PHAM APR20 EDIT:Layout 1 31/03/2020 17:38 Page 1
APRIL 2020 | VOLUME 58 | ISSUE 4
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Industry seeks more clarity as coronavirus confusion continues With many heating and plumbing engineers confused about how they should operate during the ongoing pandemic, industry bodies have called for further clarity on major issues such as key worker status, gas safety inspections, and ƩłÖłóĢÖķ ŭŽťťŋũŶ ĕŋũ businesses. With the UK placed on lockdown and people unable to leave their homes for work unless they are classed as key workers or performing essential services, many tradespeople have been left Ŷŋ ƩėŽũā ŋŽŶ ƒĞÖŶ ŶƘťā ŋĕ ƒŋũĴ should be considered ‘essential’. According to the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), some workers have been facing social media shaming for travelling to work, despite the government’s instruction that essential sites should remain open – and many are supporting critical building and infrastructure projects. The APHC has also called for greater clarity on key worker status, arguing that plumbing and heating engineers play a vital role in maintaining public safety. CEO John Thompson says: “If plumbers and heating engineers weren’t allowed into properties ŋũ Ŷŋ ÖŶŶāłù ŭĢŶāŭ Ŷŋ ƩƗ ðũāÖĴÖėāŭ̇ this could lead to there being
dangerous heating systems and unsafe drinking-water and sanitation facilities.” Despite the clear risks to any relaxation of gas safety rules, the restrictions caused by social isolation and safe distancing has inevitably caused some issues, and housing associations have been pushing the government Ŷŋ āƗŶāłù ėÖŭ ŭÖĕāŶƘ óāũŶĢƩóÖŶāŭ from ˚˛ to ˚ˡ months. Meanwhile, the Gas Safe Register is currently only operating a limited service and ĞÖŭ óķŋŭāù ĢŶŭ ĿÖĢł ŋƧóā̍ F says that its inspectors will only investigate high risk scenarios and that these will be determined on a case-by-case basis with the HSE. All other inspections will be held and prioritised to be scheduled once the restrictions are lifted, but while routine inspections have been suspended it says that some alternatives to attending an event in person are being looked into.
The Government’s pledge to support businesses and the selfemployed during the crisis has been broadly welcomed, but BESA reports that some banks are demanding personal guarantees for the business interruption loans announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak. The government is supporting interest-free loans of up to £˞m for ˚˛ months, with banks covered for up to 80% of the losses if the businesses are unable to repay. However, BESA says that some members have had their banks looking to charge interest on the loans and requesting personal guarantees from business owners. BESA advises members not to give personal guarantees that could put their assets at risk, while the government has clearly stated that banks are not allowed to use someone’s main residence as security. The CIPHE has backed the ƩłÖłóĢÖķ ťÖóĴÖėā ŋł ŋƦāũ Ŷŋ ŶĞā
self-employed, but has expressed concerns about how measures will be policed and if installers will have to pay back some of the grant. Kevin Wellman, CEO of the CIPHE, comments: “While we wholly welcome the Chancellor’s announcements, we do need to see further clarification on the financial package available, along with firm timescales for payments. We are working around the clock to get relevant information out to our members and give recommendations to Government. These announcements are good for the industry, but there is still much work to be done.” The level of uncertainty is also causing concerns in the wider building industry. Members of the National Federation of Builders (NFB) have voiced fears that the lack of clarity from government is causing the construction industry to close down. Richard Beresford, NFB chief executive, comments: “Members are reporting that they are unable to get materials and deliveries from builders’ merchants, many of which have closed after struggling to get hold of stock. This is a major concern, as it will cause breaches of contract, permanent supply chain loss and ongoing costs, without revenue to pay for them. “Remobilising sites is expensive, as is mothballing them, which is why so many businesses want to continue operating, but with lower productivity to ensure social distancing.” The NFB has called for increased sector clarity, with more references to specific industries in both the government’s daily briefings and guidance.
Inside this issue Coronavirus What do installers need to know? See page 10
Product Spotlight Protection for condensate pipes See page ˛ˢ
COMPETITION Win a Mira digital shower! See page 44