June 2019

updates from www.hpmag.co.uk HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS June 2019 47 Contact BCAS at Tel: 020 7935 2464 e-mail: info@bcas.org.uk website: www.bcas.org.uk In a world of constantly changing legislation and standards, BCAS plays a crucial role in driving progress in the compressed air industry. Founded in 1930, the British Compressed Air Society is the only UK technical trade association open to manufacturers, distributors and end users of compressors, vacuum pumps, pneumatic tools and allied products. Its role is to provide unbiased advice on legislation, technical standards, education, compliance, safety and environmental matters that affect suppliers and users of compressed air and vacuum systems. BCAS Structure: There are tiers of activity within BCAS: BCAS Board and Permanent Committees. The board is made up of the president, vice president, last past president and executive director, plus elected and co-opted seats. Each group member has a permanent place on the board. There are five board seats elected by the membership and the remainder are co-opted for skills required within BCAS. Elected & Co-opted board members stand down at the first change of president but may be re-elected/re-co-opted to serve on the board. BCAS also has sector committees, special committees and working groups, which are set up from time to time to address specific issues. The chair of the committee is selected by ballot of the sector committee. The current committees are: Compressor Committee Low Pressure & Vacuum Committee Air Treatment & Applications Committee Distribution Committee Training & Development Committee Statistics Committee In addition, BCAS plays a crucial role in upholding standards and advising its members about changing legislation and standards to ensure compliance and safety within the industry. It is also an active member of Euris to lobby on UK matters , Pneurop to lobby on European legislation, BSI and the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). Crucially, BCAS is an independent source of advice and technical help to ensure that compressor equipment, its installation and maintenance is energy efficient, compliant and safe. About BCAS The British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) has appointed Mark Ranger, business line manager, Oil-Free Air at Atlas Copco as its new vice president. He will join Jason Morgan, BCAS president in ensuring the society continues to evolve to meet the needs of its members and compressed air end- users, with a particular focus on providing quality training and development. A BCAS Board member for the past two years and chair of the Compressor Committee for over six years, Ranger brings a wealth of experience to the role, gained over more than 35 years in the compressed air industry, working for both distribution and manufacturer organisations. “An important part of BCAS’ role is to ensure that standards are upheld and to promote the safe and efficient use of compressed air and vacuum products and systems,” he said. “I will therefore be supporting Jason to further enhance our training and development offer, for both our members and industry users, particularly in the areas of legislation and standards.” Ranger added: “The society already offers a wealth of training on important regulations such as the Pressure Systems’ Safety Regulations (PSSR) and competent examiner courses, supported by impartial advice on areas including compressed air efficiency, air treatment and air quality best practice to name a few. I look forward to working with the Board to ensure that BCAS continues to act as an important source of impartial information to the industry as a whole, including our own members and end- users.” Vanda Jones, executive director for BCAS said: “Mark has already played a vital role as a Board member for the past two years. I am delighted to welcome him to his new position and look forward to working closely with him. At this time of Brexit uncertainty, the society plays an even more important role in helping advise both members and end-users on legislation. We have an active input into proposed UK and European legislation and standards, which means we can help customers to understand their obligations and be compliant, however large or small their operation. Mark’s extensive industry experience will help us to shape the society for the future and to support our members further still.” Ranger will transition to the position of BCAS president in November 2020 at the annual BCAS ball, following Jason Morgan’s two-year term in the role. For further information about the British Compressed Air Society, visit www.bcas.org.uk . BCAS appoints Atlas Copco’s Mark Ranger as its new vice president Mark Ranger.