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Volume 57 | Issue 5 | May 2019

Plumbing pensions crisis needs Government action

Win a Vokèra boiler!

The Government has been called on to address growing concerns that a number of plumbing companies could face bankruptcy following the issue of pension bills that are likely to run into millions of pounds.

The Chairman of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, Frank Field MP, has questioned Pensions Minister Guy Opperman about what the Government plans to do to solve the issue of plumbers facing pension bills which could reach millions of pounds and leave many employers facing potential bankruptcy.

The Plumbing & Mechanical Services (UK) Industry Pension Scheme – better known as Plumbing Pensions – is one of the few multi-employer pension schemes in the UK and, according to current legislation, liabilities from one sponsor become the responsibility of other companies in the pension fund when one of these leaves the scheme.

Legislation introduced in 2005 means that businesses that are sold or wound up are required to pay an exit fee that covers the employer’s share of a pension scheme’s liabilities. The so-called Section 75 payments have only now started to be issued by Plumbing Pensions following a data matching exercise to find old employers who didn’t pay what they owed when they left the scheme.

Frank Field MP, Chairman of the Work and Pensions Select Committee

Plumbing Pensions Chief Executive Kate Yates told the Financial Times that the scheme had decided to issue the debt notices “having spent years considering how best to apply the legislation in a fair and equitable manner. Because of the nature of our scheme, having so many past employers, and the retrospective aspect of this legislation, the orphan liabilities are a really significant sum of money.”

Ms Yates confirmed that the total value of debts will range from tens of thousands to millions of pounds.

In a letter to the Pensions Minister, Frank Field notes that many of the employers

involved are family-owned businesses with no limited liability protection, and are therefore at risk of personal bankruptcy.

“This surely cannot be what Parliament intended to happen when passing this legislation,” he argues. He has urged Mr Opperman to let the committee know what the Government plans to do to address this issue, “both for these employers in particular and more widely to review this legislation, which does not seem to be working as it should be.”

The Plumbing scheme is reported to have more than 35,000 members – of which 3200 are active – and assets of £2bn. In 2017 the last actuarial valuation found that the pension fund has orphan liabilities of around £400million.

A group of concerned stakeholders has set up the Plumbing Employers Action Group (PEAG), which was formed in response to the changes to the Pensions Act. One of the group’s aims is to share the cost of gaining legal advice for employers.

There is also a Facebook page dedicated to the issue (www.facebook.com/Plumbers EmployersActionGroup).

See page 52

The art of pipework

Gas Safe registration going unchecked A third (33%) of UK adults admit they’ve not checked if the engineer working on their home’s gas appliances is doing so legally by being on the Gas Safe Register, according to the latest research findings by the official gas registration body.

When asked why they hadn’t thought to check if their engineer was working on their home’s gas appliances legally, the research revealed that there’s a lack of understanding and an assumption that all engineers are registered (40%) so people didn’t realise

they had to check (29%). Some of those who let in an engineer without checking their registration information blamed being in a rush (15%) or forgetting to ask (18%), putting their safety at risk. British politeness also stopped 14% of adults checking if their engineer was on the Gas Safe Register as they claimed they were ‘too embarrassed to ask’.

Some respondents said that they thought they’d correctly verified that their gas engineer was on the Gas Safe Register by

noticing a logo on the engineer’s website or uniform (28%), or by asking the engineer (13%), rather than checking with the Gas Safe Register.

Of those who realised that their engineer wasn’t Gas Safe registered after they had worked on their gas appliances, they admitted they’d wasted money (8%) as the work had to be checked by a registered engineer and, in some cases, re-done (12%).

Others (6%) contacted Gas Safe Register to inform them of the illegal work.

Viega’s Megapress connection technology has been specified for a section of pipe relocation work at The National Gallery in London. The press connection system for thick-walled steel tube ensured that the installation of steel pipework for the building’s heating and chilled water HVAC systems could take place without disruption to the gallery space, which remained open throughout the project.

For more about the Megapress system see page 38 of this month’s issue.

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Inside this issue Broken boilers are Editor’s busting budgets Viewpoint Special Report

Plumbing under the microscope – consultant investigator Alex Wildish tells us about his work

See page 18

Pipes, Fittings & Valves The flexible benefits of multi-layer piping systems for heating and cold water applications

Starts page 29

Water Heating & Cylinders Advice on selecting the right hot water cylinder and the growing market for non-storage solutions

Starts page 41

Pumps & Heating Spares The latest advances in energy saving circulating pumps and the case for only using genuine heating spares

Starts page 47

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

Incorporating: Plumbing & Heating News Plumbing & Heating Equipment News

According to new research undertaken by insurance cover company Hometree, more than a third of UK homeowners admit that they wouldn’t have funds to cover the cost of a broken boiler in their homes.

The survey of over 2000 adults also revealed that 72% have no cover or insurance to protect them in the event of a boiler emergency, suggesting that around 6.4 million households would therefore be at risk of having no heating or hot water.

Despite the lack of cover, 20% of those surveyed said that they had set no money aside for when their boiler went wrong. Of those who said that they had set aside some money, the average amount was £765, dropping to just £444 for those aged under 35. If the boiler needed replacing, these savings are unlikely to come close to meeting the cost of having a new boiler installed.

Simon Phelan, CEO of Hometree, comments: “For many, boilers are the last things people think about when it comes to their home – until something goes wrong. Having a boiler breakdown, leaving a home suddenly with no heating or hot water, can be stressful

by Chris Jones

Is it just a question of trust?

enough without having to think of the costly bill that comes with repairing or replacing it.

“With over a third of us having concerns about being able to cover the cost of a broken boiler, we advise homeowners to check they have the right cover in place to protect them and offset any unexpected expenses from such a breakdown.”

The North London based company, which has a national network of 4000 engineers, plumbers and electricians, has recently launched a new insurance care package for domestic boilers. The 24/7 cover provides a service plan for homeowners and landlords, including the cost of maintenance and emergency boiler repairs.

Some might argue that it’s a good sign of an honest and healthy society, but most of us are generally prepared to trust people we meet for the first time unless given good reason otherwise. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why the Gas Safe Register has faced an uphill battle in its ongoing efforts to encourage consumers to ask to see a heating engineer’s Gas Safe card before inviting them into their home. The latest survey undertaken on behalf of the registration body has revealed that 33% of UK residents fail to check if their installer is working legally (see this month’s front cover).

It seems that trusting Brits are unwilling to question an installer’s credentials, either by being too polite to ask or assuming that a badge on an engineer’s uniform or a logo on a van provide plenty enough evidence that there’s no cause for concern. Unfortunately, the HSE has gathered a mountain of case studies over the years to suggest otherwise – one of the most recent of which has led to an unregistered gas fitter in Milton Keynes receiving a suspended jail sentence (see page 4).

The Gas Safe Register points out that scrutinising an installer’s registration number is not simply a question of checking whether the engineer has paid his registration fees – illegal gas work puts lives at risks. Over the last three years, nearly 2000 investigations have been recorded in properties where non-registered work had taken place and 69% were found to be unsafe. Of course – although these stats seem harder to come by – it’s likely that a fair proportion of this work was performed on behalf of customers who themselves might have been looking to save money by cutting corners. So is it fair that they should escape prosecution?

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

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

Continuing its long involvement with the British Superbike Championship, JG Speedfit has announced that it will continue with its ongoing sponsorship of the title-winning Kawasaki team. Now part of the RWC family of brands, the push-fit specialist is looking to emulate the success of the 2018 season, when the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team scored an impressive 1-2 at the top of the rankings. James Bell, Brand and Marketing Director at RWC, comments: “The JG Speedfit brand is all about speed, efficiency and performance, so we’re proud to be associated with a championship-winning team who displays all of those qualities.”

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Unregistered gas Why service gas boilers every year? fitter found guilty

An unregistered gas fitter operating as a director of Master Plumbing Contractors Ltd has been sentenced for carrying out gas work without being registered with Gas Safe.

Aylesbury Crown Court heard how Andrew Stevens purported to be Gas Safe registered when he undertook gas work at two properties in Milton Keynes between 2015 and 2016. He wore a t-shirt with the Gas Safe logo, which was also on the company van. He was reported to Gas Safe Register after defects were found in the installation of a gas boiler.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) later found that Mr Stevens was not Gas Safe registered at the time he conducted this work.

Stevens was found guilty of four offences under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and received four 18-month sentences, all suspended for two years. He was also ordered to do 300 hours of community service and pay costs of £15,000.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Andrew McGill said: “Mr Stevens undertook gas work which he knew he was not registered to do.

“HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate action against rogue gas fitters who disregard the law and place lives at risk. Working with gas appliances is difficult, specialised and potentially very dangerous, so it is vital that this is only undertaken by trained and competent engineers who are registered with Gas Safe.”

In a bold step that could shake up the gas boiler service and maintenance market, the boiler manufacturer Intergas has announced the introduction of a new service protocol for its latest boilers which will be based on hours of operation rather than service intervals. All of the company’s Eco RF boilers installed from 1st May 2019 will now only need to be serviced after 1700 hours of operational use instead of every 12 months.

The RF technology embedded in the boiler, together with the Intergas LAN Gateway, will enable the installer to track boiler performance remotely from a specially developed service dashboard. The installer will receive an alert when the boiler is approaching 1700 hours so that a service visit can be arranged. Once market

should you pay for a service at the end of 12? Using data from the Netherlands, where Intergas’s RF technology has been in operation for the past seven years, the optimum time to carry out a service is after 1700 hours usage. The motor industry has used this system successfully for decades, and we have the ability to do the same.”

Opportunity Intergas MD Stephen Zouch

uptake has been assessed, Intergas says that its Xclusive and Xtreme boilers could also become eligible for a 1700 hour service.

Speaking about this new servicing scheme, MD Stephen Zouch, explains: “It has never made sense to service a boiler based on an arbitrary date in the diary. If you don’t use your boiler for months at a time, why

The company argues that the change will not only cut down on unnecessary servicing, but will also provide installers with an opportunity to grow their business. The remote monitoring of boiler performance will enable them to update customers on potential maintenance issues and introduce new products or services where appropriate. Evidence from the Netherlands also shows

that customers are happy to pay for this support.

To monitor the Eco RF boiler, installers will need to buy the LAN Gateway and install the service dashboard onto their tablet, laptop or PC. The service dashboard provides a detailed view of boiler performance in real time and the facility to change parameter settings remotely where appropriate. There’s a free app too so that installers can keep track of boilers while on the go.

If a customer doesn’t want to use the monitoring and maintenance technology to carry out the service at 1700 hour intervals, then the boiler must be serviced annually.

The Intergas servicing hours protocol does not apply to the private rented sector, as landlords are currently legally obliged to carry out a gas safety check every year.

Raising the status of apprenticeships The CIPHE is backing calls to reintroduce the title of ‘Master Craftsman’ to help raise the status of apprenticeships.

A report from The Social Market Foundation (SMF) – ‘Making Apprenticeships Work’ – proposes that those who complete apprenticeships should be allowed to call themselves ‘Craftsman’, putting their qualifications on a par with university degrees.

The report suggests that those holding the most prestigious apprenticeships might be addressed as ‘Master Craftsman’ or ‘Master Craftswoman,’ in the same way that people who complete a PhD are entitled to be called ‘Doctor.’

Kevin Wellman, CEO of the CIPHE, comments: “The CIPHE supports all measures to encourage

apprenticeships, especially in the fields of engineering.

We wholeheartedly agree that quality apprenticeships deliver highly trained and skilled individuals, who must be seen as being on a par with those holding academic qualifications. Indeed, recognising excellence in our chosen vocation is a very practical way of maintaining and raising standards.”

“The Institute has long held the title of ‘Master’ in high esteem, as we have seen through the ongoing success of the Master Plumber Certificate scheme. It stands to reason that the adoption of titles such as ‘Master’ and ‘Craftsman/Craftswoman’ will give employers and the public a tangible label that they see the value in, and most vitally, understand.”

Big rise in emergency boiler callouts Employers urged to share unused levy

Britain’s increasingly unpredictable weather is influencing the way people operate their boilers, and this has led to a rise in callouts for emergency boiler repairs. This is according to theboilercompany.com, which reported a 71% increase in emergency call outs during the snow earlier last month (1st to 5th April) and a nearly three-fold increase during last year’s ‘Beast from the East’.

London saw the largest increases in emergency call outs during cold periods, followed by Birmingham, Liverpool, Edinburgh and then Manchester.

Warm weather, however, saw callouts by the firm drop by nearly 160%, suggesting that homeowners are ignoring their heating systems for long periods

4.indd 1

when its warm. Over the recent hot Easter Bank Holiday weekend (and the hottest Easter Monday on record), call outs dropped by nearly two thirds compared to the previous four days.

Theboilercompany.com’s cofounder Soyfur Rahman comments: “From the hottest Easter Monday and hottest February day on record to

snow in April, 2019’s weather is already proving to be unpredictable. However, research shows that hot spells are actually getting longer, and bitterly cold snaps are becoming less frequent.

“This has a knock-on effect for how people use their central heating. Boilers will often be switched off for long

periods when it’s warm or mild, and then suddenly cranked up high when the cold arrives out of the blue.

“The cold already means heavier boiler use and the potential for frozen condensate pipes, so putting the heat on full blast after lots of inactivity puts sudden added pressure on system components, making a breakdown more likely. The extra increase we’re seeing in emergency call outs during unpredictable and irregular cold snaps supports this.”

The company has suggested a few tips for consumers to help keep their boilers in top condition, including turning the heating on monthly during hot spells, preparing the condensate pipes for cold snaps, and bleeding radiators in early autumn.

Since April 2017, employers with an annual pay bill of over £3 million have had to pay 0.5% of their total annual pay bill into the apprenticeship levy. A Freedom of Information request has shown that the Government received £4.2 billion in levys, but so far only £601 million has been paid out to employers. The APHC is therefore urging companies in the industry to share unused levy funds.

APHC Director Mark Antrobus says: “There is a real opportunity for large employers to invest in the plumbing and heating industry for the direct benefit of the many smaller companies in their supply chain, and of course the thousands of plumbing and

Mark Antrobus, APHC

heating businesses who use and install their products on a daily basis. This could help drive our sector’s growth, assist with meeting our sector’s longer term skills requirements and, more immediately, provide much needed apprenticeships.”

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Heat pump firm eyes growth Award competition News open for entries in brief As the Kensa Group celebrates its 20th anniversary, the business is making changes to its senior management team and business services to support its continued growth. The strategy coincides with recent announcements from Government calling for significantly higher numbers of heat pump installations.

James Standley has been promoted to MD of Kensa Heat Pumps, whilst Dr Matthew Trewhella will step up to the same role for Kensa Contracting, the specialist inhouse installation business.

Commenting on the changes, Kensa Group CEO Simon Lomax says: “We have spent 20 years promoting the benefits of ground source heat pumps. Regulation is now replacing subsidy as the main

Kensa Group’s senior management team (l-r): Guy Cashmore, Simon Lomax, Matthew Trewhella, James Standley

market driver, and the Kensa Group is remarkably wellplaced to take advantage.”

Alongside the management changes, Kensa has announced the launch of a new business, Kensa Utilities, which will operate alongside

a number of partners to fund, own and maintain heat pump assets. In addition, the Group is developing alternative business models, including a ‘heat as a service’ offer, designed to reduce upfront capital costs.

The Plumber of the Year 2019 competition, now in its fifth year, is open for entries as sponsors JT, Bristan and Wolseley search for the sector’s top tradesperson.

The competition’s official judging partner is Watersafe, the online directory and national accreditation body for competent and qualified plumbers in the UK. It will shortlist 15 plumbers from all the applications submitted by Friday 28th June. The public will then vote for who they believe deserves to be crowned the winner. The five with the most votes will then go through to the grand final which will be held at Bristan HQ later in the year.

The winner of the POTY 2019 title will earn not only the distinction of being named Plumber of the Year, but will also reap thousands of pounds worth of prizes from the sponsors. To find out more about entering, visit: www. ukplumberoftheyear.com

Cost effective age-proofing

All together now!

A team of installers have given Clayton Rugby League Football Club, an amateur rugby league club in Bradford, a clubhouse makeover via a Community Kindness initiative sponsored by Viessmann and organised by the Pulse 1 and 2 radio stations. At the heart of the renovation is a completely new heating system, supplied and installed by the Heat for Good heating industry collective.

Eleven installers gave up their time for free to fit a Viessmann Vitodens 100-W combi boiler, with radiators from Barlo, a pump from Grundfos, press fittings from M-Press, copper pipe from Plumbase and a low loss header from Spirotech. Others in the community provided a new roof and toilets as well as painting and decorating, industrial cleaning, asbestos consultancy and skip hire.

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With the launch of its ‘cost of care’ calculator, Mira Showers is highlighting the affordability of over-65s growing old independently in their own homes versus moving to a residential care home. Installers can use the new calculator to help customers discover what options are best suited to their needs, helping the older generation and their relatives find a costeffective option that works for them.

When scaling residential nursing care costs over five years, analysis shows it is 28% cheaper on average to receive full-time care at home and benefit from age-proofing products, such as accessible bathroom products, no matter where one lives in the UK. The Cost of Care calculator can be accessed online: www.mirashowers.co.uk/ independent-living/cost-of-care-calculator

SkillPLUMB in Scotland The annual SNIPEF SkillPLUMB apprentice competition is returning to West College Scotland’s Paisley Campus on Friday 21 June. The competition showcases the skills of plumbing apprentices from colleges and training centres across Scotland.

Up to 36 participants will compete in either the copper pipework competition or the lead work competition, with four hours to complete a task that demonstrates their knowledge, technique and skill. Their completed work will be assessed

and marked by a panel of technical experts.

The highest scoring competitors from the nationwide heats will be invited to take part in the UK final at WorldSkillsUK LIVE, to be held at the NEC Birmingham 21 – 23 November.

• Wilo has been named ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ in the Pump Industry Awards 2019.

• Methven, the manufacturer of showers, taps and valves, has been acquired by GWA Group, an Australian supplier of building fixtures and fittings.

• Ventilation, cooling and life safety specialist Swegon will now supply all of its products direct to contractors in Scotland following the closure of its distributor, Morison and Miller.

• A builder and electrician have been fined for carrying out dangerous electrical work on a domestic property in Dudley.

• Burner manufacturer EOGB Energy Products has introduced an extended warranty on its range of biogreen long-life flexible oil hoses for domestic oil burners.

• NIBE has reported a sharp increase in both sales (up by 18.5%) and profit (an increase of 22.2%) in its 2018 yearend report.

• As Pland Stainless marks its centenary this year, it is also celebrating its skilled workforce with over 100 years total service from David Spencer, Martin Gill and James Annan, who have completed 36, 34 and 31 years respectively with the business.

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Updated conference and display centre Big money for an important cause Ventilation and hardware specialist Titon has completed the refurbishment of its manufacturing base in Haverhill, Suffolk, further strengthening its offering to customers and suppliers.

The company has invested in modernising its conference and display facilities, as well as two onsite reception areas.

The main display facility now has all of the company’s products – from the ventilation systems to the window and door hardware sides of the business. Ventilation products on show include the Trimbox

NO2 Filter, Purge, CME and MVHR units.

The main meeting space

has been enhanced with a new video display, and lounges for customer meet-

ings have also been added to its reception areas.

Commenting on the refurbishment, Sales & Marketing Director Tyson Anderson says: “We have always welcomed customers to come and see for themselves exactly what we are doing behind the scenes.

Haverhill is easily accessible from all over the UK and, coupled with our recently launched website, provides key customers and suppliers with the opportunity to find out about the company firsthand.”

PHEX opens at new Spurs stadium The latest PHEX exhibition is set to take place at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the 12 and 13 June, where over 70 exhibitors will showcase their latest products and innovations. Seminars will run on both days, with Gas Safe Register updating visitors about the latest legislation, Powered Now giving a talk on new tax regulations and Expert Trades offering advice on how installers can market and grow their businesses.

PHEX Tottenham is free to attend, and your ticket includes a breakfast roll, a pint at PHEX Happy Hour and a tour of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Visit www.phexshow.co.uk/tottenham for more information.

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Hayley Woodyatt (l) and Maureen Tallis with the big cheque

Colleagues at Baxi Heating have baked, run, cycled and dressed up to raise money for charity partners, Alzheimer’s Society and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

These activities have resulted in a total of £42,670 being raised for Alzheimer’s Society to date. Baxi has also made great efforts to raise awareness of dementia by rolling out Dementia Friends across its organisation.

Maureen Tallis, who

heads the CSR activities for Baxi, presented the latest cheque for £16,940 to Hayley Woodyatt of the Alzheimer’s Society. Hayley says: “The money they have raised, and continue to raise, will help so many people affected by dementia. By 2021 there will be 1 million people in the UK living with the condition and it is only through the support of those like Baxi Heating that we can unite and take on dementia together.”

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10 NEWS Review Hare logo stands the test of time This year marks the 120th anniversary of Vaillant’s ‘hare in the egg’ logo.

Founder Johann Vaillant came across the image in a magazine in 1899, bought the copyright and established it as the company’s enduring symbol.

Through the years the hare, also named Johann, has undergone a number of redesigns to become the modern ‘face’ of Vaillant.

Vaillant’s signature green also has its roots in history, drawing inspiration from the black, white and green traditionally incorporated into the exterior design of homes in Vaillant’s native Bergisches Land, Germany.

Commenting on the milestone, Alice Woolley,

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Director of Marketing at Vaillant, says: “For over a century, installers and homeowners alike have been able to recognise our products by the distinctive ‘hare in the egg’ logo that represents our brand.

“Whilst the design has evolved significantly from the picture which originally caught Johann Vaillant’s attention, the iconic hare and egg have remained throughout, as has the eye-catching green which represents the origins of the company. We are very proud of our history and of the affection which ‘Johann’ the hare inspires in our installers and customers – we are delighted to mark this milestone.”

Keynote speaker announced Loyalty rewards

Installers of Schiedel’s range of flues, chimneys, stoves, and other products can now collect points in its new loyalty points system.

They can be exchanged for vouchers redeemable at thousands of UK shops, eateries and attractions.

Each time a Schiedel product is installed, customers simply need to register the project online.

Points will be allocated and once 25 points have been earned, they can be exchanged for Love2Shop vouchers, which are valid at over 20,000 outlets throughout the UK. For more information, visit the website (www. schiedelrewards.co.uk).

Rugby star Maggie Alphonsi

Maggie Alphonsi MBE is set to deliver the keynote speech at this years’s Women Installers Together (WIT) conference, to be held in London on 4 July.

The face of international women’s rugby and arguably one of the most well-known names in women’s team sports, Maggie represented her country an impressive 74 times, won a World Cup and helped England win a record breaking seven consecutive

Six Nations crowns.

Hattie Hasan, the force behind the WIT conference, says: “This year’s conference looks set to be the best one yet.

We’re delighted to welcome new sponsors and very excited that Maggie Alphonsi is going to share her stories with us.”

To reserve a free place at the conference at the The Building Centre in London, visit: https://witconference2019. eventbrite.co.uk

Kids’ message on the van Cheltenham-based plumbing, heating and electrical specialists, SW&L, ran a drawing competition for two local primary schools and the winning designs have been printed on the company’s delivery van.

Year 6 children from Saint John’s and St James’ primary schools were asked to draw a picture showing how to save energy at home during Big Energy Saving

Week (21-27 January).

Dylan from St James’ and Chloe and Wilfred from Saint John’s were picked as the winners with their colourful drawings encouraging people to use less and save more. Each winning entry has been recreated on a side of the SW&L van, and each child received a £50 Love2Shop voucher. Both schools were also gifted with £250 from SW&L for taking part.

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PEOPLE on the Move Kohler Mira, parent company of Mira Showers, has announced Craig Baker as its new Managing Director.

Craig was previously Deputy MD and takes over the role from Liz Hazeldene. He began his career at Mira as a design engineer over 20 years ago and has since occupied a number of roles, including Senior Project Manager, New Product Development Director and Marketing Director.

Scott Mason has been appointed Southern Regional Sales Manager at boiler, water heater and renewables company Lochinvar. As part of the role, Scott will be responsible for central London specifications. Having joined the company in 2009, Scott now rejoins the company after a year at Adveco in a sales management position. His appointment is part of the company’s plans to expand its sales force.

To increase the sales coverage in the South East, Grant UK has welcomed Kevin Fossey to the role of Area Sales Manager. In his new role, Kevin will be covering the following areas: Hertfordshire, London, Surrey, Kent, West Sussex and East Sussex. He will provide assistance about all things Grant, from its latest R32 heat pumps through to the company’s G1 and G-CERT installer schemes.

Grant Westfield, the company behind Multipanel, has appointed a new Sales Director as it seeks to drive growth across the UK and Europe. John Mortimer joins from the Formica Group where he was Sales Director UK, Ireland and Middle East. John brings a wealth of experience in HPL products and engineered surface materials from working with the trade and retail sectors as well as in specification.

Pump manufacturer Wilo UK has named David Williamson as its new Sales Director. He joins the company from Whitecroft Lighting, one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of commercial lighting, where he was Regional Sales Director. Joining Wilo brings his career full circle, as he started his working life as a plumber before moving through a succession of senior sales roles.

Hitachi Cooling & Heating has expanded its heating team with the appointment of a new National Sales Manager (Heating), Kevin Lucas, and Key Account Manager, Lisa Bishop. Kevin is a new recruit who brings 20 years experience to the role while Lisa has been promoted from within, having worked for Hitachi for 14 years, most recently as a customer-facing sales administrator.

Lakes Showering Spaces has announced the appointment of Alita Gregg as the new Area Sales Manager covering Scotland. Alita joins with 15 years sales experience in the KBB sector. Her career includes working with large distributors and market-leading brands such as Astracast and Ideal Standard. She has also worked independently as a sales agent.

Stelrad has promoted Joel Cumberbatch to the position of Marketing Brand Manager. Joel joined Stelrad as a Brand Specialist in 2015, looking after the North East and Yorkshire, before becoming Specification Manager for West and South Yorkshire and the Humberside area in 2016. He has now come full circle to manage the Brand Specialists team he originally joined three years ago.

Cumbria manufacturer, Kudos Showering Products, has welcomed Paul Booth to the position of Operations Director.

Paul joined the company in August last year as Operations Manager and after a few months implementing many workflow improvements for the business, has been promoted into this Director role. His background is in operational roles in the consumer and pharmaceutical industries.

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May 2019

YOUR Views Let’s think of boiler servicing like MOTs

Gas App Uk members have unburied some of the latest horrific evidence of shocking installation work. Seen some terrifying installation sights of your own? Share your snaps with Gas App Uk!

In response to your article, ‘Workshop considers industry changes’ (April edition): The presenters at these events made some excellent points on how to improve boiler servicing, but the one that really grabbed my attention was what they called the ‘proactive’ replacement of wearable parts, which is to say ‘replace before it breaks’.

This might be a little hard to justify to customers who don’t want to spend a penny more than they absolutely have to, but as an installer I’d much rather replace a part that is sure to wear out on a regular visit than be called out to

£10 Le 0 tter

a breakdown and deal with it then.

APHC’s Technical Manager Graeme Dryden compared this practice to car servicing. Nobody complains (at least not too much) when the mechanic doing your MOT suggests that the brake pads are getting a bit thin and you really ought to consider replacing them then and there. We really need a shift in public attitude towards boiler maintenance, and the car analogy makes perfect sense to me.

J. Miller Via email

Setting the record straight Further to Mike Walton’s letter printed in the April issue, I feel this deserves a reply as it clearly misses the point of my letter printed in the March issue and makes an incorrect assumption.

My Worcester Greenstar operates at a maximum temperature of 55ºC to obtain the condensing benefits. Not at the 75ºC he incorrectly assumes. The Potterton Neataheat also operated at the same temperature. He seems to view the Honeywell S Plan Plus control system with some disdain, when it is a tried and tested system and has served me well for 33 years.

The Potterton Neataheat also served me well and in its last full year of operation, 2016, it consumed 317 cubic feet of gas at a cost of around £500 – this for heating, DHW and cooking, which I consider acceptable.

Following a full year of operation in 2018 the Worcester Greenstar consumed 306 cubic feet of gas at much the same cost. Both systems have operated on a like for like basis. So where are the so called savings? The reason in my view is that the Honeywell control system works very well with both systems and is easily worth the initial expenditure.

Getting back to the original point of my letter. This is that the benefits of condensing boilers have been exaggerated. I believe that the introduction of condensing boilers has done no-one any favours other than manufacturers, installers, and training establishments.

With a decent control system installed, a non-condensing boiler can achieve the same savings. My non-condensing boiler lasted 33 years, which is not unusual, where a condensing boiler has a life expectancy of around 10 years. That’s two more boiler installs over the same period.

At a conservative estimate of £2000 for a boiler install, that’s an extra £4000 that the consumer will have to find.

I think it fair to say that both Remeha and Intergas boilers, with or without Mike Walton’s fancy controls, would find it a struggle to get back that £4000 for the consumer.

Then there is also the environmental impact of the manufacture and subsequent disposal of the worn out equipment, some of which will travel from far flung corners of the globe.

W. Whitworth West Harrow

The Tweet spot White Bear Plumbing @BearPlumbing I think we need to expand our follower base...I’ve had to tell three people today that we’re in the USA. Thanks for the local offers and leads but sorry £’s won’t work here. #OurUkFollowersAreAwesome

Plymouth Gas @Plymouthgas Gary @gmartinheating When the customer leaves you an open invite to help yourself and it’s a new jar of coffee...do you just break the seal but leave semi intact or remove all the foil, and how do I eat those biscuits but make it look like I haven’t eaten them all!?

Never rely on this type of indicator to warn you of the presence of #CarbonMonoxide.

You will ignore it.

It is not an alarm.

You will not check it.

You will forget to replace it.

It will never wake you up!

Send your views via email to: editor@phamnewsedit.co.uk

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May 2019

16 GADGETS & Tools Reciprocating saw Remove fuse covers without damage for easier cutting

Safety, cutting speed and handling are at the heart of Hilti’s new SR 6-A22 cordless reciprocating saw. It features a 32mm stroke length and a patented chuck specifically designed to avoid breaks.

There is also a keyless blade clamp with a new external lever to make it easier to remove used blades.

Ergonomics on the front and rear grip as well as the trigger have been improved for better control and precision in every working position, while a built-in tethering point assists users working at height.

It also features a bright LED light to illuminate the cutting area and a brushless motor to increase the tool’s life and minimise repairs.

The new reciprocating saw is capable of cutting all types of materials, including stainless steel and aluminium, metal pipes and conduits. It forms part of the company’s growing 22V cordless tool platform and all Hilti 22V batteries use the same charger so that users can power any of the tools in the range.

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Light up the job The Raptor range from Wolseley is shedding light on working conditions with the launch of the Vision torch. It includes a head torch (VisionONE), a pocket torch (VisionTHREE) and two hand torches (VisionFIVE) and (VisionSEVEN).

With a magnetic base, the VisionSEVEN can be used hands-free. It is both water and impact resistant, allowing it to withstand drops and bumps without losing quality.

Fully rechargeable, the VisionSEVEN also has a 4x adjustable zoom, which is perfect for illuminating areas in low light working conditions.

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Heating engineers at Baxi have all been issued with the Super Rod Pry tool, designed to neatly remove fuse covers.

The tool can then be used to safely remove the fuse, which can be held in place by special clips in the body of the tool until it is needed again.

The Pry was invented by gas engineer David Beech because he was frustrated by the number of damaged fuse carriers he came across in his work. He is now working in partnership with UK manufacturer Super Rod so that gas engineers and other trades can benefit from this simple yet effective tool.

plains: “Getting the fuse cover off can be awkward if space is restricted, and it will often break if a screwdriver is used, because the plastic gets brittle over time, meaning that fused spur socket would have to be replaced.

“And once the fuse has been removed, it would often be mislaid – either caught up in a dust sheet or dropped into a tool box, never to see the light of day again. This tool will make their job easier, safer and more efficient.”

Chris Riley, National Operations Manager for Aftersales at Baxi, ex-

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Put more power in hand Bluetooth on board

Pliers specialist Knipex has launched the 71 01 160 CoBolt S Compact Bolt Cutter for cutting nails, bolts and rivets in tight areas. The pliers feature a mechanism that is said to provide a cutting performance 30 times higher than the hand force applied.

The bolt cutter features a heavy duty, induction hardened cutting edge for thin hard wire, screws and springs with no

slipping of the material to be cut. It offers high cutting performance in a convenient length of 160mm. A small slim head

provides accessibility and powerful cutting up to a diameter of 4.4mm PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No www.knipex.com

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Bone conduction sounds If you’re the type who can’t find earphones that stay put in your lug holes, or you simply don’t like the feel of them, it might be time to consider AfterShokz Trekz Titanium wireless bone-conduction headphones. They fit comfortably around the back of the head and conduct sound via the cheekbones for premium audio. This means the ears remain completely open to hear

ambient sounds, allowing you to carry on with your work while keeping in touch with everything that’s going on around you. Compat ible with any Bluetooth enabled device, the Trekz Titanium headphones are IP55 certified to repel sweat, dust and moisture and they provide up to six hours battery time. They are available from Amazon.

The latest DAB Job Site Radio from Makita includes Bluetooth capability.

The DMR112 can be powered by an AC adaptor or by Makita’s CXT or LXT lithium-ion batteries.

The radio receives DAB, DAB+ and many national and local radio stations.

The two-way speaker system of twin 89mm diameter speakers provide high quality sound and a maximum output of 4.9 watts from each. This rugged IP64 protection-rated dust and showerproof site radio has an elastomer bump-protecting casing, foldable antenna, and digital amplifier and LCD display PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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May 2019

18 SPECIAL Report

Plumbing under the microscope Most people will be familiar with police forensic investigations thanks to some popular films and TV programmes, but forensics is not unique to law enforcement and has an important role in engineering. PHAM News talks to consultant investigator Alexander Wildish.

I

magine waking up one morning to a call from a client who’s panicking because their basement is filling up with water just a few weeks after you installed a new piping system in their well-appointed home. Your first move might be to stop the deluge and call your insurance provider.

But what happens after that?

In a case like this, where damages could run into the tens of thousands, everyone involved is going to want answers.

Somebody has to pay for it, and it could be you. But what if it’s not your fault? What if you did everything by the book and responsibility lies with the manufacturer who supplied defective product, or with another trade who meddled with your work? How will you know?

If that flooded basement were a crime scene, a police forensic examiner might come in to collect evidence, investigate materials and test it all in a lab. It’s not so very different in cases of plumbing and heating installations gone horribly wrong, except the people who show up to investigate are forensic engineers. While they probably won’t dust for prints or take DNA swabs, forensic engineers have a similar aim to their police counterparts as they seek answers in the evidence left behind.

This is what Alexander Wildish’s firm, Engineering Forensics, does. As a consultant investigator of mechanical engineering related incidents, Alex has investigated everything from pipework failures to gas explosions and drilled down to the root causes using science. With a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a wealth of experience from working with the Ministry of Defence and Metropolitan Police in forensics roles, Alex has a specialised skill set that can help solve the mysteries behind plumbing and heating disasters.

Alexander Wildish, consultant forensic engineer and founder of Essex-based Engineering Forensics

our job is to prove how it happened from a scientific point of view. It could be a problem in the design of the system, or a product defect, or poor installation.”

Most installers will never find themselves in need of Alex’s services. When something doesn’t go to plan on a job, you can usually figure out where you went wrong by doing your own fault finding, and more often than not the only loss will be a bit of your time. Forensics comes into the picture when there has been significant damage to your customer’s property and your professional indemnity insurance suddenly seems like a good investment.

Going back to the hypothetical flooded basement above, an installer on his own probably won’t be able to arrive at a definitive answer of what went wrong, at least not one that will satisfy the insurer who has to pay the claim. Alex explains CSI of the plumbing world why a scientific viewpoint is needed in a situation like this: Alex founded Engineering Forensics in 2015 and now works “Let’s say that the flooded basement had a number of with a team of four forensic experts to offer clients advice compounding problems. Failure analysis will take in all on everything from escapes of water and oil, to fires and aspects of the installation – the pump set, joints, tubing, and explosions, to mechanical failures. Much of their activity so on – but also the broader circumstances. What if there takes place in their in-house laboratories where they examine happened to be a swimming pool or jacuzzi on the property evidence from every conceivable angle, right down to the and there had been heavy rain in the period leading up to atomic level using an electron microscope. the incident? We’ll also look to see if the installer followed “We are bit like the CSI of the plumbing world,” he says. “Our British standards and regulations.” objective is to explain how engineering failures occurred by Once the scene has been surveyed and witnesses analysing materials. It may be clear what happened – a flood, interviewed, the collected evidence goes back to the lab with for example – and why it happened – maybe a burst pipe – Alex where he and his colleagues can analyse the suspect materials. Tubing can be looked at to identify any flaws in its make up, pumps tested for manufacturer defect, and compression joints examined to determine how well they were made.

Intergranular cracking of a valve, as seen under an optical microscope (scale bar is 100µm) At the end of it, Alex writes a report of his findings for the client (usually an insurer), and this ultimately ends up in the litigation process. “We interpret the evidence for the court so it can rule on disputes involving engineering questions,” he says. “The report assists the judge in reaching a fair decision on which party pays damages, and how much.”

Plumbing can be a risky business, which is why any good installer will have indemnity coverage, and sticking to the rules and regulations can go some way in reducing the professional risks. However, too many perfectly competent plumbers (l) A flexible hose made from defective braids that failed, resulting in a large loss of are not adhering to the regulation that requires pressure testing. water (r) Defectively repaired UFH system, resulting in widespread flooring damage

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According to Alex, failure to perform this procedure comes up far too often in his investigations. “What we often see in cases where a fitting has failed is that the plumber didn’t test the pipework according to regulations and manufacturer’s instructions,” comments Alex. “It’s rare to encounter a plumber within the scope of an investigation who says ‘I pressure tested my work properly and here’s my certificate to prove it’.

“WRAS guidance says plumbing installations and fittings should be pressure tested at 1.5 times the maximum working pressure,” he adds. “Reliably doing this can prevent problems from happening down the road. My advice is to be methodical and follow the regulations. It won’t completely eliminate problems, but it reduces the likelihood,” he says.

Alex has a lot of praise for plumbers in the field – he himself has a City & Guilds qualification in plumbing and is also the son of a gas fitter. “Plumbing installations happen across the country thousands of times a day, and by and large they go without incident,” he says. “Most people are doing a good job and take pride in their work. But there are the small few jobs that go wrong.”

Copper or plastic?

Pipes and joints are of course a common target of investigation in plumbing failures, and one might wonder if there is greater incidence in copper or plastic installations.

“From a forensics perspective,” explains Alex, “there is no difference between copper and plastic. Both materials are sound, and both can be subject to manufacturing defects. A lot of plumbers will favour copper for their own reasons, but it’s not immune to problems if you are using defective solder or making insufficient compression joints. Plastic tubing is long-lived, standing up to 50 years and more of service – products made by John Guest and Polypipe are really good.”

He adds that between defective products and defective installations, the latter is far more common in plumbing failures.

“We do come across manufacturer defects, but more likely than not it’s an installation error,” he says. “We investigate 15 to 20 cases a month, and we only find manufacturing defects two or three times a year.”

When it comes to fires and explosions related to gas installations, the ratio changes significantly. According to Alex, it’s an even split among faulty parts, installation error and an appliance simply being pushed beyond its service life.

“Because of stringent regulations and the training gas fitters have to go through, there seems to be a greater duty of care in this area,” Alex observes. “If something goes wrong, the consequences could be extreme, or even result in fatalities.

That really focuses the mind.”

Backing the Institute While the Gas Safe Register exists to protect the public from unsafe gas work, there is no equivalent regulatory body overseeing plumbing. This is one of the reasons that Alex is a strong advocate of the CIPHE, where he is a Fellow and serves on the elections committee.

“I can only speak highly of the CIPHE,” concludes Alex.

“To join the Institute, plumbers and heating engineers have to prove their qualifications and keep them up to date. We very rarely investigate plumbers who are affiliated with the CIPHE. They are less likely to cause a problem because they undergo continuing professional development to maintain their qualifications and the Institute checks their records.

Plumbing and heating is a skilled profession that requires a lot of technical expertise, so you have to keep learning.”

Nobody wants their work inspected by a third party, least of all by a forensic engineer, but the good news is if you are competent and carry out your work to best practice and adhere to the regulations, you’re unlikely to ever meet Alex or anyone of his ilk. Best advice? Don’t cut corners, use high quality materials, and always aim for a job well done.

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May 2019

20 ENERGY Matters Call for higher standards to drive efficiencies Last month marked the one year anniversary of Boiler Plus legislation, which mandated the installation of certain measures designed to maximise the energy efficiency of domestic heating systems. Industry now awaits the Government’s one year review, expected later this year. Boiler Plus is widely considered to be the biggest legislative change to efficiency standards since 2005, when condensing boilers were mandated.

After a few teething issues were addressed – such as the precise definition of ‘smart controls’ – Boiler Plus is now regarded by many in the industry as a step in the right direction. The standards require that new boilers installed on existing systems in England must have an ErP rating of at least 92% and include time and temperature controls.

Furthermore, new combi boilers have to have an additional energy

efficiency measure, such as smart controls, installed at the same time.

The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) helped the Government launch Boiler Plus in 2018 and it believes the scheme has encouraged innovation in the industry. Director Stewart Clements comments: “The range of products available for controlling domestic heating systems was already rapidly developing.

Boiler Plus complemented and accelerated this trend by making consumers more aware of the many options for enhancing the efficiency of their system.”

Industry standards Discussions with installers have suggested to HHIC that many had already been fitting the technology specified in Boiler Plus, indicating the low barrier to compliance for most. Consumer education, on the other hand, is a continual challenge faced by the industry as a whole.

These changes have meant more conversations between installers and their clients about the options that are available to meet them.

“There are differing opinions across the industry regarding Boiler Plus,” says Stewart Clements. “Some felt it went too far and many others would suggest it didn’t go far enough.

Some may see it as legislation simply catching up with industry standards, and they are not wrong.”

It is hoped that the Government’s one year review of the legislation will see a progressive expansion of the standards. Many are calling for a wider scope. Mark Wilkins, Head of Training and External Affairs at Vaillant, comments: “We would like to see the review examine how Boiler Plus could be applied to system and open vent boilers, along with heat pumps and other heating technologies – essentially evolving Boiler Plus to become ‘Heating Plus’.”

The HHIC has also publicly urged that the Government take the opportunity of the first anniversary review to extend Boiler Plus.

Improvements suggested by the HHIC

include broadening the legislation to apply to annual boiler servicing work and, echoing Vaillant’s sentiments, to include other heat generators too.

Wish list Hydraulic balancing is also on the wish list of enhancements to the standards. Vaillant believes it is a measure worth consideration, whether that balancing itself becomes a requirement or greater emphasis is placed on awareness.

Water quality is another issue on the agenda. Mark Wilkins says: “Without clean water, even the most efficient boiler will not be able to deliver its optimal output. We therefore hope that managing water quality and system debris are taken into account in any revisions to the legislation.

“Boiler Plus was a good start – but there is much further to go. By continuing to build on the success of the original requirements, the Government can drive further efficiencies. We look forward to the results of the review and continue to support such advancements in our industry.”

New payments for Green gas to lead the way domestic solar PV In view of the Government’s decision to ban gas boilers in new homes by 2025, the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA) is calling on officials to legislate for green gas compatible boilers.

“The gas boiler is not the enemy in the fight against climate change, but an ally,” says Mike Foster, CEO of EUA. “It’s the use of methane that releases carbon, and that needs to be phased out. Using low or zero carbon gas in our homes – such as biomethane or hydrogen – will keep homes

warm, meet cooking needs and keep bills down, as well as save the planet.

“The gas infrastructure is already in place for nearly nine out of 10 homes through our world-leading gas network. What Government should do is to legislate for green gas compatible boilers to replace existing stock. This can then be phased in over a number of years, delivering the carbon reductions we need to make without any major disruption to people’s lives,” concludes Mike Foster.

Effect of energy meters

Having a smart meter installed at home seldom means lower energy bills, according to new survey findings published by electrotechnical trade body ECA. Another survey by ‘Which?’ yielded similar results, with the majority of people saying they thought smart meters either made no difference to or increased their gas and electricity use.

One of the advertised benefits of smart meters is that they give users a real-time understanding of energy use and spend so people can make changes to cut back. But the research from ECA and Which? indicates that many are not seeing this benefit.

ECA’s YouGov survey showed just 7% respondents with a smart meter said that having one had reduced their energy bills, while the Which? survey was more encouraging, with 34% of smart meter owners thinking their gas and electricity use had reduced since they had a smart meter installed.

Heat pumps suit life on the houseboat In light of the closure of the Feed-in Tariff at the end of March, some energy companies are looking to bridge the solar payment gap in advance of the launch of the replacement scheme, the Smart Export Guarantee. Octopus Energy and E.ON have each launched their own version of compensation to give confidence back to the domestic solar PV market and restore the economic benefit of going solar.

Octopus is offering both a simple fixed payment of 5.5p/ kWh for all surplus power exported to the grid, and a ‘smart’ tariff that will enable homes with solar and battery storage to export power to the grid at peak times when rates are higher.

Similarly, E.ON has launched its Solar Reward scheme open to the first 500 new solar customers to have panels installed and provides 5.24p per every kilowatt-hour of energy exported back to the grid.

The Solar Trade Association is tracking all new commercial offers for Smart Export Guarantees on its new online platform for consumers. The STA is monitoring the market closely for developments and is recording these in an online league table, which can be seen here: www.solar-trade.org.uk/resource-centre/ advice-tips-for-households/smart-export-guarantee

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An unusual residential project in Brentford has shone a light on the benefits and capabilities of Mitsubishi Electric’s Ultra Quiet Ecodan.

The owners of a houseboat located in Victoria Steps Quay in Brentford sought an alternative heating solution that would be both cost and carbon efficient.

This two-bedroom family home was originally fitted with a diesel tank. Not only was it an unsafe, polluting method of heating to use in a confined space, it also required fuel deliveries.

The solution was to install an 11.2kW Ultra Quiet Ecodan with solar PV. The heat pump is able to provide all the heat for underfloor heating, as well as all the domestic hot water needs. Due to height

restrictions on the boat, a bespoke horizontal 200-litre cylinder (sourced through a third party) was used.

The Ecodan heat pump was sited on a small space on the decking. Space limitations also meant that any sound generated by a heat pump was going to be a factor, as any solution

can either be fed back to the electrical grid or used within the property itself.

It gives them the flexibility to use only the amount of electricity they need and store whatever isn’t used in battery packs.

The installer for this project, Solid Renewables, says: “The owners of the houseboat wanted a safe, reliable and clean energy solution to keep their family would be installed close to warm, whilst cutting down the living spaces. The Ultra on their carbon footprint.

Quiet Ecodan, with sound We enjoyed the logistical pressure levels at 1m of challenge of fitting a heat 45dB(A), ensured that noise pump in such an unusual levels were low enough not space. It’s fantastic to see to travel into the cabin space. that everything is working Alongside the heat pump, well and that those living the installation of solar on the houseboat are able to PV enables the family to enjoy the warmth in peace generate electricity that and quiet.”

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May 2019

MERCHANT & Distributor News 21 More perks for loyal trade customers Wider selection of shower enclosures A new rewards scheme has been launched by Plumbase to support trade customers who either visit their trade counters or buy supplies online. The Plumbase Perks Portal aims to help installers get the most from their account by providing access to a series of rewards including discounts and cashback on well-known brands, as well as exclusive offers.

The scheme, which is available to both new and current customers, is designed to support them both personally and professionally, whether it’s booking a much-

needed break away or saving money on a morning coffee en route to a job. The portal will also host monthly competitions.

Once a customer signs up to Plumbase Perks, they’ll receive

a welcome pack containing their new Premier Cash or Credit Account Card, a Plumbase Pounds voucher and a welcome letter introducing their local team. To be given access to the benefits

platform, account holders must link up their premier cash/credit accounts with their web accounts, which is easily done online.

Liam Gibson, Head of Marketing at Plumbase, says: “Rewarding both our loyal and new customers is of great importance to us and Plumbase Perks allows us to do so in an innovative way.

What’s great about the scheme is that account holders can benefit right away by simply logging into the portal.”

To opt in or for further information, please visit: www.plumbase.co.uk/perks

New delivery option for bulky products Customers of Selco Builders Warehouse can now purchase bulky items and have them delivered directly to where they’re working thanks to a new ‘Click ‘N’ Deliver’ service. Place an order online before 3pm and the company promises to deliver products on the next working day.

Marketing Director Carine Jessamine comments: “We are always looking to

enhance our customer offering and give them as many different options to purchase their products for a job as possible. Click ‘N’ Deliver certainly achieves that.

“We have offered Courier Delivery on smaller items for some time and that option will remain, but this opens up a wide range of larger items to delivery, including products such as sand,

cement, timber and sheet materials.”

As well as offering trade services and a café in branch, Selco also has a strong digital presence which includes, as well as Click & Collect and Click ‘N’ Deliver, a free Project List app which allows tradespeople to plan, manage, and quote for all jobs – as well as complete purchases – through their smartphone.

Tony Barnes, Commercial Director at JP (left), with Richard Martin, Commercial Director for April Products

Expanding its product portfolio, the national kitchen and bathroom supplier JP has added Yorkshire manufacturer April Products to its brands of enclosures, trays and bath screens.

Three collections from April are now available through JP: Destini, a range of 6mm enclosures and wetroom panels; Identiti, a versatile range of 8mm wetroom panels and enclosures, and Prestige, a premium frameless collection of 10mm wetroom solutions and 8mm enclosure designs.

Standard and slate effect stone resin shower trays complement the collections along with a selection of bath screens.

“We are delighted to partner April and expand our range of showering products to our retail and contract customers,” says Tony Barnes, Commercial Director at JP. “The stock we have taken in has more than doubled our showering offer.”

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22 TRAINING Update Reasons to embrace press fit technology

Commercial hubs New commercial training facilities have been unveiled

by Vokèra at its facility in Bradford, West Yorkshire, and at its head office in London Colney.

Offering free, one-day specialist training courses for installers, and continuing professional development (CPD) for specifiers, the new training rooms complement the company’s facilities for domestic installers.

The training hubs focus on the new Condexa Pro wallhung condensing range that allows installation flexibility where space is a significant consideration. It is suitable for numerous applications such as schools, hospitals, and larger homes.

Displayed at the training hubs are plate heat exchangers and buffer vessels that are compatible with the company’s commercial range, as well as examples of legacy

Vokèra commercial heating boilers for maintenance training.

“These are exciting new training facilities that allow us to offer dedicated support to our network of commercial installers and specifiers from locations that are conveniently accessed by road, rail and air,” says Neil Mattock, Marketing Director and Head of Technical Training.

“Our dedicated courses will give them everything they need to recommend our commercial range with confidence, whilst also increasing their expertise with hands-on instruction.

We believe in supporting the people on the road as much as we can, and these new additions to our installer support services show how much we value these relationships.”

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A new CIBSE-approved CPD programme for heating engineers, designers and installers is now available from plumbing fittings and valves manufacturer Conex Bänninger. The CPD focuses on how modern technologies such as pressfit can benefit the industry while also discussing their advantages and disadvantages.

Dan Wild, UK Business Unit Director, says: “The CPD explains the benefits of press fittings over brazing, push-fit and compression, and as delivery timelines get tighter and costs increase, it is important for installers to find more efficient ways of working.

BPEC at NIBE Now available from NIBE are courses developed by BPEC: the Domestic Ventilation System and a Heat Pump course, both running at its Chesterfield training centre.

BPEC have developed the Ventilation course with the aim of providing, plumbers, heating engineers and ventilation engineers with the knowledge and skills to correctly install and commission domestic ventilation systems. The course has been structured to meet the requirements of the Approved Document to Part F of the Building Regulations 2010 and is recognised as a demonstration of competence for CPS. The BPEC Heat Pump course is an industry recognised qualification which is required for installers to become or retain MCS accreditation. The three day course covers: heat pumps in context; how a heat pump works; system design; domestic hot water; buffer tanks and solar coils; ground heat exchangers; health and safety, and more.

Training courses on NIBE’s range of ground source heat pumps, air source heat pumps and exhaust air heat pumps are also offered. These heat pump courses are aimed at plumbers and heating engineers.

Find out more about the courses and available dates by going online: www.nibe.eu/en-gb/vip-installers/training

Highlighted in the programme is the company’s ‘leak before press’ indicator that alerts installers to fittings that have not been pressed or have been pressed incorrectly.

“Our ultimate aim is to show heating engineers, designers and installers modern technologies that can reduce their lead time and workloads,” adds Wild. “We want to offer the right training that can help improve confidence when using Conex Bänninger’s range of fittings.”

Engineers and designers who would like to book a CPD session can do so by getting in touch via email: cpd@ ibpgroup.com

Webinar tutorials cover IR imaging Installers looking for a better understanding of thermal imaging can take advantage of a programme of webinars produced by Flir Systems via its Infrared Training Centre (ITC). The sessions explain the science behind infrared inspection and how to successfully apply it on the job.

These online tutorials are running throughout the year, cover a variety of subjects, and are designed to prepare delegates for further in-depth study and qualification.

Each webinar starts at 10am, takes 30 minutes and is hosted by Jon Willis, the ITC Training Manager, who also conducts the posttutorial question and answer session.

The first webinar – Capturing Great Thermal Images – took place in April.

Other scheduled events include: IR for Electrical Applications (31st May), IR for Building Applications (6th September and 4th October), and IR Thermography Basics (8th November). To register for any of these, go to www. irtraining.eu

Exclusive courses

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Following the move of its head office from Kingswinford to larger premises on the Easter Park industrial estate in Kidderminster last year, Intergas has unveiled its new training centre, officially opened by Mark Garnier, MP for Wyre Forest. Installers in the Midlands can now access training on Intergas’s boilers, including the low-NOx Xtreme and the Xclusive ranges which emit as little as 17.06mg/ kWh. The Xtreme also has a built-in passive flue gas heat recovery unit to further reduce CO2 emissions.

The next available date is 4th June. Find out more by visiting the website: www.intergasheating.co.uk/installer/ support/courses

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May 2019

24 BUSINESS Matters

Right way to set out your stall This month sees the start of a new regular business advice column from Baxi Heating, with Sales Director David Cook beginning with some tips for entrepreneurs on what to look out for when starting up and running a business for the first time.

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any tradespeople dream of setting up on their own – being their own boss, dealing directly with clients, and seeing the full benefits of their hard work. Yet before you take the plunge, you need to consider what you will be responsible for.

Specifically, you need to consider how to manage the financial side of your business.

David Cook, Sales Director The majority of start- at Baxi Heating up businesses fail due to inexperience with cashflow management and accounting.

Knowing what money is coming in and going out, when it is happening and what tax you will pay is vital to good business management. From your van’s livery and fuel to your company’s business cards and website, everything has a cost, and all these costs add up. With this in mind, and if you will pardon the pun, it pays to keep detailed records and invoices.

Record-keeping Fortunately, handling your business’s admin has become simpler since the introduction of the Government’s new Making Tax Digital service. To explain, any VAT-registered business with a turnover over £85,000 for the last 12 months must use the software to keep records digitally and submit their VAT returns.

Though this may seem unfamiliar, the software helps

you throughout the record-keeping process so you can avoid common mistakes and get your tax right. As a result, you are more aware of your month-by-month taxes and ongoing profits.

If the idea of managing your own books still makes you nervous, you should consider using an accountant. This is common practice for many self-employed tradespeople who prefer to let a specialist handle the work rather than spread their own skills into an unfamiliar area. The longterm tax savings generated by an accountant can make it a worthwhile investment.

Detailed quotations As well as keeping up-to-date tax records, it is crucial that you quote for your work correctly. First and foremost, you need to decide upon payment terms and strictly uphold them, whether they involve payment on receipt or giving customers 30 days to settle their accounts. Indeed, it is always advisable to provide a contract for your customer to sign – this will remove ambiguity around payment dates and help ensure you are paid on time.

Following this, you need to take the time to identify all technical issues prior to quotation. A quote should give a true and accurate reflection of the work due to be carried out – not only does this help inform customer expectations, it means you can avoid any unexpected extras that can cost you time and money.

As such, you should carry out any necessary assessments before commencing your work. This includes assessing the feasibility of routing the boiler’s condensate pipe to an internal connection point, and whether any external routing is required. If it is, the customer should be informed of freezing risks and an effective protection method should be specified and quoted for.

App prepares businesses for MTD Following the launch of the Government’s new Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative, Countingup is highlighting the benefits its banking and accounting app can bring to small plumbing businesses.

Although the HMRC’s Making Tax Digital for VAT launched on 1st April, a recent report commissioned

by HMRC revealed that 30% of the VAT mandated businesses surveyed didn’t recognise the name ‘Making Tax Digital’. Yet as of April, they need to be filing VAT

returns using an MTD solution.

Countingup CEO Tim Fouracre says: “We are launching Making Tax

Digital-compliant VAT returns in time for the first filings for the April-June quarter, so our SMEs won’t

be affected by this change.

“With filings for this quarter due by 7 August 2019, any business that takes up the Countingup app before that date will avoid the scare and hassle of having to change their whole approach themselves at the last minute. Joining Countingup is the simplest way for businesses to comply with the new VAT regulations without spending large sums on accounting software.”

To find out more, visit the website: countingup.com

Welplan pension and benefits revamp BESA’s welfare benefit and pensions subsidiary, Welplan Ltd, has announced that it will close its master trust pension scheme which has operated in the sector since 1988. The company will re‐focus on its employee benefits schemes providing sickness, accident, death and other benefits to construction firms. Existing Welplan industry-wide employee benefits schemes are unaffected by this decision.

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The decision comes as a result of the Pensions Regulator’s new Master Trust Authorisation regime, which came fully into effect on 1 April. The new regime has made pursuing authorisation cost‐prohibitive for many small and medium‐sized trusts and the Welplan Board concluded it was no longer viable to continue to support the scheme.

The 5‐star scheme will continue to operate exactly as it does now until such

time as its Trustee Board has chosen and put in place arrangements with a suitable alternative default pension scheme for existing participating employers and members.

Welplan anticipates that this process will take about five months and will continue to support its employer pensions’ clients and individual members until they can be transferred to the new provider.

Because it cannot be guaranteed that the customer’s existing system will be correctly adjusted, system balancing should also be included on the quote. Furthermore, when fitting a combi boiler, it is best to check whether the property has a water meter. If so, you should specify suitable protection against high pressure and expansion – not doing so could lead to damaged hydraulic boiler seals and components, and possible warranty implications.

A build-up of sludge and debris could lead to breakdowns and expensive repair work, and it is worth explaining to your customer that a boiler breakdown caused by a dirty system may not be covered by the boiler warranty. It is therefore prudent to include system flushing and installing a new system filter and/or inhibitor as part of your quote.

Finally, you should consider testing the property’s working gas pressure before quotation. This will inform which product will be specified and sold to the customer, and whether additional work installing new pipework will be required alongside the product. Not doing this could lead to unexpected costs.

Better informed In conclusion, maintaining thorough financial records and quotations is essential if your business is to thrive.

By knowing your business’s cashflow, tax obligations and outstanding invoices, you will be able to make better informed commercial decisions.

Baxi Works To find out more about best business practice and other support, visit Baxi Works: www.baxi.co.uk/ trade/baxi-works

Taking the Mick

‘Mick’ is the name of a new app that connects suppliers and tradespeople to provide quick quotes from local suppliers. The app uses an interface similar to a WhatsApp message to make the process simple and fast to use.

The user simply enters what they require and when they need it into the app. The user is then presented with a list of suppliers based on location and is able to select those they would like a quote from. That means no more calling around all suppliers for costs, delivery and stock.

Mick presents the user

with a list of suppliers who return quotes in real-time so that one can be selected according to criteria such as response time, stock availability, or price. The user hits accept and is then able to ring the supplier or request a call back to finalise the order and arrange payment.

The app had a soft launch in Bedfordshire but has now been rolled out nationally.

To download it for free or to register as a supplier or user, simplyw visit the website: www.giveMickaCall.com

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A strong yet flexible versatile pipe system Combining the advantages of plastic and metal piping systems, multi-layer piping solutions offer a flexible, single solution for a wide range of applications. Here Antony Corbett, Product Manager for Geberit, explores five key benefits of multi-layer piping for installers.

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ighter and more corrosion-resistant than copper pipes, and more inherently stable and robust than plastic pipes, multi-layer piping systems offer a single solution for a wide range of applications.

Flexible and resistant to diffusion, most systems consist of an outer plastic layer made of polyethylene which protects against corrosion and mechanical damage. The pipe also Geberit’s Mepla is easy to work with, providing a solution for a range of heating and cold water applications, including drinking and processed water features an aluminium layer Geberit Mepla, for example, offers the advantage of visible which makes the pipe strong yet bendable, plus an inner Hygiene protection leaking if fittings are left unpressed by mistake, when layer, which is also made of PE. Thanks to the inner PE-RT layer, Geberit Mepla is suitable subjected to a leak test with water. Water will flow out of The innovation itself isn’t new, of course, but not enough for all systems, with no need for additional measures to any unpressed connection even at low pressure. installers and contractors are taking advantage of this prevent corrosion. This means a single, convenient solution versatile all-rounder, which is suitable for hot and cold for drinking water and heating supply.

Application-specific use water including potable supply. Let’s look at five specific Geberit Mepla is WRAS approved and with a surface Most of the leading manufacturers offer pipes in a broad advantages of multi-layer piping: roughness of only 0.7μm, it is more difficult for limescale range of diameters to enable a single solution with and biofilm to adhere to the smooth surface. Fittings and consistency across larger construction projects, including Enhanced strength Ultimately, multi-layer systems are about improving the pipes also always come with protective caps for added new schools, hospitals and offices.

However, multi-layer piping is also suitable for a host of strength and durability of the system when compared hygiene when stored or during an installation break. specific uses too. It is both versatile and economical – which with plastic piping, without compromising its light Always reliable makes it an ideal choice for anything from compressed weight. Core stability is provided by the central layer of These benefits would be irrelevant of course if the piping air and vacuum systems, to cooling equipment and longitudinally laser-welded aluminium, which also forms was not reliable, but thanks to the special construction of process water systems, across a range of sectors including a barrier against oxygen diffusion to ensure suitability for multi-layer press-fit piping, installers and end users can automotive, chemical, pharmaceutical and food processing. heating applications. have complete confidence in a permanently leak-proof www.geberit.co.uk PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No. 107 system.

Easy installation Thanks to its good bending capacity, high-quality multilayer piping can be manipulated to the on-site conditions to follow the line of curved architectural features in modern buildings. With Geberit Mepla, for example, 16mm and 20mm pipes can be bent effortlessly by hand, with a bending machine suitable for larger diameters up to 50mm. This reduces the number of fittings required, saving time and money during installation.

Even where fittings are required, press fitting offers quick, simple and reliable connections with no need for hot works, which would otherwise lead to additional mess on site, use of consumables, health and safety considerations and delays to allow for cool down.

If that’s not enough, the relatively thick aluminium layer reduces the extent to which the pipes expand in response to temperature fluctuations, which means fewer fastening points are needed during installation than with non multilayer plastic pipes.

Case study The benefits of multi-layer piping systems were recently demonstrated during the construction of Whitmore High School, where Geberit Mepla was specified for the low temperature hot water and water services. One of the key architectural features of the new school is the curvature of the building, and the flexibility of the Geberit press fit Mepla system enabled the piping to be bent to follow the line of the building. Being able to bend the lightweight piping system meant fewer fittings were needed and installation costs reduced.

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30 PIPES Fittings & Valves

It’s a wrap! Gas pipe with an extra sleeve TracPipe, a range of pliable corrugated stainless steel gas pipe from Omega Flex Ltd, is now available with an integrated containment sleeve. We asked Technical Manager Jamie Cooper about the thinking behind the development of TracPipeCC and its key benefits.

Many installers will be familiar with TracPipe, but what exactly is TracPipeCC? TracPipeCC semi-rigid gas pipe, which has a unique patented design, is the same as the original TracPipe but it comes with an additional outer cover. The CC stands for Complete Containment. This outer cover has ridges on its internal surface which provides space between it and the inner cover, providing space for any gas that might escape to move freely to a ventilated location at each end of the pipe.

Can you explain some of the thinking behind the development of the new product?

We looked at the market and saw an issue that people were encountering. When fitting gas pipework through unventilated voids, installers can either ventilate it, which is sometimes difficult because of fire requirements and acoustic issues, or they can sleeve it continuously through the void. Secondary containment, such as a polyethylene duct, could be 20, 30 or 40m long through corridors, but it can only be run horizontally because if the pipe is run vertically there is nothing to support the pipe within the duct. So we saw an opportunity in the market to provide the secondary containment in one product – TracPipe with a primary and secondary outer cover.

The idea is that the installer can still use TracPipeCC as they would normally run TracPipe. They can connect to the gas meter, run it along to the riser and then vertically up the riser because the cover is in contact with the pipe itself. They can run it all the way through the void and then drop down into an apartment with one long pipe. Nice and simple.

Are there any differences when it comes to connecting TracPipeCC to a fitting or a gas meter?

The only difference is that the outer cover would first need to be removed, but to make life easier for the installer we’ve added a pulling cord. It acts a bit like a cheese cutter so that when the installer pulls it down it splits the cover, which can then be peeled like a banana. That section of the outer cover can simply be cut away with a utility or cable knife and discarded.

How long has the product taken to develop?

We started to do a bit of research in the early part of last year, talking to some of the key players in the industry and instigating some trials. The pipe is manufactured as normal but then goes through a second process, which is the application of the secondary cover. The application of the secondary cover is a slower process – this is partly because we have to put the ridges on it to form an air channel and the cover is about twice as thick as the normal standard cover. One of the advantages of that, though, is that it’s a lot more resilient to damage. Even though the product has an additional cover, like TracPipe it can still be used in continuous lengths (no joints) through fire protected areas and the cover material also includes flame spread and smoke density inhibitors so it won’t contribute to any fire.

Some of the initial R&D work was done in the States, but final development and testing, as well as all manufacturing, is done at our production facility in Banbury. The beauty of that is we’re able to control everything. We control the process and we control all the applications that are needed. We’re still tweaking and playing with the process to make it as smooth and efficient as possible.

Has the product been independently assessed?

One of the issues with any innovative new product is that there are no standards that it can be assessed against. TracPipe has still got Kitemarks on it, of course, but there’s nothing for that outer cover or the product as a whole. So we invited BSRIA to undertake some independent witness testing of the product. They came into the factory, took samples from our existing stock, and confirmed that when tested, TracPipeCC performed as designed.

How much extra does it cost?

It depends where you buy it from, of course, but when you compare it to the cost of having to buy a proprietary secondary sleeve and the additional installation time as well, it’s often cheaper, or at least equivalent to the current installation method.

It certainly avoids a lot of hassle and saves time for the installer.

TracPipeCC has been available since January – what has the response been like in the market?

It’s fair to say that demand has outstripped our expectations. Our initial intention was to launch the three most popular sizes first to see how they go (DN 22, 28 and 32) and then only to offer other sizes as a special request, but DN 40 and 50 have already gone mainstream because of customer demand. We’re seeing the pipe used in a lot of new build projects, but also high end houses, apartment

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blocks and schools. We’re getting lots of enquiries from the major consultants, who really see the benefits of it.

If someone is looking for that extra belt and braces, perhaps putting pipe into an area where it is liable to damage or it is being buried, then TracPipeCC provides that extra protection and reassurance. So it’s not just being fitted in unventilated voids, but being used throughout whole installations. For that reason, we’re now running TracPipeCC in standard 30, 45, 50, 55, 60, 75 and 90m lengths (depending on the DN of the pipe). It is also worth noting that as a UK-based manufacturer, we can manufacture longer continuous lengths if we need to meet a special request or specific project requirement.

Is the new product helping to attract new customers who haven’t used TracPipe before?

I would say at the moment a lot of the people coming back to us are TracPipe users because they are familiar with the product. But we are starting to get more enquiries from consultants and specifiers because they understand the benefits and issues, and that will ultimately lead to more installers using the product as well.

Are you able to provide technical support to installers?

We’ll offer as much support as they need. We offer free training to everyone. If they’ve been trained with TracPipe and it’s the first time they’ve used TracPipeCC, we’ll still support them on site. A lot of people say you don’t need to, but we always offer. We’ve got a team nationwide and all our guys are technical sales guys who are happy to go out on site. We would actually like to go and see everyone and show them how to use the product because things like removing the cover properly without damaging the inner cover are obviously quite critical. We also have an experienced dedicated technical services team based in the office who will be able to answer any questions in relation to the installation of TracPipe and TracPipeCC. What’s the current share of the market for flexible stainless steel gas pipe and do you think that share will grow?

It’s difficult to give a precise figure because you can’t compare it to copper sales, as you don’t know whether copper pipe is being used for water or gas. I think it would probably be up to 10% of the market in the UK, so there’s a lot still to go for.

This sort of product is always going to be more expensive than copper because it’s not a commodity product. I think people need to understand all the advantages – it’s light and quick and easy to install. It’s safer too, because there are no joints – just one connection at each end. For those reasons, as long as we can still put gas into properties, I think sales will grow significantly over the next few years. www.tracpipe.co.uk

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32 PIPES Fittings & Valves

Performing a good balancing act Precise commissioning is a key requirement to ensuring the peak performance of hydronic balancing valves in light commercial applications. But how can you ensure this? Paul Wightman, Product Development Manager at Brymec, has the answer.

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here are three critical factors that installers need to consider in order to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of hot (low temperature hot water – LTHW) and cold (chilled water cooling – CHW) systems. These are: appropriate design, accurate control and suitable commissioning.

All three have a huge bearing on how well Paul Wightman, Product Developthe system performs. ment Manager at Brymec However, the third is particularly important in light commercial installations such as offices, apartment blocks, retail and hotels because they face considerable stresses that have a significant bearing on the operation of LTHW and CHW pipe networks.

Poor hydronic balancing of a LTHW or CHW water-based system will result in unequal flow distribution which, in turn, causes surpluses in some terminals and undersupply in others. This has a big negative impact on comfort control quality, and the desired heating or cooling will not be forthcoming in every part of the installation.

Effective balance and control can alleviate poor temperature regulation which will affect the building occupants’ comfort (and, therefore, their performance at work if the building is an office or other workplace).

Optimum temperature regulation (and, therefore, minimal energy wastage) is only attained when temperatures are controlled throughout the day for the whole year round.

And that means installing a well-balanced variable volume system with appropriate hydronic balancing valves (also known as commissioning valves).

Types of regulator

Dynamic balancing

There are, essentially, three types of regulator you can use: differential pressure control, pressure independent control, or thermal balance valves.

A balanced flow can be achieved by using differential pressure control valves (DPCVs). A DPCV regulator typically applies the pressure of the controlled water against a diaphragm. This opposes a compressed spring to achieve force balance with the diaphragm at a given set pressure.

Any change in controlled pressure causes the diaphragm to move, which changes the flow area of the regulator, adjusting the opening of the valve.

Pressure independent control valves (PICVs), meanwhile, are designed to respond to pressure changes to maintain the desired flow by integrating dynamic balancing and control functions. PICVs combine several valve functions to enable very cost-effective optimised control, while also simplifying the commissioning process.

Finally, thermal balance valves (TBVs) regulate flow depending on water temperature through the thermostatic control of circulating hot water systems.

All three valve types employ self-acting dynamic balancing.

Self-regulating valves open and close directly in response to changes in the physical environment locally. This is especially useful in variable-flow systems with inverter pumps, pressure sensors and two-port control valves because it improves flow control and system performance.

Dynamic balancing can respond to changes in system pressure by automatically adjusting the flow coefficient and can simplify commissioning of wet systems. And, since individual zones can be set up and no rebalancing is required, plant can be commissioned step-by-step, making it easier to add to or remodel the system.

‘Hunting’ tends to occur when the valve’s on/off cycles are close together and the system cycles too quickly.

It is a problem because it creates undue wear and tear which can shorten the valve life. Dynamic balancing eliminates the risk of hunting because the valve absorbs pressure changes in the system and the control loop remains stable.

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Which hydronic balancing valve?

G G G G G G

Simple & Rapid Installations - in Minutes Joins plain-end Pipe - No Prep Required Reusable in Pipework Dis/Assembly Stress-Free Joining with Misalignment Problem Solver in Restricted Spaces WRc/WRAS Approved for Potable Water

Email:info@mvfh.co.uk info@mvfh.co.uk www.straub.co.uk • www.mvfh.co.uk Email: ENQUIRY

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Hydronic balancing valves include differential pressure control valves (DPCVs), pressure independent control valves (PICVs) and thermal balance valves (TBVs). These are all remarkably efficient at helping to stabilise comfort and temperature control while also streamlining the commissioning procedure.

DPCVs: These maintain a steady differential pressure under dynamic balancing conditions, ensuring flow can’t exceed the desired rate. By doing this, they reduce energy consumption and noisy vibrating pipes. They also allow the commissioning engineer or installer

to focus on one circuit at a time.

DPCVs are best used as close to the output terminals as possible to optimise energy efficiency and tighten comfort control. A DPCV is often called a ‘dynamic balancing valve’ because it constantly adjusts to the system and maintains its set-point position. In other words, it is ‘moving’ in response to its own feedback.

PICVs: These are also self-regulating – in other words, they maintain control in the same way as DPCVs, dynamically to the system. However, they also have a control actuator fitted that allows the building services control system to adjust its output

to changing system requirements.

All control valves have a control actuator input feature. However, a PICV improves its regulation performance in relation to the circulatory system and this helps with delivery performance, energy efficiency and comfort.

TBVs: These are usually installed in domestic hot water secondary return circulation pipes to create an even temperature balance. They offer near instantaneous hot water and reduce the risk of legionella in the water. Like their two counterparts, they guarantee significant water and energy savings.

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34 PIPES Fittings & Valves

Connect with confidence A growing number of UK installers are recognising the time and labour saving benefits of multi layer pipe, but the advantages don’t stop there – so says Graham Moore, General Manager at Roth UK.

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id you know that in the last three years sales of aluminium multi layer pipe in Europe has out-sold traditional copper pipe? To answer what will hopefully be your next question, why? Firstly, imagine a world where you could potentially install 500 meters of 16mm pipe for heating or drinking water applications without the need for a single additional connection fitting from source to termination. Now add a product that has the flexibility, form stability and a bend ratio 5x diameter through a range 16 to 63mm.

The question you should now be asking is how many joints would I have to make in either a copper or plastic system to replicate this design? Hold that thought! Now let’s translate that into labour time and costs. You do the maths, but independent studies have shown that the use of multi layer systems vs traditional copper can reduce installation labour by 52% and

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MLCP offers a neat and labour-saving solution for a range of applications

result in an overall installation cost saving of some 13%. When you add indirect benefits such a reduction in risk gained from the removal of hot works permits and the reduced leak potential from secure press fit joints, it is no wonder consultants and installers are turning their attention to this system.

Key benefits Despite this, many of you will be saying both copper and plastic offer comparable timing savings

with press and push fit systems. I would of course have to agree but not before I ask you to consider the other keys benefits MLCP (multi layer composite pipe) brings to system installations: • Linear expansion – MLCP is close to copper but 70% less than that of PVC pipework • System protection – MLCP featuring high grade bonded polymers with aluminium produces an oxygen barrier for a corrosion and limescale resistant system

• Increased water f low – continuous formed pipework increases water flow velocity, lower friction loss with smooth pipes and lower thermal conductivity • System security – MLCP press joints are designed with inspection holes to ensure pipework is fully inserted in the joint. Once pressed, a robust secure permanent connection is formed, making it an ideal option for the growing offsite modular construction sector • Less waste – MLCP results in less waste and reduced scrap value

At your service So why choose Roth? Because we aspire to be the best within multilayer plumbing and underfloor systems. In today’s growing market there are many suppliers, including an increasing online trade, offering plumbing components that come from a variety of suppliers with variable quality standards. Roth is a total systems manufacturer,

An unpressed fitting can quickly be detected after a pressure test

from the Alu-laser pipe 16-63mm to our comprehensive range of high performance PPSU and copper Roth PressCheck fittings.

Our European reputation and success is based on being a supplier of high quality, innovative industry approved products and services supported by years of technical know-how. Since opening our new UK head office in Worcester, the company has gone from strength to strength investing in our technical and commercial teams supported by increased next day plumbing and underfloor stock holding at the integrated office and warehouse/ logistics facility.

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PIPES Fittings & Valves Ensure a successful press Uponor has reengineered its S-Press range to develop the S-Press PLUS, which is claimed to deliver improved flow characteristics, greater durability and a reduced installation time by up to 25% (when compared with traditional radial press fittings).

A press indicator foil clearly identifies correctly pressed connections and, with a specially designed pressing sleeve, it is said to be virtually impossible to press the fitting with the jaws in the wrong position.

The fittings, available in sizes 16 to 32mm, are also colour coded so that installers will easily be able to identify the correct size fitting, even in dark and difficult conditions.

Each fitting comes with a QR code, enabling installers to scan on a smartphone for 24/7 technical support, gain access to individual project databases and also take advantage of online ordering.

Paul Hull, MD at The Commercial Group, was the first to take S-Press PLUS training at Uponor’s Watford HQ. Commenting on the

day, he says: “It was really interesting to see the system and the new developments, especially the new style of fittings. Colour coding and numbers make the system easy to use which will appeal to installers. The day was informative and Uponor’s team was fantastic.”

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Beveller sits easy in hand A new bevelling tool from Maincor is making it easier to prepare the company’s MLCP (multi layer composite pipe) prior to installation. Its ergonomic design makes it comfortable to use, particularly when used frequently.

Maincor’s MLCP is a formstable multi-layered pipe, which has a 100% oxygen barrier to guard against corrosion and low rates of expansion to significantly reduce installation times.

The pipe is designed to be easily threaded through a building while leaving no wastage.

Being capable of tight bends, fewer elbows are required for maximum installation efficiency and lower costs when compared to plastic pushfit or traditional copper systems.

Hygienically clean, the MLCP has a high quality white painted finish for a neat look on projects large and small. www.maincor.co.uk ENQUIRY No. 112

Integrated carbon system The VSH FullFlow XPress Ball Valve from Pegler is said to offer easier specification due to being manufactured from material that is identical to the pipe – carbon steel.

Pegler says the matching materials and the advanced design mean the reliability of a system is greatly enhanced, as the risk of galvanic corrosion and condensation is eliminated.

“Due to the success of our VSH XPress range, the VSH FullFlow XPress Ball Valve further complements our product portfolio and offers HVAC contractors a reliable integrated piping system,” comments Sindar Singh, Director Product Line Valve Technology at Pegler.

“A complete system that offers reliability is a huge

benefit to contractors whose reputation relies on the quality of the products they use. We are delighted to be now launching a new product that incorporates the valve and fitting into one streamlined body and is made from carbon so when used with a carbon pipe system it delivers a positive zero voltage reaction and therefore prevents the start

of any galvanic corrosion.”

The valve is designed to reduce the number of seals, which decreases the possibility of leaks due to incorrect fitting but also benefits from double O-rings.

Available in ½ to 2in, the valve is compatible with the XPress thread, swivel and press options as required.

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PIPES Fittings & Valves Copper press system with added benefits Brymec has introduced its own-brand copper press system, a durable and secure leak-proof joint for applications including potable water, hot water, heating/ cooling circuits and drainage.

They provide a braze-free alternative to traditional jointing methods, meaning no hot works are required and there is no need to move around brazing equipment and consumables.

The Brymec copper press range also benefits from the extra security provided by a two-point press system

for a leak-free, tamper-proof joint. Each fitting is equipped with a blue plastic film that peels off when the fitting is crimped correctly. This means the installer can identify at a glance fittings that are fitted properly.

Each press fitting has a plastic dust cover fixed in place during production, so the fitting is protected from the moment it is manufactured to the point of delivery on site. The covers also have the fitting size clearly embossed for ease of identification.

Marketing Manager Wayne

D’Aranjo says: “We offer a comprehensive warranty when using the Brymec copper press system with Type TX copper tube compliant with EN 1057. This is a maximum 25-year guarantee against faults caused by defective manufacturing of our copper press fittings.”

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Making a bigger connection High temperature models have been added to Viega’s Megapress S range, with press connections for pipe sizes between 3/8 and 2in diameter. Part of the range of connections for thick-walled steel tube, Megapress S features a FKM sealing element and has been engineered for high temperature applications up to 140ºC and up to 16bar.

The Megapress S range includes options for large diameter tube and now allows installers to use press connection technology on tube from 3/8in to 4in.

Megapress S is suitable for a wide range of high temperature applications including both primary and secondary lines of district heating systems. It is also applicable for industrial

engineering, cooling systems, compressed air pipework and fire extinguisher systems.

The design of the connector ensures a robust, leak-proof seal on a range of materials including seamless, welded, black, galvanised, epoxyresin-coated and industrially painted tube.

Scott James, Director at Viega, says: “The additions

to the Megapress S range provides the opportunity to use one connection method for both primary and secondary high temperature pipework. Combining this with connections from the wider Viega range allows a single approach for all building systems.”

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Flame-free range grows The >B< MaxiPro product range from Conex Bänninger has been extended as demand for the flame-free ACR press system continues to grow.

The new fittings include three types of long coupler – copper flare joints available with brass and stainless nuts; a range of copper flare washers in different sizes; and a suction line P-trap.

A 100ml bottle of press fitting lubricant has also been added.

Dan Wild, UK Business Unit Director, says: “Since we launched >B< MaxiPro in the UK towards the end of 2017, we are training more engineers who see the benefits of using this product as a quicker-to-fit, reliable alternative to traditional brazing. With the initial >B< MaxiPro range proving to be so popular, ENQUIRY

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it was only natural that we would extend the range.”

The >B< MaxiPro was developed specifically for use in air conditioning and refrigeration applications. It is designed to be used up to a maximum operating pressure of 48bar, with an operating temperature range of -40°C to 121°C. It has the benefit of a 3-point press, with one press each side of the bead and one compressing the O-ring, providing a permanent, leakfree joint.

When professionally installed by a trained and certified >B< MaxiPro installer, the fittings are covered by a five-year extended guarantee.

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PIPES Fittings & Valves 39 No leaks and no bad smells Claimed to offer total protection against leaks, the NEO range of basin and sink traps from Wirquin feature washers that are over-moulded onto the body to prevent their loss.

A further innovation is the NEO Air system function that allows pipes to be naturally ventilated, thereby preventing noisy gurgling and bad smells.

When a negative pressure is created in the pipework,

the membrane rises, thus creating continual ventilation to prevent the suction of the water seal.

All NEO products have been designed to be easy to fit thanks to a ¼ turn captive nut which ensures a speedy and reliable installation and a simple ¼ turn base.

Big following Marketing Communications Manager Alaina Turner says: “The Wirquin NEO is

Speedfit refreshed

proving really popular on social media, we are really enjoying all the videos and photos of installations and reviews. As we have just launched our new Instagram page, we are going to give away a Wirquin NEO and Amazon Dot once we reach 2000 followers. All you need to do to enter is to follow the steps on our Instagram or Twitter competition posts.”

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Cut corners with pipe insulation Pipelagger Pro, the easyto-use pipe lagging system available from Plumbpal, now comes with a number of new accessories, including a protective saw blade cover and sticker bonds that help to avoid the need for duct tape and other unsightly solutions.

Easily adjustable to cater for a range of sizes and materials, Pipelagger Pro is compatible with polyethylene foam of

13, 19 and 25 wall thickness and 15, 22 and 28mm pipe diameters. Easy to use, it enables installers to achieve a professional, seamless

pipe lagging joint and avoids having to second guess angles, thereby minimising unnecessary waste and reducing installation time.

The system features two integrated self-centralising curves that hug the contours of the pipe lagging, while stainless steel fastenings help to prevent threads from suffering corrosion.

Other accessories already available with the system include a toothless saw and sharpener.

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The JG Speedfit range of plastic push-to-connect plumbing heating fittings, valves, pipe and underfloor heating solutions is being given a more modern look and feel by Reliance Worldwide Corporation (RWC) following the company’s acquisition of UK manufacturer John Guest last year.

Heath Sharp, Group CEO at RWC, says: “JG Speedfit is the pioneer of plastic push-to-connect technology and that heritage is really important to us. Its adoption into the RWC family is at the heart of our vision to help transform productivity and efficiency for customers in the plumbing and heating sector.

“As such, it’s critical for us to communicate this clearly and refresh the JG Speedfit brand to show customers how Speedfit fits within our ‘deliver’ solutions category and connects to the rest of our brands. By bringing our family of brands together, we can provide a single source plumbing solution from meter to fixture.” www.johnguest.com/speedfit

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40 PRODUCTS in Action Fans help control Going to lengths with the ventilation aquarium humidity

Engineering. Gilberts’ LG linear bar grille – LG/15/3 (pictured) – extends more than 51m along the main reception area. It is complemented across the different public and administrative spaces

by Gilberts’ DG louvred diffusers, MBD multiblade diffusers, GSLS linear slot diffusers, HSLS high capacity slot diffusers, and GX and GH deflector grilles.

Ventilation grilles from Gilberts of Blackpool have been specified for the high end hotel, Crowne Plaza, in Manchester. Over 50m of equipment was installed in the bulkhead in the reception area for the new 210 room hotel and 116-room Staybridge Suite which are housed in one 18-storey building.

All the public and administrative areas feature ventilation grilles from Gilberts, installed by A&B

Lo-Carbon Svara fans from Vent-Axia have helped tackle severe condensation in an aquarium sump room. The private aquarium, located at a home in Lancing, West Sussex, contains 2000 litres of water and is home to a variety of marine fish and a living coral reef.

The energy efficient Svara fans were selected as they are effective at removing moisture that accumulates in such an environment – in this case the requirement is to run a humid environment maintained at 26°C. The aquarium belongs to Ryan Meredith and the project was completed by his company, A.P. Meredith and Son, a residential building company.

Ryan says he has struggled with fans being unable to cope with the high levels of humidity produced by the aquarium but, following the installation of two Svara fans, there is not a drop of condensation. www.vent-axia.com

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gilbertsblackpool.com

Filter provides sanctuary The heating system of All Saints’ Church in Eaglescliffe, Preston-on-Tees, has been protected with a BoilerMag XT industrial filter. The heating system filter, which is ideal for large heating systems, is a key part of a complete new boiler installation located in the church bell tower.

Matthew Stoves, Heating Engineer at family run installation company Nigel Stoves Plumbing & Heating, says: “We always use BoilerMag filters on our commercial heating and boiler

installations due to price and quality.

The filters are set up nicely for easy installation with flanges or female irons, and the price, in comparison to other filters on the market, is extremely competitive.”

The BoilerMag XT will prevent the build-up of ferrous oxide in the church’s heating system and protects the life expectancy of the new boiler.

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WATER HEATING & Cylinders 41

Space saving solution for apartment living More demand for homes in busy city centres inevitably puts pressure on space, but instantaneous water heaters can deliver a cost-effective solution. Mark McManus, MD of Stiebel Eltron UK, highlights how the latest technology can help meet demand.

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key trend we are currently seeing in the UK property market is the rapid return to city centre living. Once rejected as an undesirable and often dilapidated area, many city centres have now been regenerated with space for cafés, bars and retail, all on the doorsteps of the young and affluent customers who increasingly define these areas.

Since the turn of the Mark McManus, MD of Stiebel Eltron UK century, the population of many city centres has doubled, while the population of the UK has increased by just 10%. This can be seen in the growth of the UK’s biggest cities outside of London. Between 2002 and 2015 the population in Liverpool city centre increased by 181%, in Birmingham 163%, Leeds 150% and Manchester 149%.

This influx of people means the demand for homes in the city centre has increased, giving way to the popularity of high-rise developments through the private rented sector (PRS) and build-to-rent (BTR). Residents in these developments have unique demands to overcome the challenges of high density living. This has led to a shift towards instantaneous hot water (IHW) units as an alternative to traditional unvented cylinders.

IHW units are more convenient for residents due to their space-saving compact design. For example, our recently launched DCE series of IHW heaters occupies minimal space while delivering a constant source of hot water. It offers an ideal solution for those living in city centre apartments as it removes the need for a cylinder cupboard, meaning that

homes can save up to an additional 3m2 of valuable floor space.

The ability to provide residents with customisation and adjustable controls also fulfils their desire to tailor their home to their individual needs. The DCE series offers fully adjustable temperature settings and in-built anti-scald protections so that residents can customise their home with the peace of mind that the unit is safe.

Compliance challenge There have been some challenges in the uptake of IHW units.

Traditionally, apartments in the UK are fed by a single phase 230V supply. However, when a property has a bath and a higher hot water demand the IHW units require a three-phase 400V supply to achieve optimal performance of flow rate.

This has been the most significant barrier to the mainstream adoption of the latest IHW technology. However, tests taken across a series of sites have revealed that the costs associated with installing 400V three phase power supplies have been offset by the savings IHW systems provide in the long term. Product performance, ease of installation and lower maintenance costs all contributed towards ensuring that this option came out ahead of the traditional approach to water heating.

Electric future IHW units will also be increasingly important as we move towards an all-electric heating future. In the 2019 Spring Statement the Chancellor of the Exchequer introduced a ‘Future Homes Standard’ set for implementation from 2025 which will set minimum environmental standards for all new housing. This has included a commitment to removing traditional fossil fuel heating systems and ensuring that all new homes should not connect to the gas grid from 2025 and instead are heated by low carbon heating sources.

The lower running costs associated with IHW systems, the

The DCE series of instantaneous water heaters from Stiebel Eltron provide a space saving hot water solution

reduced amount of hot water wastage and the prevention of a significant loss of energy through reheating can improve a development’s green credentials, an important factor for many in the younger, environmentally conscious generations.

It also saves on costs for residents – another attractive feature for potential tenants.

The benefits of its energy efficiency extend to developers and installers too, as IHW units provide stronger performances in SAP testing, meaning that the process of meeting buildings regulations is streamlined.

Significant opportunity The increasing demand for city centre living must be supplemented by high-quality homes that embrace new and innovative technology. This will be vital in ensuring the sustainability of this market in the long term and in futureproofing city centre homes.

If developers are willing to accept the challenges with compliance, IHW represents a major opportunity for the residential market. By investing in research to find solutions for the issue of three-phase 400V power supplies and working with developers to implement testing, UK manufacturers can ensure the longevity of this emerging market.

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How the plumbing industry can improve social housing Stuart Doggrell, Water Heating General Manager at Fabdec, discusses the key role of pre-plumbed systems in providing reliable heat in social housing developments, and why the industry must ensure best practice.

The heating and plumbing sector has a key role to play in improving the UK’s current stock of social housing. Innovations in the capabilities of hot water systems have the potential to transform the wellbeing of residents, with new systems offering improved performance, reliability, simplified installation and a reduction in lifecycle running costs.

One of the key changes in the development of water heating systems is the advent of preplumbed systems. Pre-plumbed water heaters not only lower the time required for installation, they also simplify the process. This has a knock-on effect for both the installer and the housing provider as it keeps disruption and time on

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site to a minimum. This is key in both the quick delivery of new build developments, and minimising disruption for residents when retrofitting an existing estate.

The pre-plumbed system is supplemented by innovations that allow water heaters to make use of the Venturi effect, which removes the requirement for a floating baffle or an expansion vessel.

This system directly improves the reliability of the water heater, meaning that residents and estates managers can rest assured in the knowledge that their unit will require minimal maintenance.

This is supplemented by improved performance, with the system consistently providing reliable hot water on demand.

Another key consideration to streamlining the installation process for social housing providers, beyond the technology on offer, is ensuring that every installer and specifier has the best training and education available prior to working on a job.

Manufacturers can play a major role in ensuring that this happens by creating and promoting useful CPD training sessions for installers and specifiers in partnership with public health and safety experts. At Fabdec, for example, we have introduced various measures including CPD modules for any organisations that may be interested in furthering their knowledge on the sector.

Social housing providers and the UK Government must ensure that social housing stock is maintained

to a high standard. In order to achieve this, upgrading legacy water heating systems to the latest technology has to be a key priority. By installing pre-plumbed unvented systems providers can ensure that residents’ homes are future-proofed and their service standards maintained for years to come.

To meet this future demand, the industry must retain a focus on innovation and maintain a strong talent base backed by consistent training and development. This approach can ensure a bright future for residents and encourage the development of exciting new technology.

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42 WATER HEATING & Cylinders

Storage selection made simple Specifying a hot water cylinder requires consideration of a wide variety of factors to achieve a design that is efficient while meeting demand.

Here, McDonald Water Storage answers some of the core questions installers will need to consider in choosing the right appliance.

Should I go with copper or stainless steel?

Copper offers significant benefits over stainless steel when it comes to hot water cylinders, including heat transfer properties to improve efficiency and heat up time, bacteria killing properties to reduce the threat of legionella and E.coli, and recyclability to reduce the impact on the environment.

According to a report published by the University of Ulster which compared the performance of a copper coil type heat exchanger to one made of stainless steel, copper showed superior long-term cost benefits. On an exact likefor-like specification, it was found that copper reduced the heat up time of water by 28.8% over stainless steel.

Researchers also found that the copper cylinder showed a 62.6% increase in power output compared to its stainless steel counterpart. The results for copper were even better when incorporating renewable energy into a hot water system. The 62.6% increase in power output means the transfer process of the energy collected by the renewable energy source is superior using a cylinder with a copper coil. This suggests more hot water will be delivered quicker and therefore require less energy from other ‘paid for’ fuel sources.

In terms of the safety of copper, after seven days of immersion in water, 80% of stainless steel and plastics were coated in a biofilm, while copper showed little or no biofilm. Biofilms are harbingers of E.coli 0157 and other microbiological bugs and pose a significant threat to human health.

In addition to the bacteria killing properties, one of the proven strengths of copper is its durability, with many copper cylinders in the market having lasted for decades.

We are seeing enquiries from people asking us to replace copper cylinders made in the ’60s and ’70s that are still performing, but they are looking to take advantage of new technologies and insulation.

A further advantage of copper is its flexibility, which means we can manufacture hot water cylinders to any shape or size, with connections in any location, whether to suit existing pipework or to optimise the location of feeds or gauges.

How to determine cylinder size?

Calculating the size of the cylinder is a critical step in creating an efficient hot water system that meets the demand. Over-specifying a cylinder will result in a system that uses excessive energy, while under-specifying will inevitably result in a lack of available hot water. It pays to get this calculation right.

McDonald Water Storage manufactures a wide range of copper cylinders, thermal stores and commercial calorifiers

While every project will have its own specific needs, the starting point is to understand what the potential hot water demand is likely to be over the course of a day and at peak periods. This will be easier in a domestic setting because demand tends to be more predictable.

We recommend sizing the cylinder based on the number of bedrooms, bathrooms and showers.

The main consideration in calculating the optimum hot water cylinder size is understanding the peak demands and ensuring you have the right combination of cylinder capacity and re-heat times. Our general guideline for the sizing of domestic indirect hot water cylinders is: 1 bedroom + bath/shower 2 bedrooms + bath/shower 3 bedrooms + 2 baths/showers 4 bedrooms + 2 baths/showers Larger properties

75/200 litres 150 litres 180 litres 210/250 litres 300+ litres

How long are hot water recovery rates?

This is not a straightforward question. Heat exchanger performance has historically been specified in terms of heat exchange surface area. However, BS1566 has been amended to specify its performance in kW. The kW rating of a cylinder is stated against laboratory conditions where a large heat source is available. In the real world, as houses become more energy efficient, the boiler size may decrease to the point where the cylinder kW rating is higher than the boiler. The reheat will then be governed by the boiler, not the cylinder. However, when a condensing boiler is in place, the higher kW rating of the cylinder will help reduce return temperatures to the boiler and boost efficiency.

As a general rule of thumb, most cylinders can achieve a reheat time of around 20 minutes (under laboratory conditions), and adjusted recovery to accommodate the variables of ‘real life’ in a typical house – after a bath fill for example – tends to be around 25 to 30 minutes.

Other factors that may affect recovery time include size of circulation piping, insulation, and length of piping between the cylinder and the heat source. It is also worth pointing out that a copper cylinder enables the incorporation of Integron finned copper coils, which increase the surface area to improve heat transfer and heat recovery times.

What about slimline cylinders?

A slimline hot water cylinder next to a standard model

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insulation supplied. Our slimline unvented cylinders start from a minimum 300mm diameter shell size. We then recommend 50mm insulation to all sides of the cylinder for maximum heat retention. If the space is very limited, it can be reduced to 35mm.

The connection layout of the cylinder will add to the floorspace, so if connections are to the side or rear, additional space will be required to accommodate pipework as well as space to work in the area. We recommend that all connections be located to one face of the slimline cylinder, ideally in a line, to ensure all pipework is in one area.

Other space saving approaches which might be considered are our CUBEflow rectangular tanks which can save up to 27% on space when compared to hot water cylinders. In situations where height is an issue, a horizontal hot water cylinder could provide a more viable solution.

The main appeal of slimline hot water cylinders is the reduction in required floorspace. However, a slimline cylinder is not just a thinner version of a standard one.

With slimline cylinders tending to have a marginally greater surface area, insulation is even more critical to minimise heat losses. Typically, most companies offer standard slimline cylinders in a diameter of 430-491mm including insulation, but not all specify the level of

Two 350 litre horizontal cylinders fitted in a low level loft help to provide a constant supply of hot water for a boutique hotel

What does the end of gas boilers in new builds mean for hot water storage?

The Government announced earlier this year that gas boilers will be banned in new homes from 2025, but as this legislation applies only to the new build market and is still some years off, the short-term impact on the hot water industry should be relatively negligible. However, in the long-term, we expect further training and a greater understanding of electric hot water and heating solutions will be essential.

House builders are being encouraged to incorporate wet electric boiler systems, such as our ELECTRAflow solution. One of the core benefits of the electric wet heating system is the cylinder can be positioned almost anywhere in the house, as there is no flue requirement.

Incorporation of an ELECTRAflow Thermal Store will most likely deliver the most effective solution under the proposed legislation, because not only can this system use electricity as its main energy source but can also incorporate multiple renewable fuel sources, such as solar PV and/or solar thermal. www.mcdonaldwaterstorage.com

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Addressing five unvented myths Unvented hot water cylinders were legalised in the UK in 1985 and have grown rapidly in popularity. Despite this, there are still a number of commonly believed myths that persist in the industry. George Linder, Product Manager at Heatrae Sadia, looks to put things right. s unvented hot water cylinders become ever more popular, it is important to address some of the most pervasive myths, such as:

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to regularly service a cylinder, the Hot Water Association (HWA) has launched a free-todownload best-practice guide to servicing a hot water cylinder.

(1) They’re only suitable for large premises.

For a long time, having a hot water cylinder meant needing a large cold-water tank. This would often have to be placed in the loft, which not only used up valuable space, but was also prone to freezing during long cold snaps. However, unvented hot water cylinders remove the need for these bulky fixtures because they draw water directly from the cold-water mains, making them a great option for properties limited on space.

(3) One size fits all.

The size of the cylinder should vary according to how much hot water will be used by the homeowner. This depends on the number of people living in the property, but also on the habits of those individuals in the household. Sizing a cylinder will also depend on the number of bathrooms in the property. For instance, many new-builds will have both a family bathroom and an ensuite. This places extra demand on the cylinder and so would impact the size of the unit specified and installed. That’s because there is no set amount of water used in a wash, with the figure changing drastically depending on whether it’s a bath or shower. As a rule of thumb, you should allow between 35 and 45 litres for every occupant, but this figure is flexible depending on the household.

(2) They don’t need to be serviced.

This is one of the most widespread myths, but hot water cylinders need service checks to be carried out every 12 months. This is often a condition of the manufacturer’s warranty and is vital in checking the safety features associated with unvented systems.

Water expands when it gets warm, which means there needs to be mechanisms that ease pressure in the cylinder. There are two main ways of doing this, either with

Fitting a Megaflo unvented water heater

an internal bubble top unit, or an external expansion vessel. Whichever method is used, it is crucial that these are regularly checked in order to maintain the safety, integrity, and performance of the hot water.

To help consumer understanding of the need

(4) No special training is required, so long as you are Gas Safe accredited.

The higher pressure in an unvented hot water cylinder means they must be fitted and maintained by specially qualified technicians. This means that heating engineers must be G3 certified, which provides the knowledge and skills needed to work with unvented systems. Getting onto a G3 accreditation course requires an NVQ Level 2 or equivalent, but once installers have this, they can get themselves certified through a training centre.

(5) New water cylinders have to go in the same place as the old one.

The level of insulation on the latest cylinders means less restriction in where they can be positioned in the home. They don’t have to go in the same place as the system they are replacing and if properly protected from extreme cold temperatures, the garage and loft are just two of the options available. This can free up space in the home, opening up the possibility to use old airing cupboard space for other needs – such as another shower or a walk-in wardrobe. www.heatraesadia.com

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44 WATER HEATING & Cylinders

Instantly gratify hot water needs Electric multi-point water heaters are seeing wider specification for their ability to meet the hot water demands in both domestic and commercial applications. Here, Alex Boweren, Product Manager at Ariston, looks at the latest technologies making an impact in the sector.

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he UK Government has introduced a significant amount of environmental legislation in recent years placing a greater emphasis on carbon emissions and fuel efficiency.

As a result, the market for domestic and non-domestic water heating products has seen steady growth, accompanied by a positive period in construction activity, alongside improved consumer and business Alex Boweren, Ariston confidence.

The UK water heating market remains positive, with more steady growth anticipated from 2021 onwards. After all, innovative designs, increased energy efficiency, more compact units and the need to upgrade are all factors helping stimulate the residential hot water sector. Further market expansion is also anticipated, due to changing consumer preferences, as well as manufacturers developing more products that comply with strict energy efficiency regulations.

Instant gratification The UK market is currently dominated by hot water storage systems. However, one other type of technology is growing: Instantaneous water heaters (IWHs) currently make up 16% of the market – a figure that looks set to grow as more products of this type are introduced to the UK. This sector has already seen a recent uplift, particularly in the commercial sector, while continued product innovation and development has ensured significant energy savings can be achieved.

Instantaneous water heaters, as their name suggests, heat water as and when required. They can also be referred to as tankless, continuous flow, in-line, on-demand or instant-on water heaters. Units instantly heat water as it flows through them, without retaining any water internally, except for a small amount surrounding the heat exchanger coil. This allows IWHs to then be installed throughout a home or building close to point of use.

Electric multi-point water heaters, such as Ariston’s own Aures Slim Multi (see below), are wall-mounted units

Ariston’s Aures Slim Multi electric water heater is an efficient method to provide instant hot water at the point of use

capable of producing hot water that serves multiple taps and showers (not simultaneously), making them ideal for applications such as bathrooms. Other advantages include the plentiful, continuous delivery of hot water not being limited by the capacity of a tank, while small dimensions save valuable wall space, as well as eliminate the need for a storage cylinder.

Commercial and domestic Another benefit of IWHs is their efficiency, as they only use energy when there is a requirement for heated water and there is no need to maintain a pre-set temperature when they are not in use. Plus, units are easy to install and maintain, requiring only a connection to the water supply and the fuse box.

Electric multi-point water heaters are frequently used in

No problem feeding multiple outlets The Aures Slim Multi electric water heater is suitable for a wide range of applications, from bathrooms and kitchens to loft conversions and utility rooms. Each compact unit can supply multiple outlets – such as a sink and a shower – with instantaneous hot water.

As a result, users no longer have to wait for the water to heat up.

With an ‘A’ class ErP energy rating, Ariston says this is the most efficient method of providing water at the point of use. Plus, each unit is also supplied with a two-year warranty as standard.

To ensure an advanced level of performance, the unit is equipped with a flow sensor system that initiates instantaneous water heating when an outlet is opened. The unit also

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has an easy-to-operate, front-facing dial complete with LED indicators to highlight the selected power level: low (4.5kW), medium (5kW) or high (9.5kW). In addition, all internal components can be accessed from the front of the unit for easy maintenance, while a double thermal cut-out is in place to ensure safety and peace of mind.

Aesthetically, the Aures Slim Multi benefits from premium Italian design

by Umberto Palermo, including an elegant brushed effect front panel and a sleek cover to conceal the water inlet and outlet pipes. The product’s compact size (304mm x 178mm x 98mm) also ensures plenty of space is saved in whatever application it is installed.

Commenting on the new electric water heater, Alex Boweren, Product Manager at Ariston, says: “The Aures Slim Multi is a great addition to our range of hot water products. Because of its compact size, the unit can be fitted in narrow spaces, making it suitable for a variety of applications, including utility rooms, garages and conservatories.”

domestic and light commercial applications where there is no mains gas supply or hot water storage facility present, yet there is still demand for hot water at multiple outlets.

As a result, they are commonly found in bedsits, student accommodation, garages and workshops.

Given their many advantages, IWHs are being embraced by many manufacturers as part of an overall heating package. Indeed, by eliminating heat loss and reducing energy consumption, the latest electric units are able to achieve ErP energy class ‘A’, the highest level of efficiency in the instant electric water heating sector.

As IWHs are not part of a centralised system, with the water being heated directly near the draw off point, there is no risk of legionella bacteria forming. These units do not need regular flushing, while there is no cylinder or storage tank requiring maintenance, so there is no health risk posed.

Looking good As a prerequisite, modern electric IWHs should be made from high quality materials which prevent corrosion, however, given their wider application in bathrooms and utility areas, they also need to be good-looking enough to be displayed on an end user’s wall if required. This can include a covering for the inlet and outlet pipes, as well as stylish fascia.

So, in a constantly evolving market, instantaneous water heaters are continuing to go from strength to strength.

Their ability to provide hot water to multiple outlets as and when required, with no waiting time, ensures they are suitable for a wide range of applications, as well as properties off the mains gas grid. Given their simplicity of installation, plus space saving and energy efficiency benefits, these units look set to become key products in the water heating sector for many years to come.

Find out more For more information on the range of instantaneous water heaters from Ariston, enter the number below. www.ariston.com/uk

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WATER HEATING & Cylinders 45 Alert guards against limescale build-up Convenience comes pre-plumbed in Rinnai is highlighting the benefits of its range of ErP ‘A’ rated Infinity continuous flow condensing gas fired water heaters. The low-NOx Infinity HDC 1600e external wall mounted unit (together with the interior HDC 1600i version) uses pre-mix burner technology with a 14:1 turn down ratio of 58.4-4.05kW. Integral controls on the unit enable it to achieve high efficiencies whether locally or integrated into a building management system. To

control legionella proliferation for secondary return DHW systems, an advanced temperature control system allows for safe running of water at 42°C core temperature during the day and 60°C when the building is closed.

For installations in hard water areas, users will benefit from a lime check code on the controller’s display. The units continually self-monitor for limescale deposits around the heat exchanger. If a build-up is detected, a message is sent to

Instant access hot water Instaflow is Triton Showers’ new range of instantaneous water heaters for the supply of hot water on demand. The units are suitable for small commercial applications, where there may not be hot water available but the ability to clean hands is a crucial part of the job.

The heaters are available in outputs including 5.4, 7.7, and 10.1kW depending on whether the hot water required is for a single hand basin, kitchen tap, or two outlets. For economical delivery, the water heaters only power up when the

water starts to flow, meaning no power is wasted in standby operation.

The compact 5.4kW version suits under-sink installations where space is limited. The 7.7 and 10.1kW versions are multipoint instantaneous water heaters which can be used for either single or multiple outlets. Power selection is simple, with the output temperature determined by the flow and incoming water temperature. All units have IP25 water ingress protection. tritonshowers.co.uk ENQUIRY No. 129

the panel on the front of the appliance.

The message is displayed as ‘LC’, which alerts the end user to contact a Rinnai service agent to perform a limescale flush to clear the potentially harmful deposits. This helps to avoid the adverse effects associated with limescale build up on equipment, including lower energy efficiencies and potential product degeneration.

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New to the line-up from Advance Appliances is a WRAS-approved preplumbed stainless unvented cylinder range providing mains pressure hot water.

They are fitted with a preplumbed, pre-wired S-plan arrangement with two heating zones for flexible and complete installation.

These units combine an attractive appearance with excellent heat loss characteristics. Air gap technology maintains the air bubble in the cylinder. Made in the UK, they come fitted with G3 unvented kit in addition to an ‘A’ rated pump. The prewiring helps minimise errors in installation, and with two zones it offers flexibility.

Two sizes are available: one for single bathroom properties and one for twin bathroom properties. All have a fitted 3kW immersion heater as well as an adjustable control thermostat for economic hot water temperature control.

All heating and cold water control components are fitted except the programmer so that consumers have the widest possible choice. They are designed to work with all modern gas or oil boilers and have ‘B’ rated insulation properties, with 60mm of foam-injected polyurethane.

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May 2019

46 WATER HEATING & Cylinders Extended warranty period Stainless steel storage options

Commercial hot water and heating specialist, Adveco (AWP) Ltd has announced an extension of the warranty period across its condensing range of A.O. Smith Water Heaters products in the UK. Customers purchasing new products can now benefit from a new warranty period of two years on parts and a three-year warranty as standard on all tanks.

Bill Sinclair, Technical Director, Adveco, comments: “These new, extended warranty periods reflect the belief we have in the quality of our products and gives our customers peace of mind when it comes to specifying A.O. Smith for their business-critical hot water systems.”

The warranty period covering parts commences from date of delivery, but Adveco advises customers that to ensure consistent and prolonged system life all A.O. Smith products should

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receive a manufacturer’s commissioning by the company. By opting to commission a product with Adveco, the user will not

only gain a matching twoyear labour warranty, but the parts and labour warranty period will commence from the date the commissioning was performed.

“Having your product commissioned by us is h ig h ly adv a nt ag e ou s ,” argues Bill Sinclair. “If not commissioned by us, it falls to the customer to take on the job of fault finding, ordering of the new part, plus extraction and return of the suspected faulty part.

“Working with us means this potentially time consuming and highly specialist activity becomes part of the postcommissioning warranty agreement. Customers get a priority callout appointment and don’t have to worry about doing this work themselves or factor in extra costs for labour if there was an issue within the warranty period.”

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A new range of EcoSable stainless steel, gas-fired storage water heaters have been launched by Lochivar.

Both models are fully condensing and have hot water recovery rates of 620 and 800 litres per hour, based on a temperature rise of 50ºC. They each have a storage capacity of 186 litres.

Key benefits include their ability to operate at temperatures up to 85°C and with water pressures of up to 8bar. They are 92% and 93% efficient and ‘A’ rated under the testing methodology used to assess compliance with the latest Energy-related Products regulations (ErP).

Both use a low NOx, pre-mix modulating gas burner, which closely matches output to demand, and a submerged combustion chamber with spiral flue that keeps the water heater in continuous condensing mode during hot water demand periods.

For ease of operation, EcoSable comes with an LCD touchscreen display for user control of temperature settings and diagnostics. They also have two removable doors located at the front of the water heater to provide easy access for maintenance of the gas burner and controls.

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Sizing things up: The digital hot water sizing programme from Lochinvar – Select – has been upgraded with new features and products. The user-friendly programme covers 20 different building types and data is entered via a ‘virtual walkthrough’ process. Default settings are included where appropriate. Select helps designers of hot water systems calculate the most suitable products to meet peak demand periods and the volume of hot water needed for the building in question.

The latest version of Select also includes larger installations, allowing the designer to choose up to six EcoKnight models. Access Select online: http://select.lochinvar.ltd.uk

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Domestic circulators continue to evolve Since their first introduction, domestic circulators have evolved to deliver more sophisticated technology that is capable of providing a number of energy saving and installation benefits.

Linda Dingly, Marketing Manager at Grundfos, highlights some of the latest advances.

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in 1973. This 10,000m2 facility is still in operation today, although now it is a specialist in packaged pump booster sets and a range of other off-site build options.

The 1980s was a period of rapid change with computer technology starting to reach into every aspect of our lives.

This was also true for the pump industry with the arrival of electronically controlled pumps. One of the earliest breakthroughs was a frequency converter that enabled the pump to adjust its speed according to the system demand.

1991 saw the arrival of the UPE. This was our first circulator pump that used an integrated frequency converter, designed to combine the advantages of speed control and energy savings.

These were the first wave of the new generation of speed-controlled pumps that started the intelligent pump trend still seen today.

In 2001 the Grundfos MAGNA Where we were launched. This was one of the first But let’s take a step back in time. In circulator pumps to appear on the market 1964 Grundfos Pumps set up business in that combined a permanent magnet motor. the UK as only the second sales company These pumps – initially aimed at the light to be established outside our Danish HQ. The ALPHA 3 model can commercial/commercial markets – offered cut heating and energy By the early ’70s Grundfos was a wellsignificant saving opportunities of up to 80% use as well as offer flowestablished name, particularly within energy compared to other similar sized pumps. based balancing the domestic market. As the demand for They were quickly followed by a range of pumps increased in both the UK and Europe, a domestic similarly efficient domestic equivalents. circulator manufacturing plant was built in Sunderland The ErP directive that came into force in January 2013 was driven by the technological advances that were possible in tandem with an increasing demand for improved energy efficiencies. This change to the European legislation ensured that only the most energy efficient products The Grundfos MAGNA family has been on an evolutionary were available to the journey since its 2001 launch as the range offering is market. constantly revisited. This is to ensure that it continues to With current estimates fully encompass the increasing demands that are required suggesting that pumps from a modern circulator. currently account for 10% Today, this has led to an improved range of single and twinof the world’s electrical head MAGNA1 circulator options that have been specifically power, half of which could designed for circulating liquids in be saved, focusing on a wide range of light commercial optimising the amount of and commercial applications. energy they use makes a lot of The MAGNA1’s sense from an environmental The new UPS3 increasing perspective as well as to save pump connects versatility now energy. So, there is still much with a smartphone makes them potential for circulators to app for ease of installation suitable contribute to local and global for use in energy savings, especially as pumps have a 10-15 year heating average life span and are rarely replaced until they have systems; air reached end-of-life. conditioning Where we are now and cooling systems; domestic Today the latest circulators on the market, such as our water systems; ground source heat ALPHA3 model, are much improved compared with pump systems as well as solar heating systems. earlier iterations. Improved reliability and durability sits Additionally, these MAGNA1 models also offer the perfect alongside the added benefit of substantial savings on solution not just in new but also in refurbishment situations, heating bills and even a process that simplifies hydronic particularly where you need to either replace an older balancing. This addition to our domestic circulator family Grundfos UPS product or one of the smaller models from delivers world-class energy efficiency, with an EEI rating of the original MAGNA family. Plus, these latest generation 0.17. It means it can cut heating and energy costs as well MAGNA1 pumps deliver another benefit as they also provide as offer flow-based balancing – something that can save for some basic communication options. hours on installation.

Using this solution means that complex data collection

oday we all take for granted the role that domestic circulators play in delivering the comfort levels that we have come to expect from our indoor climate.

Yet it wasn’t really that long ago – only as far back as the late 1950s/early 1960s – that these pumps began to make an appearance onto the UK market and started to become an integral part of our heating experiences.

At their introduction, they were quite revolutionary as they offered the opportunity for relatively instant and equal house-wide temperature control that had not previously been available. Since those early days, the domestic circulator has undergone many reincarnations which has significantly changed the way they look, not so much externally, but much more significantly, internally.

Meeting demand

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Visitors to the Grundfos stand got to view the latest advances in pump technology at the recent ISH exhibition in Frankfurt

and calculations are done automatically in the GO Balance app – a huge improvement on existing market solutions as time and costs are substantially reduced. This benefits installers and homeowners alike, as a correctly balanced domestic radiator or underfloor heating system can generate savings of up to 27% on the heating bill.

From the moment the circulator is installed and connected, all pump operation, including the setup wizard, can be controlled on a smartphone (iOS and Android). Pump settings can be changed quickly and easily, plus you get access to all relevant data, such as flow, pump performance, work log history and weekly running schedules, as well as warnings and alarms. So, knowing exactly how the pump is operating has never been easier.

Hydronic balancing is being recognised as being increasingly important and is likely to become expected practice in relevant guides and industry commissioning checklists.

Where we are going With so many engineering as well as efficiency landmarks already reached, are there likely to be any more dramatic changes to domestic circulator technology? Further advances will continue, but perhaps more on an evolutionary scale, such as opportunities to improve peripheral aspects, develop apps and improve external controls.

A great example of this is our new UPS3 circulator. The clever design means this pump can be used not only in standard system installations but also inside many of the UK’s domestic boilers. By scanning the old pump with the Grundfos GO Replace smartphone app it is possible to confirm if the UPS3 is a compatible fit. This offers the opportunity to fix even integrated pump issues in one visit, saving on installation time and the customer’s money.

We are very optimistic that the future will still hold many new opportunities that will continue the developmental journey of the domestic circulator. We are also confident that the Grundfos name will continue to be closely associated with leading edge engineering and best-inclass energy efficiency during the next 60 years as it was in the last.

To find out more about the latest range of Grundfos circulators, please visit the website below or enter the number on the freepost reader registration and enquiry card inside this issue. www.grunfos.co.uk/newteam

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48 PUMPS & Heating Spares

Don’t chance it with cheap spares Cheaper, non-approved boiler spares may look like a bargain, but they could cause problems further down the line. David Willetts, Commercial Director – Aftersales at Baxi Heating, advises on why installers should always choose genuine manufacturer-approved components.

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he first thing to keep in mind when considering genuine boiler parts is the strict certification testing to which gas appliances are subjected. This process involves testing an appliance to rigorous British or European standards, mimicking the various demanding situations that may be experienced during everyday use. By stringently testing its performance David Willetts, Commercial when subjected to Director – Aftersales, Baxi different scenarios, such as fluctuating mains voltage and gas pressure, it can be concluded that the appliance offers minimal risk during normal operation. Consequently, customers and registered gas engineers are assured that the appliance is fit-for-purpose and, above all, safe.

The key aspect to this testing is that it is carried out on appliances fitted with genuine parts from the manufacturer, which have not been modified. This is crucial, especially for parts of a safety-critical nature. By contrast, using third-party components during boiler repairs can be classed as modification. In turn, this modification may invalidate its existing certifications, which are a requirement of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations.

Crucially, this modification and invalidation also means the unit may become unreliable and, above all, dangerous.

Potential risks

the manufacturer-approved alternative, they may also degrade prematurely when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Boilers repaired with counterfeit parts may also risk boiler lockout through the recirculation of combustion products, and suffer from internal appliance corrosion and elevated levels of carbon monoxide.

Installer responsibility Furthermore, and bearing these hazards in mind, it must be noted that during and after remedial work, the service or repair engineer bears responsibility for the product. If a breakdown, or worse, an accident, were to occur due to the use of inappropriate spare parts, the installer could be held liable.

Ultimately, introducing a third-party part into a previously-approved appliance creates a level of uncertainty that risks both the customer’s safety and the installer’s professional reputation. With something as important as a homeowner’s boiler system, such uncertainty should be avoided at all costs. Considering that the manufacturer’s warranty may also be voided if the unit is repaired with a counterfeit part, it is clear that the cost savings are not worth the risk.

Safe repair In contrast to their nonstandardised counterparts, genuine, manufacturerapproved components have been verified as providing a high-quality repair, and are able to return the boiler to optimum performance. Importantly, by specifying and fitting a suitable part, the installer can restore the boiler without any doubt over whether it will remain safe in operation.

Subsequently, it is vital that installers request genuine spare parts from reputable merchants and suppliers. In order to verify whether the part is genuine, the installer should check whether the component in question matches the manufacturer’s specified genuine part number. The manufacturer’s brand will likely also be on the component’s box or packaging, providing a further visual indication that the installer is in receipt of a genuine part. These indicators further confirm that the part has been designed and manufactured to a sufficient quality.

Such danger may not be immediately obvious – after all, many non-approved boiler components are able to fit the product. However, unlike genuine parts, they may not have been produced to a high standard. Indeed, copy parts may be made of low-quality materials which impact overall component performance and unit lifespan. The fact that these parts may not have been tested with the appliances they are promoted for use with may cast further doubt upon their durability in more demanding applications and scenarios.

So, while the urge to save money and opt for a cheaper, unapproved alternative is understandable, these Reputable suppliers other factors need to be kept in mind.

One such example of a reputable In fact, any initial upfront savings supplier is Baxi Genuine Parts may be negated over time, as even (formerly Interpart), who have slight differences in tolerance and manufactured and provided highfit can result in inefficiencies and quality, genuine parts for over 30 premature wear, making it necessary years. Parts supplied through Baxi to purchase further replacement are fully-compliant to protect parts. installers and consumers from For example, the consequences the impact of installing nonderiving from fitting nongenuine parts. approved flue parts include Indeed, these manufacturercondensate leaking internally, approved components have which could be a potential nuisance met rigorous quality control and a possible freezing hazard. standards, and coming Moreover, because these parts’ Cheap non-genuine heating spares could be with a one-year warranty material properties may differ from more costly than they first appear

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further assurances over performance.

Because they are designed to work better and for longer, both the customer and the installer can also avoid the unnecessary costs and inconvenience of purchasing further replacement parts. Additionally, Baxi parts are easy to install, reducing labour repair costs while maintaining the boiler’s longevity.

My advice is that in order to guarantee consumer safety, ensure boiler reliability and safeguard professional reputations, installers should always specify and install genuine, manufacturer-approved parts during remedial work. Not doing so may lead to short-term cost savings, but opens the installer up to a wide variety of concerns and pitfalls and may lead to financial and legal ramifications.

Find out more All Baxi Genuine Parts are packaged in Baxi branded boxes and feature the Baxi Genuine Parts stamp. For more information on genuine parts, visit the website (https://www.baxi.co.uk/ trade/boilers-parts-and-accessories/parts) or enter the number below on the freepost reader registration and enquiry card inside this issue. www.baxi.co.uk

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Pumps dispose of waste water

Quiet choice can deliver on savings Designed for underfloor heating systems, the Smartcirc range from Pump World includes two units: Optimo 25-7 / 130 and the 25-8 / 130. The latter 8m head circulator has a maximum flow of 4.5 m3/h and is ideal for larger heating systems with more heating points.

The pump comes with an energy-saving variable speed control, integrated night mode, fixed and underfloor

The Sanipump from Saniflo is a submersible black water pump for use with bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms and is suitable for waste water and sewage disposal from underground pits and tanks. It can also be used for grey water when pumping away from a pit or flood water situation.

An easy product to install, the compact pump is delivered ready to use and can be quickly deployed in domestic and commercial applications where the maximum immersion depth requirement is 5m or less. The Sanipump is small on size and weight – just 13kgs – yet big on performance with a flow rate of up to 11m³/hour and a maximum discharge height of 14m. The unit is powered by a 1500W automatic motor and is activated by a float system. Waste can be discharged through 40 or 50mm pipework from a range of appliances including a toilet, basin, bath, shower, washing machine, dishwasher, sink and external drainage areas.

Two models are available – the first has a macerator pump with high performance robust cutting blades to prevent clogging and the second version uses vortex technology that can pump away waste without the need to macerate.

Both have thermal overload protection as standard. www.saniflo.co.uk

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Simple swap out With the launch of the WiloVarios PICO Wilo is offering a pump with standard and external control modes along with maintenance routines such as air venting and manual re-start.

“It is the most convenient solution on the market for replacements,” says Product Manager Giovanna Loi le Carreres. “Alongside simplicity of installation and maintenance, it provides the manual restart facility.”

A distinguishing feature is the re-programming potential of the Sync function, which allows the pump to replicate the hydraulic performance of the pump being replaced.

Another feature is ‘Green Button Technology’, which is claimed to provide the highest degree of operating convenience both during installation and operation. The customer has a clear overview of the parameters necessary for installation via a modern

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heating modes that can all be monitored using the pump’s LCD display.

Highly efficient and quiet-running, with a five-year warranty upon registration, Smartcirc Optimo circulators are said to be particularly suitable for the energy conscious end user.

The pumps have safe and easy electrical connection with a manual start-up feature. Plus, control modes and power can quickly be adjusted simply by turning the potentiometer with the

pressure head shown on the LCD display.

The Smartcirc Optimo 257/130 and 25-8/130 are the latest additions to Pump World’s Smartcirc range, engineered not only to make the installer’s job quicker and easier but also to satisfy the end user with a quiet, energy saving product that helps to heat their property cost-effectively.

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Simple twist puts you in control

Online selection tool for pumps Making the right pump selection can be a complex process as there are many variables that need to be taken into the mix. To make life easier for installers and specifiers Grundfos Pumps has developed an online search and sizing tool – the Grundfos Product Center – that will help to ensure that the right pump is chosen for the right application, regardless of whether it’s a new or replacement project. The flexible hub is available for use at any time and can be used to suit a variety of needs such as for sizing pumps, browsing the Grundfos product catalogue, finding appropriate replacement pumps, as well as selecting pumps for handling specific liquids.

To find out more simply visit: www.grundfos.co.uk/gpc

The Ecocirc is an electronically controlled high efficiency circulating pump from Lowara. For ease of installation the Premium model comes with three control options and an automatic display which shows the power consumption as well as head and flow rate. There are three modes to choose from, depending on the application, which can be selected by simply twisting the control knob on the side of the pump.

Each setting is easily identified by three flashing colours: blue (proportional pressure), green (constant pressure) and white (constant speed). In each case the user can set the maximum strength of the pump by turning the control

knob into any position between 1 and 7, with 7 being the strongest.

The pump also has an air purge mode. This eliminates noise and ensures the pump runs at its highest efficiency.

To activate the air purge mode, the user should turn the control knob to the low end position and wait 5 seconds before turning the control knob back to the desired setting.

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Suitable for multi-zone applications LED display. Two push buttons – one for the control mode and one for pre-set pump curves – enable smart set-up of the pump in line with the existing conditions.

“The Varios PICO has in its class one of the most compact constructions, and with the Dual Electrical Connection System, additional adjustable electrical connections,” adds Giovanna. “These features support the broad range of applications of this replacement pump.”

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The Integrated Pumping System (IPS 4000) from Armstrong Fluid Technology has been designed as an automation solution for commercial HVAC pumping stations of up to 8 pumps and 16 zones.

The IPS 4000 automates and optimises multi-pump installations in a range of different plant configurations. Providing sequences for variable-primary, secondary or tertiary pumping system applications, it delivers significant energy savings, using Armstrong’s patented parallel sensorless pump control technology.

Pre-configured to leverage the capabilities of Design Envelope (the technology embedded in Armstrong pumps) the new IPS 4000 offers fast and simple setup for the most costeffective and efficient pump control

results. Designed for control of multiple pumps in both heating and cooling HVAC applications, it is capable of

maximising the performance profiles of up to eight variable speed pumps and up to 12 zones, and is suitable for both new installations and retrofit.

The IPS 4000 integrates with building management systems but can also provide highly-effective standalone pump control where a BMS is not deployed.

As the IPS 4000 is a pre-engineered, catalogue-based solution, customers can avoid both the programming work and the related cost associated with bespoke control options. The IPS 4000 is part of a comprehensive portfolio of HVAC solutions from Armstrong Fluid Technology and is available now for specification and selection.

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May 2019

WHAT’S New 51 Technology at the heart of Lifestyle boiler range Feedback from installers has helped Worcester Bosch develop the new Greenstar 8000 Lifestyle range comprising two models, Life and Style. As the topof-the-range model, the Style version comes in two distinctive high gloss colour options: black and white.

The range is a direct replacement of the CDi Classic and retains many of its tried and tested features while improving on many others.

The Lifestyle range is available in combi, system and regular versions, from 30 to 50kW. With an increased modulation ratio (1:10), the new top of

the range boilers are designed to improve fuel efficiency, user comfort and boiler longevity by preventing on/off cycling.

Well connected In addition to offering more power, the boilers are designed to be robust, lightweight and simple to fit. They are also compatible with the latest intelligent and smart technology, as they have full wireless connectivity via the Bosch EasyControl and are compatible with the Greenstar Intelligent Filling System.

This feature ensures the boiler maintains optimum pressure without the need to operate a filling link.

One of the new features that comes with the Greenstar 8000 Style is its improved push-button LCD display, which unlocks a number of advanced features through simple navigation, full colour display and clear text descriptions – a feature that is likely to appeal to those who are tech-savvy and looking to monitor their household energy use.

The internal components of the new boiler can be easily accessed, with only one screw to take off the front cover. The top and side panels are also removable, meaning installers can access the internals from all angles.

The combustion chamber provides a neat, premium-look internally, similar to what you might see with a modern

Monobloc delivers heat and cooling Designed for large heating and cooling applications, the new Estía monobloc air to water heat pump from Toshiba contains all hydraulic components within a compact, selfcontained outdoor enclosure. The system doesn’t require any refrigerant pipework connections, and can be quickly and easily installed by non-F-Gas registered technicians, reducing time on site and cutting installation costs.

Claimed to deliver best-in-class heating performance in low ambient air temperatures, it is available as a 17 or 21kW model and provides direct production of domestic sanitary hot water at up to 60ºC, heating in outdoor temperatures as low as -20ºC, and cooling in the warmer summer months.

The supplied large-screen remote control is designed to be easy and intuitive to use for both installers and end users, and can be configured to measure room air temperature or heating system water temperature. It is compatible with all standard communication protocols such as JBUS and MODBUS. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No. www.toshiba-aircon.co.uk 147

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Fuel cell solution

car engine. It also can be removed with one screw, providing further access to key components.

“It’s been nearly five years since we launched a new boiler,” says Martyn Bridges, Director of Technical Communication and Product Management at Worcester Bosch.

“The team has put a lot of time and consideration into the Greenstar 8000 Lifestyle range and we have no doubt that this will transform the industry. With feedback from hundreds of installers, we were able to build a number of improvements into the new range, and we are proud to be one of the first to be leveraging technology in boilers.” www.worcester-bosch.co.uk ENQUIRY 144

This month sees the launch of Viessmann’s new Vitovalor PT2 fuel cell micro combined heat and power (mCHP) boiler. Under the new, stricter EU energy labelling scale, which comes into force this October, Vitovalor PT2 will have the highest possible Energyrelated Product (ErP) rating of A+++. This corresponds to an annual seasonal efficiency of up to 192%, making it a serious alternative to heat pump systems.

Described as being easier than a heat pump to add to an existing heating system, the Vitovalor has a 40,000kWh heat load demand, double that of an air source heat pump, and generates electricity as well as heat. It can generate enough electricity to cover the basic demands of an average household, save up to 40% of household energy consumption and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 30% compared to separate heat and power generation.

Marketing Director Darren McMahon, comments: “This

is Viessmann’s third fuel cell product in less than five years.

Over 2000 units were installed in Europe last year. Vitovalor PT2 has even higher levels of efficiency and is supereasy to install and operate, making it attractive to a growing installer base and to customers.”

Now with fully-integrated hydraulics and a footprint of just 0.72m2, the unit includes a 220-litre integrated stainless steel hot water cylinder. The Vitovalor is available as 11, 19, 25 and 30 kW. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Remote switch turns off stopcock Designed to help people access outof-reach stopcocks, the i-watercontrol water valve from Polypipe Surestop is a water valve operated by remote control. The water in the home can now be turned off from anywhere in the world using a mobile device.

The WRAS-approved smart switch can be activated by the Surestop mobile app or via a battery-operated remote switch.

The standalone i-watercontrol is suitable for occupants who cannot reach a new or existing stopcock without difficulty. The i-watercontrol features a

simple lock-down button to control the water supply so that the entire system can be instantly turned off.

The remote switch can be sited up to 2m away from the water valve and give instant water cut-off. Fitted in 30 minutes to any household water supply, the i-watercontrol is a simple solution to a give peace of mind. It can be used in single or multiple occupancy dwellings with minimum disruption, enabling on and off-site water control.

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More options to meet specific needs The Baxi 600 range has been expanded with the launch of three new models.

The 600 System, 600 System LPG, and 600 Heat boilers have the same features as other Baxi 600 Combi models, including brass fittings, light weight and compact cupboard fit.

Fully modulating and available in 15, 18 and 24kW outputs, the System model intelligently uses the right amount of fuel to meet central heating temperatures, saving money on fuel bills and ensuring high levels of efficiency.

The System version also has a central top flue and is available with an extensive

range of flue options, allowing for greater siting flexibility and easier replacement. Weighing just 28kg, it is suitable for installation in cupboards as small as 290mm deep.

The Heat version is even more

compact, and weighs just 19.5kg.

Suitable for fully pumped open vent or sealed systems, the Heat boiler comes in 13, 16, 19, 25 and 30kW outputs. It features the same adaptable central top flue design as the Baxi 600 System, and with front and side access to all components, it can be serviced without special tools.

The Baxi 600 Heat does not require a pump overrun due to the efficient heat exchanger design with less thermal mass, which allows for quicker heat dissipation.

The new boilers come with a seven-year warranty.

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May 2019

52 WHAT’S New Compact in size, big on delivery of heat Comfort at heart of updated range The HE30S Compact is good for customers too, as the isolation valves are hidden from view by the front cover. It measures just 700 x 400 x 265mm.

Like the other products in the HE range, it also features a high-resolution backlit LCD screen with a clear display.

With customers in mind, Ravenheat designed the HE30S Compact with OpenTherm compatibility as standard. If fitted with smart controls in line with Boiler Plus, the system efficiency can be increased by as much

This latest combi from Ravenheat, the HE30S Compact features a high quality single-coil stainless steel heat exchanger as well as a new pipe configuration. It delivers 31kW to domestic hot water and has a flow rate of 12 litres a minute at a 35ºC rise.

The pipe configuration makes access and installations easier with a colourcoded valve pack complete with copper tails. That means the pipes are 12mm away from the wall, so offsets for pipe clips are not required.

as 5%. Outside weather compensation can also be wired directly to the main PCB. MD Louis Pickersgill says: “The HE30S Compact is a powerful boiler that we’ve created based on the feedback from installers. Homeowners don’t want a huge boiler, so we designed this one to be able to fit in small spaces without compromising on ease of installation. With feedback from installers being very positive, this combi is set to be a winner.”

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Look of stone with colour throughout Premium stone resin shower trays have been added to the line-up from Lakes, the manufacturer of showering spaces. Lakes Stone is anti-slip and anti-bacterial with a non-porous surface that prevents mould or bacteria forming in the joints or beneath the surface. The product is the same colour all the way through, so its looks are not affected if the tray is accidentally knocked.

The 30mm trays can be inset into the floor, making Lakes Stone suitable for a wide variety of project designs. Colours include White, Cotswold Grey and Anthracite, with a stainless steel drain cover. The product is available in four sizes to suit rectangular showering spaces across Lakes’ Island, Coastline and Classic Collections. Lakes Stone is the first in a series of new products the company will be introducing this year. The trays are covered by a 10 year guarantee. https://lakesshoweringspaces.com

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With the launch of the latest Aquarea J Generation heat pump, Panasonic says it has delivered its most efficient model to date. Suitable for both residential and commercial applications, the new range features an improved heating efficiency compared with the previous generation, with a CoP of 5.33 on the WH-UD03JE5 model and a domestic hot water CoP of up to 3.3. From September 2019, models will be rated A+++ in low temperature operation, which is the highest energy class according to the new Energy Labelling Directive.

Aquarea uses R32 refrigerant, which boasts a

low global warming potential, helping to lower the carbon footprint of a building.

The unit delivers improved comfort even in extremely low temperatures, down to -20˚C. There are two new sensor positions available for DHW control, which can be selected to improve efficiency or comfort levels.

Users can select an option for improved efficiency and the most effective DHW CoP when operating in part load capacity, or for greater comfort, simply select an option to reduce heat-up time when operating in full load.

PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.aircon.panasonic.eu

151

Name the City in Italy to WIN a Vokèra boiler!

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

Many know this city for its football teams and high fashion

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

For a chance to win, simply identify the city pictured and email your answer to editor@phamnewsedit.co.uk with ‘Name the City’ in the subject line. Make sure you include the following: Your name and your business’s name Phone number Please type ‘YES’ in the body of your email if you are happy to receive offers from Vokèra via email All correct answers received before the closing date of 1st June 2019 will be entered into the prize draw. Only one entry per person allowed.

52.indd 1

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

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

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

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

www.vokera.co.uk/evolve

02/05/2019 07:57

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May 2019

DIRECTORY 53 CORGI Controls

Business Services

Green Deal Provider For Sale Ideal for ECO & Brokerage also FCA Authorised

Electric Towel Rails

CORGI SYNCHRON MOTOR (New Metal Gearing) Only £5.99 ex VAT HYCO

For more details Tel: Dave 07887 552 442 GREEN DEAL PROVIDER

ENQUIRY

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

Heating Engineer.

Best Price Online Achilles Audits

IDHEE

www.corgi-direct.com CORGI

ENQUIRY

03

ENQUIRY

04

PAS and Green Deal Installer Green Deal Provider Tel: Dave 07887 552 442 GREEN DEAL PROVIDER

ENQUIRY

02

BANICO CONTROLS

Heating Controls Next day delivery available on 100s of controls

To advertise your Product or Services to over 29,000* readers in the next issue of PHAM News please ring Sharon on 01889 577222 or email classified@phamnews.co.uk

www.heatingcontrolsonline.co.uk

*29,040 Verified ABC circulation Jan-Dec 18 HEATING CONTROLS ONLINE

ENQUIRY

ENQUIRY

07

Advertiser’s Index

Controls

FCA Authorisations and Compliance

06

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

01

Compliance Services

ENQUIRY

05

AKW Medicare Ltd Alpha Heating Innovation Altecnic Ltd Anglo Nordic Burner Products (Hytek (GB) Ltd) Armstrong Fluid Technology Arrow Valves Ltd Baxi Heating UK Ltd Brymec CMR Controls Ltd ESi Controls Ltd Ford Motor Co Gastec Training Heatrae Sadia Heating Ltd (Megaflo) Honeywell Control Systems Ltd Kamco Ltd Logic 4 Training Maincor Ltd MV Fluids Handling Ltd Navien UK Nero Pipeline Connections Ltd Omegaflex Ltd (Tracpipe) Pegler Yorkshire Group Ltd PHEX Exhibitions Plumbase Ltd Polypipe plc Potterton Commercial Ravenheat Manufacturing Ltd Roth UK Ltd Stiebel Eltron UK Ltd Toolstation Viega Ltd Viessmann Ltd Wavin Ltd (OSMA) Wirquin Ltd Worcester, Bosch Group

21 25 15 29 49 30 46 36 16 6 12, 13 22 45 19 40 3 39 32 26, 27 34 38 31 23 7 17 8 56 28 43 9 35 10 33 11, 37 1, 2, 5

Plumbing Products

PLUMBPAL

ENQUIRY

08

53-55 Pham MAY19:Layout 1 02/05/2019 12:07 Page 54

May 2019

54 DIRECTORY Radiators

Radiators

Training & Assessments

FREE INSTALLER TRAINING

BOOK NOW

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

Pictured: Adam (loves installing Aqualisa products)

APOLLO RADIATORS

ENQUIRY

AQUALISA

ENQUIRY

13

MR COMBI

ENQUIRY

14

09

HURLINGHAM

ENQUIRY

11

Safety Products

MIDLANDS GAS ASSESSMENTS

Unit 1, Mainstream Way, Nechells, BIRMINGHAM B7 4SN email: mgabrum@tiscali.co.uk www.mgabrum.co.uk Domestic Natural Gas & LPG Changeover, Energy EfямБciency and Water Regulations.

Un-vented, Part P Electrics, Training & Assessments.

0121 333 3903

GOTEC

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MIDLAND GAS ASSESSMENTS

ENQUIRY

15

STEVE WILLIS TRAINING

ENQUIRY

16

ENQUIRY

17

12

To find out more about highlighting your Training Courses and availability to over 29,000* PHAM News readers, please contact Sharon classified@phamnews.co.uk 01889 577 222 *ABC Audited Circulation 29,040 Jan-Dec 2018 PALADIN

SOUTH WEST PENINSULAR TRAINING LTD

ENQUIRY

10

53-55 Pham MAY19:Layout 1 02/05/2019 11:54 Page 55

May 2019

INFORMATION Centre 55 Training & Assessments

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

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

Tuition from Industry Experts for 20 years Focussing on Student Success Courses on o er include; Domestic Gas Foundation Training

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

Gas Engineering Apprenticeship Level 3 ACS Refresher

CIBSE DBSP

HTR1 Package, Refresher and Assessment OFTEC - OFT101, OFT600a, OFT105e Domestic Solar Hot Water Heating WRAS Energy E ciency Photovoltaic Systems Bristol • Redruth • Plymouth • Newton Abbott • Exeter

For further information visit www.thefocustraininggroup.com FOCUS TRAINING GROUP

ENQUIRY

18

ENQUIRY

371

This 200 page book written by John Reginald, is designed to help the reader understand central heating and hot water systems. Offering a stepby-step guide to the fault finding and repair process of systems and components enabling the reader to achieve professional solutions to professional standards.

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

Work Shorts for the flexible working environment designed to deliver superior comfort and freedom of movement.

As well as being street-smart with men’s and women’s designs, they’re packed with comfort and functionality and specially designed for the fast-paced professional who’s always on the go.

For professionals who rely on their gear in demanding environments, they’re a must for everyone this summer.

To get more information on what’s right for you in the Snickers Workwear range, visit the website at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk Or enter the PHAM No.

COPPERJOB

ENQUIRY

373

SCHIEDEL

ENQUIRY

375

Graham’s Trade Saver: Take Two Graham Plumbers’ Merchant has launched its second edition of Trade Saver - a quarterly brochure outlining the fixed prices of the company’s most popular lines.

More than 80 products featured have been reduced in price, including products from Graham’s Always Available range.

Trade Saver and the Always Available guide are available to pick up in store and online.

For more information please visit www.grahamplumbersmerchant.co.uk or to view a video on the Graham Promise, featuring the Trade Saver brochure, please visit https://bit.ly/2PbjYqA. Or enter the PHAM No. GRAHAM

ENQUIRY

377

ENQUIRY

374

Titon has a new website, showcasing its full range of products, across both the company’s Ventilation Systems and Window & Door Hardware divisions, and has been designed with end users and customer support in mind.

The new site boasts a fully in-depth ‘resources’ section amongst others and introduces a ‘Find my product’ section.

For more information about Titon and its comprehensive range of whole house ventilation products and window & door hardware, please visit: www.titon.com or enter the PHAM No. TITON

ENQUIRY

376

New Bathroom Design Website from VitrA VitrA, one of the UK’s fastest growing bathroom brands, has launched a striking, intuitive, and multi-functional website.

With VitrA Pro, users can create a personal profile and store favourite products in one place. There is also the ability to create projects to group and explore products together and the option to download all the product information in one go or save for a later date.

Visit vitra.co.uk or enter the PHAM No. VITRA

ENQUIRY

378

X-Treme comfort from Engel Workwear

New Website for Paladin Radiators In line with the ever increasing interest in Cast Iron radiators and continuing growth Paladin Radiators have launched their new website along with a bright new catalogue.

The new website is really simple and easy to use with all the technical information also available.

Please call 01205 280354 for a brochure or visit our website at www.paladinradiators.com Or enter the PHAM No. PALADIN

SNICKERS

Titon Unveils Brand New, Customer Focussed Website

Every time a Schiedel product is installed, simply register the installation on the easy to use website and points will be allocated for each install!

Once 25 points have been accumulated, then they can be exchanged for £25 Love2Shop vouchers, which are valid at over 20,000 retail, food and entertainment outlets throughout the UK; including Boots, Gap, Pizza Express, Alton Towers and many more.

Visit www.schiedelrewards.co.uk to register or enter the PHAM No.

19

372

Snickers FLEXIWork Stretch Shorts – For Cool Comfort This Summer

Register your installation and start earning points for Love2Shop vouchers!

ENQUIRY

ENQUIRY

‘Central Heating fault finding & repair’

Schiedel Installer Rewards

NORTH WEST GAS TRAINING

MR COMBI

ENQUIRY

379

If you spend a lot of time kneeling and twisting your body at work you need to be as unrestricted and flexible as possible. The multi-functional ‘X-Treme’ trousers from Engel Workwear allow maximum freedom of movement with stretchable, ventilated fabric to keep you cool and comfortable all day.

Find out more about the Engel ‘X-Treme’ range of stylish and practical s-t-r-e-e-t-c-h workwear. visit: www.engel.eu/en or contact Gareth Bladen: gbl@f-engel.com (+44) 07759 520034 or enter the PHAM No. ENGEL

ENQUIRY

380

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ENQUIRY

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