI wanted to ensure that the environment would be safe for the hundreds of horses and their riders set to use the facilities next year.

Dr Marlin used a DustTrak monitor to provide assessment of exposure to airborne dust by measuring particle concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, PM1.0 or respirable size fractions. He also hired a MiniRAE a volatile organic compound (VOC) detector to ensure that the air quality was of a high standard.

He says, “Ashtead Technology Rentals was able to provide exactly the right equipment to allow me to monitor the air quality in Hong Kong. I spent two weeks checking the areas that will be used next year, including the airconditioned stables, the airconditioned indoor training facilities and the outdoor environment.

“There are always concerns over dust and bacteria due to the relatively dusty environment horses usually live in, but thanks to the technology I was using, I was able to confirm that the facilities and the air quality were both to a very high standard.”

Ashtead’s fleet of instruments for health and safety assessments include toxic gas detectors, explosimeters, dust monitors, HVAC monitors, and instruments for the measurement of noise and vibration. These instruments come from world leading manufacturers such as Rae, BW Technologies, TSI Instruments, Thermo, Quest and Casella.

Commenting on the facility to rent the instruments, which are delivered calibrated and ready to use, Dr Marlin, says: “It is significantly advantageous to be able to select the best instruments for the jobs rather than the burden of capital cost that comes with instrument ownership.”