February 2019

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Volume 57 | Issue 2 | February 2019

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Volume 57 | Issue 2 | February 2019

Brits looking to invest in energy saving measures

COMPETITION

A new survey by YouGov suggests that over 40% of people would be willing to pay more for an energy efficient home, and the purchase of a more efficient boiler is high on the list of energy saving priorities.

According to a survey of 2000 people conducted by YouGov in January, over half of the population (53%) consider a new replacement boiler as the most desirable way to cut down on their fuel bills. The survey, commissioned by Smart Energy GB as part of the Big Energy Saving Week (21-27 January), also reveals that over two-fifths (41%) of potential house buyers would pay more for an energy efficient home, and 15% would be willing to spend at least 10% extra.

Other purchases which are considered to be a desirable green investment include underfloor heating (39%), a ground source heat pump (33%), an air source heat pump (28%) and an energy storage system (28%).

The same research also found that Millennials (those aged 25-34) put a higher value on making sure their home is energy efficient and are most likely (51%) to pay a premium for a home which benefits the environment and reduces bills. This is compared to around four in 10 of both their Gen X (those aged 45-54) and Baby

Boomer (55+) counterparts (38% and 41% respectively).

Big Energy Saving Week is a national campaign run by Citizens Advice which aims to help households trim their energy bills and access any financial support for energy costs that they may be entitled to. The campaign focuses on raising public awareness of how to save money on energy bills by switching supplier or tariff and by making homes more energy efficient.

Energy prices have been rising above real wage growth in recent years, making

gas and electricity much less affordable to lower income consumers. Experts predict that energy costs will continue to rise despite the Government recently introducing an energy price cap in an attempt to protect the most vulnerable people from fuel poverty.

A separate survey from Money Expert suggests that the rate of fuel poverty is most prominent in London, where just over a third (34%) of people surveyed were not able to adequately heat their homes due to high costs. 33% of people in both the South West and North East of England also admitted they couldn’t afford to heat their homes sufficiently.

The survey also asked respondents what was the biggest sting to their wallets each month, with 56% naming electricity as their biggest expense. When asked about their most likely method to reduce utility costs, turning down the thermostat and unplugging devices were most popular with nearly half of those surveyed (48% and 47%, respectively).

5 Combimates and one Samsung Galaxy tablet up for grabs See page 53

Big earners

Cowboys sentenced for unsafe gas fires Two self-employed fireplace installers have been sentenced after carrying out unregistered gas work. Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that from August 2015 to February 2017, Karl Welsh and James Allen installed new gas fires in three North West domestic properties, despite not being Gas Safe registered.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that substandard and, in some cases, dangerous gas work was undertaken at the properties. Gas Safe inspectors attended all three properties and found that two of the properties had installation defects that were immediately

dangerous, one of which was spilling excessive carbon monoxide into the room.

Karl Welsh of Skelmersdale, Lancashire, and James Allen of Radcliffe, Bury, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 3(1), 3(3) and 5(3) of the Gas Safety Regulations 1998. Both were given a 10 month suspended sentence and 150 hours unpaid community work, with Welsh ordered to pay £2200 toward the costs and Allen £1000.

One of the victims was Ken Ashcroft, a 70-year-old pensioner, who described to The Lancashire Post how his gas fire ‘exploded’ and he was left with a £4000 repair bill.

Speaking about his experience, Ashcroft

said: “At this point the fire had been on for four hours. There was a bang behind the fireplace and there was a terrible smell. The fireplace was red hot. If we had not come across it when we did, we would have been in serious trouble.”

Experts found that the heat-proof blocks surrounding the fire were not the correct blocks, explaining the loud bang.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Jennifer French said: “All gas work must be done by registered Gas Safe engineers to ensure the highest standards are met to prevent injury and loss of life. HSE will not fail to take the appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

Known for having the longest pleasure pier in the world, Southend-on-Sea is also where plumbers will find the best remuneration for their hard work. According to a study from Crusader Vans, plumbers operating in this seaside town have the highest average salary in the country, earning around £34,000 per annum. Southend also claims the distinction of second place for offering the highest average salary across all the trades, with its £32,000 coming in just behind London’s £36,000. Bringing up the rear is Bradford, where the average salary for plumbers clocks in at £26,800, the lowest in the country.

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February 2019

NEWS Review Inside this issue Gas survey shows public confusion Pipes, Fittings & Valves Are you using the best material for drainage pipes and fittings? – a round-up of the options

See page 27

Light Commercial Heating Why micro-CHP systems could provide a solution for a wide range of commercial buildings

Starts page 37

Radiators & Towel Warmers How installers can profit from growing consumer interest in designer radiators

Starts page 43

Fires, Chimneys & Flues The environmental benefits of pellet stoves and a look at the expanding market for alfresco fireplaces

Starts page 48

The Technical Magazine for the Plumbing, Heating & Air Movement Industry

Incorporating: Plumbing & Heating News Plumbing & Heating Equipment News

While nearly 90% of people are aware they need to contact a Gas Safe registered heating engineer in the event of their gas boiler developing a fault or breaking down, 27% say that the credentials they would ask for would be evidence of CORGI registration – that’s according to a recent independent survey conducted by Ariston.

The survey presented respondents with a list of possible contacts in the event of a gas boiler fault which, in addition to a Gas Safe heating engineer, included a plumber, the gas board, CORGI or a local handyman.

Commenting on the results, Victoria Gutierrez, Marketing Manager at Ariston, says: “It is encouraging to see the majority of respondents are aware of the importance of using a Gas Safe registered heating engineer. However, there is still some confusion among consumers regarding installers’ safety credentials.

The fact that over a quarter of respondents to our survey still believe CORGI accreditation is required indicates more needs to be done regarding consumer awareness.”

The survey was conducted in association with The Sun newspaper during Gas Safety

5

Editor’s Viewpoint

by Chris Jones

Energy bills will focus minds Week in September last year.

Prior to this survey being conducted, Gas Safe Register had already revealed the results of its own research that suggests that only two in five people (41%) hiring a gas engineer were actually taking the time to check they’re letting a fully qualified professional into their home.

The same research also showed that gas engineers are more likely to be trusted than other trades, including electricians, joiners and carpenters, to work in homes without being asked to provide their ID. In response, to the findings of its survey, Ariston has added a consumer advice page to its website, while the company will also be conducting more gas safety focused initiatives during the forthcoming months. Its ‘Be Gas Safe Aware’ advice page can be found in the ‘homeowner’ section of the company’s website.

The Government’s recent introduction of a price cap to limit energy bills was always likely to be more successful in winning short-term popularity than it would be in providing a practical solution to reducing costs for UK households. Analysts are predicting that bills could rise by as much as £100 in April when Ofgem revises the cap this month (7th February), and with six monthly reviews set to take wholesale costs into account, attempts to hold back the upward curve could prove ineffectual.

With statistics suggesting that fuel poverty continues to be a real problem in many parts of the country, rising energy costs is one headache that some families could do without. However, without wanting to downplay the real hardship that this may cause to some hard-pressed households, it is hard to ignore that there is an upside to the price rises. Bigger energy bills help to encourage people to take energy saving measures more seriously and are likely to nudge homeowners into weighing up the benefits of investing in more energy efficient appliances.

Our front page story this month highlights a recent survey that suggests that more than half of respondents believe that replacing their ageing boiler would be high on their list of priorities when it comes to reducing their energy costs. Underfloor heating is also thought to be a popular ‘green’ home improvement idea, while a high proportion of people now recognise the value of paying more for a property that is considered to be energy efficient.

Naturally, if wholesale energy prices were to fall, then spending priorities may well be diverted elsewhere, but all the indicators suggest that our energy bills are only going to go in one direction.

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Published by: Pinede Publishing | 16/18 Hawkesyard Hall, Armitage Park, Nr Rugeley, Staffordshire WS15 1PU Tel: 01889 577222 | Fax: 01889 579177 Email: info@phamnews.co.uk www.phamnews.co.uk Managing Editor Chris Jones Assistant Editor Carol Hitchcock Publishers Chris Evans Russ Jackson

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© Copyright 2019 | Plumbing, Heating & Air Movement News All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without written consent from the publisher. Attributed articles represent the views of the Author(s) and are not the necessarily those of the Editor.

The publishers accept no responsibility for claims made by manufacturers or advertisers. This magazine includes a number of colour editorial photographs paid for by suppliers.

Chart-topping boyband Blue has been signed up by Ideal Boilers to front its 2019 campaign to engage consumers and installers. The band – who sold 16 million albums with hits such as ‘One Love’, ‘All Rise and ‘Fly By’ – star in a new series of tongue-in-cheek TV ads for the Hull-based manufacturer.

The campaign, called Find Your Ideal Match, launched on ‘Blue Monday’ – 21st January 2019 – across social media and other platforms and highlights the benefits of a 12 year warranty and the wide range of boiler options available. The creative will then run as 30 second TV adverts from February as part of a national campaign. Blue star as ‘match makers’ in the humorous ad spots, designed to raise awareness of the Ideal brand with consumers, in turn making it easier for installers across the UK to offer the company’s boilers to their customers.

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NEWS Review

Alarm check Test it Tuesday is the name of a new campaign by Aico to encourage people to test their alarms weekly. A short video is at the heart of the campaign, which is being shared across social media platforms including LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Although smoke and CO alarms need very little maintenance, it is important that they are regularly tested.

Neal Hooper, MD of Aico, says: “We produce quality smoke and CO alarms, but no matter what brand of alarm you have, it’s important to test them. ‘Test it Tuesday’ is an easy-to-remember phrase, and the upbeat, concise video really drives the message home: test your alarms every week to ensure all components of the alarm are working.”

Industry reacts to Defra’s Clean Air Strategy Last month, Defra published the Government’s Clean Air Strategy 2019, which sets out a multi-front approach to reducing harmful air pollutants in England. In addition to tackling emissions from transport, agriculture and industry, the plan also takes aim at emissions from domestic solid fuel heating and sources of indoor air pollution such chemicals found in carpets, upholstery, paint, and personal care products.

The impact of the Government’s plan on the HVAC sector is set to be wide ranging, eliciting a range of responses from industry players. Some have welcomed the ‘bold new goal’ to reduce air pollution, while others believe it does not go far enough.

Domestic heat HETAS has emphasised a point in the Strategy that says not all forms of domestic burning are equally polluting. Type of appliance, how well they are used and

Winner takes all The grand prize winner of Bristan’s ‘Merry Bristmas’ promotion is plumbing and heating engineer Richard Lyons of Gas Fixer. Richard received £500 worth of Bristan products, a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, and an Amazon Echo Dot. Over 800 participants entered the competition by simply joining Bristan’s mailing list, and along with Richard, ten fortunate plumbers also received special runner-up bundles.

Commenting on his win, Richard says: “I was absolutely gobsmacked when I was told I was the winner. You never really expect it to happen to you! I will be using the £500 worth of Bristan product on Easyfit taps and the new range of sinks. This is particularly important to me as, due to an accident, I have limited mobility in my arm, and Easyfit products have made all the difference to my working life – they’re all I ever fit.”

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maintained, along with what fuels are burned can all make a big difference to how much pollution is produced.

Speaking for HETAS, CEO Bruce Allen says: “We welcome the Clean Air Strategy, and industry is working together to ensure that the right stoves and the right fuel are part of the solution for air quality, not part of the problem.

We have already seen the launch of Woodsure’s Ready to Burn scheme,

which has a large number of accredited suppliers, and HETAS is updating its list of approved smokeless fuels to meet future legislation requirements.”

According to the strategy document, burning wood and coal in open fires and stoves makes up 38% of the UK’s primary emissions of fine particulate matter. The key actions to tackle this problem include prohibiting the sale of polluting fuels like wet wood and traditional house coal, and

giving new powers to local authorities to take action in areas of high pollution.

Jeremy Fry, Chairman of Specflue, says the Ecodesign Directive would help eliminate the lowest performing wood burners from the market. “The upshot is that the latest wood burning stoves are helping to mitigate the impact of fossil fuels and create cleaner air. Wood is a sustainable, renewable energy source that is virtually carbon neutral. Indeed, the official government software used to measure the energy efficiency of homes (SAP) shows that it beats electricity, oil and gas on environmental performance.”

Indoor air quality Ventilation manufacturers have welcomed the Government’s focus on indoor air quality. Jenny Smith, Marketing Manager at Vent-Axia, comments: “We are pleased to see that the strategy addresses the significance of good IAQ and highlights the

importance of good ventilation in achieving this.”

The strategy document suggests a number of practical ways to reduce indoor air pollution arising from VOCs (volitile organic compounds).

These include switching to lower VOC household items, such as unperfumed cleaning products. It also recommends ensuring homes are well ventilated to avoid the accumulation of emissions from multiple sources.

Carbon question Though ambitious in scope, the Clean Air Strategy does not address emissions from gas boilers, a point raised by industry veteran and MD of Green Heat, Peter Thom. He comments: “Surprisingly, there is no mention of NOx or carbon emissions from older gas boilers. There is a real opportunity here to get momentum for another boiler scrappage scheme, but we need to get the industry mobilised again.”

Scoop a softshell jacket Claim a free Snickers softshell jacket from Joule UK with the purchase of a Cyclone Air cylinder or a complete, designed InvaVent ventilation system between 1 January and 31 March 2019. Claims can be made by completing a simple online form by 30 April. Further details can be found at www.jouleuk.co.uk/promotions David Klages, MD at Joule, says: “We wanted to say thank you to our loyal installers. Their support has enabled us to become the fastest-growing unvented cylinder manufacturer in the UK, while also helping us to lead the way in ventilation and heating.”

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NEWS Review

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Winter fixes that can reduce call outs New London centre extends coverage A new survey from HomeServe shows that two in three Brits are turning to online videos and tutorials to help with simple repairs around the home, such as what to do when faced with frozen condensate. The survey coincides with HomeServe’s new suite of online how-to videos for simple winter fixes around the home.

According to the survey, less than half of the UK population are confident shutting off the stopcock in their homes (47%) or bleeding a radiator, with only 30% of 25 to 34-year-olds prepared to take on the task, compared

to 73% of people aged 65 or more. Less than a third of people claim to be confident in tackling a blocked drain and only 13% admitted they would be happy to defrost their outdoor condensate pipe.

In total, 80% of Millennials say the internet is their best source for tackling repairs, turning to self-help, instructional videos online to help them, with 74% of 25 to 34-year-olds, 66% of

35 to 44-year-olds, and 53% of 65-year-olds and over admitting to doing the same.

“During the Beast from the East in 2018, we took hundreds of thousands of extra calls in a couple of weeks around condensate pipe problems, and a simple self-fix can really help prevent this,” says John Greaves, Brand Director at HomeServe. “That’s why we’ve launched a suite of new selfhelp videos so that people can take some basic steps to prevent some common winter problems in their homes.”

The videos can be accessed on HomeServe’s website: living. homeserve.com/videos

Cashback offer on smart showers A £50 cashback offer is now available from Grohe on purchases across 18 model specifications of the company’s one-box SmartControl Shower systems. This includes exposed, concealed, ‘excealed’ and Euphoria styles, with choices of round and square trims and shower heads.

The extensive range of SmartControl models and specifications can be found on the website (www. grohe.co.uk) or, alternatively, Grohe offers an online configurator tool where customers input their preferred

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style and requirements to find the best model to suit the project at hand.

The cashback offer is available on qualifying SmartControl purchases from a verified retailer, and claims can be made directly through the Grohe website.

The offer applies to purchases made from 1st January until the 31st May 2019, with all claims to be made by 30th June 2019. Find out more by visiting: www.grohe. co.uk/en_gb/smartcontrol-shower-cashback

Makita UK has opened a third regional Factory Service Centre (FSC) in the London borough of Hounslow. This new FSC joins Makita’s HQ facility in Milton Keynes and the Glasgow centre. The power tool manufacturer says that investing in the building of these dedicated FSCs is part of its commitment to offering improved national coverage for the benefit of customers.

While these facilities

provide technical repairs and maintenance services for all mains and cordless construction machines, they also offer training. It ensures that both authorised distributors and operators are fully conversant with their power tools while helping them to get the best and safest performance from these machines.

For more information on the services provided by the FSCs, visit www.makitauk.com

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February 2019

10 NEWS Review Competition for apprentices Warm thoughts

Giving to charity Last year, staff at Grant UK raised £3000 for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice, a charity that the company has supported since 2016.

Employees participated in a variety of fund raising events, from speciality lunches and bake sales through to a staff raffle.

The events included a ‘Great Grant Bake Off’, the celebration of ‘National Doughnut Day’ and supporting the Julia’s House annual Winter Ball.

The oil boiler and heat pump manufacturer has

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also announced that it will be supporting Wiltshire Air Ambulance throughout 2019.

The Air Ambulance provides a vital emergency service in Wiltshire and surrounding counties.

“Grant UK is proud to support local charities, and our employees are central to the fund raising activities here,” says MD Paul Wakefield. “Our 2019 charity schedule is underway so we hope that our fund raising will help keep their vital air ambulance flying for many more years to come.”

In its first nationwide advertising campaign, Intergas Boilers will be hitting the airwaves on digital radio station Heart 80s.

Using the slogan ‘We keep you warm’, it will target installers and customers with the message about its engineering features.

Intergas’s Terri Taylor says: “Our best advertisement are our loyal installers who appreciate the engineering that makes our boilers simple, efficient and reliable, and they tell their customers. But we need to reach more of them, which is why we’re using a combination of radio and social media.”

The search is underway for the 2019 HIP UK Heating Apprentice of the Year. Now in its eleventh year, this showcase of young plumbing talent is an opportunity for student plumbers to connect with each other and with industry experts. Regional heats conclude this month, with one winner from each of the seven regions, along with the highest runner-up, going on to the grand final.

Alongside the prestige for both the winning student and their college, there’s a list of prizes worth up to £10,000 up for grabs. The prizes have been donated by well-known industry names including Platinum sponsor ADEY, Gold sponsor Stanley, Silver sponsor Vaillant, and Bronze sponsors WAGO, Graham The Plumbers’ Merchant, Pegler Yorkshire, Mira Showers, Corgi, Wilo and WaterSafe.

“This competition has provided life-changing opportunities for apprentices,” says Celia Matthews, owner of HIP Magazine.

“Many competitors have gone on to very successful employment or to own their own businesses, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2019’s participants.”

For more information, visit: www.hip-magazine.co.uk/ events

Get free commissioning The free commissioning offer from Ideal Commercial Boilers has been extended into 2019 and covers all Evomax, EVO S, Imax Xtra, Imax Xtra EL and Evomod condensing boiler ranges. Free commissioning can be claimed on installations until the end of this year.

The company says that its com-

missioning service can contribute to reduced customer costs and will ensure that boilers are operating correctly. It also activates the warranty, which can be for up to five years.

Full terms and conditions can be found online: www.idealcommer cialboilers.com

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February 2019

MERCHANT & Distributor News 11 Exhibition attracts Easy’s showroom expansion continues record numbers Yorkshire-based bathroom supplier Easy Bathrooms opened 11 additional showrooms last year, bringing its total to 28 across the UK and boosting staff numbers to 161. In the south of England, new showrooms were unveiled in Bracknell, Chelmsford and Norwich.

The stores help traders by improving their customer’s buying experience in an inspirational showroom for them to browse and make

their bathroom choices.

Further growth is planned for later this year, with an

additional 10 stores set to open their doors over the next 12 months, including

locations across Hayes, Swindon, Milton Keynes and Cheltenham. The expansion will be bolstered by 45 new staff members.

Lauren Fealy, Operations Manager, says: “It’s important to us that we increase choice and keep our finger on the pulse when it comes to trends. The housing market is looking positive, despite Brexit, so we’ll continue to improve our service offering while remaining affordable.”

Sales Director Bill Davies (centre left) with Natalie Orros, National Account Manager at Ideal Boilers, with Gavin Cowley of Aqua-Gas in Hull (left) and Joe Yeardley, ASM at Ideal Boilers (right)

James Hargreaves Plumbing Depot says it welcomed some 800 customers and 60 manufacturers at its most recent trade exhibitions held recently in Leeds and Burnley.

“It was fantastic to see so many people involved, and the attendances provided another indicator of the strength of our progress,” comments Bill Davies, Sales Director at James Hargreaves Plumbing Depot.

“The exhibitions have grown in popularity year on year, but these two certainly set new highs.”

The company has made strides in recent years with a 56-strong branch portfolio now stretching from the Northumberland to Berkshire.

“Our roots are in the North,” adds Bill, “but our strategy to move into other regions, notably the South and Midlands, is paying dividends.

“Our brand is now known on the national scene and the plan is to keep driving forward, with several more branches in the pipeline during 2019.”

Pump stocks up As part of its ongoing pre-Brexit strategy planning, Pump Technology has recently received the first of many deliveries from Jung Pumpen, one of their European suppliers. This is part of the company’s plan to build large stocks which should help to reassure customers that they will always be able to meet demand for just about any pump or system in its range.

MD Jon Barker says: “We always answer the phone personally and have built our reputation for helpful and knowledgeable advice combined with next-day, cost effective supply. This uplift in stockholding will ensure that we can continue to support the market in the coming months.”

Dawlish opening Last month saw the launch of RGB Building Supplies’ new Dawlish plumbing and heating branch. Chairman Colin Worth cut the ribbon to start a week of celebrations.

The dedicated plumbing and heating branch was joined by industry names Strom, Joule, Maincor, and Henrad.

Paul Fleming, Branch Manager at RGB Dawlish, comments: “We’re delighted to bring RGB to Dawlish and would like to thank Colin for cutting the ribbon during the official launch. Our team has a lot of knowledge of the industry and the products

we supply, so we are happy to give advice to those who are taking on projects in their own homes, as well as local trades.”

RGB Dawlish is located in Dawlish Business Park.

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February 2019

12 YOUR Views

£100 STAR LETTER Skill shortage issue Yet another call, I see, for urgent action on skill shortages (Cover story, January 2019, ‘Urgent action needed to address skills shortages’).

I am but a very tiny cog in the wheel of the industry and I have known, for at least 20 years, that a skills shortage was looming and have been trying ever since to make the powers that be listen to us as an industry to address this crisis in a meaningful way.

£10 Le 0 tter

has to be a long term commitment to the needs of youngsters that come through the education system without a clue to what they want to do as a career and are basically fed into university education as the only way forward in life.

It has to be recognised that not all of our youngsters wish to be academics.

There are many that are very talented in other ways and would rather be working with their hands and brains instead.

I have spent most of my working life involved in organisations such as the CIPHE which encourages and promotes professionalism and integrity, and I believe that this philosophy has helped me immensely with my business. I have been a director of Summit Skills, which was a national organisation created to help solve the skills crisis in our sector, and was thwarted by government by not being able to address the skills shortage quickly enough. I have been involved with the Learning Skills Council in Coventry where we tried to address the same issues which were starting to work until this was again quashed by the Government because of time and fi nancial constraints.

The schools and education system is biased in favour of universities due to the way that they are funded, and look at how the universities are growing due to this. It is great that there is innovation and scientific breakthroughs taking place and I recognise the value of that. However, we still need those that can skilfully work with their hands to build these creations.

However, there is no short term solution, which is what Government wants. There

Brian Calcott B Calcott Plumbing and Heating Ltd

I know that some schools have been turned into academies, and this is what is needed. More schools need to adopt the same approach. It is only by allowing our children to work with their hands in woodwork, metalwork and home skills that we, and they, will know whether they are capable or suitable to become the apprentices of tomorrow.

Systemic changes needed to keep the trade healthy

With reference to the cover story in January’s issue of PHAM News (‘Urgent action needed to address skills shortages’): This debacle has been building for decades. It is a direct result of builders and companies dumping their skilled men when construction is completed; also organisations and politicians bringing in excessive bureaucracy, which hinders employment.

Bringing in all these new expenses like workplace pensions just adds to an additional burden onto employers.

Let’s face facts as they stand: It is common practice that when an apprentice fi nishes his time, he is

The suggestion by Paul Rose, the CEO of oil heating body OFTEC, that high carbon oil boilers should continue to be the favoured fuel heating solution for rural householders suffering from fuel poverty was based upon the wildly inaccurate claim that such a system offers ‘the cheapest fuel available to off-grid homes.’ It is a very odd statement to be included in a press release which begins boldly by proclaiming ‘let’s start with some facts’.

Nonetheless, let’s do just that. According to Boilerjuice, the online oil purchasing portal, the average price of oil over the six month period to Dec 31, 2018 was 53.7p per litre. If we assume an energy content of 10.4 kilowatt hours (kWh) per litre and a generous oil boiler efficiency of 80%, the cost of heat is 6.45p per kWh. By contrast, numerous suppliers offer electricity at less than 16p per kWh which means a heat cost of 5.33p per kWh if we assume a modest efficiency of 300% for a ground source heat pump.

Far from being the cheapest option, heat

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from an oil boiler costs 21% more.

Of course, the emergence of dynamic tariffs (which vary electricity charges depending upon the time of use) will permit further savings for the heat pump option, as will the use of heat storage products, smart controls and, in some circumstances, battery storage.

These technologies are all far more worthy of support via the Energy Company Obligation than the continued proliferation of oil boilers and their excessive carbon footprint. And it is certainly excessive.

Using the carbon intensity factors proposed for SAP 10, an oil boiler emits almost five times as much carbon as a ground source heat pump so there is absolutely no justification for their continued use when far more appealing options are available (and sensibly supported by a Government who understands these facts). And we haven’t even talked about air quality.

Mr Rose can come back to the table if synthetic oils ever emerge to reduce the carbon emissions, but the harsh reality for his sector is that other technologies are making bigger strides forward and will offer more compelling choices for those in fuel poverty and beyond. Climate change was caused by oil – oil will not be the saviour.

Simon Lomax MD, Kensa Heat Pumps

As a one man band myself for 37 years, I am never out of work and never in the dole queue. When working on a renovation job, there are other trades there with me. When you ask these tradesmen if they would employ an apprentice, you get a resounding ‘no’. The reasons? Too much hassle.

Their hand is never out of your pockets, i.e. college fees, tools, etc, and if they are no good it is very difficult to get rid of them (this is from personal experience).

If bureaucracy and other barriers were removed, then some of these one man bands might take on an apprentice to pass on their skills and give employment to young people.

Once a person reaches retirement age, they too are dumped on the scrap heap, can’t work even if they are fit to work. Why can they not be used to teach the younger ones the skills they need, so that there would be no skill shortages? We need to change the system.

R.S.Watt Via email

The Tweet spot @PHAMNews

Response to OFTEC’s comments on fuel poverty Simon Lomax, MD of UK heat pump manufacturer Kensa, has responded to comments issued by OFTEC CEO Paul Rose on the subject of fuel of poverty in rural areas, which was posted on the PHAM News website in January (www.phamnews.co.uk/rose):

usually paid off and then our new tradesman fi nds a job with company B. Then, when the contract is finished, he is once again paid off.

Eventually getting fed up with this, he then goes selfemployed and becomes a one-man-band. There are thousands of them in the UK, from John O’Grotes to Land’s End – joiners, electricians, builders, plumbers, etc.

Thomas Parkin @tdplumber Some sexy pipework going on here

Neil Smith Plumbing @neilsmithplumbing First fix pipework pressure tested today. #plumbproud #copper

luca brojban @lucabrojban #happycustomer = #happytrademan or in my case #gasengineer

MD PLUMBING SERVICES @MD_PLUMB Old skool Domextra water softener found in a loft space today. Don’t think the salt’s been changed in a while.

Luke @LP_KJQ Not what you want to see when lifting a floorboard

Heatme Plumbers @HEATME_LTD Why? #PlumbingDisaster

Let us know what you think...

The Editor welcomes letters from readers on all aspects of the industry. Letters can be sent by email or post but must have a return name, phone number and address (not for publication).

Send your email to:

editor@phamnewsedit.co.uk

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February 2019

PEOPLE on the Move Comap UK has announced the appointment of Greg Banham (pictured) as MD, who takes the reigns from Nick Horton.

Coming from Altecnic, Greg previously spent many years as European Sales Director at Fernox. His new role will see him responsible for the UK subsidiary of European industrial group Comap. A large part of his focus will be the implementation of a solid specification sales strategy.

Elco Heating Solutions has welcomed Stuart Turner as National Sales Manager. Having worked in the commercial heating industry for over 35 years, he has a wealth of experience and knowledge in all aspects of the sector. He joins from Hamworthy Heating, where he held the role of National Sales Manager since 2008. He will be responsible for growing market share and developing new business.

Fernox has named Carl Allinson as UK and Ireland Sales Director. With over 30 years experience in the industry, Carl brings a wealth of knowledge to the manufacturer of water treatment products. Due to his prior roles within companies such as Ideal Boilers and Stelrad Radiator Group, Carl has worked with Fernox products previously, which helped build his knowledge of what the company has to offer.

RA Tech UK Ltd has appointed Andy Pattison as Business Development Director following a significant period of growth. Andy brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the RA Tech team, having spent more than 30 years in the heating and renewables industry working across a variety of sectors including installation, maintenance, sales and manufacturing.

Domus Ventilation, part of the Polypipe group, has announced the appointment of Shane Leather as National Specification Sales Manager. A key part of Shane’s role is to reintroduce M&C Consultants and specifiers to Domus Ventilation – formerly known as Polypipe Ventilation – and advise on the most suitable and compliant mechanical ventilation system for a project.

Schiedel Chimney Systems has promoted Phil Lowe to the position of Sales Director. Formerly responsible for customer service, training and OEM sales, Phil is now responsible for taking the lead in the development of sales in both the residential and non-residential sectors, as well as exploring new markets driven by Schiedel and gas flue experts, Ontop.

Stelrad has welcomed Richard Fischnaller to its specification team. Richard becomes the Business Development Manager for the south coast area from Bournemouth to Brighton and as far north as Reading. He joins Stelrad from Kingspan Environmental and has experience in the HVAC sector working for numerous companies including Myson Radiators, PTS and Graham Plumbers’ Merchant.

Gary Banham is the newest Sales Manager to join commercial boiler manufacturer Hamworthy Heating.

Having begun his career in 1998 working for Pipe Center in the warehouse, Gary worked his way up to internal sales. Moving to Hydroteck in 2000, he became an expert for scale and bacteria control solutions in a sales and, subsequently, service engineer capacity.

The sales team at InSinkErator has been enhanced with the addition of Phill Quantrell as Area Sales Manager.

Phill will cover London and the South in addition to supporting Sales Director Kevin Carr in the housebuilding and contracts market. He brings a wealth of experience to the new role, having held sales-related positions with Howdens Joinery and Cosentino.

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February 2019

16 CIPHE Viewpoint

PRODUCT Spotlight

Being a member Digital showers: Cecil Grifÿths, owner of Birmingham-based Heat Care Solutions, is a heating engineer with more than 35 years experience in the industry.

Here, Cecil tells PHAM about his career and why he’s proud to be a member of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering.

Why did you choose a career in the plumbing and heating industry?

It was inevitable that I would find my professional path in a trade of some description. My father was a carpenter and I learned early on the personal satisfaction that you get from working with your hands, and he always said to me that if you learn a trade, you will never be out Cecil Griffiths of work. Initially I set my sights on becoming a mechanic, but fate stepped in during the first week of my YTS when there was an opportunity to get some experience in a builder’s yard. A plumber there took me under his wing and showed me what the work involved, and I never looked back. I just took to it. They sent me to college and I put everything I had into succeeding.

In the early years I gathered experience working for a number of heating companies, but the attraction of running my own business was irresistible. So 31 years ago I set out as an independent heating and plumbing engineer and made it my mission to keep learning and growing in my profession. All that hard work paid off. Today, I work across the domestic and commercial sectors for a wide variety of customers. Whether I’m completing a job for a hospital or a hotel or a household, I’m committed to delivering first-class results done to the highest standards.

Why did you choose to become a member of the CIPHE? I think the main appeal of the CIPHE is its dedication to raising industry standards.

They emphasise continuous training and personal development, and these are values we share. I encourage my colleagues in the industry to become members too. In fact, I was once an ‘ambassador for the day’ at a trade show, working on CIPHE’s stand trying to persuade like-minded professionals to join. It’s really not a hard sell, and it was extremely satisfying being a part of that outreach.

What would you say are the main benefits of being a member?

There’s no doubt that having the CIPHE badge is good for business. They don’t hand it out to just anybody – you have to prove you are worthy of it, and it helps you stand out from the crowd. Not all my customers will necessarily know what the CIPHE is, but when they see that emblem on my van or business card, I’m more than happy to tell them what it stands for – it represents best practice and validates my credentials. I’ve worked hard to get where I am today, and I’m proud of that.

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Have you helped any young people into the trade?

Yes, of course. I’ve had a number of apprentices work for me over the years, and they all have achieved their qualifications and stayed active in the trade. Without my apprenticeship, I wouldn’t be where I am today, so I think it’s important to give back and play my part in bringing new blood into the industry. It’s a real point of pride to know I have the qualities and skills to pass on to the next generation so they can go on to produce quality work.

Do you have any views on the current apprenticeship system?

I’ve got my doubts, to be honest. While my lads have been brilliant, on the whole it seems to me that young people are more interested in fashion and entertainment than they are in getting their hands dirty.

The Government is somewhat at fault here for not doing more to promote the value of a trade apprenticeship, but there’s also the problem in schools, who don’t seem to think about anything but university.

The CIPHE works hard on promoting plumbing apprenticeships, and they are also looking to recruit apprentices to their membership rolls. To my mind, this is demonstrating to those young people that they are a part of something important, which is safeguarding the health of the nation by ensuring access to clean water and sanitation.

How do you view the future of the industry?

With more and more technology being engineered into the products we install, there is an ever greater need for us to be aware of our obligations to stay educated and trained to the highest level. There are minimum requirements for us to meet, but to be best at what we do, that is not enough. Where once it was sufficient to be Gas Safe registered, for example, we now have customers who expect their installer to understand smart devices, which requires different knowledge.

For all the boilers that are going in with a standard room stat, there are plenty of customers who want to control their heating by the internet. Do you really want to share that job with someone else who adds on a Nest or a Hive? I don’t. I want to be able to do it all, and that means educating myself and staying at the forefront of an ever-evolving industry.

For more information about becoming a member of the CIPHE please contact Tim Sainty via email (tims@ciphe.org.uk) or call 01708 472 791.

always evolving

Launched in 2001 as the UK’s ÿrst digital shower, the Quartz by Aqualisa has undergone continual development to meet the needs of installers and end users. Here’s a look at the latest upgrades.

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hen Aqualisa’s bi-metallic Thermacoil was coming to the end of its patent, the product development team at Aqualisa began brainstorming options for the next phase of development. Looking towards future bathroom trends, the team decided electronics was the answer, which led to the invention of the UK’s first digital smart shower.

Introduced in 2001, Aqualisa launched the Quartz digital shower, and since then the company has sold a quarter of a million units.

Key considerations Two key groups were considered in the development of Quartz – the installer and the end user. Installers required a product that would be easy to fit, and the end user needed a product that was easy to use.

At the time, installing showers was a lengthy job – a labour intensive process where walls might need to be excavated to make room for pipes, and if there was a pump involved, this job got even lengthier.

Aqualisa realised that by using electronics to operate the mixing valve, it could be installed away from the bathroom, removing any need to break through walls or destroy décor – especially with an exposed or surface mounted version. The mixed water and a control cable still needed a way into the bathroom, and the ‘eureka’ moment came when the team realised that the mixed water and control cable could be located inside the riser rail, which could then be extended into the roof space.

This reduced the installation time by about a third.

To suit both gravity fed and high pressure water systems, Aqualisa designed two smart valve variations so there is an option available for every circumstance. For water-conscious customers, there is also an ‘eco’ mode that can reduce water output by up to 33%.

Temperature selection was a challenge at the time with mixer showers. The manual operation of temperature control could be difficult, with only a small movement required to make quite a sizeable change in water temperature. This could make the ideal temperature difficult to reach.

By utilising electronic technology, Aqualisa ensured that the Quartz control was a much better user experience by making the temperature easier to select, much more precise, and simpler to use.

Design evolution Dedicated to continuous improvement, Aqualisa was determined that Quartz, as the number one best-selling digital shower, stayed at the forefront of style and functionality in the modern bathroom while keeping its reputation for easy installation

The Aqualisa Quartz digital shower

and compatibility with all approved UK domestic water systems.

The new range features a flush, finely contoured control with clean edges in a striking chrome finish. The printed graphic icons on the control fascia have now been replicated and replaced with laser etched ones to create a more durable design and high-quality finish. Improved control engineering on the temperature bezel ensures a smoother glide rotation for ease of operation and functionality, and more precise temperatures.

Sleek and simple A simple on and off push button combined with clear LED lights visually indicating when the shower has reached the desired temperature allows users to have total confidence in the shower they are stepping into. The blue LEDs that have become synonymous with the Quartz range are still featured alongside new onetouch buttons.

Available with the same showering kit, the range comes as a single or dual outlet system with both wall and ceiling fixed shower head options, or bath fill.

These subtle new product developments have been created to ensure that the Quartz shower has a contemporary appeal that meets current trends for sleek, minimalist and sophisticated design. This allows installers to recommend a product they trust that is easy to install and reliable, whilst homeowners will love the new design and operational features that will make their showering experience even more pleasurable and convenient.

Find out more For more information on the new Quartz evolution, visit www.aqualisa.co.uk/Quartz. www.aqualisa.co.uk

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February 2019

TRAINING Update 17 Prize money helps Path to gaining LPG qualifications to refresh college

City College Norwich has upgraded its heating and plumbing facilities thanks to winning the Graham Plumbers’ Merchant College Refresh Scheme.

The £10,000 prize has enabled the college to create two new gas training bays which has improved the delivery of the new L3 Plumbing & Heating Apprenticeship standard and provides the facilities for the college to now begin delivering the L3 Gas Engineering Apprenticeship standard and upcoming T-Levels. City College Norwich also used some of the prize money to replace some older existing equipment. Products were supplied by Graham and Worcester Bosch to ensure the prize money went even further.

“The refresh has exceeded all our expectations,” says Ed Rose, Director of Higher Education and Apprenticeships at City College Norwich. “Simply seeing the students, staff and industry colleagues working together to deliver it was inspirational.”

Practical look at wetroom installs

Wetrooms specialist Impey has announced dates and venues for its 2019 ‘We Are Wetrooms’ UK training tour, which is now in its fourth year. The day-long training sessions are said to be suitable for anyone in the bathroom industry who wants to get some hands-on wetroom installation training, providing a springboard for those looking to capitalise on the continued expansion of the wetroom market.

The first events will take place in Milton Keynes on 10th April, Bournemouth on 17th April, Birmingham on 8th May, Aberdeen on 22nd May, and Cardiff on 26th June.

Further dates are expected for the latter part of 2019.

There is a one-off registration fee of £15 to secure a place, with a maximum of 25 spaces on each course. All attendees have the opportunity to ask questions, try out the available equipment and tailor the participation opportunities to their own skill level. To find out more, or to book a place, visit: www.impeyshowers.com/resources/ wet-room-installer-training

A number of independent training centres across the UK offer LPG qualifications delivered by Calor representatives who provide their expertise to help installers get certified.

There are two key qualifications: The first is ‘CCLP1: Core LPG Safety Training and Assessment’, a required gas safety qualification that can be completed in a few days.

The second qualification is ‘CONGLP1 (PD): Conversion of Natural Gas to LPG’, which allows an installer to convert

their existing natural gas qualifications to equivalent LPG counterparts. There are also courses in bioLPG, a renewable fuel made from

waste materials that produce fewer carbon emissions.

Mark Williams, Training Centre Manager at Your Training & Inspection Centre,

Cardiff, comments: “I would like to express how much of a pleasure it is working in collaboration with Calor.

“Their staff and trainers are professional and comprehensive in their approach with course content, whilst the elements are not overcomplicated.

“The trainer fully engages the class and ensures that all have a full understanding and a great experience. We look forward to working with them in the future.”

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Help from APHC to pay for training To help industry professionals acquire new skills and enhance existing ones, the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) offers a reward scheme operated via its registered charity, APHC Training Ltd. Running throughout 2019, the scheme enables plumbing and heating companies to claim up to £150 towards the cost of a certified training course completed through a recognized provider such as BPEC, City & Guilds, Logic Certification, NICEIC and all UKAS-approved ACS providers.

APHC has 100 rewards to give away in 2019, limited to 25 rewards per quarter and one reward per company.

In order to receive the reward, companies are required to apply before completing the course and then, once they have finished, they need to send a copy of the training course invoice along with the successful course completion certificate to APHC, which will then pay for the cost of the course, up to £150, into the employer’s business bank account.

For further information or to apply for a training reward, contact APHC on 0121 711 5030.

Specialised valves The Doncaster training facilities at Pegler have been expanded to enable the specialised valve centre to offer more hands-on training with balancing and commissioning valves.

Glenn Schofield, Technical Training Support Manager, says: “We have designed this training facility to simulate real life situations. The room can be used to show what could happen in any commercial or domestic setting.”

A ‘valves wall’ houses a Grundfos Magna 3 pump which delivers a head pressure up to 15m and provides the systems with their requirements depending on learning needs. The training covers differential pressures and how to deal with them, what effects control valves have on velocity noise and flow rates, and how to lock valves and change flow.

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February 2019

18 EXHIBITION Preview

Looking to the future More than just an exhibition, Futurebuild is an event that pledges to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the UK’s built environment. What follows is a brief guide to the main attractions for professionals in the heating and plumbing industry.

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uilding on the success of Ecobuild, which saw tens of thousands of industry professionals attend the exhibition each year, the organisers have overhauled the annual show into a more ambitious event – Futurebuild. This year will see a greater breadth of the built environment covered by the exhibitors, seminars and conferences, with an emphasis on innovation and sustainability.

It is hoped that Futurebuild will become the industry platform for the fresh thinking and innovations that made Ecobuild so well-respected over the last 15 years. However, under the new banner, it will have more focus, impetus and purpose.

Martin Hurn, MD of Futurebuild Event Ltd, explains: “Futurebuild 2019 represents everything we set out to achieve. It will be an event for the industry, by the industry, and 100% committed to championing innovation and sustainability for the future of the built environment.”

Ecobuild focus Referencing its previous identity, a dedicated Ecobuild conference will be central to Futurebuild 2019. The arena will see industry experts, academics, community leaders and politicians come together to debate and explore cutting-edge thinking around the most critical social and

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environmental issues. A series of curated exhibits will immediately surround the arena, acting as a discussion point for key sustainability topics. Ecobuild will be an ideas forum which acts as a centre point of the event and which is dedicated to shaping the agenda and making recommendations across all aspects of sustainability.

Positioning Ecobuild at the heart of Futurebuild will allow the conference and neighbouring showcases to firmly focus on sustainability. It will also give the rest of Futurebuild the flexibility to focus on wider construction issues as defined by industry feedback and input, including the skills gap, digital adoption and procurement.

Head for the Hubs Eight ‘Futurebuild Hubs’ have been created to bring industry together to flesh out the big thinking and facilitate practical delivery. Each dedicated to a crucial aspect of the built

Opening Times in March: Tuesday 5th 10.00 – 18.00 Wednesday 6th 10.00 – 18.00 Thursday 7th 10.00 – 16.00

environment, the Hubs will host cutting-edge exhibitors and deliver comprehensive content and educational programmes, including evidence-based seminars, onsite products, and in-practice demonstrations.

In addition to the Ecobuild hub, other areas that are likely be of interest to those in the HVAC industry include the Buildings Hub, covering all aspects of building, including new-build, retrofit and refurbishment; Energy, including emerging approaches, such as district energy, autonomous buildings and renewables; and Offsite, showcasing the latest thinking and innovations in this growing area of interest for the construction industry.

Getting there Taking place in the first week of March at London’s ExCeL Exhibition Conference Centre in the Docklands, Futurebuild is easily accessible by the DLR. The exhibition is free to visit, but online registration is recommended. Just visit the website: www.futurebuild.co.uk

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February 2019

EXHIBITION Preview Innovation Zone Futurebuild has been announced as an Official UK Government Innovation Partner and will host The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Innovation Zone. The Innovation Zone is aimed to inspire and educate visitors around the Government’s ambitious clean growth initiatives, and how to access funding and support from BEIS and Innovate UK. This area of the show will highlight the innovation and opportunity presented by the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy, its proposal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the nation by building a lower-carbon future.

The Innovation Zone will shed light on the Government’s work in delivering on the Clean Growth Strategy and focus on the commercialisation of innovative clean energy technologies and processes.

The Zone will provide a platform for knowledge share and investment in a lower carbon economy. There will also be a ‘Business Bar’ that will provide one-toone business support and education to people with ideas on how they can access available funding and innovation support.

Seminars

practical application of measures against the overheating caused by improved levels of glazing and insulation as well as inadequate ventilation strategies. Taking place on 6 March from 10:30 - 11:40am in the Buildings Hub theatre.

‘The future of Building Regulations energy efficiency standards’: This seminar will provide insights into the technical scope of the Government’s review of the energy efficiency standards arising from the consultation on Part L. Peter Rankin, technical policy lead for Part L, will set out the Government’s plans for consulting on an uplift to the energy efficiency standards of the Building Regulations. The session will give an insight into the technical scope of the review, including the potential impact of the decarbonising electricity grid, and evolving energy performance metrics. A further topic of discussion will be the wider, often unintended, impacts of increasing energy efficiency standards and how these might be considered in the review. Taking place on 7th March from 13:30 - 14:30 in the Energy Hub theatre.

Exhibitors At the heart of the show are the exhibitors, described by Futurebuild organisers as an unrivalled collection of world-leading suppliers in the six themed Futurebuild Hubs. While not all exhibitors will be of interest to installers, there are a few notto-miss manufacturers showing off their latest products and technology.

The seminar programme will be casestudy driven. The CPD accredited seminars provide the latest thinking on the key themes of buildings, interiors, materials, offsite, urban infrastructure, waste and the circular economy. All are free of charge. The following are suggested seminars for PHAM readers: ‘User-led smart heat’: Learn about the future of heat in this session with the Association of Decentralised Energy (ADE). Chaired by Tim Rotheray, Director at ADE, the panel will consider ways to decarbonise heat through innovative methods such as energy as a service, heat networks and smart domestic heating.

Taking place on the 5th of March from 12:00 13:10 in the Energy Hub theatre.

‘Designing out the risks of overheating’: Gain an insight into the Good Homes Alliance overheating research and other new tools and guidelines. Lynne Sullivan, OBE and Chair of the Good Homes Alliance, will facilitate a discussion around the

Thermal imaging specialist Flir will highlight one of its most recent cameras, the FLIR E53. This is an entry-level model in the company’s Exx-Series that brings advanced thermal imaging within the reach of many more building professionals. A number of other cameras will also be on display for visitors to gain hands-on expereince.

Other exhibitors of note include: Aquabion, Douglas Delabie, Go Geothermal, Intatec, Marley Plumbing & Drainage, Nu-Heat, Omnie UFH, Siamp, Vaillant and Zip Heaters.

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February 2019

20 GADGETS & Tools Carbide turns you into a blade runner The new range of carbide technology blades from Bosch is designed to cut through the toughest of materials.

The eleven blades are made to fit sabre saws, and the carbide technology enhances cutting strength, durability and longevity.

Bosch says these blades are cost effective, too, because they have a cutting life that is up to 20 times longer than standard blades. The carbide technology delivers a cutting action that is faster and less tiring for the tool operator.

Among the available blade types is the Bosch Professional Endurance for Heavy Metal.

This blade is designed to

tackle high strength steels.

It will also slice through heavy gauge cast iron. The blade’s extra wide body and

extra thickness deliver both precision and stability while cutting.

Also available is the Progressor for Wood and Metal. It is particularly suitable for cutting through wood that contains nails or screws, or wood combined with stainless steel sheet.

This blade’s progressive tooth geometry means it performs exceptional cutting through both thick and thin materials.

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Easy twist to cut corrugated pipes The TwistCut corrugated pipe cutter from pliers specialist Knipex makes it safe, quick and easy to cut corrugated pipes to the perfect length, and with model 90 22 02 SB you can strip wire too.

For corrugated pipes with diameters of 13-32mm, simply squeeze the two half-shells with slight pressure, turn, and job done. It has recessed blades so you can’t slice your fingers on anything sharp and the double sided guide means it is easy to make an exact flush cut without

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damaging any internal cables (the cut is always at the top of the corrugation).

Model 90 22 02 SB comes complete with a wire stripping function. Location ridges allow cables to be quickly and correctly inserted and the easy-to-read length scale means all cables can be evenly stripped to a consistent length by both left and right handed users. The TwistCut enhances safety in the workplace and makes it easy to work in tight spaces PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No. www.knipex.com 106

Crossed lines give the straight results Makita has introduced four new Cross Line lasers to its CXT range of power tools which are said to be packed with invaluable functions for accurate interior measuring and alignment.

Both of the new selflevelling 12vMax Cross Line CXT models – the SK105DZ with red laser, and the SK105GDZ with green laser – offer clear line visibility of up to 25m and 35m respectively, and 80m with the detector

laser in pulse mode, a function that also helps to reduce battery consumption.

The increased return of the cross lines in both vertical and horizontal directions, as well as in tilt, means that the projection of the lines is visible to the front surface and projected back across the ceiling, floor and side walls of a room, making them ideal for stud work or pipework.

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BUSINESS Matters

How to manage a mobile workforce Gary Jones from service management software company Service Geeni explains how cloud-based service technology can help the heating and plumbing industry manage its mobile workforce.

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asted time can be a big problem for any heating and plumbing business.

Whether that’s time lost on the road, jobs that overrun, or turning up to a job without the required parts.

What’s more, all too often your plumbers and heating engineers are wasting valuable time through no fault of their own. We might say that a bad workman blames his tools, but hours are being lost because more often than not the digital tools being used are just not up to scratch.

What this means is that your team is as likely to be as frustrated as you are. Let’s face it, an employee who ends their day on time, knowing they have been productive is likely to be much happier than one that hasn’t been given the resources they need to do their job correctly.

Of course, when employees are unhappy, that’s when they look elsewhere, so inefficient practices could have a negative impact on your staff satisfaction and retention levels. And I don’t have to tell you the impact such wastefulness has on your customers.

The good news is that, with the right technology, unproductive working practices can become a thing of the past. And that’s why today’s heating and plumbing companies are using business grade SaaS to help with a wide range of tasks.

What is SaaS? SaaS is short for Software-asa-Service, and it describes any service that is delivered via the internet (e.g. Google Apps, Netflix, Facebook, Salesforce, etc.). Today, service-led businesses of all types and sizes are using SaaS to help with a wide range of tasks – from quoting jobs to invoicing.

But how can it help you to get the best out of your mobile workforce? Well, one of the key reason SaaS has become so popular is that it significantly reduces the

time your staff spend on paperwork. And that applies to back office staff and those out in the field.

For example, because everything is available via the cloud, your employees can fill in automated forms using any mobile device. This information then syncs with your back office systems, in real-time. Not only does this mean that you’ll spend less time chasing your teams to keep their paperwork upto-date but it also provides positive benefits when it comes to tracking compliance.

Moreover, because everything they need can be accessed remotely, your mobile workers no longer need to come into the office to share business-critical information.

Job details and supporting info can be sent to them via their mobile devices at the start of each day (with updates sent as needed). As such, they can get started quickly and spend less time travelling to and from your office.

You can also save time between jobs with the ability to allocate work by location, urgency, etc.

Another key benefit of SaaS is that it can help you to get the right people to the right jobs, with the right tools. Because in addition to being able to allocate jobs by expertise, you can also use cloud-based software to help with stock, purchasing, and fulfilment.

So, your people have access to all the equipment and parts they need as and when they need them.

Van tracking There is another way that SaaS can help to enhance the productivity and efficiency of your business. With vehicle tracking software you’ll always know where your field workers are. This allows you to provide regular updates to customers on arrival times.

And by storing and analysing this data, you can optimise future schedules to improve service and efficiency.

But the benefits don’t stop there. SaaS also leads to reduced downtime by empowering more predictive maintenance. This means you can move away from a breakfix model, spend more time on scheduled jobs and predictable maintenance contracts, and reduce the unpredictability of urgent work (and the impact this has on your workforce).

Ultimately, the more SaaS is used, the more productive people become. And the stats back this up, with a report finding that while 70% of non-SaaS users reported feeling productive, this shot up to 96% with SaaS users.

What’s more, 74% of staff whose companies invest in SaaS expressed happiness at work compared to just 19% on non-SaaS users.

So, if you want to manage your mobile workforce better, improve the customer experience and make your employees happy, investing in SaaS looks like being a smart choice.

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22 STEP by step

Electric shower setup For an easy and affordable shower upgrade, Mira offers its new electric Mira Meta, with good looks that appeal to the consumer and simple installation that will make plumbers happy.

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he latest electric shower from Mira is described as combining superior functionality and affordability with style. The Mira Meta comes with a whole host of features and benefits, including separate temperature and flow controls, push buttons for ease of use, a choice of three settings, flexible fittings for easy installation and adjustment, and a 110mm, 3-spray handset with rub-clean

nozzles. For installers, Mira says, the Meta is not only a style-led option from a trusted consumer brand, it’s also easy to install, using the same process as other Mira products, and has easy-fit fi xtures and fittings with flexible screw centres for the slide bar.

Here we provide a pictorial overview of how to install the new Mira Meta.

Push the clamp bracket down

Turn off the electrical supply at the mains and situate the shower unit and fittings, leaving a minimum clear distance of 200mm from the ceiling for space for maintenance. Remove the three cover screws at the top and bottom of the unit and remove the cover, service tunnel and bungs.

11 onto the slide rail and push the

1

Present the appliance to the wall and affi x with the supplied screws and wall plugs.

4

Refit the pipe and cable blanking

8 plates and the service tunnel.

slide bar supports onto the bar. Fit the supports over the mounting brackets and adjust the slide bar vertically, ensuring an equal length of the bar protrudes from the top and bottom bracket. Then remove the slide bar assembly to prevent any further movement.

To fit the hose and shower handset, first insert a hose seal into the conical nut of the hose and screw the hose onto the outlet of the shower.

14

Check the inlet filter is in position,

5 then connect the supply pipe.

Install the slide bar assembly

12 onto the mounting brackets and tighten the bolts using the hex key.

2 Determine the direction and

route of the incoming water supply. Add an elbow to the supply pipe and connect as a rising or falling supply. Complete any soldering required away from the appliance.

Now flush through the pipework to wash out any debris before connection. Use the installation template provided along with a spirit level to mark required fixing holes.

Hold the slide rail assembly against the wall in the desired position, checking it is vertical with a spirit level, and use the slide rail brackets as a template to mark the positions of the top and bottom fi xing holes.

9

Turn the water supply on and check the shower unit for leaks. Strip back the outer cable insulation and insert the wires into the terminal block.

Feed the hose through the soap dish and insert the other seal into the other conical nut of the hose and screw onto the shower handset. Place the shower handset into the clamp bracket assembly.

15

6

Finally, make sure that the control dials are aligned with the spindles, and replace the cover and tighten the three cover screws.

16

Find out more Using a stud detector, check 3 that the wall behind the fixing holes is clear of wires or pipework.

Then drill the required fixing holes and insert the supplied wall plugs.

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Drill the fixing holes and insert the wall plugs provided. Secure the mounting brackets onto the wall using the wall screws, check for vertical alignment, and then fully tighten.

10

Tighten the screws in the terminal block, making sure the wires are secure and tight.

7

Install the end cap at the top

13 and the soap dish at the bottom of the slide bar.

For more information on the new Mira Meta, just enter the number below on the reader enquiry and registration card inside this month’s issue.

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24 COMPANY Spotlight

Good time to invest in the future The UK’s economic outlook might look uncertain, but wetroom specialist Nicholls & Clarke is upping its investment in its production facilities and new product development. Company Director Richard Hill tells PHAM News why it’s a good time to plan for the future.

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ith widespread concerns about a drop in consumer confidence and current uncertainty surrounding Britain’s future trading relationships, UK manufacturer and distributor Nicholls & Clarke might be forgiven for reigning in any expansion plans, but a significant rise in investment over the last 12 months tells a very different story. Last year Company Director Richard Hill saw N&C launch 85 new products and 2019 looks set to being equally productive. So what is the thinking behind the company’s growth strategy?

“It’s about future-proofing the business,” explains Director Richard Hill. “We have a strategy to grow profitably, using all of our factories and our brands. Our business has a history of out-performing the marketplace when times are hard. We are quick to react and we have a good team that works hard. As markets toughen, we tend to accelerate with our product launches and bring more into the market and make ourselves more interesting to our customers. It’s worked well for us in the past and it’s working well for us now.”

The company owns four factories – three in the UK and one in the Czech Republic – and prides itself on the fact that the vast majority of what it sells originates from its own production facilities. Perhaps unusually for modern businesses, it is also able to boast that its investment plans are all self-funded, with no need to seek credit or borrow from the bank.

“We self-fund everything we do,” confirms Richard.

“We’re a £70m turnover business with a very strong balance sheet, so we don’t have any borrowings. We generate cash, we run the business sensibly, we invest the cash in the business and move forward in a measured way. We invest where we can, when we can.”

The company has invested significantly in its infrastructure in recent times and last year saw the building of a new transportation hub, as well as a

50,000ft2 distribution extension to its head office in Chadwell Heath, Essex. Furthermore, the business has invested over £500,000 in its existing fleet of commercial vehicles, including an additional investment into a digital communications system for their transportation network, and over £2 million in manufacturing.

“We have introduced several new products throughout the year, so we need to invest in our manufacturing capability,” says Richard. “Not just in volume, but in machinery because a lot of the products we’re manufacturing are more complicated to produce. They are very labour intensive to manufacture, but significant investment in our wetroom manufacturing plant has enabled us to speed up production and increase the volume.”

Complete wetrooms

Nicholls & Clarke has over 30 years experience of the wetrooms market and is now able to offer everything The head office in Chadwell Heath, Essex needed to provide a complete wetroom system, including an extensive range of wetroom screen options. In recent Further expansion years the company has seen particular growth in the Continual product development is a key part of the housebuilder and developer sector, with companies company’s growth strategy. “It’s about developing the appreciating the benefits of being able to work with a ‘one core areas where we are experts,” says Richard. “It’s about stop shop’ supplier. keeping our focus on the core areas of the business – “Wetrooms is one part of the market that brings all bathrooms, wetrooms, the tile industry, and glass – and of our manufacturing capabilities together,” Richard not to be distracted by other potential areas that could be explains. “We make the whole lot – everything you see peripheral to what we do.” from the floor up – from the screed in the floor, through A showroom refit programme is also high up on the to the tanking system, the tile adhesives, the grout, the agenda for 2019. N&C Tiles and Bathrooms is the brand, wetroom screens and the brassware. It’s all from us, so we showcasing tiles and bathrooms in equal measure, and can offer a total room solution. We also offer a significant the company currently operates 18 stores around the range of N&C branded shower valves.” country, from Plymouth to Glasgow. Any plumber or Customer confidence – trust in the reliability of contractor can visit the stores and can benefit from 30wetroom systems – day trade accounts. They is also an important can also take up the option “Our business has a history of out-performing of having their products factor in generating the the market when times are hard” delivered to site by N&C’s rise in demand from fleet of 100-plus vehicles. housebuilders. “They no “Ever since the recession longer consider them a risk or a novelty,” says Richard, “and there are rarely any in 2008 we’ve worked very hard to pick up more trade issues if we work with a housebuilder at the design stage. business from the stores and we’re now 50% trade,” says Many housebuilders also like the fact that we are a British Richard. “Plumbers like it because they can send their manufacturer. It is a significant factor for a number of customers down to our store. They will be well looked them, partly I think because in the event after and we will be guided by the plumber as to what of there being any issues, they know we’re they would like us to do, pricing wise, specification-wise, close to hand.” etc. It works really well. The stores have retail pricing, but Ease of installation is another reason for plumbers can have trade terms set up on their credit acN&C’s success in the wetroom market and count. It doesn’t matter where they go, they will get their recent additions to the range, such as the terms guaranteed.”

Premier Infinity Shower Deck, have helped Dealing with uncertainty to cement the company’s reputation. The patented design features a slider drain While recognising that the ongoing uncertainty system – a factory fitted waste outlet which surrounding Brexit is not good for the market, N&C is can be moved along by the installer to align confident that it can weather any storm and has taken the waste in the correct position for easy, steps to ensure that it will not let customers down.

“The reality is that we will have to make it work,” says fuss-free installation. The sliding action of the outlet means the deck can be sited Richard. “We have the capacity to increase stockholding, in a convenient position where obstacles but we have no need to at the moment. We hold finished such as a joist can be avoided. The deck goods of all our products and we’ll take a view as to also features against-the-wall drainage whether we need to boost our stockholding to ensure to achieve a discreet, seamless finish and supply to our customers. And if we need to do that, we built-in gradients for the swift removal of will. Whatever happens with Brexit and the rest, it’s water. important to push forward and remain positive. As a The company’s self-adhesive tanking business we have well over £10m worth of stock on the system also helps to save on installation ground today in the UK, but if that needs to be increased, time. The installer needs simply to peel so be it. If that’s what is needed to look after our customer the back off the tanking sheet and stick it base, that’s what we’ll do.” down, with no need to wait for a waterproof PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No. www.nichollsandclarke.com 111 The Premier Infinity shower deck includes an adjustable waste outlet membrane to dry before tiling.

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February 2019

PIPES, FITTINGS & Valves 27

Working with the right material Is a reluctance to move away from traditional materials holding back the market for drainage pipes and fittings? Greg Austin, Assistant Product Manager at Geberit, discusses the five key materials and what installers need to know before making a purchasing decision.

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nstallers are notoriously busy, and with ever-squeezed project budgets, it is inevitable that some of their installations will feature the same materials time and time again because they work at the right cost, without impacting efficiency. But what if there is a better solution? What if there is a material with enhanced acoustic performance, better cost-savings and greater installation efficiencies?

One such example is the soil and waste drainage system – clearly a critical part of any building, and one in which failure could be costly, disruptive and unpleasant for an installer’s client. Yet, despite continued innovation and development of materials, many installers will still stick to the material they used in the last project.

Each material choice comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, but before I explore the merits of five specific materials in more detail, it is important to consider the demands of drainage pipes – and how this will impact product selection.

Effective drainage There are the obvious considerations, like acoustic performance, flexibility of installation, lifespan of the pipe, and cost, which encompasses both the material cost and installation cost. Pipes can be connected using either mechanical clamps, push fitting, solvent welding, butt welding or electrofusion welding, depending on the material choice.

We must also consider the smoothness of the pipe bore and the hydrophobicity of the inner pipe – how well it repels water and therefore avoids blockages. For metallic pipes we must factor in susceptibility to corrosion, including whether any coatings are required.

Now let us examine five material options for soil and waste drainage systems: enhanced polypropylene composite, mineral-reinforced polyethylene, cast iron, HDPE (highdensity polyethylene) and PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

Enhanced Polypropylene Composite is relatively new to the UK market but is the latest demonstration of the UK building products market taking the lead from European product development. The material is proven, has been used for many years in Europe and is now delivering benefits to UK installers.

Geberit Silent-PP is made from mineral reinforced polypropylene, improving the physical properties of the material and achieving first-class acoustics optimisation, effectively reducing the natural vibrations and noise.

Crucially, it is comparative in price to PVC pipes and fittings, which makes it a fantastic choice for acoustically sensitive applications such as close quarter living environments. In fact, enhanced polypropylene may even provide an opportunity to deliver overall project cost savings compared to lagged PVC by reducing or removing the need for lagging on some projects.

Mineral-reinforced Polyethylene is much denser than its HDPE and PVC counterparts and therefore helps to reduce vibrations and noise. Whether it be in a residential complex, a hotel or in a meeting room, noisy discharge pipes are irritating – a problem that is easily eliminated with a waste and drainage system comprised of mineral-reinforced Polyethylene, such as Geberit Silent-db20.

These pipes and fittings, optimised as they are with respect to sound insulation and hydraulics, are suitable for both discharge

stacks and floor connections and ensure quiet and effective drainage in every kind of building.

For mineral-reinforced plastic, there are two main connection methods – butt-welding and electrowelding.

However, electrowelding is recommended to ensure a smooth bore is maintained throughout the system, ensuring minimal noise transfer.

Cast iron is an alloy of iron and carbon that provides intrinsic acoustic properties, as the material is both dense and thick, preventing air transmission. However, it can be more expensive to purchase and install when compared with plastic alternatives. As an iron-based material, it is susceptible to corrosion. And while modern cast iron pipes have more advanced coatings, many older buildings are inevitably facing corrosion issues after 40 or 50 years of service from their original drainage systems.

Most significantly, cast iron pipes are also more likely to build up debris than a plastic pipe due to the roughness of the pipe bore. A new cast iron would typically offer a roughness value (the relative roughness of a pipe against the size of its diameter) of 0.26mm compared to 0.0015mm or below for plastic alternatives.

Through decades of constant use, this surface roughness will gradually worsen, and deposits will start to grip to pitting in the pipe bore. Even with regular cleaning and maintenance programmes in place, this can lead to serious blockages and clogging with cast iron, which will eventually cause leaks if left untreated.

High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) offers a viable alternative to cast iron and is becoming an increasingly popular material for drainage pipes and fittings in high rise developments.

HDPE combines the lightweight flexibility and installation benefits of plastic pipes with the robust, durable properties required for commercial applications. Although HDPE is not the lowest cost material, the initial investment can often be outweighed by reduced maintenance costs and extended system life cycle – not to mention the peace of mind that comes with a strong and reliable welded solution.

HDPE pipes have a smooth bore which is maintained throughout their lifetime, helping to repel any waste that might attach to the inside, and they are reasonably hydrophobic – the interior of an HDPE pipe can often be cleaned thoroughly simply by flushing the toilet or running the tap.

It is also a chemically inert material and insensitive to high water temperatures, able to withstand hot water up to 90°C and even boiling water, unlike PVC which has an upper limit of 75°C. This is particularly important in applications such as hospitals due to the nature of waste deposited through the drainage system.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) does not provide strong acoustic performance, so lagging is often required, with extra time and cost implications. PVC is also a relatively brittle material, particularly in cold weather. Therefore, it is not uncommon with

applications for PVC drainage to be installed, only to be damaged later by subsequent contractors, adding unexpected project costs.

However, currently around 75% of soil and waste pipes and fittings sold in the UK are made from PVC, which is lightweight and easy to attach to walls. Like any plastic pipe it also has a smooth bore, so it’s less likely to experience clogging from a build-up of deposits in the same way as cast iron.

Other considerations Ultimately, the choice of material for waste drainage pipes and fittings will come down to a number of considerations, but the key takeaway is to not rule out different or new acoustically optimised materials.

Importantly, when fitting an acoustic installation, it is not just the drainage system which needs careful consideration.

Try to have as few offsets as possible to reduce the amount of impact zones, thus decreasing the sound. If an offset is necessary, use two 45º bends instead.

Ensure you decouple the whole installation away from the construction of the building. Use rubber lined brackets to absorb the vibrations, as well as sound insulation for pipes coming into contact with the walls and floors. www.geberit.co.uk

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SIMPLIFY PIPE REPAIRING

WINTER SEASON - PIPE DAMAGE CONTROL

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February 2019

28 PIPES, FITTINGS & Valves

The benefits of going heat free Heat free jointing is helping to revolutionise the plumbing industry. Phill Jackson, Business Development Director at Pegler, discusses why heat free has such an impact on the market and explains why good training remains the key to a successful installation.

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eat free has been around for a while now, but it has really begun to dominate the market in the last decade as the clear benefits that it delivers begin to be fully understood and talked about.

Research undertaken by Pegler has shown that over the years there have been many reasons as to what influenced an installer’s decision to use a push or press jointing system. These Phill Jackson, Pegler range from time, cost saving and reduced risk of system failure to education and tradition.

Yet, heat free is now the main factor on system choice for many applications.

Clear advantages This has driven forward push and press installations across the industry and, while the benefits have been far reaching, there has also been some less positive comment suggesting that such technologies have been instrumental in deskilling the industry. As a manufacturer of all jointing technologies, from Yorkshire and capillary to push, press and grooved, in our opinion this is to the contrary, with the benefits, combined with the educational support, being a clear winner.

With no carbon or flux deposits, heat free systems are naturally cleaner. However, pipe preparation is still a key

Tackled within the module are key issues that are now found on many projects where heat is not permissible. The module provides an opportunity to learn about the history and evolution of jointing technology, the development behind the proficiency of the technology, how to make the most of push and press solutions, and looks at projects that have successfully incorporated heat free jointing into their build and even integrated with older existing systems.

This particular module along with many others can be accessed via our online training programme or we can deliver the module to groups of company employees at their offices. This means that training can be tailor-made to a variety of requirements.

CPD training on heat free jointing is available from Pegler

Forward thinking

element of a successful heat free installation. The education and training of this and all elements of the jointing technique process is essential to gain optimal performance. As such, it is important for manufacturers to support the educational sector and provide the materials and tools to ensure that the right information is delivered.

At Pegler we support the industry and evolving needs of individuals in various ways from ‘how to videos’ to in-depth onsite training days. Like other manufacturers, we also offer certified Continuous Personal Development (CPD) programmes on a variety of industry led topics. The importance of these cannot be underestimated for the continued development of skills in the industry.

One such module specifically developed to address the growing needs of the industry and future proof skills that are now required is entitled ‘Benefits of Heat Free Jointing’.

All things considered, heat free jointing, whether push, press or even grooved, is the way forward for the industry.

Our research continues to show that system specifiers and installers are likely to include heat free solutions if legislation dictates, plus installation times are reduced and that safety, quality and efficiency requirements are met.

By understanding the benefits that it brings, the ways in which it can be used and by learning how best it can be applied and integrated into complete systems within any one application, heat free solutions can have an incredibly positive impact on the construction market, driving forward the use of the latest technologies, upskilling, not deskilling, the workforce and future proofing the plumbing and heating industry as construction preferences evolve. www.pegleryorkshire.co.uk

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How your business can profit from free-formed pipe boxing In today’s economic climate, it’s essential for installers to maximise proÿtability – so why pass any boxing-in work onto a carpenter or joiner? Richard Braid, Managing Director at Pendock, explains how modern pre-formed solutions make life easier for installers.

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ucrative heating and plumbing jobs, such as new central heating installations and bathroom refurbishments, might become less frequent in times of economic uncertainty. When these jobs do come along, it’s therefore important for installers to generate as much income out of them as possible.

Perhaps it’s worth considering whether there are any extra elements to a job that can be carried out without necessarily learning new skills. Boxing-in is a good example. Often the realm of the carpenter or joiner, today’s pre-formed solutions mean an installer can take control of this work, even if carpentry and decorating skills don’t come naturally.

On typical heating installations and bathroom refurbishment projects, some degree of boxing-in will probably be required, no matter how neat the pipework is. While exposed copper piping is currently ‘on trend’, some homeowners regard pipework as unsightly, and will want it covered over for a neater look.

Boxing-in protects pipework from damage and can often be a safety requirement in some public environments where exposed pipework might pose a burn risk.

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Made-to-measure, pre-formed pipe boxing can be used to conceal and protect lengths of pipework, cabling and ducting running along walls, skirting boards and ceilings.

It can be ÿtted horizontally, vertically and in corners and provides a neat, consistent ÿ nish.

Compared to fabricating boxing in sections on site – which is a time-consuming process that typically involves sourcing lengths of wood or MDF, cutting it to size and shape, gluing it around the pipework and priming and painting it – pre-formed pipe boxing is a simple, easy-to-install solution that any installer can ÿt.

Case study Airtech Environmental Systems, a specialist in ventilation solutions to control condensation, damp and mould, is one example of a company that has moved away from on-site fabrication and has been able to upskill its workforce so the majority of its installers can carry out boxing-in work (which is a requirement of every job, as lengths of ducting need to be concealed).

In the past, some of Airtech’s installers steered away from boxing-in, with it being viewed as a bespoke skill, but the ease of

of our installers can ÿt these solutions.

It’s also so much quicker to ÿt compared to fabricating MDF solutions on site. The end result also looks great.”

Cover up job

Covering unsightly ducting with pipe boxing

pre-formed solutions, which are simple to ÿt and require minimal cutting and no painting, has changed their perception.

Pre-formed pipe boxing also takes around half the time to ÿt than on-site fabrication.

Tony Navaie-Bryan, Operations Director at Airtech, comments: “Pendock’s pipe boxing is pre-molded, the cutting involved is negligible and we don’t need to paint it, so it’s really easy to install. We’ve been able to generate more income because all

Manufactured in Britain, our hard-wearing pipe boxing products can be used to cover heating services, soil and waste pipes, water supply pipework, ducting and cabling. If pipework needs to be accessed in the future, our products can be easily removed and reÿtted, and access panels are also an option. Our solutions are available in a range of sizes and colours in pre-formed wood, but bespoke products can be made to order. We also offer site visits, project design services and installation support.

From a business point of view, there are clear beneÿts for installers to retain as many elements of their heating or plumbing jobs as possible, rather than subcontracting to other tradespeople. A move to pre-formed pipe boxing can enable an installer to keep control of any boxing-in work required – as well as the associated proÿt – and it doesn’t require any ÿ nancial outlay or training. www.pendock.co.uk/pipe-casings

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30 PIPES, FITTINGS & Valves

Pressing on with press systems Despite the increase in the use of the technology, there is still a lack of understanding about some of the features and uses of press connections. Here Scott James, Director at Viega, highlights some of the key elements and benefits of the latest systems.

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ontinued development of press connection technology has meant that the systems are now suitable for an even wider range of applications and, in some cases, provide a solution to long standing installation challenges.

For copper pipework installations, soldering has long been the go-to connection method, with many installers valuing the tried and trusted nature. However, press connections can provide a stronger and more consistent option. With soldering the performance of the system relies on the quality of each joint and is susceptible to damage and degradation over time.

In contrast, when pressed, the press connection conforms to the surface of the pipe and compresses the rubber seal, creating a permanent connection that resists both torsional and longitudinal forces.

Furthermore, products that feature a double pressing, both before and after the sealing element, provide additional strength.

In addition, press connections can actually provide a more reliable seal, especially in confined or awkward areas where gaining complete access to solder the entire

Fail-safe technology on Viega fittings helps to identify any leaks

surface of the pipe is difficult. With press connections, a full seal is completed in one step and only requires enough space for the jaws of the press tool to be placed around the fitting.

Similarly, many installers are not aware that press connections can be used for thick walled steel tube and instead are still relying on welding or threading despite the safety

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issues and time-consuming nature of the process. The press connections designed specifically for thick walled tube feature a cutting ring within the fitting that cuts into and grips the surface of the tube when pressed to establish a strong, secure connection.

Versatile solution The versatility of press connection technology is not always fully appreciated.

In addition to the most common uses such as heating, hot water and drinking water, the products can be used for a number of specialist applications including solar heating and rainwater harvesting systems, fire suppression pipework, air conditioning, shipbuilding and agriculture. It is also suitable for use with liquid and natural gas, heating oil, diesel, technical gases and compressed air.

However, it is always recommended that installers select connections that have been designed for the application as these products will include materials that are suitable for the conditions. For example, gas fittings will often feature Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) sealing elements that guarantee the required degree of sealing, even where the pipe surface is rough. The different fittings are usually colour coded to allow easy differentiation on site.

Furthermore, because it is a cold pressed system there is no risk from hot works, either to the surrounding areas or the installer. This also means that it can be used for retrofits in areas such as factory environments where there is an increased ignition risk.

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Press-fitting can help save significant time on commercial projects

It is sometimes believed that for an experienced installer, press connections are not significantly quicker than the alternatives such as soldering. However, press connections provide time savings at each stage as the process is straightforward and requires minimal preparation. To create a robust joint using a press connection, installers simply need to cut the pipe to size, deburr the cut surface, slide the fitting onto the pipe and press the connection.

There is also no need to wait for the joint to cool as with soldering and welding or clean the surface of the pipe once the joint has been made to remove excess materials.

By minimising the amount of preparation and finishing work required, an installation using press connections can be achieved up to 50% quicker than other methods. This speed advantage is further increased for larger diameter and thick-walled tube. When press connecting tube over 2½ inches, the time saving can be as much as 80% compared with welding.

This has significant benefits for the project, as the increased productivity can allow an install to be completed in a shorter timeframe. It also provides contractors with an opportunity to optimise the use of resources by dedicating fewer operatives to an installation or allowing multiple sections to be worked on simultaneously.

Secure connection It is vital to ensure that each joint in the pipework system is secure and will not fail once the building is in use. One of the benefits of press connection technology is that the quality of the joint does not vary.

Once a fitting has been pressed it forms a strong, secure connection.

However, it is important to reliably identify inadvertently missed fittings as this can cause damage and require costly remedial work if it leaks after the project is completed.

For example, the SC-Contur technology built into Viega fittings guarantees a visible escape of water from the connection during testing or when the system is filled for the first time. It can also be dry tested with an inert gas where a measurable drop in pressure will occur if a connection has been missed.

Quality press connections provide a quick, clean, safe and reliable installation with long term durability that provides an issue-free future for the building. On-going innovations in the technology provide further advantages to installers working on a wide range of projects.

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February 2019

32 PIPES, FITTINGS & Valves

When speed and reliability matter Safe, reliable and quicker to install, press-fitting systems are fast becoming the go-to connecting solution for a growing number of installers. John Gittens, Business Development Director at Maincor, highlights some of the key benefits and the options available.

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hile traditional fitting methods still have their place, press-fitting systems are making their presence felt among an increasing number of installers, not least because of the time that can be saved on site.

Depending on which system is used, press-fitting can cut installation time by more than half and make the entire install a lot more efficient. After all, the site assessments and permits usually required when working with flame-based fittings are simply not necessary. The absence of a naked flame makes the fitting process a whole lot safer, less of a risk and very suitable for retro-fit projects, where existing fixtures and fittings need to be kept clear of the soldering iron.

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for significantly increased flow, and viewing windows that allow the installer to check the pipe is inserted correctly, reducing the chance of joint assembly errors occurring.

Secure connection

All you need for the installation of a leak-free plumbing system

Far and away the biggest selling point of press-fitting is the peace of mind it offers installers that the end result is safe, correctly sealed and free of leaks, something that cannot always be said of traditional or push-fit connecting methods.

Maincor press fittings, for example, offer less chance of errors, as the fitting will leak if the fitting is not pressed.

Put simply, this means that

there is less chance of work being covered over before the leak is discovered, thereby reducing warranty costs.

The fitting also has one large O-ring, which is much more substantial than an ordinary O-ring as it is much harder to dislodge or damage as the pipe goes into the fitting smoothly and quickly.

Other benefits of this option include a larger internal bore, which allows

A versatile choice, Maincor metal press fittings can be used to create permanent non-demountable systems from sizes 16-63mm, with a patented ‘D’ ring construction for a secure plumbing connection.

Metal is not the only material of choice when it comes to press-fittings though.

Our Impress composite press fittings, for example, offer a simple and cost effective method of jointing MLCP in both domestic and commercial projects. Available in sizes

ranging from 16-32mm, this connection method can be used in both hot and cold water plumbing systems and heating applications.

Made from polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), the body of the fittings are much tougher than other high-temperature engineering resins. This resin also offers a high deflection temperature and resistance to environmental stress cracking, with the polymers being flame retardant and thermally stable.

When a ‘go-to’ connector is needed, our Multi-fit range offers a simple and effective way of connecting Maincor MLCP to potable plumbing systems, heating, underfloor heating, and kitchen and bathroom appliances. MultiFit connectors are simple to install, with no special tools being required. In fact,

all that is needed are pipe cutters, a bevelling tool and an Allen key. The pipe is cut to length and bevelled at the end, the fitting is inserted into the pipe, before the Allen key is used to screw the thread into place. Once the pipe is fully visible in the viewing window, the connection is made.

Multi-Fit connectors are available in a wide range of sizes and come with both an O-ring for conical seats and a flat washer for flat face applications. The connector comes with a female thread to connect to appliances, manifolds and other connections.

Should a layout change be required to the system at a later date, Multi-Fit is fully demountable.

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February 2019

34 PIPES, FITTINGS & Valves

Hospital job for press-fit system The time saving benefits of press-fit systems have been welcomed by installers on both domestic and commercial projects, but they can make a real difference on large-scale projects. A recent installation at a hospital in County Kerry has helped to demonstrate its advantages.

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hen faced with repiping water services into two active wards at University Hospital Kerry, Ireland, contractor Thermopro Ltd chose Conex Bänninger >B< Press fittings for a fast, secure and flame-free solution.

A complicating factor of the job was that one of the wards belonged to the oncology department, where infection control is critical, meaning all the work had to be done out-of-hours.

The contractor was also up against a tight deadline for the refurbishment of a third ward, which was closed while work took place but which the hospital needed to be ready to resume normal operation as quickly as possible.

Daniel J Walsh, founder and Managing Director of County Kerrybased Thermopro, comments: “If we had to try to work in the active wards using traditional plumbing methods it would have

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The complete copper pipework system was installed by a team of two

been a nightmare. There was no way we could risk using braze or solder because of the obvious safety concerns.”

Quick work >B< Press fittings are completed using a press fit tool and, following the usual preparation, take just five

seconds to complete. As a flamefree mechanical joint, no hot works permit is required and the installer does not have to hang around for hours afterwards as a precaution.

This makes press fittings a good option for projects where a building continues to be occupied while work is carried out.

“With the >B< Press fittings, we were able to run all our main lines over a Friday night and Saturday,” says Daniel. “Using traditional methods, we would have struggled to keep up with the builder’s programme to get the work done over two weekends, but it was made easy with >B< Press. The speed at which we were able to carry out the work was unparalleled.

“We were also facing a lack of availability of plumbers who could work out of hours, but using the >B< Press fittings meant we could manage the project with just a team of two as the whole project moved forward much more quickly. There was some investment needed in the tooling but it will quickly pay for itself. We will definitely be using this system again in the future.”

Prior to commencing the job, the Thermopro team undertook formal >B< Press training with Conex Bänninger’s Technical Sales Manager for Ireland, John Crofton.

The Conex Bänninger >B< Press fittings are suitable for use with hard, half-hard and soft copper tube, providing a secure, longlife, leak-proof joint. Using 3-point press technology, with one press each side of the bead and a third compressing the O-ring, they are available in copper and red brass. >B< Press fittings can be used with copper tube to EN 1057.

About Thermopro Thermopro Ltd was set up by Daniel in 2007. He began his plumbing career in 1998 and worked for both a domestic and commercial plumbing company before starting his own.

The company, which employs 11 installers, has carried out multiple refurbishment projects for the hospital, along with providing ongoing reactive maintenance for Kerry Airport and Kerry County Council.

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Time saving rodding branch Designed in collaboration with plumbing installers, a new Ensign rodding branch has been launched by SaintGobain PAM which combines up to eight components into one fitting. The new product will reduce installation time, particularly in multi-storey developments where the drainage systems can have numerous directional changes and multiple connections to vertical pipe stacks.

The new branches are available in 45° angles for horizontal directional change and 90° angles for use where the vertical pipe stack connects to the

horizontal pipe run. The product combines all of the components into a single part, which also includes a pressure resistant end cap tested up to 5-bar of static pressure and a fixing lug. These additions

remove the need for the grip collar and the full bracket that is required when creating a directional change in the traditional manner.

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Press-fitting range in stainless steel

A new range of press fittings for both domestic and commercial applications has been launched by the stainless pipeline specialist, Nero. The stainlesssteel press fittings range includes elbows, couplings, bridges, adaptors, tees, valves and reducers from 15mm up to 108mm. The products have a maximum operating pressure of 16bar and a temperature range of -35°C to +135°C, although higher temperatures can be achieved using optional FPM seals. All the fittings come with a blue press indicator which will break off once a full seal has been achieved. www.nero.co.uk

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Strong and secure Designed to provide a solution to the most testing of installations, a wide range of pipe clips and fixings is available from Gator Fixings, including brass, metal, galvanised, unlined and rubber lined clips. The plastic clips are manufactured with a mix of PPE and plasticiser to ensure a strong, reliable fit while maintaining a flexibility to ensure ease of installation on all domestic installs. For ease of storage, all products are available in re-sealable bags.

The Northampton based manufacturer is set to open a new 150,000ft2 warehouse this month and guarantees all deliveries next day. The company has also recently extended its range of products to include larger commercial fittings, with sizes up to 172mm. www.gatorfixings.com

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Pack it in Clipping Clever is the name of a new clipping rail system from PlumbPal Products, designed for use wherever a pipe run is required. Said to be quick and easy to apply, the handy accessory packs help to make for a neat finish in airing cupboards, garages, attics, cylinder runs, waste runs and boiler pipe runs.

Suitable for domestic and light commercial appplications, all accessories are easy to identify, as the packs state which clip is suitable for the nuts, bolts and back plates. They can be used with any boiler, even those with nut and olive attached such as Worcester, Vaillant, and Viessmann.

The clipping system can be used with a variety of fittings, including Talon, FM Clips, brass plates and waste clips. They save time by minimising the need to drill holes, and double-sided tape can be used on flat surfaces such as plasterboard and tiles.

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36 PRODUCTS in Action Heat pumps power the community

Fan coil units help at V&A Dundee Dunham-Bush has supplied Leopard fan coil units and BM fan convectors to the new V&A Dundee, an £80m international centre of design that presents the brilliance of Scottish creativity alongside some of the best designs from around the world.

The fan coil units were selected not simply to meet thermal and airflow rate requirements, but also to satisfy noise levels constraints, while fitting comfortably within the limited space

available in the ceiling voids.

Series BM fan convectors provide a highly efficient and reliable heating source where

safety and ease of maintenance are key features. The Dunham-Bush units provide heating to the building’s vital

security, workshop and communications nerve centre.

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Fires capturing the attention

A new residential development in Manchester is meeting environmental planning requirements thanks to an Ecodan air source heat pump system providing community heating to 105 new homes.

The Aaben, a modern development in Hulme, is a mixture of apartments and town houses. Designed with energy efficiency in mind, the homes include a range of features that will benefit the environment and reduce residents’ energy bills.

Installation company Proline installed eight CAHV-P500YA Ecodan systems on the main roof of the development. These provide hot water to a heat interface unit located within each dwelling, providing hot water and heating for the occupants.

Each tenant is charged accordingly via a heat meter measuring how much heat energy is taken from the network.

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Utopian spaces Designer gas fires from DRU have been incorporated into two luxury London townhouses on the site of a former Gordon Ramsay restaurant in Islington.

Architectural firm, O1A International, chose the DRU Metro 100XT/2 corner gas fires for the main living space for their visual appeal and their use of a balanced flue system that lets them be located without the need for a conventional chimney.

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A heat-resistant, false chimney breast has been created in each property to house the impressive log-effect fireplaces, concealing the concentric flues which exit through the roof. Air is drawn from outside for combustion, with waste gases expelled outside, resulting in safe, comfortable and efficient heating performance.

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Pre-wall frames and flushplates from Viega have been supplied to a number of Hartford Homes’ residential developments on the Isle of Man. Selected for its German quality and modern look, Viega worked with bathroom and spa consultants Utopia Projects to deliver desirable bathroom solutions for each property.

Isle of Man based developer Hartford Homes specialises in high quality properties across the island including contemporary apartments, terrace cottages,

large detached homes and luxury developments.

Hartford Homes’ approach to the bathroom design is to use concealed wall-hung WC products to maximise the available space and achieve the desired clean, high-end appearance. Since switching to Viega products five years ago, the developer has paired the slimline Eco Plus WC unit with the company’s Visign for Style 10 chrome finished flush plate on a number of developments.

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Regulations met FireAngel has secured partnerships with housing associations throughout Scotland to provide alarms to over 17,000 properties to meet the Scottish Government’s pending legislative changes.

All homes will require sealed, long-life battery or mains wired alarms that are interlinked, with one functioning smoke alarm in the room that is frequently used in the daytime. It will also require one functioning smoke alarm in every circulation space on every floor, such as hallways, and one heat alarm in every kitchen. A carbon monoxide alarm will also need to be fitted in each room with a carbon-fuelled appliance or flue. www.fireangel.co.uk PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No. 126

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LIGHT COMMERCIAL Heating 37

Why it’s time to join the generation game Generating electricity on site via a combined heat and power system can produce significant energy savings. Bill Sinclair, Technical Director at Adveco, considers how recent developments in micro-CHP have improved the sustainability of heat and power production.

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s the importance of carbon emissions targets and energy security grows, so too does the proliferation of onsite power generation by businesses. According to a recent report by Centrica Business Solutions, over 80% of businesses will invest in on-site power production to generate up to a quarter of their electricity requirements by 2025. Around 26% of businesses have already taken this step, using renewable LZC technologies Bill Sinclair, Technical such as solar and combined Director at Adveco heat and power to lessen reliance on the grid, reduce emissions, and improve overall energy efficiency.

A recent study of small businesses carried out by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) concluded that over one in ten small businesses produced electricity on-site.

These findings suggest a strong upturn in the number of businesses of all sizes investing in the means of generating power at the point of consumption, providing significant benefits in terms of energy security, efficiency, emissions reduction, and financial savings.

Which technology?

Two of the dominating technologies for on-site generation are solar PV and combined heat and power (CHP) installations.

While determining the ideal technology for a given scenario weighs heavily on building and application-specific factors, and typically requires specialist design to develop an effective and reliable solution, both are widely accepted and highly beneficial options for small scale embedded generation.

Combined heat and power, also known as cogeneration, is the simultaneous production of usable heat and electricity from a single process and source of fuel. The generation efficiency of an engine directly coupled to a generator can still achieve similar levels of efficiency to that of a conventional source of power, and by locating such an

The TOTEM CHP system installed in the plantroom of a new student accommodation development in Preston (see below)

Installing the TOTEM CHP system, said to be ideal for multioccupancy applications such as hotels, care homes and schools

installation on-site at the point of consumption, the usual energy losses associated with power transmission through the grid are eliminated.

Thermal energy is extracted from the CHP process by recovering the waste heat produced by the engine and generator during the power generation process. This drastically reduces the amount of fuel energy lost to the environment as exhaust, instead using it to contribute towards a local heat demand. With a significant continuous demand, a combined heat and power unit can run for very long periods and thus drastically reduce the reliance on conventional boiler technology and improve the overall efficiency of a building.

(NOx) remaining a concern at the forefront of modern, environmentally-conscious building design – a fact evidenced by the increasing strictness of regulations and voluntary schemes such as the BREEAM New Construction Scheme.

The recent 2018 revision to the BREEAM scheme made significant improvements to the POL02 category, now known as Local Air Quality. For designers seeking a high BREEAM credit score—and a low-emission building—the careful selection of CHP appliances has never been more important.

With CO and NOx emissions below 12mg/kWh – 95% lower than the 2018 EcoDesign standards for clean CHP at 240mg/kWh – the TOTEM range of 10 to 25kW m-CHP leads the way in environmentally-conscious building technology.

It is one of the few m-CHP appliances available that still qualifies for maximum points in the revised BREEAM, even when installed within Air Quality Management Areas.

At Adveco we have supplied a wide range of buildings and applications with CHP heating and hot water systems, including hotels, condominiums, schools, leisure centres, care homes, accommodation blocks and heat networks.

With each application receiving a bespoke design from an in-house application design department, the effectiveness of CHP has been maximised.

Latest generation Our Adveco TOTEM CHP is the first in a new generation of micro-cogenerators, featuring market-leading efficiencies of up to 107.4%, and the lowest emissions available from any CHP within its class. TOTEM features components purposebuilt for operation on natural gas with a 1.4-litre Fiat Fire engine and an ECU supplied and tuned by automotive experts Magneti Marelli to allow the TOTEM to achieve unparalleled cogeneration quality and reliability.

CHP is also one of the key technologies employed to reduce overall emissions, with harmful nitrogen oxides

www.adveco.co.uk

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38 LIGHT COMMERCIAL Heating

More economical solution Multiple condensing boilers can provide a space-saving and economical solution for care homes, hospitals, schools and offices – says Daniel Sturch, Commercial Product Engineer at Alpha Heating Innovation.

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fan-assisted condensing boiler is the ideal heating solution in a commercial heating environment due to its high output, small footprint and the option of linking up to five boilers in series for multiple outputs. They are quick to cope with changing heating demands and are a costeffective solution compared to a single boiler installation.

Fan-assisted boilers offer greater siting flexibility, with options for wall hanging or frame mounting within small boiler rooms. They also have multiple options for flue terminal position, flue route, and offer greater overall flue length than atmospheric boilers.

Boilers such as our ProTec Plus range achieve high energy efficiency due to a combination of heat exchanger design and technology along with intelligent combustion control from the Honeywell on-board PCB.

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It is ultimately very important to achieve a high modulation range to allow the appliance to make the most efficient cost savings for the user by using the least amount of gas whilst delivering the output required. The modulation rate is therefore a key contributing factor to reducing fuel use.

The wider the modulation range the more flexible the boiler model is, which in turn allows for easier product selection for the installer.

Ultimately, it allows the appliance to offer both a high enough output to cope with peak demand, but a low enough minimum input to offer the maximum in fuel savings.

High efficiency boilers such as ProTec also offer improved air quality. Reducing emissions such as carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) is due initially to good product design and extensive R&D testing, but then must be aided during the life of a boiler appliance

by regular planned preventative maintenance.

The typical life expectancy of a commercial boiler is 10-15 years depending upon construction material and maintenance regime.

Case study When it came to bringing an inefficient heating system into the 21st century, a care home in Polmont, Falkirk, received a major efficiency boost from two new boilers that combine domestic and commercial technology. Providing heat to the Ivybank House facility, which has 42 en suite rooms and five dining and lounge areas, the new heating system replaced an inefficient, 30-year-old floor standing boiler sited in the main building.

Having installed boilers from Alpha on a number of previous occasions, installer Raymond Beveridge trusted the brand and

knew it could provide the right products for the job.

“I like installing Alpha boilers, especially on the commercial side,” he says. “I’ve fitted them in a number of care homes and I’ve had no trouble with any of them.

Plus, you’re getting the threeyear warranty that comes from the manufacturer, so it’s good for the client to know they’ve got that backup for the first three years.”

The new boiler fitted in the main nursing home had to be wall hung rather than floor standing to enable more space to move around the small plant room. Alpha’s ProTec Plus 115kW system boiler was chosen and met the brief. It offers a condensing central heating output of 121.7kW and has a seasonal efficiency of 96.4%.

The separate laundry room had been using a gas-fired water heater to supply hot water to the sink, with electric heaters keeping the

The Alpha ProTec Plus boiler

space warm in winter. As a more economical solution, the old system was replaced with Alpha’s 33kW E-Tec combi boiler to run both the heating and the hot water.

The tried and tested boiler condensing technology installed at Ivybank is a game-changer when it comes to reducing carbon and saving energy, and it delivers for commercial heating installers too – offering ease of installation and maintenance.

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Helping to get better connected The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming the way in which businesses are run, but can more be done to improve energy efficiency?

Christian Hadley, Head of Product Marketing at Glen Dimplex Heating and Ventilation, considers the real benefit of connected devices.

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n an industrial scale, IoT is revolutionising industry.

The birth of the ‘smart factory’, with inter-connected plant at every stage of the production line, is improving productivity, reducing wastage and driving the efficiency of our manufacturing sectors in particular. But there are huge opportunities in the light commercial sector too – not least the continued development of innovative heating and climate controls which fit seamlessly into building management systems.

The possibilities of IoT are almost limitless. In 2014, there were an estimated 5.4 billion connected devices worldwide and by 2020 this is expected to rise to 31 billion.

By 2030, some analysts predict 125 billion connected devices in operation. It’s easy to see the impact these will have on your commercial customers.

The real value of IoT, however, lies

opportunities as the smart revolution continues to grow.

Extra comfort

Individual electric heaters can be linked to a central hub

in making the most of connected devices to reduce energy used in commercial premises, thus supporting our carbon reduction targets while also cutting costs for the building owner or tenant.

And this is where heating installers can make the most of business

App-controlled heating is nothing new, but modern appliances have greater functionality than ever before. For example, by linking individual electric heating appliances to a central hub, light commercial users – and domestic users for that matter – can take advantage of simple controls to ensure comfort whilst maximising the efficiency of the building from a single control source.

Installers can also tap into remote diagnostic opportunities, saving time and costs on maintenance jobs – and all this before you even consider the benefits of intelligent features such as open window detection and anticipatory control.

Lot 20 In the electric heating market, there is another driver which is forcing

manufacturers to innovate.

Lot 20 of the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive sets a minimum energy efficiency standard for all ‘local’ room or space heating products – those that generate heat in the location in which they are situated. This includes electric storage heaters, panel heaters and high heat retention heaters.

Products have been redesigned with intelligent features from a series of possible inclusions, all of which ‘score’ differently according to the ‘correction factor’ specified within the regulations, helping manufacturers to meet the required standards.

The greatest gains to installers and their customers are from those products which offer IoT compatibility, ensuring they can improve efficiency now and in the future through intelligent, adaptive controls and enhanced connectivity.

In numbers Connected heating devices in the non-domestic sector: • 32% of all total UK emissions are created by heating buildings and industry • 40% of all UK greenhouse gas emissions come from nondomestic buildings • 31 billion connected devices are expected worldwide by 2020 • £3.7 billion – potential annual saving could be achieved through energy efficiency improvements in all UK nondomestic buildings (39% saving) • 35% of consumers say they expect to buy a smart heating device in the near future • $22 trillion – potential global saving by 2050 if smart cities are rolled out, which includes smart heating systems in buildings PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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40 LIGHT COMMERCIAL Heating

Making the right boiler choice With a variety of boiler models to choose from, which features should installers look for to ensure optimum heating efficiency and financial benefits on light commercial applications? Paul Arnold, Product Manager for Remeha, provides advice on feature comparisons.

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ith 65% of the UK’s non-domestic buildings relying on boilers for their heating, when it comes to light commercial applications, installers might be overwhelmed at the variety of boiler models on offer. So which key features should they look for when selecting a lightcommercial boiler to ensure that it is a costeffective investment for the business?

Reliable and robust Whether in new or existing buildings, small offices, hotels or schools, the first thing to bear in mind is that the boiler will likely need to operate for 12 or more hours a day.

It’s important, therefore, to select a robust boiler brand that is engineered to meet both high efficiency and high reliability criteria throughout its life cycle.

Matching the building’s heat load accurately will avoid energy waste, so it’s useful to identify boiler models that are available in a wide range of outputs to enable correct sizing. Remember that good manufacturers will be able to advise on this area as well as offering technical and product support.

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Remeha Quinta Pro 30 boilers installed at a digital innovation and business hub in Corsham

Flexible options It might be a cliché, but when it comes to boilers, size really does matter given the frequent challenge of space limitations in plant rooms. Even with wall-hung boilers, the size and weight of different models can vary. Selecting a compact, lightweight boiler

will make handling and positioning easier, especially in tight spaces, helping reduce installation time and costs.

On projects where flueing is a consideration, it’s advisable to opt for boilers that have multiple flue options, as this will provide greater design flexibility.

If the project requires multiple boilers, it might be worth considering using a preassembled cascade system to provide quick and easy installation in a small footprint.

The control strategy will also need to be determined. Does the boiler need to be connected to a building management system?

If so, choose a boiler that is supplied with volt free or 0-10V connections as standard and avoid additional costs.

Ongoing costs Energy efficiency will be a top customer priority to keep overheads and emissions low and employee comfort levels high. But for an accurate assessment of how costeffective a boiler is throughout its life cycle, it’s important to include not just the initial capital costs, but also routine maintenance and part replacement.

Boilers designed with easily accessible parts will be easier to interrogate, while the inclusion of internal LED lights is a helpful detail, especially in dark plant rooms. Check if manufacturer spare parts are readily available, as this will make it simpler to keep the heating system operating as intended in the future.

Value-added services like an out-of-hours technical assistance helpline will help ensure continuous heat provision and avoid the risk of building closure. All of these features will make it easier to maintain high operational efficiencies throughout the lifetime of the boiler – and even extend its longevity – for reduced costs.

Weighing it all up Heating is a critical service in any building, but it’s typically one of the larger users of energy. That’s why when it comes to selecting light commercial boilers, it pays to weigh up all these factors to achieve high-quality, energy-efficient, cost-effective installations for happy, satisfied customers. www.remeha.co.uk

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LIGHT COMMERCIAL Heating 41 Accreditation for heat networks team Space saving way to deliver hot water

With many people viewing district heat networks as a key to the UK delivering a low carbon energy economy, Altecnic’s specification and technical team members have been awarded CIBSE accreditation as heat consultants.

The CIBSE CP1 code of practice on heat networks covers all forms of district heating, from communal building heat to large citywide schemes. It is designed to apply to both new

networks and extensions of existing networks.

The code specifies mini-

mum requirements which must be met in order to produce a successful scheme and

Advanced control options Condensing boilers from ATAG Commercial are now available with an advanced suite of heating controls, including zone controls for multiple boiler installations.

The flagship controller is the BrainQ, an advanced selflearning digital thermostat that ensures the boiler continues to burn at low power, even once the set

temperature has been reached.

Also available, the BrainZ is a programmable OpenTherm room thermostat, designed to work in combination with the ATAG Commercial Control Management System (CMS).

For cascade systems and systems requiring a separate zone control, the MadQ can

be inserted into a boiler’s front panel or can be wall mounted.

Finally, the WiZe programable modulating thermostat is another selflearning control which adjusts daily to determine when the boiler has to fire up in the morning.

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comply with the code. It then details further information on best practice for those looking to move beyond the minimum requirements.

Altecnic MD Gary Perry says: “When decentralised systems are done well, it is a real win-win for all those involved. As a manufacturer of heating interface units (HIUs) for such systems, we have always championed the CIBSE scheme.”

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Locations such as pubs, restaurants and sports pavilions are proving to be popular applications for the recently launched Econoplate BV Series of semi-instantaneous hot water units from Stokvis.

The units are a combination of one of the manufacturer’s longproven Econoplate plate heat exchangers with different sizes of storage vessel, offering a wide choice of sizes and outputs to suit premises with modest plant room space and medium levels of hot water demand.

There are five heat output capacities, rising from 56 to 231kW, with flow rates up to 1551 litres in 10 minutes. Based on a primary flow temperature of 80°C, recovery time for the smaller stores can be as little as six minutes. For higher demand applications, multiple units could be installed in parallel. www.stokvisboilers.com

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RADIATORS & Towel Warmers 43

Radiators that deliver a lot more than heat In recent years the UK radiator market has seen a shift in focus to emitters that deliver on looks as well as functionality. Kesh Bains, Business Development Manager at Barlo, discusses how installers can make the most of the growing trend for designer heating.

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he way we choose to style our homes reveals a lot about us as people: not only does it reflect our tastes and lifestyles, but it also speaks volumes about our personalities. As such, today’s consumers are keener than ever to showcase their individuality in their own home. In short, styleconscious customers are paying closer attention to the way building products impact their space’s aesthetic than ever before – and radiators are no exception. Kesh Bains, Barlo Radiators This shift in focus has meant the role of the modern-day radiator is changing. Although practicality and functionality are still at the forefront of buyers’ decisions, finding a radiator that fits seamlessly with their home’s interior is now top of many consumers’ agenda. What’s more, people are increasingly looking for more ingenious and unconventional ways of heating their home, as space becomes an ever-more valuable commodity.

All of this has opened the door for a design revolution within the radiator industry – spurring manufacturers to create emitters that really look the part, and often require the minimum amount of space for installation – enter the designer radiator.

The smooth fronted Barlo Slieve horizontal model

The Plaza vertical radiator features a round tube design

All shapes and sizes

their own idea of the type of product they want before a tradesperson has even walked through the door – but you’d Impressive feature heating like this was once exclusive be mistaken then to think that the role of the installer to the likes of architects and those working with bigger is becoming null and void. In fact, the opposite is true. budgets. However, as products of all shapes and sizes As consumers become more exact in what they expect flood the market, designer radiators have become more from a radiator, the role of the installer is now more affordable than ever. From compact premium panels in important than ever. bright hues for modern living rooms, to traditional multiWhen it comes to radiators, looks aren’t everything. column models in muted tones for country kitchens, there Through their expertise and know-how, it’s installers really is a style to suit every who must provide the décor and budget – making technical input to guarantee “Installers can help to guarantee designer heating the new their customers choose an that the emitter delivers as much on go-to choice for style-savvy emitter that delivers as much performance as it does aesthetics” on performance as it does customers. aesthetics. This is easier said Feature radiators are also an attractive option for anyone looking to make the most than done – and there are very few designer radiator brands of limited space or an unconventional floor plan. In fact, on the market offering the kind of heat outputs that are on one design that has seen a particular surge in popularity a par with conventional panel emitters. That said, with the of late is the vertical radiator. In panel or column models, right technical input and product knowledge, it’s certainly its tall and slim design is ideal for those with limited wall possible to specify designer heating that not only fits the space, or in rooms where a horizontal radiator would be bill looks-wise, but that meets heat demands and keeps bills down in the long run. hidden from view (e.g. behind furniture).

A case in point is the Plaza radiator, from our Barlo Design Changing landscape range – which boasts exceptional energy efficiency. Its Traditionally, customers would look to their installer vertical design offers consumers the perfect space-saving to make decisions on the type of radiator they should solution whilst still delivering best-in-class heat outputs. have in their home. Today’s consumers increasingly have What’s more, as with the rest of the Barlo Design range, there’s a shade to fit effortlessly with almost any interior design scheme, thanks to its availability in more than 180 RAL colours.

Installer opportunities Interest in designer heating has made many consumers into specifiers. However, this actually presents a unique opportunity for installers. As feature heating becomes more accessible, there’s up-sell potential, but over and above this, there’s also a consultative role that can only be filled by the trade.

The market is fast-paced and changing all the time, and those installers who make the effort to really understand it will be the only ones who can properly educate customers on their options. This means developing an in-depth knowledge on how products compare on performance as well as looks – and helping your customer to make the best possible decision for their home.

The Slieve radiator offers a choice of vertical and horizontal models

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The Plaza radiator saves on space and is ideal for a modern setting

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44 RADIATORS & Towel Warmers

How to make a style statement The market for designer radiators is growing in the UK as homeowners look to bring their own sense of style to the way they heat their homes. Andy Phillips, Sales Director at The Radiator Company, explains how professional installers can beneÿt from this trend.

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he market for designer radiators in the UK is healthier than ever before.

As the property market slows, and homeowners choose to improve rather than move, they are increasingly searching for products that will give their homes a more stylish, luxurious look. According to figures from the Manufacturers’ Association of Radiators and Convectors (MARC), approximately 4.9 million homes in the UK have old, inefficient radiators that urgently need replacing. Installing new models can help boost the energy efficiency of the system, and in many cases can also give the homeowner more space, as modern designer radiators are more efficient and can often be physically smaller with no loss of performance.

Despite these efficiency improvements and the growth in the availability, millions of the radiators already installed in UK homes are still of the traditional, white, mild-steel paneled type. Rather than fitting like-forlike, installers should make their customers aware of the different styles now available to get the best out of any home refurbishment or heating system upgrade. Not only can this enable the homeowner to make a real style statement in their property, but it can also give installers the chance to upsell and add value to the overall project, increasing their own profits in the process.

Style counsel The days of a one-size-fits-all radiator, when homeowners were limited to choosing a variation on a white, rectangular panel radiator have long gone. Now, radiators and towel rails come in a myriad of shapes, sizes colours and finishes, designed to complement any size of room, or style of home.

The first thing an installer should do is assess the rooms in which the radiators will be installed, to ascertain the style of the

and bathrooms to save valuable wall space, without the homeowner having to compromise on performance, as they have a BTU output equal to that of their horizontal counterparts. Low, horizontal column radiators can be used under conservatory windows, for example, where there may be insufficient wall height for a standard radiator.

In safety-conscious areas such as children’s bedrooms and bathrooms, low surface temperature models can help prevent scalding, adding additional functionality while also bringing that contemporary, designer touch.

Material gains

The Radiator Company’s Kura vertical radiator

home and the overall look their customer is looking for.

If the bathroom is being refurbished, then a designer towel rail, or a stylish radiator that incorporates a towel rail, should be carefully considered. New shapes and styles available include ladder-style radiators that can be used to dry towels, and even radiators with mirrors, or inbuilt shelves where towels can be kept. These new designs can also create valuable storage in a room where space is often at a premium.

In homes with a more traditional, period style, finishes available on designer radiators include antique copper and antique bronze, as well as a wide range of RAL colours to match the distinctive palettes often found in Georgian and Edwardian homes, for example.

Vertical radiators can be used in kitchens

Designer radiators are manufactured from a wide range of materials, including cast iron, mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium.

Each material offers different benefits to homeowners, so it’s important that installers are aware of each option and when you should consider specifying one over the other.

Cast iron radiators, for example, take longer to heat up and cool down than other materials, which means they release their heat slowly. This is particularly useful for older properties, which may not be as well insulated. Cast iron is a heavier material than aluminium or steel and tends to be used to create statement pieces, such as vintagestyle radiators that again complement older properties.

Most designer radiators are constructed of steel, or mild steel, because this material is easier to shape into the distinctive shapes and sizes consumers are increasingly looking for.

Mild steel is more cost effective than cast iron, so is also a popular choice for cost-conscious homeowners who are looking to replace a number of radiators at the same time.

Aluminium is a superconductor, which means it responds to thermostatic changes very quickly and will heat up a room faster

than any of the other materials. This also means it will cool down faster, making it very efficient when used in radiators. A slightly more expensive material than mild steel, the initial cost of an aluminium radiator may be slightly higher, but in a correctly sized system this should be more than covered by the lifetime efficiency savings.

The other material often used to manufacture designer radiators is stainless steel. Although slightly more expensive than mild steel, stainless steel conducts heat well and, being rust resistant, is virtually maintenance free and particularly durable.

Made to measure Whatever style of designer radiators your customer wants, whether it’s vertical, horizontal, or something even more creative, it’s important to ensure they will offer the same or better performance than the panel radiators they are likely replacing.

When fitting a new radiator, installers should take the time to size the heating system correctly to be sure that the radiators have the right heat output, especially if a new boiler has been fitted.

Oversized radiators may prevent a new boiler from condensing properly, causing higher than necessary fuel bills, while undersized radiators will never be able to heat a room to the required comfort levels, resulting in call-backs and unhappy customers.

The amount of choice now available in the UK radiator market makes this a particularly exciting time for installers and homeowners.

Choosing designer radiators for heating system upgrades can help create a stylish look to suit any home interior, while also giving installers new ways to upsell products and increase their profit margins.

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New loyalty scheme to reward radiator installers A new loyalty scheme for installers has been launched

by Stelrad Radiators. The free-to-join points based scheme will provide an opportunity for installers to earn rewards with the more Stelrad radiators they install.

“We’ve been contemplating what else we might be able to do to show our gratitude to installers and the result is the new Stelrad Loyalty Club,” says Head of Marketing Chris Harvey.

“It’s a simple concept – installers buy our products, they register as members of the Stelrad Loyalty Club,

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they upload their invoices for the products they have bought and in return they get 10 points for every £100 they spend. They can redeem their points for rewards in the rewards catalogue – branded clothing and similar items – or they can save the points and exchange them for product if they prefer.”

Once joined, installers will be sent regular emails with their points total and ÿnd out about new products and promotions before anyone else. Points can be claimed for purchasing qualifying premium and designer

radiators and workwear, and the points gained can be doubled if they can show evidence of leaving literature or trying to upsell to the end user (photographic evidence, taken on a smart phone, would need to be supplied).

“We really hope installers will welcome this attempt to give something back to them,” adds Chris Harvey.

“The rewards include things like ° eece jackets, tee shirts and trousers, even hand towels to take on jobs with you – all things that will be helpful in day-to-day jobs across the country.”

Installers can join the

Stelrad Loyalty Club at www. stelrad.com/LoyaltyClub or by calling 0844 543 6200.

On the road Stelrad has also announced plans to revive its Vita Series Roadshow. The company’s fully ÿtted training van provides installers with an opportunity to ÿnd out more about the Vita Series, made up of 15 different radiator designs to suit a range of budgets and tastes.

The roadshow will run until May, with different events taking place at merchants up and down the country. The training van

will be visiting merchants in the North West and across Wales in February, the South West and South East in March, South and

East London and East Anglia in April, and Scotland and the North in May. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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46 RADIATORS & Towel Warmers

Choice of electric Classic look for steel column models ladder towel rails A new electric towel rail is the latest addition to the growing range of space heating solutions from Hyco. The new Aquilo range is available in two output models – 250W (with 13 bars) and 400 W (with 21 bars) – and comes in a straight ladder design.

The Aquilo has a high quality chrome finish and features a contemporary slimline, modern profile to complement a variety of bathroom applications. Not only is this product range safe to use, with an overheat protection function, but it also provides a stylish and easy-to-clean addition to any bathroom.

Easy to install, the towel rail is supplied with robust brackets and fixings which allow the depth to be adjusted from 93 to 108mm. It also comes pre-wired with 1.5m white cable, with reversible cable entry on the base of the left or right vertical bar.

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Gloucester based radiator distributor and manufacturer Apollo offers a wide range of central heating designer radiators, heated towel rails and accessories. The newest addition to the range is the Roma classic steel column radiator, suitable for both modern and period settings, now available in over 150 stocked sizes. All models are fusion welded and are available in both horizontal and vertical designs. White (RAL 9016), Anthracite (RAL 7016) and Silver (RAL 9006) models are available in three days, with a range of other colours available within 20 working days. www.apolloradiators.co.uk

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Wider choice of decorative designs

Other options in the Aquilo range include low surface temperature electric towel rails (40, 80 and 90W) in a curved ladder style and a standard 100W curved ladder model. All models come with a one year parts or replacement warranty.

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Responding to demand for designer radiators, Myson has recently relaunched its original Décor range, adding a number of new styles to the series. The extended Décor family includes horizontal, vertical, plinth and compact models in a flat tube design in a choice of heights from 155 to 200mm and lengths from 308 to 2200mm.

With over 120 stocked sizes, the Décor range is claimed to be one of the largest decorative collections on the UK market. The original Décor tube design, manufactured from 1.25mm steel, can provide a heating solution for almost any domestic project, whereas the compact Décor model is made of

thicker steel (1.5mm) and can work to higher pressure levels, making it suitable for large commercial projects.

The standard stocked colour is white (RAL 9016), but other special colour options are available on request.

An electric Décor model is also available for projects that are off-gas or have no central heating pipes installed.

The vertical model is available in two sizes, with a height of 1835mm and lengths of 455 or 680mm. The horizontal model comes in four sizes, all available with a height of 600mm and with lengths ranging from 485 to 1010mm. All electric models are supplied with a remote control thermostat, with a touch screen programmer available as an option. www.myson.co.uk

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RADIATORS & Towel Warmers 47 Column inches

Radiators add a splash of colour

The Aston, a classic column radiator featuring footed end sections, is the latest addition to the designer radiator range from The Radiator Company. Available in 132 colours to match any decor, the sectional radiator offers homeowners the flexibility of a fully customisable option that can be sized accordingly to fit into any room layout.

An evolution of the Bianco range, the Aston is available in four heights, up to 40 sections and in three or four columns.

The cast iron finish is said to be an ideal choice for any period restoration, suitable for living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, hallways and dining rooms. By emitting a more constant heat, the new radiator will also meet the needs of older properties with poor insulation.

For ease of installation, Aston comes supplied with footed end sections as standard, but there is also the option of cast feet and wall brackets on request. www.theradiatorcompany.co.uk

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According to European designer radiator specialist Vasco, 2019 is the year of colour – with vibrant colours such as a Carmine Red or Melon Yellow available from the company’s extensive colour palette.

Encouraging homeowners to be more adventurous when selecting a radiator, Vasco says that a bolder colour can be just the wake-up call a room needs.

The radiator should take centre stage and no longer be viewed as a functional piece of equipment that needed to be disguised, says the company. In a living room where white dominates, it’s better to choose a radiator in a dark or strong colour, such as wine red, dark green or even petrol blue. This bold accent can then be picked up with accessories or soft furnishings. www.vasco-group.eu

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Heat without risk Adding to its range of low surface temperature radiators, Stelrad has introduced the LST Standard Deco and LST iPlus Deco design – both featuring the company’s popular Deco horizontal lined fascia to make the casings for the radiators more aesthetically pleasing.

With a surface temperature that will not exceed 43°C, the new radiators are said to be ideal for use in applications such as nursing and care homes, sheltered housing and general needs housing where younger or older tenants live. They comply

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with the strict requirements of the NHS Guidance Note for ‘Safe hot water and surface temperature’ and can therefore also be installed in commercial properties and public buildings running heating systems with total public safety assured.

With Stelrad LST radiators, the tamper-proof casing not only covers the radiator but also the incoming pipework, making sure all the heated surfaces are concealed and that any exposed surfaces stay at a safe temperature.

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48 FIRES, CHIMNEYS & Flues

Find peace of mind with pellet stoves Most modern wood burning stoves are simple to fit and environmentally sound, but their close cousins – pellet stoves – can offer even bigger beneÿts, both to installers and their customers. Ian Sams, Commercial Director at Spec° ue, explains more.

P

articulate emissions from wood burning stoves are at the lowest level they’ve ever been. According to studies from the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA), the output of particulate matter (PM) – particularly PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter) – of modern appliances are less than one tenth of those of an open fire.

The SIA also recently tested an open fire, a stove Ian Sams, Specflue that was manufactured 10 years ago and a modern Ecodesign-compliant stove and discovered that an open fire had an energy rating of ‘G’, the old stove had a rating of ‘B’, but the new Ecodesign stove was ‘A+’.

Of course, the woodburner itself is not the only determinant of combustion efficiency; this is also affected by the quality of the fuel being burned – the higher its moisture content, the lower its efficiency. Freshly cut wood can have water content between 60 and 80% whereas kilndried wood contains less than 20% moisture and therefore burns far more efficiently. Logs with 40% moisture content

Wood burning The volume of particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere caused by wood burning depends on how the fuel is burnt as much as the stove used to burn it. Particulates come from incomplete burning of wood, but modern wood-burning stoves are highly efÿcient.

There are three levels of wood burning – the open ÿre, which is typically less than 25% efÿcient; an old wood burning stove; and the latest engineered, relatively clean burn appliances (including pellet stoves) that boast efÿciencies of 90% or more.

Open ÿres are notoriously inefÿcient. The heat output from an open ÿre is at its highest when the ÿre is blazing, but the heat drops off as the wood is burned; the heat output from a wood stove is far more consistent.

Research from Kings College London suggests that, in winter, wood burning accounts for about 10% of the PM emissions in London. But a survey of 1000 users of wood-burning stoves and open ÿres throughout the UK found that 70% of the wood burned in London is burnt on an open ÿre – the most inefÿcient way to generate heat.

The Ecodesign Directive is a measure introduced by the European Commission to improve the efÿciency of appliances and lead to lower emissions. It covers a wide range of emissions from PM to carbon dioxide, NOx, other carbon gases compounds, and carbon monoxide.

Although there is no obligation for stoves to meet the stringent emission limits set out in Ecodesign until 2022, the Stove Industry Alliance has taken the initiative by making ‘Ecodesign Ready’ stoves available now. An ‘Ecodesign Ready’ stove can cut emissions by 90%, compared with an open ÿre.

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Pellets are easy to store and are relatively clean to burn

Modern pellet stoves from MCZ are available from Specflue

will produce 2.7kWh; logs with less than 20% moisture content produce 5kWh. That’s why the SIA, along with the UK’s wood fuel certification scheme, Woodsure, and major log suppliers have worked with the government to create a new category of logs branded ‘Ready to Burn’. The Ready to Burn logo should give consumers confidence that they are buying quality-assured logs, guaranteed to have a moisture content below 25% and are ready for immediate burning.

Indeed, fuel quality makes a huge difference to efficiency and that’s why I would also encourage installers to consider wood burning technologies that use different, but related, fuels such as pellet appliances.

the exact extent to which this reduces greenhouse gas emissions is complicated because you have to look at where the wood comes from, how it has been processed, etc.

“We have done those calculations for many different types of system and find that you do get good reductions in greenhouse gas emissions – 58% for a pellet boiler replacing a natural gas boiler in a home; 94% for a chip boiler in a district heating system.”

Aiming low There are essentially two reasons that pellet stoves are especially eco-friendly – they burn renewable fuel (made up of a mixture of sawdust, wood chips, bark, and other materials from plants) and they emit a relatively low level of airborne particulates.

As well as lower particulate levels and higher efficiencies, these also produce little ash and don’t generate chimney creosote, reducing the need for major cleaning. And pellet stove users have greater control over the amount of combustion that occurs because their burners modulate up and down demand. They are also ‘heat-on-demand’ appliances (in other words, they turn on and off as required) like gas boilers, so they offer true controllable heat from wood.

Furthermore, a pellet stove helps reduce the carbon footprint (the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere).

Reduction research The University of Manchester SUPERGEN Bioenergy Hub (www.supergen-bioenergy.net) aims to bring together industry, academia and other stakeholders to focus on research challenges associated with delivering sustainable bioenergy systems. Its director, Professor Patricia Thornley, says biomass appliances (including pellet stoves) can deliver substantial reductions in carbon emissions and that, although wood stoves do release carbon and particulates, in the context of what the fuels they are replacing produce, they may still offer a significant net benefit.

She said recently: “Biomass heating (which typically uses wood pellets or wood chips as fuel) is a technology available today that can immediately reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with heat production. Calculating

Cheap and convenient The advantages of pellet boilers don’t end there. A built-in hopper allows them to operate autonomously for about 12 hours under full load. Pellets are also convenient to use and relatively cheap compared to other fuels, and their price has remained stable in recent years.

They are also versatile. RED pellet stoves from MCZ Group and supplied by Specflue, for example, allow you to heat a single room, or even the whole house. Pellets cost half as much as methane and a third as much as kerosene, so householders can save money on their utility bills.

Moreover, pellet stoves are a practical solution since they are compact and exceptionally easy to use. RED stoves maximise programmability (on/off, setting the desired temperature) thanks to an in-built, user-friendly intuitive control panel with timer.

Indeed, probably the biggest benefit of pellet stoves is its ease of use thanks to automatic ignition, power modulation and the fact that these stoves can be programmed.

Installer benefits To ensure correct and safe installation, many trade and training organisations are introducing new competence modules to go along with existing qualifications. Before purchasing any goods, installers generally need specific training from the stove manufacturer to ensure a good understanding of how to correctly set up the pellet stove for maximum effect.

When selecting a pellet stove partner, installers should consider the availability of after-sales support as well as the normal sales service. This gives that important peace of mind that your supplier is in a position to support you as well as your customer throughout the entire installation process and beyond. www.specflue.com

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FIRES, CHIMNEYS & Flues 49 Improved flame visibility and control The Inspire 400 Remote is the latest addition to the Valor gas fire range. Featuring an under-bed LED lighting effect, the built-in glass fronted fire is said to offer improved flame visibility and easy use via a remote control.

Suitable for any standard fireplace opening with brick chimney, the fire delivers 84.5% efficiency and a heat output of 1.1 to 4.0kW. As well as enabling the user to turn the flame on or off and control the heat output,

year-round ambience of the Luminaire effect help to create the impression of hot cinders, even when the gas is turned off.

The fire measures 574 x 446 x 292mm and can be either wall mounted or fitted within one of three suites: Palermo, Vicenza and Atalanta. As with the rest of the Inspire collection, the 400 Remote is easy to install and comes with a three-year guarantee. the Inspire 400 Remote also features the option of anti-

reflective glass, while the authentic log fuel bed and

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New remote avoids obstacles The TFC is a new advanced remote control system for domestic gas fires from Teddington. Unlike other gas fire remote controls, which rely on infrared wireless (IR) technology and direct lineof-sight connections, the TFC operates in the low-energy 2.4GHz spectrum, similar to Amazon Alexa and Apple

Home, which means it is unaffected by positional constraints or any obstacles within a room.

Sales Manager Kenneth Maxwell comments: “The TFC is far more robust and reliable than its rivals. It also consumes less power and does not require any additional hardware.”

The TFC system consists of a motorised valve, an electronic control board (ECB) and the remote control.

It is currently available in an economy version, with a deluxe version soon to be available, together with a dedicated TFC app, offering interactive control from a smartphone or tablet.

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A Global market The Global range by DRU is a selection of modern, high efficiency balanced flue gas fires that offer many of the features of DRU designer fires but at more affordable prices. A key component of the new models is the company’s TruFlame burner which follows the contours of the logs to create a more authentic flame pattern underpinned by realistic glowing embers.

Three models are available: The Global 55XT BF (pictured) the Global 70XT BF and Global 55XT BF cavity wall gas fire.

The compact 55XT BF features a slimline frame and comes with a choice of mirrored Ceraglass or classic brick interior finishes, plus the option of Clear View anti-reflective glass that replicates the appearance of an open fire.

The larger Global 70XT BF suits both a classic and contemporary fire surround, while the 55XT BF cavity wall model is designed to fit neatly into a brick wall cavity, as found in most homes that have been built since the 1960s. www.drufire.com

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50 FIRES, CHIMNEYS & Flues

Providing extra comfort outside Davinder Sangha from Schiedel Chimney Systems takes a look at how heating engineers can capitalise on a growing trend for alfresco ÿreplaces and discusses the practical and safety considerations needed to achieve a successful outdoor installation.

T

resistance to temperature change. It expands and contracts less than other materials in response to extreme temperatures, which reduces the possibility of cracking and structural damage, making it ideal for outdoor fireplace construction.

Additionally, pumice is also remarkably lightweight without compromising on strength, which makes it the ideal material for installers, enabling them to lift and build bricks and chimney units without the need for an extra pair of hands.

he fireplace has always been the heart of the home, but now our natural affinity for gathering around a fire is shifting outside. Research shows that 37% of British people are spending more time in the garden than they did five years ago, with homeowners inspired to create versatile cooking, eating and entertaining spaces that blur the lines between indoors and out, adding extra footprint and potentially increasing the value of a property by up to 20% (according to the recent ‘Britain at Home’ report by Lloyds Bank).

Making a move into this could be a profitable side-line for installers, providing job opportunities during the spring and summer once the heating season comes to an end.

Right skills

More options Inspired by the trend for ‘outdoor living’, garden fireplaces have moved on from the simple fire pit. Customers can now choose from a wide variety of options to suit their requirements in terms of garden size and functionality, from complete packaged options to bespoke designs, central to the space or built into or up against a wall.

Outdoor fireplaces can incorporate built in log stores or cooking facilities, such as barbecue grills and pizza ovens for alfresco entertaining – the possibilities are endless.

When planning a project, installers need to carefully consider both safety options and practicalities. While there are no laws against garden fires, if the fireplace you are installing is likely to be a nuisance to the surrounding neighbours, then your customer could be issued with a fine of up to £5000.

You can use outdoor barbecues, chimineas, fireplaces or pizza ovens in smoke-controlled areas as long as they don’t release smoke through a building – for example a summer house. If this is the case, only Defra-exempted

Part of Schiedel’s Isokern range, the Garden Fireplace is constructed from lightweight pumice and is delivered in kit form for ease of installation. It is available in four height adjustable sizes.

appliances and authorised fuel can be used.

Just like with domestic installation, care should be paid to any combustible or vulnerable materials that could come into contact with the fire, such as overhanging trees or garden sheds, taking into consideration wind and other elements which could exacerbate the fire.

Enduring the elements Fireplaces and chimneys need to be built out of suitable material to mitigate the risk of fire, but an outdoor fireplace will also be exposed to the other elements – snow, ice, rain and sun.

Pumice is a volcanic rock which provides exceptional durability due to its natural

Upskilling to this area is potentially quite straightforward as there is no legal requirement to hold any specific qualification to buy or fit a wood burning fireplace, indoors or out. Whereas the installation of domestic wood burning stoves, flues and chimneys is ‘controlled’ under the Building Regulations, outdoor fireplaces are not subject to such requirements.

However, it should not be assumed that installation in the outdoor environment is risk-free, and tradespeople undertaking installation work should proceed with the necessary precaution. Particularly in residential areas, there is always a risk that fire could spread to nearby properties if the fireplace is poorly constructed or badly positioned.

Although qualifications are not mandatory, we would always recommend undertaking a HETAS approved training course, which will ensure you have the correct skills, understand best practice for safe installation and are able to deliver practical and professional advice to your customers.

Becoming a member of HETAS will also see your business benefit from being associated with a trusted brand and its marketing efforts. www.schiedel.co.uk

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Larger projects needn’t be a headache Flues are an essential part of any heating system, but for commercial projects careful speciÿcation and installation is particularly important. Phil Lowe, Sales Director for Schiedel Chimney System’s dual brand strategy with Ontop, explains more.

Flues are an essential element in commercial buildings, with a dual function in protecting occupants from harmful combustion gases and preventing excessive heat from igniting any surrounding combustible materials.

The Construction Products Regulations ensures that all components carry a CE mark that sets out their operational and performance limitations for factors including temperature, pressure and

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condensation resistance.

Each part is also marked with a code detailing its classiÿcation, making it easier to work out which products ÿt together for best performance.

This is key to ensuring safety and efÿciency, as ill-matched components can have a signiÿcant negative impact on operational efÿciency.

When choosing a ° ue, one of the ÿrst factors to consider is the material it’s made from. Versatile stainless steel is often the go-to

choice for a wide range of applications, suitable for all heating systems, including modular twin-wall solutions that are highly insulating and simple to install.

Large size systems mean more sound, so additional features such as silencers are often an important factor in commercial projects – of particular concern in applications such as marine engines, where power must be balanced with quiet operation. Guests on

expensive cruise liners, for example, want to relax without the background noise of an HVAC system. What plant will be connected to a ° ue is also a consideration.

Reducing tees are a key component here, allowing the connection of different devices to a single pipe.

With BIM (building information modelling) now the standard for many commercial projects, products that can be speciÿed using BIM modelling will take

some of the headache away from planning and design.

At Schiedel we have comprehensive BIM data for a range of ° ues and components, with free-to-use calculations software that also covers AEC CAD formats.

Find out more Schiedel supplies a wide range of commercial ° ues, including new products from Ontop. For more information and access to the Schiedel BIM calculation tool, visit: www.schiedel.co.uk

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WHAT’S New 51 Keeping track of sludge removal Claimed to be the biggest advance in magnetic filtration since the launch of the first MagnaClean 15 years ago, the new MagnaClean Professional3 Sense from ADEY is WiFi connected to enable it to predict potential system problems and provide preventative maintenance.

WiFi and batterypowered monitoring technology enables the new filter to self-detect how much sludge has been captured and removed from circulation.

Using the company’s Sense technology, the filter is able to detect the level of magnetite collected, preventing ongoing system damage by alerting installers to problems which can then be addressed before it’s too late. Installers can access information via the ProClub app, which also provides real-time updates if required.

Magnetite capture can be monitored both in situ using LED indicators on the canister, or remotely via regularly scheduled or real-time updates sent to the app. The app provides installers with control and visibility of all MagnaClean Professional3 Sense filters they’ve fitted, reporting

magnetite and battery levels, service information and reminders and recommended remedial actions to maintain system health. It also enables automated warranty registration.

Smart fan for social housing Unity CV3 is a new extractor fan from Greenwood Airvac designed to meet the needs of social housing properties.

As well as saving energy and eliminating nuisance noise, the new fan is able to update social landlords on how ventilation is performing in their properties – with information on such things as airflow, humidity levels and running time.

Combining a new motor and aerodynamic design

with the company’s patented SMART Technology, Unity CV3 overcomes the problem of noisy fans being switched off by tenants with quiet running levels of 14.5dB and sensors that ensure the fan only activates when required.

The fan also has an estimated running cost of less than £1 per year.

Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology enables installers and maintenance staff to set up the fan using

an app, which controls airflow speeds, humidity settings and a new ‘do not disturb’ feature, which turns the boost function off during a specific period, such as during sleeping hours.

With the app, data can be accessed by a simple tap of a smartphone, providing evidence which could be useful for landlords facing tenant disputes over issues caused by poor ventilation due to fans being turned off.

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Anti-slip coloured flooring range

Money saver “The addition of our new sensing technology helps installers to save their customers time and money by taking corrective action and negating the need for unexpected costly repairs,” says Product Director Helen Isherwood. “As the industry’s first WiFi enabled filter, it will not only revolutionise the way in which installers do their jobs, but also present them with an opportunity to talk to customers about heating system protection.”

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With the launch of a new anti-slip vinyl flooring range, AKW has expanded its one-stop-shop offering for bathroom adaptations.

Suitable for wetrooms as well as other bathroom designs, the durable safety flooring has been developed to minimise the risk of falls with slip resistance, provide visual contrast and texture, and comes in a choice of six colours.

The flooring range is 2m wide and can be cut to order in incremental lengths of half a metre. AKW also offers a range of other products for fitting the flooring on screeded, concrete and wooden floors, including levelling compound, latex liquid, adhesives and colour matching weld rods. www.akw-ltd.co.uk

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Easy to fit smart radiator thermostat Newly formed energy saving technology specialist Vestemi has announced the launch of its first product – the Radbot smart radiator thermostat. The easyto-use control enables householders to heat individual rooms only when needed while reducing the temperature in empty rooms, therefore saving energy and money. Vestemi says that recent customer trials have demonstrated average savings of 31% – around £180 on an average annual heating bill (based on four to five devices being installed in a home with an average £1200 dual-fuel annual heating bill).

Easy to install without specialist tools or complex programming, Radbot can replace an existing standard TRV and operates without any need to link to the internet or a smartphone app.

Through the use of artificial intelligence, Radbot monitors light and human activity by tracking how often householders use their rooms in order to establish their patterns of

movement. By doing this, the thermostat then understands when it needs to heat a radiator, ensuring the room is ready and warm when required.

If a person uses a room outside of their usual routine, Radbot will respond to movement and heat the radiator there

and then. For extra speed, there is also a boost button that gives householders an extra 30 minutes of heating.

Jeremy Lock, CEO of Vestemi, says: “Energy is a luxury we simply cannot afford to waste. That’s why we’ve brought Radbot to market. You wouldn’t leave the lights on in a room you weren’t using, so why the heating? It’s a simple concept that has already delivered substantial savings during customer trials. But crucially, the design reflects our understanding that consumers want simple solutions they can fit and forget.

This is the future of the smart home – the simple, smart home.”

The device comes ready-to-go with two AA batteries which should be replaced around every two years. It is now on sale through the EDF Energy website, and direct at the Radbot store. Radbot retails at around £64.99 each or with a 25% discount for four, at around £195.

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52 WHAT’S New Warranties get pumped up Flushing control saves water The two-year warranties on Salamander’s CT Xtra, CT Bathroom, HomeBoost and Right Pump ranges have now been extended for three years. Customers also have the option of extending the warranty on these ranges for a further two years at an additional cost.

The pumps provide a selection of new benefits, including a ‘spiders’ web’ design, which has strengthened the plastic end caps on the Right Pump range enhancing strength,

rigidity and reliability, higher quality seals, and the use of metal in place of plastic, and improved electronics.

Gareth Richards, Technical Director at Salamander Pumps, says: “We’re dedicated to providing the best possible service to our

More fan power, less noise The Zone 1 Monsoon Silence Range from National Ventilation has been improved to feature higher extraction rates with low energy use and quiet running. Designed as a domestic ventilation solution, the product is backed by a ÿve-year guarantee.

With two speeds, the Zone 1 Silence range has a running volume as low as 22dB(A), 50% quieter than many fans on the market. Other beneÿts include a low energy usage of just 7.5kW and easier installation thanks to the larger terminal block. The Zone 1 Silence range is suitable for window, ceiling or wall mounting. www.nationalventilation.co.uk

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customers and thanks to these developments we’ve improved the quality and durability of our products, to increase the standard warranty on our products at no extra cost.”

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The IRC infrared urinal ˜ ushing control valve from Cistermiser has been updated with improved aesthetics and an array of new design features. The device uses motion-sensing infrared to automatically control the ˜ ushing of cistern-fed urinals, minimise water wastage, and ensure compliance with Water Regulations. The PIR sensor detects movement and activates the solenoid valve, allowing water into the cistern.

New IRC design features include a stylish and compact

body shape, an economy mode option to provide even greater water savings, a newstyle mounting bracket for recessed installations and an improved design which allows clients to replace batteries with ease by simply removing the front fascia to access the battery compartment.

The IRC reduces water consumption by over 80% and is ready to install straight out of the box.

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Ascend to premium shower enclosures design at Mira Showers, says: “The Mira Ascend has been brought to market following extensive research from our R&D team. Our evolving understanding of the needs of the consumer, and advances in technology, mean that we are in a position to make our products as good as they possibly can be.”

Other features include: concealed fixings to reduce dirt traps; a quickrelease mechanism for easy cleaning; a super-thin lintel for a minimalist frame design; a beaded installation system, removing the need for installers to drill, and improving adjustment; and a Mira Showers branded handle, specifically designed to improve ergonomics.

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New from Mira Showers is the Mira Ascend, a premium enclosure specially designed to improve both ease of fit for installers and maximise user experience.

The design features a metal frame and chrome-plated brass hinges and handles for a clean aesthetic. This is enhanced further with 8mm coated safety glass.

For the consumer, the Ascend offers a premium look and feel. For the installer, the reduced number of working parts makes it easy to fit the Mira Ascend, while providing an aesthetic that complements Mira’s range of showers and Flight trays.

Roland Boal, Head of Industrial

Name the City in Italy to WIN a Vokèra boiler!

How to Enter: PHAM News has teamed up with Vokèra by Riello to give readers the opportunity to win an evolve24 combi boiler each month. Vokèra’s parent company, Riello Group, is headquartered in Legnago (Verona), Italy, so to celebrate this Italian heritage, the competition focuses on some of the most beautiful cities in the country.

For a chance to win, simply identify the city pictured and email your answer to editor@phamnewsedit. co.uk with ‘Name the City’ in the subject line.

Make sure you include the following: Your name and your business’s name Phone number Please type ‘YES’ in the body of your email if you are happy to receive offers from Vokèra via email All correct answers received before the closing date of 28th February 2019 will be entered into the prize draw. Only one entry per person allowed.

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The Prize: The Vokèra evolve24 combi combines the company’s extensive knowledge of appliance design, performance and servicing to deliver a superior and cutting-edge boiler range.

One of evolve’s key attributes is that it is extremely easy to use. At the heart of evolve is the REC10 liquid crystal display user interface. The full text menu driven control enables the user to quickly navigate through the parameters and settings, including programming the heating on and off times as desired. The display will also provide excellent diagnostics in the event of an issue.

The footprint of the evolve24 combi models is especially shallow, making it ideal for a discreet cupboard fit. It also includes an embedded time clock, integral frost protection, concealed service valves and pump kick function. The boiler can be adjusted to operate with either NG or LPG and no extra kit is needed, so in off-grid areas evolve can prove an attractive option.

The entire evolve range is ErP ‘A’ rated and models feature a space heating efficiency of 94%. The evolve24 operates in condensing mode during the production of hot water, and also boasts exceptional domestic hot water flow rates.

As an added safety feature, the boilers incorporate an excess CO alarm, which will monitor the level of CO being produced and will fail-safe if or when excessive CO is being emitted.

www.vokera.co.uk/evolve

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February 2019

WHAT’S New Senna will hit Quick clean the suite spot

PowerFlush FX2 high performance flushing chemical is now available from Kamco in 2.5 litre packs, suitable for flushing an average size house. The product has been formulated to be effective even on systems with extreme corrosion and debris problems, where dispersant chemicals may struggle to achieve a clean unless left in the system for many hours at high temperature.

FX2 starts to work immediately after it is put in the system, enabling it be added on the day of a power flush. There is no need for a visit to pre-treat the system several days before the powerflush, saving on expense and inconvenience.

The latest bathroom suite from PJH is the new Senna range, part of the Bathrooms to Love Collection. The WC with soft-close seat is available in three options that all feature a ‘Y’ styled ceramic design. The curved D-shaped basin measures 550mm wide and includes a full pedestal. The Senna is shown above in a traditional bathroom design, but will look equally at home in a contemporary bathroom setting.

All vitreous china from PJH is backed by a lifetime guarantee. www.bathroomstolove.uk

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R32 keeps the GWP down The latest line of R32 products from Mitsubishi Electric have been designed to meet the need for cost effective air conditioning using low GWP refrigerant.

The new R32 M Series MSZHR Wall Mounted System blends energy efficiency with a compact and stylish design, with the entry-level offering to the M Series product range being ideal for applications requiring a small scale, highly efficient air conditioning system.

With inverter driven technology, the wall mounted range is available

in 2.5, 3.5 and a new 5.0kW system sizes. As a direct replacement for the R410A MSZ-DM range, the new series uses R32 refrigerant which has a significantly lower Global Warming Potential, helping users to reduce their impact on the environment while at the same time

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PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.keston.co.uk

First Prize One reader will win:

1 x Combimate limescale prevention device of choice (15 or 22mm pipework fittings) 1 x Samsung Galaxy Tab A Tablet, Android N, 10.1 inch, 32GB + 128GB Micro SD, WiFi

Four readers will win:

to five years if the boiler is commissioned by Keston. To make this easier for installers, installing a Keston 28mm System Filter at the same time as the boiler activates free commissioning. This can be applied for via an online form on the website (www. keston.co.uk/commissioningform). Only single boiler installations are eligible for free commissioning.

Boilers must be registered with Keston to be eligible for the relevant warranty. with a two-year warranty as standard, can be upgraded

PHAM News has teamed up with Cistermiser to give away five Combimates, the company’s limescale prevention device, with one lucky reader also getting a Samsung Galaxy tablet!

4 runners-up:

Warranty opportunities Extended warranties are now available on Keston’s range of wall-hung twin flue boilers. Its System and Combi ranges for domestic installations with outputs ranging from 30 to 35kW will continue to offer a fiveyear warranty. However, if a Keston 22mm System Filter is also installed and registered with the boiler, the warranty is increased to seven years.

If a higher output is required for large domestic or light commercial applications, there are 45 or 55kW model options. This range, offered

Find your mate

Developed by Cistermiser, the leading intelligent washroom controls and water efÿciency specialist, the Combimate is designed to protect appliances in hard water areas and also reduce the effects of soft water corrosion. Suitable for single appliance or whole-house water supply installations, Combimate keeps pipework clear and energy costs down. Available in a choice of models for 15 or 22mm pipework, Combimate is WRAS approved and uses Combiphos spheres to efÿciently dose the water, as required. This 100% safe, food-grade natural material stops scale build-up on taps, boilers and appliances.

delivering comfortable air temperatures to building occupants.

The MSZ-HR series comes with optional WiFi capability, enabling control and monitoring of each system using smartphone, tablet or PC via the MELCloud app.

PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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1 x Combimate limescale prevention device of your choice (15 or 22mm pipework fittings)

How to Enter Simply read the question below and then write your answer on the freepost reader enquiry and registration card inside this month’s issue.

So, for example, if you think the answer is ‘Candy˜ oss’, you should write 101 on the card. The winner and four runners-up will be drawn from all correct entries received before the closing date of 4th March 2019.

Candyfloss...101

Combiphos...102

Combiboss......103

www.combimate.co.uk

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February 2019

54 DIRECTORY Temperature Sensors

Radiators

Controls

ATC SEMITEC

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Training & Assessments BANICO CONTROLS

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Electric Towel Rails APOLLO RADIATORS

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FREE INSTALLER TRAINING

BOOK NOW

TRAINING@AQUALISA.CO.UK 01959 560042 AQUALISA.CO.UK/TRAINING

Pictured: Adam (loves installing Aqualisa products)

HYCO

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MR COMBI

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STEVE WILLIS TRAINING

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02

Heating Controls

HEATING CONTROLS ONLINE

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Safety Products

PALADIN

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further your ambitions, telephone 023 8066 8900 for information and application pack.

www.idhee.org.uk The professional body We are not a trade association, and we the the Domestic recognised forms of study and achievement.

Heating Engineer.

GOTEC

SOUTH WEST PENINSULAR TRAINING LTD

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IDHEE

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February 2019

INFORMATION Centre 55 Central Heating Wiring & Controls Book

Central Heating combination boilers fault finding & repair

For years electricians and heating engineers have commented that wiring heating controls is a difficult subject to learn, existing diagrams are not always easy to follow.

Mr Combi® Training has developed a fantastic set of easy to follow coloured wiring diagrams for central heating wiring and controls, 2 / 3 port systems, Faults, Frost stats, testing components, everything you need in one handy A5 book.

John Reginald has released his easy to read, easy to understand book that takes the reader through the background and operation of each major component within combi boilers past and present.

The comprehensive fault finding logic guides provide professional solutions helping you to achieve professional standards.

Priced at £26 this Industry leading book is available from all High Street and Online Book Stores.

COPPERJOB

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ATC SEMITEC launches new website

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Advertiser’s Index Adey Innovation Ltd Baxi Remeha BES Ltd CMR Controls Ltd Comap Conex Universal Ltd Delabie UK Ltd Drayton Controls ESi Controls Ltd Eclipse Magnetics (Spear & Jackson) The Electric Heating Company Firebird Products Ltd Gastec Training Gator Fixings Grundfos Pumps Ltd Hitachi Air Conditioning ISH 2019 Ideal Boilers KSB Ltd Kamco Ltd Keston Boilers Logic 4 Training MHS Radiators MV Fluids Handling Ltd Nero Pipeline Connections Ltd Nu-Heat UK Ltd Omegaflex Ltd Pegler Yorkshire Group Ltd Polypipe plc Potterton Commercial QRL - Barlo The Radiator Company Schiedel Chimney Systems Ltd Stelrad Stiebel Eltron UK Ltd Supplies4Heat Testo Triton Showers Viega Ltd Viessmann Ltd

Plumbing Products

PLUMBPAL

CIBSE DBSP

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Snickers NEW StreetSmart Stretch Trousers

The new website will help both design engineers and buyers easily identify the ideal temperature sensor for their NPI or product upgrade.

The mobile friendly site is searchable by market application, product type or via one of the world-leading, innovative manufacturers they represent.

With over 20 years’ experience in the thermal sensor industry, the technical sales team provide the final link to designers, confirming specification, availability, competitive pricing, and of course samples.

Visit www.atcsemitec.co.uk, or contact the technical sales team on 01606 871680 ATC SEMITEC

Please order from www.mrcombi.com or enter the PHAM No.

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Graham Plumbers’ Merchant has launched its new, improved Commercial Product Guide, featuring over 10,000 items from over 90 leading industry brands. It includes two new product ranges – Renewable Technologies and Ventilation – in addition to Graham’s commercial Heating, Plumbing and Bathroom ranges.

The new brochure is now available in Graham branches and on the Graham Plumbers’ Merchant website.

To view the new Commercial Product Guide online, please visit www.grahamplumbersmerchant.co.uk/tools/online-literature/.

Or enter the PHAM No. ENQUIRY

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Lakes New Brochure Lakes, the leading manufacturer of showering spaces, kick-starts the New Year with a refreshed ‘Designed for Life’ brochure.

Lakes is leading the way by positioning the showering space at the front of mind for merchants, stockists and installers. This latest brochure includes new lifestyle imagery, new bathroom sets and improved close-up product shots to strengthen the key themes introduced in Lakes’ first edition last year.

For a copy of Lakes’ new brochure call 01684 853 870, download it at www.lakesshoweringspaces.com Or enter the PHAM No. LAKES

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Domus Ventilation, part of the Polypipe group, has launched an in-depth Specification Guide, covering its full range of award winning, energy efficient ventilation products for the domestic and light commercial markets, plus Best Practice Guides drawing on the company’s extensive knowledge in the ventilation sector.

With excellent technical support, it is well placed to offer immediate, practical solutions to Building Regulations Parts F & L. The new Specification Guide, along with detailed product datasheets are available. Ring 03443 715523, Email vent.info@domusventilation.co.uk Visit www.domusventilation.co.uk Or enter the PHAM No. DOMUS VENTILATION

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Marmox New Bathroom Design Brochure

Graham Launches New Commercial Guide

GRAHAM

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Domus Ventilation Launches Specification Guide

Hi-tech fabrics and body-mapping designs in the NEW FlexiWork SoftShell Trousers from Snickers Workwear ensure maximum working mobility.

The new 4-way stretch comfort fabrics integrated into these Work Trousers deliver enhanced freedom of movement as well as improved ventilation and overall comfort.

Offering superb value for money and they also have a slimmer tailored fit and reinforced stretch fabric in the KneeGuard Pro System.

For more information and to download a digital catalogue visit www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or enter the PHAM No. SNICKERS

MR COMBI

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As a major manufacturer of waterproofing and insulation solutions for walls and floors, Marmox has launched a new brochure showcasing its extensive product range addressing bathrooms and wet rooms.

The new brochure features high quality photography throughout, backed by clear and concise information on how to use each product.

Marmox also outlines the technical support available along with contact details, thus ensuring specifiers, installers and the client can access further assistance if required.

For further information ring Marmox on 01634 835290, Email sales@marmox.co.uk visit www.marmox.co.uk or enter the PHAM No. MARMOX

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The Perfect Jacket and Trouser Combination For Winter Snickers Workwear is continually improving its working clothes with superb new stretch Work Trousers and Hi-Tech Jackets for optimum weather protection on site, with great fit and superb value for money.

Also available are Hi-Vis working clothes for tradesmen and women that deliver maximum warmth, dryness and visibility when you need it most.

Check out what’s best for you at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk Or enter the PHAM No. SNICKERS

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