June 2015 by PHAM News

Volume 53 | Issue 6 | June 2015

Gas Safe issues reminder about CO risks in summer As the warm weather approaches and people begin to switch off their heating, Gas Safe Register is highlighting the need to be vigilant against gas appliances which can still pose a risk to safety. Gas Safe Register is looking to alert the public of the continuing dangers of using gas appliances during the summer with its latest report which reveals that every day last summer an average of 189 homes faced a dangerous gas emergency. Between May and September 2014, gas emergency service provider National Grid was called out to 30,000 dangerous incidents, including gas leaks, fires, minor explosions and over 9500 cases related to carbon monoxide poisoning. Supporting the report is a survey of gas consumers, which found that one in five homeowners (19%) said they do not use gas boilers at all during the summer, though they admitted that they are still using hot water and are cooking on gas appliances. With their boilers off, most consumers are not worried about gas safety – only 6% said they would consider CO poisoning a summer health risk. The research also revealed that a third of people say they use a gas barbecue on a weekly basis during the summer, further exposing themselves to a range of potential gas dangers.

Gas Safe has teamed up with NHS Choices, the information website for the NHS, to highlight the dangers posed by poorly maintained gas appliances and barbecues during the summer and to encourage people to recognise the symptoms of CO poisoning. A new safety advice video will also feature on the website. Jonathan Samuel, Gas Safe's recently appointed MD, says: “It is worrying that so many people are unaware they are still using gas appliances in the summer

Tradespeople going beyond call of duty A survey of 500 tradespeople has revealed that many go above and beyond the call of duty when they carry out services for customers in their homes. Commissioned by Origin, a manufacturer of doors, windows and blinds, the research shows that the majority (90%) have performed small tasks that were not in their original remit. Almost a quarter said they have taken a customer to hospital when they’ve had an accident, while one in five have given first aid to a customer, and one in 12 have taken a pregnant customer to the hospital when she's gone into labour. Three quarters have taken time out of

their busy schedules to spend one-to-one time with customers they think might be lonely or in need of some company, with one tradesman saying he has even cooked Christmas dinner for a customer before. Other findings reveal that 40% help out with DIY that is not part of the job they are doing, and the same number help customers by carrying shopping and heavy items for them, while one in ten have taken dogs for walks. A quarter have helped customers use their phone or computer and even helped assemble furniture. One in ten has helped fix a broken down car or change a tyre. It’s not just in the home that many help

Some merchants never run out of excuses.

Win a limited edition Makita tools pack! See page 58

and are therefore exposed to the dangers. With carbon monoxide causing six serious injuries a week, it is vital that the public are aware of the warning signs of faulty gas appliances and recognise the symptoms of CO poisoning. The only way to keep your family and homes safe is to make sure you have an annual safety check by a registered engineer and don’t put it off until winter.” With the Gas Safe report in mind, Lewis Howard, Director of Stevenage based C&J Heating, is calling for more attention to be placed on gas barbecues and patio heaters too, which continue to be a health and safety risk in both commercial and domestic settings. “In the heating industry it is common knowledge that CO poisoning and gas safety issues continue during the summer. This knowledge does not seem to have been filtered to the average UK home. Now the summer has arrived, I urge people to undertake an annual service and safety inspection on both their gas barbecue and patio heaters.” For more news about gas safety, turn to page 53 to see this month's feature.

out, with a quarter saying that they have taken letters and parcels to the post office, and one in five have popped to the shop for customers and a similar number running other errands. The study also revealed that two thirds of tradesmen have observed an argument whilst at a customer’s house, and around one in five claim to have witnessed a ‘spooky event’. One in three have come across old or dangerous work when carrying out a job and fixed it without mentioning it to the customer. Have you gone that extra mile? We'd love to hear about your good news story – please email the Editor at editor@phamnewsedit.co.uk.

Join the team Installers are in with a chance of winning VIP hospitality tickets to the Rugby World Cup final thanks to Adey Professional Heating Solutions. Between now and the end of September, be on the lookout for one of five golden tokens tucked under the caps of MC1+ Protector or MC3+ Cleaner bottles to win. Each token gives the lucky finder two VIP hospitality tickets to the final, semi-finals or quarter-finals. There is also a monthly prize draw for World Cup merchandise and Adey products. Visit www.adey.com/rwcpromotion for more information and to register.

Some merchants never run out. The Graham Pledge means that we’re so confident in our Always Available range*, that if it’s out of stock we’ll give you a £10 voucher for your inconvenience. Visit grahamplumbersmerchant.co.uk for more information. *Terms and conditions apply.

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June 2015

NEWS Review

Inside this issue Survey suggests Editor’s Water Treatment Why a clean system is so important when it comes to maintaining operational efficiency levels

See page 25 t

Training & Education The benefits of learning about heating control wiring and other industry training courses

See page 37

Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps There are good reasons to predict further growth in demand for air source heat pumps in the UK

See page 47

Gas Safety With the danger of CO poisoning in the headlines, we look at some of the latest advances in alarm technology

See page 53

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

Incorporating: Plumbing & Heating News Plumbing & Heating Equipment News

a mistrust of Viewpoint young plumbers by Chris Jones

According to a new study by WaterSafe, age is a huge factor for homeowners when choosing a plumber, with exactly half (50%) admitting they would prefer a plumber aged between 36-49 years old. This was shortly followed by the over 50’s (24%) and those aged between 26-35 (21%). In stark contrast, just 4% of respondents said they trust traders aged between 18-25 years old most of all. The consumer poll shows that the majority favoured workers in their forties, with the nation’s most trusted age for a tradesperson being 41 years old. However, when it comes to checking the qualifications of a plumber to ensure they’re competent to do the job, the survey reveals that 70% of homeowners make no effort to check their credentials. In response to the survey, the plumbing assurance scheme has issued a warning to consumers that age is by no means a guarantee of professionalism. Director Julie Spinks comments: “When it comes to the trade industry, there has always been an inherent degree of ageism – whereby it may be easy to assume

Why take risks with gas?

that older traders, in having acquired years of experience, are more trustworthy. “However, the reality is the age of a tradesman is irrelevant – whilst experience is valuable, it’s all about their professional qualifications and skills set. After all, each year we continue to see truly gifted, hardworking younger installers enter the industry – and their talent must not be overlooked.” Ian Mitchell, Water Fittings and Regulations Manager for Severn Trent, adds: “This new study shows a very worrying trend. We want our customers to have a good experience when it comes to people fixing their pipes, so we always advise they call an approved plumber from the WaterSafe website.”

Editorial & Southern Sales Office: PHAM News | 1b Station Square, Flitwick, Bedfordshire MK45 1DP Tel: 01525 716143 | Fax: 01525 715316 Editorial Email: editor@phamnewsedit.co.uk Sales Email: nathan@phamnews.co.uk Northern Office: Pinede Publishing | Argyle Business Centre, 8 Leicester Street, Southport, Lancashire PR9 0EZ Tel: 01704 501090 | Fax: 01704 531090 Email: russ@phamnews.co.uk Subscription Enquiries: Tel: 01889 577222 | Fax: 01889 579177 Email: circulation@phamnews.co.uk

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Free flowing Brazil

Published by: Pinede Publishing | 16/18 Hawkesyard Hall, Armitage Park, Nr Rugeley, Staffordshire WS15 1PU

Managing Editor Chris Jones Assistant Editor Carol Hitchcock Publishers Chris Evans Russ Jackson

The tragic deaths of Christi and Bobby Shepherd, the two young children who suffered carbon monoxide poisoning while on holiday in Corfu in 2006, has again been in the headlines lately as the slow wheels of justice finally start to bring those responsible to account. It’s a case that has helped to highlight the very real lifethreatening potential of any faulty gas appliance and has also no doubt helped to shift a few CO alarms at UK airports, but it is hoped that it hasn’t implanted any thoughts amongst British holidaymakers that dangers only occur when you’re on foreign soil. Gas Safe’s warning to the public about the dangers of using gas appliances is therefore a timely reminder that the risk of CO poisoning is far closer to home than some people might think. As the registration body points out, poorly maintained gas appliances can cause as much harm in the summer months as they can in winter and there’s no reason why homeowners should be any less vigilant. The holiday period also provides an ideal opportunity to arrange for heating and chimney systems to be checked out – whatever the fuel used – in readiness for the following winter. One problem is that it has historically proved difficult to get an accurate picture of the number of fatalities that can be attributed to CO poisoning, but general consensus is it is likely to be significantly higher than recorded. But whatever the figure, there’s no argument that a CO alarm and regular servicing of appliances will help to minimise any risks. You’ll never know how many lives you’ve saved by helping to get that message across, but there’s a very good chance that you would have prevented at least one family from hearing some unwelcome news in the future.

COMING SOON FOR THIS AUTUMN

Circulation Manager Sue Bethell

ABC Audited circulation Jan-Dec 2014 | 28,751 Subscription Rates United Kingdom £60.00 Overseas (Surface) £80.00 Overseas (Air) £95.00 ISSN 1368-9061 Printed by: Precision Colour Printing Ltd. Origination by: www.italicauk.com

© Copyright 2015 | 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.

The Brazilian national team is renowned for its free flowing football and now players can benefit from free flowing hot water thanks to the installation of Rinnai gas fired water heaters at the world famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The tankless continuous flow water heating products perhaps won’t be able to enhance the team’s prospects on the pitch, but they will at least ensure that the likes of David Luiz and Dani Alves can look forward to an invigorating shower after a game. There are no sudden changes in water temperature thanks to the digital temperature controller and, as an extra safety measure, the unit will automatically cut the heater should the temperature rise by 3°C above the chosen set point.

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June 2015

News Review

Good news for water heating market A new report from AMA Research shows that the UK water heating market saw marginal growth in 2014, with an increase of a further 2% expected in 2015. Between 2010 and 2012, the UK water heating market was comparatively volatile, however since the economy picked up in 2013 the market for water heating products has modestly increased. The report identifies the core product sectors to be hot water storage systems (around 70% of the market), instantaneous water heaters and boiling water heaters and taps.

The number of homes with hot water storage has declined significantly in recent years with the increasing reliance on combi boilers, according to AMA. The vast majority of new homes now have a mains pressurised system installed as standard, predominantly in the form of an unvented storage cylinder in larger properties, and a combi in small to medium properties. The market for instantaneous water heaters has seen moderate growth, particularly in the commercial sector. However, demand for multi-point

instantaneous water heaters has been negatively affected by the development of the combi market. This sector is dominated by replacement demand, described as a large but declining market.

Efficiency trend The market for boiling water heaters for hot drinks has seen good growth over the last five years, particularly in commercial applications. Positive influences include growing concerns about energy efficiency and the environment. Products are being increasingly designed to deliver improved thermal

performance in order to achieve lower running costs. This trend has been influenced by the further revisions to Part L in 2013. Current forecasts are based on steady recovery in the economy and on consumer and business confidence levels. By 2019 it is estimated that the UK water heating market will have increased by 6-7% when compared to the estimated market size in 2015. The ‘Water Heating Market Report – UK 2015-2019 Analysis’ is available from AMA Research online: www. amaresearch.co.uk

Triton prize winner SNIPEF awards

Nick Dickens handed the keys by Triton MD Lorna Fellowes

Shower manufacturer Triton has handed over the keys to a new Volkswagen Caddy, having named Nick Dickens, of Leicester, the winner of its Scratch & Win campaign. Nick took possession of his new £16,000 vehicle at Installer 2015, which took place in Coventry last month. Nick became eligible to win the new van when he purchased a T80Z FastFit from Stuart Plumbing & Heating Supplies. The Scratch & Win campaign rewarded installers every

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time they purchased a Triton shower and put them in the running for the top prize.

New MD Marking its 40th anniversary, Triton has also announced the appointment of a new MD. Business Development Director David Tutton will take over from Lorna Fellowes in July. Lorna, who has been MD since 1999, is moving on to a new role as advisor to the Norcros Group, parent company of the UK shower manufacturer.

Licensed plumbing and heating businesses are invited to nominate themselves for a new annual award being launched by the trade body representing plumbing and heating businesses in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation will reward one of its member firms with the title ‘SNIPEF Business of Year 2015’. The winning firm will have to show that they have excellent technical skills and ability, offer excellence in customer service, and are committed to raising standards in the industry. Nominations are open now. To enter visit www.snipef.org/annualawards

Get the Key benefits on installer scheme

Renewable heating specialist Daikin has launched a loyalty scheme for installers of its Altherma air-to-water heat pumps and renewable heating products. The scheme, called Daikin Key, is designed to support a closer working relationship between installers and the manufacturer, while also providing a number of benefits such as access to free training, business support and marketing materials. Daikin Commercial Director Nancy Jonsson comments: “After surveying more than 200 installers and asking what they wanted most from a loyalty scheme, we believe

Key offers the most diverse and rewarding benefits for all members. “Installers will have access to unique benefits including free Daikin product training courses, software tools, and other rewards that will help support the growth of their businesses and the growth of the renewable heating industry as a whole.” To register for the Key Installer Scheme, installers need to complete a training course at one of five training centres. This allows access to the first level of membership, with an opportunity to progress to the Partner level of membership.

Get closer to the Superbike action As the official title sponsor of the GBmoto Kawasaki team competing in the 2015 MCE British Superbike Championships, JG Speedfit is set to give away pairs of tickets for this season’s BSB race events. To get a chance to win tickets for one of the races, installers are invited to visit JG Speedfit’s Facebook and Twitter pages to follow the

competition link, which will be posted daily. Winners will be notified one week prior to each race weekend and the tickets will

be posted to them with a next day delivery courier. Promotion runs alongside the 2015 MCE British Superbike Championships

calendar, with the last pair of tickets to be given away for the final race at Brands Hatch, October 16–18. For further details and the chance to win additional branded merchandise items throughout the year, keep an eye on the JG Speedfit social media pages, or alternatively visit the BSB dedicated page on the company website at speedfit.co.uk

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June 2015

News Review

Hitting the jackpot Club confers greater benefits Members of Glow-worm’s Club Energy loyalty scheme can now benefit from enhancements to its Plumbing Toolbox app, which provides installers with a number of facilities that can make life easier. Along with access to full technical product manuals and faultfinder codes to enable onsite

diagnostics, the app now allows qualified installers to submit Gas Safe notifications directly to the Register. Also new is a Benchmark capability which means Gas Safe Registered heating installers can complete their Benchmark reports on the app and email them directly to their

Get the smart edge Phil gives it a try

Looking to increase its Alsager headquarters where brand awareness, Twyford he will challenge staff to has struck a 12 month a friendly game of darts. sponsorship deal with VIP tickets to the World Adrian ‘Jackpot’ Lewis, Championships and other two-time Professional Darts events will also be up for Corporation (PDC) world grabs and Adrian will be darts champion. The deal promoting the Twyford brand means Adrian will wear to his Twitter followers. Twyford’s Head of MarketTwyford branded shirts at all his competitions, potentially ing Sabine Mané, says: “Darts reaching an audience of over is a highly popular viewing sport attracting both female ten million people. Adrian, who is from Stoke- and male audiences across on-Trent, will be making a wide demographic. We guest appearances for look forward to a highly productive relationship over Twyford, the first of which MHS Multisec_178x135_PHAM_Layout 1 30/04/2015 17:04 Page 1 is a visit to the company’s the next 12 months.”

SmartInstallers.co.uk, the installer club from HomeServe Alliance, has now reached 1000 members since its launch in January. The free scheme is designed to assist independent heating installers looking to grow their business by offering them exclusive member discounts on smart technology, along with advice and guidance on connected homes. Peter Northwood from HomeServe says: “We are absolutely thrilled to have signed up 1000 installers to our club in less than four months. We have already installed more than 15,000 smart thermostats, and the demand is growing. Membership is free, and with it installers get training on smart devices, including how to fit them and how to explain the features to customers. We are successfully giving the independent installer the knowledge and national buying power they need to keep up with the changes in the heating industry, while providing them with an additional revenue stream.”

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customer. Users of the app can also enjoy instant warranty registration with homeowner confirmation, customer leads directly to their phone, and access to an interactive merchant locator. To join Club Energy and download the app, visit www.glow-worm.co.uk

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Adey’s Richard Wright (left) with Andrew Elliott

Derbyshire installer Andrew Elliott has earned the title of fastest fitter in Adey Professional Heating Solutions’ competition held on its stand at Installer 2015 last month. The 41-year- old plumbing and heating installer, who runs Elliotts of Bakewell, installed a MagnaClean Professional2 filter in 26 seconds, beating the previous record of 41 seconds. “Adey generously gave me a MagnaCleanse kit for setting the new fastest fit record and I couldn’t be happier. It’s great timing as my old cleaning kit has just packed in and I’d been looking to invest in the MagnaCleanse process for a while – I’m looking forward to using it.”

Rugby star and Celebrity MasterChef winner Phil Vickery MBE has spent the last six months working as a brand ambassador for Heatrae Sadia’s Aquatap range. The plumbed-in electric drinking water unit is designed for the commercial market and delivers instant boiling or chilled drinking water at the touch of a button. Phil recently visited the company’s Norwich factory for a behind the scenes tour and also took part in a two-day employee event.

Win a new Transit and UFH products To celebrate the launch of its new PolyMax plumbing fitting range, Polypipe has launched a competition which will see one lucky winner drive away in a fully kitted out Ford Transit van, worth some £20,000, plus £500 worth of fuel. The winner will also receive all the products they need for their next underfloor heating project, up to a value of £3000, and membership to the Polypipe Underfloor Heating Registered Installer Network. To be in with a chance of winning the competition, entrants are required to register online and input the unique competition code found on applicable Polypipe products. Products included in the competition are PolyMax fittings, PolyPlumb fittings, underfloor heating pipe, the company’s new stainless steel manifold and smart internet based underfloor heating controls. Find out more by visiting the dedicated website (www. polypipe.com/campaign/win-a-van).

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June 2015

News Review Apprentice wins top title

For cancer research Plumber Alex Mayer is building upon the legacy left by his mother, Julie Jane, by using his business to raise funds for cancer research. Alex, 26 from Ascot, lost his mother to esophageal cancer when he was 14, and established his business three years ago in her honour and bearing her name. Julie Jane Ltd operates as Boiler Servicing 24-7 and employs ten people. Alex has added Cancer Research UK’s logos to his vans to help promote the charity and makes a monthly

donation from his profits. Alex comments: “When my mother died, I was determined to do something with my life. I’m sure she would be proud that I am doing well and giving people employment, but having seen my father also go through a battle with cancer, and win, I know that the work of charities such as Cancer Research UK is vital and needs support.” Donations can be made by going online to the Just Giving site: www.justgiving. com/juliejaneltd

A plumbing apprentice from Accrington and Rossendale College has been named the Copper Initiative HIP! National Apprentice of the Year 2015. Tanagon Ashworth, 19, is an apprentice with Jeff Pearson Plumbing & Heating in Rishton and competed against six other winners of the competition’s regional heats to win the two-day grand final. The finalists were up against the clock to install a shower cubicle, toilet and macerator, boiler rig, pipework, radiators and

an Adey MagnaClean Professional2 magnetic filter. Their skills were judged by CIPHE national competition Judge Tony Kite, HIP! Magazine Managing Editor and event organiser Celia Matthews, and representatives from Saniflo. After much deliberation, the judges crowned Tanagon the winner. Seb Zornoza from Bridgwater College was highly commended as runner-up. Copper Initiative awarded Tanagon with his cut glass trophy, along with an iPad mini and a press fit

machine. He was also given a Knipex toolbag, a Hitachi drill set and a Ridgid laser level. “This competition has been excellent and I’m really pleased to have won,” says Tanagon. “I’m really looking forward to qualifying as a fully-fledged plumber now. ” The national competition which supports apprentices entering the plumbing trade is now in its seventh year. It was hosted at Adey’s Training and Conference Centre in Cheltenham for the second time.

Extended scheme Worcester on top of ErP Directive

HETAS has extended the scope of its installer competent person self-certification scheme to include plumbing and sanitaryware. This means that installers can self-certify a shower or bathroom installation. The new categories of registration for plumbing include the installation of new or replacement showers, taps, sinks, washbasins, bidets or other sanitaryware, and installation of a wholesome cold water supply. Typical qualifications for registration with the scheme include an NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Heating and a WRAS certificate. Find out more by emailing HETAS on registration@hetas.co.uk.

Installer seminar spreads the word Calor Gas recently hosted a technical seminar in Sheffield aimed at providing a better understanding and appreciation of central heating system design. The event was led by Andrew Millward, Technical Director of independent plumbing business Home Comfort Assured based in Watford. Over 35 commercial and domestic installers were in Installers who attended attendance to learn about the had the opportunity to learn technical aspects covered in more about specifying and the CIBSE Domestic Heating designing wet central heating 11227 Talon Landscape adverts_Layout 1 31/03/2014 13:30 Page 4 design guide. systems, system design, heat

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In view of the upcoming Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive, Worcester has announced that its complete range of Greenstar gas-fired boilers is now fully compliant. As of 26th September all boilers must meet a number of additional criteria, one of which is that if a boiler has a builtin circulating pump then the pump itself must meet the requirements of the Directive and be of a low energy type. As part of Worcester’s preparations, the entire range of Greenstar system and combi gas-fired boilers has been fitted with low energy circulating pumps, ready for when the legislation is introduced.

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loss calculation, weather compensating controls and fuel storage. The event also involved in depth talks around heating maintenance,

installation and legislation. Calor’s Rural Development Specialist Ian Digby was also on hand to discuss the benefits of specifying LPG and additional customer benefits offered by the company. This included information about the fuel supplier’s engineering and installation capability, tank siting information, Calor’s free above ground tank installation and gas connection offer, and its Installer Incentive Scheme for new customer referrals.

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June 2015

10 News Review Prime Minister pays visit to Fläkt Woods

Charity flies high thanks to donation M&E Contractor, Pro-Mec UK Ltd, has recently donated £1000 to the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity after receiving an award for its environmental work as part of Mitsubishi Electric’s Green Gateway Awards. The award recognises a firm’s contribution in encouraging energy efficiency in the built environment, giving the winner money to donate to a charity of its choice. “Deciding on Midlands Air Ambulance Charity was easy for me as so many of us travel the motorways, and these guys are there to help if things go drastically wrong,” explains Pro-Mec’s Martin Chetter. “The charity provides a truly life-saving service but it receives no Government or National Lottery funding and has to rely entirely on public support.”

Essex based fan manufacturer Fläkt Woods has welcomed Prime Minister David Cameron to its manufacturing site to view its facilities. The company used the opportunity to show off the new JMv Aerofoil, a fan developed to reduce carbon emissions, increase fan efficiencies by up to 82% and reduce running costs in general building ventilation, car park fire smoke control, and tunnel ventilation. Ian Morehouse, MD and

Vice President for the Fan Business Unit, met with Mr Cameron and together they viewed the production and engineering facilities and

met with team members. Ian highlighted how the new product range has been developed using advanced engineering design tools

and emphasised that the advances in efficiency and performance come from taking the strengths the UK has in aerodynamic design into a commercial application. Commenting on the day, Ian Morehouse says: “The Prime Minister’ visit allowed us to demonstrate our technical capabilities and how we are developing our workforce that together push forward to improve our diverse product range to meet customer needs.”

Guide to safe water Cashback reward The CIPHE has published the Safe Water Guide, a booklet that focuses on scald prevention and legionella. It covers the conditions that harbour legionella, including renewable energy heated water systems, hot tubs and whirlpool baths. The booklet also covers design and good practice to prevent scalding. The Guide is available at a cost of £15 (£10 for members). To purchase a copy, please call 01708 472791.

Installers who purchase a Redring Expressions Revive shower by the end of June will be eligible to claim £10 cashback, as part of a new incentive to reward installers. Cashback forms are available on the Redring website or from participating wholesalers and trade counters across the UK. The £10 cashback promotion is open to all UK installers aged 18 or over, and the closing date for claims is 31 July. The offer is available on Redring Expressions Revive models X7R, X8R, X9R, XP7R, XP8R and XP9R. Cashback claim forms and the terms and conditions can be found at www.redring.co.uk

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June 2015

Quality and innovation at the heart of our boilers.

PEOPLE on the Move Gas Safe Register has named Jonathan Samuel as its new MD, replacing Russell Krämer who will be moving on to a new role within the Capita Group. With over 27 years experience in the sector, Jonathan begun his career as a service engineer. He joined the previous gas registration scheme, CORGI, in 2002 where he was responsible for the field operations inspection data systems. Alpha Heating Innovation has promoted Matt Hobbs to the role of Commercial Sales Director. Previously Alpha’s Technical Sales Director, Matt has 25 years experience in the industry, having begun his career in 1989 as an apprentice gas service engineer. In his new role, he will work alongside the sales team with the focus on growing the company’s commercial presence in the UK. Indoor climate specialist Zehnder has strengthened its sales team with the appointment of Simon Macauley as Area Sales Manager for Scotland. Simon’s primary role is to develop the specification and sales of the company’s commercial products through design consultants, designbuild contractors, architects and local authorities. He brings 10 years experience in the HVAC sector to the new role. Ferroli has appointed Peter Taylor as Field Operations Manager. Peter joins the boiler and heating appliance manufacturer from Vaillant, where he held a number of senior roles in product support and development. At Ferroli, Peter will manage the company’s growing team of engineers and will be implementing new procedures to expand and develop the company’s technical service department. The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) has announced the appointment of Stewart Clements (pictured) to the position of HHIC Director. Stewart takes up the position following the retirement of Roger Webb. Stewart previously served as Technical Director with HHIC and aims to provide continuity for members and the wider field, while offering a fresh perspective.

Stainless steel is, without doubt, the best material for primary heat exchangers in condensing boilers. One of the unique design features of all Vitodens boilers is the Inox-Radial heat exchanger made from high grade stainless steel. We are so confident in our heat exchanger that we guarantee it for 10 years against corrosion. Designed for long-term reliability, high performance and self-cleaning

Geberit has welcomed Graham Aird to the role of Product Manager Sanitary Systems. Graham fills the shoes of Victoria Willis, who has moved on to the role of Product Manager Piping systems. With a background in building engineering, Graham brings a wealth of experience to Geberit, joining the Warwick-based company from Industrial Tool Supplies, where he was Buyer and Brand Manager.

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Michelle Fleming, Business Development Manager (Projects) at Wavin, is now National Sales Manager for Hepworth Clay. Michelle has been with Wavin since 1988 when she joined the company as a Graduate Trainee and has had numerous sales and marketing roles over the years. She will now have direct responsibility for the management and development of the company’s three Clayware Area Sales Managers.

Mike Harvey has been promoted to the position of Training and Technical Support Manager with HETAS. Mike joined HETAS two years ago as Installer Services Support Manager and has been responsible for the HETAS technical helpline. He has over 20 years experience in the heating industry, having previously worked as an installer and college lecturer.

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Vitodens 200-W gas condensing boiler Viessmann Limited • Telford • Telephone 01952 675000

Talon, the Kent based manufacturer of fixings, fastenings and plumbing accessories, has appointed Mike Freeman as its new Sales Director. Mike brings with him over 20 years experience to the role, having held similar positions with some of the heating industry’s leading brands, including Ferroli and Remeha. Mike’s primary responsibility will be to assist the continuing growth of the Talon brand.

on all stainless steel heat exchangers for gas condensing boilers up to 150 kW

ENQUIRY

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June 2015

12 YOUR Views

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with Geberit

Wall-hung sanitaryware A frame for all applications The beauty of wall-hung sanitaryware goes far beyond its highend finish and increased levels of hygiene. With the right knowhow, wall-hung can be fitted in virtually any commercial or domestic property, says Geberit Product Manager Graham Aird. Our Duofix frame system is the backbone to any modern bathroom, supporting wall-hung WCs, washbasins, bidets and urinal sanitaryware firmly in position. With the frames simply bolted to the floor and placed either pre or post wall, with Geberit know-how no expensive structural building work is required. We offer frames for every wall-hung application, with different heights and designs enabling installers to specifically meet the requirements of a job every time.

Flexible solution Let’s take a look at some of the scenarios where a little Geberit know-how goes a long way: • Height restricted areas – the Duofix Kappa Cistern 15cm is designed to fit under a window, in the eaves or beneath sloping ceilings, with a total install height of 820mm. • Corner installation – the Duofix Special frame for wall-hung WC, H112 with Sigma cistern 12cm, is designed to fit into a corner, making good use of this otherwise unutilised space, ideal for compact bathroom situations. • Where space is a premium, use the Duofix frame H112 with the Sigma 8cm cistern as it won’t encroach into the room. • Rooms with little natural ventilation – the DuoFresh frame for wall-hung WC, H112, with Sigma cistern 12cm has a built-in odour extraction unit, perfect for ridding nasty niffs at their source, with no special fitting techniques necessary. • Making user comfort a priority – the Duofix WC frame for long projection pans can be height adjusted during installation to accommodate very tall customers or those with mobility issues. This frame can also be used with grab rails, ideal for disabled bathroom users. • Furniture solutions – wallhung can be combined with furniture thanks to the specially designed Duofix frame H79 for furniture, ideal for keeping things orderly in bathrooms large and small. • Future-proof – our frames incorporate connection points for electrics and separate water feed, thereby ensuring the bathroom is ready for the latest in toilet technology, including the shower toilet.

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The Kappa frame can provide an ideal solution for low height installations

Useful accessories The range of frames is just the start. There are a number of Geberit accessories that aid difficult installation. Specialist accessories, for example, enable a wallhung frame to be fixed to the bottom of the wall instead of the floor, allowing for the luxury of underfloor heating. Meanwhile, converting a closecoupled WC with in-floor drainage to wall-hung is made simple with a 90º drainage bend featuring toolfree depth adjustment with eight positions and an adjustable range of 45mm. The Geberit PVC S-bend 90/110 (pictured left) eliminates the upheaval of moving the drainage connection, cutting down on the cost and time of installation or conversion. The ultra-flat profile enables the S-bend to be installed below floor level or to existing floor drain with minimal construction modifications. Of course, it’s all well and good having such solutions at your disposal during installation, but what happens when maintenance is required? How easy are these frames and cisterns to access and fix, and what kind of back-up support can you expect? Check out the next issue of PHAM News for the answers to these questions. View our installation videos to find out more

www.geberit.co.uk/youtube

June 2015

INDUSTRY Insight

G1 cold water supply Continuing his in-depth look at the New Approved Document G, industry expert John Griggs runs his eye over G1 and the issues of using non-wholesome water and the options for water reuse.

n 2010, G1 introduced the agreement on the colour options of ‘wholesome’ of pipe or markings used and ‘water of a suitable for non-wholesome water, quality’ for different uses. so the UK had to develop a This provided a means system that would fit with the to achieve the then new current colour schemes used requirement of water for pipes and conduits in the efficiency through G2 and UK. BS 8515 contains clear specifically the 125 litres information for rainwater consumption specified in harvesting systems and 17K. (In 2015, Regulation WRAS has updated its Note 17K has been replaced by IGN 9-02-05. Issue 4 of the Regulation 36 and an option WRAS Note was issued in for 110 litres per person per July 2014, but in February John Griggs MSc FCIPHE IEng day introduced.) 2015 WRAS issued a note that A complication to the water quality the guidance is now under review since the issue was the recommendation in Part L publication of BS 1710: 2014 ‘Specification for (Conservation of fuel and power) to follow the identification of pipelines and services’. So, relevant Building Services Compliance Guide. there may be some new guidance available This included a further recommendation after the ‘new’ Part G comes into force. applicable to hard water areas: Cross-references Table 1 from the 2010 Guide includes: ‘Where the mains total water hardness Although there used to be a separation exceeds 200 parts per million, provision between Building Regulations and Water should be made to treat the feed water to Regulations, because different Government water heaters and the hot water circuit of Departments were responsible, there are combination boilers to reduce the rate of now numerous cross-references to the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations. accumulation of limescale’. To reduce hardness the conventional In addition to the Water Regulations’ method utilises an ion exchange water requirements regarding waste, misuse, undue softener which swaps the calcium ions for consumption, contamination and erroneous sodium ions. This has a marginal impact measurement, for all wholesome supplies, on the drinking water quality, but can G1 requires ALL supplies to have ‘sufficient’ increase the level of sodium about the pressure and flow rate and to be ‘reliable’. No limit for ‘wholesome’ water of 200mg Na/l further interpretation of these performance at the tap, so in G1 there is another category; requirements are offered, so common sense ‘softened wholesome water’ which excludes and good design will be needed to ensure they are met. the sodium limit. Although little has changed in G1 in the The requirements of G1 can be simplified ‘new’ version, the supporting guidance has to these: developed. The issue of revised guidance is • For all drinking water outlets, or a sink partially dealt with on page 4 (paragraph C) in a food preparation area, wholesome water where it states: ‘The Approved Document is required. may be amended from time to time to include • For appliances where hand washing or new references or to refer to revised editions bathing can take place, either wholesome where this aids compliance.’ water or softened wholesome water can be However, the last paragraph under Materials supplied. and Workmanship, on page 10, includes this • For WCs or urinals that need to be flushed, important clarification when Standards are water of a suitable quality is required. called up: ‘However, if this version has been Water saving revised or updated by the issuing standards There is nothing wrong in providing body, the new version may be used as a source wholesome water to all outlets in a building, of guidance provided it continues to address but if water efficiency is being considered the relevant requirements of the Regulations.’ water that would not be suitable for drinking So for specified Standards, the latest may be used. Although the quality of the version may normally be used, but for other water should not have a large impact on documents we need to wait for the AD to be the performance of a WC or urinal, some revised before changing any practices. This reused water can impart a taint, producing principle applies in all the other parts of G, colour issues. and other Building Regulations. One of the most important issues if multiple Next month we will look at the new G2 water quality supply systems are used is that and the different ways to calculate the new of identification. There is no international water consumption targets. John Griggs has worked in water supply and drainage research for over 30 years and represented the UK on various European and International Standards committees. He is a Director of JPJN Partners Ltd, a company that links together a growing number of construction, water and plumbing experts who provide consultancy services to UK and international clients. The company is based in Hertfordshire and has a website at: https://sites.google.com/site/ jpjnpartnersltd. John can be contacted by phone 07910 456314 and email jpjn99@gmail.com.

01/06/2015 08:42

An accent on training… We know our boilers are only as good as you – the installers who fit them. That’s why we put so much into our training and support programmes – so there’s more for you to take out. And when it comes to compliance and new developments, like ErP, we help you stay on top of your game and ahead of the field.

Scan the QR code to go mobile with the NEW App for installers!

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With an expanding number of training centres across the UK and hundreds of courses every year, we make sure that you’re ready for anything.

Find out more at vokera.co.uk

ENQUIRY

Vokèra Affinity offers FREE Gas Safe notification, extended warranty activation and automated points claims. Register today at www.vokeraaffinity.co.uk

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LABELLING DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LABOURED… LET US SHOW YOU HOW AT ONE OF OUR EVENTS. From 26th September 2015 all installers of heating and boiler systems will have to comply with the new EU Energy Related Products Directive. It affects the efficiency and labelling of systems. Plumb & Parts Center are hosting a series of nationwide events in conjunction with major manufacturers that will help you understand your obligations under the directive and more importantly the opportunities it presents. Date

Town/City

Venue

Date

Town/City

Venue

20 April

Coventry

Coventry City F.C. (Ricoh Arena)

2 June

Manchester

Stockport County F.C. (Edgeley Park)

21 April

Darlington

Mowden Park R.F.C. (Northern Echo Arena)

3 June

Glasgow

Hampden Park

22 April

Newcastle

Newcastle United F.C. (St. James' Park)

4 June

Edinburgh

Hibernian F.C. (Easter Road)

23 April

Carlisle

Carlisle Racecourse

9 June

Dundee

Best Western Queens Hotel

27 April

Nottingham

Notts County F.C. (Meadow Lane)

10 June

Aberdeen

Aberdeen F.C. (Pittodrie Stadium)

28 April

Wigan

Wigan Athletic F.C. (DW Stadium)

11 June

Inverness

Caledonian Thistle F.C. (Tulloch Caledonian Stadium)

29 April

Sheffield

Sheffield United F.C. (Bramall Lane)

15 June

Belfast

Titanic Museum

30 April

Hull

Hull City A.F.C. (KC Stadium)

16 June

Peterborough

Peterborough United F.C. (London Road Stadium)

5 May

Liverpool

Aintree Racecourse

17 June

Norwich

Norwich City F.C. (Carrow Road)

6 May

Leeds

Leeds United F.C. (Elland Road)

18 June

Ipswich

Ipswich Town F.C. (Portman Road)

11 May

West Bromwich

West Bromwich Albion F.C. (The Hawthorns)

23 June

Brighton

Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. (Amex Community Stadium)

12 May

Stoke

Stoke City F.C. (Britannia Stadium)

24 June

Reading

Reading F.C. (Madejski Stadium)

13 May

Birmingham

Birmingham City F.C. (St. Andrews Stadium)

25 June

Londonderry

Maldron Hotel Derry

14 May

Cheltenham

Cheltenham Racecourse

29 June

Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes Dons F.C. (Stadium MK)

18 May

Swansea

Swansea City F.C. (Liberty Stadium)

1 July

Preston

Preston Grasshoppers R.F.C. (Lightfoot Green Lane)

19 May

Cardiff

Cardiff City F.C. (Cardiff City Stadium)

2 July

London (West)

Chelsea F.C. (Stamford Bridge)

21 May

London (East)

West Ham United F.C. (Upton Park)

7 July

Watford

Watford F.C. (Vicarage Road)

26 May

Bristol

Gloucestershire Cricket Club (County Ground)

14 July

London (South)

Sandown Racecourse

27 May

Exeter

Exeter Racecourse

15 July

Gillingham

Gillingham F.C. (Priestfield Stadium)

28 May

Southampton

Hampshire Cricket Club (The Ageas Bowl)

16 July

Plymouth

Borington Park Golf Club

Spaces are limited, register today by visiting

understandingerp.co.uk Media partner for the events

Subject to change. Please check website for latest dates and venues.

WE’LL PUT OUR ENERGY INTO HELPING YOU.

ENQUIRY

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June 2015

WATER Treatment 25

The benefits of a belt and braces approach The build-up of air and dirt in a system can shorten the life of components and dramatically reduce operational efficiency. Mark Boccetti, Spirotech UK’s Area Sales Manager – East Midlands, discusses the benefits of adopting a holistic approach to water treatment.

ithout doubt, the most important aspect of any heating circuit is its water – the heat transfer fluid. The condition of the fluid running through the pipes is vital, and maintaining it is essential for achieving optimum system health, but this can be easily overlooked and taken for granted. Even the most welldesigned heating system will fall short, and ultimately Mark Boccetti, Spirotech UK become less efficient, if the quality of the heat transfer fluid is allowed to deteriorate. The steps needed to prevent this are relatively straightforward, yet too often the correct foundations are not put in place to ensure that heating systems are not affected by the resulting build-up of air and dirt. Water naturally contains gases, chiefly oxygen and nitrogen. Oxygen in water accelerates the corrosion process, which leads to a system becoming less efficient. When radiators start to corrode, this increases the workload on other key components, which can eventually compromise the performance of these parts. However, radiators and pumps are not the only victims of corrosion – all components will become less efficient if the corrosion process is allowed to get out of hand. This applies to main heat exchangers, plate heat exchangers and thermistors, as well as diverter valves, flow switches and expansion vessels. To ensure that the effects of dirt and air do not take hold, the first port of call must always be to test the existing system water to determine exactly what is happening inside a system and where the problems may lie. Following this analysis, the appropriate package of products must then be added to the system, in the shape of chemicals, deaerators and dirt separators to correct, protect and prevent any deterioration to the fluid and system. Only by taking these steps will optimum system health be achieved.

of the deaerator is key. By fitting a deaerator as close to the boiler as practically possible – on the flow – the best deaerators are able to effectively remove the gases that come out of solution as the water is heated by the main heat exchanger, delivering impressive results. Systems will run more quietly, with no noisy radiators; there will be less friction, which means better circulation; the corrosion process will slow dramatically, which improves system efficiency and the lifespan of components; and the ineffective practice of manual venting will no long be required. Air and dissolved gasses need to be effectively removed on a long-term basis to protect system components and save both householders and installers the hassle and cost of inefficiencies, callbacks and breakdowns. The benefit of installing a deaerator is that it makes filling and venting the system initially much quicker, saving time and money. Venting is also fully automatic.

Dirt separation Where air is allowed to remain, corrosion will inevitably take place within the system, and it won’t be long before the debris starts to affect performance and efficiency. To stop this causing lasting effects, dirt separation, alongside deaeration and initial chemical treatments, is vital. Choosing a product that removes both magnetic and non magnetic dirt is key to ensuring that systems continue to function at optimum levels. Despite there being an acceptance in the UK market of the need for dirt separation, there’s still some way to go in terms of understanding the best methods for the removal of dirt and debris. One area where confusion persists is regarding isolation valves. There still exists a belief that they are key to the functionality of dirt separators –

www.spirotech.co.uk

PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

108

We’re on the offfensive against limescale and have a whole range of weapons in our armoury to tackle the task in the home or commercial premises. When you fit an Aquabion you have the peace of mind that you are installing a high quality, precision engineered product that is easly fitted, takes up very little space and guarantees results. Available direct or through over 100 merchants we are ready for action. So call the Action Line today for more information on how you can join the fight.

The application of a system protector or inhibitor helps form a protective layer on the surface of pipework and radiators to protect them against the corrosion process. Importantly, it also helps keeps the pH stable, which must lie within certain parameters. The protective layer formed by the inhibitor will be depleted by any oxygen that enters the system – a process known as diffusion – so it is important to check the levels of inhibitor to ensure they are sufficient.

Removing gasses

Call 01380 609 390

and ask for the MOD case study.

E&OE

www.aquabion-uk.com ENQUIRY

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probably because most filters on the market will require them – but this is not the case. In reality, the issue is more about flow path. The flow of water through the SpiroTrap MB3, for example, is through the top (where the magnets are situated) and back round into the manifold body. Misunderstanding is borne out of the belief that the chamber where the external magnet sits is there to accommodate the flow path. This isn’t the case, it’s there purely to house or collect dirt. A dirt separator is so called because it separates dirt from the flow path of the circuit, so there is no need to isolate the flow path in order to service the filter. For removal of dirt from the SpiroTrap MB3, for example, installers need only turn the pump off, remove the magnet, open the drain valve and empty the dirt using the system water/ pressure until the water runs clear. There is no need to drain the system, only the chamber. Draining the system for this purpose is unnecessary and often leads to incorrect refilling, with fresh water – rather than deoxygenated fluid – put back into the system and thus introducing the ingredients for corrosion to take place once more.

Put limescale in its place

Using chemicals

Deaeration is the best kept secret in the domestic market, but the benefits are becoming more widely known and accepted. By fitting a deaerator on the flow at the hottest point the laws of physics do the rest. Through high temperature and low pressure, the gases that cause the system harm and lead to corrosion will come out of solution. We can remove or expel these gases from the system by installing a deaerator such as the SpiroVent RV2. Understanding the benefits of deaeration is one thing, but to ensure it works at optimum levels, the location

The SpiroVent RV2 deaerator installed close to the boiler

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ENQUIRY

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June 2015

26 WATER Treatment

Why softeners aren’t a hard sell As BWT’s Household Product Champion, Steve Ansell is the first point of contact for installers looking for technical advice. Here he explains why helping households to address the problem of hard water can provide installers with a welcome source of extra income.

quality water can be made better. For some that may mean improving the taste whilst for others it could be simply making it better for the purpose they want to use it for. This shift in attitude provides an exceptional opportunity for installers either to sell more or to take the first steps on to the water treatment ladder. With more and more people gradually becoming aware of the benefits of water treatment, training has a vital role to play in helping installers recognise the opportunities and providing them with the necessary tools and skills to help them broach the subject with their customers.

n any time of financial restraint, consumers are likely to cut back on those things that are not a necessity, but these are often the jobs that can help make the difference between a good year and an ordinary year for a professional installer. The greater the range of services an installer can offer, the easier it is to keep busy. Stepping outside your comfort zone is never easy and the change from being reactive to proactive in the search for work is one more level of stress that most installers can probably do without. Water treatment is a prime example. For some installers it already forms part of their arsenal of products and services they offer, but for many others it can be a bit of a dark art. In a market where consumers are seldom well informed, there is an incentive for installers to learn more and provide a wide range of services. Adding water treatment to your portfolio of services can make a big difference in keeping the order book full. When it comes to boilers there is no shortage of manufacturer training courses and often customers are already pretty well informed. For the installer looking at water treatment, the options are more limited. Consumers are less well informed, and water treatment is often seen as a luxury and training is not always readily available.

Practical benefits

Fresh approach However, attitudes are changing. New initiatives such as our Luxury Water programme combine formal installer training and a proactive approach to raising consumer awareness both locally and nationally. Steve Ansell, BWT’s newly appointed Household Product Champion, explains: “Having been in the industry for over 20 years I have seen very little change. Those installers that embrace water treatment make good money whilst those installers that leave it alone lose a vital edge when looking for work in more difficult times. My job is to support our installers regardless of their experience, whether from the end of a phone or face to face at one of our many formal training sessions.” With TV programmes that expose poor workmanship and a plethora of endorsement companies promising to put the customer in touch with a reputable tradesman, the installer now more than ever needs to be able to demonstrate they are reliable, competent and well trained regardless of whether they are fitting a boiler or installing a water softener. The needs of the installer are changing too and whilst the price will always be important, proper training and

Water softeners can provide extra business for installers

access to technical support is now as important to the professional installer as a product that works straight from the box. The attitude is well demonstrated by the number of professionals that are happy to join manufacturers’ installer programmes to receive an enhanced level of support. Steve adds: “As a manufacturer, we recognise the importance of supporting the installer in the field in the same way as many of the boiler companies do, and hence their investment in me as the Installer’s Product Champion. Hopefully our installers will appreciate my no-nonsense practical approach. My aim is to work with the installer to solve any issues quickly so that they can move on to their next job.” Businesses and installers working in the commercial sector are no strangers to the benefits of water treatment, and in many organisations it is already part of their everyday life. Slowly, consumers too are recognising that even good

STOP LIMESCALE AT THE SOURCE

A perfect example is where the customer recognises or the installer can demonstrate that water and lifestyle are often interlinked, maybe as the result of installing a new bathroom or even a boiler repair. Introducing a water softener to the customer can be a daunting task for some installers, so Steve recommends discussing the benefits with the customer first. Customers are normally quick to warm to this softer approach and recognise the lifestyle benefits a water softener can deliver around the home, from the luxury of bathing with softened water to the practical benefits that mean cleaning is easier and appliances last longer. As the economic climate becomes more stable, some installers will simply revert to their core business. However, others will be keen to move on and develop their business adding water treatment to an existing portfolio of products and services. This is relatively easy, and by taking the time to talk to someone like Steve that task can be made even simpler. It is worth remembering that not all water treatment is a hard sell. Every installer can help to change the attitude of the consumer by ensuring they explain the legal requirement and importance of fitting a scale reduction device prior to every boiler where the hardness of the feed water exceeds 200ppm. Once the issue of hard water and the effects it can have on a boiler are explained to the customer, any future conversation regarding water treatment becomes easier and the opportunity for further business more likely. Steve’s final advice to installers is to choose your training carefully and ensure any training course you attend covers more than just product specifications. That way you can capitalise on this type of opportunity more easily when it presents itself. www.bwt-group.com/en

PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

109

LIFETIME SCALE PREVENTION WARRANTY

Combimate provides guaranteed limescale prevention for your complete water supply or to a primary appliance • Keeps energy costs down • Protects boilers and appliances • Compact, and quick to install

• Peace of mind for your customers with £500 guarantee* • Available for 15mm & 22mm pipework

*Terms and conditions apply

0118 969 1611 | sales@combimate.co.uk | www.combimate.co.uk ENQUIRY

from

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01/06/2015 08:47

WIN TWO VIP RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL HOSPITALITY TICKETS Runners-up prizes include semi and quarter-final tickets plus monthly prize draws between June and September. For your chance to win, look for the golden token in the cap of a bottle of 500ml MC1+ PROTECTOR or MC3+ CLEANER Visit www.adey.com/pham for more information. Promotion runs 1 June - 30 September 2015. Terms and conditions apply.

ENQUIRY

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June 2015

28 WATER Treatment Advantages of magnetic filtration New research from Adey has demonstrated the case for magnetic filtration as the most effective means of filtration involved in maintaining and protecting commercial heating systems. The 12 month study shows the MagnaClean Commercial filter is up to 80% more effective in capturing damaging magnetite system sludge than other forms of filtration and is at least 30% more energy efficient. Results show a 2in MagnaClean collected 1.52kg of magnetite during a two-hour cycle at a flow rate of 27m3/hr. By comparison, a 2in basket filter with an 80 mesh basket collected 0.02kg while a comparable dirt separator collected 0.31kg of magnetite under the same flow conditions. The pressure loss across a fully laden MagnaClean Commercial filter was 53.8% and 68.1% more effective than the dirt separator and basket filter. www.adey.com

PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

110

Testing service gives report Engineers can take advantage of Eclipse Magneticsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; BoilerMag Water Testing Service. Just send in a small sample of water from both a radiator on the system and a tap to test the standard water quality in the area. The samples are then placed in a freepost package and sent to a specialist laboratory for testing techniques to provide a report, giving

ENQUIRY

information on a range of data such as limescale build-up; contaminants; levels of corrosion inhibitor; analysis of acidity, alkalinity and conductivity; and water hardness. The resulting report identifies water quality risks and provides recommendations regarding future treatments. ENQUIRY No. 112 www.boilermag.com

Better value, triple action The latest addition to Altecnicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s line-up is the DirtMag IQ Prime, described as the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most cost effective magnetic dirt and air separator. The Prime version offers all of the features of the Dirtmag IQ, including triple separation consisting of the Magbelt for capturing magnetic particles, Dirtstep for particle separation and hydraulic performance, and Airstep for air separation.

The new separator also includes full-bore isolation valves for ease of use and serviceability and an integrated chemical dosing point, which makes the addition of chemicals into the system quick and simple. Prime is made from a mixture of brass and composite materials which, says Altecnic, provides a lower cost option without compromising on the functionality and effectiveness its customers have come to expect from the existing range. www.altecnic.co.uk

ENQUIRY No.

111

Neutralise acidic discharge The discharge of acidic water from commercial condensing boilers not only has a damaging environmental impact, but can contribute to the contravention of water authority guidelines. In response, Sentinel Commercial has developed a simple to install in-line unit, Condensafe C4000, to safely and effectively neutralise

harmful acidic waste from commercial boilers. This unit contains a special medium that makes condensing boilers more environmentally friendly by effectively and easily neutralising acidic concentrate. Said to be

cost-effective, one Sentinel Condensafe C4000 device will neutralise 4000 litres of typical condensate discharge, and features an easily replaceable unit to ensure continuous results. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.sentinelprotects.com

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01/06/2015 08:59

SPIROTRAP MB3 ®

and the new

SPIROTRAP® MBL

Fast, easy removal of dirt particles in HVAC and cooling systems • Industry-leading 20 year guarantee

The new SpiroTrap MBL is now available in larger sizes 1¼”, 1½” and 2”.

• Quick and easy service

SpiroTrap MB3 is available in connection sizes 22, 28 mm, ¾” and 1”.

• Quick, easy universal installation (360°)

Want to find out more? Get in touch today!

• Removable high-powered magnet

Call us on 0208 451 3344 www.spirotech.com info@spirotech.co.uk

• Sturdy brass housing • Energy savings of up to 7.4%

ENQUIRY

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maximising performance

28/05/2015 15:07

June 2015

30 WATER Treatment

Boiler protection backs the ErP The idea behind the upcoming Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive is to increase efficiency in central heating systems. Here, Adey Professional Heating Solutions’ Kelvin Stevens explains how this aim can be bolstered through the use of magnetic filtration devices.

he focus for labelling products under the upcoming Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive is at the point of installation, when a product is at peak performance. However, with a boiler being one of the most expensive purchases a homeowner will make, its performance should be protected for the long term. Savvy installers can use the impending legislation to reinforce this message and start a conversation with homeowners about the importance of ongoing efficiency, which will ultimately help them save money. Monarch Water Scaleout

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Label wise While magnetic filtration and water treatment don’t fall under ErP, they have an important role to play in ensuring the ongoing efficiency of products that do. As well as manufacturers being required to label individual products, installers will also have to provide an energy label for the heating system as a whole. From a homeowner’s point of view, while this is useful there is no guarantee the rating will remain at the same level further down the line, unless the heating system is properly maintained and protected. With the introduction of ErP, a homeowner is effectively buying a level of efficiency when purchasing a boiler, and any installer worth their salt will advise going for a higher ‘A’ rated version. For the scheme to be as effective as possible though, this needs to be backed-up with ongoing protective system maintenance. At Adey, we have long encouraged installers to help homeowners see the benefits of regular, planned maintenance as well as understanding the potential consequences of doing nothing. ErP is a great opportunity to do this. Although it’s a call to action for the industry, it’s a very consumer friendly piece of legislation. Homeowners are already familiar with the rating system, having seen it applied to white goods for a number of years.

Practical advice A recent survey by Which? found that on average, 49% of new gas condensing boilers will develop a problem in their first six years. Homeowners can help guard against costly issues by ensuring their boiler is serviced once a year. This is whether it’s brand new or a few years old. However, a survey of 2000 homeowners carried out by Adey revealed that not even half (46%) of respondents had their boiler checked in the past 12 months. This is where installers play a crucial role in providing practical advice. Taking a more rounded view of how a customer can make long terms savings and reduce the chance of breakdown will help set an installer apart from others. Homeowners need to see an annual boiler check as the starting point in a yearly maintenance cycle, ensuring they won’t be risking reliance on an inefficient system to get them through the winter. Preventing system deterioration is the bread and butter of an installer’s day and they have in their armoury proven technologies that homeowners know little about. For example, installing a MagnaClean could save 6% on energy

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It’s an ideal time to have a conversation with customers

bills year on year, but just 7% of homeowners surveyed have had an effective magnetic filter fitted. Likewise, the Energy Saving Trust (EST) estimates that using a premium chemical inhibitor can increase boiler efficiency by a further 3% and prevent up to a 15% reduction in the effectiveness of radiators – bringing further savings for the household’s bill payers.

Ongoing effects We believe that having a boiler serviced is just as important as a car’s MOT, but thousands of people just leave it chugging away in the corner and don’t give it a second thought until something goes wrong. By learning how to look after the household boiler, homeowners will be able to save money, ensure its efficiency and keep their warranty intact so they’re less likely to have to cover costly repairs if something does happen. According to research, the presence of just 5kg of sludge within the system, which is not uncommon, reduces radiator heat output by up to 36%. To recover lost heat output, homeowners will naturally turn up the thermostat or use extra heating resources, resulting in more energy use to treat the symptom and not the cause. Effective magnetic filtration can also reduce maintenance call outs by up to 37% and help extend the life of a household boiler beyond the average span of 12 to 15 years. In fact, by adopting a thorough four-step best practice approach to ensure a clean, efficient and well protected system, installers can bring their customers considerable ongoing savings and peace of mind. There are plenty of opportunities for installers to help their customers understand the multiple benefits of investing in ongoing heating protection, and with ErP set to come into force later this year, there isn’t a more appropriate time for installers to have a conversation with homeowners.

Find out more Adey provides a water testing service that offers a fast and comprehensive analysis of central heating system fluid. Test results and a full analytical report detailing problems and recommended solutions are then returned within just 48 hours via a secure online portal.

For more information on the benefits of magnetic filtration, enter the number below on the reader enquiry and registration card inside this month’s issue. www.adey.com

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WATER Treatment Combo comes to the rescue A combination of Fernox products have improved a central heating system at a home in Drayton after Fast Flow Gas Services used Fernoxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cleaner F3, Protector F1 and the TF1 Compact Filter. Engineer Lee Perkins had been called in to service the existing system that was taking too long to heat up. He began by powerflushing the system with the F3 product to remove sludge, scale and system containments. Next he dosed the system with Protector F1, which is a BuildCert and ESTR approved inhibitor developed to prevent corrosion and limescale deposition from taking place. For a thorough and complete approach to system protection, Lee also installed a Fernox TF1 Compact Filter to the propertyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s central heating system. The filtration device is 30% smaller than the standard TF1 Total Filter, making it suitable for domestic properties where space or access around the boiler is restricted and a standard filter is impossible to install. The TF1 filter utilises hydrocyclonic

and magnetic action to remove and contain harmful contaminants from the system. ENQUIRY No. 115 www.fernox.com

Dual seal technology helps eliminate leaks in filters With the aim of eliminating filter leaks, Sentinel is highlighting the capabilities of the Quadra-Cyclone technology used with its Eliminator and Eliminator Nano filters. The use of dual seals in the filters mean that once fitted, they will remain leak free. The Eliminator filter benefits from Quadra-Cyclone technology to remove all types of debris from the system flow. In addition to the four cyclones, the filter features four magnets that are positioned strategically in the collection chamber to aid the capture and retention of separated particles. The Nano compact filter relies solely on Quadra-Cyclone technology to

remove system debris, and its size means installation area is 30% smaller than the Eliminator filter. As well as a leak free design, Eliminator filters possess a

number of installer-friendly features. For example, the Eliminator filter has a blockage prevention design, while the Nano has a brass T-piece for robust connection and a sealed bin construction for safety and ease of servicing. Removing debris from the filters is easy and can be achieved via the drain valve for a quick flush or fully dismantled for a complete clean. The unit is sealed to reduce the chances of direct exposure to hot water. An anti-tamper drain valve is featured so users cannot turn the valve to release water when cleaning the filter. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.sentinelprotects.com

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Larger packs for larger jobs The SystemSafe-DM concentrate corrosion inhibitor from Kamco is now available in larger packs for use when treating bigger heating systems. The 2.5 litre Five Pack contains enough corrosion inhibitor to treat a heating system

with more than 40 radiators, and the new 10 litre value pack will treat 2000 litres of heating or cooling system water. The larger packs have a clear strip down the front, marked in steps of 500ml, so engineers can accurately decant the chemical into smaller packs when treating smaller systems. SystemSafe-DM Concentrate is a balanced blend of corrosion and scale inhibitors that has passed the Buildcert/DWTA performance classification, and can be guaranteed to give effective protection as required by BS7593 and Part L of the Building Regulations. It gives complete protection against corrosion, sludge and scale formation in heating systems, preventing internal pitting and galvanic corrosion, which can lead to pin-hole corrosion and leaks. The inhibitor be used with all metals commonly used in heating systems. www.kamco.co.uk

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Call 01494 838161 for details of a Luxury Water Day near you. NEW REGIONAL TRAINING DATES ANNOUNCED:

11th June Norwich / 16th July Hants To register your interest, email: Installertraining@bwt-uk.co.uk and enter training in the subject line or call 01376 334 200 for details. ENQUIRY

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32 WATER Treatment

Push the case for powerflushing Daniel Cheung, UK Trade Marketing Manager at Sentinel, discusses the dangers of skipping system cleaning and explains how installers can promote the benefits of powerflushing to more customers – protecting both themselves and the homeowner’s interests.

or even the most experienced heating installers, powerflushing can be a hard sell. After all, it not only costs the customer money but the process also takes hours. Furthermore, the homeowner might have heard that powerflushes cause leaks. However, as any professional installer will know, system cleaning is a critical part of the water treatment process, Daniel Cheung, Sentinel’s UK and skipping it can be Trade Marketing Manager detrimental for the heating system, homeowner and installer. More importantly, system cleaning offers excellent immediate and long term benefits that far outweigh any initial cost, time or inconvenience to the homeowner, and is well worth the investment. While it makes sense to include powerflushing as part of a new boiler installation package, the reality of a highly competitive market means that many installers offer the service as an optional extra. After all, there are many unscrupulous installers willing to forgo good water treatment practice in order to provide the cheapest quote – perhaps even telling the customer that it is unnecessary to try and discredit professional installers. Of course, if powerflushing is optional, there is always a risk that the customer won’t take it – and that can be very bad news for the installer. How so? Well, if a heating system isn’t cleaned before a new boiler is fitted, the circulating water will contain harmful contaminants. In older systems, the circulating water (unless properly cleaned, protected and regularly maintained with boiler manufacturer approved chemicals) will contain iron oxide sludge, installation residues and other debris. Even brand new heating systems must be cleaned before fitting a new boiler in order to remove installation debris, greases and flux residues. Needless to say, all such contaminants are harmful to the boiler and heating system components, such as pumps

and seals, causing corrosion, system blockages, cold spots in radiators, noise (‘kettling’ from limescale accumulation), leaks, and wear and tear on parts – for example, pumps will have to work harder in order to circulate dirty water. In addition, contaminated system water means that any subsequently dosed inhibitor may be prevented from working properly, so protection is greatly weakened. As a result, the heating system will experience reduced energy efficiency, poor performance, and most likely, premature repairs and breakdown.

Untreated system In short, failure to perform system cleaning as part of a new boiler installation can lead to higher than expected heating bills, excessive system noise, or a refusal from the boiler manufacturer to honour the warranty in cases of breakdown or repair. What’s more, it is likely that the installer will be held accountable, or at the very least find themselves dealing with unnecessary call backs, angry customers, fewer referrals and a tarnished reputation. On the other hand, carrying out a thorough system clean benefits both the homeowner and the installer. For instance, cleaning a dirty heating system is estimated to save a homeowner up to £124 annually. Assuming that a powerflush costs roughly the same price, this means that the service will pay for itself within just one year, after which the homeowner continues to save money. In addition, a system clean will help to optimise the energy efficiency of the new boiler (Gastec says that the absence of correct water treatment can reduce system effectiveness by typically 15%), so household heating bills should be lower – another money-saving tick in the homeowner’s box. System cleaning is clearly advantageous all round, but how can this be communicated to homeowners, most of whom know so little, if anything, about system protection? By focusing on a few simple points around the importance and benefits of powerflushing, and talking to customers in a clear and professional way, any installer can successfully promote powerflushing. This may sound obvious, but few installers take the time to do it, meaning those who do are likely to stand out head and shoulders above less astute competitors.

High capacity unit is down to scale A new high capacity water softener has been launched by Tapworks. Designed to fit comfortably in a standard kitchen cabinet, the new Infinity unit is aimed at meeting the needs of families where space is at a premium in the kitchen. “We’ve seen excellent take up of our leading AD11 unit and the smaller Ultra 9 unit, but we’ve been asked by installers to consider bringing a new, higher capacity unit that will still fit in a kitchen cupboard,” explains Chris Eaton, who heads up the water softener company in the UK. “We’re happy to respond with the new Infinity

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model. It’s perfectly suited to busy, growing families and with its higher capacity offers a more efficient unit too. There’s now a Tapworks unit for every sized home in the UK, including a 1in valve unit for larger homes needing higher flow rates.” Tapworks points out that just a 1.6mm build-up of scale on the inside of heating system surfaces can cause a 12% loss in heating efficiency in pipes, in radiators and on heat exchanger surfaces in boilers. Scale will also form around the heating coil and eventually fill a hot water cylinder. It’s estimated that the annual amount of hard

To explain the benefits of powerflushing, focus on the symptoms of poor water treatment practice, such as radiator cold spots

To help homeowners understand the importance of powerflushing, it is necessary to explain about contaminants, limescale deposits, corrosion, and debris in system water, but it is a good idea to keep this brief. Instead, focus on the symptoms of poor water treatment practice, since most homeowners, if not all, will have experienced radiator cold spots, banging or hissing noises, and poor system performance at one time or another. If the customer is concerned about the powerflush causing leaks, be sure to explain that leaks are usually caused by corrosion, which is a symptom of dirty system water, so failure to clean the system will only delay, rather than prevent, a leak. Of course, if the system is very old and appears to be in poor condition, it is wise to inform the customer and perhaps provide an estimate for replacing radiators. After all, even if the customer does not opt for a system clean, blame cannot be apportioned to the installer should a leak occur, and most homeowners will appreciate such an honest approach. Remember to point out the aforementioned cost, efficiency and warranty benefits of powerflushing. If remembering such points is likely to prove difficult, prepare a document to give to the homeowner – this could even include the paragraph in the UK Building Services Compliance Guide to Part L on the requirement for system cleaning – or better yet, our own ‘Homeowner’s guide to a healthy heating system’. www.sentinelprotects.com

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Ball valve eases the strain

water used by an average family of four contains a sizeable 70kg of damaging limescale. Having softened water in the home will reduce heating bills and also reduce maintenance costs on appliances. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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The Filterball valve from Marf low Hydronics can help to take the strain out of cleaning and maintaining a water distribution system. The Filterball is a compact combined isolation valve and strainer unit that has been specially designed so that it can be easily accessed for cleaning or maintenance. Its in-built strainer screen removes the need for separate isolating valves up and downstream of traditional Y strainers, and the company claims that significant time and cost savings can be made

compared to using more traditional strainers and isolating valves. Nick Martin, Technical Manager at Marflow Hydronics, says: “For a long time there’s been a belief that strainers improve water quality, whereas in reality, without a proper

maintenance schedule, their use can actually cause water quality to decline. “Users can be massively increasing their water quality problems if strainers are added in and then they’re not checked properly. Our Filterball has been designed deliberately so that many of the issues associated with water quality can be more readily overcome. They introduce very little air into the system and can be so easily accessed and operated. We always find that people are quite surprised by just how easy they are to use.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.marflowhydronics.co.uk

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01/06/2015 11:08

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34 Products in Action Heating solution for Grade II cottage For the conversion, upgrade and extension of Tillbridge Cottage, a Grade II listed cottage in Lincolnshire, a comprehensive Hep2O underfloor heating system from Wavin has been specified to provide a reliable, costeffective and efficient heat distribution throughout the property. The client required a high performance heating system which would not only offer reduced carbon emissions and low running costs but could also be seamlessly integrated into the unusual design. The Hep2O underfloor

heating system was up for the challenge, providing a fast, simple and non-intrusive installation along with

the performance required. For the new build element of the project, the Hep2O system has been installed

using the modular wood system over timber joists to provide a cost effective and easy solution for the project to incorporate underfloor heating. The modular wood system is essentially a 2 in 1 product installed in the same way as standard chipboard flooring. The remainder of the new build side of the project is on screeded floors using pipe and staples and will be partnered with a heat pump situated at the other end of the property. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.wavin.co.uk

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Pumps at the gym The Saniflo Sanicubic XL has been specified for the Educo Gym in Pearse Street, Dublin. To replace its existing pump, the gym used a Sanicubic XL due to its capacity to pump 40m³/ hour of black wastewater from multiple appliances. The pump services two WCs, six showers and four basins from the basement car park. The XL has a 120-litre tank capacity ensuring it functions efficiently when connected to several wastewater sources at a time. It incorporates vortex technology, which powerfully discharges waste through 80 or 100mm discharge pipes with 2 x 2kW pumps. Said to be easy to install, the unit simply stands on the ground, avoiding the need for costly excavations. It is IP68 rated, giving it protection against submersion in water.

Electric comforts Gaia’s electric underfloor heating (UFH) system has been chosen by prestige developer, Berkeley Homes, to heat apartments in a new canal-side development in Worcester. The systems have been installed in two buildings that make up the latest phase of redevelopment of the historic Royal Worcester Porcelain Works near the centre of the city. The electric DEVIheat system is quick to respond so that room temperatures can be quickly and easily regulated. Multi-zone thermostatic control gives the occupiers fingertip control of the temperature in every room, ensuring the optimum comfort all year round. www.gaia.co.uk

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PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Controlling your heating system has never been easier The innovative heating control app that allows you to control and simply adjust your Windhager biomass heating system everyday from any smartphone or tablet.* Easily integrated with existing Windhager systems with MES Plus controls. Flexibility in adjusting heating temperatures from any location via your smartphone. Receive push messages from your boiler (service reminders, pellet refill, boiler status) Pre-programmed functions available for automatic adjustments.

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Keeping the noise down in the dorm Polypipe, the manufacturer of plastic piping systems, has installed the largest order of its Terrain db12 plastic piping system to date. More than 3300m of Terrain db12 engineered acoustic piping were specified by Dornan Engineering for an extensive student accommodation project at Islington, close to City University’s Northampton Square site. The new 1.5 acre Pure City site now provides accommodation for 805 students across two blocks, as well as a separate sports hall and teaching facility. Terrain db12 in 160, 110 and 75mm pipe profiles, along with thousands of associated fittings, were supplied by Polypipe as part of the building project. Tania Peck, UK Sales Director for Polypipe Terrain, comments: “Our Acoustic db12 system was specifically developed for use in projects such as this, and we’re certain that the University will notice a real difference in noise levels. We were delighted to be working with Dornan on this large scale project, having worked with them many times before.” www.polypipe.com/terrain

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Chopper delivery to remote retreat A 100 year old Scottish retreat is being warmed by equipment from Rayburn and AGA Stoves which had to be delivered by helicopter to the remote property. The off-grid two bedroom cottage is now benefitting from cast iron cooking and warmth following the installation of a Rayburn 200 series, plus efficient space heating thanks to a Little Wenlock wood burning stove. The stone-built property is situated in Smirisary on the north west coast of Scotland. The stunning location due west of Fort William is surrounded by rough ground and boggy areas, with the nearest road a 20 minute walk. Prior to recent renovations, the family was reliant on a camping gas stove, a very old Rayburn and an open fire for cooking and heating. The Rayburn 200 series was chosen following a recommendation from the Inverness AGA Shop. Mike Read installed the products over two days, after they had

arrived via their dedicated helicopter delivery. This required the packaged Rayburn and wood burner to be securely fastened to a pallet, which were in turn fastened to an extra strong cable to hang beneath the helicopter, as their size meant it was impossible to actually fit them inside the aircraft. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.rayburn-web.co.uk

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25/03/2015 15:38

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Trusted in the trade.

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H E AT P U M P S

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36 Products in Action

Reliable heating goes to Robinwood Keston Boilers has supplied six 45kW Heat Only twin flue boilers and two Frame and Header Kits to Robinwood Activity Centres, which have been installed at both the Dobroyd Castle centre (pictured) and the Old School centre based in Todmorden, Lancashire. The previous floor standing boilers at both centres had been unreliable, which was a major issue as activity courses run all year round. The heating system needed to be

operational 24/7 to maintain a warm environment. Installer David Wright of Calder Valley Plumbing &

Heating Ltd installed the new heating systems at both sites. He says: “We specified the Keston boilers as we

have worked with them on a number of projects and have always found them to be straightforward to install, with Keston’s prefabricated Frame and Header Kit modules offering additional ease of installation. The extremely adaptable flue capabilities were also a key benefit for the installations at Robinwood Activity Centres, as the flue run needed to be over 6m long in both buildings.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.keston.co.uk

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Park’s continuous savings The Seaview International Holiday Park at St Austell, Cornwall, has improved the site’s shower blocks with the installation of four Rinnai condensing Infinity HDC1500i continuous flow water heaters. The park has also seen savings on LPG since it changed over from its previous hot water system.

The new system has now been in operation for over a year and the park has seen a considerable reduction in running costs plus an improvement in the delivery of hot water. Sarah Goodwin from Seaview comments: “For the past 18 months, there’s been no running out of hot water,

the temperature is perfect and the hot water flows as soon as the shower is turned on. As well as showers, we also have three baths in the block and no problems at all. I estimate we have seen a drop in energy consumption of 20-25%.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Radiators partner with air source Myson’s Ulow-E2 radiators have been specified for a development of 14 apartments that have been built with outstanding environmental credentials. More than 50 Ulow-E2 radiators were installed. “The project had to comply with the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4,” explains Dan Cook, Director of Integrity Environmental Building Services. “The Myson Ulow-E2 is the perfect heat emitter for the job. Not only does the design make it compatible for use with low water temperature systems, but the built-in fans help to distribute heat quickly for maximum comfort. “Utilising the Ulow-E2 with air source heat pumps ensures the building meets the target green credentials and also means that each apartment will be comfortably warm whilst keeping fuel costs to a minimum.” www.myson.co.uk

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Leading technology for Heating, Air Conditioning and Ventilation and only one supplier. In the world of HVAC technology, tomorrow’s already here. Meet the next generation of HVAC product‘s – only at KSB. Experience maximum energy efficiency with perfectly matched pumps, valves, automation and drive solutions, all in a new dimension. A major highlight is the world’s most efficient pump set – with our new in-line pump, Etaline. It’s an ideal choice for big open buildings like railway stations, along with are our maintenance-free BOA-Compact globe valves and soft-seated BOAX-SF butterfly valves. For more information visit: www.ksb.com/hvac • KSB Limited • 2 Cotton Way • Loughborough • Leicestershire • LE11 5TF • 01509 231872 • www.ksb.co.uk

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TRAINING & Education 37

Take control of wiring knowledge Honeywell offers a controls wiring course designed to help installers overcome wiring issues and become more proficient when it comes to fault finding. Carol Hitchcock sat in on a recent session in Milton Keynes to find out what the course has to offer.

measure of the quality of a training course might be how it moves on with the times, always including the latest technology and techniques to teach the skills installers need to know. Honeywell’s one day Controls Wiring Course seems to fit this description nicely, as I found when I attended a session in Milton Keynes last month, five years on from having sat the same course in 2010. The foundational skills on offer may not have changed much – after all, we’re talking about wiring here – but over the years Honeywell has refined its method of instruction while making sure to include the new innovations that point towards the future of heating controls. The 2015 course shows all the signs of being installer focused and up-to-date, with knowledgeable instructors guiding us through the day’s events. To keep things interesting, Honeywell has adopted the team-teaching approach, with two Senior Sales Engineers – Andy Mingay and Stuart Bailey – combining their expertise to deliver both theory and hands-on practice. The class I observed was well attended, with nine heating installers and one electrician filling the seats.

Clarifying objectives It could be argued that central heating controls are one of the most complex systems in a household, joining up the varying characteristics of water flow, electronic equipment, and temperature measurement. Everyone on the course was looking for a better understanding of this amalgamation and how to wire it properly, but I found that they were also looking for something beyond this main objective. They were after not just a skill, but also competency in problem solving, time saving and effective specification of controls. Andy Mingay told me that most of his classes represent a mixed level of experience. “Today we had everyone from newly qualified installers to time-served gas engineers, plus a well seasoned electrician, but all of them will benefit from this course, even the ones who have been installing Honeywell products for years,” he said. The day begins with Andy setting out the core concept behind the course. “One of the things we will teach you is a process that will help with not only installation, but also fault finding,” he told the class. “That is the biggest thing I hope you will take away today. We will concentrate on that process, and it will stop you doing fault finding by replacement and help you find the fault quicker.” The process Andy refers to is a progression of work that follows time/temperature/flow, in that order, starting at the fuse spur. This is the course of attack recommended for both installation and fault finding. He points out that most plumbers are drawn towards the wet side of the system when faults arise, going straight for the motorised valve because that’s what they’re most familiar with. But this approach often leads to unnecessary part replacement. “If they always go to the valve, the result will be that they change components rather than finding the fault,” Andy told me. “By following the process, they start with the power and move on to the programmers, time clocks, room stats and then the motorised valves. If they do it in that order they will find the fault more quickly, be able to deal with it, and sometimes they won’t have to change any components.”

Getting practical All of this is presented in the first half of the morning with the help of some Power Point slides. Andy and Stewart work as a tag team to present the information, which begins with Part L and the ErP (Energy-related Products) Directive, moves on to the business opportunities for installers, leading to a thorough review of Sundial ‘S’ and ‘Y’ plans. On the face of it these plans are easy to understand, with just one wire per connection; however for some it may be the hardest part of the day, as it’s somewhat theoretical. But Stuart Bailey

Practical work on ‘S’ and ‘Y’ plan training boards account for roughly half the day and is where the theory comes to life

says that getting the theory down is an essential precursor to the practical workshop. “We start out by showing the drawings of the wiring and how it flows through the switches, and it’s necessary before we get hands-on with the boards,” explains Stewart. “The engineers follow the theory pretty well, but when we come to drawing the connections within the system on a schematic – from memory – many find it difficult. That’s the point where they can identify gaps in their knowledge and prepare themselves for wiring up a real system.” After the mid-morning coffee break, we come back to the room to find Honeywell’s practice wiring boards ready to go. Many are pleased to know that the hands-on bit accounts for about half the day. Splitting off into pairs, the students work together to wire an ‘S’ plan and a ‘Y’ plan before hooking it up to the mains to test for successful connections. “That’s when it clicks in their heads,” insists Stuart. “This is the most important part of the day because it’s when the theory comes to life. If they get something wrong, either Andy or I will sit down with them and we’ll go through the process together so they can find the fault. And they will take a lot away from figuring it out. It just goes to show that these training days really do work.”

One student, a gas installer with 15 years experience, added: “I really didn’t have a clue when I got here and now I feel really comfortable that I can do it myself, rather than ringing someone to do it for me. It’s good to know I can get a 35mm motorised valve as well.” The least experienced engineer on the course echoed these thoughts, saying he had no doubt of the skills he had acquired: “The best part was working through the boards, it was really helpful, but I would have liked to have worked on some with faults built in so I could find them.”

Signing up Honeywell runs its one day controls wiring course throughout the year at locations all around the country. At just £45, installers will get more than just expert tuition: Honeywell throws in a hot meal (ours was delicious), refreshments, its famous wiring handbook, a goody bag, a certificate of completion, and lots of advice on external resources. As one student told me, it’s “excellent value”. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No. www.honeywelluk.com 130

Installer comments The latter part of the course is dedicated to looking at the variety of Honeywell products able to deal with virtually any central heating system. Andy and Stuart started with one of the oldest stats in the portfolio, the ST699 (a housing association favourite), and finished off with its ‘halo’ product, the evohome. Everyone seemed to appreciate this overview, with one of the experienced engineers saying that new product information was one reason he signed up to the course. “Today gave me a good understanding of the products coming out that will be more prominent in the future,” he said. “I’ve heard people talking about the digital TRVs and internet based thermostats, so it was good to hear about that and get a view into the Honeywell future.” Another commented: “I like the wide variety of Honeywell products you can get that fit different scenarios – you don’t have to look elsewhere, everything is adaptable, everything is interchangeable. It all gets together and works.” The real test of the success of the course can be found in how confident the students are in taking what they learned and applying it to their work in the field. I asked them what they got out of the day, and all ten gave me positive reviews. The one electrician on the course told me: “I came in without any knowledge of wiring a heating system – its confusing for an electrician, believe it or not – but by having the concept explained to me and then actually doing one, it became quite clear how straightforward it is.”

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38 Training & Education

A better learning environment Solid fuel and renewable technology supplier Specflue prides itself on offering one of the most well-equipped training facilities in the country. We spoke to Jed Smith, Head of Business Support Services, about the company’s aim to provide the ideal learning environment.

ver the last five years, training has become an important part of the Specflue offering, providing its installer customers with access to a wide range of accredited courses, including HETAS training for solid fuel engineers and BPEC accredited courses for renewable technologies. The company’s head office based in Sudbury, Suffolk, has two training centres: the National Chimney Academy and Jed Smith from Specflue the Renewable Technology Centre, both fully equipped with working products including pellet stoves, biomass boilers, heat pumps, thermal stores, solar systems and building management systems. Many of the courses you offer cover a set syllabus and are available from other training centres, so why should an installer sign up to one of your courses? “The reason why people choose Specflue is firstly because the facility is probably one of the best in the UK and, secondly, they get a personal, quality service. We look after the delegates while they’re here. They’re treated really well. We offer accommodation for those who need it and they also get a good lunch plus tea and coffee whenever they need it. And the training is tailored to what they need. “Our trainers are all qualified and all really experienced. They don’t just train, they also do activities in the field as well, so they’ve got real life experience that they can bring in, and make the theory and the technical more practical. I think that really goes down well with the guys, because there’s nothing worse than being on a training course and it just being a trainer who’s got the badges but hasn’t got the practical experience to make it real. We have a really high repeat rate on our courses. I think about 82% of people come back to do another course, which is very high for any training centre.” Is it important to make the courses informal? “Yes, because they’re all guys at the end of the day and we need to try and make it enjoyable for them. We have to respect the fact that they’re making a big commitment to actually come here, invest money and spend their time. So whatever experience they get needs to be aligned with their needs, but they need to have some fun at the same time. It’s also an opportunity for them to network with other installers, with people who aren’t competition to them because they’re probably going to be from opposite ends of the country.”

The Sudbury facility includes fully operational appliances

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Installers have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience

Numbers are limited so that all trainees get full attention

How many people would typically sit a Specflue training course at any one time? “We try not to have any more than eight installers on a course because if a trainer is going to assess the delegates, consider their learning needs and their learning styles, looking after more than eight people is very difficult. We run at least one, if not two courses every week, so we will typically have 16 people a week coming through the training centres. Anything between 50 to 60 people in a month is what we’re currently doing, but at peak, from August/September onwards, that can more than treble.”

You currently run about 20 different courses. Which are the most popular? “The biomass courses are the most popular, reflecting the growth in that market over the last couple of years. We also have had a number of solid fuel installers looking to expand into more niche markets, like heat pumps and solar thermal.”

How far afield do installers tend to travel to attend a course in Sudbury? “Despite the distance for some of our customers, we tend to get people in from all over the UK. We’ve had people come across from Ireland before, and next week we’ve got a group from South Wales. We’ve also had trainees travel from as far as Scotland, so geography doesn’t appear to be a barrier. “We operate the two centres here – the National Chimney Academy and the Renewable Technology Centre – but we’re also quite happy to go out and train some product knowledge courses at customer sites or coach them through some installations, etc. It’s not just about getting the numbers through the centres, it’s about trying to improve the level of installations that occur in the industry, which often means training and coaching on site.” You recently launched a training website to make it easy for customers to book and pay for courses. Have you got any plans to add training content as well? “Absolutely. One of the big projects that I’ll be focusing on over the next couple of years is how we can develop more blended learning – not just traditional ‘talk and chalk’ set syllabus courses, but a mixture of coaching, mentoring, e-learning and self-study. It’s early days, but I know what I want it to look like and it’s just a question of putting the foundations in place. “One of the things I really want to achieve with the blended learning approach is to help reduce the costs of training for the installer. At the moment they may spend over a £1000 for a week’s training course, but it doesn’t end there because they also need to take into account the time they’ve had to give up and the revenue that they’ve lost that week. If we can reduce some of that cost to make their time here more productive, or reduce that time because they’re taking advantage of the opportunity of some distance learning, then that’s where they would benefit from a blended approach. The assessments would still need to be done here, and there’s no substitute for hands-on training, but time could be saved by doing some study and course work at home.”

Can you provide a little bit more detail about what some of the courses actually involve? “The dry installer course is a four day course and that involves all the foundation knowledge around the regulations, so Approved Document J through to designation numbers on flues for product identification, through to fault finding and rectification on dry appliances, testing flue and chimney systems – so it covers the whole depth of knowledge that you would need to be competent installing solid fuel appliances. Then installers can go on to the wet systems that build on the dry installer courses, but focus more on back boilers, gravity systems, pumps and water storage – and obviously all the safety precautions that are part of that. Most of the courses now have assessments throughout, both classroom and practical assessment, rather than just at the end of the training, which is much better than how they were delivered two years ago.” Do you have many trainees who fail courses? “To be honest, a good trainer would pick up if anyone is struggling early on. Usually after day one you can identify who are going to be the high fliers and who are going to need a bit more time invested in them because they’re not quite picking it up as quickly as the others. So it does allow the trainer to suggest they may benefit from staying back for half an hour or so, or doing some extra reading. The percentage of pass rate is high, but it’s not 100%. We do have people fail, but what we tend to do is give them some feedback about where they went wrong and what elements they need to go away and focus on. And we’re pretty relaxed about them coming back to just do the assessment only. You’ve got to treat people fairly, and we’ve got to acknowledge that they’ve paid a lot to come on the course.” Are there any courses likely to be added to the portfolio? “I think we need to consider what our customer’s struggles are within the market and maybe offer some more business related courses rather than competency related courses. For example, there are a couple of courses which we’re looking at which focus around business start ups and qualifications in business management. They are quite long courses, so it probably would be a case of doing some block and some distance learning.” www.specfluetraining.com

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June 2015

Training & Education

Best routes into the gas industry Mark Krull, Director at Logic4training, highlights some of the training options available to employers in the gas industry looking to take on more staff or extend the skills of existing employees.

ith employment numbers currently at record levels and government pledges to create three million more apprenticeships in the next five years, it’s a good time for employers to grow their business by developing and expanding the skills of their staff. Building on existing employees’ knowledge helps to increase potential – not just for an employee but for the firm as a whole. Upskilling can mean anything from the dayto-day learning of new skills, going back to college or doing a Master’s degree. In-firm training opportunities will also go some way to increasing employee motivation, loyalty, staff retention, and have a positive impact on the overall productivity of a business. Courses are more accessible too these days thanks to the internet and on-line learning options, offering greater flexibility for those needing to earn while they learn, for example. Self-paced learning modules allow users to complete tasks at a time to suit them. Many colleges and training providers are also acknowledging that some learners will find it difficult to fund additional learning and have put flexible payment options in place.

Many options For employers operating in the gas industry, there are a number of attractive routes for upskilling both experienced trades professionals or taking on newcomers to the industry. Apprenticeships are a great means of businesses offering the opportunity to harness fresh talent, allowing apprentices to learn on the job and build up relevant knowledge and skills while earning a wage. Many providers are now putting employers in the driving seat, working with them to deliver support throughout the recruitment and funding process, ensuring the right candidates are found to meet an employer’s

New entrants Logic4training’s recently launched Domestic Gas Heating Installer (DGHI) – New Entrant Package, enables new entrants to undertake a practical route to becoming ACS/Gas Safe Registered. The programme consists of a seven week in-centre training programme, combining all the required knowledge and skills to becoming a Domestic Gas Heating Engineer in one digestible package. In addition, candidates will gain access to Clublogic – an online learning site providing additional learning and revision support as and when learners need it. Logic4training can also support candidates with their portfolio should they not be able to work alongside a registered gas engineer.

specific needs. We deliver a Level 3 NVQ Gas Utilisation Apprenticeship at Luton, the ideal route for family businesses looking to pass on skills and a career to the next generation. A great deal of funding is available to support apprenticeship programmes, although you will still need to pay an apprentice’s wages. With much of the learning being done in the workplace, there will be less disruption and maximum impact. Approved Prior Learning (APL) is also a great option for employers with candidates who already have some industry-related experience. Typical candidates would be those with transferable skills, such as plumbers or those who work under the supervision and training of a Gas Safe Registered person, but do not yet have the skills to undertake the ACS qualifications. An APL training course is an in depth training programme covering all aspects of domestic gas safety and will assist candidates in joining the Gas Safe Register and working on gas.

Experienced workers Experienced Trades Packages are another route. If an employee has a related qualification, such as City & Guilds 6089 Level 2 or Level 3, they may be able to undertake the ACS assessments without the need to build a portfolio of on-site work experience. There are even options for completely new entrants – we’ve recently launched a new package for would-be gas heating installers with no experience. So, if you have a candidate in mind that could put their practical skills to good use and move into the gas industry, there’s a variety of routes available to a rewarding career. Not only will employees feel valued, you will ultimately be helping your business to run more productively, helping you to see a positive return on your investment. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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26/05/2015 02/06/201516:01:58 08:24

June 2015

40 TRAINING & Education

Trailblazing a better future for apprentices An evolution of apprenticeships and CPD courses for plumbing and heating engineers is bringing about a sea change in the industry’s approach to training. In this co-authored article, Bryan Clarke, Technical and Education Manager at CIPHE, and Paul Tingey, Director of Customer Support Services at AKW, examine some of the latest developments.

roups of leading industry employers, referred to as ‘Trailblazers’, have been looking at ways to improve apprenticeship opportunities for plumbing and heating engineers. Providing a window to the practical and professional world of plumbing, the Employer Group has redefined apprenticeship standards and has now embarked on the assessment plan in an attempt to ensure UK training provision is world class. Work is now underway on a plan that encourages entry-level plumbers to invest in their future to achieve a high level qualification that has industry recognition. In line with new requirements set out by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the old Level 2 Apprenticeship for plumbing professionals is being phased out. It is being replaced by the new Domestic Plumbing and Heating Technician Trailblazer Apprenticeship, which is a level 3 qualification. The CIPHE is also supporting these Trailblazers in the development of a qualification that allows candidates to apply for registration at an EngTech level. The formation of Trailblazers also gives apprentices the opportunity to apply for registration with Gas Safe and membership to organisations such as MCS, HETAS and OFTEC, following completion of their course. Beyond the work that’s already been done lies another challenge. This is to upskill the significant number of plumbers who have not kept their qualifications up to date, or those who have no formal qualifications at all. The impact of this shouldn’t be underestimated as it can have a direct consequence on many plumbing businesses throughout the country. The introduction of the new qualification means that working plumbers not only face the risk of being less

qualified than their own apprentices, but also of being in breach of new regulations and legislation. Therefore, it is imperative that plumbers and installers start to invest in their own training, especially in topics that are subject to continuous evolution, such as Water Regulations, Energy Efficiency, and Domestic Hot Water Safety Systems (G3 unvented). For the latter this is especially important, as it is needed to achieve a DHWSS certificate to install any domestic hot water cylinder. It is the installer’s responsibility to keep up to date with changes to building regulations and British Standards. The most effective way to do this is to register with a professional plumbing and heating organisations, such as the CIPHE, in addition to one of the many organisations that support further continued professional development.

Joint effort AKW, a specialist in bathroom and kitchen adaptations, is one such organisation. The company provides a Wetroom Design and Installation in Dwellings course, which has been designed jointly with the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC). Whilst wetrooms have traditionally been used for assisted living applications, they are now becoming increasing popular in the luxury bathroom market. This one day course has been designed for installers who want to learn how to design and install such systems and is supported by training grants of up to £100. Once completed, trainees will gain a completion certificate which they can add to their qualifications. The CIPHE also offers a one day Water Regulations course, which enables plumbers to certify their work. With water authorities being progressively more proactive in the

enforcement of regulations and prosecuting those that breach them, it is in plumbers’ own interests to keep up to date with any changes. Increasingly, plumbers are being asked for compliance certificates by previous customers, who need to pass them on to surveyors if they want to sell their homes. Some are even being asked to rectify work that had not met the required standards at time of installation. With this in mind, college tutors need to also keep up to date to ensure they are teaching learners and apprentices the correct information. This is especially important as some employers rely on their apprentices to keep up to date themselves on changes in regulations. Of equal importance as classroom education is knowing the principles for best practice for installing products so there are no issues after leaving the site. This is why AKW provides its Technical Training Van (pictured above) which tours the country and educates installer training teams on the best way of installing AKW products. This vehicle trains installers and maintenance teams on how to ensure that their installation has longevity and how to easily diagnose and eradicate any issues. The training itself is delivered by an ex-installer who can speak from experience and provide real, practical solutions to the challenges that plumbers and fitters face. The training and development of plumbing and heating engineers, including the nature of apprenticeships, continues to evolve. It’s therefore vital that those in the industry, regardless of the level of their qualifications and experience, continue to invest in their future and keep pace with both emerging legislation and technology. www.akw-ltd.co.uk

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More places for apprentices with JTL Training provider JTL is reporting a marked increase in the number of young people looking to sign up to apprenticeship courses. “We have increased the number of apprentices by a third over the last two years,” says Marketing Manager Richard Allen. “We currently have 6000 apprentices on our books and recruited 2000 last year, which is the most we’ve had since 2007.” Originally established to offer training in the electrical sector, JTL has been providing heating and plumbing apprenticeships since 2006 and now also offers a growing choice of professional development training for those already working in the sector. The organisation claims to train more apprentices ENQUIRY

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than anyone else in the building services sector and provides training at a number of locations in England and Wales. Facilities include one of the best equipped heating and plumbing workshops in the UK at the JTL Centre of Excellence in Birmingham (pictured). Situated near

the city centre, the facility opened in October last year and represents an investment of more than £2 million. As well as gas boilers, trainees have the opportunity to work on renewable technologies, such as air source heat pumps and solar PV systems. Employers can be assured of having access to some of

the county’s best trainees because JTL only takes one in 10 of every applicant. “We revamped our website recently and it now includes an online initial assessment,” says Richard. “It’s not too difficult to complete, but it does help to weed out some of the less suitable candidates. It’s a clever system that can also tell if they’re getting any help with the answers.” The organisation also employs 140 training officers who act as mediators between the employer and the apprentice. The training officers will help to ensure that both sides are happy with the progress being made and are available to offer advice whenever it is needed. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Training & Education Cashback incentive for high efficiency Last year’s cashback offer from Ariston has been extended to heating engineers who attend its courses during 2015. Every installer undertaking a free high efficiency boiler course at one of Ariston’s Centres of Excellence will now receive £300 cashback upon attendance – an increase of £50 from the year before. The cashback is divided into five instalments, with one cheque of £100 awarded to installers for the first Ariston product fitted, followed by subsequent instalments of £50 for the next four items.

Each gas boiler course involves theory and hands-on experience, including expert tuition on understanding the operational parameters, such as how to range rate the boiler and install a multi-zone system. This provides valuable experience with live gas and water connections, as well the chance to get better familiar with the latest technology and the relevant legislation. Ariston’s Centres are located throughout the country in: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Barnsley, Manchester, Wallsend, Birmingham, Leicester, Milton

Keynes, Basildon, Portsmouth, Basingstoke, Plymouth and Cardiff. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Seminars focus heat pump Heat pump manufacturer Mitsubishi Electric is to hold a series of half day seminars around the country to highlight the role

it can play in supporting installers working with Ecodan technology. In addition to looking at the benefits of using

Ecodan heat pumps, the seminars will also highlight the benefits of the company’s installer partner programme, explaining how it can assist in generating new work. Guest speakers from Easy MCS and Certsure will be on hand to offer advice on becoming MCS approved, a pre-requisite for RHI installations. The seminars run from 9:15 to 13:00, with lunch included. To book your place, visit: mitsubishi electricevents.co.uk/mcs installerroadshow.

Gain new skills with Geberit Free to attend courses are available from Geberit across its range of products, designed for any installer who wants to get hands-on knowledge of the company’s piping and sanitary systems. Taking place at Geberit’s fully equipped Academy in Warwick, not only is the training cost free, but attendees will also receive a free Duofix frame and flush plate to put their new found skills to the test. Sanitary training modules include courses for installers new to wall-hung installation and others for installers already familiar with the company’s products, such as Geberit Monolith, Omega and the AquaClean range. Piping training modules provide an introduction to supply systems, ideal for

installers new to Geberit Mapress and Mepla pressing systems, and an introduction to drainage systems, focusing on the installation of Geberit HDPE and Silent-db20. There are also courses in advanced piping systems. “You wouldn’t drive a car on the road if you had only ever read about driving. The same should be true of

new products,” says Product Manager Victoria Willis. “Our training will help you do a job better and more efficiently, potentially saving time by reducing the risk of error. Don’t cut corners – develop your career and skill sets by going beyond mandatory qualifications.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.geberit.co.uk

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Fuelled by our passion Our passion for the environmental benefits of pellet stoves and biomass boilers has brought you the best in eco-friendly technology for many years. Elegant, user-friendly and economical to run, our extensive range enables you to retain all the advantages of traditional systems. And with zero CO2 impact and efficiencies of up to 91%, we make it easy to play your part whilst saving money.

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01/06/2015 11:31

June 2015

42 Training & Education

Learning about water regulations At its Mansfield HQ and central training centre, NAPIT delivers a full range of industry recognised courses including BPEC accredited training and assessment on the Water Supply Regulations. PHAM News recently attended the one day course to discover what’s involved.

earning about the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 (England & Wales) might not be everyone’s idea of an enticing prospect but, as we all know from school, the least exciting subjects can often be the most important. Any professional plumber needs to have at least a basic understanding of the regulations, and those who want to work with water companies and become an approved contractor will know the benefits of having a BPEC certificate and competence card. Any course that is primarily focused on rules and regulations will naturally be more theoretical than practical, so there’s no disguising the fact that those who attend will mainly be required to sit still in a classroom and engage their brain. This may not suit everyone, but Tony Edgington, our lecturer for the day, does his best to ease the pain by making proceedings as informal as possible and running

minimising consumption. With the aid of diagrams and slides he then runs through some of the most important aspects of the regulations, such as backflow prevention, requirements for water fittings, storage systems and the avoidance of cross connections.

Chapter and verse Tony Edgington guides the classroom through the water regulations with the aid of diagrams and slides

things at a pace that allows little time for distraction.

Slide show In the wrong hands, some 200 PowerPoint slides on how to comply with regulations might be hard to get through without regular doses of caffeine, but Tony manages to keep our attention with a light approach and the occasional anecdote – and of course there’s nothing to stop those who do feel the need to get up and replenish their coffee cups.

The cost of the training includes the pre-course delivery of a hefty manual and a useful introductory 30 minute DVD. NAPIT strongly advises that candidates undergo some personal study before they attend on the day. It may be too much to expect trainees to have achieved a thorough understanding of the regulations in advance of the course, but just some familiarity with the contents and layout of the manual will make life much easier. “You can usually tell pretty early

on those who have looked through the manual and those who haven’t picked it up,” says Tony. “I need to make constant references to pages in the manual throughout the day, so it helps if you have a basic idea of where things are.” Tony begins the day with how the regulations have evolved from various local byelaws to the current regulations which must now also comply with European law and are primarily aimed at preventing contamination and

The course is divided into 12 learning modules, and inevitably a one day course can only skim the surface of everything contained in the manual. But Tony helps to ease any fears of the forthcoming assessment by pausing to emphasise particularly important points which are likely to come up in the multiple choice open book exam. “There are no trick questions designed to catch you out,” says Tony, “and there’s really no reason why everyone who attends the course shouldn’t pass.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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June 2015

Training & Education 43 Cardiff resource Brushing up on burners in St Neots New to Cardiff is Safety First Gas training and assessment centre, founded in partnership with Intergas. The centre offers a broad range of plumbing and heating courses, all approved by BPEC Certification, for a wide range of skills and experience. It also has bespoke training for work on Intergas boilers. The training centre was founded by Howard Reed of Reed Gas Safety Consultancy, a time-served operative with over 40 years experience in heating and ventilating. Howard’s background includes acting as an expert witness for police forces as well as HSE, Crown Prosecution Service and Trading Standards. He also spent 17 years with CORGI as an inspector and incident investigator and a further three years with HETAS. Because of the connection with Intergas, Safety First Gas can offer bespoke training on the Dutch manufacturer’s

range of combi boilers. Commenting on the partnership with Safety First Gas, Intergas Sales Manager Chris Hardy says: “At the start of 2015 we decided we needed to find a training resource in the Welsh capital. After an introductory meeting with Howard, I felt that Safety First Gas was the perfect match for Intergas due in no small part to his wealth of experience, coupled with the centre’s facilities and central location.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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EOGB, the manufacturer and distributor of oil, gas and dual fuel burners, has trained its 1000th engineer at its purpose built facility in St Neots, Cambridgeshire. For the past five years, it has offered specialist burner training for domestic, commercial and industrial applications as well as a range of associated courses such as domestic ACS gas, hot water safety systems and energy efficiency. More recently, EOGB says it has seen a 50% increase in bookings for its OFTEC oil

training and assessments. Courses can be tailored for specific needs such as commercial/domestic burner fault finding, commercial burner commissioning and

flue gas analyser training. EOGB also runs a series of specialist burner training courses at the Baltur development facility in Italy each summer,

giving engineers handson experience with single stage, two stage and fully modulating burners, and covering correct commissioning procedures, burner matching and electronic and mechanical operations. In line with the upcoming ErP regulations, EOGB has also adapted its training to ensure that engineers are confident in carrying out the tasks required. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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New management Provision for all Kiwa Training is now under new management and has opened a brand new facility near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. Kiwa Gastec training originally operated from the Coal Research Establishment at Stoke Orchard and in June relocated to the new and improved site. The Cheltenham training centre is described as a modern, dynamic and functional learning environment for all types of training in the gas, oil and solid fuel sectors. To see the full range of courses on offer and to book a place, please visit: www.kiwa.co.uk/services/training

With 14 years experience of training in gas, plumbing and electrical short courses and apprenticeships, Steve Willis Training Centres are based in Sussex and Hampshire. Popular courses include CCN1, CENWAT, COCN1 and CODNCO1, but there are also courses covering the whole spectrum of the plumbing,

heating and electrical industry. There is also provision for apprentices looking for a first step on the career ladder as they gain an industry recognised qualification. The training centres have CIPHE approval status and there are discounts for group bookings. To find out more visit: www.stevewillis.com.

Get your hands on free training Baxi’s FREE, no-nonsense training* puts more tools in your hands than textbooks. Delivered by expert trainers who know the job inside and out, our courses give you exclusive product tips and information you won’t find in the manual. Find a course at your local Baxi training centre today. *Free

product training is only available to Gas Safe registered engineers

0844 848 8281 baxi.co.uk/training ENQUIRY

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44 TRAINING & Education

You should never stop learning Any time spent on a training course means time away from work, so it’s important that installers get the most out of their experience. Steve Owen, National Training Manager at Baxi, argues that the opportunity to learn new skills will always be a worthwhile investment.

or heating installers, ongoing training is essential. It keeps them up to date with new technology and legislation, and can also increase business efficiency and profitability. We do, however, understand that a day’s training is a day away from work. Installers should therefore research what’s on offer and think about what type of course is going to provide the most benefit. A good training centre will offer advice to make sure the most appropriate course is selected. We would also recommend checking how practical the course will be beforehand, because most installers would agree that the more hands-on the better. The trainer’s credentials, course flexibility and class size are also important things to consider. Boiler product training – offered by most leading manufacturers for free – should really be regarded as part and parcel of an installer’s working life. At Baxi we recommend that installers always undertake product training before fitting a new type of boiler. It means they will be comfortable with the specific technology platform and that the installation and servicing should go smoothly. Ongoing refresher courses are advisable too.

Practical skills At Baxi, for example, we offer a range of one-day handson courses where installers get to put the note pad to one side and spend time getting to grips with products in situ. Plus, unlike a lot of other manufacturers, we offer a range of non brand-specific courses to help heating engineers widen their knowledge. These include unvented hot water systems, multimeter training, boiler diagnostics, combi boiler appreciation, and system wiring and controls. Also, most recently, we partnered with Nest to give installers the chance to become an expert on the ground-breaking Nest Learning Thermostat. Our free one-day product training courses give installers a chance to get out of the classroom and spend more time

Steve Owen, National Training Manager at Baxi

Groups are small to ensure that everyone gets hands-on time

getting to grips with working products. The majority of the day is spent stripping down and servicing boilers, with the theory element significantly reduced to keep the focus on getting really useful, practical knowledge. Around 80% of our customers work alone, and we understand that taking a day off the tools is a big investment. So, we’ve designed our courses to be really worthwhile. They are as practical and hands-on as possible, and don’t just involve sitting in a classroom making notes; instead it’s all about developing practical skills. The training groups are purposefully kept small to ensure every installer gets time with the boilers and our trainers, and we also provide a technical manual full of extra hints and tips for installers to take away, which always receives great feedback. Another big benefit is that all of our trainers are former heating engineers, so they understand the engineers’ requirements as well as the products inside out. Our knowledgeable, experienced trainers appreciate the challenges installers face every day and can offer handy hints and tips to make their lives easier.

As well as covering product essentials, our training courses include information on relevant legislation, guidelines and regulations. With the ErP Directive officially introduced in the UK this September, Baxi training now features even more advice and guidance, making the transition to the new legislation as easy as possible for installers. Yes, training can mean a day off the job but the reality is it can pay dividends in the long run. It can help installers to become more experienced working with products while remaining one step ahead of emerging trends. Plus, as jobs will be to the highest quality, happy customers may also recommend their installer to friends and family, bringing them additional work and income.

Find out more Baxi has 14 easily accessible training centres across the UK, including the newly refurbished centres in Warrington, Dartford and Warwick. For more information on its training courses, please visit: www.baxi.co.uk/trade-resources/ training.htm PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No. www.baxi.co.uk 140

Eastleigh College Course for recently qualified installers gets CIPHE award

Eastleigh College has been credited as an Approved Training Centre (ATC) by the CIPHE. The award, which credits the College as meeting a professional standard of training, was presented to Alison Leaverland, Head of Technology at Eastleigh College, by Kevin McCallister, National President of the CIPHE. The accreditation provides a range of student benefits which include trainee membership with the CIPHE, access to bursaries, career pathway development opportunities and access to certified e-learning modules. Alison Leaverland says: “Technology subjects, such as plumbing and heating, are an exciting area of investment for us and receiving this status clearly shows that our training really does provide those essential skills to thrive in the industry.” www.eastleigh.co.uk

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Newly qualified gas engineers are invited to take a new course from Vokèra that takes a closer look at how to incorporate a gas appliance into a heating system. The idea behind the course is to provide a better understanding of what happens throughout the whole heating system so installers can offer homeowners advice and solutions about making the system more efficient and cost saving. “We are delighted to have introduced this new course to our training programme,” comments David Iszchak, Technical Trainer at Vokèra. “We have worked hard to ensure the course is relevant for installers who have just qualified and that it will add to their knowledge bank. We’re confident that this new course will provide the perfect introduction for new

starters in our industry. “We are currently trialling this new course at our training centre in London Colney, and people who are interested in taking part should contact us.” Run by Vokèra’s technical trainers, the course will cover: Radiator, system and pump considerations; system design and constraints; fault-finding poorly performing systems; legislation; commissioning

and Benchmark; the wet side of a gas burning appliance; and use of multimeters.

Real value “We take great pride in the quality of our training courses to deliver real value and provide a rewarding experience for installers,” adds David. “Our view is that ‘we do not try to sell you boilers in these courses, they sell themselves’. Instead, we focus on

delivering real value for the engineer so they leave feeling completely confident about installing and attending products. “In light of these ambitions, we’re delighted to report that 99.7% of attendees rate Vokèra courses as Good or Very Good. This is one statistic that we monitor very closely indeed to ensure that we continue to maintain the highest possible standards to our customers.” Vokèra has four training facilities in Bradford, Glasgow, London Colney, and Callan, Co. Kilkenny as well as a number of satellite centres across the country. All the training courses on offer are run across the centres and one-to-one sessions can be arranged at all venues. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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01/06/2015 09:33

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Training & Education HIUs under the spotlight

The Caspian Universal fan convector. Does the business. No matter what your commercial clients need, Caspian Universal offers one heating solution for all applications. High, low or ceiling-mounted, it’s the ideal solution for any commercial premises where ﬂexibility, low surface temperature, good controls and great heat are business essentials.

Caspian Universal ● Plumbs into the central heating system ● One heating solution for a variety of applications high, low or ceiling-mounted installation ● Free five year parts and labour guarantee ● Made in the UK ● Next day delivery from stock ● EC motor technology

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Now available from Ideal Commercial Boilers is a one day course covering the features and installation requirements of its Logic Heat Interface Unit (HIU). The course covers the features and workings of all models in the HIU range, which includes two direct and two indirect units, as well as the applications and systems for which each is suited, and advice on specification and installation requirements. The HIU course can be tailored to meet the requirements of individual companies. Ideal also offers a range of one and two day courses covering its commercial boiler ranges, including the condensing Evomax, Imax

Xtra and Evomod ranges, as well as selected standard efficiency ranges. Available at the Centres of Excellence in Leeds and Reading, these courses are also offered through a number of satellite training centres. Training days are available for those who are brand new to the product ranges and for those looking to refresh

their knowledge. Lunch and refreshments are provided and a certificate is awarded upon completion. Engineers who are interested in Logic HIU or boiler training courses can book directly via the online training calendar at the website below. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

idealcommercialboilers.com

143

Focus on hands on practice Installers interested in getting a better understanding of wiring and fault finding can turn to Mr Combi (aka George Staszak), who uses his relationships with Honeywell and Danfoss to offer a handson course that is supported by plenty of technical data sheets and schematic diagrams that clearly demonstrate how to correctly wire up boilers and identify faults. The day begins with a brief overview of theory, with the rest of the course being all hands-on practice. The facility

has several rigs provided by manufacturers, which then allow the delegates to apply

what they have learned using the detailed course notes to practice wiring up boilers. Although George is on hand to assist, delegates are encouraged to do as much as they can on their own, using their applied knowledge to identify any faults in their installation. “We want to give them more time on the rigs. Installers have to wire up a minimum six rigs in a day before leaving,” says George. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

144

www.mrcombi.com

Not just renewables Pumps online

The BPEC approved renewable training facility at Innasol offers a range of courses for installation, commissioning and service engineers, as well as specifiers, architects and planners. Its Training Academy also offers qualifications that are recognised by MCS. For those who do not require a formal qualification, there is CPD training. Simon Butcher, Innasol Training Manager, says: “We are responding to the growing demand amongst

building professionals to become competent in renewable heating. We have already seen tremendous levels of interest in our CPD courses, much of it from those in architecture, and we anticipate further interest as word spreads. As our industry develops, I would like to see us offer an even greater range of training, including system design, sales and more advanced technical training courses.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Go online with Grundfos to learn more about pumps, applications and their theory. Aimed at everyone from installers to merchant staff, the Ecademy course is a digital training and information platform covering a range of industry related topics. Currently there are seven topics: basic principles and pump types, circulator basics and control modes, AutoAdapt, Alpha2, UPS2, SoloLift2 and Comfort. Grundfos plans to continually update the subject areas on a regular basis. When each topic is completed, there are questions to ensure the information has been taken on board. Register for the Grundfos Ecademy by visiting www.grundfos.co.uk/ ecademy

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AIR CONDITIONING & Heat Pumps 47

The right conditions for market growth With advances in technology and the drive to address carbon emissions, there is every reason to believe that the UK market for air source heat pumps will continue to expand – so says John Kellett, General Manager of Mitsubishi Electric’s Heating Systems Division.

t can often be easy to baulk at how far the building services sector has to go in order to reach its targets for carbon emissions reduction. The combination of reports, various deadlines and steady release of stories on the latest rise in greenhouse gas emissions and doomsday scenarios laid out in the media can sometimes make it seem as though the industry is simply struggling to push John Kellett, General Manager a three-wheeled shopping at Mitsubishi Electric trolley up hill. Perhaps it’s therefore beneficial to look back before we look forward to assess how far things have come before worrying about how far we have to go – no area illustrates the progress made better than the heat pump market. Advances in technology in the early to mid 2000s, combined with a legislative war on carbon emissions, have created the perfect storm for heat pumps in the last ten years.

Advanced technology The major step forward for heat pump technology was the succession of inverter-driven outdoor units in place of their fixed speed rivals. Quieter, cheaper to run, more energy efficient and providing a far higher level of comfort, they quickly consigned fixed speed solutions to the history books and took heat pumps to the next level in terms of alerting the marketplace to their potential in domestic applications. Concerns over winter performance and noise were quelled and independent tests demonstrated their energy saving potential over oil and gas. As the technology improved and the question marks over performance abated, take up has accelerated and according to figures published by the European Heat Pump Association, sales across the countries surveyed have gone from 1,015,607 in 2005 to 6,741,251 in 2013.

Growing market According to BSRIA, in terms of total installations the UK heat pump market has gone from 16,455 in 2010 to 22,355 in 2013. A BSRIA report released in 2014 revealed air to water monobloc systems as the highest performing sector of the market, which saw 124% growth from 2011 to 2014. Within this sector, for both split and monobloc systems, Demand for air source heat pumps continues to grow the small domestic market was the largest share, with large domestic not far behind on splits, but significantly This is followed by a goal of 2544 MtCO2e between 2018 smaller in monobloc sales. and 2022 before a significant drop to a target of 1950 MtCO2e Both markets dwarf the commercial sector (over 20kW), over the fourth carbon budget period, 2023 to 2027. which makes up just 2 and 3% of these two types of The latest government projections forecast the first three installations respectively. We can also see from the report budgets will be met, with a shortfall currently expected that the number of manufacturers in the heat pump market for that fourth period of 205MtCO2e. In order to attempt to has more than doubled since 2008, with Mitsubishi Electric bridge that gap, the Government’s Carbon Plan document leading the way in terms of market share. has set out a number of scenarios imagining how this As far as the renewable technology market is concerned, might be done. air source heat pumps are the runaway leader and look set The first scenario assumes a ‘very high level of emissions to continue in that position over the coming years. From reductions from the uptake of low carbon heat in buildings 14,000 units in 2012, this year is expected to see 26,000 and industry,’ along with significant emissions reductions systems sold, with that figure from other sectors. The reaching 50,000 by 2017. scenario would deliver “Heat pumps could meet up to 75% of The main area driving this emissions of 1253 MtCO2e in residential heating demand in the UK” growth will be the owner/ the non-traded sector over occupier market, with that that fourth carbon budget sector’s value forecast to be nearly ten times bigger by period if 8.6 million low carbon heat installations are 2017 than it was in 2013. deployed in buildings by 2030. This includes domestic, commercial and public buildings, delivering 165 terawatt Carbon budget hours (TWh) of low carbon heat, and a further 38 TWh The Climate Change Act 2008 commits the UK to reducing from heating networks. greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% in 2050 from In addition, significant improvements to the thermal 1990 levels. The Act requires the Government to set legally efficiency of buildings would have to be made including binding ‘carbon budgets’ – caps on the amount of greenhouse ‘completing most cavity wall and loft insulations by 2020 gases emitted in the UK over a five-year period. and insulating up to 5.2 million solid walls by 2030,’ says Each carbon budget is designed to reflect the most cost the paper. This would give heat pumps such as Mitsubishi effective path to achieving the long-term objectives and Electric’s Ecodan range the very best chance of performing the first four carbon budgets have been put into legislation to their highest efficiency. and run up to 2027. We are currently in the midst of the The Renewable Energy Review adds more grist to the second carbon budget, which has set a target of emitting no mill. The document published in 2011 stated that heat more than 2782 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent pumps could meet up to 75% of residential heating demand between 2013 and 2017. in the UK. When all this evidence is weighed up, the only logical conclusion is that, to draw a sporting analogy, the Government is playing the heat pump industry through on goal.

Making things easier for installers Mitsubishi Electric has announced that it has simplified the warranty process for domestic Ecodan air source heat pumps under 20kW. The move is part of the company’s drive to provide support for installers if any repairs or parts are ever required. The heat pumps are already guaranteed against defects for at least three years and now Mitsubishi Accredited Installers will be able to extend the warranty on the Ecodan outdoor unit to seven years. “We have also simplified both paperwork and parts ordering to make life easier for Accredited Installers,” says Marketing Manager Graham Temple.

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In addition, the company has set up a dedicated Homeowner Helpline (0161 866 6064) to assist with any enquiries from customers and has also created dedicated homeowner pages on its website to explain how the system works for customers. Customers can now register their Ecodan guarantee online, by phone or by post. More details can be obtained at the site: http:// heating.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/ ForHomeowners Heating engineers wishing to find out more details on the support offered to Accredited Installers can visit http://heating.mitsubishielectric. co.uk/ForInstallers

What’s next? With conditions in place for exponential growth of heat pump installations, investment in the development of the technology must continue. In the case of Mitsubishi Electric’s Ecodan new FTC5 range, this is evident in the inclusion of remote energy monitoring on every single installed unit, which allows end users to measure and monitor energy consumption and heat output. With various levels of reporting, every Ecodan installed with FTC5 will have the ability to log energy use and the option to increase functionality and accuracy of services. With this level of measurement now available, the evidence has never been greater that heat pumps are about to spearhead the charge towards carbon reduction targets. And for qualified, competent installers of the technology, this can only be good news. www.mitsubishielectric.co.uk

PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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June 2015

48 AIR CONDITIONING & Heat Pumps

Technology does more than cool Air conditioning provides cooling, but the latest technology means it can do so much more, meaning there is more opportunity for installers to solve indoor air problems for homeowners. Jody Lees, LG’s Head of Air Conditioning and Energy Solutions, explains.

ir conditioning in homes is not perceived as an immediately prolific market in the UK, living as we do in a climate that requires cooler air more rarely. However, LG is experiencing a steady increase in demand for domestic air conditioning products here, and not always simply driven by the desire for cooler air – although the number of warm, sticky nights in the year when air conditioning would be a wonderful addition to our homes is on the rise. Despite not being a mass market in the highly temperate UK, the sales of fans through the sheds seems to back the theory that almost without realising it, we are, as a nation, looking to cool down far more.

Upmarket opportunity

Simple remote controls help ensure there are no call backs

Much of the demand for air conditioning in UK homes is for higher end new build properties, but equally there is Importantly air conditioning – as well as providing cooling demand from people who are not necessarily looking just and heating – can also address humidity, and if there is or even primarily for cooler air – but for better air quality. someone in the family that will be living in the home This includes a removal of the moisture out of the air, that suffers from allergies, an air conditioning system is reducing the humidity levels associated with warm spells a great way to filter allergens out of the air. You can set in the UK, for filtered air removing the allergens from the the system up to make it exactly what you want it to be, air that cause havoc for hay fever and asthma sufferers, meeting your own very personal requirements. One of the vital requirements of an air conditioning for people living in urban areas where opening windows to cool down lets in noise pollution and provides a security system in the home is the ability to control it simply, so it’s a good idea to choose issue, and of course the fact a manufacturer that has that most air conditioning “The majority of units can also provide a worldwide reputation units can also provide quick heating through heat pump technology” for electronics and one for response heating as well. designing simple to use There’s a real choice of domestic air conditioning equipment available now in the remote controls. Despite the huge range of electronic control UK – from designer wall mounted systems through to bespoke systems that are available, one of the main reasons for whole house systems. And whilst the term air conditioning call outs to faulty air conditioning and heating systems immediately gets associated with cooling, the majority of units is still an inability of the property owners to understand available these days can provide heating through heat pump how to use the controls. technology, making them an all year round investment – not Control issues one just for a few weeks a year when the air temperature and Whilst some manage well, many older people in particular associated humidity levels become stifling. The demand for air conditioning units is definitely on tend to struggle to use complex electronic, multithe rise. This is particularly true of upmarket properties function controls – we’ve all heard the story regularly where we see the majority of domestic air conditioning that grandparents need school aged grandchildren to be systems installed. If you are involved in a new build or able to operate the TV, and air conditioning and heating refurbishment project for a luxury property, the owners will controls offer the same issues. So it’s a major plus to get be happy to see as many value added features included as a system that comes with a very simple remote controller possible, and a quality air conditioning system will qualify. that is truly user friendly. It’s worth checking these out As with many items in a building project, if you incorporate with the homeowner before deciding on the system you the air conditioning system at the time of the build you are going to install. Modern air conditioning systems have managed to evolve will considerably reduce the cost of the1 installation over PHAM News ACR Show 90 x 274 ad.pdf 27/03/2015 13:20 retrofitting it at a later date. to lose the noise problem that early systems undoubtedly

AC units come in stylish variants that enhance any room

had. Modern motor and fan technology can see the sound levels as low as 19dB – whisper quiet. Impressively, these systems can deliver up to 60% energy savings over comparable older units as well, being extremely energy efficient compared to earlier systems.

The art of cool How the system looks is also important in this day and age. There’s a growing demand in domestic air conditioning units for them to blend almost seamlessly into the decor of the home by using ducted indoor units, or even to enhance it with aesthetically pleasing wall mounted units that actually form part of the decor. This kind of unit offers a totally different air conditioning experience and provides a focal point for a room that moves air conditioning onto a different plane. It could include the addition of calming LED lighting that can change colour and even offer a calming Smart Alarm that gradually wakes the homeowner in the morning with a lighting effect that mimics the rising sun. It says everything about where domestic air conditioning is moving to as we develop new and intelligent systems that can form a vital part of the services for a home in the 21st century. So air conditioning is an option for installers looking for additional income streams and business areas to expand into.

Find out more For more information on the air conditioning options from LG, enter the number below on the card inside this issue. www.lg.com/uk/air-conditioning

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Screen puts users in touch A touchscreen air conditioning control has been added to Toshiba Air Conditioning’s range of solutions. The 7in controller is said to offer power and ease of use, enabling engineers and end users – even those unfamiliar with AC – to control systems and optimise performance and comfort. With the ability to control up to 64 indoor units, the new controller is said to mark a departure from conventional air conditioning controls based on slow response, resistive touchscreen technology. It has a clear colour display with sharp graphical interface, providing quick response to touch commands. The controller is not based on physical buttons

but an intuitive touchscreen with icons, similar to a large smart phone. According to Fraser Hymas, Toshiba’s Control System Manager, a key element of the design brief was to make it simple and intuitive to use, without the need to refer to a manual, while enabling users to

quickly access all functions with minimum layers to navigate. In addition to primary control, alarm and scheduling functions, and quick access to units and parameters, the controller also acts as a web server, enabling it to host web pages. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.toshiba.co.uk

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Condensate removal solution Because air conditioning can dramatically increase a building’s energy consumption and associated carbon emissions, BlueDiamond has developed a range of condensate removal pumps that helps to decrease the costs associated with air conditioning, whilst also resolving a list of common failings and weaknesses. According to Blue Diamond, choosing the correct size equipment within an AC system is key to achieving optimum energy efficiency, and under sizing can result in excessive operation. Its fit and forget range of

condensate removal pumps offer a flow rate from 8-50 litres per hour, allowing the installer to choose the most appropriate pump for their project. The MaxiBlue and MegaBlue pumps come with reservoir sensing options. The reservoir sensors have no moving parts, offering a reliable alternative to stuck or sunken float switches. Incorporating the BlueDiamond thermistor technology, the sensors only run the pump when condensate is produced, making it an effective energy efficient drainage solution. ENQUIRY No. 149 www.bluediamond.com

Efficiency and reliability The Multi V S is LG’s latest variable refrigerant flow (VRF) solution for small to medium sized spaces. It is described as a compact, lightweight model that offers effective heating and cooling as well as installation flexibility. It’s also said to offer energy efficiency and reliability, while being equipped with a number of advanced proprietary technologies and a Smartphone Control, which allows users to monitor and adjust settings remotely. The model can support up to 300m of piping, giving building designers the freedom to implement a wide range of configurations. It’s relative small size and light weight (57% smaller and 40% lighter than a conventional 8-horsepower model) also helps to reduce the time and associated costs of installation. LG says its VRF system has superior energy efficiency, with a 3.95 energy efficiency ratio (EER) in cooling operation and a 4.25 coefficient of performance (CoP) in heating operation. The Multi V S also features a Variable Heat Exchanger Circuit, which automatically selects optimal flow paths for the hot and cold streams.

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We were ErP ready when mobile technology was still a big thing. Technology has come a long way since the 80’s. But one thing hasn’t changed. Having pioneered condensing technology over 30 years ago, Remeha continue to lead the way. In fact, every condensing boiler in the Remeha family, from 9kW to 1202kW, is ErP ready, right now. Built using tried, tested and proven technology. As smart as the smartest, smart phone. And, just as user friendly. To find out more call 0118 978 3434 or visit remeha.co.uk/erp ENQUIRY

www.lg.com/uk/air-conditioning ENQUIRY No.

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It’s a wonderful world, let’s keep it that way.

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June 2015

50 AIR CONDITIONING & Heat Pumps

On course to raise standards John Durbin, Technical Sales Manager at Daikin UK, assesses the training landscape and looks at how manufacturers can help to address the skills shortage and ensure that more UK households can benefit from energy saving air source heat pumps.

is helping installers to better ith a skills understand the need to select shortage still the right heat pump, design prevalent in the systems to ensure the best renewable heating industry, performance, commission manufacturers and installers need to work together to and set the controls to allow address the training issues efficient operation. that firms are currently Problem solving facing. Forward-thinking The training methods for manufacturers have been heat pump installations putting practices and will differ based on whether processes in place to address installers are working with these issues. At Daikin UK, monobloc or split systems, for example, we recently John Durbin, Technical Sales but all courses offer advice invested ÂŁ1.1m in a new Manager at Daikin UK on overcoming common national training centre aimed at helping to meet the installers the chance to work installation problems. For example, the demand for suitably qualified directly with the products, but it also enables them to enter positioning of the outdoor and experienced engineers. The centre is designed into classroom-based or even unit is important in all installations. Installers to provide installers with online training courses. By offering comprehensive should consider operating the specialist product and installation skills required training on heat pump noise and avoid situating it to support the expansion installation, we aim to help close to bedroom windows of the renewables industry air-to-water heat pump or neighbouring properties. and further encourage the installers to upskill. The The chosen location should classroom-based and08:40 handsPageensure growth ofINSTALLER the UK renewables adequate air flow ECODAN AD - 178x274_Layout 1 15/12/2014 1 market. Not only does it give on product training provided to the unit and must not

permit recirculation of the air from the outlet to the inlet. Additionally, we recommend that the outdoor unit should be mounted a minimum of 100mm off the ground to avoid possible ice build-up, and provision should be made for drainage below the unit to ensure the condensate does not become a hazard. Similarly, installers are reminded to ensure that the system has been properly flushed and cleaned before connecting the heat pump to the heating distribution system. This will prevent the heat pump from becoming contaminated with sludge and debris in the system. To further protect the heat pump, they are advised to install a filter on the heating water circuit. For all installations, installers should also ensure that the heating distribution

system meets any minimum water volume and flow rate requirements, even when all heating circuits are shut. This will typically require an automatic bypass valve to be installed in the system, usually as far away from the heat pump as possible. Finally, it is important that control settings are correctly selected and are suitable for each application to ensure that the system can run at the most efficient levels. The user permission level should be set appropriately to avoid unnecessary tampering and, perhaps most importantly, installers should be trained in how to correctly handover the installation to the customer and to explain the householder functions and any operating differences to the previous heating system to ensure they understand how the system operates.

There is no doubt that this kind of training is vital to the future of our industry. Most companies prefer hands-on courses but many still see a need for training on the latest software tools and theoretical practices, which shows a willingness to expand their knowledge of a radically changing industry. Hence, if we are going to see the right kind of development of the renewable heating sector in the next 20-30 years, it is important that the right standards and training are in place across the industry. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the only way to ensure that installers are familiar with the technology, confident in their ability to apply, service and maintain the systems and deliver highly efficient, costeffective renewable heating for the next generation. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Can a heat pump help grow your business? Becoming a Mitsubishi Electric Heating Partner will enable you to supply one of the most advanced, energy efficient and renewable heating systems available today. New cylinder range with improved efficiency Now includes energy monitoring as standard MCS Approved and qualifies for RHI

To find out how Ecodan can help grow your business, and for more information on the RHI or help with obtaining your MCS installer accreditation:

Call 01707 278666 email heating@meuk.mee.com or visit heating.mitsubishielectric.co.uk

NEW

AVAILABLE NOW

ENQUIRY

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AIR CONDITIONING & Heat Pumps 51 Choice of Yutaki for domestic jobs

Keeping it quiet in the house Low noise is the distinguishing characteristic of Elco’s newest Aerotop S air source heat pump. At just 46dB(A), it is designed to be sited within a property. The new unit is available in five models (from 5- 5kW), which can deliver CoPs up to 4.77. Flow temperatures up to 65ºC can also be achieved thanks to the use of enhanced vapour injection, where evaporated coolant is injected from the return flow

directly into the compressor. The 5, 7 and 9kW models have the capability to provide active cooling. This allows the unit to extract heat from a building and provide cooling through an underfloor circuit or an air conditioning function when used in conjunction with convector units. The design of the Aerotop S ensures its operating noise levels are similar to typical household appliances, such

as a refrigerator. The unit utilises an aerodynamically optimised fan, which reduces noise levels by 2dB(A) compared to standard fans. All components within the refrigeration circuit are isolated with anti-vibration mountings, while the casing is insulated with 30mm sound attenuating material. The unit also has a high efficiency pump with an EEI (Energy Efficiency Index) of less than 0.23.

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Meeting the challenge of efficiency The latest wall mounted RE Inverter from Panasonic is said to provide outstanding energy performance. The manufacturer claims the product exceeds competing products with a SEER ratio of 6.10 A++ and an A+ SCOP of 4.00. The RE works to an outdoor temperature of -15°C in heating mode and -10°C in cooling. The compressor is backed by a five year warranty.

The RE system incorporates comfort features throughout the design, including an anti-bacterial filter to eliminate viruses, mould and particulates from living spaces. Other

benefits of the anti-bacterial feature include allergy prevention and an odour removing function. This system operates its high efficiency output with its healthy air capabilities at

a sound output of only 22 decibels. With ease of installation in mind, the RE system is compatible with R22 piping following the recent R22 phase out. The selfdiagnosis function, along with maintenance access through the top panel of the outdoor unit, makes for easy installation and upkeep. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Hitachi is highlighting three of its key air source heat pumps from the Yutaki domestic heating product line-up. The monobloc Yutaki-M is claimed to have one of the best CoPs on the market and requires no internal module inside the home, with all refrigeration sealed in the outdoor unit. This makes it particularly suitable for smaller properties where space is at a premium, and it can be used as an alternative to a traditional boiler. Yutaki-S and the high temperature Yutaki-S80 are both split heat pumps that provide heating, domestic hot water and cooling. All Yutaki air source heat pumps are MCS approved, eligible for the domestic RHI, have domestic hot water legionella protection and a five year warranty as standard. Alastair Kay, Area Sales Manager – Heating, says:

“Heating installers and plumbers may find the idea of installing products with cooling circuits daunting, but it’s actually pretty straightforward for anyone already familiar with handling copper piping and trunking.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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www.hitachiaircon.co.uk

The perfect solution for convenience and efficiency

WPC (S) – compact in size, BIG on efficiency

Powerful for maximum convenience in the home | As one of the most efficient heat pumps available, the WPC (S) delivers satisfaction not only because of a COP of up to 5, but also because of its compact size and high level of integration. The unit even incorporates a 200l DHW cylinder. › Excellent coefficient of performance (COP) of up to 5.0 › Extremely quiet in operation › The range now includes a powerful 13kW single phase option WPC (S) Brine | water heat pump

Hot water and space heating solutions the STIEBEL ELTRON way With a comprehensive range of ground and air source heat pumps, we always have the right solution for your project. Contact us directly for our free of charge design service. STIEBEL ELTRON UK Ltd | Telephone: 0151 346 2300 | www.stiebel-eltron.co.uk ENQUIRY

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02/06/2015 10:51

Geberit Mapress Copper

Don‘t solder on. The fast, efficient, reliable and easy pressing system for gas, solar, water supply and heating installations. ut o b a e r o m o m r f t u s Find orit Mapresals who Gebe rofession ystem. the p dy ﬁt the s alrea ritUK

e @Geb

Let‘s do things differently. Let’s start by telling you what you don‘t get with Geberit Mapress pressing systems. There‘s no flux, no heat, no smoke and no debris. And because there’s no gas, there‘s no need to check for hot works permits and no waiting around for things to cool down. All you need is one easy to use pressing tool for all systems, across all applications. Giving you a safe, reliable no fuss connection. Every time. 343 → www.geberit.co.uk/mapress ENQUIRY

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28/05/2015 18/05/2015 15:05 12:56

June 2015

Gas Safety 53

Putting the kibosh on carbon monoxide Carbon monoxide safety is an issue rising high on both government agendas and in the public consciousness, particularly in light of the recent Thomas Cook debacle. Here Rex Taylor, Technical Support Manager for Kidde, looks at the problem and presents some solutions.

arbon monoxide (CO) poisoning causes an estimated 50 deaths and 200 serious injuries annually in Britain. But this could be the tip of the iceberg as it often goes unrecognised, simulating other conditions. CO is odourless and colourless, and can be produced by any fuel-burning appliance resulting from the incomplete combustion of carbon based fuels including bottled or Rex Taylor from Kidde mains gas, coal, oil and wood. The main difficulty with CO is that the dangers are often far from obvious and it comes from a surprisingly wide variety of sources. Typical appliances include boilers, water heaters and wood burning stoves, as well as extended use of fireplaces. Unfixed appliances introduced by occupiers are also a danger, including charcoal and gas grills or hibachis operated in enclosed spaces, as well as LPG and paraffin heaters and clothes dryers.

Go to the source With fixed appliances, problems often occur from blockages and back-drafts in flues or loose, blocked or inappropriate vent pipes. Shared flues can cause unexpected problems and there have been instances of CO from flues discharging into common areas affecting neighbouring properties – sometimes with lethal consequences. Similarly, in multioccupancy and multi-storey buildings, CO produced in one area may be transported to and leak into another part of the building. Today, risks are increased by the installation of double/ triple glazing and the push for sealing up buildings for energy conservation, reducing scope for air intake. Other sustainability measures can also pose surprising risks, such as the lethal build-up of CO in wood pellet storage for biomass heating. So, there are very real dangers in homes both old and new. Clearly, we simply cannot predict all the possible sources of CO in a home, the actions of occupants and the impact of changes over time. But installation of CO alarms that provide an audible warning at exposure levels well below those critical to healthy adults saves lives. It is therefore important for installers to assess specific risks in a property and fit CO alarms in appropriate locations – perhaps

Some alarms can provide protection for both fire and CO

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Battery powered alarms can be wall mounted or free standing

Kidde’s hard-wired CO alarms interconnect with smoke alarms

exceeding Building Regulations – to protect occupants, as appliances, CO will tend to rise until it cools. Elsewhere, well as for their own peace of mind. including bedrooms, alarms should be located close to the Recent regulations around the UK and Ireland designed occupants’ breathing zone. to combat CO poisoning vary. Most recently, requirements in the Republic of Ireland call for CO alarms to be fitted in Battery or mains? rooms where combustion appliances are installed. But it According to all the Regulations and BS EN 50292:2013 goes further, also requiring a CO alarm in every bedroom alarms can be powered either by batteries designed to or in the corridor within 5m of the bedroom door, and also operate for the whole working life of the alarm or hardwired mains which should be installed by qualified in bedrooms where a flue system passes through. This follows action in Northern Ireland with regulations electricians. Fitting a battery-only CO alarm may be the requiring a CO alarm be fitted in the same room as a new simplest solution and, of course, battery quality is key to or replacement combustion appliance or just outside a long term, problem-free performance, addressed by the boiler room. Similar requirements apply in Scotland too. latest generation of alarms. For example, Kidde’s 10LLCO range offers a full 10 year All these regulations apply guarantee covering both only to installation of new “The main difficulty with CO is that the alarm and sealed-in lithium or replacement combustion dangers are far from obvious” battery. Manufacturers that appliances – and that excludes produce their own CO cells those used for cooking – – the key component – rather than buying them in, can whether in existing or new-build properties, irrespective of fuel or flue type. And they contrast with the 2010 Building apply tighter quality controls as well. Regulations Part J applying to England and Wales, which Although not requiring interconnected alarms, BS considers just fixed solid fuel heating appliances. EN 50292 does highlight the essential requirements for the alarm sounder to alert or wake occupants. To Latest guidance resolve this issue, Kidde’s hard-wired CO alarms can Annual gas safety checks may exclude a cooker where it be interconnected with each other. But, importantly, is not the landlord’s property, and there have been several they can also be interlinked with both the company’s instances of faulty grills on modern cookers causing deaths. Slick and Firex ranges of hard-wired smoke and heat Oversized pans and interference with burners using foil alarms, using the ‘Smart Interconnect’ feature, creating a – associated with particular styles of cooking – have also comprehensive system for whole home protection. With caused problems. But still, Building Regulations requiring this feature, when a smoke or heat alarm is triggered, CO alarms alongside the installation of heating appliances all the interconnected alarms – including CO alarms – specifically exclude cookers. activate to alert occupants of fire. The latest guidance on CO alarms is provided by ‘BS EN Crucially, the CO alarms have different, distinct alarm 50292:2013 electrical apparatus for the detection of carbon sounder patterns for carbon monoxide and fire, as required monoxide in domestic premises – guide on the selection, by BS 5839 Part 6:2013 – supported by different display installation, use and maintenance’. This does not distinguish messages on the digital model. So, without the need for any between cooking and other appliances. It makes clear how further operation of the system (such as remote switches), essential it is that carbon monoxide reaches the alarm from Smart Interconnect automatically alerts occupants of the the source to trigger it and that the alarm sounder must specific hazard that confronts them. This allows them be capable of alerting occupants and waking those who to respond quickly, making the right choice from the are asleep. Ideally, a CO alarm should be installed in every very different alternative actions for either fire or the room containing a fuel-burning appliance (or just outside presence of carbon monoxide. boiler rooms for audibility) and also in other well-used Using Smart Interconnect, Kidde CO alarms in bedrooms rooms remote from the appliance, as well as all bedrooms. act as sounders for the smoke/heat alarm system as well Where the number of CO alarms is limited, priority should as warning of carbon monoxide. This solves the problem be given to any room containing a flueless or open-flued of limited audibility of landing-located smoke alarms at appliance and where the occupants spend most time. In the bed-head, resulting from sound reducing doors. addition, rooms with extended or concealed flues passing PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No. www.smoke-alarms.co.uk 155 through should also have an alarm. In rooms with combustion

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54 Gas Safety

Connected homes now a reality It could be argued that if carbon monoxide alarms were more user friendly, more householders would be open to having one installed to protect their homes. Nest’s General Manager Europe, Lionel Paillet, explains how this ease of use can be achieved.

he idea of the ‘connected home’ has been in the public consciousness for some time, but only in recent years has the necessary technology been made widely available to the average consumer. From internet based thermostats to sophisticated security systems, there is a smart device that can help homeowners keep their lives organised and their homes safe. One of the more recent Lionel Paillet from Nest innovations in connected homes is carbon monoxide detection, an issue that is getting more attention on the back of alarming stories in the news of tragic deaths from carbon monoxide exposure and governments legislating for greater CO safety in homes. In Scotland landlords are required to install a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm every time a new or replacement boiler is fitted in a property. With similar legislation being introduced in England from October, more and more people are starting to become aware of the dangers of CO and are recognising the need for the newer and more innovative products that are entering the market.

When it comes to traditional smoke detectors, most are modelled on outdated technology. Not only are they unable to detect dangerous levels of CO, but many are non-specific, offering no more than a shrill beep when the alarm is triggered. Flashing lights have the potential to mystify consumers, leaving them confused in regards to whether there is a need to change batteries, or if there is a potential danger, or even if the device is working properly.

New approach

Nest Protect offers a new approach to smoke and CO alarm protection. Rather than just setting off a high-pitched alarm when it senses danger, Nest Protect detects and alerts users to the presence of harmful levels of CO in multiple ways: For example, the light ring on the device will glow yellow or red, depending on the level of CO detected. It will also sound an 85dB alarm specifying the location of the threat as well as a human voice that speaks to the householder about what and where the danger is. The technology will record CO levels, too, which can be invaluable to emergency medical services when treating victims. In the event of an emergency, the Nest app provides practical advice on what to do next, alerting users via their smartphone even when away from the home. Another feature of the Nest Protect is its ‘nightly promise’. At night the Nest Protect will confirm that its sensors Safe homes and batteries are working with a short Today, most households don’t have CO green glow after the lights are turned off. alarms installed. There are a number There is also a night light using LEDs that of reasons for this, ranging from lack of comes to life when it detects someone awareness of the dangers presented by passing by. carbon monoxide, to the idea that another Householders who own a Nest Protect alarm in the house would be little more Nest Protect can work with as well as a Nest Learning Thermostat than an annoyance. With millions of homes the Nest Learning Thermostat are able to benefit from the way that the across the country relying on fossil fuel for two devices work together – as soon as their heating, this could spell disaster. The absence of a Nest Protect’s CO alarm is triggered, the Nest Learning CO alarm in homes already contributes to 50 fatalities Thermostat automatically turns off the gas or oil boiler, and 4000 medical visits every year. the possible source of poisonous carbon monoxide leaks.

Council programme to improve safety Fife Council, awarded the Council of the Year in Service Delivery 2014 by the Association for Public Service Excellence, is undergoing a programme to install 30,000 Aico Ei414 Fire/Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm Interfaces throughout its housing stock. The Ei414 is a flexible device that provides a dedicated connection between Aico RadioLINK Smoke, Heat and CO alarms with most new and existing Telecare/Warden Call Systems, enabling an emergency signal to be transmitted directly to that system if fire or CO is detected. Previously Fife Council had been using different components which did not ‘talk’ to each other, resulting in a potential safety issue. The new Ei414 overcomes this, directly interacting with the different systems fitted within the properties to ensure the safety of the Council’s tenants.

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Fife Council played an important role in the development of this product, working with Aico and parent manufacturer Ei Electronics. Jim Macdonald, Lead Officer Specialist Services, Communities/ Housing Services, explains: “Following an incident in a property, I met with the management of Ei Electronics and discussed our requirements to have a user friendly product which makes better use of the RF (RadioLINK Radio Frequency wireless alarm interconnection) to integrate appliances and detection systems in Fife Council’s properties, i.e. sprinkler systems, warden call, community alarms, extruder alarms, etc. I found Ei Electronics to be very helpful and willing to listen to the requirements of their clients and not force their agenda on us.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No. www.smoke-alarms.co.uk 156

A green halo on the Nest Protect lights up briefly at bedtime to indicate that the device is in good working order

Not only do Nest products work together, but the ‘Works With Nest’ developer programme provides an open API to developers of all sizes, enabling them to build secure connections with our products. For example, if Nest Protect senses emergency levels of CO it can tell your connected LIFX light bulbs to flash red, or your Chamberlain Garage Doors to open. More than 6000 developers are currently in different stages of working with Nest, with high profile partners including Philips Hue lights and LG home appliances – and this is just the beginning.

Consumer friendly Starting with just one or two thoughtful products, such as a Nest Protect, we are able to offer consumer-friendly products that are modular, allowing people to build their own personal version of a thoughtful home, save money on their energy bills over time and become more energy efficient. This means installers can create a long term relationship with their customers that evolves with their needs. Becoming informed on the innovations taking place within this market will enable installers to become advisers and consultants, up-selling other connected and thoughtful products to help customers build their own thoughtful home. For example, installers should be offering to install a Nest Protect: Smoke + Carbon Monoxide when new boilers or gas appliances are installed.

Homes at work At Nest, our vision is to create a home that works harder for the people that live in it. We don’t think consumers want to buy a smart home, we think they want to buy great products that aren’t just smart, but that actually help us and allow us to feel that the technology in our homes is taking care of us. Thoughtful products help people realise that smart devices can be a useful addition to the home, solving age-old problems with new technology. The innovative features of Nest Protect and the thoughtful ecosystem that our products can create offer customers something that most technology is lacking – absolute peace of mind.

Find out more For more information on the Nest Protect system and its broader range of products for the connected home, enter the number below on the freepost reader enquiry and registration card inside this month’s issue. nest.com/uk/smoke-co-alarm

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56 Gas Safety Faster and more efficient calibration Simple to install and easy to operate

Available from Honeywell is the X-Series battery operated carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, designed to provide tenants and families with a reliable and easy to use way to protect themselves against the highly toxic gas. Launched last year, the X-Series range includes the XC70 (with a seven year warranty), XC100 (with a 10 year warranty and alarm messaging function) and XC100D (with a 10 year warranty and multifunction CO level display). The alarm action message feature, available with the XC100 and XC100D models, ensures that occupants know exactly what to do in critical situations. An LCD display screen is

featured on the XC100D unit which includes a low-level monitoring mode and alarm history function. The CO alarms come with a sealed housing to protect them from adverse environmental conditions and, for additional protection, all X Series devices can be interconnected wirelessly to form an alarm system when using a wireless plugin module. Other features include extra loud sounder output and reduced soundlevel test mode. Installation should take just a few minutes and the alarms can be free standing or mounted on the wall or ceiling. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Recognising the importance of Gas Safe Registered heating engineers having a reliable flue gas analyser (FGA), Anton has recently upgraded its FGA service department to provide customers with a faster, more efficient instrument calibration service. The company has also introduced a new fixed price annual service cost, making servicing more cost-effective over the life of the instrument. This means that instruments can be serviced and promptly returned without the delay of quotations and approvals. “The investment in our modern service department has meant we’ve been able to dramatically improve the turnaround times on our FGA servicing,” says Anton’s General Manager Steve Couper, “but we’ve found even bigger improvements in the time taken to return instruments to customers by removing the quotation process. “The biggest delays were from waiting to get the customer to approve work that needed to be done. Now our fixed price annual service means most instruments can be serviced without delay.

“It reduces the time the customer will be without their instrument and also helps gas engineers to know exactly what it is going to cost them to have it serviced and maintained each year.”

Fixed cost As from May this year the Anton V range and Anton eVo range of flue gas analysers are now subject to a fixed annual service cost of £99 + VAT. This applies to all Anton V and eVo analysers regardless of age, and the price includes the cost of the calibration and a new calibration certificate, but excludes carriage. Steve adds: “We feel this change to fixed price annual servicing is a really positive step to help support our

customers to give them great value when servicing their flue gas analysers. It also gives peace of mind

and transparency regarding the ongoing maintenance costs, as well as improving the turnaround time to get the instruments back to the engineer who needs it most.” Anton advises that annual calibration is essential to ensure that the FGA is as accurate as possible and under no circumstances is it worth the risk of using one outside of its calibration date. HHIC states that when using an FGA for commissioning newly installed appliances, this work should only be carried out with an analyser with an up to date calibration status.

Win a free personal CO alarm! Anton is offering PHAM News readers the chance to win a Crowcon Clip Personal CO Alarm. To get your name in the free to enter prize draw, simply write the number below on the freepost reader enquiry and registration card inside this issue. Compact and lightweight, the maintenance free carbon monoxide alarm has a two year life, audible, visual and vibrating alarms (in the event of elevated CO levels) and simply clips onto normal work clothing, ideally at chest height. Single button operation and an easy to read LCD screen means that it is easy to use and it is suitable for use in a variety of working environments. www.anton-group.com

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Simplifying home protection CO research now underway The Sona range of home safety products from Sprue Safety Products is said to offer the latest technology in a simple range of three alarms – smoke, heat and carbon monoxide (CO) – with a control unit, diagnostic capability and wireless options to provide protection against fire and CO in a single, low-cost system. The 10 year batterypowered Sona CO alarm incorporates an advanced electrochemical sensor and is resistant to false alarms caused by normal household contaminants. Featuring Wi-Safe 2 intelligent communication as standard, the CO alarm can be interlinked to up to 50 other Wi-Safe 2 products. The smoke alarms are said to combine the latest in optical sensing technology with thermal enhancement, providing fast reaction to any type of fire.

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A battery-powered alarm control unit completes the product suite. Its test, silence, locate and memory functionality with Wi-Safe 2 communication provides an easy way to control and manage a network of alarms. The 10 year sealed-forlife battery backup across the range of alarms gives occupants and landlords peace of mind that all alarms will still work in the event of a power cut and will also ensure that empty properties are protected. “We believe that the industry is asking for

the best technology in the simplest range,” says Nick Rutter, Sprue Safety Products Managing Director. “We believe we have delivered this in Sona. Fire safety doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive to be efficient and effective. Offering a straightforward choice of proven technology in a system that uses less energy and is quick to fit makes life much easier by simplifying choice, specification and installation.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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The Gas Safety Trust has confirmed that the East of England Ambulance carbon monoxide (CO) screening study, first announced in December last year, is now underway. The study will provide evidence whether CO screening by paramedics attending patients in their home can be effectively carried out, and so become part of their routine observations. By using ambient air CO analysers, the study will also identify the number of patients exposed to CO in 999 emergency ambulance incidents. It is hoped that the study will produce a valuable set of data of the incidence of CO exposure in the targeted areas of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk in the East of England Ambulance Service. It is anticipated that the data sample will include around

20,000 measurements taken over the 12 month study. Chris Bielby, Gas Safety Trust Chairman, comments: “We are delighted that this key piece of research has started. The understanding of the number of people affected by CO at lower levels is limited and we are optimistic that this study will give us a better idea of the scale of the problem in an area in which there is currently very little information.”

Theresa Foster, Research Manager at the East of England Ambulance Service, adds: “This research idea originated from frontline crews, so we look forward to delivering the findings to them. It is anticipated that there will be national interest in the outputs from this work.” The research is supported by the University of Hertfordshire’s Centre for Research in Primary and Community Care.

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June 2015

WHat’s New 57 Wetrooms for all budgets

Flexible pipes that eliminate the kinks With the launch of SuperFlex, Continental Underfloor says it is offering a pipe that makes any underfloor application faster, easier and safer, all the while offering maximum flexibility and improved energy efficiency when used with low temperature heat sources. The pipe can be bent at a radius of less than 100mm, an improvement on the internal bend radius of 150mm offered by most pipes used in underfloor heating. The flexibility of this new

product means that kinks are eliminated when it is installed, so avoiding expensive pipe being replaced and allowing the system to operate more effectively. The supple nature of the pipe means it can be installed quickly and safely, even during cold conditions. SuperFlex also allows very low temperature heat sources to be used. A typical UFH system connected to a heat pump, for example, with pipe spacing of 150mm operates at a flow temperature of 40-45°C. Because SuperFlex

can be installed at 100mm centres, the system’s flow temperature can be reduced to lower levels, for example to 32-35ºC, making the system more efficient. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Fast fit and longer lifespan Said to offer a combination of installation flexibility and consumer appeal, the new T80Z Thermostatic Fast Fit shower from Triton brings together all the attributes of the company’s T80Z Fast-Fit shower and the original T80Z Thermostatic. The electric shower comes with a generous footprint, with a size and shape suited to replacements, and features eight water and six cable entry points. It also comes with a dual water inlet for left or right pipe connection and Triton’s Swing-Fit terminal block. The new T80Z’s thermostatic temperature control makes it suitable as a family shower that is both safe and simple to use, with the inclusion of a separate start/ stop button and a stylish contemporary design. At the core of the model is Triton’s newly designed Dura-Flow heater technology,

THE

SMART

Enhancing its wetroom offering, AKW has introduced a new range of formers designed to ease installation and help create a stylish wetroom for any budget or lifestyle requirement. The new range includes the TriForm, DuraForm and SureForm, all of which offer a wide selection of size and price options that provide the right gradient for optimal drainage. The TriForm option combines strength and reliability, with a load capacity of 40 stone. This version does not require underboarding, as it fixes directly onto joists. It provides a drainage rate of up to 78 litres/min and is available in five sizes and three waste options. TriForm comes with a 25 year guarantee. For fast installation, SureForm is affordable,

strong and available in a wide range of size options. Constructed from solid glass reinforced plastic, it is strong enough to fit straight onto joists. With the added benefit of having an off-set waste, there is no need to worry about the position of joists getting in the way of the waste run because it can be turned around to avoid obstructions. DuraForm is also an

affordable former that’s also lightweight, easy to handle and simple to trim to an exact size. Available in seven standard sizes and with a load capacity of 25 stone, DuraForm is claimed to be one of the most affordable wetroom formers on the market and also has the added benefit of having an off-set waste. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

166

www.akw-ltd.co.uk/wetrooms

Commercial meets domestic

which helps to reduce the build-up of limescale by up to 80%, extending the life of the shower. The addition of a removable debris filter inside each water inlet adds further protection for a longer life. Supplied with a five posi-

MAGNETIC

tion Dura-Flow shower head and removable sprayplate, the T80Z Thermostatic Fast Fit allows easy cleaning of internal waterways to further enhance its lifespan. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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The latest entry to the gas fired boiler range from Bosch Commercial & Industrial Heating is the 50kW GB 162 model. It has been introduced to offer more installation flexibility for engineers and to bridge the gap between domestic boilers and the company’s light commercial GB162 range. The new boiler is a condensing wall-hung appliance that is suited to large-scale domestic installations as well as light commercial applications. With net efficiencies of up to 110% and NOx emissions of less than 40mg/ kWh, the GB162 range provides clean, lowcarbon heating and hot water and can also be installed in a cascade arrangement up to 800kW, with the ability to modulate down to as little as 2.5% of the total output. The 50kW model offers all the benefits of its light commercial 65, 80 and 100kW equivalents, helping installers looking to enhance their offering in the light commercial market. www.bosch-industrial.co.uk

ENQUIRY No.

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F I LT E R

Prime Performance No Compromise.

Triple separation (magnetic / non magnetic / air). Compact, light and easy to install. Patented external magnetic belt technology. Simple and quick to service. Full bore isolation valves and chemical dosing facility.

ENQUIRY

344

Call 01785 218 222 today or for further details go to: www.altecnic.co.uk or email: tradesales@altecnic.co.uk

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June 2015

COMPETITION

d e t i m i l a n Wi a t i k a M n o i edit tools pack!

We’re helping to celebrate Makita’s 100th birthday by offering readers the chance to win one of the company’s limited edition anniversary twin-packs. This year sees the global tool manufacturer mark 100 years in business, and to mark the occasion in the UK Makita has launched a series of power tools in a distinctive bright metallic blue colour. Read on to find out how you can win one of the special edition anniversary packs. Founded in 1915 as an electric motor specialist in Nagoya, Japan, Makita originally specialised in lighting equipment, electric motors and generators. The first power tool was produced in 1958 and the world’s first rechargeable battery was launched by the company in 1969. Today the company operates 15 manufacturing plants around the world, including the Telford production facility which was established in 1992. Telford produces more than 63,000 power tools every month, 80% of which are exported to other countries. For more details about the full range of Makita power tool range please visit www.makitauk.com

The prize

The anniversary DLX2040 twinpack features the DHP481 combi drill plus the DTD129 LXT impact driver with brushless motor. This compact and lightweight impact driver benefits from extended run time and generates a massive 160Nm of fastening torque and up to 3200 impacts per minute. The twin-tool pack includes two 5.0Ah batteries and Makita’s new twin-port battery charger which charges two 18V batteries at the same time. The combination kit also comes with a Macpac case.

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 ‘Frank Sinatra’, you should write 101 on the card. The winner will be drawn from all the correct entries received before the closing date of 6th July 2015. Only one entry allowed per person.

Which of the following American celebrities was NOT born in 1915?

Frank Sinatra 101

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Woody Allen 102

Orson Welles 103

WHat’s New More choice with multicolums MHS Radiators has enhanced its Multisec portfolio of multicolumn radiators by eliminating the need for onsite assembly. All products in the Multisec Wall, Multisec Floor and Multisec Bespoke ranges are now fully factorywelded in up to 40 sections, making installation simpler and more straightforward. Radiators consisting of over 40 sections are also joined together at the factory – e.g. a 40-section radiator and 6-section radiator would be joined into 46 sections – resulting in larger sizes being available. The Multisec range is described as a cost-effective alternative to cast iron radiators. Its column-style design will suit both period and contemporary interiors,

while versatile, sectional construction also allows for the creation of a number of variations and heat outputs. Single sections have outputs ranging from 24 to 405W. As their names indicate, the Multisec Wall is a wallmounted radiator, whereas the Multisec Floor features fixed, welded feet for floormounting.

In addition to the new factory welding, the product range has also been boosted by the introduction of a wider selection of colours. The Classic, Special, Elegance and the Leonardo series each provide a wide palette, so can be easily matched to a wide range of decors. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.mhsradiators.com

169

Tool will straighten pipes Pegler Yorkshire has launched the Tectite Tube Straightener for 15mm pipe sizes. Flexible metal pipe from a coil can be straightened by hand or by placing on a level surface and manipulating. Janette Henwood, Market Manager for Tectite Push Systems, says: “The new Tectite Tube Straightener is a highly efficient lightweight handheld tool that can be used instead of a pipe decoiler. HVAC installers

will benefit greatly from having this in their toolbox. Not only will their installation have a

totally professional look but logistical pressures can be eased with the ability to

purchase pipe coils but achieve the same result as straight lengths.” Compact and lightweight, the handheld tool allows pipe to be passed through its centre by working it in both directions. The spiralling rollers have been designed so that they straighten and strengthen the pipe, providing a more professional looking straight pipe. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.pegleryorkshire.co.uk

170

Mist joins the Picasso range New to PJH Group’s furniture range is a grey version of its Picasso Painted range, part of the Moods collection. Picasso is described as a premium, fine crafted freestanding furniture range

that matches traditional style with contemporary practicality. Its solid in-frame design with a satin painted finish brings stunning looks that are matched by a good choice of storage solutions.

The range is supplied fully assembled featuring 18mm sides and 22mm tops and is available in a comprehensive variety of wall mounted and floor-standing units. Pictured is the 700mm 2-door vanity with integrated cast marble basin, 600mm WC unit with soft close seat, 450mm tall boy and 700mm 2-door mirrored wall unit. PJH’s Nick Platt says: “Adding this additional colour – Mist – to the Picasso range extends its appeal enormously. The versatile grey qualities bring a contemporary touch to a traditional style of storage solutions. It comes with a five year guarantee.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.pjhgroup.com/online

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June 2015

WHat’s New Quality in lower cost combi With the aim of providing a lower priced combi to installers, Ravenheat has launched the CS80 and CS90 models, which the company says delivers superior heating and hot water. They come with a two year guarantee. The new boilers incorporate a range of features normally associated with higher priced models, including low energy consumption, easy to use touch controls, large visible temperature adjustment and brass and premium branded components. The CS80 delivers an output of 25kW to domestic hot water (DHW)

with a flow rate of 10.2 litres through a 35°C rise, while the CS90 delivers a 30kW output

to DHW with a flow rate of 2 litres through a 35°C rise. Low NOx class 5 also means they meet new stringent building codes. Louis Pickersgill, MD at Ravenheat, says: “These latest additions to our range dispel any myth that it’s only the high-priced boilers that can provide a superior heating and hot water solution. These new models offer a value for money product solution that does not forgo the highest quality components, performance and reliability.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.ravenheat.co.uk

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Recessed space, no problem The Spectra SP462 double door recess, part of Aqata’s luxury line, is designed for recessed spaces needing easy access to the shower. Suitable for small bathrooms, the enclosure is made for both shower trays and wetroom applications. Available in four sizes, from 760 to 1000mm, it has a generous enclosure height of 2000mm. Nonstandard sizes are also available through Aqata’s made to measure service. In addition to the new double door hinged model, the company offers single pivot and hinged door enclosures for recessed areas. Their minimal aesthetic and contemporary design can add to the feeling of light and space in the room. The Spectra SP470

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Technical Tips PUSH-FIT SYSTEMS Push-fit systems can provide a quick and easy plumbing solution, but choosing the right system can make all the difference to a successful installation. Gareth Samuel, Product Manager for Hep2O Plumbing, explains some of things to look out for. Over the last 30 years plastic push-fit systems have proven their performance, and ongoing product development has made plastic invaluable to installers, delivering plumbing installations that perform year in, year out. But as with any building or plumbing product, the long term success of the system will be equally dependent on product and installation quality.

Peace of mind For installer and client peace of mind, it’s important that pipe is fully inserted into the fitting. This may seem easy to achieve, but when space is restricted or it’s difficult to see, it may be more of a challenge. The installer can however choose a system with joint recognition whereby they can simply twist and feel a rumble sensation to be 100% sure they have made a good connection in every situation.

Natural flexibility Hinged Door with Inline Panel, for example, creates a comfortable and generous recessed showering zone, and the Spectra SP446 Walk-In is designed with a practical hinged panel

to deflect overspray. For smaller bathrooms, Aqata offers inward opening bifold door enclosures, such as the Spectra SP480. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.aqata.co.uk

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Biomass for warehouses Targeting larger installations, such as warehouses and large industrial units, is Rural Energy with its new AIRMatic Biomass Space Heater. The heater is a standalone modular unit powered by a wood pellet boiler from Herz. The AIRMatic has minimal installation requirements – the system can be mounted in almost any location – all that is needed is a single-phase 230V electrical supply, space for flue penetration, a water supply and a level floor. Helping to keep staff warm and provide frost protection for warehouse stock, the AIRMatic delivers rapid heating whilst offering potential energy cost savings

Sponsors of

of up to 30%, according to Rural Energy. In addition, the highly efficient boiler is fully compliant with the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), providing additional

income that could be as much as £135,000 over the 20 year life span of the scheme. Paul Clark, MD of Rural Energy, comments: “The AIRMatic addresses a real gap in the current biomass market and provides warehouse owners and managers with an easy, off-the-shelf solution that will pay dividends. We are well aware that in warehousing space is at a premium, but with the AIRMatic only a couple of spare square metres are needed to make the switch to biomass. Thanks to the RHI there has never been a better time to embrace biomass energy.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.ruralenergy.co.uk

Flexibility, both in design and during installation, is another important factor when choosing a system. One of the key benefits of using polybutylene plastic systems is its natural flexibility when compared to copper or PEX pipe. Flexible pipe can be fixed below previously installed flooring boards because it is easily cabled through joists into the correct location, avoiding the awkward manoeuvring associated with the installation of rigid straight lengths. This flexibility, in conjunction with long coil lengths and guaranteed joint performance, enables installations to be completed with fewer joints, minimising the drop in operational flow rates and potential weak points in the system.

Demountability Another key asset is demountability, and most push-fit systems enable the installer to demount a fitting when adjustments are needed and reuse it. However, make it too easy to demount and you risk the fitting being accidentally demounted either by the homeowner or other trades. To ensure this doesn’t happen, choose a system that can only be demounted by the plumber with the use of a specialised tool. This

also stops the problem of fittings which are disassembled and then reassembled incorrectly.

Reliable cost Copper has been a plumber’s favourite for decades, but the material poses a common problem – theft. The effect of stolen copper can be far more than just the cost of replacement with water damage caused by the removal of fixtures. With no scrap value and minimal risk of theft, the stable price of plastic also offers none of the volatility that can see copper prices fluctuate. As a result, the cost of plasticbased plumbing is more reliable, making it much easier for plumbers to price jobs accurately and budget accordingly.

Reduced risk Whether you’re looking for a quicker and more cost-effective plumbing solution or have specific health and safety requirements, plastic performs well compared to the alternative as it requires no naked flames to install and every fitting is certified to quality regulations. And no naked flames means precautions such as obtaining a Hot Work permit, having a fire extinguisher readily available, and remaining on site after jointing are not a requirement. This ensures a reduced risk to health and an improved working environment, as well as eliminating the potential contamination of water supplies.

Up to standard Any plumbing system is only as good as the sum of its component parts, so it’s important to only install products which have been designed and manufactured to the highest standards. With any plastic push-fit system, the first thing to check is that the product meets all current regulations, including BS 7291, and is WRAS approved. Also look for guarantees where possible for further assurance that the system will work for the long term. Once you are sure it meets all your requirements, do your research and choose a reliable, high quality and proven product that provides a straightforward installation and won’t let you down.

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60 WHat’s New

Delivering digital Water tight drainage with level finish to inclusive sector Described as safe and easy to use, the Mira Vision Flex brings the benefits of wireless showering to the inclusive sector, where the wireless controller enables users to turn on and control their shower without the hassle of dealing with levers and controls in the shower itself. The shower is a combination of Mira’s Vision digital shower valve, wireless controller and the Flex hose and slide bar fittings. Suitable for adaptations in the social housing and private sectors, the Vision Flex is also simple to install and stylish in appearance. Users can enjoy the most modern of showering

Addressing the issue of drainage in wetrooms, Geberit has unveiled the CleanLine shower channel to help achieve a seamless finish, with the drain integrated into the floor to create a level surface. The CleanLine shower channel is said to offer an easy to install solution, combining aesthetic appeal and hygiene benefits in a stainless steel strip. Whether placed directly against the

experiences at the touch of a button. Outside the shower, users can programme functions such as the maximum t e mp e r at u r e and flow rate or select its warm up and eco modes. The controller can be situated anywhere that is convenient – up to 10m away from the valve. The Mira Vision Flex is suitable for the housing adaptation grant, which funds the changes required to make a home suitable for a person with a physical, sensory or intellectual disability. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.mirashowers.co.uk

Now available from NMC is Climaflex XT, a pre-slit flexible pipe insulation with a self-adhesive fixing to enable a simple and fast installation. The self sealing product is said to give installers a clean and precise way to insulate pipes without the cost, mess or wastage of traditional sleeves. They are especially useful for

175

Break

for chance to win £50 cash

Clothes Wordsearch Clothes Wordsearch Which one of the words is NOT in the grid?

Which one of the words is NOT in the grid?

A J S N E L E A C I R A T S O C C A

E I S I A D O H E V S T D Y A S T A E G L T E S X A E J B G U U T L I A T N C I Z S E R L E P C W B O X E R L T N H I C T U O T S L T V M R O S E E I H Q P K A K I O A R A H C R N O L U O A W M X L L N J RCountries F B Wordsearch M B N

N N S U N N T G S D I D O O M T E I

S N L O T S N H E V A T R R N T S M

Which one of the words is NOT in the grid?

S E P E E R E M I W D L I I N G F A

R G M R

H L X F

N H Anorak H S N G Blazer S A T U P M Blouse E E W N Boxers A T CloakTT UV FrockKE AI

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Argentina Australia Austria

S E E L E U C A I D O B M A C U L A

I V Z T I L C E I S T R N I L O L N

A S A G B I Z P R I E I Q O R H N A

D T L E G C Y P R U S S E A O W S W

N E G I N N I G R T I A O S A T E S

B N N T T S I S A V A I O I I T S T

G L A A L B A N I A W L R N M A S O

Bangladesh Belgium Bolivia Botswana Brazil Bulgaria

T P B L T L H S P N M A I V I L O B

R D R G S T O N I S G R I W A M R W

O H A E E C E I T L T T U R D L T P

F I Z R H R G K U C M S T S T I E N

M O B

G L X L E T A R A O W A A N M Q S D

T P O B T W P S P N K D F X B I H A

R D L W L T O N I S E S A W A M R O

O H A I K A E I T N T S U S D L T F

F I K C S R Z K V C K Q M S M I R N

M E O I O Y S E I I U L B O M A L Y

O R L L H L M A R E L O I S C W N S

F E S C I N U T T E S L U S M K I L

Anorak Blazer Blouse Boxers Cloak Frock Jacket Jeans Kimono Pants Poncho Scarf Shawl Shorts Skirt Smock Tunic Tuxedo

Last Month’s Winner

E U E Jacket Shawl I L S I A G and Answers Jeans Shorts O R N Y G I Winner: Mr C PlowrightSkirt from Wiltshire S E F Kimono B N C Afghanistan Bangladesh Burma I T T Pants Albania Belgium Smock Cambodia B I E Algeria Bolivia Canada B N S Poncho U A L Argentina BotswanaTunic Chile R I U Australia Brazil Rica Scarf Tuxedo Costa M S P Austria Bulgaria Cyprus A S L Y

G W U S

M I I A

Burma Cambodia Canada Chile Costa Rica Cyprus

Word not in the grid: Bangladesh

Please email your answer, including your name and address to: info@phamnews.co.uk The closing date for the June 2015 issue will be 26/06/2015

Missing word - Bangladesh

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www.geberit.co.uk

176

applications in inaccessible areas or on pipe bends where a neat and seamless finish can be easily achieved.

In trialling Climaflex XT self seal across a range of applications, NMC says it identified that time savings of up to 50% could be made on a typical 60m installation. The product also offers thermal and acoustic benefits from a high performance insulation material where condensation control, frost protection and

energy conservation are important factors. Available in 2m lengths, Climaflex XT self seal is suitable for use within a -40ºC to 105ºC range. The product satisfies the requirements of Building Regs L1 and the Water Regs 1999 Frost Protection. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.nmc-uk.com

177

High-tech loo is big on hygiene

Take a

S E P E E S E M I W A L I I N G L A

1.3m which can be cut down to the required size during installation. Once installed,

Self seal pipe insulation also saves time

PHAM NEWS WORDSEARCH No.175

A J S N E L E P E N I D N A L W C C

wall or in the floor of the shower area, the product is available in lengths of 0.9 or

the shower channel acts as an open profile for water to collect and flow to the drain. It provides an effective drainage performance of 0.8 litres/sec. Thanks to an easy to remove comb insert concealed beneath a removable cover at the centre of the channel which collects dirt, CleanLine can be simply rinsed clean with no fuss or hassle.

For the ultimate in personal hygiene, Vitra has launched the V-Care WC with high-tech bidet functions. Available in two variations – the premium Comfort option or the Basic – the WC features a selfcleaning bidet nozzle which offers the user numerous personalised washing options controlled via a remote. The user can adjust the intensity, temperature and direction of the water, and front and rear washing is available. The V-Care Comfort model offers a drying function, which can also be adjusted to a temperature to suit.

The temperature of the seat can also be controlled and is ergonomically designed for

comfort. The automatically activated air purification system also helps to create a pleasant atmosphere in the bathroom. The nozzle automatically cleans itself before and after each use. It can also be removed if preferred for manual cleaning. The body of the nozzle is made of stainless steel and the tip is chrome plated for long-lasting durability and hygiene. The WC itself is also hygienic as it has a rimless interior. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.vitra.co.uk

178

Bar has stabilising effect The Ionic collection from Merlyn has been enhanced with the addition of a walk in shower wall which incorporates a Stabilizing Bar. The bar is suitable for wetroom installations which would otherwise be deemed impractical (due to windows, for example). The 3m high bar also adds an attractive design feature, adding definition to the minimalist look. The bar can be cut to fit or retrofitted, if necessary. The Ionic collection features many wetroom configurations, giving the choice to mix and match many combinations of shapes and sizes to any space required. As well as the Stabilizing Bar option, there are Swivel Panels available too. All the models feature 8mm glass. ENQUIRY No. 179 www.merlynshowering.com

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June 2015

What’s New 61 Elegant divide for shower wetrooms The latest addition to Matki’s One collection is the luxurious Wet Room Panel. The panel is available with either a wall or ceiling supportive brace bar (the wall brace version is pictured, right.) This panel is a suitable alternative to an enclosure when all that is needed is an elegant divide between shower and bathroom. The manufacturer says the Matki-One panel is an example of innovative stylistic design that comes with a choice of colour

Carbon steel buffer tanks in all sizes

options. The vertical wall frame and supportive brace bar can be ordered in chrome, white, black or architectural bronze. The wall supportive brace bar includes a decorative disc detail, which can add an accent of colour in chrome, brass, copper, blue, red, green, white or black. There is wide selection of sizes, from 500 to 1500mm wide and a height of 2100mm. Prices start at £387.60 including VAT. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.matki.co.uk

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Silent, discreet bathroom ventilation The Silent fan from Vent-Axia has been redesigned to look similar to a bathroom tile, making it visually unobtrusive, and also boasts quiet operation. Holding the Noise Abatement Society’s Quiet Mark, the fan operates at 14dB(A) and is said to be 75% quieter than typical intermittent bathroom fans. Discreet and elegantly designed, VentAxia says this quieter-thana-whisper fan costs less than £1 a year to run.

Designed for wall, ceiling, window and panel mounting, it will also fit into existing 100mm ducts, making it suitable for replacement

applications. A single 100mm axial fan capable of two-speed operation, the Silent Fan performs up to 21 litres/sec, meeting the ventilation requirements of most bathrooms and toilets. It complies fully with Building Regs Parts F and L and is available as a standard model or as an option with an overrun timer adjustable between 5 and 30 minutes. Jenny Smith, Product Marketing Manager, says:

“Households are fed up with noisy bathroom fans and the irritation caused by the continuous drone of an outdated fan. Some will turn off their extract fans altogether, potentially leading to damage to the fabric of their property by causing mould growth and poor air quality. Vent-Axia’s Silent Fan provides the solution.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.vent-axia.com

181

Advantay has introduced a new range of fully insulated carbon steel multiconnection, multi-function buffer tanks for the use of storage and distribution of treated hot water. The P Plus buffer tanks are available in sizes from the compact 100 litre, complete with wall mounting bracket, up to the 2000 litre version, allowing the range of tanks to be suitable for varying applications, including wood chip, biomass, air source or solar heating where the need to store heated water is required. The fully insulated P Plus tanks are equipped with multiple connections that facilitate ease of installation and allow multiple draw off capabilities. The P Plus range has a maximum pressure rating of 10bar for sizes from 100 up to 1000 litres, and 6bar for sizes from 1500 to 2000 litres. To allow greater flexibility of installation requirements the P Plus is also available with single or twin coil configurations from 300 up to 2000 litres, which allows multiple heat sources to be used.

The buffer tanks are produced by Advantay’s partner factory in Italy, with standard sizes held ex stock in the UK. The company supplies standard products and also assists in the development of bespoke products to original equipment manufacturers and merchants. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

182

www.advantay.co.uk

Slimmer oil combi Stocker Luxury Italian towel warmer flues

The Vortex Pro Combi XS is described by Grant as being the slimmest 26kW oil-fired condensing combi boiler on the market. At only 515mm wide, the XS is designed as a replacement for older standard efficiency oil fired combis, which tend to be smaller in size. The Grant Vortex Pro Combi XS has almost identical characteristics on both combustion efficiency and domestic hot water performance as its larger version and utilises all of the existing components, so it should be immediately familiar to installers of Grant products. To save on space, the 24 litre expansion vessel, normally located behind the front door of the boiler, is supplied as an externally fitted vessel kit. “As a result of feedback from our G-One approved installer network, we developed this more compact Pro Combi XS to ensure our combi boilers can directly replace older inefficient models,” explains Marketing Manager Anna Wakefield. “Grant have been manufacturing combi boilers for around 17 years and today one in every three oil boilers we sell is a combi version. The Vortex Pro Combi XS completes our range and meets the requirements of our installer network.” www.grantuk.com

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Now available from Wood Energy are Stocker Flue Systems. The Austrian made range is available in diameters of between 80 and 700mm and feature no exposed insulation or sharp metal edges. There is also an optional ceramic lining for corrosion resistance and they are available in any RAL colour. The flues come with a 10 year warranty. Stocker Flues are said to be easy to install. Their precision connection systems enable them to be fitted free standing in heights up to 4m, whilst their flexible mounting system can be attached to a wide range of substrates or angled walls. Wood Energy is the exclusive distributor of this product in the UK and Ireland. PHAM ENQUIRY No.

www.woodenergy.com

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Eos is the name of a new towel warmer from Aestus and is part of the Designer Italian collection by Graziano. As functional as it is stylish, Eos provides ample hanging space for towels. In addition, the towel warmer is supplied with a built-in thermostatic valve kit that allows the controls to be positioned up to 5m from the towel rail for added convenience and flexibility. Measuring 400 x 1000 x

130mm, Eos is manufactured from stainless steel and comes with a 20 year

quality assurance guarantee. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

185

www.aestus.co.uk

Smart environmental sensor From Sontay comes the Smart Communication Sensor, which combines smart connectivity with intelligent sensing. The sensors are tailored to suit any application and offer complete environmental sensing within a single unit. For added control, end-users can choose to have the collected data communicated through Modbus RTU or BACnet MS/TP. The Smart Sensor can monitor a number of variables including temperature, CO2, relative humidity, light level, air quality and

fan speed. The range of seven sensors has been adapted to suit the needs of applications such as offices and hotels through a combination of variables. A traffic light LED can also be incorporated for quick and easy indication of excessive CO2 levels within a room. Multiple measurements can be taken over a simple two-wire data bus, making this a cost effective solution for total environment sensing. Products carry a three year warranty. www.sontay.com

ENQUIRY No.

186

02/06/2015 10:53

June 2015

62 DIRECTORY Radiators

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3 Offer the complete range of wood log boilers information and application pack. 3 Products fully MCS certified 3 Two complete ranges Angus Super and Angus Orligno 200 3 Output range 18kW, 25kW, 40kW, 60kW, 80kW, 96kW and 130kW We are not a trade association, 3 Grants available under Renewable Heat Incentive and we require our members to 3 92% Heat Efficiency be qualified through recognised 3 Significantly reduce heating costs 3 Incorporate into existing heating systemforms of study and achievement.

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12 Original FARAL Aluminium CAD Radiators, always www.radiatorfactory.net appreciated, often imitated since 1966 The choice of many Architects and local authorities for over 50 FOR ALL TYPES OF DESIGNER years, Faral radiators provide the highest heat & ECO-ALUMINIUM RADIATORS 13/8/ output achievable from 13/8/ one of the most energy AEL 130x94 Faral Rads_Layout 1 20/08/2012 14:02 Tel: Page 1 0116 260 9257 efficient low water content aluminium radiators available today. ENQUIRY 19 Autoca with d le

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Radiator Keys

Flat Front Sill Line

Tel: 01606 871680 ATC SEMITEC LTD E-mail: sales@atcsemitec.co.uk Web:Tel: www.atcsemitec.co.uk 01606 871680

Plumbsure Contractors Insurance & Financial Advice • Liabilities • Property • Contractors All Risks

Professional Bodies AEL HEATING CONTROLS

E-mail: sales@atcsemitec.co.uk Web: www.atcsemitec.co.uk

Financial Advice & Insurance

Detailed drawings of AEL radiators and valves in a CAD drawing format that is also compatible with AUTOCAD TA8W15 is availableWhite on digital disc or via www.aelheating.com thermostatic valve set e-mail: sales@aelheating.com Tel: 01928 579068

20Tropical 95

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Unit 8 Copenhagen Road Hull HU7 0XQ Phone/Fax 01482 226 265 Email: info@dustsheetshop.co.uk www.dustsheetshop.co.uk wilkinson

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4’ x 4’ - £1.50 I 8’ x 41/2’ - £2.25 I 12’ x 8’ - £4.40 I 12’ x 12’ - £7.40 Off cuts 6’ x 4’ £1.25 I Plus VAT and Carriage

Flat Front

Longo Sill Line 80

Good Quality Indian Cotton Dust Sheets

provide the highest heat output

achievable from one of the Please contact Mr Stephen Healey most01928 energy 579068 efficient low water Telephone: content aluminium radiators e mail: healey@aelheating.com

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Expert technical advice and sales support

from the UK market leaders thermistor Expert technical advice and in sales support and thermal components. THE BEST IN from sensors the UKFOR market leaders in thermistor sensors and thermal components. ATC SEMITEC • IP68 Probes

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Die Cast Aluminium Radiators

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Die Cast Aluminium Radiators

Original FARAL AELRADIATOR PHAM news 60x88._AEL PHAM news 60x88 25/04/2012 ENQUIRY 13:12 THE FACTORY 23 Aluminium CAD Radiators, always appreciated, often imitated since 1966 Original FARAL The choice of many Expert technical advice and and sales FARAL ALUMINIUM Architects local AluminiumRADIATORS Radiators, support from the UK market authorities for over 50 Longo always appreciated, Faral radiators 80 leaders in thermistor years, sensors and AEL are looking for merchants / distributors provide the highest heat thermal components. imitated since an 1966 to express anoften interest in becoming output achievable from one of the most energy • IP68 Probes approved distributor for the original and The choice of many Architects low water content White TA8W15 Tropical 95 • Fast-responseefficient Sensors very well respected range and localFARAL authorities for of over thermostatic aluminium radiators valve set • Surface Sensors available today. 50die years, Faral radiators Aluminium cast radiators.

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To find out how we can help you to further your ambitions, telephone 023 8066 8900 for information and application pack.

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INFORMATION Centre 63

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Inta Launches Biggest Ever Catalogues

Among the list of new products is the IntaKlean 2, the company’s secondgeneration of its best-selling magnetic filter, while Inta’s showering collection features its most stylish range of showers to date. To request a brochure, visit www.intatec.co.uk or enter the PHAM No. ENQUIRY

372

Ecodan Toolbox offers simple access to renewable sales tools Mitsubishi Electric has launched a single online platform to provide immediate access to a host of sales tools and resources, aimed at helping heat pump installers engage with homeowners and grow renewable heating sales. The Ecodan Toolbox provides simple descriptions of the tools and resources currently available as well as those coming soon. The online platform coincides with the launch of a new tool designed to help installers explain all the features and benefits of Ecodan to a homeowner in a non-technical manner. The toolbox is located in the ‘installer’ area of the company’s heating website. For further details visit Ecodan.co.uk or enter the PHAM No. Mitsubishi Electric

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H-Series Motorised Valve

L N E PUMP

N E L BOILER

ATC CYLINDER STAT

4 1 2

RMT230 ROOM STAT L N E

TIME CONTROLLER

BLUE 230V 3amp fuse

L N CH HW ON HW OFF

George Staszak

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

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Snickers’ Superior Knee Protection On Site

British manufacturer, Inta, has unveiled its largest ever range of heating and plumbing products in its new 2015 edition catalogues. With new additions across its plumbing heating and renewables, commercial and showering collections, Inta has become the go-to name for quality, reliability and style.

INTATEC

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

BROWN / WHITE

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.

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 inc P&P www.combiboilerrepair.co.uk Also available from High Street and Online Book Stores COPPER JOB

Mr Combi Training GREY

Danfoss & Honeywell Book of Wiring

ORANGE

Central Heating combination boilers fault finding & repair

The launch of these new D30 Lite Kneepads from Snickers Workwear means its time to seriously consider giving yourself superior knee protection! Leading the way in reliable and certified knee protection for professional tradesmen and women, the NEW D30 Kneepads deliver the most advanced knee protection available today. Checkout the website and download a digital catalogue at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk email info@snickersworkwear.co.uk or call the helpline on 01484 854788 SNICKERS

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377

Ferrob Ventilation launches new Guide and Website Ferrob Ventilation, recently acquired by Polypipe Ventilation, has launched its new and improved Website and Ventilation Short Form Product Guide to promote its range of residential ventilation products to the social and private housing sectors. The Guide has been designed to provide an overview of the company’s product range. The clean, fresh design and concise easy to follow layout is complemented by the clear identification of the features and customer benefits. The new web site follows the same clean design yet provides visitors with more detailed information on the company’s products and services. Details of how to book a free survey are listed on their website. Ring 01635 299266 Visit www.ferrob.co.uk or enter the PHAM No. FERROB

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378

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379

Graham Website Now Friendly For All

Colt Cowls Launches New Website and Joins Twitter and Facebook Colt Cowls new website contains a wealth of up to date new features with every product sold detailed with an accompanying image.The website is fully e-commerce. All list prices are displayed and discounts are available. Live support is also available online and there is a Twitter feed and a customer review section. Visit Twitter @coltcowls, www.facebook.com/coltcowls or the website www.coltcowls.co.uk where the Chimney Cowl Catalogue can also be obtained Help and advice is still available from the Sales Team on 0870 241 1041 COLT COWLS

MR COMBI

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376

Graham Plumbers’ Merchant has launched its new responsive website, compatible with all the leading smartphone and tablet devices to make online browsing and ordering even easier. Grahams new website contains a wealth of information relating to its five divisions – heating, heating spares, plumbing & plastics, bathrooms and tools & materials – many of which can be ordered directly via the website and provides details on money saving offers, promotions, new products Information etc. Visit www.grahamplumbersmerchant.co.uk or enter the PHAM NO GRAHAM

Advertiser’s Index ACR 2016 Adey Innovation LLP Advantay Ltd Alpha Heating Innovation Altecnic Ltd Aquabion BWT UK Ltd Baxi Heating UK Ltd CMR Controls Ltd Cistermiser Ltd Conex Universal Ltd Elco UK Ford Motor Company Geberit Sales Ltd Graham Group Ideal Standard International

48 27 25 42 57 25 31 5, 43 20 26 21 19 2 52 1 14

JTL 39 KSB Ltd 36 Kamco Ltd 28 Kidde Home Safety 55 Logic 4 Training 37 MHS Radiators 6 Mitsubishi Electric Europe 50 Monarch Water 30 NMC (UK) Ltd 3 NICEIC 10 Nu-Heat UK Ltd 35 Pegler Yorkshire Group Ltd 33 Practical Refrigeration Training Centre Ltd (PRTC) 40 QMSA 4 Remeha 49

Screwfix Smith's Environmental Products Ltd Specflue Ltd Spirotech UK Ltd Stiebel Eltron UK Ltd Talon Manufacturing Ltd Viega GmbH & Co KG Viessmann Ltd Vokera Ltd Wavin Ltd Windhager UK Wolseley (Plumb Center) Worcester Bosch Wunda Group plc

9 46 41 29 51 8 13 11 23 7 34 24, 64 15, 16, 17 18

Features appearing in THE JULY/AUGUST 2015 issue

Bathroom Design

DIRECTORY & INFO JUNE 2015.indd 4

Renewable Energy Technology

Light Commercial Heating

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