Volume 53 | Issue 10 | November/December 2015
Survey highlights extent of CO risks in the home
Honeywell
competition Single Zone packs
As the industry looks to back CO Awareness week, research conducted by CORGI HomePlan suggests that one in ten adults have experienced some degree of carbon monoxide poisoning in their home. According to recent research conducted by CORGI HomePlan, one in ten adults in Britain have experienced carbon monoxide poisoning to some degree and a further one in 11 are aware of someone who has been poisoned. The Dunfermline based company hopes that the research will encourage people to take action as only 47% of households have a carbon monoxide alarm installed in their homes and less than half (42%) say that they have their boilers serviced regularly. The survey of 2000 homeowners also reveals that a shocking 33% do not even know that boilers are a potential source of carbon monoxide. The breakdown and repair business is appealing to its 5000 strong network of heating engineers and the wider industry to share their knowledge of the dangers in order to help protect homes over the colder months. Kevin Treanor, Director of CORGI HomePlan, says: “Awareness among the general public is still very low and the reality is exposure, even at a low level, can lead to life-changing
health problems. As engineers, we all know that regular servicing of all gas appliances and installing a carbon monoxide alarm will vastly increase the safety and protection of people’s homes and it’s up to the industry to help educate people.” As part of its campaign to help raise awareness, CORGI HomePlan is giving away free CO alarms to the public via its website, whilst stocks last, and has produced a guide to protecting homes from carbon monoxide.
This month sees the 10th National Carbon Awareness Week (16-22 November) which aims to highlight the importance of taking care of heating appliances in the home. The campaign has received the backing of a number of manufacturers, including Ideal Boilers which is offering installers the opportunity to get co-branded leaflets and win CO alarms throughout the week. “Customer safety is of utmost importance to us,” says Customer Service Director Chris Jessop, “and ensuring installers have access to relevant information is key to ensuring their customers understand the importance of maintaining gas safety.” As the voice of the oil heating sector, OFTEC is urging all households using oil heating to install CO detectors and ensure their boiler is regularly serviced and inspected by a registered technician. “Whilst homes with oil heating have a strong safety record, homeowners still need to be aware of the dangers,” says OFTEC Marketing Manager Malcolm Farrow.
New research commissioned by the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) into water usage in England supports the aims of the European Water Label (EWL) Scheme, which is calling for strong incentives to replace the older plumbing products currently installed in existing properties. The research shows that 44% of England’s houses still have toilets that flush with 7.5 litres or more. Since the latest toilet models flush with a maximum of 4 litres, it follows that 10 million of the houses in England use nearly twice as much water as they need to. The research concludes that if the existing water-wasting toilets were replaced, there is a potential to save at least 644 million litres of water per day in England alone.
Members of the Labelling Scheme believe that a major reduction in water consumption can be achieved throughout Europe if householders were incentivised with a cash payout to replace their old water guzzlers. Scheme members point to a similar scheme to replace old central heating boilers a few years ago, which proved a success. EWL is urging the European Commission to develop and implement a robust Europeanwide scheme to deliver monetary incentives to encourage both householders and businesses to purchase replacement water-efficient toilets, showers, bathroom and kitchen taps, faucets, and other plumbing products. Yvonne Orgill, MD of the European Water
Labelling Scheme, says: “There have been tremendous advancements in the technology and efficacy of plumbing products during the last five years. And just as you wouldn’t use a 20-year-old mobile phone, it doesn’t make sense to use a 20-year-old bathroom. The industry is playing its part in the drive for water and energy efficiency. Let’s hope the EU will play its part too and create the incentives.” Peter Manning, Technical Liaison Manager at Bristan, adds: “We ask all plumbers to continue to encourage water-saving among their customers and recommend the latest and most effective water-efficient products available. That way, they can help to raise the standards of water efficiency in the UK.”
Five to be won See page 74
Mane event Call for old plumbing scrappage scheme in Scotland
Some merchants have trade deals.
Since the Kelpies first appeared on the landscape in Falkirk in 2014, increasing tourist numbers have meant a new welcome centre was necessary to accommodate visitors to the 30m high horse-head sculptures. Grundfos Pumps worked in association with the consultant Atkins and contractor Marmac Services, both Glasgow based, to supply a complete M&E solution of circulators, booster and pressurisation sets, plus ancillary items that would support the centre and its changing demands. ‘Kelpies’ is a derivation of a Scots name for a shape-shifting water spirit said to possess the strength and endurance of 10 horses.
Some merchants have great trade deals.
BOILER
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PACKS
See them all at grahamplumbersmerchant.co.uk
Ideal i-Combi Gas Boiler From
£499.00
Exc. VAT 24kW, 30kW, 35kW includes Ideal Gas Boiler, Horizontal Flue, Filter and Chemicals.
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