November/December 2017 by PHAM News

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Volume V o olu ume 55 | Issue 10 | N November/December ovember/December 2017

New N ew minimum miniimu um m sstandard tandard ffor or b o oiler iinstallations nstallations boiler

Set to Set to come come into into force force in in April April next next year, year, BEIS BEIS has has announced announced changes changes to to the the Building Building R Regulations egulations tthat hat are are designed designed e to to improve improve on on the the current current requirements requirements for for boiler boiler installations installations in in existing existing buildings. buildings. Announced A nnounced in in October October by by BEIS, BEIS, the t he new new B oiler P lus iinitiative nit iat ive iiss d esig ned tto od r iv e Boiler Plus designed drive u p sstandards tandards for for domestic domestic h eating ssystems. ystems. up heating Changes C hanges will w ill appear appear within w it hin the t he technical technical sstandards tandards under under Building Building Regulations Reg ulat ions Approved Ap proved Document Document L1b L1b and and are are due due to to come c ome into into effect effect in in April A il 2018, Apr 2018, applying apply ing to to England only. E ngland o nly. The T he measures measures include include a minimum minimum 92% 9 2% ErP E rP space space heating heat ing energy energ y efficiency ef ficienc y rating rat ing all gas ffor or a ll g as boilers, boilers, together together with with mandatory mandator y and all boiler ttime ime a nd ttemperature emperature control control for for a ll b oiler Combi must ttypes. y p e s. C ombi boiler boiler installations installat ions m u st one off tthe options: weather iinclude nclude o ne o he ffollowing ollowing op tions: w eather compensation, compensation, flue co mpensat ion, lload oad co mpensat ion, fl ue gas smart g as heat heat rrecovery, ecover y, or or sm ar t control cont rol with w it h automation a utomat ion and and optimisation opt imisat ion functions. f unct ions. The will encourage T he HHIC HHIC ssays ays tthe he llegislation egislattion w ill e ncourage householders h ouseholders to to make make informed informed decisions decisions about products ab out tthe he pr oducts that that at best best meet meet ttheir heir needs. needs. The degree T he d eg ree of of flexibility flexibilit y in in terms terms of of which which entities new boiler means e ntities rrender ender a n ew b oiler ‘compliant’ ‘compliant’ m eans diversity off tthe housing and tthat hat tthe he d iversit y o he h ousing sstock tock a nd

Weather W eather ccompensation ompensation iiss one one o off tthe he m measures easures tthat hat can can be be ﬁtted ﬁtted with with a combi combi boiler bo oiler

needs off tthe consumer n eeds o he c onsumer are are catered catered for. for. Boiler B oiler manufacturers manufact urers have have broadly broadly welcomed Boiler potential w elcomed B oiler Plus Plus for for iits ts p otent ial tto o benefit consumers, and b enefit c onsumers, installers installers a nd tthe he environment. en v ironment. Jeff Jeff House, House, Regulatory Reg ulator y Marketing Manager att B Baxi, M arket ing M anager a axi, ssays: ays: ““Given Given tthat hat 20% 20% of of the t he UK’s UK’s carbon carbon emissions emissions comes domestic heating, c omes from from d omest ic h eat ing, tthese hese new new sstandards tandards will w ill result result in in huge huge savings sav ings and and

carbon emissions. The consumer will rreduce educe c arbon e missions. T he c onsumer w ill be biggest winner. minimum b e tthe he b ig gest w inner. The The new new m inimum rrequirements equirements will w ill iimprove mprove the t he efficiency ef ficienc y off boiler o boiler iinstallations, nstallat ions, saving sav ing consumers consumers money on energy bills.” m oney o n ttheir heir e nerg y b ills.” Speaking Viessmann, MD Graham S peaking ffor or V iessmann, M D G r a ha m Russell off R ussell is is pleased pleased with w ith the the mention mention o weather w eather compensation. compensation. ““Including Including weather weather compensation with every c ompensation w ith e ver y heating heating system system change c hange is is the the lowest lowest hanging hanging fruit fruit given given the the rrelatively elatively low low cost, cost, demonstrated demonstrated impact impact and a nd applicability applicabilit y across across different different heating heating he ssystems,” ystems,” h e ssays. ays. Grundfos welcomes G rundfos also also w elcomes the the new new standards, standards, as promote hydraulic balancing off a s tthey hey pr omote h ydraulic b alancing o and BEIS has ssystems, ystems, a nd B E IS h as rrecognised ecog nised tthis h is as practice’ connection with a s ‘‘expected expected pr p actice’ iin nc onnection w ith orr rreplacement off a h heating iinstallation nstallation o eplacement o eating ssystem. ystem. Grundfos Gr undfos UK UK MD MD Peter Peter Reynolds Reynolds potential hydraulic ssays: ay ys: ““The The p otential ssavings avings ffrom rom h ydraulic balancing b alancing are are up up to to 27% 27% of of total total heating heatting costs, costs, demonstrating d emonstrating that thatt a little little extra extra time time during during can yield iinstallation nstallation c an y ield llong-term ong-ter m ssavings.” av ings.”

CO alarms alarm al la r ms

to be won!

See page 71

Tall T all or order d r de

Concerns C oncern r s over over uptake uptake of of apprenticeships apprenticeships According to According to a recent recent YouGov YouGov survey, sur vey, less less tthan han o one ne iin n1 12 2 sstudents tudents a aged ged b between etween 15 tto o 18 1 8 are are being being advised adv ised tto o sseek e ek a w work-based ork-based apprenticeship. a pprent iceship. By By contrast, contrast, some some 85% 85% of of sstudents tudents are are encouraged encouraged to to go go into into further fur ther orr higher o higher education. education. In In addition, addit ion, o over ver oneonequarter q uarter o off sstudents tudents ((28%) 28%) ssaid aid tthat hat tthey hey h had ad never been about work-based n e v er b een sspoken poken tto o ab bout w ork-based apprenticeships a pprent iceships by by their their school school or or college. college. The T he findings findings of of the the survey survey reflect reflect concerns concerns iin n the the industry industry that that not not enough enough is is being being done done tto oe ncourage sschool chool leavers leav e vers to to consider considerr nonnonencourage academic a cademic o options. ptions. JJust ust 3 3% % ssaid aid tthat hatt tthey hey w were ere a dvised tto og et a jjob ob a nd o ther sstatistics tatistics have have advised get and other rrevealed evealed tthat hat there t here has has been been an an over over 60% 60% decrease d ecrease iin n tthe he n number umber o off p people eople sstarting tar t ing apprenticeships UK. a pprent iceships iin n tthe he U K.

Kevin K ev i n W Wellman, el l m a n , C CEO EO o off tthe he C CIPHE, I PH E , comments: gap c omments: ““The The sskills k i l ls g ap in in the t he UK UK has ha s been widely publicised number off b een w idely p ublicised ffor or a n u m b er o years y ea r s n now, ow, w which hich m makes akes tthe he c current ur rent sstate tate off c communication around apprenticeships o ommunication a round a pprenticeships and a nd uptake, uptake, or or lack lack thereof, t hereof, all all the t he more more disappointing. d isappoint ing. We We are are now now in in a position posit ion where, educators don’t w here, iiff e ducators and and employers employers d on’t wake problem, w ake up up and and address address tthis his pr oblem, tthe he ffuture ut ure o off v vocational ocat ional iindustries ndust r ies iin n tthe he U UK K will w ill be be bleak.” bleak.” With the the prospect prospect of of Brexit Brexit looming looming and and With tthe he uncertainty uncer ta int y this t his brings br ing s with w it h it, it, Kevin Ke v i n believes b el ie i ves tthere here iis se even v en m more ore rreason eason tto oa act ct quickly: q u ick ly: ““What What iis sc clear lear iis s tthat hat iiff w we ea are re tto o address a ddress tthe he sskills k ills sshortage hor tage a and nd ssafeguard a fe g u a r d our o ur iindustry, ndust r y, especially especially post-Brexit, post-Brex it, more more

n needs eeds to to be be done done across across all al l fronts f ront s to to encourage change, and not bare e ncourage c hange, a nd n ot jjust ust tthe he b a re minimum. This m in imum. T h is means means associations assoc iat ions llike i ke tthe he CIPHE CIPH E promoting promot ing apprenticeships apprent icesh ips to to m members, embers, and and also also working working with with consumer consumer bodies educate b od ies tto o e duc u ate the t he public publ ic at at large, l a r g e, especially parents.” e spec ial ly p arent s.” T The he a apprenticeship pprenticeship ttraining raining p provider rovider JJTL TL agrees a g rees that that more more collaboration collaboration is is needed. needed. Liam L iam Sammon, Sammon, Commercial Commercial Director, Director, says: says: ““There There a are re some some ffantastic antastic opportunities opportunities out young people an o ut tthere here ffor or y oung p eople tto o sstart t ar t a n apprenticeship and embark on career a pprenticeship a nd e mbark o nac areer iin n ah highly ighly sskilled killed and and w well ell paid paid job. job. Schools Schools need do more highlight benefits n eed tto od om ore tto oh ighlight tthe he b enefits off apprenticeships, o apprenticeships, and and we we look look forward for ward to to w working orking w with ith tthem hem o on n tthis h is a agenda.” genda.”

VRF heat VRF heat p pump-based ump-based a air ir conditioning conditioning units Toshiba are helping u nits ffrom rom T oshiba a re h elping tthree hree young y oung giraffes giraffe f s stay stay n nice ice a and nd w warm arm in in att tthe Wild Place Project ttheir heir new new home home a he W ild P lace P roject Bristol. Air Conditioning iin nB ristol. Just Just A ir C onditioning iinstalled nstalled SMMMS-e VRF system tthe he S MMMS-e two-pipe t wo-pip pe V RF s ystem ffor or purpose-built giraffe tthe he p urpose-built g irafffe enclosure en e closure e which which iincludes ncludes ffour our cceiling-suspended eiling-suspended iindoor ndoor units and wall-mounted units. u nits a nd tthree hree w all-mounted u nits. Wayne W ayne Raven, Raven, who who headed headed the the project project for for Air Conditioning, says: JJust ust A ir C onditioning, s ays: “The “The cceilingeilingsuspended units had be above s uspended u nitts h ad to ob e llocated ocated a bove viewing tthe he public public v ie ewing balcony balcony to to ensure ensure they th hey were off reach off tthe giraffes, w ere out out o reach o he g iraffe f s, which which ccan an grow grow up up to to 18 18 feet feet tall.” tall.”

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November/December r 2017

NEWS N EWS SR Review eview

Rise ise iin tool tool tthefts hefts Editor’s IInside nside this this issue issue R Editor’s iiss adding adding to to ccosts osts Viewpoint V iewpoint Pumps & Sys System stem for UK trades f o r U K t r a d e s T reatment r Treatment by C Chris hris JJones ones

Why powerﬂushing remains the most effe ective effective way y to remove sludge ge and blockages

See page 45

Ventilation V entilation e & Heat Recovery Recover ry Effective ventilation is i vital if we are to impr improve rove th quality the lit off the th air i we breathe

Starts page 57

Taps T aps a & W ashrooms a Washrooms An insight into some of the latest bathroom m trends and consumer r aspirations

Starts page 63

LPG Heating How the installation of an LPG system could d help protect rural customers to pr rotect their energy supply

Starts page 67

The Technical The Technical M Magazine agazine for for the the Plumbing, Plumbing, Heating Air Movement H eating & A ir M ovement IIndustry ndustr y

Incorporating: Incorporating: Plumbing & Heating Ne News ws Plumbing & Heating Equipment Equipmen nt News News

The ttheft The hef t o off ttradespeople’s rade d speople’s may have bill ttools ools m ay h ave rrun un tto oab ill o 9 4,521,60 0 last l a st y ear, off £ £94,521,600 year, n ew research research has has revealed. revealed. new The T he a analysis nalysis o off ffreedom r e e d om off iinformation o nfor mat ion ((FOI) F OI ) d data, ata, o btained from from various various police police obtained constabularies c onstabular ies by by Trade Trade D irect Insurance, Insurance, found found Direct tthat hat tthese hese ttypes y pes o r i me s off c crimes are a re so so common common n now ow that that up up tto o 2 215 15 tradespeople t radespeople e every v er y day ssingle ing le d ay could could be be having hav ing ttheir heir tools tools stolen. stolen. T his m eans tthat hat iiff tthe he This means tools to ols were were uninsured, uninsured, the t he UK’s U K’s builders, builders, plumbers plumbers and and electricians have e lectricians would would h ave had had work an extra 450,000 tto o w or k a n e xt ra 4 50,0 0 0 days cover cost, d ays jjust ust tto oc over tthe he c o st , w it h e ach case case ttaking ak ing tthe he with each average av erage tradesperson tradesperson a full f ull week’s w eek’s graft g raf t to to do do so. so. U nsur pr ising ly, ttool o ol Unsurprisingly, was ttheft h ef t w as named named the t he number one financial n umber on e financ ial c oncer n for for tradespeople t rad a espeople concern More iin n tthe he rresearch. e s ea r c h . M ore tthan ha n 85,000 8 5,0 0 0 public publ ic liability l iab a i l it y and a nd 73,000 7 3,0 0 0 e employer mployer lliability iabi l it y compensation c ompensat ion claims claims were were made m ade iin n tthe he U UK K llast a st y year. ear. No av ing tthe he c or r e c t Nott h having correct iinsurance nsurance c cover o v er w was as also a l so a ttop op financial financ ial concern. concer n. Not Not h av ing the t he correct cor rect cover cover having ffor or tthe he llatter at ter c an rresult esult iin n can fi nes o p tto o£ 2500 p er d ay, fines off u up £2500 per day, a ccord ing to to Trade Trade D i rec t according Direct IInsurance. nsurance.

Attracting A ttracting more m ore ap apprentices pprentic i es

A ndrew M arlow, S ales a nd Andrew Marlow, Sales and S er v ice Manager Manager at at Trade Trade Service D irect Insurance, Insurance, comments: comments: Direct “Tool anything but “Tool theft t hef t iis sa ny t hing b ut av victimless crime not ic t i m le s s c r ime – iitt n ot only hurts financially only h ur t s fi nancially in in terms terms of of rreplacement eplacement ttools, ools, but The data but also also lost lost work. work. T he d ata we various we rreceived eceived ffrom rom v a r iou s police was extremely police fforces orces w as e xtremely disturbing, dist urbing, with w it h thefts t hef ts in in some some regions reg ions running r unning into into the multiple t he m ult iple tthousands housands iin n just year.” just one one y ear.”

Light L ight fingers fingers Meanwhile, iin Meanwhile, nap poll oll o off 5 562 62 plumbers p lumbers conducted conducted b by y online o nline he heating at ing business business W ar m.co.uk, 27% 27% said said they t hey Warm.co.uk, h ad been been ssubject ubject to to a theft t heft had o ools tthis h is y ear. off ttools year. T he rresearch esearch iindicated ndicated The tthat hat ttool ool b oxes were were tthe he boxes m ost sstolen tolen iitem, tem, w ith p ower most with power ttools ools and and ladders ladders a also lso on on tthe he ttarget arget llist. i st .

IIt’s t’s n not ot tthe he fi first rst ttime ime tthat hat c concerns oncerns h have ave b been een rraised aised ab about out tthe he imbalance imbalance between between school school leavers leavers who who are are encouraged encouraged tto og go o to to u university niversity and and those those who who are are persuaded persuaded tto o sseek eek m more ore work-based work-based learning learning opportunities, opportunitie es, but but a recent recent up ssurvey ur vey ssuggests uggests that that moves moves tto o iincrease ncrease tthe he ttake ake u p off apprenticeships o apprenticeships are are not not exactly exactly being being embraced embraced by by and colleges month’s cover). With sschools chools a nd c olleges (see (see tthis his m onth’s ffront ront c over). W ith only one 12 being advised consider an o nly o ne iin n1 2 sstudents tudents b eing a dvised tto oc onsider a n apprenticeship a pprenticeship and and nearly nearly 75% 75% of of school school leavers leavers not not e even ven b being eing made made a aware ware tthat hat ssuch uch options options e exist, xist, iit’s t’s n no o wonder w onder tthat hat rrecent ecent figures fig ures have have shown shown a significant sig nificant drop number off a apprentices. d rop iin n tthe he n umber o pprentices. Some might argue good universities S ome m ight a rgue tthat hat iit’s t’s a g ood tthing hing tthat hatt u niversities are a re no no longer longer viewed viewed as as a path path only only available available to to the the privileged but natural bias within pr ivileged ffew, ew, b ut tthe he n atural b ias tthat hat llies ies w ithin tthe he educational e ducational establishment establishment ttowards owards further further academic academic sstudy tudy needs needs to to be be matched matched by by voices voices from from outside outside the the walls. Having gone university sschool chool w alls. H aving g one tthrough hrough tthe he u niversity ssystem ystem will be keen tthemselves, hemselves, iitt iiss not not ssurprising urprising tthat hatt tteachers eachers w ill b ek een promote benefits off sstudying degree, but, as tto o pr omote tthe he b enefits o tudying ffor or a d egree, b ut, a s bodies and members tthe he CIPHE CIPHE points points out, out, trade trade b odies a nd ttheir heir m embers need do more widen appeal off a apprenticeships n eed tto od om ore tto ow iden tthe he a ppeal o pprenticeships and parents. tto o sschools chools a nd p arents. This doesn’t have very find T his iindustry ndustr y d oesn’t h ave tto o llook ook v er y ffar ar tto o fi nd examples who have done very well e xamples of of individuals individuals w ho h ave d one v er y w ell ffrom rom apprenticeship There are also ffollowing ollowing tthe he a pprenticeship route. route. T here a re a lso a growing off g graduates g rowing number number o raduates struggling struggling with with debt debt and eye a nd who who perhaps perhaps are are turning turning an an envious envious e ye tto o ttheir heir contemporaries c ontemporaries who who have have a relatively relatively y healthy healthy bank bank balance, having embarked on heating and plumbing b alance, h aving e mbarked o nah eating a nd p lumbing career. c areer. It It doesn’t doesn’t sound sound like like too too hard hard a sell, sell, but but clearly clearly such such messages are not getting matter. m essages a re n ot g etting tthrough hrough tto o tthose hose tthat hat m atter. Follow F ollow u uss on n

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World T World Toilet oilet D Day ay ttakes akes p place lace o on n1 19th 9th No November, vember, a aimed imed att rraising a aising awareness awareness ab about out tthe he llack ack o off g good ood ssanitation anitation iin n m any p arts of of the the world. world. T he a nnual e vent sshines hines tthe he llight ight many parts The annual event on o n tthe he ffact act tthat hat ffor or b billions illions o off p people eople ssanitation anitation ssystems ystems are a re either either nonexistent nonexistent or or ineffective ineffective – and and also also highlights highlights tthe he vital v ital role role that that plumbers plumbers play play in in maintaining maintaining a healthy healthy environment. e nvironment. Ke Kevin vin W Wellman, ellman, C CEO EO o off tthe he CIPHE, CIPHE, comments: comments: ““While While w we e often often take take access access to to safe, safe, clean clean toilets toilets for for granted granted here h ere iin n tthe he U UK, K, a across cross tthe he w world orld tthe he h humble umble ttoilet oilet iis sav vital ital component c omponent o off llife, ife, ffor or w work ork a and nd ffor or d dignity. ig nit y. W World orld T Toilet oilet Day D ay is is an an increasingly increasingly important important event event in in highlighting highlighting the the iimpact mpact p plumbing lumbing h has as tto o play play on on a global global level.” level.” To To help help sspread pread tthe he word word visit: v isit: www.worldtoiletday.info/resources w w w.worldtoiletday.info/resources EENQUIRY NQUIR RY ENQUIRY

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NEWS Review

Bronze victory at Critical times for construction sector WorldSkills comp

Daniel Martins is the pride of the UK plumbing industry after being awarded a bronze medal in the 2017 WorldSkills competition. The 20 year old, employed by Briggs and Forrester, spent four days competing in Abu Dhabi against plumbers from 30 countries. He was originally a UK finalist in the 2015 SkillPLUMB competition and went on to be selected by WorldSkills UK to represent the country internationally. Training provider EAS Mechanical, along with colleagues from Briggs and Forrester, supported Daniel throughout his intensive training period in preparation for the event. Commenting on his win

at the show, Dan said: “I’m over the moon. I never expected to get a medal – it’s more than I ever imagined. Everyone is buzzing around you when your name comes out, everyone is going mad. It’s absolutely awesome! So many people have come out to support me and I can’t thank them enough.” BPEC Chairman George Thomson also attended the event and said: “As organiser of the SkillPLUMB competition, BPEC would like to congratulate Daniel on this fantastic achievement. He’s a wonderful ambassador for the industry and we look forward to continuing our journey with him as he progresses through his career.”

Boiler horror stories ‘Zombie boilers’ are back in the spotlight as Wolseley Plumb Center continues its campaign to raise awareness of inefficient boilers and their costs to homeowners. It is estimated that around 2million homes are heated by a zombie boiler, so installers are invited to compete on Twitter by sharing the ‘boiler horrors’ they see in the field, using #zombieboiler and @plumbcenterUK for a chance to win a zombie experience. Visit www. plumbpartsmagazine.co.uk/zombieboiler and follow @plumbcenterUK to find out more about the campaign.

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The construction industry faces a combination of challenges unlike anything it has survived before, according to Mark Farmer – the author of last year’s seminal ‘Modernise or Die’ report. Speaking at the recent BESA (Building Engineering Services Association) national conference, Mark said that an ageing workforce, poor productivity, consumer discontent with poor quality new build housing, serious financial problems among Tier One contractors, and Brexit, which would hit inward investment, were combining to threaten the industry’s ability to deliver projects

Mark Farmer speaking at the BESA conference

and remain financially viable. “This is not the same old same old,” Mark said. “Construction has risen to serious challenges in the past, but we are now facing a set of problems that we haven’t seen

The rise of plastic

Plastics are now the dominant material in hot and cold water supply systems inside buildings according to data from ‘Pipes and Fittings Market Report – UK 2016-2020 Analysis’. The report says that use of plastic piping systems for water supply in new build is now up to 60%. An upward trend is similarly being seen for heating, with the availability of barrier and multi-layer pipes for central heating and the energy efficiency benefits of warm water underfloor heating in providing space heating at lower water temperatures. Reasons cited for plastic’s growth in popularity include quick and simple jointing and the added safety of no hot works. Plastic pipework also has the advantage of easily combining with different materials in existing buildings, such as copper piping systems.

before. The industry has an ageing workforce, and large parts of it rely on a migrant workforce from the EU. We are failing to attract enough people – so we have a growing capacity gap likely to be made worse by Brexit.” Mark also pointed to a series of sub-standard new housing projects and major quality failures. He predicts the Grenfell Tower disaster will “shine a light on the systemic failings” of the whole design, procurement and construction process. Advocating the use of new digital models, Mark believes that Building Information Modelling (BIM) can play

an important role as part of the digital transformation. However, he said that the people developing it are currently “just talking to each other…it is not hardwired into the reality of the industry”. BESA’s Rob Driscoll applauds these conclusions, but says: “The fact that Tier One contractors are struggling to make a profit when the market has been relatively strong proves that the current model is broken. Hopefully, there are now enough negative factors in play and positive momentum to bring about profound and lasting change.”

Elderly make up most CO fatalities The Gas Safety Trust has published the Downstream Incident Data report statistics for 2015-16, and the results indicate that older people are particularly vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning. This year the report recorded 20 incidents, including five fatalities, four of whom were over 60 years of age. This follows on from the 2014-15 period during which there were four fatalities, all over 80 years of age. Chris Bielby, Chairman of the GST, comments: “Once again we are seeing an emerging trend of older people being poisoned. This chimes with other work we are funding, which is identifying vulnerable older people and those in fuel poverty as particularly at

risk. We would urge people to make sure that their appliances are serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer and that an audible CO alarm tested to the standard EN 50291 is installed as a second line of defence.” Renters are also a group that could be at risk of CO exposure. Recently released figures by the CO Be Alarmed campaign show that almost a third of renters in the UK do not have a potentially life-saving carbon monoxide alarm in their property. Commenting on the new figures, Adrian Keats from Honeywell’s Home Safety business says: “To help protect private renters, installers need to spread the word on best practice when it comes to CO safety.”

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November/December 2017

NEWS Review

Installers react to plumbing crisis claim

Boilers shift online Recently launched online boiler business, BOXT, is looking to recruit more installers to its expanding network of Gas Safe registered engineers. BOXT operates an online digital platform that digitally connects consumers to installers to enable the purchase of new heating systems online. Consumers use the website to select their boiler brand, delivery date and installation time. Orders are dispatched via the supply chain directly from established brands, including Worcester, Baxi and Vokèra, with everything the installer will need boxed in one selfcontained package. The company, which started trading in March, has been set up by three former executive directors of boiler specialist Help-Link: Mel Butler (pictured left), Alan Dickinson (pictured right) and Andrew Kerr. Keith Jones, former MD of

Plumb Center, has joined as Chairman. In September, Robert Bosch UK Holdings signed an agreement to become a minority shareholder in BOXT. Speaking about the investment, Carl Arntzen, MD of group company Worcester, says the deal is designed to strengthen the company’s position in the digital services sector, as it believes the trend towards digitalisation is only set to grow as consumers look to purchase their goods and services online. “We want to actively shape this change and invest in digital business models. By working closely with all of our installer customers, regardless of their chosen business model and route to market, we can help to ensure quality standards remain high and independent installation businesses continue to be supported by us to develop digitally.”

The plumbing and heating community on Twitter has reacted strongly against a recent report from Warm. co.uk that warned of a plumbing crisis due to a lack of new entrants. Jonathan Ratcliffe, a spokesperson from Warm.co.uk, said that if more plumbers are not trained, there could be a future where emergency call-outs could take up to three weeks in large cities. “Plumbing is a profession that is being neglected when it comes to attracting and training new workers. Kids just aren’t interested,” said Jonathan. “Unless we urgently address this problem, we’re looking at a crisis, with far too few plumbers to meet the demands of growing domestic and business areas.”

Twitter reaction The plumbing and heating industry on Twitter reacted to this report with scepticism, with some claiming the real problem is with employers. @BETAteach, a lecturer at Suffolk New College, tweeted: “It is NOT that we need to inspire more young people into apprenticeships, but

rather we need to inspire more employers to offer them. We have over 40,000 students on plumbing courses with no employers to take them on.” @anekgasworks expressed a similar view: “The reality is there are an excessive number of students studying plumbing, with very few going on to apprenticeships.”

Some installers say the problem is rooted in the emphasis on classroom work at the expense of real-world experience with professionals. Chris Flaherty, @VietecHeating, tweeted: “The best installers I ever came across never set foot in college, learnt everything on site by paying attention and listening and asking.” Pete Brown (@GasSafePete) identifies Westminster as a problem: “Every government since the early 1990s has failed to recognise the value of apprenticeships and has not recognised the decline of our industry.” Paul Williams (@wpaul880) tweeted: “There has been and still is a continuous de-skilling of the trades for numerous years. Teaching to exam papers is a major issue.”

Cowboy clients damage small businesses Three quarters of small companies in the building sector say that ‘cowboy clients’ are hampering their business, according to the latest research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Cowboy clients are described as those who delay or withhold payment without good reason, or make completely unreasonable demands. Key findings from the research include that nearly

a quarter have had to wait more than four months for payment, and fewer than a third are always paid within the standard 30 days. This is having a negative impact on businesses, with 30% saying late payment has delayed payment to their suppliers, and 16% have had to borrow additional funds. 20% say late payment has knocked their confidence to grow their business. Sarah McMonagle, Director

of External Affairs at the FMB, says: “There are so many horror stories of people being duped by cowboy builders. However, our research shows that there’s a flip side to this story. Typical cowboy client behaviour can include a demand for the builder to complete tasks not included in the original brief for no extra payment. The worst type seeks to delay or withhold payment on

spurious grounds, for instance by discovering make-believe faults.” The FMB recommends that companies protect themselves by using a w r it ten cont ract that includes an agreed payment schedule. “The last thing we want to see is thousands of builders going to the wall because of their customers refusing to pay on time,” says Sarah McMonagle.

Build project helps Iraq war veteran

A 36-year-old Iraq war veteran and his three children are set to move into a house refurbished by the BBC’s DIY SOS team in Manchester. Simon Flores, a Corporal in the Royal Green Jackets, lost his foot and suffered other severe injuries when the vehicle he was in was hit by an improvised explosive device. His new home is adapted to suit his special needs and also includes an Intergas Eco RF 30 boiler, selected for its remote monitoring facility. Drew Styles, the P5 heating engineer who worked with Pemberton Plumbing, Heating and Electrical Services on its installation, will be checking the Eco RF’s performance from his phone and computer, enabling him to remotely make any necessary adjustments. ENQUIRY

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NEWS N EWS Review Revi v ew

Retailer R etailer wants wantts to to B Business usiness organisation organi n sation a app pp w orrk with with trades trade es work To make easier T om ake iitt e asie er ffor or iinstallers nstallers tto o rregister eg i s t er boiler guarantees, organise appointments b oiler g uarantees, or g a n i se a ppointments and access a nd a ccess ttechnical echnical lliterature, iterature, Worcester Worcester has app. h as llaunched aunched tthe he MyWorcester MyWorcester a pp. Through T hrough the t he MyCustomer MyCustomer section, sect ion, are able create own iinstallers nstallers a re ab a le tto o c reate ttheir heir o wn customer c ustomer database, datab base, register reg ister and and store store product pr oduct guarantees, g uarantees, while while also also managing manag ing iincoming ncoming sales sales leads leads that that are are generated generated and and delivered by Worcester website. d el iv er e d b y tthe he W orcester w ebsite. The MyCalendar area allows T he M yCalendar a r ea a llows installers installers organise customer appointments, tto o or g a n i se c ustomer a ppointments, sset et and keep up date sservice er v ice rreminders, eminders, a nd k e ep u p tto o d ate

with Worcester’s w it h W orcester’s latest latest promotions. promot ions. There T here is is also also a MySupport MySupport area area containing containing a llibrary ibrary of of technical technicall information, information, from from product product manuals m anuals to to how-to how-to videos, videos, and and a MyTools MyTools area help a rea for for h elp iin n fault fault finding finding and and flue flue sizing. sizing. IIn n addition addition to to the the app, app, Worcester Worcester has has also also made changes m ade c hanges to to its its guarantee g uarantee promotion. promotion. off tthe IInstallers nstallers can can extend extend the t he duration durat ion o he guarantee by fitting g uarantee b y fi tt ing each each system system with w it h a Greenstar G reenstar system system filter: filter: Greenstar Greenstar i, i, Ri R i or or years while Si boilers boilers extend extend tto o ssix ix y ea r s w hile any any Greenstar G reenstar CDi CDi boiler boiler will w ill be be extended extended to to sseven even years. y ea r s.

Jubilee J ub u ile l e ye year ar s sees ees rrewards ewards Retailer JJohn Retailer ohn L Lewis ewis iiss expanding e xpanding its its Home Home S Solutions olutions business London and b usiness iinto nto L ondon a nd Berkshire. B erkshire. T The he he sservice ervice e enables nab bles customers c ustomers to to book book plumbers, plumbers, e lectricians, de corators a nd electricians, decorators and gardeners and g ardeners online, online, a nd is currently c urrently available available in in Bath, Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Cheltenham, B ristol, C ardiff, C heltenham, Gloucester and Taunton. G loucester a nd T aunton. Tradespeople T radespeople jjoining oining the the Home Solutions will H ome S olutions tteam eam w ill off b benefits, rreceive eceive a rrange ange o enefits, as guaranteed ssuch uch a sg uaranteed payment payment within w ithin seven seven working working days days completion off tthe ffrom rom c ompletion o he jjob, ob, marketing and ffree ree m arketing ssupport, upport, a nd

use u se of of the the Home Home Solutions Solutions brand on clothes and vans. b rand o nc lothes a nd v ans. Commenting on C ommenting o n his his positive positive experience, e x p er ienc e, Cardiff-based Ca rd i f f-ba s e d Gas Safe William G as S afe installer installer W illiam JJenkins enkins ssays: ays: “I’ve “I’ve run run my my own o wn plumbing plumbing g and and heating heating business b usiness since since 2004 2004 and and have have worked w orked all all over over Wales Wales and and tthe he South South West West on on projects projects customers who ffor o or c ustomers w ho demand demand high h igh quality quality work. work. I have have working ffound ound w orking with with John John Lewis doors L ewis has has opened opened d oors me and helped create ffor or m e a nd h elped c reatte opportunities ffantastic antastic o pportunities ffor o or business.’’ ffuture uture b usiness.’’

Marking Marking its its 60th 60th anniversary, anniversary, Testo Testo is is looking look ing to to thank t ha n k those who have t hose w ho h ave ssupported uppor ted the off the the ssuccess uccess o the business, business, and £10,000 and has has also also raised r a i se d £ 10,000 as as part part of of a charity charity challenge. challenge. Testo Knospe T esto CEO CEO Burkart Burkart K nospe says: says: “We “We can can look look back back on on six off dy dynamism si x decades decades o namism and as highand pioneering pioneer ing a s a h ightech tech sspecialist. pecialist. Numerous Numerous employees, customers and employees, c ustomers a nd business business partners par tne n rs concontributed t r ibuted tto o tthe he long long term t er m growth off tthe growth o he company. company. That That is is why why the the 2017 2017 anniversary anniversar y year year is is under under the t he motto, motto, ‘Testo ‘Testo ssays ays thank t hank you’.” you’.”

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““We We really really enjoyed enjoyed our our day,” day,” says says Ideal’s Ideal’s Head Head of of Marketing, Carrie Young. Marketing, C arr ie e Y oung. “It “It was was a great g reat bonding bonding

experiencing e xper iencing for for us us all all and and we able w e are are so so pleased pleased to to be be ab le money tto o raise raise m oney ffor or ssuch uch a worthwhile cause.” w orthwhile c ause.”

r H r Hitachi itachi Koki Kok i C Co. o. Ltd Ltd has changed h as c hanged iits ts corpocor poname rrate ate n ame tto o Koki Kok i HoldHoldiings ngs and and will w ill rebrand rebrand power iits ts p ower tools tools under under HiKOKI tthe he new new H iKOKI name name October off n next year. iin nO c t o b er o ex t y ear. r Following r Follo owing a ccycling ycling accident, Paul McLaughlin a cciden nt, P aul M cLaughliin is s stepping stepping down down as Chief Chie ef Executive off tthe Building E xecutive o he B uilding Engineering Services AssoE nginee erring S errvices A ssocciation, iation, with witth Deputy Deputy y CEO CEO Bruce B ruce Kirton Kirto on a and nd the the BESA’s B ESA’s officer officer team team taking takin ng over until o ver operations operrations u ntil a successor s uccessor is is found. found. (SPVQ IBT rr #SJTUBO #S J T U B O ( S P V Q I BT achieved Carbon a c h ie v e d tthe he C a r b on Trust Standard T r u st S t a nd a rd certific e r t i f ication c at ion following fol low i ng work work undertaken u nder t a ken to t o tthe he brand’s b r a nd’s energy ener g y rreduce ducprogram. ttion ion pr og r a m .

As part off the As p art o the anniversary anniversary year, year, Testo Testo challenged challenged iits ts employees, customers employees, c ustomers and and friends fr iends to to raise raise money money for for Treloar Treloar School School & College College for for

young with physical y oung people people ew ith p hysical disabilities. d isabilities. Together Together they they covered 25,000km by c overed 2 5,000km b y orr w walking rrunning, unning, cycling cycling o alking tto o rraise aise the the funds. funds.

R aising m oney for for Rainbows Rain nbows C Raising money Chair hair o off T T-Levels -Levels The Hospice T he Rainbows Rainbows Ho spice ffor or Children C hildren and and Young Young People People has benefitted £4400 h as b enefitted ffrom rom a £ 4 400 donation d onation tthanks hanks to to a team team ffrom rom Ideal Ideal Boilers Boilers and and Gledhill Cylinders. The G ledhill C ylinders. T he team team off w women and men part o omen a nd m en ttook ook p art Men’s Health Survival iin n tthe he M en’s He alth S urvival off the o the Fittest Fittest event event at at the the National Water Sports Centre N attional W atter Sp orts C entre iin n Nottingham Nottingham to to raise raise the the money. m on ne ey. The Th he e physical physical challenge challenge involved climbing, in nvolved tunnelling, tunnelling, c lim mbing, rrunning unning and and canoeing canoeing across across 12-mile assault a1 2-mile a ssault course. course.

Ne ws News iin n brief b ief br

David D avid Matthews, Mattthews, Chief Chief E Executive xecutive of of the the Institute Institute of of Domestic D omestic H Heating eat ating and and Environmental Environmental Engineers Engineers (IDHEE), (IDHEE), iis s tto oc chair hair the the Building Building Services Services T T-Level -Level P Panel, anel, o one ne o off tthe he fi rst tthree hree T-Levels T-Levels llaunched aunched by by the the Government. Government. T-Levels T-Levels first are a re ne new w ttechnical echnical q qualifications ualifications de designed signed tto o ssimplify implify tthe he process pr ocess of of vocational vocational training training in in England. England. Each Each panel panel will will bring b ring together together the the expertise expertise o off iindustry ndustry pr p professionals ofessionals and a nd employers employers tto od develop evelop tthe he c content ontent o off e each ach T T-Level. -Level. Commenting o nh is n ew rrole, ole, D av vid ssays: ays: ““II w ill b e Commenting on his new David will be championing c ham mpioning tthe he iimportance mportance o off iinstall, nstall, design design and and business business sskills. kills. Training Training and and development development are are key key priorities prriorities of of the the IIDHEE, DHEE, sso o we we are are well-placed well-placed to to inform inform this this new new technical technical qualification q ualification to e ensure nsure ffuture uture g graduates raduates a are re e eq equipped uipped to b ecome trusted, trusted, expert expert service service providers.” providers.” become

Controls rr C ontrols ls manufacturer manuffacturrer Drayton has announced D rayton h as a nnounced th hat itt w ill b e o ffer f ing that will be offering out-of-hours ou t- o f-h ou o rs s support upp or t miGenie and Wiser ffor or m iGenie a nd W iser and ccustomers ustomers sa nd installers. installe ers s. 4XJOEPO CBTFE rr 4 X JOEPO C BTFE 1VSF 1 V SF B oilers, w hich o ffers ffull ul l Boilers, which offers and breakdown sservice er v ice a nd b reakdow n plans as well p la n s a sw ell as as iinstalnstaland llation ation a nd maintenance maintenance sservices, ervices, saw saw w an an increase increase off more iin n ssales ales o more than t ha n 400% August. 4 0 0% iin ug ust. nA Water management r W ater m anagement specialist s pecialist Graf Graf UK UK has has grown by g rown its its tteam eam b y more quarter m ore tthan han q uarter iin n steadily rresponse esponse tto o s teadily rrising ising demand dem e and for for its its stormwater, s to ormwater, wastewater, waste ewate er, and rainwater a nd ra ainwate er harvesting harv vestiing rranges. anges.

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10 NEWS Review Subbies regularly Charities beneﬁt from big anniversary in pay disputes Highlighting the risks to specialist contractors who work with large main contractors, a recent survey by StreetwiseSubbie has revealed that up to 93% of specialist contractors experience disputes regularly or occasionally. Unsurprisingly, 82% said that payment is the main cause of disputes, and 95% of the 506 respondents also agreed with the statement that neither trade associations or the Government are doing enough to address the problem. Barry Ashmore, MD of StreetwiseSubbie, says: “At a time when main contractors are trying every way possible to ensure they maximise profits at the expense of the Subbie, it is vital that specialist contractors understand exactly what they are agreeing to when they sign a contract. It’s also important

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to realise that the contract is an important working tool and not something to be hidden away in a drawer.” Barry argues that better training is needed to provide specialist contractors with the knowledge and skills to manage contracts effectively. With this in mind, StreetwiseSubbie is holding a series of events in November. For more details, visit streetwisesubbie.com and click on ‘seminars’.

Founded in 1817, Armitage Shanks – the iconic bathroom brand – has been celebrating its 200th anniversary this year with a series of events and fundraising activities. And as part of a three year long ‘Armitage Thanks’ campaign, over £200,000 has been given to charities. The brand, now part of Ideal Standard, also staged a number of events with its long-standing trade merchant partners, including Wolseley, Graham and Grafton, with birthday activities and giveaways taking place at branches across the UK.

Trade customers were also invited to get involved with a number of novel prize winning initiatives, including a competition to put together a track using

bathroom related sounds, and an on-line quiz on all things plumbing. Ideal Standard Marketing Manager Katie Cope says that the celebrations have been

as much about looking to the future as acknowledging the brand’s rich heritage. “There is obviously a lot of nostalgia that surrounds the name, but we also recognise that we need to appeal to a younger audience,” says Katie. “The Celebrate 200 campaign has therefore been about promoting the brand to a multigenerational audience. “Armitage is absolutely British at heart and the company’s headquarters is the only remaining major scale manufacturing plant to continue producing ceramic bathroom products in the UK.”

Campaign to back the Baxi brand As part of a promotional push at the start of the heating season, Baxi is hoping to get homeowners talking about its boilers through a targeted consumer campaign designed to support Baxi installers. The campaign hinges on the boiler manufacturer’s recent Reevoo rating of 98%, which is based on the views

of UK householders. Reviews are independently collected and verified by Reevoo, with the company’s rating based on the views of over 500 homeowners who have registered their Baxi boiler warranty. To help promote the brand, the company will be advertising everywhere from billboards to

broadsheets to radio stations, as well as a special #BAXI98% competition on Twitter. Installers can get involved by taking a selfie with a Baxi advert and then posting it on Twitter (@ baxiboilers) with the hashtag #BAXI98% for the chance to win a weekly prize of £98.

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12 NEWS Review Bathroom industry embraces change Cashback offer runs until April Water treatment solutions specialist, Spirotech, has launched a cashback offer for purchasers of its SpiroCross product. Running until the end of April 2018, engineers and contractors can now get a minimum of £70 cashback when they purchase a SpiroCross unit, with both the steel and brass product ranges eligible within the offer. The multi-functional SpiroCross manages deaeration, dirt separation and hydraulic balancing in one unit. It comes in two ranges: the AX for domestic and light commercial applications and the XC for larger commercial projects, with connection sizes ranging from 50 to 300mm. Kevan Peaker, UK Business Director at Spirotech, says: “A stable hydraulic balance is critical for HVAC and process systems, particularly within light commercial and commercial systems boasting separated circuits, with several groups and pumps. In line with this, deaeration and dirt separation are also both key to contributing towards optimum system performance. SpiroCross is the only product on the market that can deliver on all of these fronts.” To claim the cashback offer, participants simply have to email their purchase invoice or VAT receipt to office_uk@ spirotech.co.uk

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Creating opportunities out of change was the theme for the 2017 Bathroom and Kitchen Business Conference, staged at the Belfry hotel complex for the second year running. Hosted by broadcaster Nick Owen (pictured, right), the one day event provided delegates with a series of thought provoking presentations, with topics ranging from the complexities of Brexit to the benefits of modular construction and ways to minimise risk in an uncertain world. Providing an insight into future consumer trends, demographics expert Jane Blakeborough offered her views on how shifts in social behaviour might influence purchasing decisions. With a rise in the number of households and pressures on living space, Jane suggested that there was a need for more customised solutions to meet individual needs and that the market will need

to address more transient lifestyles which place less emphasis on ownership and possessions.

Non-compliance The agenda also included a panel discussion on how the bathroom industry should address the issue of non-compliant products. Speaking on behalf of WRAS, Stephen Kay provided a useful overview of the legal requirements of the water fittings regulations and the ongoing challenge of

ensuring that retailers only sell compliant fittings. With an under-resourced Trading Standards authority, participants agreed that more self-regulation is needed within the supplychain and that more could be done to educate consumers about the risks associated with using noncompliant products, with better information needed on product packaging. With the prospect of a greater level of policing unlikely, there seemed little appetite for

the introduction of further regulation. Highlights of the event included an entertaining presentation by business networking expert Rob Brown. He provided the audience with some useful advice on how to build relationships and establish a wider network of contacts. In an industry where the BMA has proved that there is much to be gained by working together, Rob’s message was one that many delegates were happy to endorse.

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PEOPLE on the Move Work-based learning specialist JTL has welcomed a new Chairman. Geoff Russell (pictured) will succeed Dr Ian Livsey when his term of office ends in December. Geoff was an audit partner at KPMG for 14 years, including a time at HM Treasury. After retiring from KPMG, he became the Chief Executive of the Learning and Skills Council, then founding Chief Executive of the Skills Funding Agency. To strengthen its position in the commercial boiler market, Elco Heating Solutions has appointed Dan Berry as Area Sales Manager for East Anglia and East London. Responsible for Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire, as well as Central and East London, Dan has a background in commercially-focused regional roles at Encon and Kingspan. Two new Regional Technical Sales Managers in the South East have joined Conex Bänninger. John Curley and Stephen Norgate (pictured) bring with them a wealth of experience that collectively amounts to 50 years of working in the sector. Their primary responsibility will be to get the company’s products in the hands of merchants, consultants and specifiers. Gledhill has announced the appointment of Mark Derbyshire as its new Chief Commercial Officer. Mark has extensive experience in both UK and international sales and previously held senior roles at Vaillant across all its brands. Mark aims to help the company achieve its ambition of being the UK’s number one manufacturer for hot water cylinders and thermal stores. A new compliance manager has joined the team at OFTEC. Colin Aldridge comes to the role with more than 10 years experience on the tools, having worked for the past decade as a heating engineer based in Suffolk. Colin will handle all compliance related issues, helping to ensure that technicians carry out their work in line with Building Regulations and industry standards, whilst offering guidance to consumers. Dudley Industries, a manufacturer of stainless steel washroom products, has welcomed Mike Gillett as its new Contract Sales Manager. The company has expanded its management team with the aim of growing into new markets. Mike will focus on supporting a widening customer base, with an emphasis on the construction distribution sector. He brings with him 30 years industry experience. Alpha Heating Innovation has welcomed Brendan Fenerty to the role of National Sales Director. Brendan joins the team from the Grafton Group’s Plumbase brand and brings more than 18 years experience in the plumbing and heating industry. He previously held a national sales role at Quinn Radiators. For the last three and a half years he has held the National Sales Director role at Plumbase. Water treatment specialist, Sentinel, has appointed Gregg Cole as Commercial Director for UK and Ireland to lead the company’s residential and commercial businesses. Gregg will lead the business through a number of major product launches, including the introduction of the Sentinel Vortex filters and the SystemPulse monitoring system. He previously worked for Vaillant and Glow-Worm. Underfloor heating specialist Warmafloor has named Neil Iacobucci as Commercial Manager, undertaking the responsibility for the sales and deliver departments of the business. Having worked in the industry for 17 years, Neil is a leading underfloor heating expert, with a wealth of experience in delivering complete systems for clients, from concept to commission.

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14 YO YOUR OUR Views Views ÂŁ100 er Lett

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Getting to know you Each month, PHAM News shines the spotlight on installers around the country to get a picture of what life is like for them at work and at play.

NAME: Wayne Braisby COMPANY: Braisby Property Services

In today’s age of fake news, no matter how good a product is, there’s always the odd misconception circulating about it. So PHAM News has teamed up with Geberit to separate fact from fiction regarding the company’s Mapress press fitting systems.

Myth: Pressing is de-skilling industry, as anyone can do it. Geberit Mapress fact: Press-fitting is a highly skilled task that requires proper training and know-how.

ress-fitting is a highly skilled task that requires the right know-how to carry out a safe, reliable job. A lot of emphasis is given to the speed and efficiency of press fitting as an installation method and that is certainly the case with Geberit Mapress. In fact, one of the best ways to save time on the job for both plumbers and heating installers is switching from solder and screwed pipe to pressing – a move which could reduce time on site by around 35% according to a BSRIA report. Not only does pressing speed up processes, it can also save on total installed costs – in the region of 27% compared to screwed steel pipework. However, these statistics are due to this installation method requiring no hot works to make a secure connection. That’s not to say that fitting pipework with press fitting is any less of a skilled task, just that it is far less fiddly, if you know what you are doing. The reality is that some installation methods, Geberit Mapress included, are extremely easy to fit, but only once you know how. If it’s installed correctly, Geberit Mapress is one of the quickest and safest systems on the market. However, if you attempt to fit it without being shown how, it can lead to real problems. If corners are cut when using Geberit Mapress, such as

getting the insertion depth wrong or not inserting the pipe properly, leaks can occur, which can be costly and time consuming to put right. Thankfully, with Geberit Mapress any connections that aren’t properly fixed during installation are detectable during the leak test, making the system extremely safe, while colour-coded pressing indicators are removed after the correct pressing operation. But while such features will make solving leaks a much quicker task, it is still extra time on a job that can often be avoided altogether through the proper training.

Free training That is why Geberit offers free training on all its products, either on site or at its purpose-built training academies in Warwick and Dublin. Covering the essentials of installation, plus application specific training, the modules are suitable for existing customers or for installers looking to get a feel for how Geberit Mapress works before deciding whether it is suitable for a particular job. With the right skills, press fitting is the quick and simple option and Geberit training in press fitting techniques can be seen as upskilling the industry rather than de-skilling.

FROM: Rotherham

At work... How often do you attend training? “Not as much as I’d like to! In fact, that’s on my to-do list for next year. I know Worcester have started running a Water Treatment course, so I wouldn’t mind going on that. There’s also a course on unvented cylinders at Clay Cross that I’d like to go on.” Have you ever been to a trade exhibition? “I haven’t been to one as yet. Finding time to go is quite tricky, especially as I’ve got a daughter who’s only two, so she takes up most of my time. I would like to try one out though, and have had my eye on one of the PHEX exhibitions for a while.” What are the best and worst aspects of the job? “It can vary. The best part of the job is when you’ve completed it, everything’s up and running smoothly and you’ve got a happy customer. The worst part of the job is probably lifting old boilers out – they’re quite heavy compared to the newer models and I’m not twenty anymore!” Would you encourage a young person to get into the industry? “I would recommend somebody to get into the industry, definitely. I don’t think it’s encouraged enough for the younger generation.” What’s best, copper or plastic? “It’s got to be copper for me. Obviously I’ll discuss it with a customer, but unless the situation calls for it I’ll tend to stick to copper, as it gives me a bit more confidence.” How has this year been for you and how do you feel about 2018? “It’s been a good year on the whole. I was doing a refurb on my house until June, but since we’ve moved in work has picked up a lot. I’ve recently been working on a bathroom, and before then it was a couple of full installs back to back. Going into next year I’m feeling positive. Boilers and heating controls are getting much easier to fit, which is great for us as installers.”

At play... What do you tend to have for lunch? “It depends – this week I’ve been grabbing a sandwich in 10 minutes and getting back on the tools! I like to eat healthily, so it’s usually a cheese salad sandwich, although I am partial to a pork pie!” What about in the evenings? “Well tonight’s pizza night. You need something easy sometimes with the little one around. It’s bath time at six o’clock and then bed at seven, so by the point we’re ready to eat we don’t always have enough time to cook.” Would you rather give up alcohol or meat? “That’s a hard one, isn’t it? It’s going to have to be alcohol, because I like a bit of steak and chicken, so I can’t go without meat.” Any hobbies outside of work? “I don’t get too much time to myself outside of work, but I do like watching rugby union when I can. It tends just to be the internationals these days, but I am a big rugby fan, definitely.” What will you be doing over the festive period and do you have any New Year’s resolutions? “We’ll just be spending time as a family and relaxing before work starts again. The big resolution is to finish off the outside of the house. All the inside is done, but there’s still quite a lot of work left to do externally – although who knows how I’ll find the time!”

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November/December 2017

CIPHE Viewpoint 27

Breaking down training barriers With more government funding allocated to vocational training, Kevin Wellman, Chief Executive Officer of the CIPHE, shares his views on how the industry can start to break down the barriers to training the next generation of plumbing and heating professionals.

n schools and colleges all over the country, pupils are likely to be encouraged to take an academic route rather than a vocational one, and despite recent news that the Government will be investing an extra £500m in vocational and technical education – will things really change? While any educational reform which puts more emphasis on career pathways such as plumbing and heating is welcome, the truth is that only time will tell. What is clear is that if we are to address the skills shortage and safeguard our industry, especially post-Brexit, more needs to be done across all fronts to encourage change, and not just the bare minimum – which this £500m investment is arguably only scratching the surface. This is where industry is, and has been doing for a long time now, bridging gaps where the Government has failed to properly engage with the next generation

Institute’s work alongside schools and colleges and sharing the benefits of using CIPHE approved training centres (ATCs).

Positive message

Kevin Wellman, CIPHE CEO

about careers in plumbing and heating. Fortunately, the CIPHE and other like-minded organisations have been striving to show young people the benefits of a career in the industry – via our links with businesses, manufacturers and consumer bodies, and through offering our services to help CIPHE members start their own apprenticeship programme for instance. This is in addition to the

It has been said that the number one invention of all time is plumbing. That statement may not surprise those of us in the industry, but it will come as a surprise to many of the public and could inspire the next generation to consider a career in the sector. That, and the fact that for many a career in plumbing and heating provides the skills and competencies to secure a job/trade for life. This is something that many academic courses have struggled to be able to promise students, who upon leaving university find themselves without work and vying for the very few positions available in a very competitive job climate. It doesn’t have to be this way though and we urge plumbers and heating engineers in the UK

What are we doing to help encourage the next generation? The CIPHE and its Industrial Associates are funding a new series of techtalkVR and techtalkCPD resources, which will be the first educational learning experience of its kind using interactive tools, such as 3D virtual reality designed for the plumbing and heating industry. The idea is to give the plumbing and heating engineer real life experiences in the comfort of their van and lounge, limiting the need to rely solely on attending costly residential training. to spread this positive message. Whether it be employing your own apprentice, getting involved with the CIPHE, or even simply talking to friends and colleagues with school age children about the benefits a career in plumbing and heating could have, and if it could be for them.

This technology has the capability to inspire learning for everyone, but has extra appeal for those young engineers just coming into the industry, such as apprentices. These tools will help college lecturers engage with their students better to promote professionalism and to encourage new industry recruits at the same time. The CIPHE will be releasing techtalkVR and techtalkCPD courses from November, some of which will be free for all to access. It all comes down to ensuring that we promote the industry positively and provide a voice for it, which is currently being missed by educators and the Government. For more information about the CIPHE, please visit the website: www.ciphe.org.uk

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Ant

Continuing his regular column, Antony Provan – the man behind Gas App Uk – takes a look at some of the little things that can make a big difference to the success of your business.

Get smart about improving your business A few people have asked me recently about the business side of being a gas engineer. It goes without saying that technical competence and experience are important. But everyone has to start somewhere. Luck can help too, but you can’t rely on that too much. Nor can you put all your chips on economic conditions improving. Even if you’re the unluckiest sod out there starting out in the roughest economic conditions, your business can still succeed. Here are my top five factors – often overlooked – that can make a big difference: Antony Provan 1. Look the part Look presentable and wear a T-shirt with your logo on it. First impressions count. Imagine that a tradesperson turns up at your doorstep wearing any old T-shirt. They are half an hour late and wearing tracksuit bottoms that are covered in grease. Compare them to someone who turns up on time, wearing a smart polo shirt featuring their business name and logo, and smart trousers and shoes. Assuming both are competent, who would you feel more confident in recommending? 2. Make your van look the part Get your van vinyl wrapped with your logo and a list of your services. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been on a job and someone in the neighbourhood has seen my van and called me for a quote. Your van isn’t just your pride and joy. It’s potentially the best marketing platform you have. It can help you to spread the word about your services to every street in your area, for the cost of getting to your next job. 3. Tell people what you do! Do you do powerflushing? Do you do those little jobs that no one else does? Are you accredited? Do you work with certain manufacturers? Then tell people about it. Get someone to build you a basic website that concisely lists your services and your contact details. Get business cards printed cheaply from Vistaprint and hand them out to customers, friends and family. People aren’t mind readers. They don’t know about your services just because you do. Tell them. 4. Carry a card machine Carrying a card machine makes your payment collection bulletproof. People pay you there and then, straight after you’ve finished the job. They can’t forget to pay you, or take months to get round to it, or go bankrupt before making the final payment. You will also have fewer invoices to process, and customers can conveniently put the amount on a credit card. 5. Get customers to spread the word for you I rarely recommend using comparison or lead generation websites. In my experience, you end up doing the work for less than market rate because you are competing on price alone against other good engineers. Instead, get some flyers printed and place them in obvious locations. Or run some adverts on Facebook. There are so many ways to spread the word. And call me old fashioned, but I don’t think you can beat turning up on time, looking the part, doing the job well, being professional and friendly, and then asking your customer to spread the word about you, either by word of mouth or with a Google or Facebook review.

What’s new in Gas App Uk: credit for clients and more Winter can be a busy time of year for gas engineers– and an expensive time of year for our customers. Boilers that have been limping through for years tend to pack in at the first sign of temperatures dropping. More often than not, customers have not budgeted for a new boiler, and therefore have to turn to a credit card or a loan company to help them finance the purchase. The good news is that Gas App Uk will soon be offering a finance facility for our members to offer to their customers. This will take the stress out of financing one

of the biggest and most important items in a home. In other good news, we finally have the forms section up and running in the app. With access to this section, members no longer need to buy and manually complete paper forms such as gas inspection records, landlord gas safety records, legionnaire risk assessments, not-to-current-standards forms, service maintenance records, warning notices and job sheets. These forms are digitised within the app, and much of the information on the form can be autofilled.

To join the Gas App community simply visit the Apple or Google store and search for Gas App Uk and get a 7-day free trial. ENQUIRY

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TRAINING Update

Big investment in new facility Following a major redevelopment programme, Worcester has reopened its flagship training academy. Based at the company’s headquarters, it is four times the size of its predecessor and has the space to house over 200 working appliances.

emonstrating its ongoing commitment to training installers, Worcester has revealed the results of a £3.5 million refurbishment of its flagship Training Academy. The extended facility – four times the size of its predecessor – was opened by Richard Harrington MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary (BEIS), and local MP Robin Walker MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary (DExEU). With over 2000m2 of practical training areas and classrooms – an area equivalent to 10 tennis courts – the academy will offer installers both handson product training and legal assessments. It will also enable the manufacturer to offer an even wider training provision to a greater number of installers, as many as 10,000 a year.

Every product Boasting over 200 working boilers and heating appliances across its nine practical rooms, the building will cater for courses on gas, oil and solid fuel appliances, as well as renewable and commercial heating technologies. The increased space is also expected to accommodate expansion into growing areas of interest such as smart technologies and Bosch’s connected home concept.

Up to 10,000 installers a year are expected to pass through the doors of the refurbished Training Academy

Nick Fothergill, Worcester’s National Training Manager, comments: “The unveiling of our new flagship Training Academy is a real landmark for Worcester, having been the result of the largest single investment in training in the company’s history. As demand for professional development a mong installers grows, we want to ensure we continue to offer some of the industry’s best training courses at facilities engineers really enjoy using. “The introduction of smarter, connected heating technologies is an exciting time for the industry, so it is vital that we play our part in enhancing installers’ skillsets and help them to deliver reliable, efficient heating systems to homes around the country.” The extended academy, which contains 6.5km of pipework, is also able to

dedicate a room to system t r eat ment , en abl i ng installers to sign up to courses that address the testing of water quality and the benefits of power flushing, magnetic filters and chemicals.

National coverage The Worcester training facility was first opened in 2003 and is one of four academies run by the company, with the others located in Wakefield, West Thurrock and Clay Cross. The company also has links with colleges throughout the UK and operates six mobile training vehicles. “The aim is to have a training facility within an hour’s travel for every installer,” says Nick Fothergill. “Demand for our courses is incredibly strong. Last year, we welcomed over 16,000 people to our centres and we expect this number to have grown by another 1000 by the end of this year. Almost every session has been full, so that’s why we’ve had to respond to that incredibly high demand. “Training is a massive part of what we do. It enables engineers to gain confidence working on new and existing products, ensuring they get the best performance out of the systems they install.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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32 TRAINING Update Looking after solid fuel appliances Students learn on the latest products

Now available from Schiedel Chimney Systems is a HETAS Service and Maintenance course (H009), designed for chimney sweeps and maintenance staff charged with ensuring stoves and fireplaces are safe and in good working order. Available from its training centre in Washington, Tyne and Wear, the course is for anyone responsible for checking the safety of solid fuel appliances. HETAS recommends that appliances are serviced on

an annual basis, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and the H009 course provides the theory and practical experience

to carry out this task. Candidates do not have to be HETAS registered to attend the course, making it suitable for stove retailers,

chimney sweeps, allied trades such as plumbing and heating installers, and maintenance operatives working across housing association properties. Phil Lowe, Key Account Manager for Training, says: “All solid fuel appliances should be swept and maintained on an annual basis, and the H009 course will ensure the operatives in charge of this task have the right knowledge to do so effectively.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Hydraulic separation on old systems Consultants and building services engineers are the target audience for Hamworthy Heating’s new CIBSE-accredited continuing professional development seminars addressing the topic of new boilers on old heating systems, with a focus on hydraulic separation.

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The new seminar explores the challenges when refurbishing old heating systems by looking at open vs closed heating systems, and how to overcome them with methods such as hydraulic separation. Attendees can learn about different approaches to

connect new boilers to the secondary circuit, the old heating system. Methods such as installing a low loss header, a plate heat exchanger or using a no flow boiler and buffer vessel are explored, including the pros and cons for each. Additionally, attendees

will gain an understanding of low loss header sizing and the consideration of pump position in a commercial heating system. CPD points gained contribute to CIBSE members’ required annual CPD hours. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Equipment from Alpha Heating Innovation has been chosen by CAN Gas Training Centre for the hands-on element of its courses. Director Sean Goodwin selected Alpha for its new premises in Nantwich, with the company’s InTec and ProTec boilers being used for both domestic and commercial training. S e a n c om ment s: “We chose the InTec and ProTec boilers as part of our training of fe r i ng b e c au s e we believe they are dependable and high quality products. Alpha also provides an excellent service backing, giving us peace of mind that we will always deliver for our apprentices and installers.” CAN Gas Training Centre offers courses in gas, electrical, water and oil training, as well as assessment and reassessment. These are certified by BPEC, City & Guilds, OFTEC and WRAS and cover domestic and commercial installation and service. www.cangastraining.co.uk

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34 Installer Profile

On the tools and also on the ball She plays premiership rugby, travels around the globe for World Cup competitions, and works as a plumbing and drainage engineer. PHAM News sat down with Marlie Packer to find out what it’s like to have one foot in professional rugby and another in professional plumbing.

hen Marlie Packer walks into the lobby of HomeServe’s office in Walsall to meet me for our interview, she is sporting a neat, red company polo shirt and a wide smile. There is very little of the fierce ruby player about her today, and her friendly manner and warm handshake could make you forget that she has 51 caps for England and a gold medal for being part of the winning team at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014. She’s also a flanker for Saracens Women in the Premier 15, the top tier of the women’s English rugby union. But when Marlie is not playing professional rugby for her club or country, she is a HomeServe plumbing and drainage engineer and, at times like today, she also serves in an ambassadorial type role for the company. “I’m an engineer out in the field, but sometimes I get invited up here to do things like this – interviews and promotional events, things like that,” she tells me as we settle into a quiet conference room.

Star power After HomeServe hired Marlie in 2013, it took them a while to realise she had other potential assets to offer the company, but within a year her position in the world of professional sport came to the attention of the senior staff. “One of the executive officers is related to someone at England rugby, and that’s when they made the connection,” explains Marlie. “It’s not often that you come across a female in sport and a female in plumbing. HomeServe thinks it’s important to highlight that, so I get invited to represent the company at things like awards presentations and customer outreach.” Playing this dual role of engineer and ambassador keeps Marlie on her toes, but it’s by no means a one-way street. “They’ve been such a massive support to me over the years,” says Marlie. “They give me time off for rugby, for example. When I worked for smaller companies, I dreaded having to ring them and ask for time off because you feel like you are leaving them in the lurch. But HomeServe is big enough to cope.” Most recently, Marlie’s employer gave her

Marlie with her new Mercedes Vito van – customers often recognise her name on the side

leave to play in the 2017 World Cup. The England team made it to the final in August, finding itself facing the formidable force of New Zealand. With a final score of 41-32 to the Black Ferns, Marlie was bitterly disappointed with the result, but she still takes pride that her team made it that far in the competition. “Losing this World Cup was definitely one of the low points of my rugby career, particularly because we won the 2014 cup and were looking for another victory. After the match with New Zealand, I just wanted to hibernate and cuddle my dog,” she says. “But being an England player is a huge honour. My Red Rose number is 150, making me the 150th girl to play for England. Once you’ve joined that family it’s a very special place to be.”

Positive thinking Marlie takes obvious pride in playing for her country, but she is also dedicated to the plumbing profession. At the young age of 27, her positive attitude has already brought rewards in both sides of her life, and she believes there are some synergies between the two.

Whether it’s a power tool or a rugby ball, Marlie Packer provides a safe pair of hands

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“Each job presents its own set of challenges, and that’s what I like about plumbing,” she insists. “It’s the same in rugby: you rarely have the luxury of over-thinking. You see a situation and react. Likewise, when you get to a customer’s house and there’s a flood, you have to spring into action. You zone into that and deal with the challenge at hand. I know that on the pitch I’m doing that, and in the same way I know I will get the customer’s problem fixed.” Marlie describes herself as extremely competitive and believes this attitude benefits her in both the worlds she occupies. “It transfers between plumbing and rugby,” she says. “I want to win, whether it’s a game or a job for a customer. Fast and efficient is my motto, and that’s how I get through life.” But how does a west country girl from Yeovil come to choose plumbing? I ask. “Initially I took sports courses at college, but it wasn’t right for me,” she explains. “I’m dyslexic and found the academics difficult, though I did finish and got my NVQ in sports coaching. Still, I didn’t know where I wanted to go with my career.” Plumbing came up as a possibility after she spent some time labouring with bricklayers in the summer holiday. “It was eye-opening for me because I saw all sorts of different trades on site: plasterers, plumbers, carpenters, electricians. So I went to a plumbing taster day at Yeovil College and decided that was what I wanted to do.” After finishing her course work and apprenticeships, Marlie earned NVQ levels 2 and 3 in plumbing. Although she was qualified for gas work, she found that her interest was in the plumbing and drainage side, which is now her speciality. “One of the first companies I worked for was DR Jones, and I learned a lot there,” she tells me. “Plus they were supporters of Yeovil football club and also sponsored Bristol Rugby, so it was a nice fit. They were really supportive of my obligations to playing rugby with Bristol

Proud to play for her country

Ladies, but eventually it became a problem because I needed so much time off. A small company has only so much flexibility for that sort of thing. Eventually I decided it was time for a change, so I moved to London.”

New frontier Once in London, Marlie continued to play for Bristol Ladies, her first premiership club, but she needed to find a new employer. “That’s when I started at HomeServe,” she says. “They assigned me to the territory around Twickenham, where the residents are familiar with rugby. This was great because it gave me a talking point with customers.” After Marlie came back victorious from the 2014 World Cup, customers started to recognise her as more than just a plumber. “I went to a customer’s house the other day and he said, ‘I just can’t believe it’,” Marlie tells me. “I pointed out that it’s only a leaky ball valve and I’m fixing it. He’s like, no, I’ve got a female plumber here, but not only that but a World Cup champion and runner-up! For me to get that from a customer, and also the company to benefit from that interaction, I think it’s unique.”

Looking ahead These days, Marlie is back in the west country, living and working in Bristol. She also recently signed on to play for Saracens Women, so there is plenty to keep her busy. Between work and training, she doesn’t have a lot of time to herself, but this current regimen supports her ambitions. “I don’t have much of a social life, but I want to be the best I can be, in both plumbing and rugby. My sights are set on the 2021 World Cup, and so I am focused on that right now,” she says. Looking to the future, after her rugby career is over, Marlie says she can still see herself in the plumbing sector. “ I am a people-first kind of person, so I think I would like to do some kind of customer relations job. But I won’t look into that any time soon. I am just enjoying being on the tools.”

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HEALTH & Safety

The connection between the back and the hands Choosing hand tools that are ergonomically designed might quite literally save your back – so says John Dabb, Sales and Marketing Director at Hyde, who argues for the benefits of better design.

ew installers would ever consider the ergonomic benefits when they select a hand tool like a screwdriver or pliers, but could this be a shorttermist approach? Some people will often complain of a sore back at the end of the day, but might just pass it off as a bit of strain caused by the way they’ve been working. Yet, the type of hand tools you use, how you use them and the comfort they provide can affect your back, as this is the area of your body that really takes the strain.

Whole system This might seem a little far fetched, but it has been confirmed in independent research and tests by doctors and therapists that your choice of screwdriver could be the cause of that sore back. Any good doctor will tell you, when it comes to the subject of ‘back health’, the whole musculoskeletal system has to be taken into account. Each muscle, each bone and each joint affects the system as a whole, so if you’re not holding your tools in the best way it’s your back that ultimately pays for it. There are some things you can do yourself to alleviate back pain. While correcting your posture and resting when you feel the ache begin can help save your back, choosing hand tools that have been proven to help prevent the pain in the first place is the best place to start.

Starting point But where do you start looking and how can you tell whether a certain screwdriver will be better than another in preventing back pain, without a lot of trial and error? The trick is to look for the AGR symbol on the packaging. AGR is a campaign for healthier backs,

that offers recommendations on products that help prevent muscle pain and back ache, resulting from their research. It’s also an independent committee made of medical experts, so they know their stuff and it means that AGR approval can be taken seriously for builders looking to make a purchase, rather than just being marketing gimmick. AGR-approved hand tools can make a huge difference to your health. The secret is in the turn, and without getting too scientific, is based on the development of handles adapted to suit the size of your hand. The four different SoftFinish handle sizes on Wiha screwdrivers, for example, mean that each handle offers the ideal balance of guidance, speed and torque for the respective fastening task. The handle size concept means that the user can both quickly screw in screws and transmit high levels of force. Shorter, thick handles are great for applying maximum power for larger screws with low fatigue levels, while long, slim handles with a thin quick-turning zone optimise the dynamic quick-turning action for small screws.

Soft spot The Wiha SoftFinish screwºdrivers feature soft and hard zones integrated into the handle of the tool to support the hand and reduce pains in the joints and muscles, not just in the hand but throughout the body. It’s not just screwdrivers either – Wiha Inomic pliers have a specially angled head with an ergonomic shape that ensures your hand is in a comfortable position during use, relieving the strain. The concept enables you to work for longer while sparing the muscles and saving energy. Because of the way the hand is positioned on the tool, force is distributed evenly, rather than most of the hard work being done by one or two fingers, as with standard pliers. Of course, back pain can’t be totally ruled out just by using ergonomically designed hand tools. You need to think about your posture, take a minute to readjust your position rather than straining, bend properly and rest up when necessary. These actions, combined with using the most suitable hand tools in the right way may just save your back. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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36 BUSINESS Matters

A good time to spread the word As we enter the busiest time of the year, it is important to remember that the heating system is rife with business growth opportunities. Richard Harvey, Category Director for Heating at Wolseley, argues that it’s a good time for proactive installers to promote their skills.

hen the heating season hits, it can be tempting to take a ‘heads down and plough through’ approach, with many installers experiencing a surge in workload. Of course, increased call outs are great for business, but there are some simple strategies that can help maximise this influx of work, both in the short and long term. From sales strategies at the point of specification, to ongoing marketing ideas, this time of year can hold untapped potential for proactive installers.

Selling skills As a tradesman, you may not automatically consider yourself a sales person, but to grow your business and secure the livelihood of you and your team, selling needs to be a key skill. When it comes to selling in the plumbing and heating sector, knowledge is power and this can be showcased in a number of ways.

Conduct a full system assessment Positioning yourself as an expert is an obvious sales strategy and one most installers do without realising, but do you insist on conducting a full system assessment before diagnosing the issue and specifying replacement components? If a customer is paying a call out fee, they will almost always be happy to hear that you are going to investigate their entire heating system so that you can recommend a complete maintenance solution, rather than a quick fix. Taking the time to do this means you can justifiably recommend further works that will deliver better heating, energy efficiency and lower monthly bills. They may not want, or be able to afford, the additional work on the spot, but furnishing them with a list of recommendations and costs along with your contact details could secure you the work in the near future, and most likely a customer for life.

Understanding the consumer mindset By understanding the consumer mindset, you can tailor your sales pitch to suit them. For example, energy efficiency is important, but it is lowering household bills that will make a customer sit up and pay attention. If you can talk about convenience, lower bills and wholehome comfort, rather than thermostats, CO2 and zonal TRVs, you’re more likely to upsell from a basic repair on an inefficient boiler to a total system overhaul. In other words, cut the trade jargon. Talk about the issues they face on a daily basis, and how your solutions will solve it. An altogether softer approach to selling, this ‘customer pain’ approach to agreeing a sale can pave the way to discussing those all-important costs because you have already explained how it is going to benefit them in a clear and relatable way. This technique is particularly effective during the heating season, when customers are most likely already thinking about other seasonal expenses like Christmas (for domestic customers) and lower turnover periods (for some commercial businesses).

Move with the trends Smart controls are by far the biggest heating trend on the market and form an important part of the highly desirable ‘connected home’. To increase your profit margins this heating season, be ready to suggest smart controls over traditional thermostatic units and have a few key facts and figures up your sleeve to seal the deal. Trends and profit come hand-in-hand, so understanding the concept of smart heating and a connected home will pay dividends.

Marketing yourself Gone are the days when a listing in the local directory was enough to generate plenty of work. Now, marketing yourself as a reputable installation business requires a multi-faceted on- and off-line approach designed to satisfy a more knowledgeable and digital-savvy purchaser.

Social media

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An active social media presence has a number of key benefits for an installation business. It will improve how your website performs in search engines, allow you to showcase your work and expertise, provide a place for you

to learn and share best practice with other installers and act as a platform for customer recommendation. For inspiration, visit Twitter and search for ‘@PBplumber’ and ‘@PRHullLtd’, who are both strong examples of how social media can fuel growth for heating installers. They were also instrumental in creating ‘Gas Safe Superheroes’, which is a celebration of best practice. The heating season is the ideal time to start a new social media feed, whether on Twitter or Facebook. With plenty to talk about and installations to photograph, you should be able to build a following quickly.

Winning awards Entering industry awards, like the Plumber of the Year Award, is an ideal way to showcase your skill and set yourself apart from the competition. As a winner, or a runner up, you can include the accolade on your marketing materials as a clear demonstration of your reliability and professional service offering. Search online, or ask your merchant for details of any relevant industry awards. Heating season often unearths complex projects, so be sure to document and photograph any work you are particularly proud of for use in future award entries.

Brand awareness Branded vans are a great advertising tool and should be complemented with marketing materials like business cards and leaflets, which are professional, recognisable and engaging. Marketing research shows that hand-held marketing, like brochures, are still an important part of a purchasing decision despite the digital revolution. New van graphics and marketing literature could be quicker to implement than you think, using a local design and print company. They will work with you to create something which accurately represents your service and company personality, making sure your contact details, Gas Safe registration details and logo are all clear to see. Your merchant can offer a wealth of information on products, components and trends to help you maximise business opportunities throughout the heating season.

Thinking ahead Once this heating season draws to a close, take the opportunity to look forward and consider ways in which you could fuel business growth this time next year. The quieter months are the ideal time to make bigger business improvements so that you are geared up to maximise your sales potential when the colder months set in.

Into training Whether it’s smart controls or the latest combi technology, all the major manufacturers offer comprehensive training programmes to help you and your team upskill. Perhaps you could benefit from gaining additional qualifications too, either to improve your basic skillset or formalise what you have learnt on the tools over the years. Customers are becoming more attuned to employing tradesmen that can prove their credentials with Gas Safe registration and relevant NVQ qualifications, so investing in official training could see a healthy return on investment for your business.

Take on an apprentice Thanks to increased funding and better training frameworks, apprentices are starting to shunt the negative stereotype. Many heating and plumbing businesses consider young talent a key driver for their business, stating the lower rates of pay, a more tech-savvy mindset, and an extra pair of hands are just some of the reasons that taking on an apprentice is a profitable business decision. www.plumbcenter.co.uk

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38 BUSINESS Matters Recruiter success Improving productivity in the field The Courtney Smith Group, a specialist recruitment agency for the UK building industry, has announced that it has achieved the milestone of 3000 work placements. Now nearing its 15th anniversary, the business was founded in 2003 by MD Tony Smith and Sales Director Dan Boyce, and specialises in recruiting sales and management personnel within the plumbing and heating sector. “Through this niche market approach to construction recruitment, we have been able to build strong relationships with many companies within the UK building industry, enabling us to find the perfect candidates for specific businesses,” says Tony Smith. “We are delighted that we have now placed over 3000 candidates in jobs and can only go from strength to strength in this very busy recruitment sector.” The company has also recently acquired the database from the CD Construction

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MD Tony Smith

Sales Division which will further strengthen its portfolio of candidates. Dan Boyce comments: “We are delighted to have acquired the database and records of the CD Construction Sales Division and we welcome candidates who are looking for their next challenge within the building sector to get in touch with us to discuss their goals with us.” For more information, visit the website: www. courtneysmithgroup.co.uk

PartsArena Pro is now providing the Automobile Association’s Home Services business with end-to-end field service management software. The Solarvista field service system software has been developed to help the heating service sector by bridging the knowledge gap between manufacturer and parts information, and the field service engineer on site. AA engineers can now access the latest data and

information such as exploded diagrams, parts codes and technical manuals whilst out

in the field. This facilitates a speedy and accurate parts search coupled with the ability

to add parts lists directly into the job for automated ordering, reducing engineer and back office effort, and improving second time fix rates. The AA Home Services says it has seen significant improvement in the performance and productivity of its engineers since the installation of the Solarvista system. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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It’s time to plan for auto-enrolment With auto-enrolment into the workplace pension rolling out, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is advising employers to make sure they are aware of their responsibilities. CEO Kevin Wellman says: “There is still some confusion surrounding the new workplace pension

schemes. Even if you employ just one person, you are responsible for both providing a pension scheme and paying into it. For many SMEs, this might be seen as an extra burden on top of the heavy demands of running a business. However, with the regulators prepared to crack down on non-conforming

companies, it really is time to get your pension plans in action.” Employees who qualify for auto-enrolment are those who work in the UK and are aged between 22 and the current state pension age, and earn a minimum of £10,000 per year. By the staging date set by the TPR for April 2018,

all employers will have to provide a workplace pension scheme for their employees. Employees can opt out of the scheme after autoenrolment if they wish. CIPHE will soon make an announcement to its members about a service to assist employers and employees in providing and managing pensions.

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40 Step by Step

Soil stack keeps the noise down Whether it’s a school, public building or home, the need to minimise the sound of water gurgling through pipes is of upmost importance to maintain a peaceful environment. Marley Plumbing & Drainage’s dBlue triple layered acoustic system reduces noise and acoustic vibrations to 16dB at 4 litres/sec. What follows is a step-by-step guide to installing the dBlue stack.

In order to allow for thermal movement, an expansion gap between 5 and 10mm should be allowed within ring seal joints. As each full length of pipe is installed and bracketed accordingly, ensure the gap is maintained.

Drill the holes applicable for the diameter fixing on the pipeline.

6 4 Cut the pipe using a pipe cutter or a fine toothed saw, paying particular attention to keeping the angle at 90°.

Affix a drop in anchor and thread and mount the pipe bracket by screwing it clockwise so that the bracket is firm against the structure.

7 It is also important to bevel the pipe end properly, using a chamfering tool or course file to create a 15° bevel.

Using a level, determine the length of the Marley dBlue soil stack. On the run, measure the points where the pipe brackets will be fixed.

Put the pipe fitting inside the bracket under the socket and connect the open pipe bracket. Remember, if you are using a back plate or channel system, the bracket must also be threaded firm against the back plate or channelling. When connecting the pipe with a fitting or the socket of another pipe, push the connected pipe to the insertion depth and mark a line on the edge of the socket and then connect the pipe.

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42 RULES & Regulations

Changes are in store for the ErP Next year will see tighter requirements relating to NOx emissions from boilers to come into force. Chris Meir, Sales Director at Remeha, looks at the latest moves to improve heating efficiency levels and air quality, and how the industry can address these requirements.

obody likes unnetechnology is rooted in the fact that condensing boilers cessary waste. are the most efficient of That’s why the all boiler types. Advanced European Union introduced models, like the Remeha the Energy-related Products Quinta Range, are capable (ErP) Directive in 2015 – to of achieving near maximum encourage the replacement gross efficiencies at around of less efficient products with 98%. higher efficiency heating High-performing boilers technology. Now the EU like these are also engineered has turned its attention to to meet ultra-low NOx nitrogen oxides (NOx), with criteria at or below 40mg/ new mandatory requirements kWh. As such they meet for space heaters set to come the EU standard EN15502 Pt into force next year under Chris Meir from Remeha 1 2015 Class 6 for NOx and are ErP. Even though Brexit negotiations are underway, all EU legislation future-proofed to ErP 2018 NOx requirements. will remain in place in the UK until it formally At the same time they are eligible for departs in March 2019. So what does this maximum BREEAM credits under the Pol mean for installers – and what does it mean 2 pollution category, helping to contribute to a higher environmental building rating. for boilers? Many condensing boilers are also certified New ErP requirements for operation on LPG, making them a In September 2015, tighter efficiencies were viable solution for off-grid projects. And enforced for space heating, including boilers importantly, they are a proven, triedup to 400kW on both new build and retrofit and-tested solution, with some low NOx projects under the Ecodesign Directive condensing boiler models now in their third of ErP. In practice, the higher efficiency or even fourth generation. requirements have effectively made it So how to achieve maximum heating mandatory to install condensing boilers on performance with minimum disruption? small to medium-sized projects, phasing Switching to condensing boilers can and should out non-condensing boilers up to 400kW. be a smooth process. But on refurbishment The one exception has been the direct, projects in particular, certain design issues like-for-like replacement of non-condensing – such as the condensate and flueing pressure jet boiler arrangements – shells or burners. might benefit from “Any legislation that reduces These were initially forward planning. out of scope of the The same is true energy use, fuel bills and legislation to allow on off-grid projects greenhouse emissions is to for spares provision. where a change be welcomed.” However, from the of fuel source is beginning of next required. year, the window of opportunity for replacing burners or shells Size matters for non-condensing pressure jet boilers below Then there’s the sizing. Accurate sizing of 400kW closes firmly. the heat load will help maximise energy Then, from 26 September 2018, maximum performance and create a more comfortable NOx emissions of 56mg/kWh will be enforced building environment. Taking time to for gas and liquefied petroleum (LPG) resize the current demand is essential as gas boilers and 120mg/kWh for oil-fired the building, and how it is used, may have boilers. As before, the legislation applies changed since the last boiler installation. to new equipment on both new build and The next decision is the equipment. replacement projects. Sharing the load across two or more boilers

Focus on compliance So, how will the new legislation affect the industry? For new build projects, the focus will be on installing only ErP-compliant, EUcertified, high efficiency, low NOx heating solutions. The same is true for refurbishment projects. But the impact is likely to be greater as like-for-like replacements may no longer be possible. The tighter ErP requirements could mean a switch of technology and/or fuel supply as necessary. A probable scenario is a move to condensing boilers operating on either gas or LPG. The drive towards condensing boiler

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rather than installing one higher output unit allows the boilers to operate at part load where they are most efficient. This arrangement also increases the turndown ratio and modulation capability, allowing the boilers to match the building’s flexible heat demand more closely for further energy bill and cost reductions. At the same time, a multiple-boiler design increases the reliability and lifecycle of the individual boilers while making servicing and maintenance easier. Another factor for consideration is the dew point. Condensing boilers perform best at return temperatures at or below 54°C (the dew point) where they can recover both

Three Remeha Quinta Ace 160 condensing boilers in an in-line cascade with low loss header

sensible and latent heat from the flue gases. In older buildings, the radiator circuits will typically have been designed for 82°C flow and 71°C return temperatures, which will prevent the boiler from fully condensing. How to resolve this? One solution is to lower the flow and return temperatures to 70/50°C or even 60/40°C. This is usually possible, as radiators in older buildings are frequently oversized, especially in buildings where fabric improvements have been made since the original heating installation. Widening the temperature differential to, say, 80°C flow and 50°C return temperatures might be another option. This will allow the condensing boilers to condense while at the same time enabling them to provide the higher-temperature water needed to heat a calorifier or plate heat exchanger. Of course, adding the appropriate control is key to achieving the higher boiler efficiencies and keeping NOx emissions to a minimum. Upgrading to time and temperature controls will optimise boiler performance. Adding a weather compensated control helps the boilers adapt to the fluctuating demand according to the outside temperature, increasing energy savings still further. Using a sequential control with multiple boilers lengthens their lifespan, rotating the lead boiler and ensuring effective operation. Any legislation that reduces energy use, fuel bills and greenhouse gas emissions is to be welcomed. For end users, the benefits of

the tighter ErP requirements are clear – the EU predicts a 20% reduction in energy costs on refurbishment projects when upgrading to ErP-compliant equipment. Then there’s the issue of air quality. As buildings and their heating systems typically emit NOx emissions, introducing mandatory emission requirements from heating is an important step towards achieving cleaner air.

Flexibility assured End users aside, ErP’s drive to condensing boilers can also benefit installers. Firstly, condensing boilers are lighter and more compact, making them easier to handle and install. Secondly, they are designed to be flexible, with extended options that provide compact, time-saving solutions. Remeha, for example, offers complete cascade packages for two to ten wall-hung boilers that can be put together rapidly and entirely without welding. Finally, manufacturers now provide an increasingly wide range of boiler outputs, making it easier to match the heat load. The Remeha Quinta Range, for example, offers outputs from 30kW right up to 160kW and the opportunity for mixed output cascades to achieve maximum performance and minimum waste. ErP 2018 is coming. Fortunately, with today’s advanced, high efficiency, ultralow NOx condensing boilers the tighter requirements of ErP and its considerable benefits are entirely achievable. But it’s always good to be prepared. PHAM ENQUIRY No. www.remeha.co.uk 123

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Debunking the myths about powerflushing Powerflushing can be an effective way to remove sludge and blockages from a central heating system, but some installers find it difficult to convince the householder that it’s a service worth paying for. Here, Keith MacBain, MD at Kamco, helps to answer some of the frequent questions that installers – and their customers – are likely to ask.

t Kamco we developed the first reverse flow powerflushing pump in 1992, and since then we’ve supplied thousands of powerflushing pumps and trained more than three thousand users. Despite this, technical support staff are regularly asked the same questions, so I thought it was time to answer some of these myths.

Causing leaks A power flush will actually cause leaks in a heating system

Keith MacBain, MD at Kamco

It’s unlikely because many powerflush systems, such as our Clearflow pumps, are designed so that the maximum pressure is two bars or less. It is a high flow rate that makes power flushing effective, not high pressure. Occasionally systems may have radiators with localised deep corrosion pits, with only a scab of rust preventing the system water from leaking out. The vigorous flow rate required to mobilise sludge and deposits may dislodge the scab, leading to a leak from the radiator. The advanced stage of corrosion required for such a situation means that the leak would occur imminently even without a powerflush. If the problem is revealed by the flushing process, it is better that it occurs whilst a heating engineer is present to remedy the problem.

Microbore systems You can’t power flush microbore systems You CAN powerflush most microbore systems, but it is wise to allow more time than normal for the flush. Before quoting for the job first fire the boiler and check the condition and heat output of each individual radiator. If the radiators have twin entry valves (both valves at one end of the radiator) it is a good idea to change them to conventional radiator valves. Powerflushing will be more effective, and the householder will gain more even heat output as a side benefit. Microbore systems with 8 or 10mm tubing can sometimes have a problem with a build-up of thick sludge in sharp bends in the pipework between the manifolds and the radiators. Consequently, it’s always a good idea to pre-treat microbore systems with a flushing chemical, such as our Hyper-Flush Concentrate, to loosen up and mobilise the corrosion debris as much as possible prior to the powerflush. Despite the potential problems, powerflushing a microbore system will still produce a far more effective clean than any alternative method, such as a gravity clean.

Boiler damage The pressure from a power flushing pump will damage the boiler This one is definitely an old wives’ tale! For safety reasons the internals (water group) of a boiler have to be tested by the manufacturer to withstand 4.5 bar. The maximum pressure of a powerflushing pump will never exceed much more than 2 bar, and therefore won’t over-pressurise and damage the internals of a boiler.

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Installers attending Kamco’s powerflushing training course

Combi boilers You can’t fire a combination boiler to heat up the water during a powerflush You usually CAN fire the boiler during a powerflush – and we do just this on our Vaillant powered system in our training room – but you might need to do some sideways thinking! A combi boiler needs at least 0.5 bar water pressure before it will fire, and non-firing is usually related to an apparent lack of pressure. If the boiler won’t fire because the system circulator has been removed in order to connect in a power flushing pump, some boilers can be fooled into continuing to fire by adjusting the boiler setup/control panel. The boiler manufacturers’ technical support can help here. There would be no problem with the boiler overheating, because a Clearflow pump is moving water through the boiler much faster than normal, taking heat away from the heat exchanger. If the reason why the boiler won’t fire is because it senses that there is not enough pressure in the system, then it may be that all you need to do is reverse the direction of flow of the Clearflow pump. The maximum water pressure from your powerflushing pump is on the output side, and this pressure falls away throughout the system, dropping finally to zero as the liquid drops back into the tank. If all else fails, partially close the isolating valve on the return side of the powerflush pump. You’ll see the pressure increase immediately, so leave it that way while the boiler is heating up the water.

Debris damage You should only flush the heating system, and never include the boiler in the circuit, to avoid pushing debris into the boiler Scenario 1: A new combination boiler being installed onto an old system. In this case we’d agree that it is best not to include the new boiler in the powerflushing process. Engineers will often choose to connect the powerflushing pump onto the flow and return pipework itself, although some engineers plumb in a 22mm tee in both the flow and return pipes, with a valve and means to stop it off subsequently. They then isolate the combi boiler isolation valves and connect their powerflushing pump onto these two tees. Scenario 2: Existing combination boiler on a heating system with debris that needs removal. We can assume that the debris-containing water has

The Clearflow CF40, for systems with up to 20/25 radiators

already been passing through the boiler during normal operation and so it DOES need flushing. The waterways through the main heat exchanger are not very restrictive, but it is the primary water side of the plate heat exchanger that is the problem area. Rather than removing the plate heat exchanger from the boiler, the smart thing to do is use a CP2 pump head adapter to connect the powerflushing pump onto the body of the boiler circulator pump after removing its motor. Set the boiler to heating mode and work through a powerflush on the radiator circuit until the system is now full of fresh clean water (the dirty water will have been prevented from flowing through the plate heat exchanger by the diverter valve). Now switch over to hot water demand, and open a hot water tap. The diverter valve will move across, preventing flow around the radiator circuit, and putting the full flow of by now clean water through the plate heat exchanger, giving a very quick and easy flush of the heat exchanger.

Is it necessary? Do you need to powerflush? Isn’t it enough to just fit a magnetic filter to the heating system on the return to the boiler? Whilst installing a permanent filter is a good idea, it can only remove debris from the water passing through it, invariably leaving debris elsewhere in the system to break loose at a later date. Most permanent filters have a limited capacity and the debris in many systems would overwhelm their capacity. Relying on the standard circulator pump to remove corrosion debris is a triumph of hope over experience as it can never be as effective as the much higher flow rate of a powerflushing pump.

Training courses You don’t need training to powerflush a heating system? If you have a good working knowledge of heating systems it is very straightforward. You could read the manual and follow that, step by step, and also prepare yourself with further information from our website (see below) or watch our YouTube video. However, if heating engineers want to understand in depth how to get systems really clean and efficient, then Kamco run regular training sessions. During these, a powerflush is carried out and engineers will not only learn what to do, but also what NOT to do, and learn many other tips and wrinkles. www.kamco.org.uk

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46 Pumps & System Treatment

Three steps to provide full system protection Installers who master best practice water treatment are able to offer their customers a service that protects their boiler and heating system components from corrosion and limescale related problems. Daniel Cheung, UK Trade Marketing Manager for Sentinel, explains.

he term ‘best practice’ seems to be used just about everywhere in the water treatment world these days. True to rights, it should be – correct best practice water treatment can protect heating systems from the damaging consequences of corrosion and limescale for life. Such issues include breakdowns, premature component repairs and replacements, radiator cold spots, poor efficiency, and Daniel Cheung, Sentinel’s UK higher heating bills, so the Trade Marketing Manager attraction of best practice water treatment, for both installers and homeowners, is clear. The only problem with the popularity of best practice is that there are a number of complex and changing approaches being promoted across the water treatment industry. This has left many installers a little confused about the best way to approach best practice. So, let’s simplify things. The most thorough and easy to follow best practice system is also the simplest. It consists of just three steps and is guaranteed to help installers that undertake it accurately to deliver lifetime protection. That system is: ‘clean, protect, maintain’.

Full circle The clean, protect, maintain approach works. It is thorough, logical and goes full circle, leaving no room for error to creep in. Using ‘clean, protect, maintain’ allows installers to do a best practice, professional job in which they can take pride. And by protecting heating systems from the issues caused by corrosion and limescale for life, this simple system helps to avoid call backs and disgruntled customers, replacing them with happy ones who stay with their installers for longer. So how does it work? Well, this foolproof system, is, as mentioned, really quite simple. The first step in this best practice approach is cleaning – and for good reason, because cleaning is the foundation of a healthy system. Without proper cleaning, a system cannot be restored to full efficiency and effectiveness (as in the case of older systems) or protected from the corrosive effects of oils, greases, residual flux and installation debris (as in the case of new systems). A dirty system will also impede the performance of a chemical inhibitor, leaving the system vulnerable to further corrosion.

Cleaning up To achieve an effective system clean, installers should start by ‘thinking dirty’. This means assessing the extent and type of debris in a heating system, as well as the age of the installation, and then using a suitable cleaning agent. For example, new systems are typically fouled with installation debris, flux residues, greases from new manufacturer components, and so on, while older systems are primarily fouled with corrosion debris and sludge. In the former, a cleaning agent for new heating systems should be used, while the latter require cleaning agents designed for older systems. Furthermore, the degree of corrosion in older systems can vary significantly, from those which are severely dirty

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to those which are witnessing earlier stages of corrosion. In these cases, heavily sludged heating systems may need a chemical cleaner which can be left in for a day or more, while a fast acting cleaning agent (which can clean in as little as one hour with a powerflushing machine) can be used to clean ‘lightly’ fouled systems.

First step: clean – installers should assess the extent and type of debris before selecting a suitable cleaner

Protecting the system Once a system has been thoroughly cleaned, inhibitor can be introduced to circulating water to protect the system – the second stage in the three-step best practice approach. High quality inhibitors (which are distinguished by features such as above minimum water quality standards, boiler manufacturer endorsement and proven performance) will prevent corrosion and limescale from occurring. However, inhibitor must be dosed in sufficient quantity in order to be fully effective, and this can be confirmed using inhibitor quick test kits. For extra protection against corrosion, installers can also fit system filters. It’s important to note that chemicals of high quality should always be used; there is a major lack of industry quality standards for water treatment chemicals (one minimum standard for inhibitors and none at all for cleaners). Like most things, you get what you pay for with water treatment chemicals, so for the best results, take great care to choose those which are reputable, proven, and recommended by boiler manufacturers in the boiler installation and servicing guides.

Step two: inhibitor should be added to circulating water to prevent corrosion and limescale from occurring

Regular maintenance Last but not least, water treatment needs to be maintained (the third step in the best practice approach of clean, protect, maintain) in order to ensure ongoing protection. Maintenance involves checking inhibitor levels on a regular basis, such as during annual boiler services, and toppingup if low. Under ideal circumstances, inhibitor levels will remain constant, although factors such poor system design, leaks and partial draining of the system followed by mains water makeup, can lead to oxygen ingress (which accelerates corrosion) or reduced inhibitor concentration. Regular maintenance ensures that these problems are caught early, preventing serious issues from taking hold. So, that’s it. By following these three simple steps, installers can master best practice with ease.

Step three: maintenance – ensure ongoing system protection by checking inhibitor levels on a regular basis

Quicker cleaning, multiple benefits The latest generation of Sentinel’s X800 Fast Acting Cleaner works in as little as one hour. It is made with a powerful yet non-aggressive formulation and is offered as a solution for cleaning when time on site is limited, or to maximise the working day. The product can be used in hot or cold systems (older than six months) and, thanks to its nofoam formula, is a suitable partner for powerflushing machines. This non-acidic

cleaning agent targets heavy corrosion that accumulates at the base of radiators,

suspended debris that can block waterways and damage components, and rust and scale which forms on radiator walls. By ensuring that corrosion has nowhere to hide, X800 restores system circulation, improves heat efficiency and reduces the likelihood of breakdowns. “System cleaning is the first indispensable step in the best practice approach of clean, protect, maintain,” says Daniel Cheung, UK Trade Marketing Manager.

“However, installers are often under time pressure on site, which can mean that heating systems don’t get cleaned thoroughly. As a result, the problems of dirty water persist. By delivering superior yet rapid cleaning, Sentinel X800 is going to make a tangible difference to installers, allowing them to deliver best practice boiler protection whilst saving valuable time.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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48 PUMPS & System Treatment

Retrofitting a ﬁlter will reduce repairs Ensuring a brand new boiler is protected with a magnetic filter is considered standard practice, but more installers should consider the benefits of fitting filters on all sludgerelated repair jobs, says Dr Neil Watson, Chief Technical Officer at ADEY.

agnetite makes up more than 98% of all system debris, making it the single biggest cause of heating system issues. Due to their incredibly small size, magnetite particles travel easily around a heating system and deposit in low flow areas. Regardless of age, magnetite will always eventually become a problem for a boiler and household heating system, unless it’s Dr Neil Watson, ADEY’s Chief properly maintained and Technical Ofﬁcer protected against corrosion. Every year, around 1.6 million new boilers are installed in UK homes at a cost of between £2000 and £3000 each. Therefore, we understand it may be easier for an installer to help customers see the benefits of fitting a magnetic filter at the same time because they’ll be keen to protect the significant investment they’ve made for comparatively little extra cost. In addition, it’s more likely they’ll also be interested to hear that not only will it provide ongoing protection, but it will boost heating efficiency, reduce household energy bills and cut maintenance costs too. We know this because, according to our own research, 83% of installers say they almost always recommend installing a filter when they’re fitting a new boiler. For most installers it has become second-nature and an obvious opportunity to upsell. In comparison, we found that when installers are called

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Fitting a MagnaClean ﬁlter will help protect new and existing systems from the damaging effects of magnetite

our filters are the only ones available on the market that are independently proven to collect and remove virtually all magnetite from a system, and save 6% on household energy bills year on year.

Best practice There are around 23.6 million boilers installed in UK homes and as the market leader and pioneer of magnetic filtration technology, our filters are currently fitted in more than four An inside view of ADEY’s MagnaClean Professional2 million homes. Potentially, this leaves almost 20 million out to repair a boiler, just 13% recommend fitting a filter. household heating systems unprotected and at risk from With any issues highly likely to be sludge related, this the damaging effects of magnetite. While there are many benefits in fitting a filter on every means they could be missing a big opportunity to properly sludge-related boiler repair job, installers who consider protect their customers’ heating systems and significantly this as part of a holistic best practice approach will reap reduce the need for repeat repairs. the biggest rewards. Common issues As a business started by a heating installer, we understand We also recently commissioned a survey of 2000 UK that an effective maintenance cycle – such as that outlined homeowners. More than a third of respondents said they by ADEY’s best practice approach – ensures heating systems currently have issues with their central heating systems are properly protected for the long term. As such, we’ve including noisy pipework, cold spots in radiators and low designed a range of products, from cleansing kits and or inconsistent heat levels. All of these common issues are magnetic filters to chemicals and water testing solutions, that work hand in hand. symptoms of a build-up of This ‘belt and braces’ sludge within the system and “It makes sense to ensure that new approach helps installers the corrosion of components. ensure they can do the best The most effective remedy parts are protected from corrosion” job for their customers by is for an installer to fit a saving them money and, in magnetic filter, providing long term protection and preventing future sludge-related return, this can help build a business on a great reputation breakdowns, associated costs and inconvenience for the through customer satisfaction and referrals. In addition, when customer budgets are tight, using homeowner. products that are built to go the distance is critical. This However, we understand that when a system needs repairing, it’s usually an unplanned distress purchase for is why we put our products through comprehensive and the customer and this can make it difficult for an installer rigorous materials testing which includes simulated 10-year to feel comfortable in recommending a fix that, although system cycle testing for temperature, pressure and thermalbeneficial, comes at further additional cost. We are therefore shock, hydro-static destruction testing, performance testing happy to support installers with material they can use to for magnetic and non-magnetic capture, and simulated help educate customers on the benefits of having a well- flow testing, in addition to independent testing by BSI. maintained system and the return on investment that As such, ADEY is the first filter manufacturer to provide a 10-year warranty on the whole product. long term protection can deliver. For example, should an installer need to replace any We will continue to equip installers with innovative tools heating system components, it makes sense to ensure new and practical support to help them defend every household parts are protected from future corrosion, which means heating system from the damaging effects of magnetite. installing a filter should be considered best practice as much PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No. 126 as it is when installing a whole new boiler. In addition, www.adey.com

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Pump technology in a digital age What will the pump of the future look like? Pump manufacturers such as KSB have been investigating how advances in digitalisation can help to optimise pump performance, improve energy efficiency levels and provide real value for pump operators.

onditions can change during the life of a pump, which means that the pump no longer runs at the optimum operating point. With this in mind, the experts at KSB have been investigating how to optimise pump performance without using complex analytics or having to replace the pump. The company believes that digitalisation offers tremendous potential for this. “It’s a matter of transferring decades of experience into an algorithm and a software solution,” explains Dr Thomas Paulus, Head of Programme Office Digitalisation & Startup Projects at KSB. “This involves many different components and aspects. By bringing these component parts together we end up with an intelligent and practical concept that provides real added value for the pump operator.” KSB’s PumpMeter (pictured) is able to calculate differential pressure and determine the

current operating point, which is updated continuously in real time. The display allows the operator to evaluate the operating point and adjust the pump accordingly. Operators can see at a glance whether they are operating economically. A flashing EFF (energy efficiency) symbol also indicates potential for further energy savings.

Remote access Conventional measurements using wetted sensors are not always straightforward, particularly when

the medium being pumped is a chemical product. However, cloud access means that technicians can obtain information about the status of a pump from anywhere in the world without having to be on site. Measurements taken in parallel using the PumpMeter are being used to verify the values obtained using the vibration sensor. According to Dr Paulus: “Based on these results, it is already easy to see whether it makes sense to switch to closed-loop control, whether the settings or modes of operation need to be changed, or whether it would be better to buy a new pump.”

Software control Traditionally any changes made to a system needs a service technician. But what if it were possible to adjust the pump using software? “This is actually possible with our MyFlow Technology,” says Daniel Gontermann, Head of Product at

KSB. The conventional approach for fixed speed pumps is to match the flow rate and head to the calculated operating point by trimming the impeller. Now, the pump can be adjusted by changing the speed. “A software application can be used to bring the pump closer to its optimum operating point,” says Daniel Gontermann. “Because a change in speed is always associated with a change in power, substantial savings can also be made.” Pump optimisation through virtual impeller trimming is fast and convenient by smartphone or tablet via a Bluetooth gateway. “During development, special attention was paid to security. The KSB FlowManager app establishes a point-to-point connection, which ensures that the correct pump is being addressed, and only by the person entitled to do so,” he explains. “The great thing is that you can now defer the individualisation of

the pump to a much later point in the supply chain, which of course means that fewer variants are required.” The variant complexity for hydraulics is reduced by more than 50%, saving time and money. “Simply reducing the complexity by having fewer variants will promote the topic of virtual impeller trimming,” says Daniel Gontermann.

Future outlook “Digitalisation is not an end in itself,” emphasises Dr Paulus. “Our users will only accept the new technologies if they bring added value to their day-to-day work and, above all, are workable. “In the same way that we have been getting the most out of pumps in terms of performance and efficiency for decades, we are now also making progress in developing the algorithms and software.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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50 Pumps & System Treatment

Getting physical with hard water Physical water conditioners can provide an effective way to address hard water issues, but it’s important to have an understanding about how they work and where best to locate them, as Darren Stacey, Head of Sales & Marketing at Lifescience Products, explains.

echnological advances in the water treatment industry have led to an increase in alternative technologies being used as replacements for more traditional types of hard water treatments. Physical water conditioners are now widely accepted by many as a low cost, easy to install and, in some cases, maintenance free alternative to chemical softening. But with so many different types of water conditioner Darren Stacey, Head of Sales & Marketing at Lifescience available and still no official UK standard by which to judge them, how can plumbers be sure they’re making the right choices?

more effective and reliable than others. Most are designed to be maintenance free and design life can be in excess of 25 years. A few will even descale existing plumbing installations. By and large, electronic water conditioners act indirectly to encourage the formation of limescale in suspension. They do this as part of a two stage process whereby a signal is transmitted into water to create pre-nucleation clusters that then act as seeds on to which scale is forced to precipitate when the water is heated or a pressure drop occurs. Most types will only treat water locally to where they are installed, relying on a ‘memory’ effect to prevent scale encrustation further downstream. Some can treat static water but the effect is often very short lived so for these devices the closer together the two stages occur, the more effective the treatment is likely to be. Other electronic water conditioners use radio wave technology to create pre-nucleation clusters. These waves can be continuously transmitted through the water, both Cause and effect upstream and downstream, irrespective of flow. Providing Well, let’s start with the science. Hard water contains there is continuity of signal they’ll provide constant dissolved calcium minerals which are picked up as rainwater treatment to all of the water all of the time, without any percolates through limestone bedrock. These hardness reliance on the memory effect. This type of electronic conditioner allows for continuous minerals can be brought back out of solution when the water is heated or subjected to a pressure drop. It’s the treatment of sites where long periods of low or intermittent build-up of these deposits in the form of encrusted limescale usage are common such as schools, universities and large that causes water heaters, valves and appliances to fail, scale multi-occupancy buildings. But continuous treatment reduces energy efficiency and provides a hiding place for is predicated on these units being correctly installed downstream of pumps and bacteria such as Legionella. storage tanks, which could Traditional base exchange “Physical water conditioners don’t need cause signal degradation. softeners deal with this to remove calcium to prevent limescale” For heat exchangers with problem by replacing pumps on the cold water calcium with sodium, inlet and some modular type preventing the precipitation of limescale. When well maintained and serviced regularly, water heaters, it’s often more effective to treat the outlet ‘salt’ softeners can provide an effective solution. However, side of the heater, using a back signal to protect the heat they can be expensive, require regular dosing with salt and exchanger whilst also continuously treating the stored often there is a need to plumb a separate potable water hot water in a buffer vessel. Hot water secondary returns should be treated by locating supply to provide safe drinking water. Physical water conditioners are unlike base exchange a supplementary unit downstream of the return pump to softeners in that they don’t need to remove the calcium ensure continuous treatment of the returning hot water from hard water to prevent limescale encrustation. They work by encouraging dissolved calcium to precipitate in suspension rather than encrusting surfaces. This means hardness minerals continue to be brought out of solution during a ‘scaling event’ but form onto seeds in the water, thus mitigating their effect on water heaters, valves, appliances and pipes.

Providing protection Understanding the different mechanisms employed by physical water conditioners to encourage this process is the first step towards getting things right. Many release zinc to act as the seed on to which limescale can form. The most effective tend to use galvanic corrosion to break down a sacrificial zinc anode over time. They are often the least expensive and easiest to install of the inline water conditioners and can be very effective. However, their lifespan could be limited to just a couple of years due to passivity as a result of scaling or the anode becoming exhausted. In the USA this has been demonstrated by a manufacturer now recommending their units are routinely cleaned with acids to reduce the effects of passivity. For those looking for longer term protection, particularly those responsible for the ongoing maintenance of domestic water systems, an electronic/electro-magnetic water conditioner may be a more sustainable option. There are a number of electronic water conditioners commonly available in the UK, with some being considerably

50.indd 1

Some electronic water conditioners use radio wave technology to provide continuous treatment, irrespective of flow

The build-up of limescale from untreated hard water will eventually cause water heaters and valves to fail

as it re-enters the water heater. Similarly, for irrigation systems and re-circulating systems like swimming pools, locating a unit after the pump as close to the ‘scaling event’ as possible will provide continuous protection.

Better understanding So, while it’s true to say that some electronic water conditioners can provide greater flexibility through continuous treatment, understanding where best to locate them is still crucial. Such understanding can only really be derived from those manufacturers who provide training opportunities for installers and specifiers. Traditionally, access to training has been limited to a handful of seminars offered to mechanical and public health engineers. The best of these have formal accreditations from recognized industry bodies including CIBSE and CIPHE. They can provide an invaluable insight for those with the time to attend but often fail to reach smaller contractors and individual installers who cannot afford time away from site. For those who only have a few minutes on site or in between call outs, access to online content is crucial. But whilst there’s no shortage of material online, cutting through to find reliable information isn’t always easy. Our solution has been to launch the free-to-access Lifescience Academy – home to a new e-learning module, literature, technical information and installation guides. The resources can be accessed whenever they’re needed and provide all of the information a plumber needs to install with confidence. To find out more about our e-learning module and our range of electronic water conditioners, please visit the website below. www.lifescienceacademy.co.uk

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PUMPS & System Treatment 51 Power to protect the system The new IntaKlean Maxi commercial range of magnetic filters from Inta has been designed to protect commercial installations from magnetite build-up, preventing corrosion inside the heating system, thus keeping it free of debris that can cause clogging and breakdowns. The filter can be retro-fitted

quickly and easily as well as installed with any new boiler to keep it at peak condition for longer. Available in 2.5 to 4in, and supplied with PN16 flanges, the IntaKlean Maxi commercial magnetic filter range features four 10,000 Gauss magnets. It also features a manual air bleed as well as a 1in drain

Works well with ground source

plug. The magnets can be withdrawn from the filter without the need for draining down, making servicing both quick and easy. Inta says that the IntaKlean Maxi will benefit institutions such as hospitals, schools and colleges. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Boost pressure with compact pump Designed to boost water pressure in the home, the Grundfos Scala2 is a solution for buildings with up to three floors and eight tap outlets. Equipped with intelligent pump control, it automatically adjusts its operation to deliver the required water pressure via an integrated sensor that detects if the inlet pressure varies. This means that if several taps are open at the same time, it immediately tells the pump to boost the pressure, with no discernible interruption to the water flow. The WRAS approved pumps combine the pump, motor, tank, sensor, drive and non-return valve in one neat package, which enables them to be sited in small spaces such as a kitchen cabinet or airing cupboard. Said to offer good value for money, Scala2 is suitable for all domestic applications and features a noise level of 47 dB(A) in typical use – making it one of the quietest boosters in its class. www.grundfos.co.uk

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High efficiency circulating pumps from Wilo have been specified as part of a renewable heating system at Auckley Primary School in Doncaster, where a ground source heat pump now provides heating, cooling and hot water for the whole building. JKN Renewables specified two NIBE ground source heat pumps to provide 80kW of heating. Passive cooling has been integrated in all areas via the UFH and fan coils in the classrooms. Wilo Stratos low energy pumps were used for the heating circulators so as to maximise efficiency and performance. “We are delighted that our Wilo Stratos pumps were selected to be a part of this highly efficient system,” says Marketing Manager Morgan Warren-Ross. “We’re seeing our excellent pumps specified for increasing numbers of renewable installations as well as for traditional gas and oil fired heating systems across the UK. It’s rewarding to know that our pumps are contributing on a daily basis to the overall energy efficiency achieved by this heating and cooling system.” www.wilo.co.uk

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Ready for a drop in temperatures As temperatures drop and installers inevitably become busier, Francine Wickham, Global Marketing Director at Fernox, discusses how to help prevent system breakdowns and ensure that boilers are working effectively and efficiently during the winter months.

s the UK prepares for another winter, homeowners become ever more reliant on their central heating system. However, when temperatures drop, issues that lay dormant in the summer months may appear when the boiler is needed the most. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s therefore crucial that installers effectively test, clean and maintain the system â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to help keep those boilers working effectively and efficiently. Deposits of sludge, rust and other contaminants can lead to blocked pipes and damage to vital boiler components. It can even result in complete system failure, something that 22% of households have experienced in the past year alone (according to the latest research from USwitch). This is where

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Francine Wickham, Fernox

chemical water treatments and filter technology offer a cost effective solution.

Water test The first step to treat a dirty system is to test the system water to determine the severity of the contamination. The Fernox System Water Test, for example, is a simpleto-use turbidity test. It is a

visual check to determine the quality of the system water and help to identify the appropriate treatment. The test is supported with a System Health Check app, which provides instant access to system information online. Installers are able to show the results to the homeowner and recommend the best steps for treatment. In the vast majority of cases, dirty central heating systems need a best-in-class, tried and tested, non-foaming cleaner. The universal, pH neutral Fernox Cleaner F3, is available in a 500ml product that will clear a system of all types of installation debris and sludge, and is specially formulated to remove flux and solder residues. It is also fast acting and easy to remove from the system water.

Compatible for use with all powerflushing machines, it can also save additional time on site by accelerating the cleaning process. Systems can be left running normally whilst the system is being treated with Cleaner F3 before the flushing process begins â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so the installer can dose the system in advance.

Heavy duty If the heating system is heavily contaminated, a heavy-duty product like Fernox Cleaner F5 should be used. Powerful in its cleaning capability, it is also benefits from a nonhazardous formulation. It is also available as a 1 litre product and from the Express range as a 280ml aerosol. Once the system is clean, it is crucial to add an inhibitor to protect it from future corrosion. Typically, a high-

quality product will contain: organic inhibitors (to protect it from debris), anodic inhibitors (to create a protective layer) and cathodic inhibitors (to form an insoluble layer). It is only through the combination of these three types of inhibitor particles that a truly comprehensive level of protection can be provided. Such is the case with Fernox Protector F1, available in 500ml and as part of the Express range, which will treat an average 3 to 4 bedroom house or 100 litre system. Once a central heating system is clean and protected, an in-line system filter should be installed on the return to the boiler to help provide complete system protection and maximise efficiencies gained. All Fernox TF1 filters feature dual action tech-

nology to capture and contain both magnetic and non-magnetic debris for safe removal. This is a significant point to remember when selecting a filter to ensure that all types of contaminants can be removed effectively from the system. Finally, using an inhibitor developed to work with filter technology will help to further maintain system efficiency as well as extend the lifespan of the boiler. Our Filter Fluid+ Protector contains an active dispersant, which is able to detect, lift and carry debris directly to the filter for safe retention and removal. The same product contains the marketleading inhibitor to protect against further corrosion taking place. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Easy condensate removal The new Wilo-Plavis family of condensate lifting units have been designed to provide an energy efficient and easy-to-install solution for the removal of condensate from condensing boilers and air conditioning units. Suitable for use with new and existing boilers or air conditioning systems, the lifting unit collects and

pumps out condensation water with minimum noise levels and low power consumption, thanks to a quiet-running DC motor. The ready-to-plug system has adjustable inlets and a rotatable cover and motor, allowing for quick and easy installation. Servicing the system is equally straightforward thanks to a

removable service cap and an integrated non-return valve. The fill level of the 1.1 litre tank is monitored using embedded electrodes. The pump identifies the fill level of the tank and empties this automatically as required via a hose comprising an integrated non-return valve. This prevents backflow of the pumped-out condensate. Three models are available in the range, which includes the option of an integrated LED alarm in the form of a visual error message, an acoustic alarm and a fault signal. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Magnetic filter picks up award The Fernox TF1 Omega Filter has won Product of the Year at the National Energy Efficiency and Healthy Homes Awards 2017. The product was selected by the judges for its versatility and superior capability when it comes to capturing system debris. Providing extra flexibility for installers, the nickelplated brass filter can be installed on 22 and 28mm pipework, both horizontally and vertically, in either flow direction. It can also be positioned at a 45 degree angle if required. Taking less than 30 seconds to treat the system when using the

Fernox Express range, the filter also acts as a handy dosing point for Fernox chemical water treatment products. The effective collection of system debris is said to be enhanced by its dual action magnetic and hydronic particle separation (HPS) technology. Francine Wickham, Fernox Global Marketing Director, comments: “We’re delighted that our commitment to maintaining system efficiency and reducing fuel wastage has been rewarded. Testimony to the expertise of our excellent research

and development team, the ground-breaking TF1 Omega Filter – with its impressive 25-year warranty – offers superior debris capture that helps maintain system efficiency and prevent higher running costs.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Time saving ﬂush adapter The Universal Flush Adaptor attachment from Eclipse Magnetics, the company behind the BoilerMag range of magnetic filters, has been designed to enable installers to carry out routine system flushes quickly and easily by simply attaching flushing equipment to the BoilerMag boiler filter. The adaptor is compatible with either screw fit or female cam lock hoses and can be simply attached to the back of the BoilerMag port block in just a few seconds, without fully removing the BoilerMag from the pipework. Flushing through a BoilerMag filter is said to be a fast and simple process. The flush adaptor simply

attaches to the port block to begin the flushing process. It can also be used with flushing equipment from other leading manufacturers. The BoilerMag range includes a variety of magnetic heating system

filters suitable for domestic, commercial and industrial applications, as well as a full range of chemical treatment products including cleaners and inhibitors. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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PRODUCTS in Action Heat pump partners with solar panels and gas boiler A homeowner in Shropshire is enjoying a significant reduction in heating bills and the added comfort of constant room temperatures following the installation of an MCS approved 16kW Firebird Enviroair air source heat pump. Installed by EGE Energy Ltd, the air source heat pump was added to the existing gas-fired boiler and solar thermal panels to create a trivalent heating system. Designed to reduce running costs whilst achieving high levels of efficiency, the system maximises the use of renewable energy and minimises the use of the existing boiler. Installing the heat pump as part of a trivalent system had the advantage of being able to utilise the existing radiators. Homeowners installing a heat pump are also able to take advantage of the domestic RHI. The system also incorporated two solar thermal panels which were linked directly to the Enviroair. A Firebird Envirocyl-HP Heat Pump Cylinder, which has been designed specifically for use in conjunction with a

heat pump, was also installed. The cylinder features a purpose-designed coil which allows maximum heat transfer of renewable energy into the stored water. ﬁrebird.uk.com

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CO alarm proves its worth Calico Homes in Lancashire has changed its carbon monoxide (CO) alarm specification to Aico Ei208 lithium battery powered CO alarms with AudioLINK data extraction technology. Calico Homes provides accommodation for families and older people, plus supported housing and services for homeless people. The move to Ei208 CO alarms has already proven invaluable. Following a reported CO alarm activation by a Calico Homes customer, National Grid attended the site with a Calico Homes gas engineer, but no CO was detected and the customer

had no CO present in her blood. It was impossible to tell if the CO alarm had activated, so the engineer swapped it for an Aico CO alarm with

AudioLINK data extraction. Two weeks later the Aico CO alarm activated, but this time Calico Homes was able to extract data from the alarm and take action, as Steve Hobman, Calico Homes gas engineer, explains: “I asked what she was doing when the alarm activated and she said she had been using the oven. I then downloaded a report from the alarm which confirmed the alarm had seen high CO readings. After carrying out further tests it was proved to be the oven which was producing CO, and the cooker was capped off.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Pipework at BBC TV Centre Heating and cooling solutions from Rehau are being used in many of the new apartments within the BBC’s mixed use Television Centre building in White City. The company’s underfloor heating has been installed in nearly 250 apartments by Anders Heating Company, with Rautherm Universal PE-Xa pipework being used for the Rehau tacker system in the apartments. In many of the corridors the company’s CoolBoard chilled ceiling system is also providing the necessary cooling. Replacing conventional plasterboard, the CoolBoard panels feature

integrated loops of Rautherm 10mm PE-Xa pipe, with chilled water circulating to deliver fast responding and efficient radiant cooling. The hot and cold domestic plumbing system that runs

throughout the corridors was chosen due to the Everloc jointing technology, which is fast and easy to fix and guarantees no leaks. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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56 MERCHANT & Distributor News Smart week helps Beware fake parts to spread the word Gas Appliance Spares (GAS) is urging customers to buy from reputable gas spares stockists in preparation for the upcoming colder months. The specialist spares supplier says that with so many counterfeit products available, installers are opening themselves up to the risk of purchasing unreliable or even dangerous parts. The Preston based business advises customers to check reviews on the TrustPilot

Highlighting the benefits of ‘smart’ technology, Graham Plumbers’ Merchant made the week of 9th to the 13th October ‘Smart Week’ and staged a series of events at branches and colleges to educate and inform about connected homes. The week kicked off with an exciting Smart event at the merchant’s Reading branch, which included special deals on the day and giveaways. There were also events that took place

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at Norwich and Leicester colleges in order to educate the next generation of plumbers on smart solutions in the home. Natalie Bird, Category Assistant for Plumbing and Plastics at Graham, comments: “It’s no secret that the future is smart – so it’s hugely important to help our future plumbers embrace that. Graham was proud to get involved with these college days that aim to support the youth.”

website, where GAS currently has a TrustScore of 9.5 out of 10 from over 1000 reviews, with 91% of people rating their service as excellent. Ross Graham, GAS Manager, says: “Our team are fully committed to providing the best service possible to customers. We appreciate how important it is for potential and current consumers to have trust in our work, hence why the feedback we receive is really valuable to us.”

Expansion plan North East based heating and plumbing merchant, the Flame Heating Group, has its sights set on further job creation after increasing its staff count by 80% over the last 12 months. Flame currently operates eight branches across the region and is now looking to expand into Scotland, set to open in Edinburgh and Glasgow before the end of the year. MD John Savage comments: “We are continuing to invest in our infrastructure, which is helping to build a strong workforce that is supporting the company’s growth and development. Flame has enjoyed great success over the last six years, with further plans in place to grow our presence regionally and, one day, nationally.”

Rugby stars back branch opening Ben Kay MBE and Geordan Murphy, two Leicester Tigers legends, were the special guests for the official opening of the new BSS branch in Thurmaston, on the outskirts of Leicester. The supplier of pipeline and heating solutions for the commercial and industrial market invited the two ex international rugby union stars and local Leicester sporting heroes to celebrate the event. The new BSS Leicester is part of a new Travis Perkins

Group trade park, which is strategically located near the M1 and M69 for convenience and ease of access across the region. The new trade park also features a Travis Perkins branch, Benchmarx, and Wickes, making it a one stop shop for the building and plumbing trades. Hundreds of visitors on the day had the opportunity to see the new branch facilities, including a fully merchandised trade counter featuring all the latest BOSS own-brand products.

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Simple steps to improve on IAQ Outdoor pollution can have a surprising knock-on effect on indoor air quality, in both cities and in the countryside. Alan Macklin, Group Technical Director at Elta Group, explains why reliable and effective ventilation is therefore vital, wherever the location of a property.

a duty to ensure that the ollowing the GovernIAQ provided to staff is of ment’s recent focus a high standard. A happy on improving the air workforce doesn’t happen by quality within major cities, accident and businesses can most people expect the air underestimate the effect of quality in the countryside to poor IAQ on office morale. be better than that of built Aside from irritating up areas. For the most-part respiratory conditions, this is true, since emissions such as asthma, a poorly and pollutants, including ventilated office environment nitrogen dioxide, carbon can lead to headaches, monoxide and volatile dizziness and low levels organic compounds, are of concentration. In fact, significantly greater in studies have shown that a urban areas. However, while CO2 level above a thousand outdoor air quality tends Alan Macklin, Group Technical parts per million has a direct to grab the majority of the Director at Elta Group and negative impact on headlines, indoor air quality is just as important – especially given the human cognition and decision-making. This amount of time that many people spend means productivity is lower for employers – as a direct result of air quality. inside. When it comes to air quality, the majority Home help of focus has fallen on towns and cities. This is understandable since many play host Good IAQ is a vital part of our health to congestion and factories which are the and can be effected within the primary producers of air pollution build- home by anything from the use up. What’s more, in these built up areas, of cleaning products, to the pollution can become trapped between levels of moisture in the air, buildings and, without any air movement, leading to condensation. Dust, mould or fungus can quickly mount. Depending on the time of year, a superior spores, and pollen all air quality is not always guaranteed in the contribute to poor countryside, as the weather can also play a indoor air quality role. When built-up areas experience strong regardless of whether a breezes, pollution can drift out from the cities property is located within to cover the neighbouring countryside. In the town or countryside. Properties in the countryside are much the same way that pollution becomes much more likely to be off the grid and trapped between buildings in cities, it can therefore rely on oil to heat their homes. also build up in the countryside in low lying However, it is important to consider the areas such as valleys. impact this can have, as the burning of While attention has been paid to improving fuels in flueless appliances, such as paraffin air quality, it’s important to consider how this build-up of pollution can further impact stoves, portable gas heaters, gas stoves and the indoor air quality levels within homes ovens, and wood burning fires, can also and workplaces, and the impact that poor accumulate indoors if ventilation is poor. indoor air quality (IAQ) can have. While regulations for new buildings With many businesses and office spaces have been improved to ensure that homes located in polluted cities, employers have are more air-tight than ever, there are

some unsuspecting materials that can all contribute to poor indoor air quality. Man-made carpets, furniture and laminate flooring can all be responsible for harnessing gases produced by cooking and heating, and can all contribute to indoor air pollution, meaning that it is essential adequate ventilation is in place.

Cleaning up

Improve IAQ with the Mori range of dMEV units from Elta Fans

Measures to clean up emissions from factories and vehicles have greatly improved the air in built-up areas. In the meantime, ventilation provides the solution to poor IAQ by removing the unseen pollutants and particles. For properties in the countryside, simply opening a window will allow fresh air to disperse throughout the building. However, for those based in the city, this simple action will not provide the fresh air needed to create a comfortable environment, nor is it possible due to security risks. The result is that all too often the indoor air becomes trapped, leading to recirculating particles, unpleasant odours, condensation-causing moisture and increasing CO2 levels. Modern ventilation systems have since been developed to deliver efficient and effective ventilation for businesses both large and small. However, the need to educate homeowners on the minimum

ventilation rate remains just as important. Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) units are commonly used within domestic buildings seeking to improve its IAQ. These low maintenance ventilation units help prevent and cure condensation dampness related problems by supplying a regulated stream of fresh, clean air. They can also be used to control other indoor air pollutants that contribute to poor IAQ. Similarly, Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (dMEV) units (such as pictured left) have quickly become the first choice option for homeowners due it its ability to serve a constant supply of fresh air to airtight homes.

The best option In most cases, ventilation is the best way to deal with the issue of poor indoor air quality, and there is a wide array of options available depending on the property size, specific air quality issue and location. Whether located in a town or rural area, all properties need to carefully consider what sources of particles they are exposed to and install a ventilation system which is able to cope. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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58 VENTILATION & Heat Recovery

Developing solutions to address pollution issues With the problem of diesel pollution regularly in the news, a number of new ventilation solutions are emerging all the time – but it’s important that any such solution should adhere to Building Regulations and the necessary health standards, says Tyson Anderson, Sales & Marketing Director at Titon.

Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) NO2 filters also help combat ammonia n order to ease the widespread concern Regulations 2002) and fines odours, while absorbing VOCs (volatile about air pollution, rising to £80 in areas such as organic compounds) and solvents. manufacturers and specifiers Westminster being issued. From a legislative perspective, it is need to investigate how to But is this enough, or does important any NO2 filters installed conform successfully combat it, as more need to be done? to the EU Directive 2008/50/EC (AKA the people’s health and lives Air for Europe programme or the Removal service Clean should not be compromised. CAFE Directive). This programme was It has already been highly launched with the aim of developing a There is evidence that high publicised that indoor air long term, strategic and integrated policy levels of nitrogen dioxide quality can be significantly to protect against significant negative effects (NO2) can inflame the improved via effective of air pollution on human health and the airways in the lungs and, ventilation. Indeed, by environment. over a long period of time, specifying MVHR System affect their functionality. 4, moisture and airborne Building Regs People with asthma are Tyson Anderson, Titon Sales pa r t ic u l a rly a f fe c t e d , & Marketing Manager contaminants will be Filter units also need to comply with Part F while NO2 can also cause removed, resulting in a (ventilation) of the Building Regulations – other respiratory problems, immunity healthier indoor environment for occupants. especially the pages relating to performance to infections such as bronchitis, plus in In addition, there are also now specially criteria for dwellings – also applicable to some cases, heart disease. As a result, designed NO2 filters which can be added offices – stating that exposure to NO2 it is becoming imperative to design cost to an MVHR system and remove pollutants should not exceed 288μg/m over a oneeffective ventilation systems to cope with being produced by diesel engines. These hour average, and 40μg/m over a long the increased potential for air pollution. pollutants include sulphur dioxide, hydrogen term average. However, interestingly, Consequently, MVHR manufacturers are sulphide, hydrogen chloride and chlorine. Part F doesn’t stipulate that filters are a continually looking to develop products to necessity – perhaps this needs help combat such pollutants and improve to be reconsidered, following all air quality inside the home. the recent findings concerning The issue has now come to a head, with air pollution. DEFRA estimating NO2 pollution causes up NO2 filters – such as our to 23,500 premature deaths a year in the own award-winning Trimbox UK, with traffic pollution contributing to the – incorporate balanced flow rising number of children with asthma. Their technology to reduce NO2 to an data reveals almost 3000 schools and many acceptable mean concentration planned homes are in areas breaching WHO level of 40μg/m3 while (World Health Organisation) air pollution improving indoor air quality. limits – this includes levels of NO2 above the Indeed, independent tests have stringent levels set out in the EU Directive demonstrated such units to 2008/50/EC – European Union Air Quality and absorb 95% of NO2 not only in Clean Air for Europe 2008. Such has been the normal, continuous ventilation concern that some parents are now being mode but also at boost or higher fined for not switching off their engines ventilation rates. These units when picking up children from school (Road Trafﬁc pollution is thought to be a cause of premature death can be installed in both intake

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The Trimbox NO2 ﬁlter system from Titon

and supply ducting and can also be used in small to large dwellings, provided they are able to operate with variable airflow. However, we are now seeing an increased amount of manufacturers offering many different NO2 filters, and they are not necessarily as effective as other models on the market. Some products are incorporating large carbon filters, but these can only go on to large and cumbersome units – which results in it being costly and awkward for installation. A healthy ventilation strategy with adequate filtration is crucial. After all, buildings are essentially acting in a manner similar to a lung – drawing in polluted air from outside air before breathing out processed and filtered indoor air. While we have known for many years the benefits of a successful MVHR strategy, we now need to extol the virtues of adding high quality NO2 filters to these systems to ensure occupants remain fit and healthy for the foreseeable future. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Training leads to opportunities Becoming a certified professional domestic ventilation installer will both improve the quality of installations and provide opportunities to expand your business. David Treharne, Senior Engineer at Domus Ventilation, highlights the benefits of investing in proper training.

ou may have been fitting ventilation systems for some time, but with mechanical ventilation systems more popular than ever, systems have become far more sophisticated and therefore more complex to design and install. To take advantage of this burgeoning market, training is essential. What’s more, with Building Regulations Part F having made all ventilation installation work legally David Treharne from Domus notifiable, this work has been raised to that of a specific skilled trade, and skill comes from training. Although it’s been in place since 2010, let’s remind ourselves of two key requirements of Building Regulations Part F, which covers ventilation: • All fixed mechanical ventilation systems, where they can be tested and adjusted, shall be commissioned and a commissioning notice given to the Building Control. • For mechanical ventilation systems installed in new dwellings, air flow rates shall be measured on site and a notice given to the Building Control body. This applies to intermittently-used extract fans and cooker hoods, as well as continuously running systems. This now makes all ventilation installation work legally notifiable. So if you do any work to a ventilation system, even something as simple as changing a timer fan in a bathroom, this work must now be notified to your local Building Control. Furthermore, the commissioning of the ventilation system and submission of the subsequent commissioning notice requires a trained installer. Under these regulations poor quality installations undertaken by untrained trades people is not permitted, as the installations have to be commissioned and ‘signed off’. If the ventilation system in place is not up to scratch, it will not pass. To pass muster and prove your skill level, participation in an industry-recognised accredited training scheme really is essential. Domus Ventilation is one of the few organisations

Domus is able to offer installers BPEC accredited training

to offer this, from three locations: Doncaster, Aylesford and Caerphilly. Our Domestic Ventilation Installer twoday training course has been independently assessed and is run by independent training company BPEC, one of the UK’s leading training providers. It has been recognised by the Government as a suitable academic qualification for relevant Competent Person Schemes.

On the right course You may well have been fitting ventilation systems for some years and consider yourself to have the right skills level not to require this type of training. But these more indepth training schemes cover the full range of ventilation systems, including whole house ventilation systems with heat recovery, which represent a solid business opportunity if you are not already active in this field. More housebuilders than ever before are now looking to whole house ventilation with heat recovery as a cost-effective means of meeting their environmental responsibilities. Furthermore, homeowners themselves are looking at long term strategies for reducing their fuel bills and carbon footprint. Heat recovery in the domestic sector therefore represents a business opportunity for those willing to embrace the technology. Most professionals in the ventilation industry will understand the basic concept of heat recovery: in a domestic setting it’s the collection and re-use of heat lost from a wetroom, bathroom and sometimes a kitchen. It might interest you to know that a bathroom full of moist air

Unveiling a fresh identity Domus Ventilation is the new name for Polypipe Ventilation. More than just a rebranding exercise, the name change follows a move to new premises in South Wales, the employment of new management and customer services teams, plus investment in an expanded sales network. Before being purchased by the Polypipe Group in 1998, Domus was a company synonymous with quality ducting for the domestic and light commercial markets. The brand lived on as part of Polypipe’s ducting products, but the decision has now been made to relaunch the

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company under the Domus Ventilation name. “Following extensive research, we have come to understand the genuine value of the Domus name,” explains Sales Director, Stephen Smith. “It is well known and directly associated with many positive attributes in the domestic ventilation sector, including quality product, which suits the direction we are taking. These are exciting times for Domus and we have invested considerably in its future.” The first stage in the creation of Domus Ventilation has included

a move of all staff and manufacturing to modern premises in Caerphilly, South Wales. The advanced automated manufacturing facility includes new training rooms and customer services. A new distinctive red logo and corporate identity have been unveiled which has already been used across a new Domus Ventilation product catalogue and will shortly be applied to a new website. Targeting the private and social housing refurbishment sectors, the company says that a number of new product initiatives are already in the pipeline.

can contain over 600W of heat energy and, according to Building Regulations, should be exhausted twice each hour. That represents 1.2kWh of heat wasted (enough for 30 lightbulbs or a fan heater!). There are different ways to achieve heat recovery, but the two most cost-effective and practical are mechanical extract ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) and exhaust air heat pumps (EAHP). MVHR systems efficiently preheat fresh air drawn into the building with waste stale air using a heat exchanger – more than 90% of waste heat can be recovered by this means; this clean, warm air is then distributed around the home. EAHP systems use refrigeration technology to exchange heat from waste air into low temperature heating systems such as underfloor heating and domestic hot water. The most obvious benefit to the homeowner of such technologies is the reduced need for heating and a subsequent decrease in fuel bills. On a lesser known note, heat recovery systems significantly increase quality of life within the home by delivering fresh, oxygenated, prewarmed and filtered air to the living and sleeping areas and reducing condensation. Heat recovery has already made headway into the social housing sector but is just as suitable for private housing stock. Some manufacturers’ systems can even be retrofitted to existing properties without major disruption. Whole house ventilation and heat recovery systems require not only an understanding of the technology but also a good level of competence from the installer in all aspects of the system, including ducting. A good training scheme will cover all these areas in detail, from when, where and how to fit an MVHR system through to the ducting, which is essential to a successful system. Poor quality ventilation installations abound, and the situation is so bad that SAP actually deducts points against a building’s ventilation ducting as it assumes it will be of a poor quality. Good quality training is therefore essential. For developers it means they get the ventilation system they expected. For those living in the property, it improves the quality of the air they breathe and could contribute to a reduction in energy usage. And for installers it makes for customer satisfaction with fewer warranty queries, plus represents a genuine business opportunity. www.domusventilation.co.uk

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Ventilate without wasting energy Working in partnership with Stiebel Eltron, Go Geothermal supplies MVHR systems to meet the needs of a diverse range of applications, including apartments, detached houses and commercial properties. “For practical thermal insulation purposes, modern homes are often so airtight that virtually no energy is lost,” explains Sean Sowden from Go Geothermal, “but this also prevents any natural air change and makes good ventilation essential. “Ventilation is also an issue in older homes. As a result

of subsequent insulation measures, there is often no longer an adequate supply of outdoor air through gaps and other previously air permeable spots. This creates a conflict of interest between practical thermal insulation and the need for fresh air, which can be resolved with mechanical ventilation systems. These ventilation systems reliably safeguard the supply of fresh air, as well as energy efficient central heating.” Go Geothermal points out that ventilation without heat recovery can result in 50% of the heating energy being

lost through windows and infiltration. MVHR systems such as the wall-mounted 180/280 model (pictured) can recover up to 65% of moisture and up to 90% of thermal energy in the extract air. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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60 VENTILATION & Heat Recovery

The smarter way to commission With a growing number of home devices designed to be operated via an app, Peter Haynes, Technical Product Manager at EnviroVent, looks at how ventilation installers are taking advantage of the technology to reduce installation times and simplify commissioning.

e often hear how householders’ lives are being made easier by electronic devices that are controlled by apps. Homeowners are adopting technology that enables them to control items around the house – from window blinds to pet feeders to the lighting, heating and vacuum cleaning. Known as the Internet of Things (IoT), this is what is turning houses into smart homes. While many of these apps are useful, some apps are clearly developed just so the claim of ‘app-controlled device’ can be made by the manufacturer. The purpose of an app should be to add value and create even better functionality for consumers. Some of the best apps that have been introduced into the ventilation sector recently really do benefit both the installer and the homeowner. When it comes to installing MVHR systems in a property, for example, commissioning the unit is often known as a time-consuming process, as it involves setting the ventilation rates. In the past, the installer was required to set the maximum and minimum (trickle and boost rates)

flow rates on the unit itself and then, by measuring the airflow throughout the property, achieve a balanced system with the correct rate at each valve. There are inherent difficulties with this as adjusting one valve can throw the others out and necessitate a number of visits to and from the unit to amend the airflow if it is too high or too low.

Up and running Commissioning of MVHR systems is required to provide adequate ventilation to the dwelling, as stipulated in Approved Document F of Building Regulations. It must be carried out when all maintenance and development work has been completed on a property, to avoid disturbance in the set-up. The unit should only be commissioned when it is fully installed, with power, ductwork, valves and vents in place. Boost and trickle rates then need to be set according to the Building Regulations. Commissioning is done by determining the whole building ventilation rate. Ceiling or wall valves are opened and must be measured using an anemometer. The unit

The myenvirovent app can be used to operate EnviroVent’s enegiSave 200, 250 and 380 units

then needs to be adjusted up or down until the rates are achieved. The individual valves should then be adjusted to draw the appropriate volume of air from each room. This typically starts with the largest extract requirement first, usually the kitchen, followed by the bathroom, utility room, ensuite and WC. The fan unit may need to be adjusted to account for increased pressure. When adjustments are completed, the valves should be locked into position to maintain settings.

Time saving The length of time it takes to undertake commissioning in the traditional way varies depending on many factors, including the location of the unit, size of the dwelling, layout of the house, whether it is occupied or empty and the quality of the installation. It could typically take two to three hours in an average size house, depending on where the MVHR is situated. Before these apps, each valve had to be set manually and took a great deal of time for the installer going back and forth from the unit to the valve. If it is in an awkward position in the loft then it would take even longer. With apps now available for commissioning some ventilation units, this means that an installer with a smart device can save a significant amount of time and therefore be able to commission more units per day, or fit in additional jobs. Through the app, the installer can commission and interact with the unit and gain instant access to ventilation manuals, unit settings and FAQs. The iPhone or Android is the installer’s multi-purpose tool these days. Apps are particularly welcome as they are more intuitive with their graphic interfaces, sliders and toggles. Many apps such as these have huge benefits for installers and, like our myenvirovent app, were developed in conjunction with installers to ensure time savings and smooth hassle-free operation. ENQUIRY

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It was important with our app that the installer could connect directly to the unit (known as point to point) in case there is no wifi in the dwelling. When in this mode it means the installer can access specific functions only open to them, such as commissioning. There are clearly time saving factors for an installer using a ventilation app for commissioning, due to the clear interface and by not having to go constantly between valve and unit. There are also benefits in the use of apps from a maintenance or servicing point of view. It means the unit status can be accessed without having to physically visit the unit. For example, in a care home with 10 MVHR units in the ceiling void, the maintenance person can simply stand near to the unit, connect to it directly through the app, check all the settings and see if there are any faults, without having to access each individual unit.

Getting connected This is still early days for the use of apps to install and control ventilation units, but their use is spreading and this should bring major benefits to installers. In the future we expect to see ventilation units being more connected, with greater integration and the possibility of more control and unit diagnostics in the future.

Keeping informed As well as saving time on installation and commissioning, and providing homeowners with greater control over indoor air quality, myenvirovent app will notify the end user when filter changes are due and provide access to EnviroVent’s technical support team. For more details, please visit the website below or enter the number on the freepost reader enquiry card inside this issue. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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VENTILATION & Heat Recovery 61 Heat and air quality from one unit New developments from Gilberts have created a roomby-room solution that combines appropriate ventilation with a heat boost for multioccupancy low-rise buildings. Because the solution is fitted at ceiling height, there should be no need to provide heat from radiators. The solution uses Gilberts’ Mistrale Fusion (MFS) unit with an integrated LPHW coil. Just two standard MFS128, or one MFS256, will ventilate and warm a standard 32 pupil classroom to all regulatory requirements for air quality. The stand-alone unit is

installed as normal through the building façade. The core MFS appliance provides natural ventilation and blends the incoming fresh

air with the warmth from the exhaust air without the need for a heat exchanger. With the LPHW coil option, for morning warm-up the

coil is energized and the fan runs on full speed for about 20 minutes to provide an even heat distribution across the room before occupancy. The integral fan ensures maximum air blending and avoids any stratification. Utilising the MFS with an integral heat exchanger is said to provide cost savings by removing the need for radiators in the classroom. Because the heat is supplied at high level, the risk of possible low surface temperature issues are also eliminated. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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One step further Free design service to improve IAQ

A free ventilation design service is available from National Ventilation. The company’s Certified Ventilation Team can inspect, test, commission, and provide information for any common type of domestic ventilation system. The team will also provide guidance to ensure that systems meet the requirements of the current Building Regulations. “The free design service enables installers to easily select all the products needed for both simple and more complex whole house ventilation systems, simplifying the process and offering peace of mind,” says Sales Director Mick Daniels. www.nationalventilation.co.uk

Designed to improve indoor air quality, the Pure Air from Vent-Axia is an air filtration system used in conjunction with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) and demand energy recovery (D-ERV). Pure Air removes pollutants from outside air that are brought into the building. While MVHR and D-ERV systems extract pollutants and take out harmful airborne bacteria and dangerous contaminants,

the Pure Air filter goes one step further to improve IAQ, working with the MVHR or D-ERV system. It is fitted to the intake airflow and incorporates two types of filtration—activated carbon and G4/F7 particulate filters – to achieve even higher levels of filtration. Pure Air is available in different sizes for use in properties from small apartments to large offices. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Convenient way to take control

As ventilation systems become more common, users are expecting more user friendly controls to go with them. Systemair has developed the SAVECair control system to enable users to connect to a home automation system and to control the ventilation via the internet using the app. Manual, auto, airflow and temperature can all be controlled remotely, together with active functions to control immediate climate conditions such as holiday, crowded, away, fireplace and refresh modes. Filter servicing timespans can also be set. Neil Rapley, MD of Systemair, says: “With Passive House standards now leading the way in construction, Systemair leads the way in providing a range of units that are tested to these exacting standards. Indoor climate is more important than ever before as we strive to strike the right balance between energy efficiency, both in term of running costs and the cost to the planet.” www.systemair.co.uk

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Conforms with Ecodesign Directive Now available from Air Design, part of Elta Group, is a new range of horizontal energy recovery ventilation units, specifically designed to boost indoor air quality in line with the Ecodesign Directive and Part L of the Building Regulations. Air Design’s Prema range is said to have the smallest and lightest energy recovery ventilation units on the market, making them suitable

for ceiling voids in schools and offices, as well as high

and leisure centres. Available in four sizes, the range covers

footfall commercial buildings such as restaurants, hotels,

an airflow of 0.006 - 0.936 m³/s for a variety of projects.

Each unit offers low noise and low specific fan power (SFP), as well as highlyefficient thermal energy recovery, integrated demand control, and finer particulate filters. Thermal energ y exchange is enhanced by the large surface area of the unit’s counterflow heat exchanger, which results in 92% efficient thermal energy recovery. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Customers still value advice from installers Many householders have an idea of what they would like their bathroom to look like, but they still need the input of the professional to help them achieve their goal. Chris Taylor, design expert at Bristan, offers an insight on current trends and aspirations.

here are a number of reasons why a welldesigned bathroom has become a top priority for UK consumers. From the changing make-up of households to the emergence of increasingly stylish bathroom products, and the growing need for a relaxing haven in the home away from high-pressured modern life. None of this is news for installers, many of whom have seen customer attitudes Chris Taylor from Bristan shift over the last decade to place a higher than ever importance on bathroom design. The average bathroom now costs around £4500, and with this level of investment comes seriously high expectations from householders. However, these aspirations are often based on broad interior concepts, rather than actual product knowledge, meaning homeowners may struggle to make their dream bathroom a reality. In response to this, the role of the installer has evolved to become more and more advisory – according to research, 74% of plumbers are regularly asked by their clients for product recommendations – as householders seek product guidance. This creates a strong opportunity, not only for upselling, but for installers to position themselves as bathroom design experts, differentiating themselves from competitors and adding a new level of service. In order to capitalise on this, it’s vital to stay abreast of the latest trends and the best products available to help customers achieve their bathroom goals.

Home improvements A recent study conducted by Halifax Insurance found that planning applications have risen by as much as a quarter over the last five years, and of all building renovations undertaken in 2016, almost a third were in the bathroom.

The new Metallix designer collection from Bristan

The Claret basin mixer features a striking elongated handle

In terms of what will happen in 2018, Brexit has had a significant effect on the number of those choosing to ‘improve not move’. Research conducted by Carpetright found that UK homeowners are far less likely to move in the wake of the referendum, with the majority opting to renovate or redecorate instead. In fact, 39% of London homeowners recently reported that they would be more likely to renovate their homes as a direct result of the vote to leave. So, what does this mean for product trends? 70% of property experts believe that a new electric shower can add the most value to a bathroom renovation, making these the perfect recommendation for refurb customers. Luckily, there are many stunning electric models available on the market, so installers should be able to find an option to suit even the most discerning customer.

Through our focus group research, we found that consumers are unsure of how to incorporate this look into the bathroom without overhauling the entire interior. This indicates a need for guidance, which installers are well-placed to provide. One suggestion is to incorporate metallics via subtle flourishes – a flash of rose gold on a shower, or a bronze highlight on a tap. This allows the customer to make the most of the trend, without overpowering the other tones in their bathroom.

On your metal From a trend perspective, installers may have noticed metallics slowly entering the bathroom over the last year, and this is going to gather speed in 2018. Metallic tones such as gold, silver and bronze will no longer be the preserve of minor accessories such as soap dishes and toothbrush holders, but will be coming through in the fixtures and fittings of the bathroom.

How to avoid those fitting frustrations According to a recent poll, 23% of kitchen fitters said that the biggest problem they face is fitting products to tiled surfaces, with 19% saying damaged goods is one of the job’s most frustrating aspects. Bristan’s Easyfit range of kitchen taps has been specially designed to speed up the installation process. The taps are designed for first and second fix installation – meaning they can be installed in two parts. The base can be fitted first – even before the kitchen suite has been installed. This allows the tiling and sealing to be

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completed more easily and prevents any accidental damage to the tap body during final finishing stages.

The tap body can then be fitted at a later stage using a hex key to secure it to the base, helping to accelerate

the installation process and also allowing for a quick replacement if required. Matt Hicks, Head of Product at Bristan, comments: “For installers, speed and ease of fit will always be a key priority, so it’s easy to see why they can sometimes become frustrated when fitting products. “Luckily, there are innovative solutions available to help make installation as easy as possible. With our simple, easy-to-fit installation process, installers can rest assured that our range of kitchen taps won’t cause any frustrations.”

The generation gain According to the Intergenerational Foundation think tank, over 500,000 households currently have at least three generations living under one roof. Looking to 2018, the latest projections estimate that another 56,000 homes will become multigenerational by 2019, meaning next year will see yet more homes adapting to accommodate wider family members. The bathroom is one of the most significant considerations for homes such as these, as it can potentially pose the most challenges if not designed to meet the various needs of elderly and very young residents. In these situations, there are several key suggestions installers can make. First of all, a shower is generally more practical than a bath in homes where limited mobility is an issue. What’s more, certain showers offer features specifically designed for users with accessibility needs, without compromising on overall style. Look out for options which include large, easy-to-move dials, raised markings and audible clicks when settings are adjusted, illuminated stop/start buttons, LED digital setting displays and contrasting back boxes. Product endorsements from recognised specialists such as BEAB Care and RNIB are also likely to reassure customers that they are choosing the best option for their household’s needs. Additionally, a wall-mounted fold-up shower seat, for example, is practical and unobtrusive. For safety, grab rails usually come into the picture, but by choosing versions that double up as stylish towel rails or over-basin shelves they become a bathroom accessory rather than assistive aid. The bathroom market is growing all the time, and in 2018 installers may find themselves under more pressure than ever to provide design recommendations. By keeping an eye on the latest changes in the market, and up-and-coming consumer trends, installers can stay at the forefront of the competition, and potentially increase business throughout the year. www.bristan.com

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64 Taps & Washrooms Advertisement Feature

Soft touch tech Steaming ahead suits hands of in boiling water the little ones

Boiling water taps are growing in popularity, giving installers a chance to broaden their service offering. PHAM News talks to Adrian Walker, owner of West Midlands based Walker Gas and Heating, about his experience of installing Redring’s ‘3 in 1’ Reditap.

ow many school toilets are really suitable for the younger generation? From a facilities management perspective, water saving and low maintenance are key considerations, but what about the functionality and comfort for a 5-year old?

Water savings Easily distracted, young children often forget to turn the tap off. During a school term, this can result in significant volumes of wasted water. The alternative to mechanical taps is a non-concussive, time flow tap with automatic shut-off after 7 seconds. Couple this with a flow rate limiter set at 3 litres/minute to attract BREEAM points, and water consumption is considerably reduced.

Pressure issues Conventional push-button taps use hydraulic pressure to close the tap, however, this requires 6-7kg of force to activate the water flow. This can be difficult for a 5-year old. DELABIE has developed Soft-touch technology to overcome this problem. The mechanism still relies on dynamic pressure to close the valve, but when the push-button is pressed, the mechanism is depressurised, reducing the amount of force required to activate the flow from 6kg to 3kg. Consequently, the user experiences much less resistance when pressing the push-button.

DELABIE’s Premix Nano has an operational flow rate of 3 litres per minute

Scalding safety

Soft touch flush

Hot water at 60°C causes Soft-touch technology is third degree burns within also available for direct 5 seconds for adults, and flush WCs and can be even sooner for 5-year olds. operated by very young To prevent serious scalding, pupils without supervision. all DELABIE mixers have a In busy periods, e.g. break pre-set maximum tempera- time, the flush is instantly ture limiter, which can be available for successive adjusted during installa- flushes and there is no tion. Taps should be delay while the supplied with precistern refills. blended water Since there from a TMV3 is no cistern, there is no approved therstag nant mostatic mixwater, scale ing valve such build-up or as the PREMIX impurity deNANO. Serving posits – factors one to two taps or one shower, the TEMPOFLUX 2 that encourage NANO’s minimum dual flush WC the development with soft-touch of bacteria. operating flow rate is technology Furthermore, 3 litres/minute, ideal the direct flush for under basin installation. valve is also water efficient. Low maintenance The TEMPOFLUX 2 dual Intensive use and a flush valve has a 3/6 litre general lack of respect flush, which can be adjusted for the installation can to 2/4 litres for either ECO result in high levels of or small WC pans. maintenance. Tapware in DELABIE’s soft-touch educational facilities need technology is ideal for to be robust, durable and toilets catering for the able to withstand misuse younger generation. Small and abuse. DELABIE’s taps hands can easily operate with soft-touch technology the taps, maintenance are made from solid brass is minimal and there is with reinforced fixings no compromise on water to prevent rotation. The efficiency or user safety. mechanism is designed Soft-touch technology is to withstand over 500,000 available for taps, showers operations. It is easy to and WCs, so even the access via a grub screw on younger generation can the push-button, and the use the facilities safely. cartridge can be removed, PHAM ENQUIRY No. 150 www.delabie.co.uk cleaned or exchanged.

he idea of instant boiling water at the turn of a tap is an appealing one for many, and with approximately 165 million cups of tea alone drunk in the UK every day, sales of instant boiling taps are on the rise. Redring’s new ‘3 in 1’ boiling water tap, Reditap, offers an affordable option for customers looking for a boiling water tap that dispenses both boiling water as well as conventional hot and cold water mixing. Plumber and gas engineer Adrian Walker shares his thoughts on the Reditap and the process of installing it. First a bit of background – how long have you been an installer and owned your own business? “After 18 years working for BT as a cable jointer and then planning fibre optics, I took the sideways move into running my own business as a heating and electrical engineer. I’ve now been self employed for 12 years and wouldn’t change it for anything.” Now onto the Reditap – how many have you installed and how have you found it? “I’ve installed three units now. The first was slightly tricky, as I had to get my head around the concept due to the flow-in and flow-out of the unit and the three tails going into the same tap. But from the second installation onwards I’ve found installing the unit both pretty straightforward and quick.” What made it easy for you and did the installation make good use of your electrical and plumbing skills? “I genuinely think it’s down to product familiarity, plus the installation guide given with the unit was helpful and simple to follow. “With regards to the electrical side – I have to be honest and say that I got my electrician friend in on the first job to wire and install a mains feed, but the other installation had a plug socket already underneath the sink, so that made it much easier!”

The 3 in 1 Reditap provides boiling water as well as conventional hot and cold water mixing

Plumbing in Redring’s 3 in 1 Reditap, which includes three tails for the same tap

What do you think of the product, and do you have any advice for installers looking to fit it? “I believe for a domestic application, the product is spot on. It’s simple enough to install and performs well. It’s ideal for a family at home, with boiling water on demand for up to six people. In terms of advice for other installers – I’d thoroughly recommend the Reditap for kitchens. With a 2-litre tank, the Reditap is designed for domestic installations rather than a commercial application. It’s installer friendly when it comes to fitting it and is easy to access for descaling in hard water areas, which is a major bonus.” Reditap is available in bright chrome or brushed nickel tap finishes, and comes with a twoyear guarantee. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

The tank fits neatly and discreetly under the kitchen sink

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66 Taps & Washrooms Advertisement Feature

The experts in stainless steel R

ecognised as a provider of attractive, functional and competitively priced commercial and public washroom products, Dudley Industries is a world-class designer and manufacturer of innovative quality stainless steel products in both washroom and sub contract services. Based in Lancashire, the company offers a dedicated service for bespoke and standard stainless steel products and solutions and works closely with clients and end users to develop tailored solutions to meet specific requirements. Dudley Industries provides a full manufacturing service, taking projects from the initial design concept right through to a finished product and has been manufacturing washroom products for more than 70 years. Dudley Industries provides a complete manufacturing facility within its 120,000ft2 premises and with an extensive plant, dedicated to small batch prototyping and large volume manufacturing, the company’s practices and procedures ensure an emphasis on quality and safety. Mike Gillett, Contracts Manager at Dudley Industries, says: “Our mantra is to continually improve and regularly exceed the expectations of our customers. This is managed through company practices and procedures that are externally audited and accredited with the requirements of ISO 9001:2008. We also apply a ‘right first time’ DFM and DFA philosophy. Dudley maintains high standards of quality throughout its cellular lean manufacturing process and we place a high emphasis on safety and vigorous quality control procedures.”

Excellent reputation Over the years, Dudley Industries has built up an excellent reputation for providing UK and EU customers with high quality, durable stainless steel products at competitive prices. Dudley Industries achieves this through an effective short supply chain, which ensures an efficient delivery service. Dudley Industries’ success is reflected by its high level of ‘on-time’ customer delivery service. Mike comments: “With many years of experience and the skill of combining electronic assemblies with mechanical engineering, we have the capability to design, develop and deliver fully integrated assemblies. Our manufacturing capabilities include: CNC punch pressing, pressing, press brake bending, electro-mechanical

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assembly, laser cutting, robotic welding, welding, linishing/Polishing and powder coating. Dudley also has the facilities to brand products with screens and laser etching.”

The global market Dudley Industries operates in multiple global markets, is a leading supplier of washroom equipment to the top five Blue Chip washroom consumable companies and regularly works with companies within the printing and packaging, water treatment, signs, infrastructure and vacuum technology industries. Dudley Industries’ continued expansion and investment in modern design technology has enabled the company to rapidly develop products in a collaborative manner with its customer teams. Mike says: “We are recognised as a provider of attractive, functional and competitively priced commercial and public washroom products. With our team of experienced in-house designers using the latest computer aided design (CAD) technology, we have created and maintain a vast portfolio of existing and custom made designs.”

Durable taps for tough treatment A new and updated range of Utility Taps is now available from Armitage Shanks. The new collection provides a number of different options for demanding applications, such as workplaces and public washrooms. Featuring updated bib taps, pillar taps and selfclosing taps, the latest range has also been designed to

ensure improved installation and operation, with a selfcentralising feature making the bib taps quicker to install. Other options include bib taps with different outlets, pillar and high neck variants, as well as anti-vandal features. If water saving is a priority, the Nimbus 21 bib taps with spray outlet

and Sandringham 21 selfclosing taps will help to meet environmental obligations and save money. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Infrared for extra efficiency New from Bristan are two infrared shower panels, delivering adjustable and accurate timed-flow control. Duty-flush and sensor activation distance can also be set on-site. To help support water saving, the panels come pre-fitted with max flow limiters of 8 litres per minute. They also come with an anti-microbial coating which helps to prevent cross-contamination and ensure that surfaces remain clean for future users. The panels are powered by 1.5 AA size batteries (which provide for over 500,000 activations before needing to be replaced) so no wiring is needed when fitting. Installation time is further reduced by a pre-plumbed isolation inlet at the top of the panel.

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Moving on black

Sporting chance

Brand strategy Dudley Industries’ wealth of experience in stainless steel manufacturing is of significant benefit to suppliers, as the company can design, manufacture and deliver small to large volume items on a regular basis, helping to create a continued brand strategy. An effective brand strategy gives customers a major edge in increasingly competitive markets and ensures their brand is a promise to their customers. Mike comments: “Brand awareness tells their customers what they can expect from their products and services, differentiating their offering from that of their competitors. At Dudley Industries your products can be customised to your specific requirements with the inclusion of your company name or logo, instructions or promotional message. Branding promotes your business directly at the point of use and enhances awareness of your company.” With more than 70 years experience, Dudley Industries ensures high quality manufacturing expertise, alongside a professional design and consultancy service. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Said to be ideal for schools and leisure centres, Delabie’s Sporting 2 anodised aluminium shower panel can be top or back fed for ease of installation. It also features an integrated stopcock and filter to simplify maintenance. It comes with a 6 litre/minute flow regulator, but the design of the shower head, which delivers a uniform, conical spray, ensures that water saving can be achieved without compromising user comfort levels. www.delabie.co.uk

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Multi-talented tap Following the success of the Zen Solo boiling water tap, Hyco has extended the range to include the options of filtered, chilled and sparkling water from a single outlet. Designed for both commercial and domestic kitchen environments, the modular concept means that the chosen tap can be tailored to meet individual requirements. The boiling water tap is cool to touch and has an LED status ring on the base of the

tap to indicate its operational status. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Designed to enable the consumer to have a fully coordinated bathroom look, Abode has added the ‘on trend’ Matt Black option to its popular Harmonie range of bathroom taps and showers. The full range features a simple minimalist conical design with pencil slim lifting handles and organic shaped spouts designed to suit a wide range of bathroom interiors, whether for refurbishment projects or new build. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Addressing customer security concerns An isolated rural property is always going to be more vulnerable to criminal activity. Gregor Dalgleish, National Sales Manager at Calor, discusses rural fuel theft and offers advice to installers on how they can help their off-grid customers protect their energy supply.

he latest figures show that rural crime cost the UK £39.2 million in 2016, with oil and diesel listed amongst the most commonly targeted items. While the overall cost of this crime has fallen by 4.3% from 2015-2016, early 2017 figures show a rise, suggesting that this downturn isn’t set to last. In fact, one of the biggest concerns for many rural Fuel is often targeted by thieves in rural areas LPG cylinders can be stored in a locked unit homeowners, as highlighted in the annual NFU Mutual Rural Crime report, is the thought a property, pierce the fuel tank and siphon off the oil. of being watched or ‘staked out’ by potential criminals. This can make oil an easy target, especially in the winter The dark nights and cold weather of winter makes the months where the darker evenings make it simpler for issue of fuel security in rural areas even more pertinent. potential thieves to go undetected. With the need to repair or replace the damaged tank Beyond range as well as replace the stolen oil, the cost implications Unlike urban locations, many rural areas are ‘off-grid’, of this for customers can run into the thousands. Aside meaning that they do not have access to mains gas. It is from the cost of the tank and oil itself, an oil spillage can estimated that around 4 million rural properties are off- be damaging to the surrounding environment, creating grid, creating a need for rural installers to offer a range further cleanup costs. of alternatives to rural customers, including electricity, solid fuel, renewables and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Secure option With a number of factors to consider when it comes to As gas is virtually impossible to steal, LPG offers a much choosing a fuel for heating and hot water, many homeowners more secure option. Unlike oil, thieves would require are still opting for familiar sources like oil, with one in specialist equipment to extract the gas, and should the three rural UK households still relying on oil to heat their tank be pierced, the gas would simply evaporate into the atmosphere. homes. Security benefits aside, LPG is also the closest off-grid As oil is often stored in an over ground tank, it is more readily accessible to thieves who can simply trespass onto alternative to natural gas, making it the ideal option for

LPG and the Clean Growth Strategy Lee Gannon, MD at LPG supplier Flogas Britain, responds to the Government’s recently published Clean Growth Strategy document and how it might impact the LPG industry. Through the publication of its Clean Growth Strategy, the Government has made clear its intention to reduce carbon emissions from off-grid UK homes and businesses. This includes a pledge to tackle the challenges faced by businesses using oil boilers in particular – and a motion to phase out the installation of high-carbon forms of fossil fuel heating in businesses throughout the 2020s, starting with new builds. As a leading supplier of LPG in the UK, we see this as exciting news for the industry. LPG is the lowest carbon conventional off-grid

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Lee Gannon, MD at Flogas

fuel available today, and it has a crucial role to play in turning the Clean Growth Strategy’s vision into a reality. Put simply, LPG is a cleaner, cost-effective alternative to the likes of coal and oil – emitting 35%

less carbon than coal and 12% less than oil. Logistically speaking, it is also a readily available, accessible solution to the country’s rural energy needs. Our robust LPG network means there is a dependable, convenient supply nationwide, and the innovative systems we develop for homeowners, housing developers and businesses will allow for quick and hassle-free rollout on a national scale. Thousands of homes and businesses up and down the country have already made the switch from oil to LPG, and this trend is only set to continue as more and

more off-grid householders and business owners come to recognise the fuel’s compelling financial and environmental credentials. As a result, we expect to see demand for LPG steadily growing in the coming months and years – and as an experienced supplier with more than 30 years in the business, we are fully poised to respond. Our message is loud and clear: LPG is a truly versatile fuel with enormous potential to deliver significant, widespread carbon and cost savings – and we’re committed to ensuring this potential is properly fulfilled.

LPG storage tanks can be buried discreetly underground

those used to being on mains gas as well as being more efficient and cleaner for the environment. For further peace of mind, there are a range of storage options for LPG which can offer another level of fuel security. With the inherent security of LPG as a fuel, above ground tanks are ideal for properties with more outdoor space. For customers who want to make the most of their outdoor space, underground tanks can be buried, keeping the tank out of view with the exception of a small green cover that is used for access during deliveries. For properties where space is minimal, cylinders offer discreet and secure outdoor storage. For example, our Compact solution is a four-pack of cylinders which offers the added advantage of being stored in a locked unit.

Reliable delivery Often remotely located, rural homeowners are familiar with storing their own fuel supply on site and as such, installers will need to consider whether the fuel that they specify can be delivered quickly and without issue. LPG companies are aware of the potential complexities of living rurally and as such have fleets that are equipped to cope with this. For example, as well as boasting a substantial fleet of larger tankers, our fleet of vehicles also includes a number of smaller tankers to ensure that they are able to navigate even the narrowest of roads. What’s more, LPG tanks can be fitted with a clever auto top-up system that arranges a gas delivery automatically when the tank reaches a certain level. This eliminates the need to monitor fuel levels as well as the need to reorder.

Supporting role Switching to LPG is a simple, fuss-free process. Working closely with installers, suppliers like Calor manage the entire external gas installation process, from the installation of the tank itself through to running the pipework and the supply point, meaning that installers can simply complete the internal boiler installation. Through joining the Calor Installer Community, LPG qualified installers can also get listed on Calor’s handy ‘Find an Installer’ tool, which allows potential customers to simply enter their postcode to find an installer near them, generating valuable leads for rural installers. So, with the correct knowledge and supplier support, installers can help their customers protect against the risk of fuel theft and ensure a truly secure fuel – both in terms of physical security and of supply. www.calor.co.uk/installer

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68 LPG Heating Valve works with both combi and system Keeping it simple with conversion kit

With the aim of making the switch to LPG hasslefree, Alpha’s InTec2 range features a gas adaptive valve, which automatically converts the boiler to LPG if needed. The compact InTec2 XE and CE boilers can fit neatly in small spaces and are designed with easy access for servicing. They include advanced combustion management which continually controls and adjusts the gas flow

to deliver more efficiency. The CE models also have an electronic seasonality

valve to reduce water waste by controlling the flow rate to maintain a consistent

temperature at the hot water outlet. For those who might prefer a system boiler in their off-grid home, Alpha offers the InTec2 SE. Similar to the XE and the CE, it is small, light, and fits in with ease. It also has the same one-piece casting heat exchanger, with proven quick warm-up and heat circulation levels. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Easy to Keeping the NOx In just a make a emissions down few steps switch

All Ariston condensing boilers – including the new ONE Series range – are supplied with a kit to convert the unit from natural gas to LPG. The procedure begins by electrically isolating the unit and turning off the gas supply. The silencer should be detached prior to the gas supply valve being disconnected from the venturi assembly. Next, the LPG kit diaphragm is inserted into the venturi spigot before the gas supply is reconnected. Once the silencer is reattached, the gas supply valve should then be turned on, tested for tightness and purged. The boiler can then be commissioned, with the working pressure checked and the CO2 values suitably adjusted and the unit checked for leaks. Once this has been completed, installers simply need to affix the label supplied with the conversion kit to the boiler. ENQUIRY No.

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All models in ATAG Commercial’s condensing boiler range are LPG compatible. The company supplies LPG kits with every model, allowing them to be converted from natural gas to LPG. Among the boilers which can be converted to LPG is the A Series – including the flagship model, the A325 ECX. This boiler features a built-in gas saver module to provide additional BREEAM points through SAP Appendix Q listing. Additionally, the Q Series range can also be converted to LPG. These boilers offer outputs of 25, 38, 51 and 60kW, each with a wealth of flexible cascade options. Finally, the XL Series boasts impressive performance, reliable engineering and flexible cascade arrangements. These high quality boilers are fully LPG convertible and are available in outputs of 60, 95 and 120kW. All models achieve best in class NOx emissions less than 30mg/kWh – offering maximum BREEAM points. www.atagcommercial.co.uk

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Specially designed Following the launch of the Baxi 400 combi and heat ranges, the manufacturer is extending its offering to include a dedicated combi LPG option. This LPG model has been

developed from the ground up through consultation with installers, meaning that everything from the installation process to the packaging has been designed with their needs in mind. The Baxi 400 combi LPG includes a number of timesaving features, such as easily accessible electrical connections and an easy fit wall hanging bracket. This new boiler provides a 28kW output whilst being compact enough to fit into a standard kitchen cupboard. And for versatility, a wide choice of flue lengths means it can be sited almost anywhere. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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The Logic + and Vogue ranges from Ideal are available with LPG conversion kits designed to provide a simple solution without the need for boilers to be adjusted. Each kit contains the components for each boiler type and will cover the majority of UK properties. The gas valve is pre-set, which means no adjustment is required, reducing installation time. In just five simple steps (four with Vogue), the conversion is complete. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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The new evolve from Vokèra is a range of high performing, energy efficient combi and system boilers, said to be packed full of features and benefits. It has been designed to be flexible enough to work on the majority of applications as well as being easy to install. One of the benefits of evolve is that it can be adjusted to operate with either natural gas or LPG, with no extra kit needed, saving time and costs for installers whose work takes them into off-grid areas. There are also numerous other specification and installation benefits. The evolve comes with a prefixing jig and built-in filling loop for combi models. The boiler is also designed to look good in any kitchen if it’s on show, but it’s also compact enough at 740 x 420x275mm on 24C, 28C, 18S, 24S models to fit discreetly within a cupboard.

Fits right in For greater siting flexibility, there is a reduced height flue bend and a direct rear flue option as standard. This rear flue can be run up to 10m with the standard 60/100 concentric flue system. The REC10 LCD user interface features a full text menu-driven control to enable both the installer

and consumer to navigate through evolve’s parameters and settings. The display will also provide installers with diagnostics to speed up servicing and maintenance. All models in the range are ‘A’ rated and have a space heating efficiency of 94% under the ErP Directive, making it much easier for installers to reach an A+ space heating system package, especially if Vokèra’s BeSMART internet connected thermostat is added to the system. The BeSMART will act as a Class VI control, lifting the heating system efficiency by 4%. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Bespoke LPG boiler models For those who rely on LPG to keep them warm in winter, the complete Greenstar range from Worcester is fully compatible with this off-grid fuel. Each product within the range has been designed with installer feedback in mind, recently helping to secure the ‘Which?’ Best Buy status across the Greenstar gas boiler range for an eighth year running. Worcester’s portfolio of LPG appliances feature the same control system as their natural gas counterparts, and can be paired with intelligent controls which adjust the boiler flow temperature with either weather or load compensation – delivering the desired room temperature

while helping to improve efficiency levels. Martyn Bridges, Director of Technical Communication and Product Management, comments: “Although LPG only equates to a small section of the boiler market, our experience has shown that LPG certainly has a part to play in the future of the sector – which is why we have developed our full range of

LPG appliances to meet the high standards available to mains customers. “One of the key benefits of using Worcester LPG appliances is that all of our products are made in bespoke LPG and natural gas versions, therefore requiring no conversion between energy sources.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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November/December November r/December 2017

WHAT’S HAT’S New N w Ne 70 W Further F urther raising raising levels le evels of of efficiency efficiency The NUOS The NUOS Plus Plus heat heatt pump pump w ater heater heater from from Ariston Ariston water builds b uilds u upon pon tthe he ssuccess uccess o off tthe he company’s c ompany’s NUOS NUOS platform platform – combining c ombining a floor floor standing standing unvented u nvented c cylinder ylinder with with an an air heat pump water a ir ssource ource h eat p ump w ater h eater. heater. The latest latest model model ffeatures eatures The heat pump a rre-engineered e-engineered h eat p ump and a nd tthermal hermal insulation insulation to to ffurther urther improve improve efficiency efficiency llevels, evels, rresulting esulting iin naC CoP oP o off 3.14. 3. 14. It It also also has has a ‘plug ‘plug and and p lay’ d esign, sso o iitt c an be be fitted fitted play’ design, can q uickly y, w ithout the the need need for for quickly, without F -gas qualifications. qualificattions. There Th here are are F-gas also a lso op optional tional a air ir de deflector eflector

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grilles, w hich c an be be fitted fitted grilles, which can when when exhaust exhaust d ducting uc cting iisn’t sn’t required. required. The range range consists consists of of two two The models: models: tthe he 2 200-litre 00-litre F FS200 S200 and and the the 250-litre 250-litre FS250i, FS250i, the the latter latter of of which which is is indirect. indirect. B Both oth units units a are re p perfect erfect ffor or o off-gas ff-gas properties properties or or as as replacements replacements for e xisting, e lectric-only for existing, electric-only cylinders. cylinders. An An intelligent intelligent control control system system enables enables tthe he u user ser to programme to pr ogramme running running times times and and boost boost hot hot water water temperature when temperature w hen rrequired. equired. PHAM P H A M NEWS NEWS ENQUIRY ENQUIRY No. No.

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IInstallation nstallation kits kits make make life life easier easier With aim off m making W ith tthe he a im o aking tthe he iinstallation nstallation o off e enamelled namelled sshower hower surfaces surfaces simpler, simpler, ffaster aster a nd more more secure, secure, and K aldewei h as introduced introduc u ed its its Kaldewei has n ew F R5 300 F LEX lleg eg frame frame new FR 5300 FLEX a nd F LEX sealing sealing kit. kit. and FLEX T he F R 5 30 0 F LEX ffoot oot The FR 5300 FLEX fframe rame can can be be used used for for v ir t ually any any type t y pe of of virtually iinstallation nstallat ion ffor or en amelled enamelled sshower hower surfaces, surfaces, rregardless egardless o h hether fl oor-level, p laced off w whether floor-level, placed o n a tiled tiled floor, floor, o as a raised raised on orr as ssolution. olut ion. T hanks to to a n Thanks an op tional expansion expansion system, system, optional tthe he iinstallation nstal lat ion fframe r a me a l low s for for additional add it ional built bu i lt allows heights h eig ht s of of up up to to 250mm, 250 m m, a nd iinstallers nstal ler s can can easily easi ly and

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SIMPLIFY PIPE REPAIRING

WINTER SEASON - PIPE DAMAGE CONTROL

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

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The The new new K Kaldewei aldewei FLEX FLEX sealing sealing kit k it (pictured ( pict ured above) above) has has been been designed desig ned for easy handling and for e asy h andling a nd ffast a st installation installat ion on on site site and and can can be be used used for for various var ious models models and and types t y pes of of project. prroject. The The

pre-fabricated pre-fabr icated floor-level floor-level sealing sealing kit kit has has been been specially specially developed floordeveloped ffor or ssealing ealing fl oorlevel but level sshower hower surfaces, sur faces, b ut can both can also also be be used used for for b ot h bathtubs bat ht ubs and and shower shower trays t rays installed att a g greater height. installed a reater h eight. The The company company says says that that it it develops new and practical develops ne wa nd p ractical solutions in in consultation consultation n with with solutions plumbers and constantly plumbers a nd c onstantly reviews reviews its its proven proven assembly assembly and and installation installation systems systems with tthe he a im o aking with aim off m making installation installation e even ven e easier asier a and nd more effective more ef fective for for bathroom bathroom professionals. professionals. PHAM P H A M NEWS NEWS ENQUIRY ENQUIRY No. No.

www.kaldewei.co.uk w w w.ka ldewei.co.uk

Installers are Installers are promised promised easier e asier iinstallation nstallation a and nd iimproved mproved p performance erforma m nce o nder floor he eat ing off u underfloor heating ssystems ystems in in individual div idual rrooms, ooms, ffollowing ollow ing tthe he llaunch aunch o off rrevamped evamped Room R oom P Packs acks b by y JJG G S peedfit. Speedfit. Launched La aunched iin n response respo p nse tto og rowing demand demand for for growing U FH in in just just one one room, room, UFH tthe he p packs acks contain contain ev er y t hing needed need ded to everything sset et u up pad dedicated edicated U UFH FH h heating eat ing c circuit. ircuit. T They hey c combine ombine a p ump, adjustable adjustable m i xing v alve, iisolation solat ion v alve a nd a uto pump, mixing valve, valve and auto convenient unit. sswitching w itching thermostat t her mostat in in one one c onvenient u nit. The powerful, T he llatest atest packs packs now now feature feat ure a more more p ower f ul, energyenerg ye fficient p ump a nd a b uilt-in a djustable ttemperature emperature ssensor ensor efficient pump and built-in adjustable tthat hat turns t ur ns on on the t he unit unit when when hot hot water water flows flows from from the t he boiler. wire up Room Packs b oiler. All A ll that t hat is is required required tto ow i re u p tthe he R oom P acks iis sa connection c onnect ion tto om mains a i ns e electricity. lectr icit y. T The he iinclusion nclusion o off a p pump ump easy. ttest est switch sw itch also also makes makes commissioning commissioning e asy. PHAM PH A M NEWS NEWS ENQUIRY ENQUIRY No. No.

PHAM P H A M NEWS NEWS ENQUIRY ENQUIRY No. No.

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Removing waste Removing was a te from fr om m underground underground

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All y All you ou n need eed for for UFH U FH in i one one room room

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uSense, u Sense, which which comes comes with with a downloadable downloadab able app app which which will boiler w ill allow allow tthe he b oiler to to be be

controlled by c ontrolled b y a smartphone smartphone orr tablet. o tablet. JJon on Phillips, Phillips, Head Head of of Product att P roduct Management Management a Baxi, B axi, comments: comments: “We “We want want to to make m ake life life easier easier for for iinstallers, nstallers, sso o with with this this boiler boiler they they can can be assured b e a ssured of of the the highest highest off product, iintegrity ntegrity o p oduct, unrivalled pr unrivalled rreliability, eliab bility, exceptional exceptional ease ease of of iinstallation nstallation and, and, of of course, course, high each h igh efficiency efficiency e ach and an nd every every ttime.” ime.” The Baxi T he B axi 600 600 Combi Combi is is available av vailable iin n 24 24 and and 30kW 30kW outputs, o utputs, and and comes comes with with a sseven-year even-year parts parts and and labour labour warranty. w arranty.

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Building o Building on n 55 55 years years of of m acerator pump pump design desig n macerator e xper ience, Saniflo Saniflo has has experience, new off llaunched aunched a n ew rrange ange o u nderground p ump sstations tations underground pump ffor or p o pumping umping residential residential and and commercial c ommercial w waste aste w water ater ffrom rom flats, fl ats, plants, plants, outside outside event event ssites ites o orr p public ublic b buildings. uildings. The new new S anifos range range The Sanifos consists c onsists of of three three models: models: the the 110, 1 10, 2 250 50 a and nd tthe he 5 500, 00, w with ith a 3-phase 3 -phase v version ersion o off tthe he S Sanifos anifos 500 be 5 00 tto ob e llaunched aunched in in early early 2018. 2 018. The The new new products products allow allow a pumping pumping station station tto ob e sited sited be outside o utside a b building uilding a and nd b below elow ground g round w where here tthe he d drainage rainage iiss too too low low for for a ssewer ewer or or too to o llow ow ffor or a surface surface m mounted ounted pu pumping mping station. station. The The two two smaller sm maller u units, nits, the the 110 1 10 and and 250, 250, are are designed desig ned ffor or tthe he d drainage rainage o off a single single dwelling d welling in incorporating cor porating W WC, C, bathroom, b atthroom, k kitchen itchen a and nd utility utility rroom. oom. W ith 1 10 llitre itre a nd 250 250 With 110 and llitre itre ttanks anks rrespectively, espectively y, both both units u nits feature featture a single single grinder grinder pump p ump w with ith float float activation activation and a nd robust robust cutting cutting blades blades to to pr event c logg ing. prevent clogging.

The T he a automatic utomatic 1500W 1500W motor helps motor helps to discharge discharge tthe he waste waste up up to to a maximum maximum height h eight o off 14m 14m or or horizontally horizontally along a long 1 110m, 10m, o orr a llesser esser combination c ombination o o off b both. oth. The T he S Sanifos anifos 5 500 00 ffeatures eatures d ual m otors a nd is dual motors and is designed d esig ned to to work work with with a single single d dwelling welling w with ith multiple m ultiple storeys storeys or multiple multiple smaller sm aller holiday holiday h homes. omes. IItt contains c ontains two two separate separate load load balanced b alanced pumps pumps with with h high igh performance p erformance m macerating acerating operate ssystems ystems tthat hat operate a lternately y for for e ven w ear alternately even wear a nd tto o pr ovide a ffail ail ssafe afe and provide operation. o peration. With W ith a high high capacity capacit y 500 50 0 llitre itre ttank, ank, tthe he S Sanifos anifos 5 500 00 has h as m multiple ultiple c connections onnections tto o ttake ake waste waste from from bathrooms, bathrooms, kitchens k itchens and and utility utility rooms rooms in in iindustrial ndustrial or o large large domestic domestic buildings. b uildings. The The powerful powerful three three phase p hase o option ption can can pump pump up up tto o 18m 18m vertically vertically or or 2 200m 0 0m horizontally h or izontally and and features features ttwo wo p owerful 2 600W m otors. powerful 2600W motors. PHAM P HAM N NEWS EWS ENQUIRY ENQUIRY No. No.

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What’s New Easier to fit expansion vessel otherwise struggle with putting an expansion vessel into a limited space, the new unit is supplied with a WRASapproved (G24 Building Regulations compliant) filling loop, 0-4bar pressure gauge and 3bar WRAS-approved safety relief valve. The vessel also has a built-in bracket which, combined with the Altecnic Quattro manifold, makes multidirectional installation easy.

Now available from Altecnic is the RoboKit Compact, offering a smart solution to expansion vessel installation. Thanks to its compact, low profile design, the new addition to the RoboKit range is available in 8, 12 and 18 litre models and is suitable for sealed systems. The new Compact version provides an alternative to the traditional cylindrical expansion vessel. Providing a wider range of options to installers who would

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High flow drainage Designed for applications that need to drain high volumes of waste water, new modular cast iron deep sump, bell trap and brewery trap solutions have been introduced by Saint-Gobain PAM. Said to be ideal for applications such as plant rooms, car parks and loading bays, the deep sump and brewery trap can remove water at 10 litres per second, while the bell trap achieves 6 litres per second at 20mm head. Mike Rawlings, Product and Marketing Manager, comments: “Cast iron is a durable, long-lasting material and the solutions are all designed to trap debris and filter any silt or dust. They are also easy to clean and maintain.” www.saint-gobain-pam.co.uk

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Honeywell’s X-series 10

to be won

Carbon monoxide alarm Wider choice now in stock Following a significant range extension, Henrad is able to offer solutions for a wide range of demands. The company has increased the number of size options and types in the Plan range to 40 whilst doing the same with its established Everest Line horizontal range – again increasing the options to 40 from stock. The new additions see both the Plan and Everest Line options offering from 235 to 3203W. The new size range spans from 300 to 600mm in height and from 40 to 2000mm in length in Type 11 and Type 22 formats. Within the current portfolio, the Compact range offers over 140 variants. www.henrad.co.uk

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Radiators put on a pedestal The latest entry to Smith’s Environmental Products’ line-up is a range of pedestal radiators: Kiosk, Trafalgar and Tube. They are designed to be installed at floor level beside large floor-to-ceiling windows to reduce the problem of condensation. They can also be installed as a decorative solution when placed against a wall. These products are natural convector heaters and work by air convection currents passing through the high efficiency aluminium finned copper tube heat exchanger. They are designed for use on standard two-pipe pumped central heating systems. MD Gary Haynes says: “The addition of a range of Pedestal Radiators to our product range is an exciting move for us, broadening our offering to deliver a stylish solution for a host of applications.” The Pedestal Radiators come with a free five-year parts and labour guarantee.

COMPETITION

Honeywell’s home safety business is offering 10 lucky PHAM News readers the chance to win an X-Series carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. Despite the efforts of numerous campaigns and government initiatives, CO safety is still a big issue. In fact, according to the NHS, approximately 50 people in the UK die every year from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning and at least 200 are treated for exposure. Installers should share crucial knowledge about CO safety and advise customers on the importance of installing the correct alarms.

Simple solution Fitting an alarm is a quick and easy job, and by having a few units in the back of their van, installers can help homeowners, tenants and landlords protect their properties from a very real risk while they are on site. To assist engineers with their alarm maintenance schedules, Honeywell has released the Alarm Scan App which allows them to access key data from the X Series alarms. The app wirelessly downloads details about the alarm’s status, historical alarms and fault events, and relays recommended actions to the engineer’s phone or tablet within seconds. Engineers can review the findings on site and discuss any issues with the homeowner, tenant or landlord while still at the property. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices and is free to download from Google Play and iTunes.

How to enter To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the question below by entering your answer on the freepost reader enquiry and registration card inside this issue. So, for example, if you think the answer is ‘20’, you should write 101 on the card. The 10 winners will be drawn from all the correct entries received before the closing date of 11th December 2017. Only one entry allowed per person.

How many people in the UK are thought to die from accidental CO poisoning each year? 20..........101 www.SmithsEP.co.uk

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50..........102

100..........103

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72 What’s New Space saving screen offers more options

Square shower fits right in The Aurajet shower range from Methven has been expanded with the release of the Rua collection featuring a square handset design. The range consists of four products – a standalone handset, rail shower, hand shower and cool-to-touch bar mixer. At just 7.5 litres/min, the Rua Handset’s water flow rate is optimised to be Methven’s most water efficient product whilst delivering a luxurious spray. It is also limescale resistant and can be easily fitted to existing shower hoses by simply replacing the existing handset.

Said to provide a space saving solution for compact bathrooms, the new DS490 bath screen from Aqata features a frameless design, chrome hinges and clear seals. Made from 10mm toughened glass, the screen is 1500mm high and 900mm wide (when fully extended) and folds inward to 180° for easy access. There are a number of different wall fixing options to cater for individual preferences and tinted glass, in three natural tones, is also available as an optional extra. A series of bespoke etched glass designs offer further customisation if required. The DS490 forms part of the Aqata’s Design Solutions range launched earlier this year, featuring a range of luxury shower enclosures and screens. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.aqata.co.uk

Mirror delivers light, Point of use efficiency music and room heating

Three extra years

Released earlier this year, Alpha’s E-Tec combi boiler has seen its warranty increase from two to five years. The E-Tec is the newest model in Alpha’s combi boiler range, described as the smallest and most compact addition yet, suiting it for use in tight spaces while continuing to deliver on ease and quality for its customers. Alpha says installers will appreciate the ability to access the boiler from the front, as well as the stainless steel heat exchanger. Richard Geldard, Director of Customer Service and Relations at Alpha, comments: “We have had such a brilliant response from our small but exceptionally mighty new model. This is our way of presenting our confidence in the product, and giving back to our loyal customers.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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The Hand Shower has a quick-fit wall connector for easy installation that ensures perfect alignment and a water tight seal, while the Rua Rail Shower comes complete with an 800mm rail with adjustable wall mounting brackets for easy retro-fitting to existing installation holes. The Rua Cool-to-Touch Bar Mixer also features the square handset and Aurajet technology, in addition to thermostatic technology. All Rua products are available in either chrome or white and chrome. ENQUIRY No. 176 www.methven.com/uk/home

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For customers looking for the latest in technology, this bathroom mirror from Yorkshire based FunkyHeat provides more than just a reflection. Manufactured in Italy, this FAR infrared heater is also equipped with integrated LED lights and a Bluetooth speaker. IP rated for bathroom use, the mirror will remain mist-free and comes in a choice of shapes and sizes. Controls have been developed with the customer in mind, with a simple programmable wireless controller together with a touchscreen pad on the mirror heater itself. Simon Sharp, MD at FunkyHeat, says: “We’re absolutely delighted with this stunning heater. It not only demists the mirror, it heats the entire bathroom and we’ve done it all with style and functionality integrated.” www.funkyheat.co.uk

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Three point of use water heaters from Heatrae Sadia have been updated to meet new ErP legislation. The latest Multipoint, Hotflo and Express promise a better performance, while complying with the latest energy efficiency requirements. The Multipoint comes with the option to connect to BMS systems and is available in 30, 50, 80 and 100 litres. It features a rotary dial temperature control and vertical or horizontal mountings. The two smallest models are compatible with a universal bracket, making them suitable for retrofit with both Heatrae Sadia and other manufacturer products. The Hotflo offers everything the Multipoint does, without the rotary control. The Express is suitable for use as a cistern fed unit or with open outlet taps and comes in a 50-litre capacity. All units come with a two-year parts and labour warranty while the Hotflo and Multipoint are covered by five and 10-year inner cylinder warranties, respectively.

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Cost-effective plate Customise infrared heating heat exchangers The Boss range of plate heat exchangers from BSS has been enhanced with the introduction of the i-Series of gasketed plate heat exchangers designed to offer a price competitive solution. The range is suitable for system or pressure break applications to ensure a boiler is protected from system debris and/or excessive operating pressures. It is also suitable for general heating and cooling applications within the stated temperature and pressure range of a unit. Other key features of the i-Series range include long gasket lifetime thanks to the rooftop gasket design and clip on gaskets, so fastening and sealing are kept separate. Fouling is also minimised with the i-Series because fluid distribution over the plate is optimised to avoid dead corners and to allow full use of the heat transfer area. www.bssindustrial.co.uk

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The range of infrared panel heaters from Mirrorstone provide a solution for homes and businesses looking to make the most of limited space and to cut heating bills. Unlike traditional convection heaters, infrared heats the objects in a room and not the air, which is considered to be more energy efficient. At just 22mm thick, the IR heaters are sleek and spacesaving, especially when fixed to a wall or a ceiling. Conventional storage heaters are generally mounted low on a wall where there could be safety risks, but IR panels can be placed high up where they’re safely out of the way. The Image IR Panels (pictured above) from Mirrorstone allow customers to select an image from a wide

range of choices to be printed directly on the surface of the heater, turning the heating element into a work of art. Customers can also provide an image of their own to be printed on the panel. Other infrared panel heater options from Mirrorstone include mirrored panels,

glass panels and white panels that can be concealed within a suspended ceiling. The IR panel heaters come with a five year warranty as standard and require no servicing throughout an expected 30 year life span. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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WHAT’S New 73 Instantaneous hot water Able to instantaneously supply large volumes of hot water in commercial applications, Elco’s new Trigon XL WH range comprises seven models with outputs from 150 to 570kW. Each version offers efficiencies up to 110%, robust performance and NOx emissions as low as 34mg/kWh. The water heater is capable of providing a continuous supply of hot water at an efficient recovery rate of up to 9257 litres per hour. It is suitable for installations such as leisure facilities, manufacturing plants and commercial laundrettes. Standout technological features in the range include an advanced

Simple yet stylish

premix-burner system, a watercooled combustion chamber, plus optimised combustion zones for low emissions. In addition, the range benefits from design features to enhance practicality, such as built-in cargo wheels for quick transportation, compact dimensions for easy passage through standard doors, plus a modular system that allows the water heater to be quickly disassembled into component parts for flexible siting. The Trigon XL WH also benefits from a stainless steel heat exchanger. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.elco.co.uk

A new bathroom furniture range has been unveiled as part of the ‘Bathrooms to Love’ collection by PJH. The Bolton based bathroom supplier says that the new Perla range is designed to bring a touch of simplistic class to any bathroom. Available in matt white or matt grey, or a textured ‘real feel’ oak wood finish, the range offers push-to-open door mechanisms and Blum metal drawer boxes. The choice of units include a 300mm single door wallmounted tall unit, 600 and 900mm two-drawer vanity units with top panel (for use with countertop vessel bowls) and a floor standing WC unit. In addition, there is a wide range of accessories available, such as integrated under-cabinet mood lighting and drawer tidies and liners, all tailored to match the style of the range. All units come with a five-year guarantee.

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Waterprooﬁng made quick and easy New from Bond It is EasiSeal Pro, a one-part, cold applied liquid waterproofing system. As the latest addition to the company’s PRO range of sealants and adhesives, EasiSeal PRO is an alternative to traditional waterproofing products like bitumen. Virtually odourless, nonflammable and low in VOCs,

the product requires no heating prior to application and can simply be painted onto a substrate using a brush or roller to form a permanently flexible, waterproof barrier. It is said to offer excellent adhesion to concrete, brick, stone, lead, metals, glass, wood, bitumen (when treated with EasiSeal PRO Primer first),

asphalt, uPVC, GRP roof panels and most plastics. It is also non-shrinking, non-cracking and paintable with most paints as well as highly UV resistant and stable under temperatures ranging from -50ºC to 120ºC. It can even be applied in the wet. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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DIRECTORY Biomass Boilers

ECO ANGUS

ENQUIRY

Underfloor Heating

www.phamnews.co.uk

PLUMBPAL

Heating Controls

Controls

BANICO CONTROLS

ENQUIRY

01359 243 516 projects@gaia.co.uk www.gaia.co.uk

02 HEATING CONTROLS ONLINE

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GAIA

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November/December 2017

74 DIRECTORY Radiators

Training & Assessments

AQUALISA

APOLLO RADIATORS

ENQUIRY

Training & Assessments

ENQUIRY

STEVE WILLIS TRAINING

ENQUIRY

GRE ENERGY TRAINING

ENQUIRY

Safety Products

MR COMBI

ENQUIRY

Advertiserâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Index GOTEC

ENQUIRY

Advance Appliances Ltd

Airflow Developments Ltd

Anton Industrial Services Ltd Baxi Heating UK Ltd

Heating (Water)

6 12, 27

BES Ltd Calor Gas Ltd

1 17, 69

Carrara & Matta (EMEA Bemis Ltd) 62 CMR Controls Ltd City Plumbing Supplies

58 23, 55

Corgi Direct

Danfoss Ltd

Delabie UK Ltd

Docherty Group

Drayton Controls

ENQUIRY

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

IDHEE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULAR TRAINING LTD

ENQUIRY

KIWA

ENQUIRY

John Guest Speedfit Ltd

KSB Ltd (Smedegaard)

Kamco Ltd

Lifescience Products Ltd

M V Fluids Handling Ltd

Maincor Ltd

Mostra 2018

Nest

NuAire (part of Polypipe Group) 7, 61 32

ELCO Burners BV

Pegler Yorkshire Group Ltd

The Electric Heating Company

Ravenheat Manufacturing Ltd

Firebird Heating Solutions Ltd

Redring

Flakt Woods Ltd

Sentinel Performance Solutions Ltd 53

Ford Motor Company

Geberit Sales Ltd

Gledhill Building Products Ltd

Go Geothermal Ltd

Grant Engineeering (UK) Ltd

Grundfos Pumps Ltd

Heatrae Sadia Heating

Intergas Heating Ltd

OFTEC

HVAC & Refrigeration Show 2018

www.idhee.org.uk

Improveasy

Dudley Industries Ltd

HYCO

Ideal Standard International (Armitage Shanks)

Honeywell

8 52

31, 37

Talon Manufacturing Ltd

Testo

Viesmann Ltd

Wirquin Ltd

13, 21

Wolseley UK Ltd

15, 39

Worcester, Bosch Group

Wunda Group plc

Xylem Water Solutions UK Ltd

ENQUIRY

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November/December 2017

INFORMATION Centre 75 Danfoss & Honeywell Book of Wiring

Central Heating combination boilers fault finding & repair

For years electricians and heating engineers have commented that wiring heating controls is a difficult subject to learn, existing diagrams are not always easy to follow. Mr Combi® Training has developed a fantastic set of easy to follow coloured wiring diagrams for Danfoss and Honeywell Controls, 2 / 3 port systems, Faults, Frost stats, testing components, everything you need in one handy A5 book.

John Reginald has released his easy to read, easy to understand book that takes the reader through the background and operation of each major component within combi boilers past and present. The comprehensive fault ﬁnding logic guides provide professional solutions helping you to achieve professional standards. Priced at £26 this Industry leading book is available from all High Street and Online Book Stores. COPPER JOB

ENQUIRY

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

ENQUIRY

374

MR COMBI

ENQUIRY

378

Solid Gear Safety Shoes – Ideal For Winter

Snickers Workwear – The Right Choice, The Bright Choice This Winter.

Hultafors Hammers the perfect additions to your toolbox

Incorporating some of the most advanced technical features in safety shoe design, Solid Gear and Toe Guard safety shoes and boots are fast becoming among the most popular brands choice among discerning tradesmen and women. There’s over 30 products to choose from that integrate modern designs and sporty looks with best in class materials for comfort, protection and durability that will keep your feet warm and dry all winter long. For more information on the Next Generation of Safety Footwear, visit the website www.solidgearfootwear.com or enter the PHAM No.

Check out the newest and brightest working clothes from Snickers for the Autumn and Winter months in the new User Catalogue. They’re all working clothes that deliver superb functionality, comfort, protection, and are equipped for any task at hand – so you can go boldly into the cold and dark. Complimented by Snickers’ Profiling and Embroidery services and the UK’s most extensive range of garment sizes, Snickers’ Workwear System delivers the ultimate solution to making the workday easier and safer. Call the Snickers Helpline on 01484 854788, visit www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or enter the PHAM No.

Whatever type of hammering jobs you have to do, the Hultafors Tools range of Hammers delivers all the power and precision you’ll need. In this new generation range you'll find Ball Hammers, Carpenters' Hammers, T-Block Hammers, Electrician's Hammers, Sledge Hammers, Dead Blow Hammers and even Copper Hammers. They're tools that can handle the toughest work, delivering the best possible levels of precision, performance and safety. Ergonomically designed for ease of use and with a range of sizes and a special grip technology, these Hammers are perfectly crafted for your needs. Check out www.hultafors.co.uk call the Helpline on 01484 854788 or enter the PHAM No.

SNICKERS

ENQUIRY

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ENQUIRY

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EnviroVent extends new ventilation app across MVHR range

Abode Propus Stainless Steel Tap The Abode Propus single lever tap features modern, minimalist styling in the form of a slender body and wide-angled quad spout. It is perfectly suited to both sink and worktop mounting and is available in a dramatic stainless steel finish. Stainless steel is a natural choice to complement stainless steel sinks and kitchen appliances. They are hygienic and practical and will retain their natural lustre for years. For more information visit www.abode.eu or enter the PHAM No. ABODE

SNICKERS

ENQUIRY

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EnviroVent has responded to strong market demand for a ‘smart’ way to control ventilation requirements by making its app available for energisava 250 and 380 MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) systems. The myenvirovent app, which is available for iOS and Android via the App store, will offer greater control and flexibility for a home’s ventilation by allowing the end user to access certain settings on the unit from anywhere in the home. Access to the myenvirovent app will be offered free of charge with the app-enabled energiSava 200, 250 and 380 units. To request a product demonstration or for more information call 0345 27 27 810 Enter the PHAM No. or visit www.envirovent.com/myapp. ENVIROVENT

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Top tips for efficient toilet facilities provision A new free “top tips” guide is available from Closomat, specifically for ‘away from home’ accessible toilets with bench and hoist- Changing Places and Space to Change facilities. The quick-reference, two page guide covers key points, ranging from provision of drainage, water and electricity, through to ensuring the structure is appropriately load-bearing. It also identifies what equipment should be included, and where positioned. To download the guide and for further information and technical support visit www.clos-o-mat.com Alternatively ring 0161 969 1199 email info@clos-o-mat.com or enter the PHAM No. CLOSOMAT

ENQUIRY

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HULTAFORS

ENQUIRY

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New Look Geberit website offers a more user friendly experience Geberit has re-launched its website, with a new look and navigation system making it easier than ever to browse the extensive product range and find all the information needed to design, specify and install. The new-look website now features a Reference Projects section that can be filtered by product and sector, a simple Video Centre where videos can be viewed and downloaded, as well as a user friendly Download Centre. Browse the new-look website at www.geberit.co.uk GEBERIT

ENQUIRY

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Snickers Body-Mapping Climate Control Workwear – ideal for the Winter. A change of season means a change of focus on what you wear on site, so Snickers FLEXIWork, RUFFWork, LITEWork and ALLROUND Workwear ensures you keep your cool when the heat is on or warm and comfortable when the temperature drops. To make sure you get the right protection, flexibility, durability and ventilation, check out the newest Workwear in our latest Autumn Brochure for precisely the right garments to fit your workday. Visit www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or enter the PHAM No. SNICKERS

ENQUIRY

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