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  1. Guidance on the presence of self-drilling “tek” screws in legacy fire damper installations

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    Fire dampers are vital for maintaining fire compartmentation and protecting life and property, and their
    correct installation is imperative. In recent years there has been extensive discussion around the use of
    self-drilling “tek” screws in fire damper installations, and despite long-standing guidance against their
    use, these fixings are still found in many fire damper installations. There are several associated risks:

    • High Melting Point: Tek screws do not melt easily, undermining the function of duct break-away
      joints, which are designed to fail safely under fire conditions.

    • Operational Interference: Tek screws can obstruct damper blades, preventing proper operation
      during a fire.

    • Injury Risk: Sharp edges pose a hazard to maintenance personnel.

    It is well-established that for new fire damper installations, tek screws must not be used; however, to
    provide enhanced clarity for duty holders of legacy installations, BESA has recently published TB59:
    Further Guidance on Ductwork Connections to Fire Dampers.


    Where tek screws are found in existing systems, the guidance is as follows:

    • Remove and replace with compliant fixings, where reasonably practicable.

    • If physical constraints prevent removal, the duty holder should arrange for a competent person
      to conduct a risk assessment to determine what additional action should be taken.


    Guidance is also provided in relation to the annual inspection & testing of fire dampers, namely:

    1. If a damper fails to operate due to the presence of tek screws, it must be reported as a “fail”.

    2. If a damper operates, but tek screws are present, it should be reported as “at risk”.

    Should you have any queries or wish to discuss how this guidance might affect the fire damper assets
    that you maintain, please contact Westbury today.

    Tel. 01282 459744

    sales@westbury.group



  2. One-stop-shop for air filter accessories

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    Westbury can provide a wide range of accessories to support the use of its products. We stock a range of instruments and accessories which are available on swift lead-times and at competitive prices. With in-house manufacturing capability and a network of partners that we have worked with for years, we can usually assist with bespoke requests too!

    Our range includes:

    Magnehelic gauges

    Inline manometers

    Drive belts

    Filter clips – various designs

    Front withdrawal filter holding frames

    Side withdrawal filter holding frames

    Bespoke intake screens

    Coil cleaning products and accessories

    Filter removal tools

    Standard and bespoke air filter housings

    Ductwork connections

    Flanges

    Ductwork transformation pieces

    Safe-change (BIBO) housings

    Safe-change bags and sealing rings

    Safe-change accessories

    Gaskets & seals

    Blanking plates

    Pitot connectors

    Air flow/air quality monitoring equipment & accessories

    Want to learn more? Contact Westbury today.

    Tel. 01282 459744

    sales@westbury.group



  3. Scope 3 emissions reduction & Energy-Saving Filters: A Competitive Advantage for Facilities Management Companies

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    In today’s sustainability-driven market, facilities management (FM) companies are under increasing pressure to deliver measurable environmental impact reductions. While Scope 1 and 2 emissions are often addressed through direct measures, Scope 3 emissions — those generated across the value chain — present greater challenges. However, more and more FM companies are also recognising the opportunities in this area. One of the most practical and profitable ways FM companies can reduce Scope 3 emissions is by integrating energy-saving filters into their HVAC maintenance and upgrade offerings. This simple switch can unlock significant value for both clients and FM providers alike.

    Why Scope 3 Emissions Matter to FM Providers

    Scope 3 emissions include indirect emissions from:

    • The production and transport of equipment and materials
    • Energy use by tenants and building occupants
    • Waste and end-of-life treatment of assets

    For FM companies, reducing these emissions can:

    • Strengthen & showcase their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) credentials
    • Differentiate their service offerings
    • Attract sustainability-conscious clients
    • Improve long-term contract value

    The Business Case for Energy-Saving Filters

    Energy-saving filters are designed to reduce resistance to airflow in ventilation systems, lowering energy consumption without compromising air quality. These measures can benefit FM companies directly:

    1. Lower Client Energy Bills = Higher Client Satisfaction

    By reducing HVAC energy, energy-saving filters help clients cut costs — making your service more valuable and increasing client retention. The savings can often be significant – in the range of 20-50%.

    2. Boost Your ESG Offering

    Offering energy-saving filters as part of your standard maintenance package positions your company as a sustainability leader. This can be a key differentiator in competitive environments, especially for clients with net-zero targets.

    3. Reduce Maintenance Costs and Downtime

    In addition to extended filter service life, these filters help HVAC systems run more efficiently and with less wear & tear, reducing breakdowns and extending equipment life. That means fewer pre-planned maintenance visits, fewer callouts and more predictable maintenance schedules.

    4. Quantifiable Scope 3 Reductions

    By tracking the emissions avoided through reduced energy use and extended equipment lifespan, FM companies can report tangible Scope 3 reductions — adding value to sustainability reporting for both you and your clients. Westbury have unique tools and experience to guide you through the process and provide quantitative data to complement your qualitative objectives — a key facet of any robust environmental policy.

    5. Upselling Opportunities

    Energy-saving filters open the door to broader energy efficiency conversations and associated upgrades—like smart HVAC controls, predictive maintenance, and IAQ monitoring — creating or developing new revenue streams.

    In Summary

    For facilities management companies, energy-saving filters are more than a “green” upgrade — they can be a strategic asset. They reduce Scope 3 emissions, enhance service value, and strengthen your competitive position in a market that increasingly values sustainability and rewards those looking to embed sustainability initiatives in their business model.

    Want to learn more or schedule a meeting to discuss further? Contact Westbury and take a step toward achieving your sustainability goals today.

    Tel. 01282 459744

    sales@westbury.group



  4. Let Westbury take care of your filter waste

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    Westbury’s high quality air filters perform a vital role in protecting building occupants and processes, trapping contaminants, ensuring cleaner air, & often delivering significant energy savings. But what happens when these filters reach the end of their service life?

    Why Used Filters Pose a Problem

    Used filters aren’t your typical household waste. After all, the filter collects all of the contamination that needs to be removed from the airstream and can often contain potentially harmful or hazardous residues.

    Improper disposal isn’t just a health risk, it’s also a regulatory obligation.

    As such, the business or individuals that are generating this waste must take responsibility to ensure that disposal is carried out safely, and this carries with it an obligation to ensure that the waste is passed to someone that is authorised to accept it.

    This is where Westbury can assist. As part of our comprehensive range of site services, Westbury are licensed by the Environment Agency as a waste carrier and broker – which enables us to take care of responsible and safe filter waste disposal on your behalf.

    How the Process Works

    Collection – Used filters are gathered at the source by a dedicated team.

    Transportation – They are transported under regulations governing controlled waste, by certified handlers, under license.

    Sorting and Processing – Filters are sorted by type and dismantled if needed, to allow recovery of any recyclable materials.

    Eco-Friendly Disposal – Non-recyclable materials are sent to licensed waste-to-energy plants, whereas recyclable elements are sorted for further processing and re-use. Wherever possible landfill is avoided.

    Regulatory compliance is confirmed – Once the process is complete, a documentation trail is issued to the generator of the waste to prove the process has been completed correctly and so that records can be kept for auditing purposes.

    The Benefits

    Using a filter waste collection service helps:

    Support regulatory compliance for businesses.

    Reduce landfill waste by diverting toxic and bulky items.

    Prevent pollution of water and soil from contamination.

    Promote recycling of valuable materials like metals and contribute to the circular economy.

    What to Look for in a Filter Waste Collection Provider

    When choosing a service, consider the following:

    • Licensing and certification – Are they compliant with local environmental regulations? Westbury are a certified & licensed upper tier waste carrier, broker and dealer.
    • Recycling practices – Do they recover materials responsibly? Waste filters collected by Westbury are responsibly passed for appropriate processing, avoiding landfill.
    • Reporting and documentation – Can they provide waste tracking for compliance? Westbury provide official paper-trails for all filter waste collections.
    • Service scope – Do they handle your specific filter types? Bear in mind that some filters can contain hazardous contamination – which must be assessed and disposed of appropriately.

    Want to learn more or schedule a pickup? Contact Westbury and take a step toward cleaner, greener practices today.

    Tel. 01282 459744

    sales@westbury.group



  5. What To Expect From Westbury’s Free-of-Charge Filter Survey

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    In the realm of HVAC systems, the Air Handling Unit (AHU) plays a crucial role in maintaining indoor air quality and comfort within commercial and industrial spaces. Filtration is a critical aspect of the way in which an AHU performs, not only determining indoor air quality, but also protecting and prolonging the lifespan of other system components such as heating/cooling coils, attenuators and fans.

    As such it is of vital importance that the filters selected are properly specified according to local conditions and the desired level of cleanliness within the facility. Needless to say, the fitment of the filters is also crucial, so as to avoid air bypass and unnecessary contamination.

    Comprehensive Inspection

    A thorough inspection is the starting point of a survey of filtration requirements. Your nominated Westbury representative can arrange to review the filtration currently installed and help to spot any issues. These range from ill-fitting filters, to missing clips, damaged filters and incorrectly orientated products.

    Alongside this trouble-shooting, we can also identify opportunities for improvements. These can deliver enormous benefits, such as reduced energy costs, lower filter consumables expenditure and reduced downtime, all whilst IMPROVING indoor air quality!

    Filter Replacement and licensed waste disposal

    When our engineers visit your site to survey, they will also review the change-out regime and can work with you to develop a schedule for optimum filter change point. In addition, Westbury can also offer qualified engineers capable of replacing your filters efficiently and effectively, before collecting and disposing of used filters under our waste carrier’s license.



    Contact us today to book your free of charge site survey and filtration review to see what you could save.



  6. Join us at Surface World 2025 this February

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    Westbury will be exhibiting at the forthcoming Surface World trade show at Birmingham’s NEC on the 26th & 27th February 2025.

    The show is a great opportunity for professionals from all aspects of the surface finishing industry to get together, share ideas and discuss the latest technologies in the sector.

    In the past, the show has always been a hive of activity and this year’s show promises to be bigger and better than ever!

    Westbury and its sister company Total Filtration will be exhibiting our innovative air & liquid filtration technologies on stand E40 across the two days.

    Registration for visitors to the event is open now and free to attend. You can contact our process filtration expert Mark Longworth on 01282 410252 to discuss further – we’d love to know if you’re planning to attend!

    For more information, please visit www.surfaceworld.com

    See you at the NEC!




  8. Air Filter Selection Guide

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    When it comes to selecting HVAC air filters, there are several factors to consider to ensure that you choose the right options for your application:


    1. Filter Efficiency
    The first selection consideration is the efficiency rating, or the capability of the filter to capture particulate. The higher the efficiency, the more effective the filter will be in capturing smaller particles. You can read more about filter efficiency here.


    2. Airflow Resistance
    Resistance to airflow is crucial factor to consider when selecting any air filter. Higher efficiency filters generally have a greater resistance to airflow, which brings with it increased energy consumption. Filter selection should also be considered in the context of the HVAC system as a whole, to ensure that the fan and other components can deliver sufficient quantities of air, allowing for the resistance to airflow that the filter(s) present.

    The ideal filter selection should deliver a low resistance to airflow to minimise energy costs. A filter that can maintain low resistance for a long period of time, will deliver the lowest costs of operation. You can read more about minimising life cycle costs by clicking here.

    3. Particle Size
    The size of the particulate that the filters will be exposed to should also be considered when selecting air filters – different filters are designed to capture specific particle sizes. In many cases a multi-stage approach is preferred, with coarse pre-filters removing large particulate and higher efficiency secondary filters positioned downstream to remove finer particulate.

    4. Environmental Factors
    Local environmental factors, such as the concentration of particulates and proximity to sources of air contamination should also be considered when selecting an air filter. It is important to remember that these factors are variable and will be influenced by factors such as seasonal changes, nearby construction works, time of day, etc.  This should be considered when selecting filtration and planning appropriate maintenance regimes.


    Taking these factors into account demonstrates that appropriate filter selection is vital for achieving and maintaining appropriate air quality and optimal system performance. Consideration of filter efficiency, airflow resistance, particulate size and environmental conditions will all be important. The correct selections in the balance of these considerations will ensure that your systems can operate efficiently and effectively to recover lost revenues, reduce costs and deliver improved efficiencies. 

    Contact Westbury today to arrange for a FREE of charge site survey to assess how your systems can be optimised.

  9. Westbury introduces striking new packaging!

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    In the demanding environments that Westbury’s clients operate in, the importance of the way that our filtration products are packaged can sometimes be under-estimated.

    Not only do our boxes need to be sufficiently robust to protect the delicate filters inside, but they also need to be easily identifiable and simple & safe to handle; after all, many of our clients have a huge variety of locations on site that the boxes need to be taken to after delivery.

    Westbury’s aim in developing the new packaging was to retain the great benefits of our previous packaging solutions, such as carrying handles and bespoke labelling options, whilst also introducing improvements in construction and incorporating our latest imagery.

    We know that sustainability is also important to our clients, so we chose to continue with the use of unbleached & recyclable materials and to utilise an elegant design language so as to minimise environmental impacts.

    With the support of our long-standing partner Greyhound Box Ltd, we were able to develop a versatile packaging solution, which meets the demands of our customers whilst also allowing Westbury to reduce our environmental impact and enhance efficiencies at the factory. Greyhound Box Ltd are proud to be a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified manufacturer, which allows us to ensure that our materials come from responsibly managed forests.

    All in all, the collaboration has been a great success and we can’t wait to see these boxes out there in plantrooms across the country!

  10. Case Study: Westbury’s Fire Damper Inspection and Testing

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    Westbury was recently entrusted by a local customer with carrying out a thorough inspection and service of fire damper assets. We’ve put together a short case study video to provide a look into our fire damper examination & testing process, and the work we did to return them to flawless functionality.

    Check out the video here:

    Westbury’s Fire Damper Inspection and Testing: A Case Study of Work With Local Partners

    Take a look at our other services to see what else we have to offer.

    If you like what you see, feel free to contact us to discuss how we can fit your company’s needs.