October 2019 by PHAM News

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OCTOBER 2019 | VOLUME 57 | ISSUE 9

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OCTOBER 2019 | VOLUME 57 | ISSUE 9

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Following widespread publicity in the national media, Burnley plumber James Anderson has received thousands in donations on a crowdfunding site to help support his free plumbing work for vulnerable customers James Anderson became an internet sensation when a tweet viewed around the world shared an invoice he had issued for £ˡ to a terminally ill ˪ˢ-year-old woman. The tweet from @PDevonian has been liked by some ˢˣˡ̐{{{ people and retweeted ˣˡ̐ˡˡˡ times, helping to attract attention from supporters across the UK and the world to his not-forprofit plumbing business Depher (Disabled and Elderly Free Plumbing and Heating Emergency Repairs). As a result of the viral tweet, the story of James and his good works with Depher has been covered in

Picture courtesy of SWNS

Hero plumber raises thousands for vulnerable customer work

local and national newspapers and on radio and TV programmes. Since then, the ˦ˣ-year-old has seen more than £˩ˣ̐ˡˡˡ pour in through donations to his GoFundMe page along with pledges from other ŰŎƀŬõăŰ ŹŎ òăŅăƱŹ ĠĤŰ õĠØŬĤŹƛ ƕŎŬķ̖ Through Depher, James provides plumbing and heating services for vulnerable individuals at a discount, and sometimes for free, depending on levels of available

funding. His charity work relies on donations from the public but is also funded in part by some of his normal plumbing jobs. “We started in ˣˡˢ˨ and have been growing slowly and steadily, helping people,” James explained in an interview with LBC. “We’ve done ˣˤ˩˪ elderly and disabled jobs since then.” The recent publicity has come as a surprise to James, who admitted

he expected little more than a few likes on social media. “It has been amazing,” he says. “I am just astonished at the amount of support I am getting. It ĠØŰ łØûă Ø òĤę ûĤƫăŬăŅõă ØŅû R ûĤû not expect it at all.” In addition to pledges of money, James has also been offered free tools, free insurance policies from Rhino Trade Insurance, and two free boiler packs from Wickes. He was also treated to a trip to London when ITV interviewed him on the This Morning programme. Explaining why he does this work, James told American news outlet CNN: “A lot of elderly and disabled people don’t like asking for assistance and if they can’t afford something like fixing the boiler, they might not do it and get into trouble. We are there to take that worry away. As long as I have enough money to fill up the tank in my car, I will be there to try and help the people who need it.” To donate to James Anderson’s not-for-profit Depher, visit his GoFundMe page on the link below: Ά ŨĠØłŅăƕŰ̖õŎ̖ƀķ̜ˢˡˢ˪̜˩˥

Inside this issue ÃĠØŹ ŹŎ ƕăØŬ̗ Work in comfort See page 63

qŎ łŎŬă ĺăØķŰ Inventive new ƱƚĤŅę ŰƛŰŹăł See page 60

COMPETITION

Pensioner sentenced for killing plumber The pensioner convicted for killing London plumber Gary Amer while repairing a boiler in his home (see September 2018 issue) has received a 10 year prison sentence. William Treadwell, 68, pleaded guilty

to manslaughter by diminished responsibility of the ˧ˤ-year-old plumber and was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court. The court heard that Gary Amer had been working to repair Treadwell’s boiler that had broken down in August last year. Mr Amer, who had more than 30 years experience, attended the boiler on a Monday and quoted £ˢˤ˦ˡ to make the repairs. He also took a £˥ˡˡ deposit and ordered parts Ņăăûăû ŹŎ Ʊƚ ŹĠă ØŨŨĺĤØŅõă̖ The defendant became agitated

after he was told that the work could not be completed until Friday that week and concluded that Mr Amer was a rogue trader. Police were called to Treadwell’s home just after ˣpm on ˢ˨th August where they found the victim bleeding heavily, with two large knives protruding from his chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Prosecutor Timothy Cray QC said: “The defendant attacked Mr Amer from behind while Mr Amer was working on the boiler.

Mr Amer would have been unable to defend himself or to avoid the łØŅƛ òĺŎƕŰ ƕĠĤõĠ ƕăŬă ĤŅƲĤõŹăû̖̲ The attack, described by Cray as ‘sudden and overwhelming’, left the victim with multiple head wounds and stab wounds, but no defensive injuries. DCI Dave Blair of the Met’s serious crime command said: “The injuries inflicted on Gary Amer were horrifying and it is only right that Treadwell has been sentenced and held to account for such a brutal killing.”

ÃĤŅ Ø ƱĺŹăŬ ØŅû õĠăłĤõØĺŰ ŨØõķ ėŬŎł '1É̒ See page 68

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Inside this issue 5 OCTOBER 2019 VOLUME 57 ISSUE 9

Editor’s Viewpoint by Chris Jones

A bit of good news We’re always told that good news doesn’t sell newspapers, but James Anderson has proved that stories about the plumbing and heating industry don’t always have to involve rogue traders and ripped-Ŏƫ õƀŰŹŎłăŬŰ ̦Űăă ŹĠĤŰ łŎŅŹĠ̵Ű õŎƔăŬ ŰŹŎŬƛ̧̖ §Ġă Burnley-òØŰăû ĤŅŰŹØĺĺăŬ ŬăõăŅŹĺƛ ęØĤŅăû ƕĤûăŰŨŬăØû łăûĤØ õŎƔăŬØęă ėŎŬ ŨŬŎƔĤûĤŅę Ø ŅŎŹ-ėŎŬ-ŨŬŎƱ Ź ŰăŬƔĤõă ŹŎ ĺŎõØĺ ăĺûăŬĺƛ ØŅû ƔƀĺŅăŬØòĺă õƀŰŹŎłăŬŰ̐ ƕĤŹĠ ŹĠă ŨƀòĺĤõĤŹƛ ĠăĺŨĤŅę ŹŎ ăŅõŎƀŬØęă ŎŹĠăŬŰ ŹŎ Ũĺăûęă łƀõĠ Ņăăûăû ėƀŅûŰ ƕĠĤõĠ ƕĤĺĺ ăŅØòĺă ĠĤł ŹŎ õŎŅŹĤŅƀă ƕĤŹĠ ĠĤŰ ęŎŎû ûăăûŰ̖ aØłăŰ ĤŰ òƛ ŅŎ łăØŅŰ ŹĠă Ʊ ŬŰŹ ĤŅ ŹĠă ĤŅûƀŰŹŬƛ ŹŎ ĺăŅû ĠĤŰ ŰķĤĺĺŰ ŹŎ Ø ęŎŎû õØƀŰă ėŎŬ ŅŎ ŬăƕØŬû̐ òƀŹ Ġă ėƀĺĺƛ ûăŰăŬƔăŰ Øĺĺ ŹĠă ŨĺØƀûĤŹŰ ØŅû̐ ĤŅ ĴƀŰŹ Ø ėăƕ ƕăăķŰ̐ ĠØŰ ØŬęƀØòĺƛ ûŎŅă łŎŬă ŹŎ ĤłŨŬŎƔă ŹĠă ĤłØęă Ŏė ŹĠă ŨĺƀłòĤŅę ĤŅûƀŰŹŬƛ ŹĠØŅ Øĺĺ ŹĠă ƕăĺĺłăØŅĤŅę ŰØėăŹƛ ØŅû ūƀØĺĤŹƛ õØłŨØĤęŅŰ ŹĠØŹ ĠØƔă òăăŅ ŎŬęØŅĤŰăû ŎƔăŬ ŹĠă ƛăØŬŰ̖ §ĠăŬă̵Ű ŅŎ ûăŅƛĤŅę ŹĠØŹ ŹĠă ŎŨŨŎŬŹƀŅĤŹƛ ŹŎ ăØŬŅ Ø ûăõăŅŹ ĺĤƔĤŅę ØŅû ŬƀŅ Ø ŨŬŎƱ ŹØòĺă òƀŰĤŅăŰŰ ĤŰ ƕĠØŹ ûŬĤƔăŰ łØŅƛ ŨăŎŨĺă ĤŅ ŹĠă ĤŅûƀŰŹŬƛ̐ òƀŹ aØłăŰ̵Ű ŰŹŎŬƛ Ŏƫ ăŬŰ Ø ƀŰăėƀĺ ŬăłĤŅûăŬ Ŏė ŹĠă õŬƀõĤØĺ ŬŎĺă ŹĠØŹ ŨĺƀłòĤŅę ØŅû ĠăØŹĤŅę ăŅęĤŅăăŬŰ õØŅ ŨĺØƛ ĤŅ ŹĠăĤŬ õƀŰŹŎłăŬŰ̵ ĺĤƔăŰ̖ ăĤŅę ƕĤŹĠŎƀŹ ĠăØŹĤŅę ØŅû ĠŎŹ ƕØŹăŬ õØŅ òă Ø łØĴŎŬ ĤŰŰƀă ØŹ ØŅƛŹĤłă̐ òƀŹ ŨØŬŹĤõƀĺØŬĺƛ ėŎŬ ØŅƛŎŅă ƕĠŎ ĤŰ ĠŎƀŰăòŎƀŅû ŎŬ ŰŹŬƀęęĺĤŅę ŹŎ łØķă ăŅûŰ łăăŹ̖ ÃĠĤĺă ĤŹ ƕŎƀĺû òă ŅØĤƔă ŹŎ ŹĠĤŅķ ŹĠØŹ Ø ėŬăă ŨĺƀłòĤŅę ŰăŬƔĤõă ĤŰ Ø òƀŰĤŅăŰŰ łŎûăĺ ėŎŬ ŎŹĠăŬŰ ŹŎ ėŎĺĺŎƕ̐ ėŎŬ ØŅƛ ƛŎƀŅęŰŹăŬ ŹĠĤŅķĤŅę Ŏė ăŅŹăŬĤŅę ŹĠă ĤŅûƀŰŹŬƛ ĤŹ ûăłŎŅŰŹŬØŹăŰ ŹĠØŹ ĴŎò ŰØŹĤŰėØõŹĤŎŅ ŅăăûŅ̵Ź õŎłă ėŬŎł ŨŬŎƱ Ź ØĺŎŅă ̩ Ĥė ƛŎƀ̵Ŭă łŎŹĤƔØŹăû òƛ ĠăĺŨĤŅę ŎŹĠăŬŰ ØŅû ŨĺØƛĤŅę Ø ƔØĺƀØòĺă ŬŎĺă ĤŅ ŰŎõĤăŹƛ̐ ŹĠăŅ ūƀØĺĤėƛĤŅę ØŰ Ø ŨĺƀłòăŬ õØŅ Ŏƫ ăŬ łŎŬă ŹĠØŅ ĴƀŰŹ Ʊ ŅØŅõĤØĺ ŬăƕØŬûŰ̖

Special Features

Gas Boilers

Things to consider when selecting the best type of boiler for the job in hand and advice on location options

Electric Heating

The latest advances in electric heating technology and how installers can make the most of opportunities

Tools & Workwear

How to maximise the life of your power tools and the latest developments in workwear design

Regulars 06 News Review

66 Competition

26 Health & Safety

13 Your Views

28 Product Spotlight

16 Horror Show

44 Products in Action

16 People on the Move

55 M&D News

18 Training Update

64 Product Spotlight

20 Market Spotlight

65 Product News

21 Energy Matters

68 ADEY competition

22 CIPHE Viewpoint 25 Business Matters

Another chance to win a Glow-worm Easicom boiler

69 Directory 71 Information Centre

Contributors Kevin Wellman

Kelly Friel

Adrian Keats

CIPHE Viewpoint

Health & Safety

Product Spotlight

How the Level ˤ ĺƀłòĤŅę Έ 'ŎłăŰŹĤõ NăØŹĤŅę §ăõĠŅĤõĤØŅ ŨŨŬăŅŹĤõăŰĠĤŨ õØŅ òŬĤûęă ŹĠă ŰķĤĺĺŰ ęØŨ̖

ÃĠØŹ łŎŬă õØŅ ăłŨĺŎƛăŬŰ ûŎ ŹŎ ăŅŰƀŬă ŹĠØŹ ĤŅăƚŨăŬĤăŅõăû ŹŬØĤŅăăŰ ØŬă ķăŨŹ ŰØėă ƕĠăŅ ƕŎŬķĤŅę ŎŅ ŰĤŹă̗

Why it’s important to be better ĤŅėŎŬłăû ØòŎƀŹ ęØŰ ŰØėăŹƛ ĤŰŰƀăŰ ØŅû ŹĠă Ņăăû ėŎŬ õØŬòŎŅ łŎŅŎƚĤûă ØĺØŬłŰ̖

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

News Review

Mental health top of the agenda during Quality Plumber Week Mental health is to be a key theme of Quality Plumber Week, with the APHC and its official sponsor, the Samaritans, aiming to raise awareness of what poor mental health is and what can be done to improve and safeguard the mental health of those in the industry. Quality Plumber Week, established by APHC in 2014, runs from 7th to 13th October this year, shining a spotlight on quality plumbing and heating contractors. APHC CEO John Thompson says: “Plumbing and heating contractors form part of the construction industry in which male site workers are three times more likely to take steps to end their life as compared with males in the general population. “Whilst there have been mental health campaigns targeted towards the construction industry, the focus of these campaigns have predominately been towards large national employers. Quality Plumber Week aims to target small companies and

sole traders in the plumbing and heating industry, with specific advice for their working situation.” The Samaritans will use the week to highlight its Real People, Real Stories campaign, which shares accounts from men about how they have overcome tough times. The idea is to encourage men, who are most at risk of suicide to seek help by contacting Samaritans 24/7 free on 116 123 or Samaritans.org. Paul McDonald, executive director of external affairs at Samaritans, says: “We are pleased that APHC is raising awareness of Samaritans’ service and supporting our campaign. Plumbing and heating contractors often work on their own and don’t always have the same level of interaction that other people might have in the workplace, so it’s important to raise awareness of the support available and encourage people to seek help.” Installers and manufacturers are encouraged to get involved by using

Latest sector pay trends

High value tools targeted #QPW19 on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn and by using the QPW19 logo as their social media profile image, which can be downloaded from the website (www. QualityPlumberWeek.co.uk). APHC will also host a Twitter conversation on World Mental Health Day on Thursday 10 October using #QPW19 to encourage plumbers to ask questions. Altecnic, Bristan, Heatrae Sadia and Ideal Standard are also supporting Quality Plumber Week and will be running their own initiatives during the week.

Essex man lands the UKPOTY accolade Martin Warnes has been named the 2019 UK Plumber of the Year in the nationwide competition run by JT, Bristan and Wolseley UK. The competition saw over 400 entries from plumbers across the country, with Martin taking not only the crown but also the £15,000 prize pot. A judging panel made up of experts from JT, Bristan, Wolseley UK as well as official judging partner, WaterSafe, shortlisted ten plumbers across the UK based on their skills, qualifications and experience. The top ten then went head-to-head to win public votes, where the five with the highest number of votes went through to the final stage. In the final stage, which involved a 30-minute interview

The latest pay trends report from Hudson Contract shows that earnings for self-employed plumbers dipped by 1.7% in August. Analysis of August payroll data for more than 2200 construction companies in England and Wales revealed a weekly average of £1120 for plumbing contractors. They generated the third highest earnings of all 17 construction trades covered by Hudson Contract, beaten only by specialists in shop fitting and mechanical and engineering work. Plumbers in the North West saw the biggest increase in weekly earnings in August, rising 18.2% to £945. They were followed by the South West, up 12.8% to £1328 and the highest in England and Wales, and Yorkshire and the Humber, up 6.8% to £727. Ian Anfield, MD of Hudson Contract, says: “At a national level, construction surveys suggest lower volumes of work across the sector in response to the ongoing economic and political uncertainty. There is no doubt that businesses want Brexit settled one way or another so they can get on with delivering the housing and infrastructure that Britain needs. We see that underlying demand for specialist trades remains strong as demonstrated by the consistently high earning power of self-employed plumbers.”

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with the judging panel at Bristan HQ in Tamworth, Martin impressed the judges with his excellent qualifications and the organic growth of his customer-centric business. Martin has been a plumber since 2007, starting out as a local apprentice to becoming self-employed in 2009 as the owner of M L Warnes Plumbing & Gas Services. He has expanded his business fantastically with four other plumbers on the books, plus two kitchen fitters, three office staff and a kitchen designer. Speaking of his win, Martin said: “I’m thrilled to have been crowned the UK Plumber of the Year 2019. I still can’t believe I’ve actually won! I absolutely love what I do and to be recognised for it by such a fantastic competition really is just the icing on the cake.”

Searching for plumbers

Expanding skills base for Pimlico To meet demand for a wider range of home services, London-based Pimlico has engaged in a recruitment drive to attract experienced engineers and tradespeople, along with office-based staff including customer service, accounts and sales. In recent months the company has recruited 75 new tradespeople and 50 support staff, taking its workforce to more than 500. It has also continued to invest in its apprenticeship programme, taking on an additional eight trainees, alongside its existing cohort of more than 50.

The cost of insurance claims for theft of tools from vans have increased by more than half (55%) in the past year according to analysis by ECIC, the specialist insurer for the building services sector. With recent reports of increased keyless entry vehicle thefts, including vans, and the average theft of tools claims reaching £2685, ECIC is warning contractors that keeping tools in a locked van is not enough to protect them from determined thieves. ECIC’s analysis has also revealed that while the number of claims for theft of tools from vans has remained largely static, the claims costs resulting from theft of tools have already surpassed last year’s total figure. This suggests thieves are specifically targeting higher value tools and making away with a larger haul. Ian Hollingworth of ECIC says: “Ideally tools should be removed from vehicles and stored securely overnight or between jobs, or within a secure box fixed inside the van. This reduces the chances of the tools being stolen and will also mean insurance covering the tools is not invalidated in the event that a determined thief still manages to get away with the tools.”

Scott Mullins, operations director at Pimlico, says: “We have had a phenomenal summer, which can be attributed to both our established reputation in plumbing and heating, but also as we successfully apply the same standards of expertise to an increasing number of home services. “A large number, around 80%, of

our work comes from existing customers who are increasingly using us for more than one service. This is enabling the business to grow its team of skilled and experienced tradespeople that we are attracting, not only from across London, but further afield too as we widen the net to find the best people.”

According to a new study by the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS), UK households are shunning trusted and approved sources when searching for a plumber. The survey of 2000 consumers found that just under 5% would go to their water company to find a plumbing professional, while more than half (53.7%) would prefer to ask friends and family for a recommendation. A fifth (17.5%) admit to blindly searching online and 6.8% say that they would seek help from strangers on Facebook. The survey asked homeowners about the process they go through when seeking out a new plumber. The findings show that when it comes to making a final selection for a job, personal recommendations

still dominate (71%), while 55% rely on price to decide. Only a third (32%) would choose a plumber because they have approved status. WRAS is urging consumers to take extra care when selecting a plumber. Julie Spinks, MD at WRAS, comments: “Friends, family and the internet can be a great source of helpful information in the first stages of finding a tradesperson. But when it comes to making a decision, it’s always best to check if your preferred supplier has been approved – water companies have helpful lists. We’d always recommend checking plumbers are members of an Approved Scheme like WaterSafe which vets them to check they are suitably trained, insured and understand the relevant regulations.”

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

News Review

Raising awareness of lead in Scotland WaterSafe is working in partnership with Scottish Water and the Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) for Scotland to encourage homeowners to check if their water pipes are made of lead. The campaign follows the publication of DWQRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual drinking water quality report. ($#"'$%')! " ' $ $ ' &%" ' in Scotland is of high quality, with 99.9% of samples meeting the required standards, it also showed %(&%'+! "'(! "+'& "'+%$##'& ")%" ' ' lead pipes. These are mostly found in homes built before 1970. Nine lead failures were picked up during Scottish Waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s routine tests at customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; taps in ,. and in all these cases they found lead pipes in the homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plumbing.

Inventor wins in the Den

To raise awareness, WaterSafe is advising homeowners to seek help from an approved plumber to identify and replace lead pipes. Plumbers on WaterSafeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s UK approval register are all trained in the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Byelaws and supported by Scottish Water. Information on lead in drinking water is available on the link below. phamnews.co.uk/

Costs vary across Britain Homeowners could be paying up to ÂŁ ,/ more for a boiler replacement, depending on where they live in the UK, according to new research from Boiler Guide. An analysis of more than ,,, gas combi boiler replacement quotes across the UK has revealed that costs vary depending on location, even when house and boiler type are the same. According to the data, North

Wales shows the highest boiler replacement costs, with London coming in a close second. South Wales showed the lowest costs. However, customers in North Wales will pay over ÂŁ ,, more for their replacement than those in South Wales. More detailed findings from the study can be accessed on the Boiler Guide website, below. phamnews.co.uk/

Manchester-based startup company, pipeEasy Ltd, has received a ÂŁ/.-,,, investment after appearing on BBC Twoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dragonsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Den programme. Inventor Teirnan McCorkell showed the Dragons prototypes of his surface measuring tool that enables users to easily and accurately cut materials, +*)('&+'%$#"+-'%!' %' " ")%# ' around pipes. He explained how an investment would be spent on producing the tools for the DIY and trade markets. +'&' ! " ' !! - %%" salesman and founder of PipeEasy Ltd, Teirnan went into the Den hoping for a ÂŁ/.-,,, investment in exchange for a . % stake in the business and his patent-pending product. " "+%' & ! -' & &' & $"+-' &+'%("'! # ' & ! '%!' & "'& '! " ' & &' proposed to invest the full amount in exchange for 30% of the business, which Teirnan accepted. To see a video demonstration of the pipeEasy product, visit the website below. phamnews.co.uk/

IN BRIEF The Mira Mode Maxim digital shower has received a Red Dot Design Award. The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) is supporting a campaign to attract more women into engineering by launching the Outstanding Woman award. Coram Group UK has created a new Retail Sales Division which will focus on sales and customer service initiatives across the retail sector. Ideal Boilers has scooped two Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Awards for Enterprise for achievements in innovation and international trade. Vaillant is returning to TV screens this autumn with the launch of a new series of advertisements. Grundfos Pumps has announced that it has succeeded in reducing its energy consumption by 11% and water usage by 10%.

Exhibition centre and training venue Delabie has unveiled a new exhibition space dedicated to the manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core product ranges of water controls, sanitaryware and accessories for public and commercial washrooms. The . ,mÂ˛ venue in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, will play host to seminars for architects and specifiers, as well as providing an in-house training centre for clients and employees. Sales director Ben Boyce says: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our new showroom " "+" %+'&'+$ $ )& %'$ "+% " %'$ '%("' ' & "% ' There is a huge potential for Delabie to grow within the non-domestic sector and our new showroom and training centre provide the ideal forum to showcase our product innovations and provide technical training for installers and facilities teams.â&#x20AC;?

Sailing success! Great sunshine and a fair wind contributed to the success of Polypipeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s .st Annual Regatta on The Solent, held last month. The charity event saw / people from across the heating and plumbing sector participate in a day of sailing, with ÂŁ8,,, raised through a charity auction & ' & "' ! ' !# $ " +')! ! &%"')(& $% ' & % " +-' Help for Heroes and the John Merricks Sailing Trust. Some /, yachts in a range of classes from cruiser racers to pilot cutters took to the water for a day of racing in the Solent at Portsmouth. The overall winning crew was from building materials and supplies merchant Grant & Stone. A crew made up of former servicemen and women from Help for Heroes was pipped to the post into second across two races.

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

News Review

1ĺăõŹŬĤƱõØŹĤŎŅ Ŏė ĠăØŹĤŅę The results are in! Best Buy boilers according to Which?

NăØŹ ŨƀłŨŰ ØŬă ăƚŨăõŹăû ŹŎ ƱęƀŬă widely in the future of domestic ĠăØŹĤŅę ĤŅ ŹĠă ®c ̩ ŹĠĤŰ ƕØŰ Ø ķăƛ łăŰŰØęă ĤŅ ŹĠă N!̵Ű ƕŎŬķŰĠŎŨŰ last month, run in partnership ƕĤŹĠ ĺŹăõŅĤõ̖ ŨăØķĤŅę ØŹ ŹĠă ĠăØûūƀØŬŹăŬŰ Ŏė ĺŹăõŅĤõ ĤŅ ŹØƫŎŬû ŹŎ ØŅ ØƀûĤăŅõă Ŏė ĤŅŰŹØĺĺăŬŰ̐ N! !1{ aŎĠŅ Thompson explained that the ęŎƔăŬŅłăŅŹ ĤŰ ėŎõƀŰăû ŎŅ ŬăûƀõĤŅę carbon emissions from domestic ĠăØŹĤŅę̐ ƕĠĤõĠ łăØŅŰ ŨĠØŰĤŅę ŎƀŹ ėƀăĺŰ ĺĤķă ęØŰ ØŅû ŎĤĺ ØŅû ĤŅõŬăØŰĤŅę ŬăĺĤØŅõă ŎŅ ăĺăõŹŬĤõĤŹƛ̖ ̱§Ġă ęŎƔăŬŅłăŅŹ ĤŰ ĺŎŎķĤŅę ŹŎ decarbonise almost all domestic ĠăØŹĤŅę òƛ ˙˗˜˗ ĤŅ ĺĤŅă ƕĤŹĠ Ø ŅăŹ ƤăŬŎ ăłĤŰŰĤŎŅŰ ŹØŬęăŹ ĤŅ ŹĠă !ĺĤłØŹă !ĠØŅęă õŹ̐ ØŅû ŹĠØŹ łăØŅŰ òĤę õĠØŅęăŰ ĤŅ ŎƀŬ ŰăõŹŎŬ̲̐ ŰØĤû aŎĠŅ §ĠŎłŨŰŎŅ̖ “We can expect to see heat ŨƀłŨŰ ŨĺØƛ Ø ęŬăØŹăŬ ŬŎĺă ĤŅ ĠăØŹĤŅę ĠŎłăŰ̐ ŨăŬĠØŨŰ òăõŎłĤŅę Ø ŬăūƀĤŬăłăŅŹ ĤŅ Ņăƕ ŨŬŎŨăŬŹĤăŰ̲̐ aŎĠŅ ŰØĤû̖ ̱§Ġă ūƀăŰŹĤŎŅ ĤŰ̐ ĠŎƕ prepared is our industry to face ŹĠĤŰ õĠØĺĺăŅęă̗̲ aŎĠŅ ƕăŅŹ ŎŅ ŹŎ ĺŎŎķ ØŹ ŹĠă Ņăƕ ŹăõĠŅŎĺŎęĤăŰ ŹĠØŹ ĤŅŰŹØĺĺăŬŰ łØƛ ĠØƔă ŹŎ ęăŹ ŹŎ ęŬĤŨŰ ƕĤŹĠ ĤŅ ŹĠă near-ėƀŹƀŬă̐ ØŰ ƕăĺĺ ØŰ ŹĠă ķĤŅûŰ Ŏė ØĺŹăŬŅØŹĤƔă ėƀăĺŰ òăĤŅę ûăƔăĺŎŨăû̐ ŰƀõĠ ØŰ ĠƛûŬŎęăŅ ØŅû òĤŎłăŹĠØŅă̐

John Thompson, CEO of APHC

ăƚŨĺØĤŅĤŅę ƕĠØŹ ŹĠĤŰ łĤęĠŹ łăØŅ for current boilers and central ĠăØŹĤŅę ŰƛŰŹăłŰ̖ ̱ Ź ŹĠĤŰ ŨŎĤŅŹ ĤŅ ŹĤłă ŅŎŹĠĤŅę ĤŰ ŰăŹ ĤŅ ŰŹŎŅă̐ òƀŹ R ŹĠĤŅķ ƕĤŹĠĤŅ ŹĠŬăă ŎŬ ėŎƀŬ ƛăØŬŰ̵ ŹĤłă̐ ŹĠă ŹĠĤŅęŰ ŹĠØŹ ƛŎƀ łØƛ òă ûŎĤŅę ØŰ Ø ĠăØŹĤŅę ĤŅŰŹØĺĺăŬ õŎƀĺû òă ūƀĤŹă ûĤƫăŬăŅŹ ėŬŎł ƕĠăŬă ŹĠăƛ ØŬă ŅŎƕ̖ 1ĺăõŹŬĤõØĺ ęăŅăŬØŹĤŎŅ Ŏė ĠăØŹ ĤŰ ęŎĤŅę ŹŎ òă Ø ûŬĤƔăŬ ĤŅ ŰĠØŨĤŅę ŹĠă industry, and heat pumps feature ƔăŬƛ ŰŹŬŎŅęĺƛ ĤŅ ŹĠă ęŎƔăŬŅłăŅŹ̵Ű ėƀŹƀŬă ŰŹŬØŹăęƛ̲̐ ŰØĤû aŎĠŅ̖

DŎŬ ŹĠă ŹăŅŹĠ ƛăØŬ ŬƀŅŅĤŅę̐ ÃĠĤõĠ̗ ĠØŰ ŬăƔăØĺăû ĤŹŰ ̳ ăŰŹ ƀƛ̵ ăŅûŎŬŰăłăŅŹŰ ėŎŬ ŹĠă ®c̵Ű ŹŎŨ boiler brands, and three major łØŅƀėØõŹƀŬăŬŰ ØŬă ĠĤęĠĺĤęĠŹĤŅę ŹĠăĤŬ ĺØŹăŰŹ ØõĠĤăƔăłăŅŹŰ̖ §Ġă õŎŅŰƀłăŬ ęŬŎƀŨ łØķăŰ ĤŹŰ ăŰŹ ƀƛ ŬăõŎłłăŅûØŹĤŎŅŰ òØŰăû ŎŅ Ø òŎĤĺăŬ ŬăĺĤØòĤĺĤŹƛ ŰƀŬƔăƛ Ŏė ŬăęĤŰŹăŬăû §ŬƀŰŹăû §ŬØûăŬŰ ĠăØŹĤŅę ăŅęĤŅăăŬŰ ØŅû ŅăØŬĺƛ ˩˦ˡˡ ûŎłăŰŹĤõ ăŅû ƀŰăŬŰ̖̀RŅŰŹØĺĺăŬŰ ƕĠŎ ŨØŬŹĤõĤŨØŹăû ĤŅ ŹĠă ŰƀŬƔăƛ ƕăŬă ØŰķăû ØòŎƀŹ ĤŰŰƀăŰ ŰƀõĠ ØŰ ăØŰă Ŏė ŰăŬƔĤõĤŅę̐ ėĤƚĤŅę Ø õŎłłŎŅ ėØƀĺŹ̐ ØƔØĤĺØòĤĺĤŹƛ Ŏė ŨØŬŹŰ ØŅû ŰŨØŬăŰ̐ ØŅû òƀĤĺû ūƀØĺĤŹƛ̖ nØĤŅŹØĤŅĤŅę ĤŹŰ ăŰŹ ƀƛ status for the tenth year in a row, ÃŎŬõăŰŹăŬ ŎŰõĠ ŬăłØĤŅ Ø ŨŎŨƀĺØŬ choice with both installers and ÃĠĤõĠ̗ łăłòăŬŰ̖ !ĠĤăė ăƚăõƀŹĤƔă !ØŬĺ̀ ŬŅŹƤăŅ̐ ŰØƛŰ̏ ̱ ƛ ĺĤŰŹăŅĤŅę ŹŎ ėăăûòØõķ ėŬŎł õƀŰŹŎłăŬŰ̀ ØŅû

Viessmann Vitodens 200-W gas boiler

Worcester Bosch Greenstar Lifestyle

installers, we were able to continue ŹŎ ĤłŨŬŎƔă ØŅû ûăƔăĺŎŨ Ņăƕ ŬØŅęăŰ Ŏė òŎĤĺăŬŰ̀ØŅû ĤŹ̵Ű ØĺŰŎ̀ęŬăØŹ ŹŎ Űăă that our new Greenstar Lifestyle òŎĤĺăŬ ŬØŅęă ĤŰ ĤŅõĺƀûăû ĤŅ ŹĠĤŰ ØƕØŬû̖̀ Ãă ØŬă ăƚŹŬăłăĺƛ ŨŬŎƀû ŹŎ õŎŅŹĤŅƀă ŹŎ òă łØŬķăŹ ĺăØûăŬŰ ĤŅ ŹĠă òŎĤĺăŬ ĤŅûƀŰŹŬƛ ØŅû ƕă ĺŎŎķ ėŎŬƕØŬû ŹŎ ŰăŬƔĤõĤŅę łŎŬă ØŅû łŎŬă õƀŰŹŎłăŬŰ ĤŅ ƛăØŬŰ ŹŎ õŎłă̖̲ ÂĤăŰŰłØŅŅ ƕØŰ ØĺŰŎ ŅØłăû Ø ăŰŹ ƀƛ ėŎŬ ĤŹŰ ÂĤŹŎûăŅŰ ûŎłăŰŹĤõ òŎĤĺăŬ ŬØŅęă ėŎŬ ŹĠă ŹĠĤŬû ƛăØŬ ĤŅ Ø ŬŎƕ̐ ƕĤŹĠ ÃĠĤõĠ̗ ûăŰõŬĤòĤŅę ĤŹ ØŰ Ø ̳ƔăŬƛ ŰłØŬŹ õĠŎĤõă̵̖ Graham Russell, Viessmann MD, õŎłłăŅŹŰ̏ ̱Ãă ØŬă ĤłłăŅŰăĺƛ ŨŬŎƀû Ŏė ŹĠĤŰ ØõĠĤăƔăłăŅŹ ØŅû ĤŹ ûĤŬăõŹĺƛ ŬăƲăõŹŰ ŹĠă ĠØŬû ƕŎŬķ and commitment of the whole ®c ŹăØł̐ ŅŎŹ ĴƀŰŹ ėŎŬ ŹĠă ĺØŰŹ ˢˣ łŎŅŹĠŰ òƀŹ ŎƔăŬ ŰăƔăŬØĺ ƛăØŬŰ̐ ŹŎ

Grant Vortex Pro Utility oil boiler

ØŹŹØĤŅ ŹĠĤŰ ŬăõŎęŅĤŹĤŎŅ̖̲ RŅ ŹĠă ŎĤĺ òŎĤĺăŬ õØŹăęŎŬƛ̐ FŬØŅŹ 1ŅęĤŅăăŬĤŅę õĺØĤłăû ĤŹŰ ăŰŹ ƀƛ ŰăØĺ ėŎŬ ŹĠă ŹĠĤŬû ƛăØŬ ŬƀŅŅĤŅę ėŎŬ ŹĠă ăŅŹĤŬă ŬØŅęă Ŏė ÂŎŬŹăƚ ŬŎ ®ŹĤĺĤŹƛ ŎĤĺ òŎĤĺăŬŰ̖ ̱FŬØŅŹ 1ŅęĤŅăăŬĤŅę ĤŰ ƔăŬƛ proud that their oil fired boilers ĠØƔă ŎŅõă ØęØĤŅ ŨăŬėŎŬłăû ŰŎ ƕăĺĺ ĤŅ ŹĠă ĺØŹăŰŹ ÃĠĤõĠ̗ ŎĤĺăŬ ăŨŎŬŹ̲̐ õŎłłăŅŹŰ Øƀĺ ÃØķăƱăĺû̐ FŬØŅŹ ®c̵Ű łØŅØęĤŅę ûĤŬăõŹŎŬ̖ ̱ ĤŅõă the company was founded, Grant ĠØŰ ŰŹŬĤƔăû ŹŎ ĺĤŰŹăŅ ŹŎ õƀŰŹŎłăŬŰ ØŅû ûăƔăĺŎŨ ĤŅŅŎƔØŹĤƔă ĠăØŹĤŅę products in response to the needs Ŏė ăŅęĤŅăăŬŰ ØŅû ĠŎƀŰăĠŎĺûăŬŰ̖̲ To see the full list of winners ØŅû ĺŎŰăŬŰ ĤŅ ŹĠă ÃĠĤõĠ̗ òŎĤĺăŬ ŬăƔĤăƕ̐ ƛŎƀ Ņăăû ŹŎ òă Ø łăłòăŬ̖ §Ŏ ŰĤęŅ ƀŨ̐ ƔĤŰĤŹ ŹĠă ƕăòŰĤŹă òăĺŎƕ̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜ˡ˥

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

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PHAM NEWS

| OCTOBER 2019

OCTOBER 2019 | VOLUME 57 | ISSUE 9

phamnews.co.uk

Inside this issue Hero plumber raises thousands Tougher form ÃĠØŹ ŹŎ ƕăØŬ̗ tagonal pl er with for vulnerable customer oc work ate

Product N ews 67

Work in comfort See page 63

James Anderson became an internet sensation when a tweet viewed around the world shared an invoice he had issued for £ˡ to a terminally ill ˪ˢ-year-old woman. The tweet from @PDevonian has been liked by some ˢˣˡ̐{{{ people and retweeted ˣˡ̐ˡˡˡ times, helping to attract attention from supporters across the UK and the world to his not-forprofit plumbing business Depher (Disabled and Elderly Free Plumbing and Heating Emergency Repairs). As a result of the viral tweet, the story of James and his good works with Depher has been covered in

Hydraulic dr saves cost ainage system

Picture courtesy of SWNS

§Ġă §ƀƫ DŎ he expected little more than a few Ŭł˩ wetro om form ėŬŎł cÃ likes õŎł on social media. er òĤŅăŰ ŹĠă ò Ŏė ŹĠă õŎł ăŅăƱŹŰ “It has been amazing,” he ŨØŅƛ ̵Ű ăƚĤŰŹĤŅę ŨŬŎûƀõŹ ò §ƀƫ DŎŬłat the says. “I am just astonished ƀŹ ƕĤ ŹĠ Ø Ņăƕ Ŏõ plate. This ŹØęŎŅ amount support I amØĺ ƱŹŹ getting. It allowof ĤŅę s for up to positions ˢ˦ ûĤƫăŬăŅŹ ĠØŰ łØûă Ø òĤę ûĤƫăŬăŅõă ØŅû R ûĤû and ensu ƕØŰŹă The new easier insta notform expect res it atan all.” llation. er is made from of money, moulding In addition high stren compound to pledges gth sheet , givin (˧ˡ stoneJames has also been offered free g it a ). This suits weig capa it for heavpolicieshtfrom city of ˤ˩ˢkg carers. Intools, free ier whe addition, insurance pre-ėInsurance, plate mean ŎŬłăû ƱƚĤ andelcha Rhino Trade twoir users and their that all obstr Ņę ŨŎ uctin free boiler packs from Wickes.ĤŅŹŰ Ø He Ņû ŎõŹØęŎŅ ƔØĤĺØòĺă Ĥ g joists Øĺ ƕØŰŹă Ņ ŅĤŅ can be quick ŰØėăŹƛ ƲŎŎwas alsoă ŰĤƤă Ű̐ ŹĠă a trip to London ly navigated. ŬĤŅę Ø treated to §ƀƫ DŎŬł˩ form õØŅ ØĺŰŎ òă him on ŎŅ òŎŹĠ ŹĤłwhen Ņû ĤŹ er can be ITV interviewed the ƀŰăû ŹŎ õŬ tiled or cover òăŬ ØŅû õŎ ăØŹă õŎłŨĺ ŅõŬăŹ ed with Ά phamnews This Morning programme. ă ƲŎŎŬŰ̖ ăŹă ĺăƔăĺ Øõ .co.uk/ˢˡˢ õăŰŰ ŰŎĺƀŹĤ Explaining why he does this ˪̜˨ˤ ŎŅŰ work, James told American news outlet CNN: “A lot of elderly and disabled people don’t like asking See page 60 for assistance and if they can’t funding. His charity work relies on afford something like fixing the donations from the public but is boiler, they might not do it and get also funded in part by someAime of his d at the commercia WPE-I inver l mark into trouble. We areet, there to take normal plumbing jobs. Stieb ter-d el Eltron’s riven heat ŹĠă õ that worry away. As long as I have “We started in ˣˡˢ˨ and have ŎłŨØŅƛ̵Ű pum p syste ŎƫăŬĤŅę Ŏ m bolsters systems. enough ė ŬăŅ money to ăƕØò fill up the tank been growing slowly and steadily, ĺă ăŅăŬęƛ The new in my car, I will be there to try and helping people,” James explained range utilis es inver the people whoter need it.” in an interview with LBC.whic “We’ve h allowhelp techn s heat outp ology, the requ utto Anderson’s done ˣˤ˩˪ elderly and disabled jobsirem To donate to James be adjus ents of besp ted to suit ăŅăŬ okeDepher, not-for-profit since then.” visit his ęƛ ăƬõĤăŅõ proje This boos ƛ̐ ĠăĺŨĤŅę on thects. The recent publicity hasenerg comey as ts òƀŰĤŅăŰŰălink below: costs.GoFundMe page Ű Ŭăûƀõă a surprise to James, who admitted The prod Ά ŨĠØłŅăƕŰ̖õŎ̖ƀķ̜ˢˡˢ˪̜˩˥ uct also allow return on s busin esses to maxi investmen t from the mise Renewabl non-dom e Heat Incen estic tive, with attracting running tier-ŎŅă Ź hours ØŬĤƫŰ Mr Amer would have been unable after he was told that the work Spac ̖ e-saving desig installatio tounit defend himself or to avoid the could not be completed until n also strea n process. mlines the Preparato be sized to łØŅƛ òĺŎƕŰ ƕĠĤõĠ ƕăŬă ĤŅƲĤõŹăû̖̲ Friday that week and concluded ry groundwo the build ing, rks can pum The attack, that Mr Amer was a rogue trader. ratherdescribed p model than the by Cray nearest heat saving clien as ,‘sudden andtsoverwhelming’, Police were called to Treadwell’s Ά phamnewsitself time and mon leftk/ˢˡ the ˢ˪̜˨˥ victim with multiple head home just after ˣpm on ˢ˨th .co.u ey. See page 68 wounds and stab wounds, but no August where they found the defensive injuries. victim bleeding heavily, with two DCI Dave Blair of the Met’s large knives protruding from his serious crime command said: “The chest. He was pronounced dead at injuries inflicted on Gary Amer the scene. were horrifying and it is only right Prosecutor Timothy Cray QC that Treadwell has been sentenced said: “The defendant attacked and held to account for such a Mr Amer from behind while Mr brutal killing.” Amer was working on the boiler.

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Hydraulic drainage system saves cost

New ball valve looks to the future

ÃØŹăŬŨŬŎŎ ƱŅę system fo r showers

§Ġă ĠŎƕă Ŭ ÃØŹăŬŨŬŎ ŎƱŅę cĤŹ ėŬ specially designed Ŏł 'ƀŅĺŎŨ to include ĠØŰ òăăŅ waterproo everything f a shower required area, wetro ØŬăØ ØŰ Ŭăū to om or walk ƀĤŬăû òƛ Ņă -in show ƕ ŬĤŹĤŰĠ Suitable for er ŹØŅûØ any inter continued nal intermitte ŬûŰ̖̀ expo nt area wher kit fully wate sure to water may e cause dama rproofs the ge, the surface to prevent wate background behin d a tiled a two-walle r penetratio n up to ˢ̖˦m d shower unit or ˢm ŰĠŎƕăŬ ƀŅ high in high ĤŹ̖ ̀ in a three -walled As a resul t, the kit prevents whole area, water satur reducing ating the the risk of forming, unsightly and also reducing black moul ĤŰŰƀăŰ Űƀõ the risk of d Ġ ØŰ ƲŎŎŬ õ more serio ŎĺĺØŨŰă ØŅ vulnerable us û ŎŹĠăŬ Űƀ to ŬėØõăŰ Ά phamnews corrosion. .co.uk/ˢˡ ˢ˪̜˨˧

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ONLINE For further information about any of the produc ts featured on this page, simply enter phamnews. co.uk/1019/ followed by the relevant enquiry number.

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browser or navigate through various website pages. We hope ƛŎƀ ƕĤĺĺ ƱŅû ŹĠĤŰ Ņăƕ ŰăŬƔĤõă Ø useful and convenient way to access the information you need.

PHAM NEWS OCT19:Layout 1 03/10/2019 11:22 Page 13

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Your Views The Tweet Spot ... Recent tweets that caught our attention Follow us on Twitter @PHAMnews

This month’s £100 letter Share your views and you could win £100 for writing the star letter

Unnecessary uncertainty

Captain Gas Services @gas_captain Indiana Jones and the Meter of Doom.

G.Woods Plumbing and Heating @GWoodsPlumbing Old school upgrade carried out this week. @ThomasCrapper The Venerable WC complete with high level valveless cistern. Original Victorian shower bath with body jets and douche restored and @BristanPro Antique Gold shower.

With reference to the news story ‘The rise of subbies in Brexit uncertainty’ on the September Business Matters page: The FMB says in the long slide of ‘Brexit uncertainty’, small õŎŅŰŹŬƀõŹĤŎŅ Ʊ ŬłŰ ØŬă ØƔŎĤûĤŅę ûĤŬăõŹ ăłŨĺŎƛłăŅŹ ĤŅ ėØƔŎƀŬ Ŏė sub-contractors, a sure sign of ŅăŬƔăŰ ØłŎŅę òŎŰŰăŰ ƕĠŎ ƕØŅŹ ŹĠă ŎŨŹĤŎŅ ŹŎ ûĤŹõĠ ŹĠăĤŬ ƕŎŬķăŬŰ Ĥė õĤŬõƀłŰŹØŅõăŰ ƕŎŬŰăŅ̖ Many of my colleagues in the plumbing sector are all on òŎØŬû ƕĤŹĠ ŹĠă ̳ęăŹ ŬăƚĤŹ ûŎŅă̵ ęƀƫ ̐ òƀŹ ĠŎƕ łØŅƛ ŬăØĺĤŰă ĠŎƕ European our industry is? Not one boiler manufacturer lies in ŬĤŹĤŰĠ ĠØŅûŰ̖ §ĠØŹ ŨƀłŨ ƛŎƀ ĤŅŰŹØĺĺăû ĺØŰŹ ƕăăķ ̪ õŎƀĺû ĤŹ ĠØƔă òăăŅ 'ØŅĤŰĠ̗ NŎƕ ØòŎƀŹ õŎŅŹŬŎĺŰ - they may be made in England, but you can be sure the company ăƚăõŰ ØŬă ĠăØûūƀØŬŹăŬăû ØòŬŎØû̖ Øûĺƛ̐ ŎƔăŬ ŹĠă ûăõØûăŰ ƕă ĠØƔă ŰăăŅ ØŅ ƀŅŬăĺăŅŹĤŅę Űăĺĺ-Ŏƫ of British manufacturers to the ĠĤęĠăŰŹ òĤûûăŬ̐ ĴƀŰŹ ĺĤķă ƕĠØŹ̵Ű happened to the utilities and train ŎŨăŬØŹŎŬŰ̖ ĺĺ ƕă ŬăØĺĺƛ ĠØƔă ĺăėŹ ĤŰ ŎƀŬ ŎƕŅ ŰķĤĺĺŰ̐ ØŅû ŹĠŎŰă Űăăł ŹŎ òă ėØûĤŅę ØŰ ƕăĺĺ̖ §ŎŎ łØŅƛ Ŏė ƀŰ ƕĠŎ ØŬă ØŹ ŹĠă ŹŎŨ Ŏė ŎƀŬ game are eyeing retirement, and ŹĠăŬă̵Ű ŅŎ ûăŅƛĤŅę ŹĠă ŰķĤĺĺŰ ęØŨ ŹĠĤŰ õŬăØŹăŰ̖ R̵ł ŅŎŹ ŰƀŬă ƕĠØŹ ŹĠă ØŅŰƕăŬ ĤŰ ŹŎ ØŅƛ Ŏė ŹĠĤŰ̐ òƀŹ ŬăƚĤŹ ĤŰ ûăƱ ŅĤŹăĺƛ ØŅ ƀŅŅăõăŰŰØŬƛ ûĤŰŹŬØõŹĤŎŅ̖ A.G. Johnson via email

Octillion Academy @OctillionAcadem Anyone up for servicing this boiler?

Let us know what you think... The editor welcomes letters from readers on all aspects of the industry. Letters can be sent by email or post but must have a return name, phone number and address (not for publication). Please address your letters to:

Rob Berridge EngTech @HeatingConsult Nasty bit of asbestos on this 2m3 hot water unit I inspected yesterday.

The Editor, PHAM News 1b Station Square, Flitwick, Bedfordshire MK45 1DP or email to: editor@phamnews.co.uk

PHAM SEPT19 NEST dps:Layout 1 22/08/2019 11:06 Page 1

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

People on the Move Heating products manufacturer Stiebel Eltron UK has appointed Brett Baxter as regional specification manager for the North West. Brett will focus on driving sales of the company’s home comforts range, including instantaneous hot water and electric heating products. He joins with over 11 years experience in specifying electric hot water solutions.

Installation work that will make you shiver!

Coram Group UK has welcomed Josh Matthews (pictured) and Jack Warren as business development managers in the newly created Retail Sales Team. Experienced bathroom sector specialists, Josh and Jack will concentrate on securing sales through the company’s retailer network, as well as expanding the Coram showers and Impey wetrooms offering into new locations.

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

The technical team at LCL Awards has been strengthened with the addition of Steve Humphreys as external verifier and technical specialist for the electrical sector. Steve brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked in the electrical trade for over 20 years all over the UK and Europe. Over the last decade he has been involved in education and training.

The sales team at VitrA has been enhanced with the appointment of Darren Bailey as area sales manager for the Midlands. Darren will be responsible for VitrA’s Bathroom and Signature portfolios. With a long career in the bathroom industry, Darren spent 15 years as a showroom manager. He has also worked at Davroc, a bathroom supply company, as business development manager.

Conex Bänninger has made two top level appointments to its UK and Ireland sales team. Clare Hasprey-Young has joined as national sales manager, while Damascus Msumba has been appointed national business development manager for OEM contracts. Clare comes to the role with 21 years experience in the industry and Damascus has 15 years experience.

Plumbase has appointed John Cooper to the position of northern operations and sales manager for its spares division. With 29 years experience in the heating industry, including previous roles with British Gas and selling domestic and commercial heating spares via merchants, John brings a wealth of industry expertise to the position.

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

PHAM_1019_016(T).indd 1

ONLINE For further information about any of the products featured on this page, simply enter phamnews. co.uk/1019/ followed by the relevant enquiry number.

Josh Collins has been promoted to the role of specification manager in the Midlands for Altecnic, a supplier of hydronic solutions. Josh has more than 15 years experience in HVAC, having begun his career in installation before moving on to commissioning and testing. Most recently Josh was a heat interface unit specialist on Altecnic’s technical team.

Five new business development managers have been appointed at ACV UK. The recently expanded team will see David Swarbrick (North West), Connor Miller (East and West Midlands), David Jones (Home Counties and North London), Tony Wilson (South West) and Andrew Greenall (North East, pictured) looking after customers in their respective territories.

03/10/2019 10:41

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PHAM NEWS OCT19:Layout 1 02/10/2019 17:23 Page 18

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Training Update Acquisition expands coverage

RIBA approval for ventilation course The CPD course - Ventilation Strategies and Best Practice Compliance - from EnviroVent now has approval from RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects). The course outlines the roadmap to ventilation compliance and considers the current environmental and political drivers in ensuring good indoor air quality ŹĠŬŎƀęĠ ăƬõĤăŅŹ ƔăŅŹĤĺØŹĤŎŅ̖ It is delivered by an EnviroVent ventilation specialist in the form of an hour-long seminar, which covers the key areas on the subject of ensuring adequate ventilation. This includes technical theory around the ventilation strategies of Approved Document F and the minimum requirements of Approved Document L. A range of topics are focused on, from the health impacts of poor ventilation and indoor air quality to long-term aftercare and maintenance. All of

EnviroVent’s CPD courses deliver know-how on using ŹĠă łŎŰŹ ăƫăõŹĤƔă ØŅû ăŅăŬęƛ ăƬõĤăŅŹ ƔăŅŹĤĺØŹĤŎŅ solutions to ventilate homes. All attendees will receive a ! ' õăŬŹĤƱõØŹă̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk̜ˢˡˢ˪̜ˡ˦

National training provider JTL has acquired Develop Training. Develop Training provides professional short courses, specialising in utilities and energy, construction, defence, healthcare, facilities management and telecommunications and has seven training centres in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The acquisition will provide an opportunity for the two organisations to both expand their ŎƫăŬĤŅę ØŅû ăƚŹăŅû ŹĠăĤŬ ŅØŹĤŎŅØĺ coverage. JTL says it will be able to better serve the sector by expanding its short course provision beyond apprenticeships, while

Develop Training can grow its apprenticeship programmes with JTL’s support. Both organisations will continue to operate under their current trading name, with business as usual. Ά phamnews.co.uk̜ˢˡˢ˪̜ˡ˧

CPD course looks at water treatment strategies A new CPD-approved course provided by DosaFil addresses the ŨŬăƔØĺăŅõă Ŏė ŨŎŎŬ ŎŬ ĤŅăƫăõŹĤƔă water treatment practices in commercial and industrial HVAC.

The free technical training, which can be delivered anywhere, provides essential information to system users on how to manage and control water quality using a

combination of specialist conditioning equipment and chemical treatments. This includes instruction on how certain technologies and techniques can be used to remediate systems on-line, avoiding costly downtime and Ŏƫ-line cleaning methods. This training is open to all CIBSE members and any individuals working in the mechanical, electrical and plumbing sector, and can help delegates achieve continuing professional development targets. Training can be delivered at a site convenient to the delegates, whether at their business premises or at a pre-ØŬŬØŅęăû Ŏƫ-site location. There is no cap on the number of delegates, and the ŹŬØĤŅĤŅę ĤŰ ŎƫăŬăû ėŬăă Ŏė õĠØŬęă̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜ˡ˨

College joins growth scheme Leeds College of Building is the latest organisation to become a member of the Northern Powerhouse Partner Programme. The college joins a network of more than ˤˡˡ partners – made up of leading businesses, civic bodies and charities - across the North of England, aiming to boost economic growth with better transport links and increased investment. Leeds College currently has over ˧ˡˡˡ ŰŹƀûăŅŹŰ ØŅû ŎƫăŬŰ Ø ŬØŅęă Ŏė more than ˣˡˡ courses related to construction and the built environment. In ˣˡˢ˩ the College was awarded BTEC Apprenticeship Provider of the Year and, more recently, expanded its ăŰŹØŹăŰ ŨŎŬŹėŎĺĤŎ ŹŎ ŎƬõĤØĺĺƛ ŎŨăŅ ŨĠØŰă ŹƕŎ Ŏė ĤŹŰ South Bank Campus (pictured above), which represents a £ˢˤm development. Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜ˡ˩

Livingston facility is well equipped ŬŎûƀõŹ ŹŬØĤŅĤŅę õŎƀŬŰăŰ ØŬă ŅŎƕ òăĤŅę ŎƫăŬăû òƛ Grant UK via its Training Academy at the HLI Centre in Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland. A number of Grant products have been installed, allowing the training facility to deliver courses on oil boilers and burners, a two-day air source heat pump course ØŅû ØŅ ƀŅûăŬƲŎŎŬ ĠăØŹĤŅę õŎƀŬŰă̖ ĺĺ Ŏė ŹĠă ŨŬŎûƀõŹ courses are delivered by experienced trainers. §Ġă ƱŬŰŹ ûØŹăŰ ėŎŬ ŎĤĺ òŎĤĺăŬ ØŅû ØĤŬ ŰŎƀŬõă heat pump training at the HLI Centre have been õŎŅƱŬłăû̖ {Ņ ˙˙Ņû̐ ˙˚Ŭû ØŅû ˙˛ŹĠ {õŹŎòăŬ̐ ŎŅăday courses will be held on the oil burners, Vortex oil burners and combi oil boilers, respectively. The following week, a two-day Aerona˚ air source ĠăØŹ ŨƀłŨ õŎƀŬŰă ƕĤĺĺ ŹØķă ŨĺØõă ŎŅ ˙ˠŹĠ ØŅû ˚˗ŹĠ {õŹŎòăŬ̖ DƀŬŹĠăŬ õŎƀŬŰă ûØŹăŰ ƕĤĺĺ òă õŎŅƱŬłăû ĤŅ due course. The new facility in Scotland joins Grant’s GTEC Centre in Hawes, North Yorkshire, and its main õØûăłƛ ØŹ ĤŹŰ ĠăØû ŎƬõă ĤŅ 'ăƔĤƤăŰ̐ ÃĤĺŹŰĠĤŬă̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜ˡ˪

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Market Spotlight  The Nest Learning Thermostat connects to WiFi and automatically adapts to user behaviour to save on energy

Every connected device installation has the potential to turn into an even greater business opportunity.

“Every connected device installation has the potential to turn into an even greater business opportunity,” believes Amrinder Singh, plumber, installer and est ro at anda eating. It’s common that I’ll get a job through Nest that turns into an even bigger job on the day. nd customers will often call back and say: “We love our thermostat, now we want to install a video doorbell and security cameras – can you help us set it all up?” As we move into the 2020s, connected living will become part of the mainstream, with research suggesting that 30% of the UK population say they are planning to buy a connected home device within the next two years. That’s more than double the number who said the same back in 2016, underlining the huge growth in the industry.

Repeat business

Embrace the connected home to secure new business With ongoing developments in technology and growing interest from consumers, the connected home market could offer huge opportunities for professional installers.

ith connected home technology now integrating everything from heating and lighting to security, fire safety and more, learning about these devices presents a big opportunity for your business, particularly given that 59% of UK homeowners say they would prefer a professional to install their connected devices. “In the past, we’ve had quite disparate trades – there’s plumbers, heating engineers and more, each responsible for fulfilling only one aspect of a customer’s needs,” says Paul Haynes, head of industry partnerships at oogle est. ue to connected technology, a new trade is arising, and the traditional installer – with their skills and knowledge – is in the perfect position to take this space.”

Growing market

Research suggests that £10.8bn is expected to be spent on connected home devices – including thermostats, video doorbells, security cameras and more – in the UK this year. This means there will be a rise in the number of people seeking professional help installing their new devices.

PHAM_1019_20(T).indd 1

And the opportunity for your business doesn’t end there. Among people who already own a connected home device, consideration for buying others increases to 40%. In other words, you may be able to turn a simple installation into a much larger job, as a customer who asks you to install a smart thermostat could then be more receptive to hearing, say, about a smoke and CO alarm or security cameras.  The Nest outdoor security camera alerts the homeowner when there is someone outside the front door  The Google Nest Hub Max is a voiceactivated smart home device which can display photos and make video calls

BY NUMBERS

59%

of UK homeowners say they would like a professional to install their connected devices

£10.8bn is expected to be spent by UK consumers on connected home devices this year

30%

of UK consumers say they expect to purchase a connected device within two years

40%

of existing users expect to upgrade their devices within two years

And it’s not just new customers who will be seeking out the skill set of the professional installer. Research suggests that installers can look forward to receiving repeat custom, too, as over 40% of existing connected customers in the UK are expecting to upgrade their devices within the next two years. As new and improved devices enter the market, customers will turn to you for help in replacing their older devices with new ones. The more of these devices you are familiar with, and the more connected home installs you do today, the better for your business. “If you’re installing something in other people’s homes, you have to know your way around them so that your customer has enough confidence in you to actually buy the device,” says Peter Booth, plumber, gas engineer and content creator. ou don’t want to be the person who fits it and is then stood there reading the instructions, like you don’t know what you’re doing.” By 2025, connected homes are expected to become the norm. These days, around 10% of UK households own connected heating, lighting or security devices, but within the next five years, that number has been predicted to quadruple, rising to around 40%. “In the next few years, connected home technology will be completely normalised,” says rofessor orothy Monekosso, director of research at the School of the Built Environment, Leeds Beckett University. There will be no need to explain what connected home devices are, or what they do, because almost everyone will own at least one.” Needless to say, within the next few years, acquiring expertise within the connected home market could become essential for every plumbing and heating professional. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019/10

02/10/2019 11:11

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Energy Matters 21 BEAMA members pledge commitment to net zero Members of BEAMA, the trade body for manufacturers and providers of energy technologies and systems, have announced a commitment to reduce their emissions to net zero by ˣˡ˦ˡ. The joint pledge was issued with the publication of a report by the Association – ‘Net-Zero By Design’ – which warns that setting the net-zero target in legislation alone will not be enough to achieve the government’s objectives. The report contains a list of policy recommendations on how the Government can spearhead growth in the electricity market and make the UK a world leader in new technology markets for ŰłØŬŹ ƲăƚĤòĺă ăĺăõŹŬĤõØĺ ŰƛŰŹăłŰ ̩ ĤŅõĺƀûĤŅę łŎŬă õĺØŬĤŹƛ ØòŎƀŹ the future direction of regulation, reform of Building Regulations, a carbon price for heat, and reduced VAT for low carbon technologies. Speaking at the launch event at One Great George Street in London, BEAMA CEO Dr Howard Porter said: “This is a cross party, cross industry, global coordination challenge at an unprecedented level - current markets for renewables and certain

Decarbonisation plans don’t go far enough

BEAMA CEO Dr Howard Porter speaking at the report’s launch event

low carbon technologies essential for the energy transition, including storage, are struggling to gain the levels of investment needed to radically decarbonise our electricity infrastructure, òƀĤĺûĤŅęŰ ØŅû ŹŬØŅŰŨŎŬŹ ŰƛŰŹăł̖̀§ĠĤŰ ĤŰ Ø ęŬăØŹ ŎŨŨŎŬŹƀŅĤŹƛ ŹŎ òă grasped by UK government and drive growth in the UK market.”

More action needed to address England’s fuel poor The energy performance measurement specialist Elmhurst Energy has called on the government to review how it measures fuel poverty and consider further ways of how England’s housing stock could be improved. Responding to the BEIS consultation on updating the 2015 Fuel Poverty Strategy for England, Elmhurst has pointed out that privately rented properties house a disproportionate number of fuel poor households. The company also argues that more ŰƀŨŨŎŬŹ ĤŰ Ņăăûăû ėŎŬ ĠŎłăŰ Ŏƫ ŹĠă ęØŰ ęŬĤû ØŅû ĠŎłăŰ ƕĤŹĠ high energy bills.

“The fact that as a nation we are still debating fuel poverty ØŅû ĤŹŰ ăƫăõŹŰ ŎŅ ėØłĤĺĤăŰ ŹĠŬŎƀęĠŎƀŹ ŹĠă ®c ĤŰ ăƔĤûăŅõă ĤŅ ĤŹŰăĺė that we haven’t seemed to have made the necessary inroads in this vital sector,” states Stuart Fairlie, technical and operations director at Elmhurst. “We truly believe that more resources need to be utilised, and that the most in need homes need to be more easily targeted. The occupiers need the home assessed and they need advice and education to enable the improvements to be long lasting.”

nØŬķ ÃĤĺķĤŅŰ̐ ÂØĤĺĺØŅŹ̵Ű ĠăØû Ŏė ŹŬØĤŅĤŅę ØŅû ăƚŹăŬŅØĺ ØƫØĤŬŰ

While welcoming the Government’s recent spending round announcement, which includes plans to funnel £ˤˡm into infrastructure decarbonisation schemes ŎƔăŬ ŹĠă ŅăƚŹ ˢˣ months, Vaillant Group has questioned whether the investment plans go far enough. §Ġă õŎłŨØŅƛ̵Ű ĠăØû Ŏė ŹŬØĤŅĤŅę ØŅû ăƚŹăŬŅØĺ ØƫØĤŬŰ̐ Mark Wilkins, comments: “More funding is crucial, not only to put in place the necessary set-up for the production and distribution of sustainable energy ŰŎƀŬõăŰ̐ òƀŹ ØĺŰŎ ŹŎ ĤłŨŬŎƔă ŹĠă ăŅăŬęƛ ăƬõĤăŅõƛ Ŏė ŎƀŬ ăƚĤŰŹĤŅę ĠŎƀŰĤŅę ŰŹŎõķ̖ Ãă ƕŎƀĺû ūƀăŬƛ ƕĠăŹĠăŬ ͙ˤˡm is anywhere near enough. “Apart from the cost of the technology, we also need to train up more engineers to design, install and maintain the infrastructure. Investing in a coordinated approach to identify what is needed, synchronise ĤŅûƀŰŹŬƛ ăƫŎŬŹŰ ØŅû ƀŅûăŬŹØķă ŹĠă ŹŬØĤŅĤŅę ĤŰ õŬƀõĤØĺ Ĥė we are to deliver the high quality and reliable infrastructure.”

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

CIPHE Viewpoint

A plumbing apprentice learning on the job with Dave Beeson from Beeson Plumbing

Trailblazers and apprenticeships Initiatives such as the Trailblazers scheme and the Plumbing and Heating Skills Partnership (PHSP) are designed to help address the growing skills gap in the industry. Kevin Wellman, CEO at the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and NÄ&#x192;Ă&#x2DC;ĹšÄ¤Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x2122; 1Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x2122;Ä¤Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x192;Ä&#x192;ĹŹÄ¤Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x2122;Ě? Ä&#x192;Ć&#x161;Ĺ¨ÄşĹ&#x17D;ĹŹÄ&#x192;Ĺ° Ä Ĺ&#x17D;Ć&#x2022; ĹšÄ Ä&#x192; Ä¤Ĺ&#x2026;ĂťĆ&#x20AC;Ĺ°ĹšĹŹĆ&#x203A; Ä¤Ĺ° Ćą Ä&#x2122;Ä ĹšÄ¤Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x2122; ĹšÄ Ä&#x192; Ĺ°ÄˇÄ¤ÄşÄşĹ° Ĺ°Ä Ĺ&#x17D;ĹŹĹšĂ&#x2DC;Ä&#x2122;Ä&#x192;Ě&#x2013;

he plumbing and heating industry is facing a skills shortage. With an aging workforce required to engage with everevolving technology, the gap between what we need and what we have, in terms of numbers of engineers and the skills they possess, is widening. To address this, it is crucial that installers continue to keep abreast of the latest legislative and technological changes, and by engaging with CPD they can ensure they do so. However, one of the biggest challenges that the industry faces is educating the

next generation to a high enough standard to safeguard the public. The City & Guilds Group recently conducted some research into the area of recruitment, showing that ËŠËŞ% of UK employers are Ĺ°ĹšĹŹĆ&#x20AC;Ä&#x2122;Ä&#x2122;ÄşÄ¤Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x2122; ĹšĹ&#x17D; ĹŹÄ&#x192;ĂľĹŹĆ&#x20AC;Ä¤Ĺš Ĺ°Ć&#x20AC;ĆŹ ĂľÄ¤Ä&#x192;Ĺ&#x2026;ĹšÄşĆ&#x203A; Ĺ°ÄˇÄ¤ÄşÄşÄ&#x192;Ăť Ĺ°ĹšĂ&#x2DC;ĆŤ Ě&#x2013; RĹ&#x2026; Ä&#x2014;Ă&#x2DC;ĂľĹšĚ? Ë§Ë¤% believe that the skills gap in their business is likely to worsen over the next Ćą Ć&#x201D;Ä&#x192; Ć&#x203A;Ä&#x192;Ă&#x2DC;ĹŹĹ°Ě? Ć&#x2022;Ä Ä¤ĂľÄ Ä¤Ĺ° Ć&#x2022;Ä Ă&#x2DC;Ĺš Ĺ&#x201A;Ă&#x2DC;ÄˇÄ&#x192;Ĺ° our industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Level Ë¤ Trailblazer apprenticeship so important.

Skills Partnership

Trailblazers scheme The Level Ë¤ Plumbing & Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship, which is one of the Trailblazers apprenticeships,

is a ËĽËŠ-month programme designed to equip young people with the necessary skills to enter the industry. It is only available at Level Ë¤, and apprentices will need to pass an End-Point Assessment to qualify. {Ĺ&#x2026;ĂľÄ&#x192; ĹŤĆ&#x20AC;Ă&#x2DC;ÄşÄ¤Ćą Ä&#x192;ĂťĚ? Ă&#x2DC;Ĺ¨Ĺ¨ĹŹÄ&#x192;Ĺ&#x2026;ĹšÄ¤ĂľÄ&#x192;Ĺ° are able to claim EngTech status from the Engineering Council, adding further to their credibility. They will also specialise in either natural gas, oil, solid fuel, or environmental technologies, which means the programme can be tailored to meet the current and future needs of individual businesses. From September ËŁËĄËŁËĄ, the Trailblazer Level Ë¤ programme will become standard, and the onus is on employers to begin looking at how an apprentice can help their business to grow. With Ë¨ËŠ% of employers reporting that apprentices improved productivity for their business, the positive Ä&#x192;ĆŤ Ä&#x192;ĂľĹšĹ° Ĺ&#x17D;Ä&#x2014; Ä Ä¤ĹŹÄ¤Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x2122; Ă&#x2DC;Ĺ&#x2026; Ă&#x2DC;Ĺ¨Ĺ¨ĹŹÄ&#x192;Ĺ&#x2026;ĹšÄ¤ĂľÄ&#x192; Ĺ°Ĺ&#x17D;Ĺ&#x17D;Ĺ&#x2026; become apparent. The great thing about the Level Ë¤ Plumbing & Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship is the Ćą Ĺ&#x2026;Ă&#x2DC;Ĺ&#x2026;ĂľÄ¤Ă&#x2DC;Äş Ĺ°Ć&#x20AC;Ĺ¨Ĺ¨Ĺ&#x17D;ĹŹĹš ĹšÄ Ă&#x2DC;Ĺš Ä¤Ĺ&#x2026;Ĺ°ĹšĂ&#x2DC;ÄşÄşÄ&#x192;ĹŹĹ° have access to, with potentially up to ÂŁËŁË˘Ě?ËĄËĄËĄ of funding available from the government. The CIPHE Ă&#x2DC;ÄşĹ°Ĺ&#x17D; Ĺ&#x17D;ĆŤ Ä&#x192;ĹŹĹ° Ă&#x2DC;ĂťĆ&#x201D;Ä¤ĂľÄ&#x192; ĹšĹ&#x17D; Ĺ&#x201A;Ä&#x192;Ĺ&#x201A;Ă˛Ä&#x192;ĹŹĹ° on the logistics of hiring an apprentice, guiding employers through the process and providing links with a database of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Traineeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; members who may be perfect for their business.

Kevin Wellman %+2*' %JKGH 'ZGEWVKXG 1HĆ&#x2019; EGT

The Plumbing and Heating Skills Partnership (PHSP) is a strategic, not-for-Ĺ¨ĹŹĹ&#x17D;Ćą Ĺš Ĺ°ÄˇÄ¤ÄşÄşĹ° partnership, established by the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC), the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Federation (SNIPEF) and the British Plumbing Employersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Council (Training) Ltd (BPEC). It has recently launched a marketing campaign which seeks to promote ĹšÄ Ä&#x192; Ă˛Ä&#x192;Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x192;Ćą ĹšĹ° Ĺ&#x17D;Ä&#x2014; ĹšÄ Ä&#x192; eÄ&#x192;Ć&#x201D;Ä&#x192;Äş Ë¤ Plumbing & Domestic Heating

Technician Apprenticeship, which Ä Ă&#x2DC;Ĺ° Ă˛Ä&#x192;Ä&#x192;Ĺ&#x2026; Ĺ°Ĺ¨Ä&#x192;ĂľÄ¤Ćą ĂľĂ&#x2DC;ÄşÄşĆ&#x203A; ĂťÄ&#x192;Ĺ°Ä¤Ä&#x2122;Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x192;Ăť ĹšĹ&#x17D; Ĺ&#x201A;Ä&#x192;Ä&#x192;Ĺš Ä&#x192;Ĺ&#x201A;Ĺ¨ÄşĹ&#x17D;Ć&#x203A;Ä&#x192;ĹŹĹ°Ěľ Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x192;Ä&#x192;ĂťĹ°Ě? Ćą ÄşÄş Ĺ°ÄˇÄ¤ÄşÄşĹ° gaps, and secure the future of Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plumbing and domestic heating industry. It is being led by BPEC and supported by a number of partners, including: the JTL, the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, the National Association of Plumbing Teachers (NAPT), and the CIPHE. The aim of the campaign is to highlight how apprentices on Level Ë¤ schemes can make a Ä&#x2122;Ä&#x192;Ĺ&#x2026;Ć&#x20AC;Ä¤Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x192; ĂťÄ¤ĆŤ Ä&#x192;ĹŹÄ&#x192;Ĺ&#x2026;ĂľÄ&#x192; ĹšĹ&#x17D; Ä&#x192;Ĺ&#x201A;Ĺ¨ÄşĹ&#x17D;Ć&#x203A;Ä&#x192;ĹŹĹ°Ě&#x2013; By working alongside a number of key stakeholders in the plumbing and heating industry, the PHSP is optimistic that there will be a high level of engagement with the Level Ë¤ apprenticeship amongst employers, training centres and apprentices themselves.

Final thoughts The CIPHE is dedicated to safeguarding the most vulnerable in our society, and a huge part of this is to ensure that plumbing and heating engineers are educated and trained to an acceptable standard. The worrying prevalence of public health issues such as legionella and scalding can be directly attributed ĹšĹ&#x17D; ĹšÄ Ä&#x192; Ĺ°ÄˇÄ¤ÄşÄşĹ° ĂťÄ&#x192;Ćą ĂľÄ¤Ĺš Ć&#x2022;Ä&#x192; Ă&#x2DC;ĹŹÄ&#x192; Ä&#x2014;Ă&#x2DC;ĂľÄ¤Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x2122;Ě&#x2013; The PHSPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work in promoting the Level Ë¤ Plumbing & Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship is crucial for the future of the industry. Engagement from all stakeholders within the plumbing and heating sector is necessary to combat the issues we face, and it is only by working together that we can improve standards. For more information on the PHSPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marketing campaign, please visit the website below: Î&#x2020; phamnews.co.uk/Ë˘ËĄË˘ËŞĚ&#x153;Ë˘Ë˘

CIPHE

If you want to assist the CIPHE in RTQOQVKPI VJG UCHGV[ JGCNVJ CPF YGNHCTG QH VJG RWDNKE VJTQWIJ KVU KPETGCUKPI OGODGTUJKR RNGCUG EQPVCEV 6KO 5CKPV[ XKC QT VKOU"EKRJG QTI WM

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Business Matters

Customer service the core of good business ood customer service has the potential to significantly impact an installer’s professional reputation and future business. David Cook from Baxi shares top tips on how to maintain a strong working relationship with customers.

or installers, maintaining the reputation of their brand is vital, so when faced with a frustrated customer, it’s important that they don’t lose their head and are able to turn the problem around as quickly as possible with minimum fuss. arrying out a quality job is undeniably essential, but being able deal with problems efficiently, effectively and with good grace will go a long way to appease disgruntled customers, particularly in a competitive market. If an installer can master the correct approach, they can increase the likelihood of keeping their customer base intact.

First impressions

Poor customer service is a familiar frustration for many consumers, especially when they hit a stumbling block at their first port of call. Being sent straight to voicemail, unreturned phone calls and long waiting times are just some of the irritations felt by dissatisfied customers. With this in mind, an installer should make themselves as accessible as possible to ensure

they can jump onto any potential customer issues quickly. That doesn’t mean being at someone’s beck and call / rather, it’s at least responding to voicemails and messages in a timely way. or many installers, this goes without saying, but taking a few simple steps can make it significantly easier for a customer to get in touch. For example, sometimes issues can be resolved with a quick fix, and being able to point the customer in the direction of useful manufacturer support such as FAQs, product guidance or even webchats enables the customer to take matters into their own hands, saving invaluable time for all parties. When meeting a customer for the first time, remember it takes seconds to make a good first impression. Providing helpful advice first time round portrays an installer as a reliable expert in their field, building a solid rapport with the customer.

Clear communication

When confronted with an unhappy customer, it’s easy for an installer to put up their guard and be dismissive, especially

when the problem doesn’t lie with them. However, this can make them appear unprofessional and defensive, whereas keeping a cool head is much more productive, meaning a resolution can be sought a lot quicker.

Solutions focused

David Cook

Sales director at Baxi Heating

The ability to solve any issues quickly enables installers to move on to other jobs and develop a loyal customer base.

onsider tone and style to help calm the situation. bviously avoid any language that could be deemed passive-aggressive and keep technical language to a minimum. This makes the installer more personable and positive. Providing solutions rather than focusing on the problem to hand is also instantly more uplifting. Taking a moment to actively engage with the customer makes them feel understood. By simply keeping them informed and giving them clear expectations straightaway means they aren’t left in the dark and miscommunication is prevented. A good method to follow is CARP, which includes four stages: Controlling the situation to avoid any further upset Acknowledging the customer problem so they know their issue has been taken on board

Refocusing the conversation towards finding a solution Problem-solving, whereby advice is offered to find a resolution. Installers should always make sure the customer is left happy by checking there is nothing else they are expecting. This ensures the problem is completely resolved and they won’t be called back out again in a few days. ot every customer is the same, and therefore it’s important to consider body language to ensure they feel comfortable. Making a small change can have a huge impact, instantly creating a positive interaction. Perfecting the art of good customer service is the key to success in any business and can be particularly beneficial to an installer as it gives them the opportunity to build, perfect and maintain strong customer relationships.

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

Join new social network to win more business Tradespeople can now take advantage of a new social network roperty eads.com as a way to find new business opportunities. The idea behind the website is to help users with every aspect of their property lives, from finding a home to sourcing tradespeople. CEO Ben Davis comments: “We know how hard it can be for reputable suppliers and tradespeople across the UK to set themselves apart from the competition and get noticed. Therefore, we designed roperty eads to be the perfect platform for the best businesses to get noticed by as many people as possible. In fact, it’s the only website specifically built to help property businesses create more word-ofmouth leads, more repeat business and more business from recommendations. We currently serve over 50,000 users per month. The website is the UK’s first to proactively match the public with firms that their friends and connections already use and trust. Uniquely, roperty eads.com will suggest property businesses based on how connected they are to the user. dditionally, we have also developed the first Tradesmen Blacklist’.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019 1

PHAM_1019_24V2(CHT).indd 1

New holiday pay calculation

Easy SKILLcard renewal Holders of Engineering Services SKILLcards are now able to renew their cards online following another upgrade of the online SKILLcard application system operated by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA).

The application process for new SKILLcards moved online earlier this year and the website www. skillcard.org.uk) has now been further enhanced to accommodate renewals. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019 1

The APHC is highlighting a court decision on calculating holiday pay that may affect employers in the heating and plumbing sector. In June, the Court of Appeal ruled that regular and settled voluntary overtime should be included when calculating holiday pay. This means businesses now have to take into account regular overtime when calculating holiday pay. APHC CEO John Thompson explains: “In regular circumstances calculating holiday pay is straightforward enough. If a staff member receives per working week, then the employer needs to pay them for a week’s holiday. owever, now when a staff member does regular voluntary overtime, so their take-home pay is greater than their contracted pay, the employer needs to base their holiday pay calculations on the staff member’s take-home pay and not their contracted pay.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019 1

03/10/2019 12:37

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Health & Safety

How to protect your apprentices on the job Ű ØŅ ăłŨĺŎƛăŬ̐ ƛŎƀ ƕØŅŹ ŹŎ ķăăŨ ƛŎƀŬ ŰŹØƫ ØŰ ŰØėă ØŰ ŨŎŰŰĤòĺă while at work, especially inexperienced trainees. Here, Kelly Friel, digital product manager at industrial tools retailer Zoro, gives her expert advice on how you can protect your apprentices on the job.

n accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act ˢ˪˨˥, it is your role as an employer to ensure that all ŰŹØƫ ØŬă ķăŨŹ ŰØėă ƕĠĤĺă ØŹ ƕŎŬķ̖ DØĤĺƀŬă ŹŎ ûŎ ŰŎ õŎƀĺû ŬăŰƀĺŹ ĤŅ Ø ĠăėŹƛ Ʊ Ņă ŎŬ ăƔăŅ ĤłŨŬĤŰŎŅłăŅŹ Ĥė Ø łăłòăŬ Ŏė ŰŹØƫ Űƀƫ ăŬŰ Ø ŰăŬĤŎƀŰ ĤŅĴƀŬƛ ƕĠĤĺă ƕŎŬķĤŅę̖ For apprentices, their inexperience makes them even more vulnerable to accidents and injuries, and they’re around ˨ˤ% more likely to be involved in an incident on the job. If you’re planning to take on apprentices, you need to take some extra steps to keep them safe while they’re at work. Here, I’ll be going through some of the most important health and safety tips you’ll need to consider when training your apprentice.

Risk assessment Before starting any job, a risk assessment should be carried out to highlight any areas where your apprentice could come to harm. The more detailed the assessment is, the more ăƫ ăõŹĤƔăĺƛ ƛŎƀ̵ĺĺ òă Øòĺă ŹŎ ŨŬŎŹăõŹ ŹĠăł̖ §ĠĤŅęŰ ĺĤķă ėØĺĺŰ̐

Kelly Friel Digital product manager at industrial tools retailer Zoro

burns and cuts can all be avoided by taking the right measures, like keeping the area clear and wearing protective clothing, so you should include anything that may cause a hazard, no matter how minor it might seem or how unlikely it is to happen. You should also identify any areas of the role where your apprentice may need to lift heavy objects. Muscle strain from carrying heavy items repeatedly or over a long period of time could cause serious, long-lasting health conditions. To help prevent this, teach your apprentice the proper way to lift objects, using their leg strength to avoid putting too much pressure on their back łƀŰõĺăŰ̖ ÉŎƀ õØŅ Ʊ Ņû ŰØėă ĺĤėŹĤŅę ŹăõĠŅĤūƀăŰ on the NHS website which can help with training (see further information box).

Provide adequate PPE One way you can protect your workers from ŰŎłă Ŏė ŹĠă ĠØƤØŬûŰ ƛŎƀ̵Ɣă ĤûăŅŹĤƱ ăû ĤŅ ƛŎƀŬ risk assessment is to provide the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) for the job. In the heating and plumbing industry, the most important pieces of PPE are coveralls, thick protective gloves, and steel toe cap boots. Knee pads are also important if your apprentice will be spending a lot of time ƕŎŬķĤŅę ŎŅ ŹĠă Ʋ ŎŎŬ̖ If you’re working on a building site, hazards can be more common or severe compared to domestic jobs, so you’ll need to provide more equipment to keep them safe. These include head, ear and respiratory protection and goggles. You should also invest in proper high visibility clothing, especially when working in the dark or in areas of low visibility. The Health and Safety Executive has a full list of essential PPE that you may need to provide.

Health & safety training As part of the training for their new role, apprentices should be aware of how to identify and control any hazards that might occur on the job. Part of this means that they should be fully trained in how to wear PPE correctly and how to carry out tasks in order to avoid the risk of burns or shocks. When working in the heating and plumbing sector, some jobs may require the use of sharp tools such as saws, drills and pipe cutters. To keep them safe, you’ll need to show your apprentice, and the rest Ŏė ƛŎƀŬ ŰŹØƫ ̐ ĠŎƕ ŹŎ ĠŎĺû̐ ƀŰă ØŅû ŰŹŎŬă ŹĠĤŰ equipment safely. It can help to assign a health and safety role to one or two members of your team. These individuals will be responsible for ensuring that health and safety protocol is òăĤŅę ØûĠăŬăû ŹŎ ØŅû ƛŎƀŬ ŰŹØƫ ķŅŎƕ ƕĠŎ to go to if anything happens. You should also have a health and safety document written up for employees to refer back to at any time.

Proper supervision It’s important to remember that your apprentice will be new to their role, so they should be supervised at all times when working. It’s also crucial that you don’t send them out to do a job on their own, as their inexperience can make them less equipped to deal with any incidents that might occur. To make sure that your new apprentice is kept safe, you should assign them a mentor. Having someone working alongside them on jobs means that they can be guided through all aspects of their work by someone who knows how to do it safely.

Further information For advice from the NHS on safe lifting techniques: Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜ˢ˦ For a list of essential PPE from the Health and Safety Executive: Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜ˢ˧ For more about the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act ˢ˪˨˥: Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜ˢ˨ For further information about tools and PPE from Zoro: Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜ˢ˩

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Product Spotlight

When and where to ﬁt thermostatic mixing valves Approximately 2000 children are admitted to A&E each year as a result of bath water scalds, but incidents like this could be avoided if the correct thermostatic mixing valves were fitted to baths and sinks. Stuart Reynolds from AKW explains when and where to use TMVs to reduce the risk of injury.

on any showers or baths. All TMV2s should meet the requirements of BS EN 1111 and/ or BSEN 1287 as a minimum performance level, as well as the additional requirements of the TMV2 Scheme. Typically, these valves work on pressures of between 0.1 bar to 5 bar. Valves conforming to these Standards should be able to maintain temperature stability at all times and will shut down safely in case of cold water failure to protect the user from scalding.

Higher level of protection

Stuart Reynolds Head of Product and Marketing at AKW

t is almost ten years since the TMV2 scheme became part of Building Regulations 700 in England and Wales, yet there is still confusion around when to use TMV2 and TMV3 valves. TMVs are ideal for eradicating scalding, particularly in homes that contain older or younger people. Due to their typically thinner skin, exposure to hot water above 60°C can take as little as 1 second for them to receive full thickness burns and 10 seconds if the water is 55°C. Yet hot water in the average home comes out of the tap at hotter than 60°C, with some as high as 80°C. However, with the right valve in place these scald injuries are almost always avoidable. According to the 2010 Building Regulations Part 3 (which was revised in 2015 and 2016), section 3.65 covers the prevention of scalding and states: ‘The hot water supply temperature to a bath should be limited to a maximum of 48°C by use of an in-line blending valve or other appropriate temperature control device, with a maximum temperature stop and a suitable arrangement of pipework’. To maintain 48°C at point of exit, logic would dictate that it would be better to store water at cooler temperatures to avoid scalding, however the risk of legionella increases as water temperature drops. With this in mind, tap water temperature can be regulated and scalding prevented if TMV2 and TMV3 valves are fitted. owever, TM 2 and TMV3 approved valves offer

PHAM_1019_28(T).indd 1

The Arka thermostatic mixer shower

Blending valve

different levels of protection, making them suitable for different applications.

When to use which valve

The Arka Cameo mixer shower stays cool to the touch

The TMV2 scheme, that became part of Building Regulations in England and Wales in 2010, aims to control hot water temperatures in predominantly domestic/lower risk bathrooms, especially on baths and bidets, which are considered to be high risk areas. However, according to a BRE information paper on the subject, TMV2 valve installation is suggested as best practice in private dwellings and housing associations. However, in hotels and in schools and nurseries, TMV2 installation is recommended by legislation or authoritative guidance on hand basins and required by legislation

CUTTING TO THE CHASE  Scalding injuries from baths, taps and showers are avoidable if the appropriate solutions are used  TMV2 and TMV3-approved valves offer different levels of protection, making them suitable for different applications  TMV2 valve installation is suggested as best practice in private dwellings and housing associations  T approved valves are certiﬁed against the requirements of the NHS Estates document D 08 to offer a higher level of protection than TMV2  The BRE recommends that in all installations a risk assessment be carried out

TMV3-approved valves are certified against the requirements of the NHS Estates document D 08 and as such offer a higher level of protection than TMV2 valves. According to the BRE, TMV3 valve installation is recommended by legislation or authoritative guidance in NHS and private nursing homes, in private hospitals and on hand basins in schools and nurseries for the severely disabled. However, TMV3 installation is a requirement (and not a recommendation) in all young persons’ care homes and NHS hospitals and on the showers and baths located in schools and nurseries for the severely disabled. They can also be used in domestic installations, if deemed necessary following a risk assessment, but only if the pressure in the property is sufficient.

Risk assessment The BRE’s recommendation is that in all installations, a risk assessment should be carried out to establish the requirements of the individuals of the household and the subsequent level of risk of scalding by hot water. Depending on these results, installers might find themselves fitting TM 3 valves in domestic dwellings to ensure the safety of a more vulnerable end user. For those installers working in healthcare, the NHS, care homes or vulnerable domestic settings, AKW has a range of products available. These include the Arka Thermostatic Mixer Shower, the TMV3 Thermostatic Wash Basin Mixer Tap and TMV3-approved blending valves. For those working on lower risk installations, we also offer the Arka Cool Touch thermostatic mixer shower, Vettora thermostatic mixer shower and TMV2 approved blending valves. Scalding injuries from baths, taps and showers are avoidable if the appropriate solutions are used, so make sure you know which TMV to use and when to help make bathrooms safer places for the more vulnerable. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019/19

02/10/2019 09:50

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Gas Boilers 33

Matching a boiler to meet heating and hot water needs Boiler replacement is a fundamental basic of a heating installer’s role, and so understanding when and why certain systems should be specified and the suitability for customers’ needs should almost be second nature. Graham Collins, training support manager at Baxi, provides a quick and simple guide to matching the right boiler with the right customer.

ollowing initial training, the role of an installer is one of constant learning. Regardless of what’s learnt in the classroom, being out in the field is one of the best places to constantly build knowledge which, over the years, means that things like boiler specification become almost routine.

Size matters Assessing the property, such as size of house, number of bedrooms and number of bathrooms, is a great starting point. Additional notes on water pressure, size of household and hot water requirements also all help an installer to identify the best possible solution for a property and its residents. Where some difficulty lies, however, is in like-for-like replacements. When a customer seems happy with the current system’s performance, why alter the configuration et another system may be better suited to the situation, so it’s always worth assessing other factors like water demand, ow rates and water pressure. A great example of this is in properties that the industry likes to call ‘empty-nesters’, whereby parents still live in the family home but the children have own the nest. The requirements for a family of five growing up in the property may be quite different to the needs of a couple. It’s important, therefore, to weigh up the needs of the property versus the needs of the residents. They can be quite different and it provides the installer with an opportunity to provide the homeowner with a series of options and explain their relative benefits. One key consideration when specifying a combi boiler, for example, is the potential demand for hot water. The kW rating of the boiler will determine the

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Graham Collins

Training support manager at Baxi

KEY QUESTIONS  If an existing installation, what is the system and boiler type?  What is the hot water demand requirement?  Any change to the number of people in the household?  How will the building type affect the choice?  Plans for change to building and/or usage?  Will the customer’s budget restrict the options available?

Taking the time to understand the customer’s heating and hot water needs

ow rate, e.g. a 24kW combi can deliver 9.8 litres per minute (l/m) of hot water at a temperature rise of 35°C, whereas a 40kW combi can deliver 16.4 l/m at a temperature rise of 35°C. Because combis are mains-fed, the incoming water supply can affect the hot water performance. If the cold mains can only supply 12 litres per minute, then any combi above 28kW is out of the question and either the mains supply issue needs to be resolved or another system type installed, such as a tank-fed hot water storage cylinder.

Which boiler? We’ve pulled together a series of common applications and provided our recommendations for each. For the purpose of this exercise, we have assumed that each and every customer is on mains gas. In a small property, with an average of two rooms, for single or dual occupancy and with one shower room will require a relatively small heating output and a compact design. The ideal choice therefore would be a Baxi 224 combi boiler with a 24kW hot water output and 21kW heating output (condensing). Featuring a compact cupboard fit and a three-year warranty, it’s ideally suited to a smaller property with a relatively low demand for water and a customer on a lower budget.

For a two or three-bedroom 1940s property housing a family of three with one bathroom, we would suggest the Baxi 400 combi range. A 24 or 28kW output should be ample, but remember the ow rate a Baxi 424 offers

catering for a family of five, there are other options available. The fact that the property is quite large, with so many bathrooms, the ideal solution would be a heat-only or system boiler due to the potential demand for hot water all at the same time. Depending on space, either of these two heating systems could work, but where there is ample storage space, a heat-only Baxi 624 in conjunction with a 250 litre Heatrae Sadia cylinder would be a great option. If, however, there is only one shower you could easily opt for a Baxi 836 combi with a ow rate of 15 l/m, and this boiler is supplied with a 10 year warranty.

High demand inally, a five-bedroom, fourbathroom newbuild home for a family of five, there are two potential options. As a new build property, there is a base assumption that space will be limited, offering up two potential a space saving combi boiler options: a combi or a system 9.8 l/m whereas a 428 offers 11.5 boiler. Catering for the needs of l/m. Both of these boilers have a four bathrooms and a family of heating output of 21kW. Where the five, however, means that a combi customer prefers a bath to a shower, may not be able to meet the hot the 28kW would be better as they water demands of a number of could fill the bath quicker. nother outlets running at the same time. benefit of this particular boiler is In this instance the preferred the fact it has a five-year warranty, choice therefore would be a Baxi adding more peace of mind for the Mega o 32kW system boiler with customer. There is also the option a 300 litre Heatrae Sadia cylinder, to control via a smartphone or which is ideal for homes with tablet for added convenience. a high demand for hot water. Moving on to a three or fourFor added peace of mind, it also bedroom newbuild property with comes with a seven-year warranty two bathrooms one with bath and the cylinder with a lifetime only, and the second a walk-in guarantee. The cylinder choice of shower for a family of four it is vented or unvented would need to different again. property of this be made based on the available in size, of course, requires a larger coming cold mains pressure and boiler output in order to meet the ow rate. Minimum requirement heating and hot water needs of the for unvented would be 1.5 bar and whole house. 20 l/m. The fact that the home is a new With so many heating system build means that it will be welloptions and sizes to consider, insulated and, because there is understanding the best solution only one shower, the demand for for each and every job is not water at any given time will remain always easy. While the above low to average. With this in mind, is not an exhaustive list for the we would recommend a Baxi 624 specification process, it does or 636 combi with a seven-year provide a guide and a level of warranty. The 636 delivers 15 l/m thinking to enable installers, at 35°C temperature rise and has a regardless of experience, to have heating output of 26kW. the confidence and knowledge to For a larger dwelling, totalling specify and install a wide range of four bedrooms and moderately solutions to meet customer needs. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019 0 insulated with two bathrooms,

03/10/2019 13:49

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Gas Boilers

Too good to be hidden away Modern gas boilers have advanced considerably in recent years in terms of both performance and design, with the latest models engineered to meet the requirements of installers and end users alike. Alex Boweren from riston looks at the latest developments in boiler controllability and product styling.

he technological and efficiency characteristics of the latest combi boilers have resulted in them becoming the heating products of choice in new build and refurbishment projects all over the UK. ot only do they boast tremendous energy and money saving credentials, their compact size enables them to be installed in the smaller spaces found in modern properties. lthough this will satisfy end users in terms of reducing their annual heating bills, nowadays boilers are also required to fulfil their desires for goodlooking, stylish and easy-to-use appliances. So, while the humble gas boiler retains functionality at its core, improvements can still be achieved via an enhanced aesthetic and overall controllability.

Smart trends

ne of the most significant developments over recent years is the evolution of ‘smart’ wireless control technology. This is an area showing no signs of letting up, as a recent market research report indicates the ‘smart space’ sector is set to grow significantly until 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.5%. The heating industry has already embraced smart technology in the form of boilers built with Wi i compatibility and internet-based controls. More recently, things have progressed further, with some of the latest models (including Ariston’s lteas et actually having these controls built in, enabling them to be fully internet-ready.

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of great benefit to consumers and installers alike.

Control in hand

Alex Boweren

Product manager at Ariston

Condensing boilers have advanced considerably not just in terms of

In addition, utilising weather compensation-based controls as part of a heating system can provide an extra line of external system data, enabling more accurate heating adjustments – further boosting performance. So, should the outside air get warmer, the boiler will adjust the system ow temperature accordingly, reducing energy consumption as well as costs. Such functionality can also be mirrored in internet-enabled smart controls with online weather monitoring capabilities these can receive incoming weather forecasts, then alter central heating settings accordingly.

Basic black

Today’s homeowners are aware not only of the importance of

CUT TO THE CHASE  Customers are coming to expect both performance and good looks in their boilers  Smart technology is putting people in better control of their heating  Weather compensation controls enable more accurate heating adjustments  The trend for black appliances in kitchens has led to boilers being offered in black too

efficient, energy saving products they are also keen to embrace stylish, great looking appliances that are simple to use. There has already been a shift in colour trends, with ovens, fridges and cabinets now available in black, as opposed to the traditional

white. Kitchen retailers have reported a sharp increase in orders of black kitchens throughout 2019. Taking this into account, it is a natural progression for boilers to follow suit. This has led to black glass-fronted boilers entering the market, with each one designed to complement modern kitchen units. The boiler’s exterior also needs to be of the same high quality as the technology inside to ensure homeowners deem the product worthy of taking pride of place on the wall, rather than being hidden inside a cupboard. lus, not only are the latest boilers easier on the eye, they have the extra benefit of adding value to a property, not to mention reducing energy bills. Other, practical advantages of fitting a boiler in a kitchen include any noises during operation are confined to that room alone, as opposed to one fitted near a more intrusive location. The kitchen is also more convenient in terms of siting the waste pipe for the condensate, without having to install additional pipework and/or a condensate pump. dditionally, it will help from the point of ease of access for future maintenance.

Meeting demand

So, condensing boilers have now advanced considerably not just in terms of energy efficiency, but also in terms of exibility of siting, smart controllability and external aesthetic. This will aid installers in terms of their product offering to customers, as well as those looking for something more out of the ordinary. As black kitchen furniture and appliances grow in popularity, manufacturers offering boilers different from the traditional white box will undoubtedly benefit after all, this will allow installers to offer products that can be proudly displayed inside customer’s homes while still boosting efficiency and lowering fuel bills. By embracing changing trends, the gas boiler looks set to remain a stalwart in UK homes for many years to come. ◼ phamnews.co.uk 1019 1

siting, smart controllability and This is coupled with the capability to interact with virtual home/voice assistants (including Amazon Alexa and Google Home), enabling users to adjust temperatures via a series of simple voice commands, as part of a fully integrated smart home. lus, the technology offers additional advantages, including diagnostics and predictive maintenance, which is

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Gas  The new Greenstar 000

Is there anywhere a boiler can’t go? Is the kitchen always the best place to site a boiler? Martyn Bridges, director of technical communication and product management at Worcester, provides an insight into the history of boiler locations and the different options available to installers.

ver the years, domestic boilers have been installed in multiple areas in the home. Our own research has found that around half of all boilers in the UK have been installed in the kitchen, and a further 20% in utility rooms. However, the kitchen has not always been the prime location for a boiler, with the typical place once being out of sight in a garage or out building.

istorically, boilers were oorstanding and tended to be put in a garage, or the outhouse as it was called, to be out of the way. This was a common position for boilers until the creation of the back boiler. This type of boiler was common, particularly in the 70s, and was fitted in the hearth or fireplace to enable it to provide both room heat and domestic hot water or central heating. This was quite an ingenious and unique location for boilers. Although the initial installation could be quite awkward from a space saving perspective, once it was in there no other area of the house could have been better. Aside from some occasional noise issues, the fireplace was a highly popular location. Today however, lots of back boilers have been replaced with highly efficient combi boilers. When condensing boilers were mandated in 2005 it effectively brought about the end of back boilers. Whilst condensing versions were made available, it was a real issue getting

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the condensate discharge pipe out of the lounge to a drainage point, so other boilers and positions were favoured.

Martyn Bridges

Director of technical communication and product management

the UK as we

Moving on from the fireplace comes a more commonly used location to this day. If you have adequate lighting, access and boarding, then the loft can be a great location for a boiler. However, bedroom lofts are very common today, with many new houses designed with no actual loft space, with a bedroom or bathroom located where the loft usually was. Loft boiler installations came around thanks to sealed water

systems. Prior to these, central heating systems were fed from a feed and expansion cistern in the loft space. This had to be sited some 300mm to 1000mm above the highest point of the system. Sealed water systems allowed for the removal of the F&E cistern, freeing up space in the lofts of many houses. With more room came the ability to refurbish this space which so commonly occurs in houses today. While this allows the space to be used for much more than just storage, it means that it’s not often the best place to locate a boiler. 

Although there aren’t that many properties built with cellars, before condensing boilers were mandated it wasn’t an untypical position for a boiler to be sited. Although this is a specialised feature in predominantly Victorian and Edwardian properties, still around 10% of installations request the boiler to be installed in the cellar. However, while this is another great space to hide the boiler and prevent disruption to the design of the house, it isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. Since 2005 and the rise of condensing boilers, the requirement to route a condensate pipe to a drainage point is an added complication to a cellar installation, along with the PRV discharge pipework which also needs to be terminated outside. It can be achieved with a condensate pump which can also take the PRV discharge, but it has been a barrier to some installations because of this added requirement.

An area of the house that most of the UK have never considered for their gas fired boiler is not even inside the house at all. I always find it interesting that external locations have never caught on for UK gas boilers. While it’s common in southern Europe, it has never taken off closer to home. There are various options for external boilers. Most commonly, the boiler is installed on a balcony or built into the wall by extracting an amount of the external brickwork and fitting an enclosure into the wall into which the boiler would be installed. When complete, it looks a little like an electricity or gas meter housing. xternal oil fired boilers are quite common in the UK, but hardly any gas boilers are marketed in this orientation. In my opinion there may be some future for outdoor boilers in the UK as we have begun to change from house movers to house extenders.

We must appreciate that the kitchen is so commonly used today, and for good reason. When the wall-hung boiler was created, the kitchen began to be a more frequently used location. As I mentioned earlier, around 70% of boilers are installed in kitchens or utility rooms. This is where boilers like our recently launched Greenstar 8000 ifestyle reap many benefits. With such a slick, modern style, this new boiler blends into new kitchens seamlessly. There’s no need to find new and disruptive storage solutions that hide boilers underground, or in the back garden, when there are options like the Greenstar Lifestyle that look great in the heart of the house. ◼ 1019

02/10/2019 11:20

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Gas Boilers 39

Support when it’s needed most

For many installers working alone with increasingly sophisticated systems, technical support services can be a lifeline. Nick Bennett, director of service at Vaillant Group UK, highlights how the company provides a helping hand.

nstallers have always had a challenging job, with responsibility for the most complex – and potentially dangerous - system in the ĠŎłă ƱŬłĺƛ ĤŅ ŹĠăĤŬ ĠØŅûŰ̐ òƀŹ ŹăõĠŅŎĺŎęƛ ĠØŰ ŎŅĺƛ ĤŅŹăŅŰĤƱăû this by increasing the variety and unpredictability of their work. On one call out, an engineer can be working on a modern combi with internet connected controls; on the next, they might be fault ƱŅûĤŅę ŎŅ ØŅ Ŏĺû òØõķ òŎĤĺăŬ ŹĠØŹ was installed before they were born. As well as the boilers ŹĠăłŰăĺƔăŰ̐ ŹĠăƛ ĠØƔă ŹŎ ƱŅû faults and maintain heating controls, thermostatic radiator valves in each room, and even renewable technologies. So,

technical support services that can provide an answer as swiftly as possible are invaluable.

Better understanding Historically, technical support often meant someone standing and reading from a manual, but things have changed drastically. All of Vaillant Group’s technical advisors spend time out on the road with installers and engineers, so they can understand the pressures and complexities involved in on-site gas work. As Phil Day, senior technical advisor, says: “You do a great job of understanding the product, but now imagine trying to do it ˢˡ feet up, in a dark loft, with a customer staring up at you and wondering when you’ll have

the heating back on.” The technical advisors sit next to a wall mounted with Vaillant and Glow-worm controllers, ‘dry’ boilers, and parts, meaning they can be in front of the exact same make and model of product as the installer is, working through the problem step-by-step, within seconds. For more complex questions, there is a training centre with boilers that are connected to gas and water. The team’s work is part of a wider focus on installer support. As well as increasing the number of technical advisors by ˥ˡ% in ˣˡˢ˨, Vaillant Group UK is also investing heavily into its online Knowledge Base with enhanced digital images, making it more interactive than ever before.

Nevertheless, there is sometimes no substitute for personal interaction, which is why the business is also ĤŅƔăŰŹĤŅę ĤŅ ŬăƱŅĤŅę ŨŬŎõăŰŰăŰ to make sure calls are answered as fast as possible by a technical advisor with experience of working on the tools. As Phil says: “Sometimes, there’s just no substitute for the insight of someone who has stood in your shoes and done your job.”

End of the line The team processes around ˢ˦ˡˡ queries per day on the trade technical line, including general ăŅūƀĤŬĤăŰ̐ ėØƀĺŹ ƱŅûĤŅę̐ ØŅû ŰŨăõĤƱõØŹĤŎŅ ØŅû ĤŅŰŹØĺĺØŹĤŎŅ advice. There is another line dedicated

to answering queries from homeowners about basic boiler maintenance and product usage, such as defrosting a frozen condensate pipe or repressurising the system. In these instances, the digital assets really come into their own, as the team can send the homeowner a link to a video that takes them through the process, step by step. This keeps unnecessary call-outs to a minimum, meaning installers have more time to get on with more lucrative installation and repair jobs. If installers come across an issue they haven’t seen before, then we can send out one of our expert engineers to the customer’s property to help. The engineer will then call them to explain the problem and what the resolution was. Most installers value these callbacks as it helps them to provide a better service to their customers, so the next time they visit they know exactly what work has been carried out. Installers have busy and stressful jobs with lots of responsibility on their shoulders. Supported by technical support services, they can take comfort in knowing that there’s always somebody at the other end of a phone who can help them. Ά phamnews.co.uk̜ˢˡˢ˪̜ˣˤ

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Gas Boilers

Opening up commercial opportunities Looking to break into the UK market with a new range of high quality commercial boilers and water heaters, AIC Heating recently opened a new facility in Fife and is already taking orders. PHAM News recently met with n' ŹăŨĠăŅ ÃĤĺŰŎŅ ŹŎ ƱŅû ŎƀŹ łŎŬă ØòŎƀŹ ŹĠă õŎłŨØŅƛ̵Ű ŨĺØŅŰ̖

IC might be a new name for many UK installers, but the õŎłŨØŅƛ̵Ű ŰŹØĤŅĺăŰŰ steel heat exchangers are at the heart of thousands of successful installations – both at home and around the world – and the UK team, based in Fife in Scotland, have the knowledge and experience to know what it takes to meet the needs of commercial ĠăØŹĤŅę ĤŅŰŹØĺĺăŬŰ ØŅû ŰŨăõĤƱăŬŰ̖ §Ġă 1ƀŬŎŨăØŅ òƀŰĤŅăŰŰ ƱŬŰŹ òăęØŅ ØŰ Ø ûăŰĤęŅ ŎƬõă ŰăŬƔĤŅę manufacturers in ˣˡˡˢ but started to grow rapidly from ˣˡˡ˦ with ŹĠă ûăƔăĺŎŨłăŅŹ Ŏė ĤŹŰ ƱŬă-tube W §Ġă !ŎĤĺnØŰŹăŬ ƲŎŎŬ-standing combi boiler comes in six models ŎƫăŬĤŅę ŎƀŹŨƀŹŰ ėŬŎł ˣ˦ to ˢˣˡkW

heat exchanger – a stainless steel heat exchanger that increases heat ŹŬØŅŰėăŬ òƛ õŬăØŹĤŅę Ø ŹƀŬòƀĺăŅŹ ƲŎƕ Ŏė Ʋƀă ęØŰăŰ̖ !ŎŅŹĤŅƀĤŅę ŹŎ ŰƀŨŨĺƛ ûĤƫăŬăŅŹ ƔØŬĤØŹĤŎŅŰ Ŏė ŹĠă ûăŰĤęŅ ŹŎ boiler manufacturers in both Europe and North America, AIC launched a range of water heaters in ˣˡˢˤ and, four years later, decided to launch products in its own name for the ƱŬŰŹ ŹĤłă̖ §ŎûØƛ̐ ŹĠă õŎłŨØŅƛ ĤŰ Øòĺă ŹŎ ŎƫăŬ Ø ėƀĺĺ ŬØŅęă Ŏė ĠăØŹĤŅę solutions, including wall-hung and ƲŎŎŬ-standing boilers, employs ˨ˡˡ ŰŹØƫ ØŅû ŎŨăŬØŹăŰ ŹĠŬăă manufacturing plants and four commercial locations, as well as the AIC Europe HQ and R&D facility based in the Netherlands. ̱§ĠăŬă̵Ű òăăŅ Ġƀęă ĤŅƔăŰŹłăŅŹ over the last ˢ˩ months into getting everything up and running,”

explains UK MD Stephen Wilson. “The company has been built on engineering and design expertise which has now led to manufacturing ĤŹŰ ŎƕŅ ŬØŅęă Ŏė ŨŬŎûƀõŹŰ̖ Ãă̵Ɣă got ˦ˡ engineers purely working on the design of heat exchangers ̩ ŹĠØŹ̵Ű ŹĠăĤŬ ŰŎĺă ĴŎò ̩ ƕĠĤõĠ R think tells you everything you need to know about the importance that the business places on continual innovation and product development.” RŹ̵Ű ăØŬĺƛ ûØƛŰ ėŎŬ ŹĠă ®c òƀŰĤŅăŰŰ̐ but the foundations are already in place at the purpose-òƀĤĺŹ DĤėă ŎƬõă which is operated by a team of eight people – including four (soon to be ƱƔă̧ ŰØĺăŰ ŰŹØƫ ̩̀ƕĠĤõĠ õØŅ òŎØŰŹ over ˩ˡ years of commercial heating experience between them. Naturally enough, Stephen and his team

S §Ġă ƱŬă-Źƀòă ŰŹØĤŅĺăŰŰ steel heat exchanger

will be looking to make the most of existing relationships within ŹĠă ĤŅûƀŰŹŬƛ ØŅû Ġă̵Ű ŨĺăØŰăû ŹŎ ŬăŨŎŬŹ ŹĠØŹ Ġă̵Ű ŬăõăĤƔăû Ø ŨŎŰĤŹĤƔă ŬăõăŨŹĤŎŅ ėŬŎł ăƔăŬƛŎŅă Ġă̵Ű spoken to so far.

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Gas Boilers 41 “A lot of what we’re selling is about the product and the technology behind it, but relationships are also important – we’re selling the complete package,” he explains. “The support we’ve had from the customers has been incredible. Some people say that there’s no loyalty anymore, but that’s not strictly true. There’s a lot Ŏė ĺŎƛØĺŹƛ ŎƀŹ ŹĠăŬă̖ §Ġă ŰŨăõĤƱăŬŰ and installers we’ve been talking to all seem to like what we’ve got. They like the product, the engineering and the back story.”

Product range Ŏ ƕĠØŹ ĤŰ ŹĠă ŎƫăŬĤŅę̗ ƀØĺĤŹƛ design, the widespread use of stainless steel and market-leading components and controls are the key selling points of AIC’s product portfolio. The company’s Nesta ėØłĤĺƛ Ŏė ęØŰ ƱŬăû õŎŅûăŅŰĤŅę boilers is made up of three ranges: the wall-mounted Nesta Chrome, with four models ranging from ˧ˡ to ˢ˦ˡķÃ̐ ŹĠă qăŰŹØ ƲŎŎŬ-standing range, which delivers outputs from ˢˣˡ to ˣ˦ˡkW, and the Nesta Plus, ØĺŰŎ ƲŎŎŬ-standing, with outputs from ˣ˩ˡ to ˩˥ˡkW. All boilers can òă ƱŹŹăû ØŰ ŨØŬŹ Ŏė Ø õØŰõØûă ŰƛŰŹăł when extra output is required. As well as the stainless steel ƱŬă-tube heat exchanger, all the boilers use stainless steel internal pipework and, in the wall-mounted

Chrome, all the manifolds and the low loss header are also made from stainless steel. “We want to give the whole stainless steel solution,” says Stephen. “It adds to the manufacturing cost, òƀŹ ŹĠă òăŅăƱŹŰ ØŬă Ġƀęă̖ ŹØĤŅĺăŰŰ ŰŹăăĺ ŎƫăŬŰ Ø ĠĤęĠ ŬăŰĤŰŹØŅõă ŹŎ corrosion and oxidization, ensuring low maintenance costs and a longer product life. Hygiene is also a big issue, of course. The NHS, for example, will only specify stainless steel.” In addition to the Nesta product family, AIC also has the CoilMaster ̩ Ø ŬØŅęă Ŏė ƲŎŎŬ-standing condensing combination boilers, with six models providing outputs from ˣ˦ to ˢˣˡkW – the Silox range of twin-wall stainless steel cylinders from ˢ˥ˡ to ˢˡˡˡ litres, and the soon to be launched Texas range of gas ƱŬăû ƕØŹăŬ ĠăØŹăŬŰ̐ ƕĠĤõĠ ƕĤĺĺ ŬƀŅ from ˥˦ to ˣ˦ˡkW. “The boilers are our primary focus,” says Stephen. “But what ƕă̵Ŭă ŹŬƛĤŅę ŹŎ ŎƫăŬ ĤŰ Ø ėƀĺĺ ŨØõķØęă ̩̀òŎŹĠ ĠăØŹĤŅę ØŅû ĠŎŹ ƕØŹăŬ̖ Ãă see that very much as the total plant room solution. We’ll be looking at the leisure industry, hotels, gyms, but we’ll also be looking at healthcare – so NHS and care homes are likely to be a big part of the business. We’ve already got ŰŨăõĤƱõØŹĤŎŅŰ ŎƀŹ ĤŅ ŹĠă łØŬķăŹ̖ We’ve got one for seven care homes and another for six small hospitals,

so we’re pretty pleased with that.” The company’s Poland production facility is highly automated, which helps to keep costs down, but, because of the wide variations of product design and pipework connections, there is still a ŰĤęŅĤƱõØŅŹ ØłŎƀŅŹ Ŏė ŰķĤĺĺăû ĠØŅûwelding. A sophisticated computer software system also helps to ensure that the heat exchanger designs ØŅû ûĤƫăŬăŅŹ ƕØŹăŬ ƕØƛŰ ƕĤĺĺ łăăŹ expectations, maximizing heat ŹŬØŅŰėăŬ ØŅû ŹĠăŬłØĺ ăƬõĤăŅõĤăŰ̐ while identifying any potential T An inside view of the Nesta Chrome wall-hung condensing boiler

problems before they arise. “The people we see ourselves selling to are the kind of people ƕĠăŬă ŨŬĤõă ĤŰŅ̵Ź ŹĠă ƱŬŰŹ ūƀăŰŹĤŎŅ ̩ we’re not saying it’s not important, but it’s not top of the list,” says Stephen. “They primarily want to know about the reliability of the product. We won’t be the cheapest in the market, that’s for sure, but we won’t be the most expensive either. Ãă Űăă ŎƀŬŰăĺƔăŰ ØŰ ŎƫăŬĤŅę Ø łĤûrange product, but a feature rich product. No matter what industry you’re in, whether it be white goods for your kitchen or cars, the cheapest are never market leaders. And that’s not where we want to be or where our end of the market is.”

Realistic ambitions 1ƫăõŹĤƔăĺƛ ŰŹØŬŹĤŅę ėŬŎł ŰõŬØŹõĠ̐ Stephen says that the company has realistic ambitions when it comes to potential sales growth in the UK. §Ġă ƲŎŎŬ-standing market, which is thought to represent 20% of the commercial heating sector, is a particular area where the company’s ŰŹŬŎŅę ŨŬŎûƀõŹ ŎƫăŬĤŅę łĤęĠŹ open up opportunities, but Stephen recognises that product technology is only part of the solution. “As said, a big part of this industry is relationships and people,” he emphasises. “Success also depends on what you do after the product has been supplied. The

one thing we’re not here is box movers. We like to be in at the start of a project and provide a service right through to competition and beyond. A salesperson will always ęăŹ ƛŎƀ ŹĠØŹ ƱŬŰŹ ŎŬûăŬ̐ òƀŹ Ĥė ƕă õØŅ̵Ź ęăŹ ĤŹ ŬĤęĠŹ ĤŅ ŹĠă ŎƬõă ŹĠăŅ they won’t get a second order. No matter how good your sales team is, if the service is poor then that’s where it will fall down.” The team at AIC might be small, but they’re prepared to go the extra mile to ensure that no customers are likely to be let down. “We’ve got a great opportunity here to grow this business from nothing and we know what we want to achieve,” says Stephen. “We’ve got a very conscientious team and everyone knows what they need to do to get to that point. We know how we all ƕŎŬķ ØŅû ƕă̵Ɣă Øĺĺ ęŎŹ õŎŅƱûăŅõă in each other.” DŎŬ ĤŅŰŹØĺĺăŬŰ ØŅû ŰŨăõĤƱăŬŰ ƕĠŎ ƕØŅŹ ŹŎ ƱŅû ŎƀŹ łŎŬă ØòŎƀŹ ŹĠă product range, the company has a fully-equipped training room at its Fife facility. Here they will be able to familiarise themselves ƕĤŹĠ ŹĠă ėăØŹƀŬăŰ ØŅû òăŅăƱŹŰ Ŏė ŹĠă ûĤƫăŬăŅŹ ŨŬŎûƀõŹŰ̐ ĠŎƕ to maximise the energy saving features and learn more about the workings of the control systems. §Ŏ ƱŅû ŎƀŹ łŎŬă̐ ŨĺăØŰă ƀŰă ŹĠă link below. Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜ˣ˥

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Gas Boilers

Rising to the challenge complete upgrade of the heating system at eartree Short Break entre was a big job tackled by an obinson of ennings eating. ere, we take a look at how an designed and installed a system with Intergas boilers at its heart.

hen the heating system at Peartree Short Break Centre began to fail, Dan Robinson of Jennings Heating was called in to provide an effective solution. Peartree Short Break Centre is part of the ubilee ouse are Trust, a charity that provides care and support for adults and children with learning disabilities in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and nfield. Based in Welwyn Garden City, the Centre specialises in short residential breaks for children and young people with learning disabilities. The facility is open all year round, and when its heating system began to fail, it was imperative that a long-lasting and efficient solution was found fast. The two boilers in the plant room not only power the under oor heating throughout this five-bedroom purpose-built property. They manage the hot water too, and both are in high demand 24 hours a day.

Quality quote

Manager Sam Perry said the heating system had been nothing but trouble from the day it was installed, and the controls were hard to understand and use. Now she wanted someone to take a fresh look at a new installation and requested quotations from heating engineers on the charity’s preferred suppliers list. Dan Robinson was awarded the contract and, as many installers may find reassuring, his quote wasn’t the cheapest. “We’d worked with Dan once before, when he responded to a weekend emergency,” explains

Worcester responds to price driven market With the aim of providing a solution for more budget conscious consumers, Worcester Bosch has launched the Worcester 2000 a natural gas fired combi boiler with outputs of 25 and 30kW. The new combi boiler is suitable for apartments and small to medium-si ed homes with one

PHAM_1019_42(CJT).indd 1

Sam. When he was on site it was clear that he was sensitive to our needs and those of our customers and understood the importance of getting the heating up and running as fast as possible. We trusted him and believed he’d deliver a first-class heating system at eartree.”

Sizing up the job

Dan Robinson of Jennings Heating designed and installed the new heating system at Peartree Short Break Centre in Welwyn Garden City

EQUIPMENT LIST  2 Intergas Eco RF boilers: one for heat only and one for heat and hot water  300 litre Joule Cyclone indirect cylinder controlled with the Intergas cylinder sensor  Honeywell V4044 diverter valve, controlled by Intergas cylinder sensor  2 Grundfos UPS pumps which replaced 2 old Alpha pumps to restore flow to 25 zones of UFH

an quickly ascertained that it wasn’t just the boilers that were no longer fit for purpose. The plant room was in very poor condition and the design of the heating system itself was a major fail. Some of the under oor heating manifolds were leaking, the cylinder had deteriorated and some of the system controls were inoperable,” says an. Both boilers had been installed on an undersi ed low-loss header resulting in a system that simply couldn’t operate as intended.” A low-loss header is used to manage multiple appliances and heating ones while maximising overall efficiency, but in this case it was having the opposite effect. Basically, everything in the plant room had to be removed and Dan started from scratch, assisted by Jason Donaghy of eating. lthough the work was only estimated to take three days, Sam decided to close the entre for a week. This was all planned well in advance and the children were accommodated in other ubilee residential homes.

Starting from scratch

First Dan made the decision to replace the boilers with two Intergas Eco RFs, one for heat only and one for heat and hot

bathroom and, with ow rates of 12 l/m, delivers the same ow rates as the company’s existing reenstar i boiler. or ease of installation, it offers the option to pipe vertically to the boiler, with maximum ue lengths of 12m hori ontally and 15m vertically. Described as providing installers with a high quality and reliable boiler at a more competitive price, at the heart of the boiler is an improved C6 heat exchanger, an evolution of WB3 silicon heat exchanger featured in the reenstar i, which can modulate down to as little as 4.8kW. The boiler also offers removable side panels, similar

water. ot only do they supply the economy and efficiency required by eartree, they are simple to operate and have built-in features that will enable Dan to check on boiler operation remotely using his smartphone, tablet or computer. In addition, the system design means that the boilers can operate at maximum efficiency in heating mode. Then, when there is a call for hot water, one boiler will switch to hot water mode to heat the cylinder rapidly. Dan replaced the old cylinder with a 300 litre oule yclone indirect cylinder. It’s controlled using the Intergas cylinder sensor wired direct to the boiler which, in turn, controls the Honeywell V4044 diverter valve. Two rundfos U S pumps replaced the old rundfos lpha

to the recently launched Greenstar 8000 Lifestyle range, allowing easy access to internal components such as the , which is located at the back of the unit.

For every home

Martyn Bridges, director of technical communication and product management at Worcester Bosch, says: “The Worcester 2000 has been designed to offer every home greater choice and the opportunity to have the same high-quality heating system at a competitive price, along with all the aftercare support that is synonymous with the Worcester Bosch brand.”

pumps to restore ow to the 25 ones of under oor heating.

Up and running

At the end of three days, Peartree had a new plant room, with all appliances working in harmony, and straightforward controls that staff could use easily. new manifold was fitted with new one actuators and pipework relagged to minimise heat loss to the plant room. The new heating system, which has been up and running since ebruary, is operating efficiently and there are no complaints from Sam, but has she noticed a difference in the energy bill yet ven without seeing the bill, I know it will be lower. an installed two co s in another of our properties and the bill went down immediately.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk 1019

Measuring 750 x 400 x 300mm with a lift weight of 36kg, the 2000 series has a wall mounting bracket instead of a frame, ensuring it is suitable when replacing a non Worcester boiler. It also includes a smaller condensate siphon for those who prefer to run and terminate the condensate pipe internally. The boilers have an ErP rating of ‘A’ for heating and hot water and are compatible with a range of controls for extra energy savings. They will be available with a five-year warranty as standard, but this can be increased to six when fitted with a system filter. ◼ phamnews.co.uk 1019

03/10/2019 10:47

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Gas Boilers

Commercial boiler’s next generation launch §Ġă 1ƔŎłØƚ õŎłłăŬõĤØĺ òŎĤĺăŬ̐ ŎŬĤęĤŅØĺĺƛ ĺØƀŅõĠăû ĤŅ ˙˗˘˘̐ ĠØŰ òăăŅ ėŎĺĺŎƕăû ƀŨ òƛ RûăØĺ !ŎłłăŬõĤØĺ ƕĤŹĠ ŹĠă 1ƔŎłØƚ ˣ̖ §Ġă ĺØŹăŰŹ ƔăŬŰĤŎŅ ĤŰ ûăŰõŬĤòăû ØŰ ŰłØŬŹăŬ̐ łŎŬă ĤŅŹăĺĺĤęăŅŹ ØŅû łŎŬă ûƛŅØłĤõ̖ 'ăŰĤęŅăû ăŰŨăõĤØĺĺƛ ėŎŬ ®c ŨĺØŅŹ ŬŎŎłŰ ØŅû łØŅƀėØõŹƀŬăû ĤŅ ÉŎŬķŰĠĤŬă̐ 1ƔŎłØƚ ˣ ĤŰ ŰØĤû ŹŎ òă ăØŰĤăŬ ŹŎ ĤŅŰŹØĺĺ ØŅû ŰăŬƔĤõă ŹĠØŅ ăƔăŬ òăėŎŬă ƕĠĤĺă ŎƫăŬĤŅę łŎŬă ƲăƚĤòĤĺĤŹƛ̖

Control advances 1ƔŎłØƚ ˣ ėăØŹƀŬăŰ ƀŨûØŹăû õŎŅŹŬŎĺŰ ƕĤŹĠ Ø ûƛŅØłĤõ łăŅƀ ŰŹŬƀõŹƀŬă̐ ƕĠĤõĠ ØƀŹŎłØŹĤõØĺĺƛ ŰăŅŰăŰ ŹĠă ŅƀłòăŬ Ŏė òŎĤĺăŬŰ

ĤŅ ŎŨăŬØŹĤŎŅ ØŅû ŎŅĺƛ ûĤŰŨĺØƛŰ ŹĠă ŬăĺăƔØŅŹ ėƀŅõŹĤŎŅŰ̖ RŅŹăĺĺĤęăŅŹ õØŰõØûă õŎŅŹŬŎĺ ĤŰ ŅŎƕ ØƔØĤĺØòĺă ŹĠŬŎƀęĠ ŹĠă ŎŨŹĤŎŅØĺ ÂØŬĤõØŅ łŎûƀĺă̐ ŬăłŎƔĤŅę ŹĠă Ņăăû ėŎŬ Ø õŎłŨĺăƚ òƀĤĺûĤŅę łØŅØęăłăŅŹ ŰƛŰŹăł̖ ÃĤŹĠĤŅ ĤŹŰ ăƔŎĺƔăû ûăŰĤęŅ̐ 1ƔŎłØƚ ˣ õŎłăŰ ƕĤŹĠ Ø òƀĤĺŹ ĤŅ Ʋƀă ŅŎŅ-ŬăŹƀŬŅ ƔØĺƔă̐ ĤŅõŬăØŰĤŅę ŰØėăŹƛ ĤŅ õŎłłŎŅ Ʋƀă ĤŅŰŹØĺĺØŹĤŎŅŰ̖ ûûĤŹĤŎŅØĺĺƛ̐ ĺĤėŹ ƕăĤęĠŹ ĤŰ Ŭăûƀõăû òƛ ƀŨ ŹŎ ˢˡ͹ ŹŎ ØĤû ĤŅŰŹØĺĺØŹĤŎŅ ØŅû ŹĠŬăă ŰĤûăŰ Ŏė ĤŹŰ ŬăûăŰĤęŅăû õĠØŰŰĤŰ õØŅ òă ŬăłŎƔăû̐ ŎƫăŬĤŅę òăŹŹăŬ ØõõăŰŰ ėŎŬ ŰăŬƔĤõĤŅę ØŅû łØĤŅŹăŅØŅõă̖

Cascade options nØŅƛ 1ƔŎłØƚ ĤŅŰŹØĺĺØŹĤŎŅŰ ØŬă łƀĺŹĤŨĺă òŎĤĺăŬ õØŰõØûă ŰƛŰŹăłŰ ØŅû 1ƔŎłØƚ ˣ õØŰõØûăŰ ĠØƔă ØĺŰŎ òăăŅ ĤłŨŬŎƔăû̖ ŹØŅûØŬû ĠăĤęĠŹ õØŰõØûăŰ ŅŎƕ ĠØƔă Ø łØƚĤłƀł ŎƀŹŨƀŹ Ŏė ˪ˡˡķÃ ̦˝ ƚ ˢ˦ˡķÃ̧ ØŅû ĺŎƕ ĠăĤęĠŹ õØŰõØûăŰ õØŅ ŅŎƕ ŬƀŅ ŹŎ ˧ˡˡķÃ ƕĤŹĠ ŹĠă ĤŅŹŬŎûƀõŹĤŎŅ Ŏė Ø ˥-òŎĤĺăŬ ĺŎƕ ĠăĤęĠŹ ėŬØłă ØŅû ĠăØûăŬ ķĤŹ̖ RûăØĺ !ŎłłăŬõĤØĺ ĠØŰ ØĺŰŎ ĺØƀŅõĠăû Ø ŬØŅęă Ŏė òŬØƤăû ŨĺØŹă ĠăØŹ ăƚõĠØŅęăŬŰ ŰŨăõĤƱõØĺĺƛ ûăŰĤęŅăû ėŎŬ ƀŰă ƕĤŹĠ ŹĠă 1ƔŎłØƚ ˣ ėŬØłă ØŅû ĠăØûăŬ ķĤŹ ƕĠĤõĠ ŬăūƀĤŬă ėƀĺĺ ŰƛŰŹăł ŰăŨØŬØŹĤŎŅ̖ {ŹĠăŬ ĤłŨŬŎƔăłăŅŹŰ ĤŅõĺƀûă Ø Ņăƕ Ʋƀă ØûØŨŹŎŬ ėŎŬ ĤłŨŬŎƔăû ăØŰă Ŏė ĤŅŰŹØĺĺØŹĤŎŅ ėŎĺĺŎƕĤŅę õƀŰŹŎłăŬ ėăăûòØõķ̐ Ø Ņăƕ òƀŬŅăŬ ûăŰĤęŅ ØŅû ØĤŬ ĤŅĺăŹ ûØłŨăŬ̐ ŹĠă ĤŅŹŬŎûƀõŹĤŎŅ of a ˢˡˡ̜ˢ˦ˡ ĠŎŬĤƤŎŅŹØĺ Ʋƀă ķĤŹ ėŎŬ ˢ˦ˡķÃ łŎûăĺŰ ØŅû ŹƕŎ Ņăƕ e F łŎûăĺŰ̐ ŹØķĤŅę łØƚĤłƀł ŎƀŹŨƀŹ ŹŎ ˢˣˡķÃ ėŎŬ Ŏƫ łØĤŅŰ ĤŅŰŹØĺĺØŹĤŎŅŰ̖ 1ƔŎłØƚ ˣ ĤŰ ėƀĺĺƛ ĤŅŹăŬõĠØŅęăØòĺă ƕĤŹĠ õƀŬŬăŅŹ 1ƔŎłØƚ łŎûăĺŰ ėŎŬ ăØŰƛ ŬăŹŬŎƱŹ ØŅû ØĺŰŎ õØŬŬĤăû ŎƔăŬ ėŬŎł ŹĠă ŨŬăƔĤŎƀŰ łŎûăĺ ĤŰ Ø ƱƔă-ƛăØŬ ƕØŬŬØŅŹƛ̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜ˣ˨

Low NOx for air quality credits The new EFB range of wall-hung, gas ƱŬăû̐ ĠĤęĠ ăƬõĤăŅõƛ õŎŅûăŅŰĤŅę òŎĤĺăŬŰ ėŬŎł eŎõĠĤŅƔØŬ ØŬă ŰØĤû ŹŎ ûăĺĤƔăŬ ØŅ ĤłŨŬăŰŰĤƔăĺƛ ĺŎƕ ĺăƔăĺ Ŏė q{ƚ ăłĤŰŰĤŎŅŰ̖ §Ġăƛ ĤŅõŎŬŨŎŬØŹă Ø ŰŹØĤŅĺăŰŰ ŰŹăăĺ ĠăØŹ ăƚõĠØŅęăŬ̐ ƕĠĤõĠ ĤŰ ŰƀŨŨŎŬŹăû òƛ Ø Ņăƕ ̳ƱƔă ŨĺƀŰ ƱƔă̵ ăƚŹăŅûăû ƕØŬŬØŅŹƛ̖ q{ƚ ăłĤŰŰĤŎŅŰ ėŬŎł ŹĠăŰă òŎĤĺăŬŰ ØŬă ĺŎƕăŬ ŹĠØŅ ˣ˥łę̜ķÃĠ̐ ƕĠĤõĠ ŹĠă õŎłŨØŅƛ òăĺĤăƔăŰ ŹŎ òă ŹĠă ĺŎƕăŰŹ ĺăƔăĺ ŨŬŎûƀõăû òƛ ØŅƛ õŎłłăŬõĤØĺ ƕØĺĺ ĠƀŅę òŎĤĺăŬ õƀŬŬăŅŹĺƛ ØƔØĤĺØòĺă ŎŅ ŹĠă ®c łØŬķăŹ̖ Ű Ø ŬăŰƀĺŹ̐ Øĺĺ 1D łŎûăĺŰ ūƀØĺĤėƛ ėŎŬ ŹĠă łØƚĤłƀł ŹƕŎ õŬăûĤŹŰ ØƕØŬûăû ėŎŬ ØĤŬ ūƀØĺĤŹƛ ŎŅ 11 n̪ŬØŹăû ŨŬŎĴăõŹŰ̖ §Ġă ̳ƱƔă ŨĺƀŰ ƱƔă̵ ƕØŬŬØŅŹƛ õŎƔăŬŰ ŹĠă ĠăØŹ ăƚõĠØŅęăŬ̐ ƕĠĤõĠ ƕĤĺĺ òă ŬăŨĺØõăû ėŬăă Ŏė õĠØŬęă ĤŅ ŹĠă ƱŬŰŹ ƱƔă ƛăØŬŰ Ŏė ŎŨăŬØŹĤŅę ĺĤėă ĤŅ ŹĠă ăƔăŅŹ Ŏė Ø łØŅƀėØõŹƀŬăŬ̵Ű ėØƀĺŹ̖ §ĠăŬăØėŹăŬ ŹĠă ƕØŬŬØŅŹƛ łŎƔăŰ ŎŅŹŎ Ø ŰĺĤûĤŅę ŰõØĺă ƕĠăŬă ˧ˡ͹ Ŏė ŹĠă õŎŰŹ Ŏė ŬăŨĺØõăłăŅŹ ƕĤĺĺ òă õŎƔăŬăû ĤŅ ŹĠă ŰĤƚŹĠ ƛăØŬ̐ ˥ˡ͹ ĤŅ ƛăØŬŰ ŰăƔăŅ ØŅû ăĤęĠŹ̐ ŰŎ ŎŅ ûŎƕŅ ŹŎ ˣˡ͹ ĤŅ ŹĠă ŅĤŅŹĠ ØŅû ŹăŅŹĠ̖ §ĠăŬă ØŬă ėŎƀŬ łŎûăĺŰ ŎƫăŬĤŅę ŎƀŹŨƀŹŰ ėŬŎł ˩˦ ŹŎ ˢ˦ˢķÃ̐ ûŬĤƔăŅ òƛ ĠĤęĠ ăƬõĤăŅõƛ õŎŅûăŅŰĤŅę ŹăõĠŅŎĺŎęƛ̖ §Ġă ĠăØŹ ăƚõĠØŅęăŬ ĤŰ õŎŅŰŹŬƀõŹăû ėŬŎł ŰŹØĤŅĺăŰŰ ŰŹăăĺ̐ ŰØĤû ŹŎ ăŅŰƀŬă ăƚõăĺĺăŅŹ ŬăŰĤŰŹØŅõă ŹŎ õŎŬŬŎŰĤŎŅ̐ ØŅû ƕĤĺĺ ŎŨăŬØŹă ØŹ

ƕŎŬķĤŅę ŨŬăŰŰƀŬăŰ Ŏė ƀŨ ŹŎ ˧òØŬ̖ 1D òŎĤĺăŬŰ õØŅ òă ăĤŹĠăŬ ƕØĺĺ ŎŬ ėŬØłă łŎƀŅŹăû ØŅû̐ ØŹ ŎŅĺƛ ˥˥ˡłł ƕĤûă ØŅû ˦ˤ˪łł ûăăŨ̐ ŨŬŎƔĤûă Ø õŎłŨØõŹ̐ ŰŨØõăŰØƔĤŅę ŰŎĺƀŹĤŎŅ ėŎŬ õŎłłăŬõĤØĺ̐ ĤŅûƀŰŹŬĤØĺ ØŅû ĺØŬęă ŬăŰĤûăŅŹĤØĺ òƀĤĺûĤŅęŰ̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜ˣ˩

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Products in Action

Lifting station pumps the soapy water away quipment from Sani o has helped KMD Cleaning & Laundry stay operational after the installation of a Sanicom 2, a large lifting station that pumps away grey water through small bore pipework. The business, based in Great Yarmouth, moved to a new premises in May as part of an expansion. The owners hired installers to fit commercial washing machines and discovered that the drains to the rear of the building were for fresh water only, preventing the drainage of soapy water and effectively stopping the business in its tracks. Following discussions with the local lumbase staff and advice from the technical team at Sani o, the Sanicom 2 was specified. The Sanicom 2 can connect to three large machines at a time. It

takes the soapy water and pumps it up to the next oor, underneath a me anine oor. It then takes the water down into the existing

VRF solution provides heating and hot water As part of plans to renovate dilapidated social housing ats in Northamptonshire, the Multi V 5 VRF system from LG is now providing heat and hot water through a district heating system. It utilises four Hydro Kit units to provide sufficient heating and hot water for all the ats via heat interface units. It is thought this project, a pair of multi-storey social housing blocks in Kettering, may be a template for all such buildings by proving that old, energy inefficient buildings can be turned to provide sustainable tenancies for tenants in or close to fuel poverty. In order to keep costs of heating and hot water down, a district heating system was agreed, future proofing the buildings by

utilising a central plant room to house most of the equipment and channelling the heating and hot water via a heat interface unit in each apartment. phamnews.co.uk/1019/

waste pipes of a former WC, which discharges into mains drains at the front of the building. phamnews.co.uk/1019/ 0

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Viega’s Megapress press connection technology has been installed across 11 oors of a new £85 million development, 125 Deansgate in Manchester. Selected for its speed of installation and its reputation as a trusted method for connecting thick walled steel tube without hot works, the Megapress connections have been used throughout the heating system. With 12 oors in total, 125 Deansgate echoes the industrial Victorian architecture of the Deansgate area and comprises 117,000ft2 of offices above 12,000ft2 of retail space at ground oor level. The development is expected to achieve a BREEAM Excellence rating on completion. phamnews.co.uk/1019/ 1

Housing association provides full protection Aico, the maker of mains powered domestic smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, is supplying South Lakes Housing (SLH) with its 3000 Series alarms to provide protection to tenants across a range of properties, including blocks of ats and 12 sheltered housing schemes. SLH is a not-for-profit housing association that manages around 3000 homes in South Lakeland, Cumbria. The Association says it wants its tenants to feel safer and installing the 3000 Series alarms and CO alarms will help them do just that. Top-of-the-range 3000 Series MultiSensors are SLH’s alarm of choice, including the Ei3024 Optical and Heat Multi-Sensor and the Ei3028 Heat and CO Multi-Sensor, which has been designed specifically for use in kitchens and provides tenants with protection from both fire and CO poisoning. Further CO alarms are being installed in properties with a gas appliance during the appliance service, mostly in

New boilers do a bang up job at police stations Nottinghamshire Police has refurbished the heating systems at a series of its stations with Remeha boilers to improve the efficiency and reliability of the heating service in line with its wider efficiency measures. A condition survey of the mechanical installation at Nottinghamshire Police sites by project consultants CJR Midlands had found severe failings in most of the existing aged plant. Their recommendation was to refurbish eight plant rooms with new energy efficient condensing boilers, together with associated

Quicker way to connect

bedrooms located next to the cupboard housing the boiler. SLH has also provided protection in its sheltered housing schemes, based on advice in the NFCC Specialised Housing Guidance. Aico 3000 Series smoke alarms are being fitted to BS 5839 6 2019 Grade D LD1, which is the highest category of protection. phamnews.co.uk/1019/

Heat pumps for executive homes

pumps and ue vertical masts. New building management system (BMS) controls were also specified to enable to monitor all the sites from Sherwood Lodge, the main police headquarters. At Radford Road police station, two Remeha Gas 310 Eco Pro

condensing boilers were specified to meet the site requirements. At the remainder of the sites, including the Sherwood Lodge headquarters, a combination of Gas 220 Ace boilers was selected to match the individual heat output demand. phamnews.co.uk/1019/

Spire View, a development of 20 new executive homes in Cambridgeshire by James Development Co Ltd, has been equipped by Oceanair with Panasonic Aquarea Monobloc air to water heat pumps to supply heating and domestic hot water to each home. With sustainability high on the agenda for this modern development in the town of March, making the right choices for all elements in the specification throughout the properties was important to the developer. Spire View consists of high end executive four and five bedroom

homes, with the four bedroom homes having one en-suite and a family bathroom while the five bedroom homes have three en-suites and a family bathroom so the adoption of large, high efficiency anasonic quarea hot water storage tanks was the ideal way to provide a constant and abundant supply of domestic hot water for the occupants. phamnews.co.uk/1019/

03/10/2019 12:29

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Products Modular boilers overcome plant room challenges

Radiant panels were a natural selection for gyms It was a case of natural selection when Dunham-Bush Evolution radiant panels were installed at the recently refurbished sports hall and gymnasium at the Charles Darwin School in Biggin Hill. The Evolution FS6 freely-suspended six-tube 900mm wide panels were selected for both gyms. Each panel has a radiating surface facing down, with the rear encased in 50mm foil backed mineral wool insulation. Performance is assured through compliance with BS EN 14037 thermal testing. All panels were stove powder coated to RAL 9010 white, 30% gloss. The installation included 144m of Evolution with a total output of 80kW for the main sport hall, which includes a full-size basketball pitch and 60m of Evolution with a total heat output of 33kW for the gymnasium, which also features a trampoline facility. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

Tea Rooms are well protected The Tea Rooms at Beamish Museum is the latest high-profile attraction to have its heating system protected with a BoilerMag T industrial filter. oe eating and Plumbing Services Ltd installed the BoilerMag, as well as three Ideal EvoMax 60kW boilers in the plant room of the museum’s Co-operative buildings block, with the greatest demand coming from its popular Tea Rooms.

The new boilers were fitted on a cascade system in order to service the demand of Beamish’s tea rooms, ensuring they have a reliable supply of hot water should one of the boilers fail for any reason. Located at Beamish, near the town of Stanley in County Durham, Beamish Museum is a well known open-air museum telling the story of life in the North East of England during the 1820s, 1900s and 1940s. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

Breath of fresh air at climbing wall Waterloo Air Products has supplied a cooling and ventilation system to the new Sport and Wellness Hub at the University of Warwick campus. Working with designers on the £50m sporting and leisure facilities project, Waterloo delivered a high specification, energy efficient scheme to cope with uctuating levels of occupancy. Ten months before it opened in April 2019, Waterloo produced a series of intricate and bespoke products to create the right

Pumps get to the heart of the matter A recent investment in Heart of Midlothian FC’s Tynecastle Park stadium has seen a contribution from rundfos umps. S Consulting Engineers and contractors Livingston Mechanical Services worked with rundfos on this project to provide the optimal M&E solution. The pumps were chosen for their energy efficiency and their ability to deliver the required HVAC needs, as well as ensuring there is sufficient water to meet all the various demands. The final rundfos solutions team included players drawn from the TPE family of single-stage centrifugal pumps, as well as from Magna3 commercial heating circulators, plus a variable speed Hydro MPC-E booster set. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019 0

aesthetics in the fitness centre. Special attention was given to the new indoor climbing centre (pictured) to ensure the correct air terminal devices were installed to give a comfortable ow of air to users. Waterloo supplied high level no le diffusers to supply cool air in the larger areas of the climbing centre because these could be adjusted in any direction. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019 9

NEW WAY TO ACCESS FURTHER INFORMATION

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Product News 67 Tougher former with octagonal plate Hydraulic drainage system saves cost

The Tuff orm8 wetroom former from KW combines the benefits of the company’s existing Tuff orm product but with a new octagonal fitting plate. This allows for up to 15 different waste positions and ensures an easier installation. The new former is made from high strength sheet moulding compound, giving it a weight capacity of 381kg (60 stone). This suits it for heavier wheelchair users and their carers. In addition, pre-formed fixing points and octagonal waste plate mean that all obstructing joists can be quickly navigated. vailable in nine si es, the Tuff orm8 former can be tiled or covered with safety ooring and it can also be used to create complete level access solutions on both timber and concrete oors. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

Furniture gets the royal treatment

Inverter technology inside heat pumps

Nuie, formerly known as Premier Bathrooms, has added a royal grey woodgrain textured finish to its ork collection of furniture. The new finish complements the existing white ash and stone grey varieties. Three sizes of vanity unit (600, 800 and 1000mm) add versatility to the range, which is accompanied by matching mirrors, WC unit and toilet seat for a fully coordinated look. Made in Britain, with a fiveyear guarantee, the ork furniture range is supplied rigid and features soft-close doors and is available with design-matching ceramic basin and front and side bath panels. Three handle choices are available: square strap, round strap and art deco, for further individuality and character. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

Aimed at the commercial market, Stiebel Eltron’s WPE-I inverter-driven heat pump system bolsters the company’s offering of renewable energy systems. The new range utilises inverter technology, which allows heat output to be adjusted to suit the requirements of bespoke projects. This boosts energy efficiency, helping businesses reduce energy costs. The product also allows businesses to maximise return on investment from the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, with running hours attracting tier-one tariffs. Space-saving unit design also streamlines the installation process. Preparatory groundworks can be sized to the building, rather than the nearest heat pump model itself, saving clients time and money. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

Hydraulic drainage system saves cost

New ball valve looks to the future Water rooﬁn system for showers The Shower Waterproofing Kit from unlop has been specially designed to include everything required to waterproof a shower area, wetroom or walk-in shower area as required by new British Standards. Suitable for any internal intermittent area where continued exposure to water may cause damage, the kit fully waterproofs the background behind a tiled surface to prevent water penetration up to 1.5m high in a two-walled shower unit or 1m high in a three-walled shower unit. As a result, the kit prevents water saturating the whole area, reducing the risk of unsightly black mould forming, and also reducing the risk of more serious issues such as oor collapse and other surfaces vulnerable to corrosion. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

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ELCO Heating Solutions has supplied four 200kW Trigon XL gas condensing boilers to Ulster Museum, Belfast. The new boilers, which replaced four ageing cast iron units, are providing highly efficient heating and hot water to the entire property. Sermet (NI) Ltd completed the boiler replacement and commissioning over two phases to maintain heating and hot water services throughout the project, while reducing disruption for staff and visitors. One of the major challenges involved access to the basement plant room, which could only be entered via a ladder staircase or a small service lift measuring less than 1m2. This restriction made the Trigon XL an ideal choice for the project, thanks to its modular build. This design feature allowed Sermet’s installation team to disassemble the boilers into their component parts at ground level and subsequently transport them to the basement in the small service lift. Completing the whole process took less than half a day for each boiler. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

GF Piping Systems has introduced the Ball Valve 546 ro to help specifiers and building services contractors future-proof installations across different sectors. The new-generation modular design of the 546 Pro ensures future technical or digital demands can now be enabled, reducing the need for servicing or retro-fitting costs while enhancing efficiency in use from the outset. The all-plastic construction of the ball valve includes a range of accessories such as the spring-loaded, ergonomically designed lockable handle incorporating a ‘dead-man’ self-closing facility, compact double sensor accessories, as well as pneumatic or electric actuators to fit the entire range of sizes which runs from 16 110mm diameter. The smooth curving casing and double stem seals contribute to an IP67 rating, while a reinforced security break point in the stem helps to prevent leaks due to wear or the use of excessive force. All units are tested to a pressure of 16 bar and suitable for applications from hot or cold water services to pressurised or chilled water, chemical processes and other industrial uses. The 546 Pro is ready out-of-the-box to be installed or retro-fitted for wireless connectivity. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

ONLINE For further information about any of the products featured on this page, simply enter phamnews. co.uk/1019/ followed by the relevant enquiry number.

We’ve introduced a new non-paper based PHAM News en uir service or a uic and eas a to find out more about the products and services that interest you, the new online enquiry service is designed to take you directly to the information you require. At the end of most articles and items on our editorial pages there will now be a eb address ith a uni ue five or six digit code Simply enter phamnews.co.uk and the appropriate numbers and the relevant website page should appear directly on your computer, tablet or smartphone without you having to use a browser or navigate through various website pages. e hope ou ill find this ne service a use ul and convenient way to access the information you need.

ew to the UK market, eberit’s SuperTube owoptimised hydraulic drainage system for highrise buildings is said to offer simple planning and installation while saving around 35% of the space allocated for a parallel vented dual stack system. The system combines the existing 12 litres/sec ow-optimised HDPE Geberit Sovent (d110) with two new bends – BottomTurn and BackFlip - which remove the need for a vent pipe by generating a constant air stream through intelligent design. The combined single stack system enables pipework with a smaller, consistent diameter of d110 and a maximum discharge capacity of 12 litres/sec. It also allows horizontal pipelines of up to 6m without slopes, thanks to the design of the BottomTurn bend, which reduces impulse losses during transition from the vertical to horizontal. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

03/10/2019 10:43

03/10/2019 17:14

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Electric Heating 47

Ongoing gains ne en Driven by increasingly stringent Building Regulations and a shift in energy policy, electric space and water heating has taken on greater significance for installers in recent years. Shaun Hurworth from Glen Dimplex Heating & Ventilation examines the opportunities presented by modern electrical heating technologies.

he Government has made no secret of its intent to support lower carbon energy sources in order to reduce the significant carbon impact of heating and cooling our buildings. From battery storage and heat pumps to electric heating appliances which can deliver domestic heating aligned with renewable energy generation, decarbonisation of the grid is critical if we are to achieve our ambitious environmental targets. But what does it mean for you, the installer? Here are four reasons to include electric heating in your repertoire.

Energy policy

Ultimately the heating industry is driven by UK energy policy and we remain committed to cutting carbon emissions in line with EU obligations, which includes phasing out unabated coal by 2025. This shift away from intensive fossil fuels such as coal and oil in favour of gas has delivered almost all of the improvement that it is capable of, and the next phase of decarbonisation is maximising the contribution of renewable Q-Rad is Dimplex’s intelligent electric radiator that monitors the effect of its actions on a room’s temperature

Shaun Hurworth

UK head of channel marketing at Glen Dimplex Heating & Ventilation

CUT TO THE CHASE  SAP 10 methodology means electric heating offers a compliant solution  ot means all fixed electric space heaters must adhere to a minimum e ficienc standard  The higher e ficienc standard under Lot 20 has led to a better standard of product  Hot water cylinder heat pumps meet renewable energy requirements

The shift away from intensive fossil fuels such as coal and oil in favour of gas has delivered almost all the improvement that it is capable of, and the next phase of decarbonisation is maximising renewable energy.

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energy sources. This will mean electric heating and hot water systems become easier to gain compliance and cheaper to run.

-peak storage heater is said to deliver 90% of the heating requirement using low cost energy

SAP methodology

heaters. But the technology will never stand still, with further updates in the pipeline to support connectivity and integration with other devices throughout a home. In addition, all fixed’ electric space heating appliances in the UK must now adhere to a minimum energy efficiency standard under Lot 20 of the U’s nergy fficiency irective. Many products were redesigned by manufacturers as a result to include integral controls with added intelligence – further improving their energy saving potential for homeowners. In essence, Lot 20 has delivered a better standard of product. Even entry level products have energy saving functionality as standard, whilst manufacturers have worked hard to incorporate even more advanced technology into the controls of higher spec appliances. This includes functions such as anticipatory warm-up control and on-board open window detection, which simply didn’t exist just a few years ago.

As a result, electric space and water heating has become more attractive to install, especially in new properties. In fact, data from the new S 10 methodology, which is the Government’s recommended system for measuring the energy rating of new dwellings, shows that the carbon factor of electric heating is now just 0.233 gCO2/kWh – down from 0.519 g /kWh when S 2012 was introduced. Under this methodology, electric heating is more carbon efficient than gas heating after adjusting for system efficiency – a substantial shift which is re ective of the government’s commitment to decarbonise energy supply through electrification. It means heat pumps and installed electric heating appliances will perform even better in S 10, offering a potentially cheaper, compliant heating and hot water solution when compared to other fuels such as gas. In S 2012, electric panel heaters combined with an electric hot water heat pump is already an attractive solution for many new buildings. This will likely increase under the new methodology.

New technologies

It will come as no surprise to learn that as consumer demand for energy efficient devices increases, and energy policy continues to support electric technologies, manufacturers are investing heavily in developing electric heating solutions. When addressing the energy use of existing properties, the implex uantum offpeak heating system, for example, was the first high heat retention heater brought to market, offering a significant improvement in rating over conventional static storage

Water heating

Another key area of innovation, water heating has come to the fore particularly in new homes, where year-round water heating has become the dominant load. This trend has forced the industry to look beyond insulation and space heating when aiming to improve the S rating of a property, taking advantage of innovations like Dimplex’s Edel hot water heat pump cylinder to meet the renewable energy requirement and deliver low carbon hot water year-round.

Find out more

For more information about Glen Dimplex Heating & Ventilation and its solutions, visit the website below. ◼ phamnews.co.uk 1019 1

02/10/2019 17:04

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Electric Heating

No problem delivering lashings of hot water

 The eGlow Electric Flow Boiler available in 6, 9, and 12kW outputs

lectric boilers do not offer a combination of hot water and heating in one wall mounted box with the ability to generate instantaneous hot water in useful amounts. The reason is simple – power. A typical gas combi boiler is around 24kW, which can be seen as consuming all of the electric energy available in the home. And even at this power, gas combis deliver around 12 litres per minute of water at 40°C – although rates vary of course with incoming water temperatures and different models.

The new builds of the future will largely be electric, thanks to the government’s decision to ban mains gas in this type of property by 2025, which means electric boilers are going to play an ever-greater role in heating homes. ere, eoff gginton from dvance ppliances looks at the exibility of this technology to meet high demands for hot water.

hen we think about heating we tend to think about space heating – keeping warm in winter – but these days demand for hot water is slowly beginning to outstrip that of space heating. The reason is quite straight forward: homes are better insulated than ever, and standards for air tightness and heat loss have driven down the heating load. On the other hand hot water demand continues to grow as the desire for properties with more than one bathroom increases.

Renewable growth

Meanwhile, the government in the pursuit of ever greener energy is pushing electricity as the main energy source in future new builds. More and more of the electricity generated in the UK is from renewable resources – think sun, wind and water. This can be done at a macro level with groups of wind turbines, hydro schemes and solar farms, or at a micro level with roof mounted solar panels, for example. Means of harvesting and storing this energy alongside demand management, largely through exible tariffs, are being developed and improved. So if the future is going to see a growth of electric heating systems, what are the products that installers need to be aware of to meet this trend? There are a number of exible solutions in very small dwellings, such as point of use water heating and electric showers, and in much bigger properties heat pumps may be

PHAM_1019_48(CHT).indd 1

Storage solutions

Demand for hot water is beginning to outstrip that of space heating because homes are better insulated and standards for air tightness and heat loss have driven down the heating load. preferred. However, there are a variety of electric options for space heating and hot water in the middle market.

Geoff Egginton

Director of Advance Appliances

CUT TO THE CHASE  Hot water demand is growing in line with the demand for multibathroom homes  Electric boilers offer the capabilities expected from any boiler  Storage is required for hot water when using an electric boiler  Flow rates for mains pressure cylinders can be as high as 40 litres/min at 60ºC  Solar thermal and PV can make a big contribution to water heating throughout the year

For space heating most people prefer wet systems with radiators or under oor heating. The good news is that electric boilers for these applications have been around for many years and offer proven, simple technology. lectric heating is inherently efficient at point of use as the energy input is converted directly to heat with only tiny losses. lectric boilers provide all the things that you would expect from any boiler, including the ability to modulate, and some you might not expect, such as no need for ues or annual servicing. In addition some are supplied for sealed system use with relief and expansion fitted, and some include pumps. Most households will have 100 amp supplies, and boilers up to 12kW (40,000BTU) will draw around 50 amps. For space heating alone in a modern middle market property, this is more than adequate. However, there is one significant way in which an electric boiler would differ from a gas boiler.

Storage is required. There are a number of significant advantages to this. lectric can be consumed at the best tariffs, say overnight, and used throughout the day, making the system economical. Flow rates for mains pressure cylinders can be as high as 40 litres a minute at 60°C, and with high ow rates comes the ability to run more than one shower at a time, or to have the washing machine on at the same time as the shower. Another advantage is the possible utilisation of renewables – solar PV (electric) or solar thermal (wet systems) can make a significant contribution to water heating throughout the year.

Plenty of choice

There is a wide choice of types of electric hot water storage cylinders – unvented and thermal store for mains pressure services, or vented copper units for properties with a tank in the loft. Some companies combine hot water and space heating by offering pre-plumbed packages with a small footprint, or a thermal store solution where the cylinder forms part of the heating system and mains pressure hot water is generated through a heat exchanger. Key advantages with the thermal store ‘combi’ include the ability to benefit from off peak tariffs and the opportunity to incorporate renewable energy sources for heating as well as the hot water service.

Find out more

The stainless steel electric combi boiler provides mains pressure hot water and self-commissioning open central heating

For further information on the electric heating products from Advance Appliances, visit the website below. ◼ phamnews.co.uk 1019

02/10/2019 17:01

PHAM NEWS OCT19:Layout 1 02/10/2019 14:50 Page 49

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Electric Heating 49 FŎ ØŅƛƕĠăŬă ŬØûĤØŹŎŬŰ As a specialist in pipeless electric radiators, RadiWarm ŎƫăŬŰ Ø ƕĤûă ŬØŅęă Ŏė ŨŬŎûƀõŹŰ ŹĠØŹ ƕŎŬķ ĤŅ Ø ƔØŬĤăŹƛ Ŏė settings, such as conservatories, loft and basement extensions, or anywhere it’s not practicable to run ŨĤŨăƕŎŬķ̖ §Ġă ŬØûĤØŹŎŬŰ ØŬŬĤƔă ŬăØûƛ ėŎŬ ƀŰă̐ Ʊĺĺăû ƕĤŹĠ ŰŨăõĤØĺĺƛ ŹŬăØŹăû ƕØŹăŬ ØŅû ėƀĺĺƛ ŰăØĺăû̖ §Ġăƛ ûŎŅ̵Ź ŬăūƀĤŬă ŨĺƀłòĤŅę̐ ƲƀŰĠĤŅę̐ òĺăăûĤŅę ŎŬ ŹŎŨŨĤŅę-ƀŨ̖ {Ņõă wall-mounted, they are plugged into a standard British ăĺăõŹŬĤõØĺ ŰŎõķăŹ̖ §Ġăƛ õØŅ òă õŎŅŅăõŹăû ŹŎ ŰłØŬŹ õŎŅŹŬŎĺ systems like RadiWarm’s Smart Controller to manage ĠăØŹĤŅę ŬăłŎŹăĺƛ̖ There is a suitable radiator for almost all room and õŎŅŰăŬƔØŹŎŬƛ ŰĤƤăŰ̖ §Ġă ŰŹØŅûØŬû ØûĤÃØŬł ŬØŅęă ĤŰ available in heights of ˤˡˡ̐ ˥ˡˡ and ˧ˡˡ mm and seven

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NăØŹ ŰŎĺƀŹĤŎŅ ėŎŬ ŹĠă łĤĺûăŬ łŎŅŹĠŰ §Ġă !{q ˢˡ Premium wall convector range from ŹĤăòăĺ 1ĺŹŬŎŅ ĤŰ ŰØĤû ŹŎ ŎƫăŬ Ø õŎłòĤŅØŹĤŎŅ Ŏė ėƀŅõŹĤŎŅØĺĤŹƛ ØŅû ØăŰŹĠăŹĤõŰ̖ This wall mounted convector heater is suitable as a supplementary heater or interim heater for the spring ØŅû ØƀŹƀłŅ łŎŅŹĠŰ̖ §Ġă ĤŅŹăęŬØĺ õŎŅŹŬŎĺĺăŬ ƕĤŹĠ backlit LCD allows for a weekly timer scheduled for ŰăƔăŅ ûØƛŰ̜ƱƔă ûØƛŰ ŨĺƀŰ ƕăăķăŅû ̪ ŎŬ spontaneously for between ˢˡ and ˢˣˡ łĤŅƀŹăŰ̖ RŹ ØĺŰŎ ŨŬŎƔĤûăŰ ėŬŎŰŹ ŨŬŎŹăõŹĤŎŅ ØŅû ŎŨăŅ ƕĤŅûŎƕ ûăŹăõŹĤŎŅ̖ The control is self-learning and can automatically õØĺõƀĺØŹă ŹĠă ŨŬăĠăØŹ ŹĤłă̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜˥˥

The i-Sense WiFi Electric Radiator from Intelliheat is fully compliant with Eco-Design Lot ˣˡ energy ăƬõĤăŅõƛ ĺăęĤŰĺØŹĤŎŅ̖ Models in the range come with built-in smart sensors to detect room temperature as well ØŰ łŎƔăłăŅŹ ĤŅ ŹĠă ŬŎŎł̖ §Ġă integrated WiFi system enables the units to link to a web-based control portal, while the built in sensors will enable the radiators to compare the user’s programme for each of the rooms with the actual

ŨĠƛŰĤõØĺ ƀŰØęă Ŏė ŹĠă ŬŎŎł̖ The i-Sense range can be controlled using the My-Sense ØŨŨ̖ §ĠĤŰ õŎłòĤŅØŹĤŎŅ Ŏė òƀĤĺŹ-in WiFi, motion sensors, selflearning programming, open window detection, geolocation and a smart thermostat (accurate to ƕĤŹĠĤŅ ˗̖ˢ°C) means the radiators ŎƫăŬ Ø ĠĤęĠĺƛ õŎŅŹŬŎĺĺØòĺă̐ ăŅăŬęƛ ăƬõĤăŅŹ ĠăØŹĤŅę ŰŎĺƀŹĤŎŅ̖ The i-Sense range is made from ˢˡˡ͹ ØĺƀłĤŅĤƀł̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜˥˦

PHAM NEWS OCT19:Layout 1 02/10/2019 17:26 Page 50

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Electric Heating

!Ĺ&#x17D;Ĺ°Ĺš Ä&#x192;ĆŤÄ&#x192;ĂľĹšÄ¤Ć&#x201D;Ä&#x192; Ä Ä&#x192;Ă&#x2DC;ĹšÄ¤Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x2122; Ĺ¨Ă&#x2DC;Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x192;ÄşĹ° Ä&#x2014;Ĺ&#x17D;ĹŹ Ä Ĺ&#x17D;ĹšÄ&#x192;ÄşĹ° The comfort of guests should be a priority for any well-run hotel, but whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the best way to ensure their wellbeing while keeping costs down? UK manufacturer Tansun believes its radiant heating panels could provide a stylish and cost Ä&#x192;ĆŤÄ&#x192;ĂľĹšÄ¤Ć&#x201D;Ä&#x192; Ĺ°Ĺ&#x17D;ÄşĆ&#x20AC;ĹšÄ¤Ĺ&#x17D;Ĺ&#x2026;Ě&#x2013;

lectric heating can allow the proprietor to manage energy usage and cut heating costs substantially. With commercial and domestic properties in mind, Tansun has recently designed new radiant panels that are discrete and unobtrusive and can blend into any environment. Said to be ideal for use in hotels, the radiant heating panels have been designed to provide even heat distribution to gently warm people and

objects before targeting the surrounding air. The panels are environmentally friendly and, with energy conversion rates of around ËŞËŠ%, could provide a cost Ä&#x192;ĆŤÄ&#x192;ĂľĹšÄ¤Ć&#x201D;Ä&#x192; Ĺ&#x17D;Ĺ¨ĹšÄ¤Ĺ&#x17D;Ĺ&#x2026; Ć&#x2022;Ä Ä&#x192;Ĺ&#x2026; Ä Ä&#x192;Ă&#x2DC;ĹšÄ¤Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x2122; Ă&#x2DC; building with a high volume of guests or where spaces regularly go unused.

Quiet running A good heating solution for noise-sensitive environments, radiant panels are silent running and provide an instant response to heating demand.

Instead of warming the air like conventional heaters they heat the people and objects directly in their paths. The rays emitted by the heaters are easily absorbed by the items in the room, but as each panel is standalone each room can be heated as and when required. Rooms in use can be heated quickly and easily and no energy need be wasted in providing heat to unoccupied areas. Temperature levels can also be quickly adjusted using the Tansun thermostat.

As there is no pipework, each heater is easy to install and can be wall or ceiling Ĺ&#x201A;Ĺ&#x17D;Ć&#x20AC;Ĺ&#x2026;ĹšÄ&#x192;Ăť ĹšĹ&#x17D; Ĺ°Ă&#x2DC;Ć&#x201D;Ä&#x192; Ĺ&#x17D;Ĺ&#x2026; Ć˛Ĺ&#x17D;Ĺ&#x17D;ĹŹ Ĺ°Ĺ¨Ă&#x2DC;ĂľÄ&#x192; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an important factor for the hospitality sector. There is no regular maintenance required, providing further cost savings for the hotel, and there are no moving parts.

Typical applications As well as hotels and guest houses, many other applications ĂľĂ&#x2DC;Ĺ&#x2026; Ă˛Ä&#x192;Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x192;ĆąĹš Ä&#x2014;ĹŹĹ&#x17D;Ĺ&#x201A; Ä&#x192;ÄşÄ&#x192;ĂľĹšĹŹÄ¤Ăľ Ĺ¨Ă&#x2DC;Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x192;Äş heaters, including restaurants,

Ĺ&#x17D;ĆŹĂľÄ&#x192;Ĺ°Ě? ĹŹÄ&#x192;ĹšĂ&#x2DC;Ä¤Äş Ĺ&#x17D;Ć&#x20AC;ĹšÄşÄ&#x192;ĹšĹ° Ă&#x2DC;Ĺ&#x2026;Ăť healthcare. They can also be used in areas like bathrooms, garages and conservatories. Three panel heaters have been ĂťÄ&#x192;Ć&#x201D;Ä&#x192;ÄşĹ&#x17D;Ĺ¨Ä&#x192;Ăť Ă˛Ć&#x203A; Â§Ă&#x2DC;Ĺ&#x2026;Ĺ°Ć&#x20AC;Ĺ&#x2026; Ä¤Ĺ&#x2026; ĂťÄ¤ĆŤÄ&#x192;ĹŹÄ&#x192;Ĺ&#x2026;Ĺš sizes to cater for a variety of applications. The Iridium Series Ë§ËĄËĄ (Ë¤ËĄËĄW), ËŞËĄËĄ (Ë§Ë˘ËĄW) and Ë˘ËŁËĄËĄ (Ë¨ËŠËŚW)are lightweight and extra slim units featuring a neutral ĂťÄ&#x192;Ĺ°Ä¤Ä&#x2122;Ĺ&#x2026; Ĺ&#x17D;Ä&#x2014; Ă&#x2DC; Ć&#x2022;Ä Ä¤ĹšÄ&#x192; Ĺ&#x17D;ĹŹ Ă˛ÄşĂ&#x2DC;ĂľÄˇ ĆąĹ&#x2026;Ä¤Ĺ°Ä to blend in with any decor. The panels can also be produced in most RAL colour options to suit all environments. This simple feature can be important for the Ĺ°Ĺ¨Ä&#x192;ĂľÄ¤ĆąĂľĂ&#x2DC;ĹšÄ¤Ĺ&#x17D;Ĺ&#x2026; Ĺ°Ä&#x192;ĂľĹšĹ&#x17D;ĹŹ ĹšĹ&#x17D; Ä Ä&#x192;ÄşĹ¨ Ă˛ÄşÄ&#x192;Ĺ&#x2026;Ăť in with particular environments and colour schemes. With the Tansun Digital Thermostat, temperature levels can be adjusted based on heating requirements to heat each individual room separately.

About Tansun The company has been established for Ë¤ËŚ years and all products are designed and manufactured at the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s West Midlands production facility. As well as the radiant heating panels, the company Ĺ&#x17D;ĆŤÄ&#x192;ĹŹĹ° Ă&#x2DC; Ć&#x2022;Ä¤ĂťÄ&#x192; ĹŹĂ&#x2DC;Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x2122;Ä&#x192; Ĺ&#x17D;Ä&#x2014; Ä¤Ĺ&#x2026;Ä&#x2014;ĹŹĂ&#x2DC;ĹŹÄ&#x192;Ăť Ä Ä&#x192;Ă&#x2DC;ĹšÄ&#x192;ĹŹĹ° Ä&#x2014;Ĺ&#x17D;ĹŹ Ĺ&#x201A;Ă&#x2DC;Ĺ&#x2026;Ć&#x203A; ĂťÄ¤ĆŤÄ&#x192;ĹŹÄ&#x192;Ĺ&#x2026;Ĺš ĹšĆ&#x203A;Ĺ¨Ä&#x192;Ĺ° of heating applications. Î&#x2020; phamnews.co.ukĚ&#x153;Ë˘ËĄË˘ËŞĚ&#x153;ËĽË§

Efficiency across the range | Since 1924, STIEBEL ELTRON has specialised in decentralised DHW heating, offering products geared towards maximum energy savings. No more high operating costs, thanks to innovative technology, reliable premium products and a first-class service from STIEBEL ELTRON. â&#x20AC;ş Quality with a high level of innovation â&#x20AC;ş Instantaneous water heaters for any application area â&#x20AC;ş Convenience for kitchens, bathrooms and hand basins â&#x20AC;ş Peace of mind with a 2 year on site parts and labour warranty DHE SLi | Instantaneous water heater DEL SLi | Instantaneous water heater

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

DCE | Compact instantaneous water heater DEM | Mini instantaneous water heater

PHAM NEWS OCT19:Layout 1 03/10/2019 14:13 Page 51

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Electric Heating 51 1ƬõĤăŅŹ ŰŹŎŬØęă ĠăØŹăŬ ėŎŬ ûØƛ ƀŰØęă

RŅŰŹØŅŹ ØõõăŰŰ ĠŎŹ ƕØŹăŬ ŎŅ ûăłØŅû

§Ġă ăŬŎƲŎƕ ăĺăõŹŬĤõ ŬØûĤØŹŎŬ ėŬŎł 1ĺăõŹŬŎŬØû ĤŰ Ø ŰŹŎŬØęă ĠăØŹăŬ ûăŰĤęŅăû ŹŎ òă ƀŰăû ŎŅ ŰŹØŅûØŬû ăĺăõŹŬĤõĤŹƛ ŹØŬĤƫŰ̖ Ź ŹĠă ĠăØŬŹ Ŏė ŹĠă ŬØûĤØŹŎŬ ĤŰ Ø ŬăėŬØõŹŎŬƛ òĺŎõķ̐ ƕĤŹĠ ĠăØŹ ŹŬØŅŰėăŬŬăû ƕĤŹĠĤŅ łĤŅƀŹăŰ ŹŎ ŰŨăõĤØĺĺƛ ûăŰĤęŅăû ƲƀŹăŰ ŹĠØŹ ŬØûĤØŹă ĠăØŹ ØŅû ŰŹØŬŹ ŹĠă õŎŅƔăõŹĤŎŅ ŨŬŎõăŰŰ̖ òƀĤĺŹ-ĤŅ ûĤęĤŹØĺ ŬŎŎł ŹĠăŬłŎŰŹØŹ ŎƫăŬŰ Ø ŰăƔăŅûØƛ ŨŬŎęŬØłłĤŅę ŰƛŰŹăł̖ §Ġă ăŬŎƲŎƕ õØŅ ØĺŰŎ òă õŎŅŹŬŎĺĺăû ŬăłŎŹăĺƛ òƛ ŬØûĤŎ ėŬăūƀăŅõƛ ØŅû òƛ ØŅ ØŨŨ̖ õõƀŬØŹă ŹŎ ̜̪͡ ˡ̖ˣƴ!̐ ŹĠă ŰŹØŹ ØĺĺŎƕŰ ƀŰăŬŰ ŹŎ ŨŬă-ŰăŹ ŬăūƀĤŬăû ŬŎŎł ŹăłŨăŬØŹƀŬăŰ ØŹ ŰŨăõĤƱõ ŹĤłăŰ̖ 1ŅăŬęƛ ăƬõĤăŅõƛ ėăØŹƀŬăŰ ĤŅõĺƀûă ŎŨăŅ ƕĤŅûŎƕ ûăŹăõŹĤŎŅ ØŅû ØĺŰŎ ØŅ ØûØŨŹĤƔă ŰŹØŬŹ ėƀŅõŹĤŎŅ ̩ ƕĠăŅ ŹĠă ŬØûĤØŹŎŬ ĺăØŬŅŰ ŹĠă ĠăØŹ-ƀŨ õĠØŬØõŹăŬĤŰŹĤõŰ Ŏė ŹĠă ŬŎŎł̐ ĤŹ ƕĤĺĺ ŰƕĤŹõĠ ŎŅ ØŹ ŹĠă ŎŨŹĤłƀł ŹĤłă ŹŎ òăęĤŅ ŹĠă ĠăØŹĤŅę ŨŬŎõăŰŰ̖ §Ġă ăŬŎƲŎƕ õŎłăŰ ƕĤŹĠ Ø ˤˡ ƛăØŬ ęƀØŬØŅŹăă̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜˥˨

RŅŰŹØƲŎƕ ĤŰ §ŬĤŹŎŅ ĠŎƕăŬŰ̵ ŬØŅęă Ŏė ĤŅŰŹØŅŹØŅăŎƀŰ ƕØŹăŬ ĠăØŹăŬŰ ėŎŬ ŹĠă ŬăĺĤØòĺă ŰƀŨŨĺƛ Ŏė ĠŎŹ ƕØŹăŬ ŎŅ ûăłØŅû̖ §Ġă ƀŅĤŹŰ ØŬă ŰƀĤŹØòĺă ėŎŬ õŎłłăŬõĤØĺ ØŨŨĺĤõØŹĤŎŅŰ̐ ėŬŎł ƕŎŬķŰĠŎŨŰ ØŅû ęØŬØęăŰ ŹŎ òăØƀŹĤõĤØŅŰ ØŅû ƲŎŬĤŰŹŰ̐ ƕĠăŬă ŹĠăŬă łØƛ ŅŎŹ òă ĠŎŹ ƕØŹăŬ ØƔØĤĺØòĺă̐ òƀŹ ŹĠă ØòĤĺĤŹƛ ŹŎ õĺăØŅ ĠØŅûŰ ĤŰ Ø õŬƀõĤØĺ ŨØŬŹ Ŏė ŹĠă ĴŎò̖ §Ġă ĠăØŹăŬŰ ØŬă ØƔØĤĺØòĺă ĤŅ Ø ŬØŅęă Ŏė ŎƀŹŨƀŹŰ ̦˦̖˥̐ ˨̖˨ ØŅû ˢˡ̖ˢķÃ̧ ûăŨăŅûĤŅę ŎŅ ƕĠăŹĠăŬ ŹĠă ĠŎŹ ƕØŹăŬ ŬăūƀĤŬăû ĤŰ ėŎŬ Ø ŰĤŅęĺă ĠØŅû òØŰĤŅ ŎŬ ķĤŹõĠăŅ ŹØŨ̐ ŎŬ ŹƕŎ ŎƀŹĺăŹŰ̖ DŎŬ ăõŎŅŎłĤõØĺ ûăĺĤƔăŬƛ̐ ŹĠă ƕØŹăŬ ĠăØŹăŬŰ ŎŅĺƛ ŨŎƕăŬ ƀŨ ƕĠăŅ ŹĠă ƕØŹăŬ ŰŹØŬŹŰ ŹŎ ƲŎƕ̐ łăØŅĤŅę ŅŎ ŨŎƕăŬ ĤŰ ƕØŰŹăû ƕĠăŅ ŹĠă ƀŅĤŹŰ ØŬă ĤŅ ŰŹØŅûòƛ ŎŨăŬØŹĤŎŅ̖ §Ġă ˦̖˥ķÃ łŎûăĺ ĤŰ ŰƀĤŹØòĺă ėŎŬ ƀŅûăŬ-ŰĤŅķ ĤŅŰŹØĺĺØŹĤŎŅŰ̐ ƕĠĤĺă ŹĠă ˨̖˨ ØŅû ˢˡ̖ˢķÃ ŎƀŹŨƀŹ ƔăŬŰĤŎŅŰ ØŬă łƀĺŹĤŨŎĤŅŹ ĤŅŰŹØŅŹØŅăŎƀŰ ƕØŹăŬ ĠăØŹăŬŰ ƕĠĤõĠ õØŅ òă ƀŰăû ėŎŬ ăĤŹĠăŬ ŰĤŅęĺă ŎŬ łƀĺŹĤŨĺă ŎƀŹĺăŹŰ̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜˥˪

NăØŹ ØŅû ŨŬŎŹăõŹĤŎŅ ėŎŬ ŹĤĺăŰ 'ăŰĤęŅăû ŹŎ ŨŬŎƔĤûă ŬØûĤØŅŹ ƕØŬłŹĠ ØŅû ăŅĠØŅõăû ŨŬŎŹăõŹĤŎŅ ėŎŬ ŹĤĺăû ƲŎŎŬ ƱŅĤŰĠăŰ̐ ÃØŬłƀŨ̵Ű DCM- { NăØŹăû 'ăõŎƀŨĺĤŅę ƛŰŹăł ėăØŹƀŬăŰ Ø Űăĺė-ØûĠăŰĤƔă òØõķăû ûăõŎƀŨĺĤŅę łăłòŬØŅă ŹĠØŹ ăƚŨØŅûŰ ØŅû õŎŅŹŬØõŹŰ ƕĤŹĠ ŰƀòƲŎŎŬ ŰŹŬƀõŹƀŬØĺ łŎƔăłăŅŹŰ õØƀŰăû òƛ ŰăØŰŎŅØĺ ŹăłŨăŬØŹƀŬă õĠØŅęăŰ̖ §ĠĤŰ ĠăĺŨŰ ŹŎ ŨŬăƔăŅŹ ŰŹŎŅă ØŅû õăŬØłĤõ ƲŎŎŬ ŹĤĺăŰ ėŬŎł õŬØõķĤŅę̖ §Ġă Űăĺė-ØûĠăŰĤƔă òØõķĤŅę łăØŅŰ ŹĠă łăłòŬØŅă õØŅ òă ØûĠăŬăû ŹŎ ŹĠă ŰƀòƲŎŎŬ ĤŅ Ø łØŹŹăŬ Ŏė łĤŅƀŹăŰ̐

ØŅû ĤŹŰ ăĺăõŹŬĤõ ĠăØŹĤŅę õØòĺă ĤŰ ŰăõƀŬăĺƛ Ġăĺû ĤŅ ŨĺØõă òƛ ƕĤŅûĤŅę ĤŹ ØŬŎƀŅû ŹĠă łăłòŬØŅă̵Ű õØŰŹăĺĺØŹĤŎŅŰ ĤŅ Ø ĺØƛŎƀŹ łŎŰŹ ØŨŨŬŎŨŬĤØŹă ėŎŬ ŹĠă ŬŎŎł̖ §Ġă õØŰŹăĺĺØŹĤŎŅ ûăŰĤęŅ ØĺŰŎ łăØŅŰ ĺăŰŰ ØûĠăŰĤƔă ŎŬ Űăĺė-ĺăƔăĺĺĤŅę õŎłŨŎƀŅû ĤŰ ŬăūƀĤŬăû̖ §Ġă '!n- { ƛŰŹăł õŎłăŰ ƕĤŹĠ Ø ĺĤėăŹĤłă ĺĤłĤŹăû ƕØŬŬØŅŹƛ ØŅû ĤŰ õŎƔăŬăû òƛ ŹĠă õŎłŨØŅƛ̵Ű ØėăŹƛqăŹ ĤŅŰŹØĺĺØŹĤŎŅ ęƀØŬØŅŹăă̐ ƕĠĤõĠ ŨŬŎŹăõŹŰ ØęØĤŅŰŹ ØõõĤûăŅŹØĺ ûØłØęă ûƀŬĤŅę ĤŅŰŹØĺĺØŹĤŎŅ̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk̜ˢˡˢ˪̜˥˩

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Electric Heating  High-rise buildings are suited to electric heating, and more and more are being built across the UK

electrical boiler installation. nother useful tip for installers, which applies across all wet central heating systems, be they gas or electric, is to ush the system. This is because water that is already in the system could contaminate the replacement heating appliance, affecting performance and potentially causing damage. To future-proof a newly installed heating system, it is also recommended that engineers add an inhibitor to guard against future corrosion.

Regular servicing

Business is looking up for installers s our cities continue to sprawl upwards into the sky, the increasing number of high rise residential buildings is expected to create an upturn in demand for electric boilers. lan larke from eatrae Sadia discusses this trend and outlines some of the key considerations to ensure a successful electric boiler installation.

he advantage of electric heating over gas is that there are fewer restrictions, with no ueing, condensate, or plumbing issues to consider. In locations where space is tight, such as highrise residential buildings, the benefits of an electrical heating system become apparent. In London alone over 500 buildings of over 20 storeys are either planned or already under construction. Similar trends are occurring in cities across the UK, which suggests that plumbing and heating engineers will be asked to work with electrical heating systems. As with any installation, it is critical that an assessment is made of the surroundings. This includes establishing what the water demands are likely to be within a household, as consumption habits have a big impact on the type of heating system required.

Building Regulations

Usually, electric boilers are heat-only, which means that a separate hot water tank is required to go alongside it. lthough there are some electric boilers which can provide both wet central heating and a hot water supply, such as eatrae Sadia’s lectromax, it is important for heating

PHAM_1019_52(CHT).indd 1

Alan Clarke

Technical support manager

CUT TO THE CHASE  Most electric boilers are heatonly, which means a hot water tank will be needed  The Electromax is capable of providing both wet central heating and hot water supply  Because of their high power use, electric boilers require their own dedicated circuit  Flushing is important for all wet central heating systems  Even electric heating systems ill beneﬁt rom an annual service to ensure everything is working correctly

engineers to match the system to the circumstances of the installation. It is also crucial that the relevant Building egulations are considered in order to ensure that appliances are compliant. This involves research on where the heating system will be installed, but also checking for a third-party electrical assessment label on the boiler itself. This will help to provide assurances on construction, safety, quality, and performance of the product, and allow installers to provide the best possible solution to their customers.

Servicing is something that’s often overlooked, especially in electric heating systems. ompleting an installation does not signal the end of a heating engineer’s job, and an annual service to the homeowner’s property should be arranged to ensure that everything is working correctly. Whilst not mandatory, servicing electrical boilers is just as important as

 Amptec electric flow boiler provides hot water to a wet central heating system

gas systems to make sure that appliances continue to be safe and efficient. Servicing involves checking the safety valves, the ancillary components and the wiring, with special attention paid to any kind of discolouration. That’s because this can be a sign of a faulty connection or an incorrectly-si ed cable. The likely increase in demand for electrical heating systems should be viewed as an opportunity for installers to increase their customer base. It is a chance to upskill, but it is vital that the necessary safety measures are observed to prevent inefficient systems or danger to life.

Train for the future

ne of the best ways for installers to equip themselves for the likely increase in electrical boiler demand is to engage with manufacturer training courses, many of which are specifically geared towards electric heating systems. or example, the system wiring and controls’ course, offered at Baxi training centres, is designed to give a greater understanding of central heating control systems, specifically the installation practice and fault diagnosis for S and plan systems. By engaging with manufacturers on courses such as these, installers can ensure they are prepared for any electrical boiler work that may be required of them. ◼ phamnews.co.uk 1019 0

No faults allowed

With any electrical work, but especially in older buildings, it is absolutely vital to check that the conditioning of the wiring is up to current standards. The risk of faulty wiring, particularly in high-rise buildings which contain a high density of people, is devastating, and the onus is on heating engineers to contribute positively to electrical safety. Because of their high power usage, electric boilers require their own dedicated circuit, which means the ratings of switches must be considered and adjusted to ensure a safe installation. ompleting these checks is a critical part of an

The Electromax is a combination of an electric flow boiler with a hot water storage cylinder and a pre-plumbed, factory fitted circulating pump

02/10/2019 16:17

PHAM NEWS OCT19:Layout 1 02/10/2019 17:31 Page 53

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Electric Heating

Water heating with extra òăŅăƱŹŰ

The new Proˢ Eco range of electric storage water heaters from Ariston is available in ˦ˡ̐ ˩ˡ, and ˢˡˡ ĺĤŹŬă õØŨØõĤŹĤăŰ̐ ŎƫăŬĤŅę a display that allows for easy operation, with simple temperature setting and control for advanced performance. The products are suitable for use throughout a variety of light commercial and domestic applications, including large kitchens, public washrooms and healthcare environments. The range features Ariston’s specialist WaterPlus technology, which keeps any incoming cold water at the bottom of the tank, ensuring it does not immediately mix with the stored hot water. This results in up to ˢ˧% more hot water being available. §Ġăƛ ØĺŰŎ òăŅăƱŹ ėŬŎł ŬĤŰŹŎŅ̵Ű ̳1!{ 1Â{̵ ėƀŅõŹĤŎŅ ̩ ØŅ ăĺăõŹŬŎŅĤõ õŎŅŹŬŎĺ ƕĤŹĠ automatic learning software that enables users to achieve energy savings of up to ˢ˥͹̖ §Ġă Ņăƕ ŨŬŎûƀõŹŰ ØõĠĤăƔă ØŅ 1Ŭ ̳ ̵ rating across the range. A monthly anti-legionella function

automatically increases the water temperature to ˧˦°C. This ensures the product is suitable for use in applications such as hospitals and schools. Another key feature is Ariston’s Titanshield technology for optimal tank protection. The inner surface of the tank is enamelled with a layer of titanium, an anti-corrosion and rust-resistant material, which prevents the surface from corroding. There is also a large magnesium anode that stops the oxidation reactions on the tank’s inner surface. The Proˢ 1õŎ ØĺŰŎ òăŅăƱŹŰ ėŬŎł ØŅ òŰŎĺƀŹă ØėăŹƛ ƛŰŹăł̐ ĤŅõĺƀûĤŅę ̳ØŅŹĤŎƔăŬĠăØŹĤŅę̵̐ ̳ØŅŹĤ-ėŬăăƤĤŅę̵ ØŅû ̳ûŬƛ heating self-diagnosis’ functions, which protect the unit in case of energy or water failures. This is in addition to precise electronic thermostatic control, as well ØŰ ŹĠă ̳§-MAX’ function that provides a temperature boost in the event of additional hot water being required. Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜˦ˢ

Modern look black glass panel New to the line-up from Hyco is a black glass panel heater, a modern take on the classic panel heater. The Ariano is fully Ecodesign compliant, available in ˢ and ˣkW versions, and is suitable for a wide range of installations either in the home ŎŬ ŹĠă ŎƬõă̐ ęĤƔĤŅę Ø õŎŅŹăłŨŎŬØŬƛ ĺŎŎķ ƕĤŹĠŎƀŹ õŎłŨŬŎłĤŰĤŅę ŎŅ ăƬõĤăŅõƛ̖ §Ġă ŬĤØŅŎ ėăØŹƀŬăŰ Ø ŰĺĤłĺĤŅă ŨŬŎƱĺă̐ (depth only ˢˡ˦mm) and curved corners for a modern, sleek design aesthetic. For increased safety and reliability, the panel heater features a child lock and tempered safety glass used for the front panel,

contributing to strength and durability. The new model is said to have several features geared to improve product performance, a ˣ˥̜ ˨ LCD electronic timer, full or half power setting, and open window detection to ensure minimum waste. This range can be operated by remote control or an easy-to-use control panel located on the side of the unit. In common with the company’s current range of panel heaters, the new Ariano has an IP rating of IPˣ˥ and comes with a one-year parts or replacement warranty. Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜˦ˣ

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Merchant & Distributor News

Installers can rely on us for availability of appropriate stock and

Leisure Heating spares into 72 of its branches, making it the only national merchant to cater specifically to the leisure industry. In fact, lumbase has now increased its spares stock in branches significantly with further stock held at its main distribution centre for the convenience of next day, in-store delivery.

Stocking up on spares: service you can rely on As temperatures drop heading into the winter months, the likelihood of boiler breakdowns and call-outs increases. For professional heating engineers this means an even busier workload to contend with, so having quick and reliable access to spares becomes of paramount importance.

ational plumbers’ merchant Plumbase has pledged to ensure its core spares range is readily and easily available to all customers under its unique core stock guarantee. With convenience, stock availability, knowledgeable staff, and strong support at the heart of its values, Plumbase has increased its levels of stock throughout all its branches, so you can rest assured that you always have access to the product you need, without any fuss.

Brands you can trust

Over 200 of the fastest moving spares are always on the shelf, plus a further, much wider range of supplier-approved spares products are stocked in all Plumbase branches nationwide. This national stock level is comprised of manufacturerapproved profiles from wellknown brands such as Worcester,

PHAM_1019_054(T/CJT).indd 1

Viessmann, Vaillant and many others, including oil and commercial spares, to ensure all Plumbase branches hold the stock required for local customers to complete their jobs quickly. Plumbase considers stock levels on a branch-by-branch basis to ensure local demand is taken into account – it understands the importance of improved stock availability in local branches, for example, oil spares are held in branches near rural populations as more oil boilers are fitted in these locations. The national merchant has also now increased coverage of Viessmann spares by expanding their stock holding in every branch. This partnership gives even greater access to same-day

and next-day boiler and heating spares delivery. In addition to a higher number of Viessmann partnership branches, Plumbase has recently introduced Morco

The Plumbase 24-hour order line is always available for advice

Stock on demand

To further solidify its commitment to customer service, Plumbase has drop boxes in over 70 branches for delivery before 7am, making spares all the more accessible on an emergency basis. It also has a 24/7 order line for out-of-hours order placement, with expert spares staff on hand from early morning until late evening to take orders for delivery or branch pick-up on one easy number. Alternatively, orders can be placed on the user-friendly website throughout the day. Plumbase’s unique core stock guarantee means that if it doesn’t have a listed spare within its core range, it will be given to you for free, providing reliability and added reassurance. Plumbase has also invested in its back-up services to ensure required products not listed in its core stock range are delivered on a next-day basis and ready for collection immediately. ustomers can also benefit from  The Plumbase app makes it

an online parts-identification software, which can help you find even the most obscure item.

Parts on the go

A new, accessible app puts Plumbase in the installer’s pocket, providing you with instant access to clear product sections, exclusive web offers and technical support at the touch of a button. You can also manage your Plumbase account, and rather than making phone calls or visiting branches to locate boiler parts, you can use the ‘spares finder’ function on the job. The app is designed with efficiency in mind to have one go-to place for customers to access everything instantly.

Expert advice

Knowledgeable service is essential for getting products delivered quickly and forming those all-important customer

relationships. With expert spares staff in every branch alongside a continuously replenished stock list, lumbase offers complete peace of mind. Even if you are unable to pop in to your local branch, the 24-hour order line is always open for expert advice. idan gle, lumbase Spares Director, says: “As we go into the winter months, the need for heating and hot water will inevitably increase, and if these stop working customers will expect a quick resolution with as little disruption to their lives as possible. Local stock availability of spares is crucial to engineers being able to provide this quick and efficient customer service. t lumbase, we like to think that with our policy of holding as much stock as possible locally, backed by our unique core stock guarantee, installers can rely on us for availability of appropriate stock and efficient delivery. By offering the increased stock profiles across all branches, our customers can access their muchneeded spares locally and quickly. What’s more, our superb back-up service ensures quick delivery, no matter what spare part they need.”

right spares

branch, please visit the website: www.plumbase.co.uk

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PHAM NEWS OCT19:Layout 1 02/10/2019 17:36 Page 55

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Merchant & Distributor News 55 Conference raises money for Missing People charity

Streamlined process for improved service

The National Space Centre in Leicester staged the latest IPG conference for 225 suppliers, members and industry colleagues. The IPG is a membership group for independent plumbing, heating and bathroom specialists and has over ˣˡˡ locations nationwide. Speaking at the event were industry leaders, including Lee Wilcox, CEO of On The Tools, an online community. Lee gave a talk on the construction industry before sharing one of On The Tools’ funniest viral videos. Celebrity interior designer, Linda Barker, also delivered an insightful talk on upcoming trends in bathroom designs. Also speaking at the event was Kate McCann, mother of missing Madeleine, and Ross Miller from the Missing People charity, who were there to talk about #FindEveryChild and ŹŎ ŹĠØŅķ R F łăłòăŬŰ ėŎŬ ŹĠăĤŬ ėƀŅûŬØĤŰĤŅę ăƫŎŬŹŰ ŹĠĤŰ ƛăØŬ̖ There was a silent auction on the night, which helped to raise a further £˥˨ˡˣ for the charity.

ŬĤłØƲŎƕ DΈ ĠØŰ ŎŨăŅăû Ø Ņăƕ ˢˡˡ̐ˡˡˡft2 distribution centre in Birmingham. Replacing the wholesaler’s previous ˥ˡ̐ˡˡˡft2 ėØõĤĺĤŹƛ̐ ŹĠă Ņăƕ Ġƀò ĤŰ ăūƀĤŨŨăû ƕĤŹĠ ŹĠă ĺØŹăŰŹ technology, streamlining the ordering and delivery process for the wholesaler’s customer base. Consolidating together the Connections packaged ŨĺƀłòĤŅę ØŅû ŬĤłØƲŎƕ ŹăØłŰ̐ ŹĠă õăŅŹŬă ƕĤĺĺ ăłŨĺŎƛ Ø total of ˢˡˡ ŰŹØƫ ̩ ĤŅõĺƀûĤŅę Ņăƕ ĠĤŬăŰ ėŬŎł ŹĠă ĺŎõØĺ ØŬăØ̖ Additional capacity to hold stock ‘buy-ins’ is expected to improve stock range and availability to customers.

European tour to raise money for Mind

Coventry sponsorship The men’s and women’s team kit for Coventry United will sport the logo for Graham Plumbers’ Merchant this year as the merchant continues its sponsorship deal with the football club for the seventh season ŬƀŅŅĤŅę̖ ÃĤŹĠ ĤŹŰ ĠăØûūƀØŬŹăŬŰ ĤŅ !ŎƔăŅŹŬƛ̐ FŬØĠØł has lent its support to the organisation since the club was formed in ˣˡˢˤ. The Graham logo will also be used for home and away games as well as featuring on the pre- and post-match ĤŅŹăŬƔĤăƕ òŎØŬûŰ̖ §Ġă ƱŅØŅõĤØĺ ŰƀŨŨŎŬŹ Ŏė ĺŎõØĺ òƀŰĤŅăŰŰăŰ continues to be vital as the club looks to upgrade and improve its facilities at its Butts Park Arena home.

Pipeline and heating solutions distributor BSS Industrial has hosted another superhero themed Car Rally to raise money for Mind, the mental health charity. Staged in September and led by BSS managing director ŅęăĺØ ƀŰĠėŎŬŹĠ̐ ŹĠă õĠØŬĤŹƛ ăƔăŅŹ ŰØƕ ŰŹØƫ̐ ŰƀŨŨĺĤăŬŰ ØŅû customers travel ˣˡˡˡ miles across Europe and back for ƱƔă ûØƛŰ̖ §ĠŎŰă ŹØķĤŅę ŨØŬŹ ƕăŬă ŬăūƀĤŬăû ŹŎ ƀŰă Ø õØŬ ƕŎŬŹĠ £ˢ˦ˡˡ or less and to have a superhero theme to their design. Speaking of the event, Angela Rushforth comments: “Here at BSS we’re extremely passionate about supporting our chosen charity, Mind. We run a diverse programme of fundraising initiatives for the charity across our nationwide branches and in ˣˡˢ˩ we raised over £ˣ˦ˡ̐ˡˡˡ. §ĠĤŰ ƛăØŬ ŹĠă ėƀŅûŬØĤŰĤŅę ăƫŎŬŹŰ ĠØƔă õŎŅŹĤŅƀăû ØŹ ØŅ incredible pace - just last week a team of colleagues, suppliers and customers cycled from London to Paris and raised over £˧ˡˡˡ. The BSS Superhero Rally takes this to the next level. “Mental health needs to be taken seriously in the construction industry, and we are committed to working ƕĤŹĠ nĤŅû ŹŎ ĠăĺŨ ŬØĤŰă ĤŹŰ ŨŬŎƱĺă ØŅû ŰƀòŰăūƀăŅŹĺƛ its ability to provide information and advice for those individuals who need it.”

Distribution centre is centrally located A supplier of building services products, Brymec has increased its logistics capabilities with the opening of a new ûĤŰŹŬĤòƀŹĤŎŅ õăŅŹŬă ŅăØŬ ŹŎķă̐ ŹØƫŎŬûŰĠĤŬă̖ The new ˢ˧̐˦ˡˡft2 site, based close to the M6 in ŹØƫŎŬûŰĠĤŬă̐ ƕĤĺĺ ĤŅõŬăØŰă Ŭƛłăõ̵Ű ŰŹŎõķ ŰŹŎŬØęă õØŨØõĤŹƛ and ability to serve the north of England and the Midlands. Having this additional facility also means the supplier can ŎƫăŬ Ø ęŬăØŹăŬ õĠŎĤõă Ŏė ŨŬŎûƀõŹŰ ŎŅ ŅăƚŹ ûØƛ ûăĺĤƔăŬƛ service. Julie McLaren, head of customer experience at Brymec, says: “The site we have chosen near the M6 is centrally located for ease of access and will be backed up by our drivers and warehouse operatives.

“If orders are placed before ˦pm, they will be delivered to site the following working day, which is a crucial service for many of our customers and ensures we control and manage direct delivery to construction sites.”

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Tools & Workwear 57

The power to drive forward The power to get jobs done more efficiently means more profit and the opportunity to quickly move on to the next job. ick han from iK KI explains how professional, reliable, powerful tools can save installers time and money.

ot all power tools are the same and the best ones can improve a tradesperson’s profitability. It might be a larger initial outlay, but choosing the high performance, professional power tool over the cheaper, less powerful tool will undoubtedly save time and money. It’s an obvious point, but having the battery power to get through really tough jobs efficiently matters. Tools with iK KI’s Multi olt i ion battery, for instance, provide mains-like power, with all the freedom and convenience associated with cordless tools. Multi olt technology makes it possible to use 36 battery packs with 18 machines. Intelligent connecting technology makes it possible for the battery pack to detect whether it is being used

on an 18V or a 36V device and automatically adjusts the voltage. If we use the analogy of cars, both a 1-litre and 2-litre engine can do mph, but the 2-litre engine is using less of its capacity to get there, therefore increasing the fuel efficiency and engine life.

Cooling down Take, for example, the new 3606 cordless circular saw. In comparison to current 18V machines, the Multi olt version is up to 30% faster. The 36V tool requires half the amperage of an 18V tool to achieve the same power. ue to the lower amperage and an integrated cooling system, the battery pack heats up much more slowly. This has a positive effect on the battery’s capacity and working life the battery pack can deliver its full power over a longer period of time. This high performance Multi olt tool will

save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

Nick Chan

Marketing manager at HiKOKI

BRUSHLESS MOTOR TECHNOLOGY: WHAT DOES IT DO?  Gives the tool improved e ﬁcienc , increased sa et , overload protection and a longer life  ncreases or ing time b up to hen used on high volume drilling obs  nables a compact design or a reduction in the si e and eight of the tool for easier handling  t s especiall use ul in cordless grinders and hammer drills, as these tend to be or ed harder b users  Tools ith brushes mean the brushes ill have to be replaced, putting the tool out o action

 Multi Volt technology in HiKOKI’s cordless tools makes it possible to use 36V battery packs with 18V machines

PHAM_1019_57(CHT).indd 1

ook out for brushless motor technology on cordless and mains powered tools. These improve efficiency, increase safety and provide a longer life. This in turn drives costs down for users. There’s nothing more frustrating than a power tool failing mid-job simply because it needs to be charged. With the huge improvement in efficiency this is no longer a pressing consideration. brushless motor can increase working time by up to 40% when used on longer high volume drilling jobs. Brushless motors work particularly well in big cordless grinders and hammer drills because these tend to be overworked by users. Brushless motors increase work time in other areas too. heaper tools may use brushed motors where the carbon brushes are in constant contact with the commutator during use. This friction will mean that the brushes will need to be replaced as they wear out over time with use, putting the tool out of action for a while at least. nd due to the more compact design compared to brushed motors, incorporating the brushless motor permits a reduction in si e and weight of tools for easier handling so you can keep going for longer. More expensive tools should come with a warranty. or example, iK KI tools, for added peace of mind, are backed up with a three year warranty, subject to the tool being registered online within four weeks of purchase. With a warranty, your investment is protected and should the worst happen, it can be repaired and parts replaced. The cross platform exibility of the Multi olt battery means

Reactive Force Control stops the tool from torqueing violently under load, protecting the user

you can use the same battery on a variety of tools, reducing the number of batteries needed and makes for more efficient work ow. Multi olt offers more power and durability than ever before meaning their performance often matches that of their corded counterparts. These professional grade cordless tools have the added advantage that you can take a cordless tool anywhere, with no leads to trip on, and you don’t have to carry heavy transformers around either. This all makes for efficient working and time in the bank for more jobs to get done.

There is another important advantage of high performance power tools user safety. The best manufacturers build individual safety features into different types of tool, like our super safe nailers, drills, saws and breakers. Take iK KI’s eactive orce ontrol for instance this stops the tool torqueing violently under load, protecting the user, while vibration protection dampening is built into the tool to reduce the level of vibration transferred to the user. More generally, tools with brushless motors increase operator safety and overload protection. They don’t generate the same heat, as there are no carbon brushes and can’t be burnt out. They also offer better protection on kick-back control when operating. Some manufacturers such as iK KI also have power cut out technology, which keeps the operator safe too. lthough it can be tempting to go cheap, investing in a solid, professional power tool will repay you and the choice you make over and over again. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

02/10/2019 16:01

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Tools & Workwear

Workwear designed to take the curves nŎŰŹ ŹŬØûăŰŨăŎŨĺă ƕĤĺĺ ŰĠŎŨ ØŬŎƀŅû ŹŎ ƱŅû ƕŎŬķƕăØŬ ŹĠØŹ ĤŰ right for them, but women in particular can face extra challenges when looking for clothing in an area that primarily caters for men. Nicole Rimér, head of design and innovation, explains how Snickers Workwear has developed a line of workwear for women ŹĠØŹ ĤŰ ûăŰĤęŅăû ŰŨăõĤƱõØĺĺƛ ėŎŬ ŹĠă ėăłØĺă ėŎŬł̖

or over 40 years, Snickers Workwear has been leading the way in creating high quality clothes that are built to last and look good in work. It’s the modern working wardrobe for professional tradesmen and women. One of the big changes we’ve witnessed over the years is the increasing number of women in plumbing who have had to make do with workwear that’s not designed for them – clothes and PPE that are ill-ƱŹŹĤŅę̐ ĤłŨŬØõŹĤõØĺ ØŅû ƀŅƲØŹŹăŬĤŅę̖ Workwear for women can’t be a simple redesign of the templates used for men’s workwear. We are driven by continual research into user needs and experiences – and through dialogue with the tradeswomen who wear the clothes on site. Fabric performance and the technical design of the garments has been central to this research.

The result is a new ergonomically designed range of great-looking women’s garments – trousers, tops, jackets and accessories – that are unrivalled in their functionality ØŅû ŬăŰŨŎŅŰĤƔăŅăŰŰ ĤŅ ûĤƫăŬăŅŹ ƕăØŹĠăŬ conditions and working environments.

qŎŹØòĺă ûĤƫăŬăŅõă A woman’s body shape means that to have comfortable and protective garments you need ŹŎ ûăĺĤƔăŬ Ø ƱŹ ŹĠØŹ õŎŅėŎŬłŰ ŹŎ ŹĠă õƀŬƔăŰ Ŏė Ø woman’s anatomy. We keep a sharp focus on making women’s work clothes as comfortable and functional as possible. Part of this is understanding how women work on site and what tools they use. For instance, we carry out ‘wear tests’ in X High performance fabrics are used in the design of work trousers to ensure comfort and durability

A woman’s body shape means that to have comfortable and protective garments you need to ûăĺĤƔăŬ Ø ƱŹ ŹĠØŹ conforms to the curves of a woman’s anatomy T Snickers AllRoundWork stretch trousers are designed for wider hips and a narrower waist

a variety of workplaces. I also make sure ƕă ûŎ ŹĠăł ƕĤŹĠ ƕŎłăŅ ŹŎ õĠăõķ ƱŹ and comfort, especially for our female underwear. For instance, we don’t use any old cotton or polyester fabric to make panties or bras – we use the best possible technology fabrics that are breathable and deliver maximum comfort next to your skin when you’re working hard. The Snickers Workwear women’s range features advanced designs for a õŎŅŹăłŨŎŬØŬƛ ėăłØĺă ƱŹ ƕĤŹĠ ŎƀŹŰŹØŅûĤŅę freedom of movement. Every garment in ŹĠă ŬØŅęă ĤŰ õƀŹ ŰŨăõĤƱõØĺĺƛ ėŎŬ ƕŎłăŅ̖ Our advanced work trousers, for example, ėăØŹƀŬă Ø ĺŎƕ õƀŹ ƕØĤŰŹ ėŎŬ Ø ŨăŬėăõŹ ƱŹ̖ The women’s garments follow the same design principles of comfort, functionality ØŅû ƱŹ ØŰ ėŎŬ ŎƀŬ łăŅ̵Ű ƕŎŬķƕăØŬ̐ òƀŹ female ergonomics dictate that the garment designs have to be adjusted by ŰĠØŨă ØŅû õŎłėŎŬŹ ŹŎ ƱŹ Ø ƕŎłØŅ̵Ű òŎûƛ̖ Take our work trousers for example. Designed for women – without compromising on functionality – they feature a low waist cut, Twisted Leg design and Snickers Gusset in the crotch for a łŎûăŬŅ ėăłØĺă ƱŹ ØŅû łØƚĤłƀł ėŬăăûŎł of movement courtesy of our new four-way stretch fabric. As any plumber knows, working on your knees takes its toll. That’s why our work trousers and kneepads with the patented KneeGuard positioning system ęĤƔă ƛŎƀ ŹĠă łŎŰŹ ØûƔØŅõăû̐ õăŬŹĤƱăû ķŅăă protection available – in the right place whatever your kneeling position. So you can protect yourself today – and save your knees for tomorrow. ®ĺŹĤłØŹăĺƛ̐ ŹĠă ăƫăõŹĤƔăŅăŰŰ Ŏė our women’s workwear range is ØòŎƀŹ õŎłėŎŬŹ̐ ėƀŅõŹĤŎŅØĺĤŹƛ ØŅû ƱŹ̐ ergonomically designed for maximum ăƫăõŹĤƔăŅăŰŰ ØŅû ƕăĺĺòăĤŅę ŎŅ ŰĤŹă̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk̜ˢˡˢ˪̜˦˥

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A system that gets plumbers o to aﬁ lumber and inventor Ty arnett has come up with lfie a new system which promises to deliver a faster and more reliable way to secure fixed shower heads, wall mounted taps, bar shower valves, toilets and hand basins so what’s it all about

ost plumbers are familiar with fast fix kits or offset adaptors to mount either wall mounted taps or bar shower valves, but are these current techniques really a fast fix solution ere are some of the problems that frequently occur and how they might be improved.

Problem 1:

ere we see a typical fast fix kit arrangement where a plurality of holes are drilled around the protruding mm pipes. eramic

tiles, as shown, can easily crack whilst compressing the back plates to the wall, potentially resulting in loss of earnings to replace and make good. There have been cases when tightening the compression joint onto the back plate and turning slightly puts stress on the drilled holes and cracks. Whilst drilling these fixing holes may not be challenging for ceramic tiles, it’s not so the case when faced with laborious hard porcelain, marble or granite tiles. Specialist tile drill bits can even break, meaning time off site, longer job completion and

incurring more cost if quoting the client a set price. It has also been known that water can track back down the copper pipes within the wall from a leaking compression joint within the fast fix kit. ointing compounds commonly used to prevent mechanical joints from leaking should not be used immediately upstream of thermostatic wall mounted valves or taps, as jointing debris can affect the internal components.

Problem :

ere we see a typical arrangement where offset adaptors have been installed and more often than not, the hole within the tile is far too excessive, likely to promote water ingress behind the wall structure,

Problem 1

Case study Water was tracking back down the copper pipes from fast fix kits, where the plumbing had been exposed to high standing pressures. It took the customer 12 months or more to finally trace the cause which many plumbers prior to my attending could not diagnose the reasoning to severe water staining on the ceiling. The timber stud walls were saturated and the plasterboard beyond repair, making tiles loose due to moisture penetration and even the chipboard oor needed replacing beneath the shower tray. fast fix kit costing 15 resulted in the homeowner claiming on her insurance

PHAM_1019_60(CJ).indd 1

as the remedial work went into thousands to put right. The design of the chrome shrouds to hide the back plates means that they don’t seal very well against irregular tiled walls, resulting in water ingress that

penetrates behind shrouds. This causes the fixing screws to corrode, stagnant water to set in and form bacteria, staining grout and weakening fixings. The picture shows the bacteria deposits from behind the shrouds, and further investigation revealed that most of the fixings were rusted due to water ingress. s well as water ingress through the rear of the shrouds, water can penetrate between the annular gap of the chrome adaptors part of the fast fix kit and the loose fitting shrouds. lear silicone might be considered to be a solution to this problem. owever, this is only a temporary solution, especially when the fast kits are not very secure to begin with.

Problem

causing irreparable and costly damage in the future. It is evident from the image that the pipes may have been knocked at first fix stage or poorly installed to begin with. In either case, the offset adaptors need to be turned to ensure the wall mounted tap or bar shower valve is level, resulting in a very poor seal on the tiles. Because chrome shrouds are used, as with fast fix kits, it poses the same problems of water ingress. ffset adaptors also require depth planning’ of in fittings behind the wall, typically 15mm x in female iron adaptors. owever, to set the correct depths not protruding past the finished wall or recessed too far , a plumber is left second guessing. By way of example, a solid block wall with dot and dab tile adhesive and tiles may project from the block wall in the region of 2540mm. Taking into account the supplied in thread length on the offset adaptor is approx. 20mm, it leaves very little exibility. urthermore, on high pressure water systems, adequate thread engagement is crucial because these threads are parallel, not tapered.

lfie, named after Ty’s son, provides installers with a more robust and reliable solution. The W S approved all-in-one fixing system avoids the need for drilling tiles and features an interlocking corrosion protected base plate

which can be adapted to suit a variety of applications. uick and easy to use, the system prevents pipes from being knocked or drilled and helps to eliminate any risk of water leaking within walls and oors. reversible manifold means it can be used for both solid and stud walls and there is no need for the use of offset adaptors. I came up with the idea because of the frustrations that installers face with pipes being moved, having to second-guess depth planning and having to drill through tough and expensive tiles,” explains Ty. lfie is a exible solution that can be mounted in a variety of orientations to accommodate a variety of brass fixtures and fittings. The interlinking base plates can be used on their own or as part of a modular solution, depending on the application, and help to ensure a secure and problem-free finish.”

specialist bathroom and wetroom installer for many years, Ty arnet is now technical director of oolag td and is focused on developing plumbing related products which address the needs of installers. sk your nearest plumbing suppler to contact oolag at sales coolag.co.uk or call technical enquiries on 07846 897458. or more information about lfie, please use the link below ◼ 1019

03/10/2019 14:01

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Tools & Workwear 61 W Many modern cordless power tools can offer the same performance as mains powered equivalents

Ŏƫ ØŅû ŹĠă ØŨŨĺĤõØŹĤŎŅ ĤŹ ƕØŰ ƀŰăû ėŎŬ ŰĠŎƀĺû òă re-assessed. Thermal protection – This prevents the tool and/or battery from overheating during use – an issue which can cause damage to both machine and battery. When this occurs, the machine will ŹƀŬŅ Ŏƫ ØƀŹŎłØŹĤõØĺĺƛ ØŅû ŹĠă òØŹŹăŬƛ ĤŅûĤõØŹŎŬ will blink for about ˧ˡ seconds. In this situation, allow the battery to cool down before using again. Over-discharge protection – When the battery capacity becomes low the tool will stop automatically before the battery is overdischarged, as this can potentially damage battery cells. If the product does not operate in this situation, operators should remove the battery and recharge it.

Power tool preservation Innovations in cordless tool technology have now put these tools on a par with their corded brethren. Here, Tony Coleman from Makita looks at the latest advancements that Ŏƫ ăŬ ĤŅŰŹØĺĺăŬŰ ęŬăØŹăŬ ăƬ õĤăŅõƛ ØŅû ĺŎŅęăƔĤŹƛ̖

ny tradesperson will know that tools can be a hefty investment for their business, and that longer run times and extended life cycles are crucial to ensuring the investment is

LITHIUM-ION BATTERY BENEFITS z They are lighter than the older NiCad versions, which makes the tool lighter as well

worthwhile. Recent technological innovations have helped ensure power tools will last longer with minimal maintenance. Brushless motors are just one of these innovations. These compact motors are powered by a magnetic rotor, completely eliminating the need for brushes used in traditional iterations. This means friction ØŅû ĠăØŹ ęăŅăŬØŹĤŎŅ ØŬă ŰĤęŅĤƱ õØŅŹĺƛ Ŭăûƀõăû̐ resulting in less wear and load on the motor.

Endurance runner Brushless technology makes for a motor that achieves much longer run times (averaging between ˤˡ% to ˦ˡ% depending on the machine) and a longer functional lifespan. As no brushes need to be replaced, this also reduces maintenance õŎŰŹŰ̖ Ű ØŅ Øûûăû òăŅăƱ Ź̐ òŬƀŰĠĺăŰŰ łŎŹŎŬŰ ØŬă smaller than traditional motors, allowing the tools to be more compact and lightweight. Many new cordless products are now able to compete with corded AC power tools. There has been a shift in the market due to improved battery performance, intelligent charging systems and brushless motor technology, as more cordless power tools now take on many of their mains powered equivalent products. While cordless alone doesn’t necessarily mean ŹŎŎĺŰ ĺØŰŹ ĺŎŅęăŬ̐ õŎŬûĺăŰŰ ŹŎŎĺŰ ŹĠØŹ òăŅăƱ Ź ėŬŎł òŬƀŰĠĺăŰŰ łŎŹŎŬŰ ƕĤĺĺ òăŅăƱ Ź ėŬŎł ĠĤęĠăŬ performance – and this can increase further still with the correct battery technology.

Better batteries Lithium-ion batteries are the ideal choice - ˥ˡ% lighter than the older NiCad technology batteries, helping to reduce the weight of the battery and therefore the tool itself. Manufacturers such as Makita have created lithium-ion battery technology that ensures longevity. The tools are equipped with a tool/ battery protection system, which automatically õƀŹŰ Ŏƫ ŨŎƕăŬ ŹŎ ŹĠă łŎŹŎŬ ĤŅ õăŬŹØĤŅ õŎŅûĤŹĤŎŅŰ to extend tool and battery life. These conditions are: Overload protection – When the tool is operated in a manner that causes it to draw an abnormally high current, the tool automatically stops. In this situation, the tool should be turned

z They allow for longer run times and less time spent on charge z They do not naturally drain, so no energy is wasted

Tony Coleman

Technical manager at Makita

z Makita’s Li-ion tools have a battery protection system that cuts off the power in certain conditions to extend tool and battery life

Quicker charge up times Lithium-ĤŎŅ òØŹŹăŬĤăŰ ØĺŰŎ ØĺĺŎƕ ėŎŬ ŰĤęŅĤƱ õØŅŹĺƛ longer run times and less time spent on charge. This is because they do not naturally drain, meaning energy is not wasted. In addition, Makita eÈ§ ŨŬŎûƀõŹŰ Ŏƫ ăŬ ĤŅûƀŰŹŬƛ ĺăØûĤŅę ŰĠŎŬŹ õĠØŬęă times for batteries, provided they are properly maintained, such as being able to fully charge a ˤAh battery in as little as ˣˣ minutes. To further aid installers, we have developed our ˢ8V LXT batteries with a one-Ʊ ŹŰ-all approach. §ĠĤŰ łăØŅŰ ƕĠăŅ ŹĠă ƀŰăŬ ĤŰ Ʊ ŅĤŰĠăû ƕĤŹĠ ŎŅă tool, they can unclip the battery and simply attach it to another. This reduces the cost and saves time on site as the user can simply swap batteries with any of the ˣˡˡ+ products within the ˢ8V LXT range. Any tradesperson will know that investment in tools is an investment in their business. By purchasing tools that contain brushless motors and innovative battery technology, installers can be reassured that the investment is worthwhile with extended run times and optimum life cycles. One additional consideration is to ensure that you are using genuine Makita batteries when adding to your kit. There are many counterfeit batteries available in the market, but safety must be prioritised over cost. Ά phamnews.co.uk̜ˢˡˢ˪̜˦˧

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§ŎŎĺŰ Έ ÃŎŬķƕăØŬ also protecting you from the elements. For example, our High Visibility Two Tone Parka Jacket is ideal for keeping dry in wet weather conditions.

Prepared for winter As temperatures start to drop, it’s important to stay warm and comfortable, whether you’re working indoors or out. James Whitaker, marketing director at Dickies, shares his top tips on choosing the best workwear this winter.

s the days get shorter and the temperature lowers, making sure you’re wearing the right kit for the job is vital. Choosing clothing and footwear that protects you from the elements leaves you free to focus on the task in hand. Here’s some advice on what you need to think about before buying your next item of winter workwear:

ŹØƛ Ʋ ăƚĤòĺă ÃĤŹĠ Ʋ ăƚĤòĤĺĤŹƛ Ø ķăƛ ėØõŹŎŬ ėŎŬ plumbers typically needing to bend and kneel throughout the day, it’s important not to compromise on this at any time of year. Go for trouser styles that are both durable and comfortable, supporting you whether you’re standing, kneeling or crouching. We’re launching a number of new items for the winter ˣˡˢ˪̜ˣˡ season which incorporate new fabric

ûăŰĤęŅăû ŹŎ ĤłŨŬŎƔă ŹĠă Ʋ ăƚĤòĤĺĤŹƛ and comfort of our clothing. The FLEX Workwear clothing line includes three new trouser styles, each of which feature our FLEX Fabric, designed for enhanced mobility and all-day comfort.

§ĤŨŰ ėŎŬ ŹŎŨŰ From t-shirts to polo shirts to sweatshirts and hoodies, there’s a top for every workwear need – and season. Trapping body heat by adding a thin thermal layer under your clothes is a tried and tested way to keep warm in cold conditions. For plumbers who often spend their days working in both indoor and outdoor environments, look for options such as the Dickies Atwood as a starting point – this forms part of our thermal baselayer range, but the iconic Dickies logo and contrasting seam stitching make it a stylish option

ăŰŹ ėŎŎŹ ėŎŬƕØŬû Waterproof boots and shoes naturally come into their own at this time of year and the variety of footwear available today should ØĺĺŎƕ ƛŎƀ ŹŎ Ʊ Ņû ŎŨŹĤŎŅŰ ŹĠØŹ meet your usual priorities – such ØŰ Ʋ ăƚĤòĤĺĤŹƛ ̩ ƕĠĤĺă ķăăŨĤŅę your feet dry. Look for both ƕØŹăŬŨŬŎŎƱ Ņę ØŅû òŬăØŹĠØòĤĺĤŹƛ for maximum comfort.

in its own right should you need to remove outer layers. Hoodies are always popular among tradespeople looking for a casual, comfortable choice and if they’re well-coordinated, they can help to cultivate a more ‘professional’ image. A number of workwear ranges include hoodies that are easy to match with other items, creating a relaxed, yet smarter look that works especially well for teams of tradespeople who want to wear the same ‘uniform’.

NăØûŰ ƀŨ

nĤûûĺă ęŬŎƀŅû Invest in a good mid layer that keeps the body’s core temperature stable while adding versatility ŹŎ ƛŎƀŬ ŎƀŹƱ Ź̖ Ʋ ăăõă ŎŬ ŨØûûăû òŎûƛƕØŬłăŬ ŰĠŎƀĺû Ʊ Ź comfortably under any outerwear ØŅû õØŅ òă ƕŎŬŅ ØŰ Ø Ʊ ŅØĺ ĺØƛăŬ on their own on milder days, or when working in colder indoor environments.

§Ġă ®ŅĤƔăŬŰØĺ De1È ŹŬŎƀŰăŬ

aØõķăŹ ŬăūƀĤŬăû If you’re likely to be working outdoors over the coming months, visibility is a priority and there are jackets available in a range of ŰŹƛĺăŰ ŹĠØŹ Ʊ Ź Øĺĺ ŰØėăŹƛ ŬăęƀĺØŹĤŎŅŰ relating to high visibility, while

Keeping your head warm can go a long way towards staying comfortable when working outdoors in the colder months. Our own range of headwear includes the Evadale Beanie from the ‘Hard Working Since 1922’ collection, which is made from soft knit that insulates and is available in Ʊ Ɣă õŎĺŎƀŬ-ways to match your individual taste. With the right workwear, you should be ready to do your job in whatever conditions nature might throw at you this winter. Ά ŨĠØłŅăƕŰ̖õŎ̖ƀķ̜ˢˡˢ˪̜˦˨

PHAM NEWS OCT19:Layout 1 03/10/2019 11:53 Page 63

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Tools & Workwear 63 Smaller, more power, great in tight spaces ŎŰõĠ ŬŎėăŰŰĤŎŅØĺ ĠØŰ òŎŎŰŹăû ŹĠă ŨŎƕăŬ Ŏė ĤŹŰ DĺăƚĤ!ĺĤõķ ˢˣÂ õŎŬûĺăŰŰ ûŬĤĺĺ ûŬĤƔăŬ ŰƛŰŹăł òƛ ØûûĤŅę Ø òŬƀŰĠĺăŰŰ łŎŹŎŬ̖ §Ġă ŬăŰƀĺŹĤŅę F ˢˣV-ˤ˦ D! ŬŎėăŰŰĤŎŅØĺ 'ŬĤĺĺ 'ŬĤƔăŬ ĤŰ ŰØĤû ŹŎ òă ėØŰŹăŬ̐ ŰŹŬŎŅęăŬ̐ łŎŬă ăƬõĤăŅŹ ØŅû ĺŎŅęăŬ-ĺØŰŹĤŅę̐ as well as maintenance-free. ÃĤŹĠ ĤŹŰ ƀŨęŬØûăû ŰŨăõĤƱõØŹĤŎŅ̐ ŰĠŎŬŹ ĺăŅęŹĠ̐ ĺŎƕ ƕăĤęĠŹ ØŅû ŬØŅęă Ŏė ØûØŨŹăŬŰ̐ ŹĠĤŰ ŹŎŎĺ ĤŰ ŰƀĤŹØòĺă ėŎŬ a variety of high-ŨŬăõĤŰĤŎŅ ŹØŰķŰ ̩ ăŰŨăõĤØĺĺƛ ĤŅ ŹĤęĠŹ ŰŨØõăŰ ØŅû ĠØŬû-to-reach situations. §ŎŨ ŰŨăăû ĠØŰ òăăŅ ĤŅõŬăØŰăû òƛ ˤ˦% to ˢ˨˦ˡŬŨł̐ ƕĠĤĺă łØƚĤłƀł ŹŎŬūƀă ĠØŰ òăăŅ ŬØĤŰăû ŹŎ Ø ŨŎƕăŬėƀĺ ˤ˦qł ėŎŬ ĠØŬû ŰõŬăƕûŬĤƔĤŅę ØŨŨĺĤõØŹĤŎŅŰ ØŅû ˣˡNm ėŎŬ ŰŎėŹ̖ RŅõŬăØŰĤŅę łØƚĤłƀł ûŬĤĺĺĤŅę ûĤØłăŹăŬ in wood to ˤˣłł ̦ƀŨ ˨ˡ͹̧ ØŅû łØƚĤłƀł ŰõŬăƕ ûĤØłăŹăŬ ŹŎ ˟łł ĠØŰ ØĺŰŎ ăƚŨØŅûăû ŹĠă ŹŎŎĺ̵Ű ĴŎò ŬØŅęă̖ §Ġă ĺăŅęŹĠ Ŏė ŹĠă ŹŎŎĺ ĠØŰ òăăŅ Ŭăûƀõăû òƛ ˢ˨łł õŎłŨØŬăû ŹŎ ŹĠă ŨŬăƔĤŎƀŰ łŎûăĺ̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜˧ˡ

§ĠŬăă Ņăƕ ŹŬŎƀŰăŬŰ ĠØƔă ĴŎĤŅăû ŹĠă line-ƀŨ ėŬŎł õŬƀƫŰ̐ ăƚŨØŅûĤŅę ŹĠă õŎłŨØŅƛ̵Ű ŹŬŎƀŰăŬ ŎƫăŬĤŅę ėŬŎł ėŎƀŬ ŹŎ ŰăƔăŅ ŨŬŎûƀõŹŰ̖ 1ØõĠ ĤŹăł ŎƫăŬŰ ĤŅõŬăØŰĤŅę ĺăƔăĺŰ Ŏė ŨăŬėŎŬłØŅõă ØŰ ƛŎƀ łŎƔă ƀŨƕØŬûŰ through the range. §Ġă §ŬØûă Dĺăƚ §ŬŎƀŰăŬ̐ ˤD §ŬØûă §ŬŎƀŰăŬ ØŅû ŬŎ Dĺăƚ ĺƀŰ §ŬŎƀŰăŬ Øĺĺ òăŅăƱŹ ėŬŎł !ŎŬûƀŬØ ŬăĤŅėŎŬõăłăŅŹ ķŅăă ŨŬŎŹăõŹĤŎŅ̖ nØûă ƀŰĤŅę ŰŹŬăŹõĠ ėØòŬĤõ̐ ŹĠăƛ õŎłă ĤŅ Ø ŰĺĤł ƱŹ ŎŨŹĤŎŅ ØŰ ƕăĺĺ ØŰ Ø regular trouser variety. The trouser designs also feature ŰăõƀŬă ĠŎĺŰŹăŬ̐ ķŅăă ŨØû ØŅû

Comfort stretch in any position Danish manufacturer Engel has launched the X-Treme ˥-Way Stretch work trousers. Designed to ØĺĺŎƕ ØŰ łƀõĠ ƲăƚĤòĤĺĤŹƛ ØŰ ŨŎŰŰĤòĺă ƕĠĤĺŰŹ ķŅăăĺĤŅę ŎŬ òăŅûĤŅę̐ ŹĠă ŰĺĤł-ƱŹ ŹŬŎƀŰăŬŰ ėăØŹƀŬă Ø ˥-way ŰŹŬăŹõĠ ̳òŬăØŹĠØòĺă̵ õŎŎĺĤŅę ėØòŬĤõ ƕĠĤõĠ ūƀĤõķĺƛ ØòŰŎŬòŰ ØŅû ûŬĤăŰ ĺĤęĠŹ ŨăŬŰŨĤŬØŹĤŎŅ̖ The knee-ŨØû ŨŎõķăŹŰ ØŬă ŬăĤŅėŎŬõăû ƕĤŹĠ ĠØŬû ƕăØŬĤŅę căƔĺØŬ §ăŬØłĤû ØŅû ĠØƔă ŹƕŎ ŎŨŹĤŎŅŰ ėŎŬ ŨØû ĠăĤęĠŹ ØûĴƀŰŹłăŅŹ̖ RŅ ØûûĤŹĤŎŅ ŹŎ ŹĠă łØŅƛ ŨŎõķăŹŰ ėŎŬ ķăăŨĤŅę ăŰŰăŅŹĤØĺ ŹŎŎĺŰ ØŅû ØõõăŰŰŎŬĤăŰ ĤłłăûĤØŹăĺƛ ŹŎ ĠØŅû̐ ŰŎłă Ŏė ƕĠĤõĠ ĠØƔă ăĤŹĠăŬ ÂăĺõŬŎ ŎŬ ƤĤŨ õĺŎŰƀŬăŰ̐ ŎŨŹĤŎŅØĺ ĠØŅęĤŅę ŹŎŎĺ ŨŎõķăŹŰ õØŅ òă ØŹŹØõĠăû ŹŎ ŹĠă ƕØĤŰŹ̖ §Ġă ŹŬŎƀŰăŬŰ ØĺŰŎ ĠØƔă ăƚŹŬØ ûăăŨ ĠăłŰ ŰŎ ŹĠØŹ ĺăŅęŹĠŰ õØŅ òă ĤŅõŬăØŰăû Ĥė ŬăūƀĤŬăû̖ Made from ˨ˤ͹ ŅƛĺŎŅ̐ ˢ˨% cotton and 10% ăĺØŰŹĤŅă̐ ŹĠă 1Ņęăĺ È-Treme ˥-Way Stretch ƕŎŬķ ŹŬŎƀŰăŬŰ ØŬă ØƔØĤĺØòĺă ĤŅ Ø ƔØŬĤăŹƛ

Knives that keep a cutting edge

Hultafors Tools has launched a range of long-lasting ̳ ŅØŨ-{ƫ̵ cŅĤƔăŰ ėŎŬ ŨŬŎėăŰŰĤŎŅØĺ ŹŬØûăŰŨăŎŨĺă̖ With ˢˤ ûĤƫăŬăŅŹ ķŅĤƔăŰ ØŅû ėŎƀŬ ŨŬăõĤŰĤŎŅ òĺØûăŰ̐ ŹĠăŰă ķŅĤƔăŰ ØŬă ûăŰĤęŅăû ØŅû òƀĤĺŹ ŹŎ ŰƀĤŹ Ø ƕĤûă ŬØŅęă Ŏė ĴŎòŰ ŎŅ ŰĤŹă̐ ėŬŎł õƀŹŹĤŅę òŎƚăŰ ŹŎ ŰĠØŨĤŅę ŨĺØŰŹăŬòŎØŬû ŹŎ ŨØĤŬĤŅę õØòĺăŰ̖ §Ġăƛ ØŬă ŰƛłłăŹŬĤõØĺĺƛ ûăŰĤęŅăû ŰŎ ŹĠØŹ ŹĠă òĺØûăŰ õØŅ òă ŹƀŬŅăû ŎƔăŬ̐ ØŅû ŹĠăƛ̵Ŭă ŰƀĤŹØòĺă ėŎŬ òŎŹĠ ĺăėŹ ØŅû ŬĤęĠŹ ĠØŅû ƀŰă ŰŎ ŹĠØŹ ĺăėŹ ĠØŅûăŬŰ õØŅ ØûØŨŹ ŹĠă knife to their own way of working. §Ġă òĺØûăŰ ØŬă ØƔØĤĺØòĺă ĤŅ ŹĠŬăă ƕĤûŹĠŰ Ŏė ˪̐ ˢ˩̐ ØŅû ˣ˦łł̐ ƕĤŹĠ ûĤƫăŬăŅŹ òĺăŅûŰ Ŏė ŰĠØŬŨŅăŰŰ ØŅû ĺŎŅę ĺĤėă òƀĤĺŹ ĤŅ ŹŎ ŰƀĤŹ ŬăęƀĺØŬ ĠØŬû ƕŎŬķ ŎŅ ŰĤŹă̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜˧˥

Tougher trousers will keep you comfortable

Ŏė õŎĺŎƀŬ õŎłòĤŅØŹĤŎŅŰ ØŅû ĤŅ Øĺĺ ŨŎŨƀĺØŬ ŰĤƤăŰ̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜˧ˣ

ŨĠŎŅă ŨŎõķăŹŰ ØŰ ƕăĺĺ ØŰ ŹŎŎĺ ØŅû ĠØłłăŬŰ ĺŎŎŨŰ̐ ŨŬŎƔĤûĤŅę ăØŰă of access and ensuring that each ŹŬŎƀŰăŬ ĤŰ ăūƀĤŨŨăû ėŎŬ Ø ƔØŬĤăŹƛ Ŏė ĴŎòŰ ØŅû ŬăūƀĤŬăłăŅŹŰ̖ §Ġă ăƚŹăŅûăû ŬØŅęă ŎƫăŬŰ Ø òŬŎØûăŬ ŬØŅęă Ŏė ŨŬĤõă ŨŎĤŅŹŰ - from £ˣ˥̖˪˦ for the Worker Trouser to £˧˥̖˪˦ ėŎŬ ŹĠă ŬŎ Dĺăƚ Plus Trouser. Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜˧ˢ

Water pump pliers with more grip With ˤˡ͹ łŎŬă ęŬĤŨ ØŅû ŅĤŅă ØûĴƀŰŹĤŅę ŨŎŰĤŹĤŎŅŰ̐ ŹĠă cŅĤŨăƚ ĺĺĤęØŹŎŬ ƕØŹăŬ ŨƀłŨ ŨĺĤăŬŰ ŅŎƕ ƱŹ łŎŬă õŎłėŎŬŹØòĺƛ ĤŅ ŹĠă ĠØŅû̐ ØŅû ĤŹŰ ŰĺĤłłăŬ ĠăØû ŰĠØŨă ØĺĺŎƕŰ òăŹŹăŬ ØõõăŰŰ ŹŎ ƕŎŬķŨĤăõăŰ ĤŅ õŎŅƱŅăû ØŬăØŰ̖ §Ġă ĺĺĤęØŹŎŬ ęŬĤŨŰ ĠăƚØęŎŅ ŅƀŹŰ ØŅû òŎĺŹĠăØûŰ ƕĤŹĠ ƕĤûŹĠŰ Ŏė ƀŨ ŹŎ ˥˧łł̖ §Ġă ăƚŨØŅûăû ęŬĤŨŨĤŅę ĠØŰ Ø õØŨØõĤŹƛ ƀŨ ŹŎ ˣĤŅ ŨĤŨăŰ̐ Øĺĺ ėŬŎł Ø tool that is ˣ˦ˡmm in length. §Ġă ŨĺĤăŬŰ ØŬă Űăĺė-locking on

ŨĤŨăŰ ØŅû ŅƀŹŰ̐ ƕĠĤõĠ łăØŅŰ ŹĠăŬă ĤŰ ŅŎ ŰĺĤŨŨĤŅę ŎŅ ŹĠă ƕŎŬķŨĤăõă̐ ØŅû ŎŅĺƛ ĺŎƕ ėŎŬõă ĤŰ ŬăūƀĤŬăû òƛ ĠØŅû̐ ƕĠĤĺă Ø ęƀØŬû ŨŬăƔăŅŹŰ ƱŅęăŬŰ ėŬŎł òăĤŅę ŨĤŅõĠăû̖ ŎòƀŰŹ ĤŅ õŎŅŰŹŬƀõŹĤŎŅ ØŅû ĤŅŰăŅŰĤŹĤƔă ŹŎ ûĤŬŹ̐ ŹĠă ĺĺĤęØŹŎŬ ŬØŅęă ĤŰ ŨØŬŹĤõƀĺØŬĺƛ ŰƀĤŹØòĺă ėŎŬ ŎƀŹûŎŎŬ ƕŎŬķ̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜˧ˤ

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Product Spotlight

Sounding the alarm for full spectrum coverage

 The X-series range of sealed CO, smoke and heat alarms can be connected wirelessly to form a full alarm system

of hazard most likely to arise in these areas of the home. In a kitchen environment, fast- aming fires are the most common. A staggering 59% of household fires are caused by cooking mishaps, many of which stem from unattended chip pans. These fast- aming fires, unlike slow-starting, produce an exceptional amount of heat and little smoke, which is why a heat alarm is a better solution than a smoke alarm. In terms of location, a heat alarm should be placed as close to the centre of the ceiling as possible while avoiding anything which could obstruct the alarm and prevent heat from entering the unit and triggering the alert.

While home safety awareness has increased in recent years, there’s still more to be done in educating the public, so it’s important to provide all the facts when advising customers on the best way to protect their household from fire and carbon monoxide. Adrian Keats from Honeywell’s Home Safety business explains the need-to-know information for carbon monoxide (CO), smoke and heat alarms.

ith Gas Safety Week still fresh in the minds of installers and homeowners, it’s the perfect time to speak to customers about home safety systems. Whilst the general public is largely aware of the importance of smoke, heat and CO alarms, there is certainly a long way to go in terms of highlighting the benefits offered by connected options. Heating engineers understand the critical need for these alarms. Many installers have witnessed serious gas leaks firsthand, not to mention dangerously outdated heat and smoke alarms. In fact, The Gas Emergency Service answers more than 1.6 million calls each year – which equates to one call every 20 seconds – from across the country. Therefore, it is vital that installers use their knowledge and expertise to educate customers and promote comprehensive home safety systems in order to gradually raise the national standard of domestic safety. With this in mind, we’ve put together a brief guide on when and where a heat, smoke and CO alarm should be fitted.

CO alarms At least 50 deaths a year occur from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. 4000 people go to A&E and a further 200 people are hospitalised from CO poisoning a year in England and Wales. And with almost 27 million people in the UK living without a carbon monoxide alarm in their home, installers are ideally placed to

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Adrian Keats

National account manager

BY NUMBERS

deaths per year due to accidental CO poisoning

% had inoperable smoke alarms

9% caused by cooking mishaps

1 m

number of calls per year to the Gas Emergency Service

Connectivity advise on gas safety practices. For full protection, a CO alarm should be placed in any room containing a fuel burning appliance – including gas boilers, cookers, coal fires, woodburners, etc, along with any bedrooms which may be located above these areas. Once you’ve assessed the property and determined how many alarms are necessary, it’s crucial to locate them appropriately. Detailed recommendations can be found in EN50292, a guide on selection, use and maintenance for residential carbon monoxide alarms, but ideally, the alarm should be positioned high up in the room, typically 30cm from the ceiling, and a metre away from boilers, fires, cookers or heaters. It can either be fixed to a wall or free-standing on a shelf, as long as the recommended siting requirements are met.

be an alarm within 1.5m of the entrance to all habitable rooms and any cupboards that pose a fire risk – especially those within the path of an escape route. The unit should also be as central as possible, whether this is in an entrance hall or a room. The alarm should also be at least 30cm away from any wall or light fitting to avoid obstruction.

Heat alarms A heat alarm is not designed to provide warning of the presence of smoke and so should not be used instead of a smoke alarm. Therefore, when selecting an alarm, installers must remember that they are required in areas such as kitchens based on the type

Smoke alarms While the percentage of households with a working smoke alarm has increased in recent years, the percentage of households who have never tested their smoke alarm has also increased. This has resulted in alarms not always functioning as intended. In fact, fires where a smoke alarm was present but either did not operate or did not raise the alarm accounted for 32% of all dwelling fires in 2017/18. It is therefore vital to ensure customers not only have an alarm system in place, but are testing it on a regular basis. According to the Fire Safety Advice Centre, for proper protection, there should

Honeywell’s Alarm Scan app works with the X-Series to make data available on a smartphone and to generate reports

The X-Series range of sealed CO, smoke and heat alarms from Homeywell can all be connected wirelessly using a plug-in module to form a full alarm system. ffering homeowners a system such as this is an even safer option, because if a fire starts in a garage, for example, and residents are sound asleep in bedrooms on the other side of the house, every alarm in the system will activate, ensuring the household is alerted to the danger regardless of the location of the triggered alarm.

Data extraction uality alarms should also offer a way for installers to extract data, allowing them to work out how many times the unit has activated, how long the battery has left and when it was last tested, among a range of other features. Our Alarm Scan app, for example, works with the X-Series alarm range to download data to a smart device, allowing installers to effortlessly generate reports and create a paper trail for residents, landlords or tenants. Thanks to campaigns such as Gas Safety Week, there is a notable increase in home safety awareness. However, compliance doesn’t equal safety, and the importance of proper siting is still not universally understood by homeowners. The key for any installer is to ensure you are aware of the best products available and understand their application, especially the advances in connected technology. In this way, you can provide customers with the most relevant advice and potentially help save lives. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

02/10/2019 15:38

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Product News 65

Water heaters will meet low emission targets To help contractors and end users meet air quality targets, Lochinvar has developed a low NOx emission version of its Charger direct gas fired commercial water heaters. The Charger fast recovery water heaters have been used in a wide range of commercial and industrial applications for more than 40 years. s a result, there is now a growing market for replacements. The new Charger low NOx range consists of three models, with storage capacities ranging from 294 to 328 litres and hot water recovery rates from 850 to 1600 litres/hour. x emissions are between 33mg/kWh and 45mg/ kWh, depending on model – well below the 56mg/kWh maximum stipulated by the latest ErP regulations. The largest model – at almost 90kW output – will deliver 1600 litres of hot water per hour at a temperature rise of 50 . ll three models are designed to replace any comparable atmospheric water heater and come with the option of low-level draught diverters to ease installation. Featuring an enamel-lined steel

storage vessel, the water heaters are able to operate at pressures of up to 8 bar. ach vessel includes sacrificial magnesium anodes to provide cathodic protection and the burner sits at the base of the unit. The use of ba ed ue ways improves heat transfer and provides fast hot water recovery. multifunctional control valve incorporates ame failure safety, operating thermostat and high limit thermostat. “Providing low NOx versions of some of our most popular water heaters is essential to give contractors and end users choice and exibility,” says sales director iam lmore. When it comes to replacing ageing units, we will always encourage users to switch to higher efficiency condensing water heaters, but often this will not be an option. Often the most convenient and cost-effective way to replace an old non-condensing water heater is with a similar product and, by offering low x versions, we can ensure customers also comply with ErP legislation and improve air quality.”

ONLINE For further information about any of the products featured on this page, simply enter phamnews. co.uk/1019/ followed by the relevant enquiry number.

New from Fernox is a Universal Test Kit that simplifies the diagnosis of the quality of central heating system water and helps installers to comply with BS 7593 2019, the industry code of practice for treating domestic heating and cooling water systems. The compact kit provides everything required to test for water turbidity, pH levels and water hardness as well as the presence of chemical water treatment. With the Protector Reagent supplied, installers can conduct further on-site analysis of the system water. This will demonstrate the levels of Fernox Protector corrosion inhibitor present in the system. Compact in size, the Universal Test Kit contains enough equipment to test at least 25 systems, with results provided in seconds. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

Lochinvar introduced a low NOx version of its Knight range last year. Both Knight and Charger low NOx water heaters are held in stock at the company’s Banbury facility, making delivery available to most areas of the UK within two working days. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

Shower toilet has some h dden eneﬁt

Circulator choice

The newest generation of the shower toilet from Duravit includes the SensoWash Starck f lus and the SensoWash Starck f ite. Both models can be conveniently operated via a remote control or can be configured via an app. The technology has undergone further development and has been reorganized – all is now housed within the ceramic body, creating a minimalist design. The at seat now has a height of just 40mm and the white cover located behind it forms a ush-mounted unit The SensoWash app enables individual configuration of the shower toilet, or it can be adjusted with the optional remote control. The ush function and odor extraction system can also be controlled via the remote or app if the wall-mounted element is combined with an 2 electronic actuator plate. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

NEW WAY TO ACCESS FURTHER INFORMATION

Product News 67 Tougher former with octagonal plate Hydraulic drainage system saves cost

Furniture gets the royal treatment

Inverter technology inside heat pumps

Hydraulic drainage system saves cost

New ball valve looks to the future

The Shower Waterproofing Kit from unlop has been specially designed to include everything required to waterproof a shower area, wetroom or walk-in shower area as required by new British Standards. Suitable for any internal intermittent area where continued exposure to water may cause damage, the kit fully waterproofs the background behind a tiled surface to prevent water penetration up to 1.5m high in a two-walled shower unit or 1m high in a three-walled shower unit. As a result, the kit prevents water saturating the whole area, reducing the risk of unsightly black mould forming, and also reducing the risk of more serious issues such as oor collapse and other surfaces vulnerable to corrosion. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

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new range of circulator pumps has been launched by Stuart Turner for heating, hot water and air conditioning applications. esigned to replace any 130 or 180 port to port model currently on the market, the ST 15/60 and ST 25/80 cast iron heating circulator models are designed to constantly circulate hot water within a closed loop system up to an m head. The ST 15/60 B bron e circulating pump operates up to m head. ll three models offer three constant speed modes (low, medium or high) and feature permanent magnet motor technology and ceramic bearings. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019 9

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Water rooﬁn system for showers

Universal test kit

ONLINE For further information about any of the products featured on this page, simply enter phamnews. co.uk/1019/ followed by the relevant enquiry number.

03/10/2019 10:43

03/10/2019 17:17

COMPETITION

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

WIN a Glow-worm Easicom boiler!

To mark the relaunch of the famous Glow-worm Mystery Trip we’re offering PHAM News readers the chance to win the company’s new Easicom boiler

We have six to win, with one boiler given away each month over the course of six issues. THE PRIZE The super light, super e ﬁcient, super value asicom boiler has been speciﬁcall designed ith the needs o the installer and their customers in mind The range eatures a lo maintenance automotive grade aluminium silicate heat exchanger, and a patented our sided cooling s stem to reduce the stress on the heat exchanger to deliver long term reliabilit or homeo ners Compatible with the existing flue range for easy replacement o older boilers, the boiler also comes ith a choice o bespo e accessories, including a large aesthetic pipe cover panel and universal up ard piping it ach boiler also o ers a pipe

la out to ma e boiler s aps uic and eas , and larger ater a s, ma ing it per ect or retrofit obs asicoms slee design eatures a bright and eas to read displa , and its uiet operation means minimal noise for homeowners. The range can also be used alongside a choice o controls, including lo orms limastat smart thermostat, which not only empowers homeo ners to e ficientl manage their heating and hot ater, but ill also meet Boiler lus regulations. The range is connected to lo orms lub Energy installer scheme which, when the Easicom installation is registered, ill initiate a five ear guarantee.

Product News Original way to add a little Kudos Building on the design of its Original Collection, Kudos has introduced the Original6 range of shower doors and enclosures. They feature 6mm toughened safety glass and have been increased in height to 1950mm, suiting them for installation on lower level shower trays or directly on to a wetroom oor. The collection, designed and manufactured in Cumbria, includes a range of pivot, straight and curved sliding doors and side panels to suit both recessed and corner installations. Enclosure sizes range from 760–1500mm in width and with various panel sizes. With a new slimline handle and hidden fittings that include quick release guides for easy cleaning, each enclosure also carries Lifeshield, a protective glass coating for easy cleaning. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019 0

Water controller With the launch of the Sense app, rohe offers intelligent control over its water management system and lets users monitor and control the system remotely. In case of an emergency, such as a leak or burst pipe in the home, a notification is sent to the user’s smartphone. When using the water controller Sense Guard, which is installed on the mains water pipe of the home, the water supply can be automatically turned off with just one tap of a button using the app. This not only ensures full control of water in the home, but it also offers the opportunity to adapt user patterns to use water more consciously. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019 1

HOW TO ENTER Ho Chi Minh City, commonly known as Saigon, ill be the destination o the lo orm ster Trip uests on the ﬁve da all expenses paid trip ill be treated to a sta at ﬁve star hotel, aravelle Saigon, sited right in the heart o the cit , ust minutes a a rom bustling street mar ets and iconic landmar s For a chance to win an Easicom boiler, all you have to do is answer the following question about the next Mystery Trip destination:

What shape is on the Vietnamese flag? A. Circle B. Star C mail our ans er to editor phamne sedit co u sure ou include the ollo ing

iamond

ith ‘Win an Easicom’ in the subject line. Please make

our name and our compan s name * Your contact telephone number our as Sa e registration number lease t pe S in the bod o our email i ou are happ to receive o ers rom lo ll correct ans ers received be ore the closing date o st ctober for this month. Only one entry per person will be allowed.

orm via email

ill be entered into the pri e dra

Ceylon

Sloan

Revive

Designer rads to revive a room

For more details about how you can earn a place on the Glow-worm Mystery Trip, please visit the website below:

www.glow-worm.co.uk

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The latest heating range from Hudson Reed now includes new designerinspired radiators, heated towel rails and accessories. The new Ceylon designer radiator is available in a high gloss black or white finish, suiting it for monochromatic schemes. If used in a bathroom, a chrome towel rail can be added. The contemporary Sloan range comes in

a single or double profile with soft, square edges. Available in anthracite or satin white finishes, this range also includes a model that incorporates a mirror. inally, the evive offers numerous designs to choose from. This range features both vertical and horizontal models with single or double panels in a range of colours. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

03/10/2019 10:44

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Product News 67 Tougher former with octagonal plate Hydraulic drainage system saves cost

Furniture gets the royal treatment

Inverter technology inside heat pumps

Hydraulic drainage system saves cost

PHAM_1019_67(T)_indd.indd 1

ONLINE For further information about any of the products featured on this page, simply enter phamnews. co.uk/1019/ followed by the relevant enquiry number.

03/10/2019 10:43

COMPETITION

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Product News Preventing foul air in high rise projects

Win a MagnaClean Professional3 Sense and chemical pack!

The new Studor active drainage ventilation system from Marley Plumbing & Drainage has been designed to offer customers greater choice when it comes to system ventilation design on high rise projects. The Studor PAPA (positive air pressure attenuator) and Studor air admittance valves (AAV) eliminate the need for roof penetrations and secondary venting. Active drainage ventilation helps to prevent positive or negative pressure in a drainage system that, if left, could lead to trap seal depletion and foul smells leaking into habitable rooms. PAPA has been developed to eliminate

This month we’re offering PHAM News readers the chance to WIN one of TWO prize bundles from magnetic ﬁltration pioneers A .

the harmful effects of positive pressure generated in gravity fed systems in multistorey buildings. Its lightweight yet strong construction means that it can be installed both vertically and horizontally. Activated by negative air pressure, the new Maxi-Vent (for 75 110mm pipe sizes) and Mini-Vent (for 32 63mm pipe sizes) air admittance valves protect trap seals by allowing the intake of air so that the right level of pressure within the drainage system is maintained. They also prevent the release of foul air and divert condensation away from the sealing membrane. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019 9

More stylish room control

THE PRIZE The development o the industr s first and onl i i connected predictive magnetic filter, the ne agna lean ro essional Sense, has been described as the biggest innovation in magnetic filtration and heating s stem care since invented the first agna lean more than ears ago The ne filter not onl provides high per ormance s stem protection, it also predicts potential s stem problems and o ers connected preventative maintenance sing s Sense technolog , the filter detects the level o magnetite collected, preventing ongoing s stem damage b alerting installers so problems can be treated be ore it s too late egular readings are ta en and b using the i i connection this in ormation is communicated to the installer through the ro lub pp agna lean ro essional Sense incorporates s proven filter per ormance and benefits, ith the addition o i i and batter po ered monitoring technolog enabling it to sel detect ho much sludge has been captured and removed rom circulation

Bay watch bathroom With product names inspired by the bays of Britain, Lakes has recently launched the Bay series of precisionengineered showering spaces. The new series has been rolling out over the summer, starting with the Carradale Hinged Door, St Ives Double Door Quadrant and Bay Side Panel. Latest additions include the Bracklesham Single Door Quadrant and Sandown Slider. Key features of the new range include softly closing doors, stylish hardware, specially-designed interlocking caps, concealed covers and a sleek aluminium finish. s with all of akes’ products, Bay benefits from PureVueHD low iron glass and AllClear stay-clean glass as standard, plus a ‘no-quibble’ lifetime guarantee. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019 0

agnetite capture is easil monitored both in situ using indicators incorporated on the canister, or remotel via regularl scheduled or real time updates sent to the ro lub pp The app provides installers ith complete control and visibilit o all agna lean ro essional Sense ﬁlters the ve ﬁtted, reporting magnetite and batter levels, service in ormation and reminders and recommended remedial actions to maintain s stem health t also enables automated arrant registration This ne development also doesn t compromise on the mar et leading per ormance that installers expect rom agna lean and remains independentl proven b i a astec to reduce household heating bills b ear on ear

HOW TO ENTER Simpl ans er the ollo ing uestion What is the name of ADEY’s unique technology that has been developed for its new ﬁlter? • SIGHT • SENSE • SMELL lease email our ans er to editor@phamnewsedit.co.uk ith competition in the sub ect line lease ma e sure ou include our name and contact telephone number and please t pe es in the bod o our email i ou are happ to be contacted b or mar eting purposes ll correct ans er received be ore the closing date o st ctober ill be entered into the pri e dra Only one entry per person will be allowed.

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onne t n ﬁre and CO alarms new specification range has been launched by FireAngel, designed to provide smarter control to smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detection. Featuring RF technology, the mains powered alarm systems can be adapted and upgraded at a later date by simply fitting a Smart radio module. Up to 50 alarms can be interlinked within one network and landlords will be able to access information including current status, alarm history, and replacements dates. By using the FireAngel Connect gateway, it is possible to remotely monitor the alarms and access real-time fire and safety notifications. This information can be used to manage risk more accurately by property type and provides more accurate maintenance planning, based on the level of risk of each individual tenant. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

Designed for premium hotels, the Touch Hotel Controls range from Panasonic has been upgraded with a new look touch screen digital display, new fascia design and easier setup. The new design boasts a slim depth of just 8.5mm and is now available in black or white. It can also be finished with a bespoke fascia to match the interior design scheme of any room. Two model options are available. The 2-in-1 model includes an integrated Modbus controller for direct communication with the hotel’s building management system (BMS), helping to monitor the hotel’s overall energy usage and identify cost saving opportunities. The control also includes a total of four digital inputs and four digital outputs. The second model has a touch display and is a more costeffective solution with just two digital inputs. The key difference is that this model doesn’t include integrated connection with Modbus and does not connect with any outputs. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019 1

Complete choice of R VRF models ooking to offer a complete range of lower global warming potential (GWP) solutions, Mitsubishi Electric has unveiled a new range of R32 VRF air conditioning systems. The R32 City Multi models have been designed to deliver lower GWP for large air conditioning systems, enabling customers to use one single refrigerant across a complete building or an entire network. Available to specify from October, the new products will be in stock from January 2020, offering si es from 22kW to 34kW in both heat recovery and heat pump variants.

Under the growing pressure of the F-gas phase down regulations, the market is demanding viable and positive solutions which are future proof for businesses and last the full lifecycle of the product,” explains Mark Grayston, head of the product marketing department. “Customers are looking for products that meet both current and future legislation and with the launch of the UK’s first 32 VRF systems, we are delighted to be able to offer the market a complete range of lower GWP solutions.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1019

02/10/2019 13:06

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Directory 69 Boiling Water Taps

Radiators

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Calibration Services

GAS CALIBRATION ..EASY AS

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we collect - we calibrate - we deliver

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

Book online or call 01782 567 099

test 4 less www.test4less.co.uk

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

Controls

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Radiators Covers Low surface temperature Radiator Covers manufactured and installed with a service you can rely on. â&#x20AC;˘ High Strength Damage Resistant â&#x20AC;˘ Hospital Standard Safe Touch â&#x20AC;˘ Easy Clean Powder Coated Finish â&#x20AC;˘ Less Than 5% Output Reduc on â&#x20AC;˘ Unobtrusive Pleasing Visual Impact â&#x20AC;˘ Dedicated Measure and Fi ng Service For more informa on and free quota on Ring 0844 800 8435 email info@bklradiators.co.uk Visit www.bklradiators.co.uk

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Safety Products phamnews.co.uk/1019/103

Heating Controls Next day delivery available on 100s of controls

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Plumbing Products

New Product Accessories Pipelagger Pro Stickers (PipeLagging Bonding Stickers)

Pipelagger Pro Saw Guard New H&S Guard protector for the Pipelagger Pro Saw

New Product Accessories Drill Bit & Guide Set To drill new fixing holes where required

Cut to Length Bolts One Bolt that suits ALL Clips

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PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Training & Assessments To find out more about highlighting your Training Courses and availability to over 29,000* PHAM News readers, please contact Sharon classified@phamnews.co.uk

01889 577 222

GAS ENGINEERS & PLUMBERS NEED ACS ASSESSMENTS? Last year saw major changes within the Gas Industry which made it more difficult for Plumbers to get their Gas qualifications. Changes are again due later this year, and we anticipate even stricter entry levels being introduced, If you want your gas qualifications you need to act now. ECS can help you, call us now 01226 741800

If you want free friendly advice just call me, Graham Hawkes 07775 506124 anytime for an informal chat

Unit 1, Mainstream Way, Nechells, BIRMINGHAM B7 4SN email: mgabrum@tiscali.co.uk www.mgabrum.co.uk Domestic Natural Gas & LPG Changeover, Energy Efﬁciency and Water Regulations. Un-vented, Part P Electrics, Training & Assessments.

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69-70-71 Pham Oct 2019:Layout 1 03/10/2019 17:46 Page 71

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Information Centre 71 Central Heating fault finding & repair

Central Heating Wiring & Controls Book

This 200 page book written by John Reginald, is designed to help the reader understand central heating and hot water systems. O ering a step-by-step guide to the fault finding and repair process of systems and components enabling the reader to achieve professional solutions to professional standards. Priced at £26 this Industry leading book is available from all High Street and Online Book Stores.

is a di cult subject to learn, existing diagrams

For years electricians and heating engineers have commented that wiring heating controls are not always easy to follow. Mr Combi® Training has developed a fantastic set of easy to follow coloured wiring diagrams for central heating wiring and controls, 2 / 3 port systems, Faults, Frost stats, testing components, everything you need in one handy A5 book. Please order from www.mrcombi.com or enter the code shown below.

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Features appearing in

New Look Combimate Website

ENGEL X-TREME 4-WAY Stretch Work Trousers Comfortable, hardwearing, slim-fit trousers with ergonomically shaped and reinforced knee areas. The cooling 4-way stretch, ‘breathable’ fabric absorbs and quickly dries light perspiration and in addition to the many practical pockets, further access to necessary every-day equipment can be provided by optional hanging tool pockets which can be easily clipped onto the waist. For further information contact Gareth Bladen: gbl@f-engel.com ring 07759 520034 Visit www.engel.eu/en or enter the code shown below.

Combimate, Cistermiser’s proven limescale prevention device, is presented on a new website designed for installers and homeowners. Phosphate dosing is explained, with FAQs and User Guides to ensure that consumers get the most out of their Combimate. Customers who have previously registered an installed Combimate for extended warranty cover can also purchase Combiphos refills online, at a special discount price. For further information visit www.combimate.co.uk Or enter the code shown below.

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November issue Taps & Showers LPG Heating Water & System Treatment Ventilation & Heat Recovery

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Advertiser’s Index Advance Appliances Ltd AIC Heating UK Ltd Aico Anton Industrial Services Ltd BES Ltd Baxi Heating UK Ltd Bristan Group Ltd CMR Controls Ltd Cistermiser Ltd Drayton Controls The Electric Heating Company Firebird Products Ltd Ford Motor Company Ltd Gastec Training Grant Engineering (UK) Ltd

NEW WAY TO ACCESS FURTHER INFORMATION

53 39 13 63 3 41 19 22 21 11 49 9 7 18 23

Grundfos Pumps Ltd Heatrae Sadia Heating Ltd (Megaflo) HiKOKI Power Tools (UK) Ltd Honeywell Controls Ideal Boilers JG Speedfit - Reliance Water Controls Kamco Ltd Keston Boilers LG Electronics UK Ltd MV Fluids Handling Ltd Makita Navien UK Nest Google Nu-Heat UK Ltd OFTEC

Pegler Yorkshire Group Ltd 45 Plumbase Ltd 54 REMS (UK) Ltd Inserts Rettig (UK) Ltd - Myson 17 Screwfix Direct Ltd Front Cover Wrap Snickers Workwear 56 Stiebel Eltron UK Ltd 50 Surestop Ltd 10 TPI Europe Ltd 61 Testo 55 Viessmann Ltd 40 Vokera Ltd 43 Watts Industries UK Ltd 8 Williamson-Dickie Europe Ltd - (Dickies) 59 Worcester, Bosch Group 35

29 51 62 32 37 27 12 38 4 5 58 30, 31 14, 15 72 26

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2019

Product News 67 Tougher former with octagonal plate Hydraulic drainage system saves cost

§Ġă §ƀƫ DŎŬł˩ wetroom former ėŬŎł cÃ õŎłòĤŅăŰ ŹĠă òăŅăƱŹŰ Ŏė ŹĠă õŎłŨØŅƛ̵Ű ăƚĤŰŹĤŅę §ƀƫ DŎŬł ŨŬŎûƀõŹ òƀŹ ƕĤŹĠ Ø Ņăƕ ŎõŹØęŎŅØĺ ƱŹŹĤŅę plate. This allows for up to ˢ˦ ûĤƫăŬăŅŹ ƕØŰŹă positions and ensures an easier installation. The new former is made from high strength sheet moulding compound, giving it a weight capacity of ˤ˩ˢkg (˧ˡ stone). This suits it for heavier wheelchair users and their carers. In addition, pre-ėŎŬłăû ƱƚĤŅę ŨŎĤŅŹŰ ØŅû ŎõŹØęŎŅØĺ ƕØŰŹă plate mean that all obstructing joists can be quickly navigated. ƔØĤĺØòĺă ĤŅ ŅĤŅă ŰĤƤăŰ̐ ŹĠă §ƀƫ DŎŬł˩ former can be tiled or covered with ŰØėăŹƛ ƲŎŎŬĤŅę ØŅû ĤŹ õØŅ ØĺŰŎ òă ƀŰăû ŹŎ õŬăØŹă õŎłŨĺăŹă ĺăƔăĺ ØõõăŰŰ ŰŎĺƀŹĤŎŅŰ ŎŅ òŎŹĠ ŹĤłòăŬ ØŅû õŎŅõŬăŹă ƲŎŎŬŰ̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜˨ˤ

Furniture gets the royal treatment

Inverter technology inside heat pumps

Nuie, formerly known as Premier Bathrooms, has Øûûăû Ø ŬŎƛØĺ ęŬăƛ ƕŎŎûęŬØĤŅ ŹăƚŹƀŬăû ƱŅĤŰĠ ŹŎ ĤŹŰ ÉŎŬķ õŎĺĺăõŹĤŎŅ Ŏė ėƀŬŅĤŹƀŬă̖ §Ġă Ņăƕ ƱŅĤŰĠ õŎłŨĺăłăŅŹŰ the existing white ash and stone grey varieties. Three sizes of vanity unit (600, 800 and 1000mm) add versatility to the range, which is accompanied by matching mirrors, WC unit and toilet seat for a ėƀĺĺƛ õŎŎŬûĤŅØŹăû ĺŎŎķ̖ nØûă ĤŅ ŬĤŹØĤŅ̐ ƕĤŹĠ Ø ƱƔăƛăØŬ ęƀØŬØŅŹăă̐ ŹĠă ÉŎŬķ ėƀŬŅĤŹƀŬă ŬØŅęă ĤŰ ŰƀŨŨĺĤăû rigid and features soft-close doors and is available with design-matching ceramic basin and front and side bath panels. Three handle choices are available: square strap, round strap and art deco, for further individuality and character. Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜˨˦

Aimed at the commercial market, Stiebel Eltron’s WPE-I inverter-driven heat pump system bolsters ŹĠă õŎłŨØŅƛ̵Ű ŎƫăŬĤŅę Ŏė ŬăŅăƕØòĺă ăŅăŬęƛ systems. The new range utilises inverter technology, which allows heat output to be adjusted to suit the requirements of bespoke projects. This boosts ăŅăŬęƛ ăƬõĤăŅõƛ̐ ĠăĺŨĤŅę òƀŰĤŅăŰŰăŰ Ŭăûƀõă energy costs. The product also allows businesses to maximise return on investment from the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, with running hours attracting tier-ŎŅă ŹØŬĤƫŰ̖ Space-saving unit design also streamlines the installation process. Preparatory groundworks can be sized to the building, rather than the nearest heat pump model itself, saving clients time and money. Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜˨˥

Hydraulic drainage system saves cost

New ball valve looks to the future

ÃØŹăŬŨŬŎŎƱŅę system for showers §Ġă ĠŎƕăŬ ÃØŹăŬŨŬŎŎƱŅę cĤŹ ėŬŎł 'ƀŅĺŎŨ ĠØŰ òăăŅ specially designed to include everything required to waterproof a shower area, wetroom or walk-in shower ØŬăØ ØŰ ŬăūƀĤŬăû òƛ Ņăƕ ŬĤŹĤŰĠ ŹØŅûØŬûŰ̖̀ Suitable for any internal intermittent area where continued exposure to water may cause damage, the kit fully waterproofs the background behind a tiled surface to prevent water penetration up to ˢ̖˦m high in a two-walled shower unit or ˢm high in a three-walled ŰĠŎƕăŬ ƀŅĤŹ̖ ̀ As a result, the kit prevents water saturating the whole area, reducing the risk of unsightly black mould forming, and also reducing the risk of more serious ĤŰŰƀăŰ ŰƀõĠ ØŰ ƲŎŎŬ õŎĺĺØŨŰă ØŅû ŎŹĠăŬ ŰƀŬėØõăŰ vulnerable to corrosion. Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜˨˧

GF Piping Systems has introduced the Ball Valve ˦˥˧ ŬŎ ŹŎ ĠăĺŨ ŰŨăõĤƱăŬŰ ØŅû òƀĤĺûĤŅę ŰăŬƔĤõăŰ contractors future-proof installations across ûĤƫăŬăŅŹ ŰăõŹŎŬŰ̖ The new-generation modular design of the ˦˥˧ Pro ensures future technical or digital demands can now be enabled, reducing the need for servicing or retro-ƱŹŹĤŅę õŎŰŹŰ ƕĠĤĺă ăŅĠØŅõĤŅę ăƬõĤăŅõƛ ĤŅ ƀŰă from the outset. The all-plastic construction of the ball valve includes a range of accessories such as the spring-loaded, ergonomically designed lockable handle incorporating a ‘dead-man’ self-closing facility, compact double sensor accessories, as well ØŰ ŨŅăƀłØŹĤõ ŎŬ ăĺăõŹŬĤõ ØõŹƀØŹŎŬŰ ŹŎ ƱŹ ŹĠă ăŅŹĤŬă range of sizes which runs from ˢ˧̪ˢˢˡmm diameter. The smooth curving casing and double stem seals contribute to an IP˧˨ rating, while a reinforced security break point in the stem helps to prevent leaks due to wear or the use of excessive force. All units are tested to a pressure of ˢ˧ bar and suitable for applications from hot or cold water services to pressurised or chilled water, chemical processes and other industrial uses. The ˦˥˧ Pro is ready out-of-the-box to be installed or retro-ƱŹŹăû ėŎŬ ƕĤŬăĺăŰŰ õŎŅŅăõŹĤƔĤŹƛ̖ Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜˨˨

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qăƕ ŹŎ ŹĠă ®c łØŬķăŹ̐ FăòăŬĤŹ̵Ű ƀŨăŬ§ƀòă ƲŎƕoptimised hydraulic drainage system for highŬĤŰă òƀĤĺûĤŅęŰ ĤŰ ŰØĤû ŹŎ ŎƫăŬ ŰĤłŨĺă ŨĺØŅŅĤŅę ØŅû installation while saving around ˤ˦% of the space ØĺĺŎõØŹăû ėŎŬ Ø ŨØŬØĺĺăĺ ƔăŅŹăû ûƀØĺ ŰŹØõķ ŰƛŰŹăł̖̀̀̀ The system combines the existing ˢˣ litres/sec ƲŎƕ-optimised HDPE Geberit Sovent (dˢˢˡ) with two new bends – BottomTurn and BackFlip - which remove the need for a vent pipe by generating a õŎŅŰŹØŅŹ ØĤŬ ŰŹŬăØł ŹĠŬŎƀęĠ ĤŅŹăĺĺĤęăŅŹ ûăŰĤęŅ̖ ̀ The combined single stack system enables pipework with a smaller, consistent diameter of d110 and a maximum discharge capacity of ˢˣ litres/sec. It also allows horizontal pipelines of up to 6m without slopes, thanks to the design of the BottomTurn bend, which reduces impulse losses during transition from the vertical to horizontal. Ά phamnews.co.uk/ˢˡˢ˪̜˨˩

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