February 2017

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Volume V olume o 55 | Issue 2 | F February ebruary 2017

Green G reen Deal Deal programme programme now iin np private rivate h hands ands

3 tto ob be e wo w won! o on n!

Electric E lect ctr tric riic UFH U EC M Mat at

Green Deal Green Deal fi finance nance lloans oans a are re s set et tto o rreopen eopen b by y tthe he e end nd o off M March arch ffollowing ollowing tthe he G Government’s overnment’s d decision ecision tto o sell sell the the scheme scheme and and the the existing existing loan loan book book to to private private investors investors for for a fee fe ee of of £40m. £40m.

The G reen D eal programme, programme, launched launched b y tthe he The Green Deal by Government iin n2 013 but but scrapped scrapped by by former former Government 2013 Energ y Secretary Secretar y Amber Amber Rudd Rudd 18 18 months mont hs Energy ago, h as b een ttaken aken o ver b yp rivatte iinvestors. nvestors. ago, has been over by private Greenstone F inance a nd A ur ium C apital Greenstone Finance and Aurium Capital Markets have have a cquired the t he b usiness a nd Markets acquired business and assets of of the the Green Green Deal Deal Finance Finance Company Company assets for £ 40m. T he n ew o wners will will continue continue to to for £40m.

The new owners service existing existing loans loans and and plan plan to to commence commence service financing new new Green Green Deal Deal loans loans by by the the end end financing Ma rc h . off March.

When fi rst llaunched, aunched, tthe he G reen D ea l When first Green Deal scheme w as ssaid aid tto ob e tthe he Government’s Gover nment’s scheme was be flagship energy energ y efficiency eff icie i nc y iinitiative nit iat ive a nd flagship and was hailed hailed by

by Ministers Ministers as as the t he biggest big gest was home iimprovement mprovement o perat ion ssince ince tthe he home operation second world world war. war. It It was was designed desig ned to to offer offer second loans ffor or iinsulation, nsulation, rrenewable enewable e nerg y a nd loans energy and ot her e nerg y ssaving av ing m easures, ssuch uch as as a other energy measures, new b oiler, which which would would then then be be repaid repaid as as new boiler, par t of of the the customer’s customer’s e nerg y b i l l, b ut w as part energy bill, but was eventually ab andoned b y tthe he G over nment eventually abandoned by Government follow ing llow ow ttake-up ake-up by by the t he public. public. following

Greenstone Finance, Finance, a pr ivate c ompany Greenstone private company backed by by a consortium consor t ium of of investors, investors, is is a backed holding c ompany w hich iinvests nvests iin na nd sstarts tarts holding company which and companies focused focused on on financing financing rrenewable enewable companies energ y a nd energy energ y efficiency efficiency pr ojects. The The energy and projects. company believes believes that t hat homeowners homeow ners can ca n company st ill be be attracted attracted to to the t he scheme, scheme, despite despite still t he d isappoint ing n umbers attracted attracted b y the disappointing numbers by t he Government.

Gover nment. the

“We believe believe that that the the concept concept of of repaying repay ing “We your loan loan as as you you save sav ve on on your your energy energ y bills bills is is your an excellent excellent one,” one,” says says Killan Killan Pender, Pender, founder founder an and CEO CEO of of G reenstone Finance.

Finance. ““With With tthe he and Greenstone significant pr ivate iinvestment nvestment tthat hat w eh ave significant private we have secured, we’re we’re looking look ing forward for ward to to rolling rolling secured, t he Green Green Deal Deal finance finance scheme scheme o ut a c ro s s the out across the c ountr y. We We will w ill provide prov ide homeowners homeowners the country. w it h a c ost-effect ive w ay tto o iimprove mprove ttheir heir with cost-effective way homes a nd quality qualit y of of life.” life.” homes and The company company says says that t hat it it will w ill focus focus on on The improving access access to to and and awareness aw wareness of of Green Green improving Deal fi nance b y iinvesting nvest ing ssignificantly ig nificant ly iin n Deal finance by its website, website, customer customer services ser vices and and training training its of Green Green Deal Deal providers. prrov iders. of One of of the t he key key aspects aspects of of the t he scheme scheme iis s One thatt it it allows allows consumers consumers to to meet meet the the upfront upfront that costs of of installing installing energy energ y ssaving av ing measures measures costs by providing prov iding a fixed fi xed interest interest rate rate over over tthe he by lifet ime o he plan. plan. L oan repayments repay ments are a re lifetime off tthe Loan attached to to the the property, p operty, not pr not the the individual, individual, attached so consumers consumers are are not not be be left left with w it h money money so to rrepay epay if if they t hey leave leave tthe he p pr oper t y. to property.

Open O pen letter letter to to PM PM slams slams added added regulations regu g lations Some of Some of tthe he recommendations recommendations m made ade iin n tthe he recently recently published published ‘Each ‘Each Home Home Counts’ Counts’ Bonfield B onf ield Review Review have hav ve come come under under fire fire from from Peter P eter T Thom, hom, e energy nerg y e efficiency fficiency c campaigner ampaig ner and a nd M MD Do off C Cambridgeshire ambridgeshire b based ased G Green reen Heat Heat. t.

IIn n an an open open lletter etter tto o tthe he P Prime r ime Minister, Minister, he he has h as expressed expressed frustration fr ustration a att pr proposals oposals tto o put p ut “yet “yet more more b barriers” arriers” in in the the way way of of heating heating iinstallers nstallers who who deliver deliver the the energy energ y efficient efficient ssolutions olutions a advocated dvocated iin n tthe he R Review. ev iew. ““The The B Bonfield onf ield Review Rev ie ew shows shows that t hat little litt le h as been been learnt learnt from from the the failure failure of of previous previous has iinitiatives,” nitiatives,” Peter Peter Thom Thom a argues rgues iin n tthe he lletter. etter. ““The The v valuable aluable e experience, xper ience, a advice dv ice a and nd k nowledge from from tthose hose who who have have tried tr ied to to knowledge make m ake these these schemes schemes w work ork and and who who are are on on has not been considered.” tthe he ‘front ‘front lline’ ine’ h as n ot b een c onsidered.”

Peter p Peter points oints o out ut tthat hatt tthe he Green Green Deal Deal failed failed because on b ecause of of the the burdensome burdensome regulations reg ulations o n iinstallers, nstalllers, including including PAS2030 PAS2030 for for management management ssystems, ystems, additional addit ional accreditation, accreditat ion n, inspecinspecand ttions ions a nd ssurveillance. ur veillance. ““II was was somewhat somewhat surprised sur pr ised that t hat the t he B Bonfield onf ield Review Rev iew is is suggesting sug gest ing more more of of by tthe he same same b y rretaining etaining all all these t hese barriers. bar r iers.

Clearly, view not being C learly, tthe he iinstaller’s nstaller’s v iew iis s n ot b eing llistened istened tto oa and nd tthey hey were were probably probably y not not well well rrepresented epresented a att these t hese meetings,” meet ings,” he he wrote. w rote. ““We We are are already already highly highly regulated reg ulated with w it h a rrequirement equirement tto ou undertake nder take costly cost ly y training t raining a and nd examination examinattion e every very fiv five ey years ears tto o maintain maintain g gas as accreditation.” ac ccreditat ion.”

Peter P eter e a argues rgues that thatt the the heating heatting industry industry does does not n ot need need any any more more regulation, regulattion, as as it it is is a wellwell-

tr usted group trusted g roup of of professionals professionals delivering deliver ing best b est practice practice and and energy energy efficient efficient ssystems ystems to to customers’ homes. ttheir heir c ustomers’ h omes. ““Removing Removing the the red red and costs off rregularly-changing ttape ape a nd added added c osts o egularly-changing policies p olicies a are re k key ey to to making mak ing tthese hese sschemes chemes work w ork – for for everyone,” everyone,” Peter Peter ssaid aid in in the the letter. letter.

The T he letter letter concludes concludes with w it h Peter Peter urging urg ing tthe he PM PM to to recommend recommend a w working ork ing p party ar t y of of professional heating engineers and pr ofessional h eating e ngineers a nd installers installers work tto ow ork with with policy policy makers makers to to look look at at ways ways iin n which which iindustry ndust r y and and Government Gover nment c can an collaborate c ollaborate to to improve improve the the efficiency efficiency of of UK UK housing h ousing sstock. tock. This This has has worked worked well well in in the the past, argues, p ast, he he a rgues, rresulting esulting in in the the introduction introduction off ssuccessful measures. o uccessf ul energy energ y efficiency ef ficienc y m ea s u r e s.

For F or another another iinstaller’s nstaller’s opinion opinion on on the the Bonfield Bonf ield Review, please R eview, p lease seee page page 10.

10.

Turn Tur T Tu urn ur u rn n tto o 51 51

Water Wa ater boost boost

Part o Part off a £ £3 3 billion billion regeneration regenerration p project roject ffor or L London’s ondon’s E Elephant lephant a and nd Castle Castle a rea, a recently recently completed completed h igh-rise area, high-rise p roject is is delivering delivering 4 50 m uch-needed project 450 much-needed ‘‘reasonably reasonably priced’ priced’ homes. homes. s Supporting Supporting the th he development, development, a and nd en ensuring suriing tthat hat w water ate er will w ill b be ed delivered eliverred tto ow where here e itt iis sn needed eeded a and nd when w hen itt iis sn needed, eeded, a are re a range range o off G Grundfos rundfos H ydro M PC-E en erg y ef fficient b ooster Hydro MPC-E energy efficient booster pump sets.

These solutions were delivered p ump s ets s. T hese s olutio ons w erre d eliiv ve erred to os site itte eo on ns skids, kids, rready eady ffor or iinstallation. nstallatio on. B Built uillt m manufacturing nufacturin ng att the a the company’s company’s 10,000m 10,000m2 ma plant p lant in in Sunderland, Sunderlland, G Grundfos rund dfos says says that that this th his le level evel o off o offsite ffsite e engineering ngin neeriing a adds dds v value, alu ue, providing pro oviding customers custo omers with witth a design, design, build, build, assemble, ttest est a nd d istribution s er v ice assemble, and distribution service from from u under nder one one rroof. oof.

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February 2017

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Trades p people eople ccare are Editor’s IInside nside this this issue issue Trades Editor’s about off a bou ut ccountry ountry o Viewpoint V i e w p o i nt Ecobuild origin o rigin n says says survey survey Preview

by C Chris hris JJones one es

A guide to some of the highlights at this year’ss show dedicated to year’ t sustainable solutions

Starts page 23

Pipes, Fittingss &V alves a Valves An overview of some of the latest advances in pipework and press-fitting systems

Starts page 27

Water W ater a Saving Why y more UK consume consumers ers are receptive to product products ts and ideas that help them m reduce water waste

Starts page 39

Wood W ood o Fuelled Heating How modern H d clean l b burn burning ning i appliances can help redu reduce uce carbon emissions and sa save ave energy

Starts page 45

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

Incorporating: Incorporating: Plumbing & Heating News News Plumbing & Heating Equipment News N ws Ne

Over 75% Over 75% of of people people ssurveyed urveyed off m manufacture tthink hink country country o anufacture iiss an an important important factor factor when when it it comes c omes to to purchasing purchasing – this this iis s according carried a ccording tto o a ssurvey urvey c arried out Giacomini UK. The o ut by

by G iacomini U K. T he explored attitudes ssurvey urvey e xplored a ttitudes manufacturing and ttoward oward m anufacturing a nd revealed rev ealed ssome ome iinteresting nteresting post-Brexit When p ost-Brexit iinsights. nsights. W hen asked off a sked if if the the country country o origin o rigin was was checked checked before before purchasing p urchasing building building and and HVAC HVAC 19% ssupplies, upplies, just just 1 9% ssaid aid tthat hat would never bother tthey hey w ould ne ver b other tto o find fi nd out. out.

When asked would W hen a sked iiff tthey hey w ould prefer pr efe er to to buy buy products produc u ts from from European manufacturer, a E uropean m anufact urer, 83.5% 8 3.5% of of respondents respondents ssaid aid would, with 8% tthey hey w ould, w it h jjust u st 8 % would ssaying aying that thatt tthey hey w ould never never buy b uy a product p product if if they t hey knew knew Europe. iitt was was made made iin nE urope.

Giacomini UK G iacomini U K is is the the UK division off tthe U K d ivision o he IItalian talian manufacturer, Giacomini, one ma nufacturer, G iaco omini, o ne off E Europe’s producers o urope’s largest largest p roducers off plumbing o plumbing brassware brassware and and rradiator adiator valves. vallves. The The company company prides on products pr ides iitself tself o n iits ts pr oducts being b eing made made to to the the highest highest att iits production sspecification pecification a ts pr roduction San Maurizio ffacilities acilities iin n S an M aur izio d’Opaglio, d ’Opaglio, IItaly. taly.

The also T he ssurvey u r ve y a lso ffocused o c u se d on more o n m ore sspecific pecific iissues ssues within HVAC w ithin tthe he H VAC iindustry ndustr y and asked a nd a sked respondents respondents iiff

The The cchance hance o etter d eal? off a b better deal? heat units have heat iinterface nterface u nits h ave made made converting conver ting offices offices to t o residential r e s ident i a l properties p op er t ie s pr more achievable.

An overmore a chievable. A n o verwhelming 84% agreed, whelming 8 4% a g r e e d, which growth which rreinforces einfo orces tthe he g rowth that company that the the c ompany says says iitt has has seen seen ssince ince regulations reg ulations sur s u r rounding r o u n d i ng planning p l a n n i ng permission were altered per mission w ere r a ltered (meaning Class B1 offices (meaning that that C lass B 1o ffices could be converted Class could b ec onver ted tto oC la s s C3 dwellings C3 residential residential d wellings without without the the need need for fo orr specific specific planning planning and and development development permission). per mission).

Matt M a t t Lowe, L o w e , MD M D of of Giacomini UK, comments: Giacomini U K, co c mments: “Post-Brexit attitudes were “Post-Brexit a ttitudes w ere always always going going to to be e interesting interesting and and our our ssurvey urvey gave gav ave us us some some fascinating fascinating insight insight into into mindsets and purchasing mindsets a nd p urchasing decision decision making making factors. factors. It It would would appear appear that that at people people are are now conscious off where now more more c onscious o where products come but products c ome ffrom rom b ut tthat hat EU EU products products are are still still thought thought to to be be the the best best – despite despite the the outcome off tthe outcome o he referendum!” refe erendum!”

IItt is is estimated estimated that that the the Green Green Deal Deal programme, prog ramme, once once heralded h eralded as as the the biggest biggest home home improvement improvement initiative initiative ssince ince the the second second w world orld w war, ar, h has as c cost ost tthe he public public p purse urse ssome ome £ £240m, 240m, w which hich w works orks out out at at £ £17,000 17,000 ffor or e every ver y household up you h ousehold tthat hat ssigned ig ned u p tto o iit. t. So So when when y ou hear hear that that tthe he Government Government h has as d decided ecided tto o ssell ell o off ff tthe he sscheme cheme tto o private £40m, pr ivate investors investors for for £ 40m, iitt doesn’t doesn’t ssound ound llike ike the the ttaxpayer axpayer has has exactly exactly got got good good value value for for money money (see (see ffront rront cov cover er sstory). tor y).

When W hen D DECC ECC w wound ound d down own tthe he pr programme ogramme 1 18 8m months onths ago, a go, tthe he National Nattio onal A Audit udit O Office ffi fice c concluded oncluded tthat hat at tthe he sscheme cheme had h ad failed failed to to deliver deliverr any any meaningful meaningful benefit benefit and and criticised criticised Ministers wasting yet are M inisters for for w asting ttreasury reasury ffunds, unds, y et tthere here a re ssome ome entrepreneurs e ntrepreneurs w who ho c clearly learly have have more more c confidence onf idence tthan han tthe he Government Government in in the the public’s public’s appetite appetite for for investing investing energy measures.

Whatever your view on iin n e nerg y ssaving aving m easures. W hatever y our v iew o n tthe he relative relative benefits benefits of of having having such such projects projects in in public public orr pr private o ivate hands, hands, few few could could claim claim that that the the Green Green Deal Deal had been guise, h ad b een a ssuccess u cess in uc in its its previous previous g uise, sso o tthere’s here’s llittle ittle tto o lose lose by by the the introduction introduction of of new new management. management.

The because off iits complexity T he previous previous sscheme cheme sstruggled truggled b ecau use o ts c omplexity and high off iinterest charged.

General a nd the the relatively relatively h igh rrate ate o nterest c harged. G eneral awareness was helped unambitious aw wareness w as not not h elped by by an an u nambitious publicity publicity campaign c ampaign and and the the failure failure of of the the Government Government to to engage engage with w ith the the people people tthey hey rreally eally need need to to get get on on side side – the the professional The new owners, who are pr ofessional ttrades. rades. T he n ew o wners, w ho a re llikely ikely to to under new name, have yet llaunch aunch tthe he sscheme cheme u nder a n ew n ame, h ave y et tto o rreveal eveal how plan address but hoped h ow tthey hey p lan tto oa ddress ssuch uch iissues, ssues, b ut iitt iis sh oped tthat hatt have place will ultimately tthey hey h av ve a sstrategy tratteg y iin np lace tthat hat w ill u ltimately llead ead tto o more energy-saving upgrades.

Some might m ore e nerg y-saving u pgrades. S ome m ight argue argue that that on Green Deal £40m gamble, but pays ttaking aking o n tthe he G reen D eal iis sa£ 40m g amble, b ut iiff iitt p ays off o ff it it could could be be a better better deal deal for for everybody. ever ybody.

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Published by: by: Pinede Publishing | 16/18 Hawkesyard Hawkkesyard Hall, Armitag Armitagee PPark, ark, Nr Rug eley, Staf Staffordshire fordshire WS15 1 1PU Rugeley, T eel: 01889 577222 | Fax: Fax: 01889 9 579177 Tel: info@phamnews.co.uk Email: inf o@phamnews.co.uk www.phamnews.co.uk www w.phamne . ws.co.uk Managing Manag ing Editor Editor Chris Chr is Jones Jones Assistant EEditor ditor Carol Car ol Hitchcock Hitchcock Publisherss Publisher Chris Evans Chr is Ev ans Russ JJackson ackson

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©C Copyright opyright 2017 2017 | Plumbing, Plumbing , Heating Heating & Air Air Movement Movement News N ew s All rrights ights rreserved. eserved. No par partt of this publication ma mayy be rreproduced eproduced or stor stored ed in a rretrieval etrieval system without wr written i itten consent from fr om the publisher publisher.. A Attributed ttr t ibuted ar articles ticles rrepresent epresent the vie views ws of the A Author(s) uthor(s) and ar aree not the necessar necessarily ily those of the EEditor. ditor.

The T he publisher publisherss accept no rresponsibility esponsibility ffor or claim claims ms made bbyy man manufacturers ufacturers or adv advertisers. ertisers. TThis his mag magazine azine includ includes des a nnumber umber of colour editor editorial ial photo photographs graphs paid ffor or bbyy supp suppliers. pliers.

Installers have Installers hav ve the the opportunity opportunity to to win win ‘the ‘the trip trip of of a lifetime’ lifetime’ tthanks hanks tto o tthe he n new ew ‘‘Fire Fire & IIce’ ce’ c campaign ampaign ffrom rom B Bristan. ristan. T The he ttaps ap ps and and showers showers manufacturer manufacturerr has has joined joined forces forces with with Travis Travis Perkins’ P erkins’ plumbing plumbing a and nd heating heating division division to to deliver deliver a series series off hot o hot and and cold cold themed themed prizes. prizes. Customers Customers will will be be offered offered a sscratch cratch card card every every time time they they purchase purchase a product product from from Bristan’s Bristan’s core c ore range range at at participating participating PTS PTS and and City City Plumbing Plumbing Supplies Supplies b ranches. Each Each scratch scratch c ard has has something something ffor or e verybody, branches. card everybody, with w ith tthe he c chance hance tto ow win in ffrom rom a sselection election o off iinstant nstant pr prizes. izes. A All ll participants p articipants will will also also be be automatically automatically entered entered into into a prize prize draw d raw w to to win win one one o off ttwo wo g grand rand prizes: prizes: a week-long week-long stay stay y in in Vegas V egas includes includes a trip trip to to Death Death Valley Vallley (one (one of of the the hottest hottest places places on o nE Earth) arth) o orr a w week-long eek-long sstay tay y at at the the Ice Ice Hotel Hotel in in Sweden, Sweden, complete c omplete w with ith a h husky usky rride. ide.

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Construction skills shortage worsens Air Academy will promote ventilation The skills shortage in the construction industry has got worse and has now spread beyond bricklayers and carpenters to other key trades, according to the latest research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

“These statistics show that skills shortages are now seeping into other key trades such as roofers and plumbers,” says Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB. “Of the 15 key trades and occupations we monitor, 40% show skills shortages at their highest point since we started to feel the effects of the skills crisis in 2013. This growing skills deficit is driving up costs for small

firms and simultaneously adding to the pressure being felt by soaring material prices linked to the weaker pound.”

Brian Berry believes that the Government needs to take note of

the skills shortage now that it aims to negotiate a hard Brexit. He says: “The Prime Minister must ensure that the immigration system that replaces the free movement of people serves key sectors such as construction and house building. Our sector relies heavily on skilled labour from the EU, with 12% of the British construction workforce being of non-UK origin.”

Concluding, Brian Berry says: “On a more positive note, construction SMEs reported steady growth in the final three months of 2016, capping off a generally positive year for the industry.”

HIU test standard a major step forward The UK’s first test standard for heat interface units (HIU) is to be published by the Building Engineering S e r v ic e s A s s o c i at ion (BESA). This new standard is regarded as an important step towards improving the overall performance of British district heating schemes and has been adopted from a test regime developed by energ y

consultancy FairHeat.

The initial test regime, developed by FairHeat in partnership with Martin Crane of Carbon Alternatives, has now been adopted as a technical standard by BESA and it will be used to compare manufacturers’ products and equipment types to help network designers evaluate the performance of individual HIUs against

their design parameters.

It will also be used to create a comprehensive database and improve the industry’s knowledge of HIU performance to better inform future network designs.

“HIUs are the crucial interface between a network and its consumers,” says BESA’s Technical Director Tim Rook, “and in many cases they have proved to

be an Achilles’ heel. This standard is, therefore, a major step forward for UK heat networks and it is a real accolade for BESA to be asked to publish and disseminate it on behalf of the industry.”

FairHeat MD Gareth Jones adds: “BESA is very well respected in the sector and we are delighted they have decided to take our regime and publish it as a standard.”

Winning readers Our seasonal gadgets and tools giveaway (November/ December issue) proved as popular as ever, and we were flooded with reader entries to win some great prizes provided by select tools companies.

The Hitachi drill proved to be especially popular, and the lucky winner in this category was Ian Clayton from Dunstable.

Another big draw was for the Seek thermal imaging camera, which went to Peter Lo Russo of Cranleigh.

Taking home ETI’s differential thermometer was Peter Adkins (Pool), and in the lighting category, Gary Mulchrone (Bournemouth) landed Active Products’ inspection lamp as well as a battery powered spotlight.

There were two winners in the Bosch competition, with M. Strong (Kent) and Brian Ogden (Cheshire) each winning a combi laser.

Starrett gave G. Outram (Rotherham) and Sarah Oliver (Kimbolton) a Deep Cut Plumbers Hole Saw Kit. ENQUIRY

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Ventilation specialist Airflow Developments has opened a new Air Academy at its HQ in High Wycombe. The facility is designed to showcase the benefits of effective ventilation systems in both domestic and commercial properties, demonstrating the technology behind Airflow’s product portfolio, and to help educate and train installers on best practice installation methods.

Officially opened last month, the facility benefits from fully operational ventilation with heat recovery installations to show the importance of specifying the correct system when it comes to improving indoor air quality.

It also features the latest Duplexvent commercial mechanical ventilation with heat recovery units, which are regulated by advanced

sensor technology demonstrating the difference in air quality outside the building – with a controlled environment inside.

MD Alan Siggins says: “We are proud to open the doors to our new comprehensive and market leading Air Academy.

We have made a significant investment to create a facility that not only champions the importance of ventilation for health and wellbeing, but one that helps us to provide first class training and education on how to comply with legislation and best practice procedures when it comes specification and installation.”

The modern facility will also display the latest in cooling technology, which can be applied to ventilation systems with heat recovery, as well as how to obtain and convert free energy from the earth into warm air.

UFH prize draw An installer from Grimsby has won £5000 worth of underfloor heating products thanks to a prize draw competition organised by JG Speedfit. Simon Dixon, of T Dixon & Son, came out tops in a draw of more than 2000 entries.

The competition was launched in support of JG Speedfit’s new and improved ‘Speedfit Support’ service, a dedicated team available to offer expert advice, support and product information to installers.

To be in with a chance of winning the prize, installers simply had to submit floor plans of their underfloor heating project to the Speedfit Support team. While all participants were able to benefit from JG Speedfit’s

free quote and bespoke CAD drawing service, only one could win the big prize.

Commenting on his win, Simon Dixon says: “To say I’m over the moon with the win would be an understatement.

I’ve been a loyal customer for several years and with a number of big UFH jobs in the pipeline, it really couldn’t have come at a better time.”

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Boiler company targets UK growth With plans in place to achieve full nationwide coverage by the end of this year, Korean boiler manufacturer KD Navien is targeting significant growth in the UK. Graham Parkes, Sales Director for Navien UK, part of KD Navien, comments: “This is an extremely exciting year for us as we look to establish the brand in the UK market.”

The company, which is already a successful brand in the USA and other parts of the world, will be promoting

its range of SEDBUK ‘A’ rated condensing boilers through its merchant partners HPS and Plumbase.

“We are under no illusions that we have a big task

ahead of us,” adds Parkes.

“The UK market is the biggest and toughest market anywhere in the world and competition is fierce.

However, we believe now

is the ideal opportunity to shake things up.

“Our aim over the next five years is to emulate the success we have had in other countries and work towards being the number one in the UK market. This will be no mean feat, but we are confident that once installers give Navien a go, they won’t look back.”

The company claims to have the largest and most technologically advanced boiler factory in the world, with the capacity to produce two million boilers a year.

Apprentice success On the road again Wiltshire-based plumbing and heating firm CentraHeat has received national recognition for its commitment to apprentices.

The company, which was set up in 2011 and has just 11 employees, appears in the Centrica Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer list which recognises excellence

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in businesses that employ apprentices.

“To be in the Top 100 list is a real honour, and an endorsement of our strategy of employing apprentices. I trained as an apprentice, so I can see the value in nurturing homegrown talent,” says MD Lee Flanagan.

Honeywell is currently showcasing its full range of smart heating controls, plus electrical and security products, at plumbing and electrical merchants across the UK. Visitors to the events will be able to board the company’s exhibition vehicle and quiz the Honeywell team who will be on hand to answer questions, offer advice and demonstrate how to use each of the products. An ‘install one, get one free’ offer will also be available exclusively to installers who purchase a Lyric T6 thermostat at one of the events. The tour ends on 17th March.

Buy pumps and win more rewards

A new trade incentive scheme has been launched

by Salamander Pumps which rewards installers who choose from its wide range of brass, shower-specific, whole-house and mains boosting pumps.

The loyalty scheme forms part of Salamander’s ‘Added Benefits’ campaign, which includes training, support and a technical advice helpline.

Installers who register with the scheme will receive points for every pump purchased, which can then be exchanged for high street vouchers. Those

who sign up online at www. salamanderaddedbenefits. co.uk between 17 February and 17 April can also double their points for all pumps registered in that time period.

Sales and Marketing Director Chris Vallance (pictured) says: “We see it as a great way to reward and engage with installers, and another step in our journey to provide them with the high levels of customer support to help them keep their own customers happy and grow their business.”

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February 2017

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Fuel poor homes being left in the cold Grand Prix prize to winning installer

As latest figures show the number of households living in fuel poverty in England and Wales has increased to more than 10%, OFTEC is renewing its calls on the Government to develop a heating strategy that is fair for all and will help those most in need.

Recent fuel poverty data released by the Office of National Statistics shows that 2.38 million homes are currently classed as

‘fuel poor’, representing a 1.4% increase on previous figures. The statistics also underline that fuel poverty is more prevalent in rural areas where properties are typically older, poorly insulated and therefore harder to heat.

OFTEC argues that the current programmes for helping fuel poor households are inadequate, pointing out that the ECO initiative is due to wind up in April next year, and the only other option,

the RHI, is affordable for relatively few households.

The organisation believes that offering fuel poor homes an upgrade to high efficiency oil boilers is a more workable approach to addressing fuel poverty than heat pumps which can be costly to install and are ineffective without extensive insulation.

Paul Rose, CEO, comments: “The UK desperately needs a new heating strategy which combines energy efficiency

measures with carbon reduction. Also, one that is affordable and practical for the majority of consumers otherwise take up will always be limited.

“A boiler replacement scheme will encourage consumers with older heating systems to switch to high efficiency condensing boilers and could help thousands of households to practically cut their fuel bills – as well as reduce CO2 emissions.”

The winner of the recent ‘Put Yourself in the Driving Seat promotion’ – a joint campaign from Bristan and Plumbase – has been unveiled. Dave Warner from Warner Plumbing & Heating Ltd won the grand prize draw and is now looking forward to a trip of a lifetime to the Monaco Grand Prix in May. Dave’s name was the first out of a prize draw of all customers who purchased one of Bristan’s merchandised range of taps from a Plumbase branch.

Presented with his prize at his local Haslemere Plumbase, Dave is pictured with Bristan Business Development Manager Kearn Hamer (left) and Branch Manager Philip Morris (right).

He comments: “I must admit, I didn’t think I’d have a chance of winning so I’m both incredibly surprised and delighted to have won this fantastic prize.”

Pump promotion In a promotion for its UPS2 8m and MAGNA1 light commercial circulator pumps, Grundfos is giving a Dickies micro fleece to customers who purchase a qualifying model by the end of March.

Qualifying pumps are UPS2 8m (25-80 and 32-80) and MAGNA1 single head (25- and 32- heating circulators, nonstainless steel models only).

To make a claim, visit www. grundfos.co.uk/lcfleece

The news in brief r *EFBM #Pilers has announced that it sold some 400,000 boilers in 2016, meaning nearly one in four boilers sold in the UK was from this manufacturer. r Drayton has raised £1000 for the homeless charity, Centrepoint, following its 12 Days of Christmas campaign. r $IJMESFO T DIBSJUZ +VMJB House, has been designated Grant’s chosen charity for this year. r Barnardo’s has been selected as the chosen charity for Graham Plumbers Merchant in a two year partnership.

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r 4IPXFr enclosure specialist, Lakes Bathrooms, has announced a price drop of up to 30% on a large selection of its shower trays. r Wholesale Domestic, a family-owned bathroom goods supplier, has opened a new 133,000ft2 warehouse in Hillington, near Glasgow, to support its ecommerce business. r French industrial group Comap has expanded its scope with the incorporation of five new companies from Aalberts Industries, including he UK heating and plumbing products supplier Westco.

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PHAM NEWS Feb17 ad2edit:Layout 1 01/02/2017 11:30 Page 10

F February 2017

POINT O NT of OI of view view 10 P

Bonfield B onfield may may be be reason reason to to cheer cheer The recent The recent Bonfield Bonfield Report Report includes includes proposals proposals to to improve improve the the uptake uptake of of renewable renewable technologies technologies and and raise raise installation installation standards, standards, b but ut h how ow has with Paul Hull, Director offers his views on some off tthe findings. h as it it gone gone down down w ith iinstallers? nstallers? P aul H ull, D irector of of PR PR Hull Hull Plumbing Plumbing and and Heating, Heating, o ffers h is v iews o ns ome o he rreport’s eport’s fi ndings.

A

lt hough w lthough we e h have ave w waited aited almost ffor or a lmost six si x months mont hs tto o get get our our hands hands on on the t he llatest atest version version o he B onfield off T The Bonfield R Report, eport, the the issues issues it it raised raised and and the the rrecommendations ecommendat ions iitt m ade seem seem made have gone unnoticed tto o h ave g one llargely argely u nnot iced a amongst mongst m many any o off tthe he gas gas engineers engineers who w ho have have the the potential potential to to take take this this ffrom rom a rreview ev iew tto o a reality. realit y.

Perhaps P erhaps tthe he fact fact that t hat the t he Bonfield B onfield Report Repor t has has gone gone largely largely unnoticed without u nnoticed w ithout tthe he ssupport upport of of a c competition ompetition o orr e exciting xciting m marketing arketing campaign about our c ampaig n says says more more ab out o ur iindustry ndustr y than t han the t he review rev iew itself itself and many a nd sshows hows just just how how far far away away ym any off us proactively o us really really are are from from pr p oact ively pioneering energy efficiency and p ioneer ing e nerg y e f ficienc y a nd energy rrenewable enewable e nerg y iinstalls. n s t a l l s.

Challenges C hallenges The report The repor t identifies ident ifies a n number umber of of challenges c hallenges w we e fface ace iin n tthe he iindustry ndustr y – all all of of which which I acknowledge acknowledge and and iin n m many any ways ways agree ag ree with. w it h. It It is is undeniable u ndeniable tthat, hat, a as s a ssector, ector, w we e

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Consumer C onsumerr buy-in buy-in

Paul P aul H Hull, ull, Director Director of of PR Hull Hull

are with are facing facing problems prroblems w it h tthe he overall overall performance performance of of our our ssector, ector, skill sk ill development development ffor or tthe he ffuture, ut ure, and and working work ing standards standards amongst among st engineers. eng ineers. These These topics topics are are both bot h widely widely discussed discussed and and understood understood by by e engineers, ng ineers, b but ut tthe he rreport epor t a adds dds two areas off c concern t wo additional addit ional a r ea s o oncer n which I b elieve u nderpin a ll tthat hat iis s which believe underpin all important in in our our industry industry and and must must important be be tthe he d driving r iv ing force force ffor or c change. hange.

Firstly Firstly, y, The The Bonfield Bonfield Report Report highlights highlights tthe he iimportance mportance o off tthe he c consumer, onsumer, a nd tthis his is is something something that, that, in in my my and rrole ole a as s tthe he M MD Do off T The he G Gas as S Safety afety S uperhero c ampaign, has has become become Superhero campaign, b oth apparent apparent and and important important to to me. me. both M ore tthan han a nything a uthor ities, More anything authorities, m anufacturers o erchants could could manufacturers orr m merchants iintroduce, ntroduc u e, c onsumers have have the the consumers p ower to to rremove emove tthe he o pportunities power opportunities u n r e g i s t e r e d engineers eng i ne e r s have h av e to to unregistered w ork. They The h y demand d mand high de high working working work. sstandards tandards from from each each and and every every gas gas ssafe afe engineer, eng ineer, a nd tthey hey m ake our our and make pr ofession o ne tthat hat iis s rrecognised ecog nised profession one a sa spirational, thus thus encouraging encourag ing as aspirational, tthe he ffuture uture ttalent alent o he iindustry ndustr y off tthe tto o invest invest in in their their learning learning and and d evelopment. development.

A he h eart o onsumer en gageAtt tthe heart off c consumer engagem ent iiss of of course course education, education, ment a nd historically histor ically our our attempts attempts and a aptur ing the the attention attention of of att c capturing c onsumers h as b een w ith m arrketing consumers has been with marketing a ctivity focused focused on on tthe he risk risk of of death. death. activity

T his approach approach has has proved proved to to be be This llargely argely u nsuccessful in in creating creating unsuccessful c hange. H owever, iin n tthe he fi nal p oint change.

However, final point rraised aised in in The The Bonfield Bonfield Report, Report, I b elieve we we have hav ve found found the the missing missing believe p iece of of the the jigsaw jigsaw w tthat hat u ltimately piece ultimately ssits its a he h eart o ll w ed o, a ll w e att tthe heart off a all we do, all we h ope to to achieve, achieve, a nd all all that that we we hope and h ope tto o impact impact within within our our industry industry hope –a nd that that is is climate climate change. chang ge. and The iimpact mpact w e are are able ab a le to to The we h ave as as a result result of of installing inst al l ing have a nd pr operly maintaining maintaining energy energ y and properly e f fic ient b oi le r s a nd h eat ing a nd efficient boilers and heating and h ot w ater solutions solutions ffeeds e ed s d irectly hot water directly iinto nto tthe he rrate ate a nd long long term ter m result result and off c l imate c hange. On On the t he way, way, climate change. o ur h ighest sstandards tandards o ork a nd our highest off w work and v ery best best practices practices will will help help reduce reduce very e ne r g y b i l ls, iimprove mprove ssafety a fet y a nd energy bills, and off c o course our se save save lives, l ives, not not only only as as ad direct i rect rresult esult o off tthe he rrisks i sk s o off C CO O poisoning p oison ing b but ut also also an an iindirect nd i r e c t rresult esult of of tthe he d discomfort iscomfort a and nd sstress tress many m a ny v vulnerable ulnerable iindividuals n d i v i du a l s can c an face face when when they t hey are are without w it hout h eat ing a nd hot hot water. water. heating and

On the the bright bright side side So, though So, t hough tthe he B Bonfield onfield R Review ev iew may not m ay n ot have have had had the t he significant sig nificant would have rreception ecept ion ssome ome w ould h ave expected, do e xpected, and and though t hough I d o appreciate many engineers will a ppreciate m any e ng ineers w ill b e ttoo oo b us y d oing ttheir heir iinstalls nstalls tto o be busy doing digest d igest iitt all, all, I think think that that the the essence essence off iitt rreally be celebrated o eally sshould hould b e c elebrated by all b ya ll of of us. u s.

This celebration must Th is c elebration m ust include include a rrecognition ecognition of of the the importance importance and and ultimate u ltimate impact impact of of all all that that we we do. do.

There’s an opportunity T here’s a no pportunity tto o rredefine edefine between engineers tthe he relationship relationship b etween e ngineers llike ike myself myself and and the the consumers consumers who who careers.

We ffuel uel our our c areers. W e also also have have an an opportunity o pportunity to to evolve evolv l eo our ur iindustry ndustry and a nd h have ave a an n iimpact mpact on on energy energ y in in off ssenses a whole whole variety var iet y o enses iin n tthe he ffuture. ut ure.

About A bout the the author: author: Paul Paul Hull Hull iiss a Registered R egistered G Gas as engineer engineer and and Director Director off P PR o R Hull Hull based based in in Richmond Richmond upon upon Thames.

T hames. He He is is a also lso MD MD of of the the Gas Gas Safety S afety Superhero Superhero g group. roup.

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February 2017

PEOPLE P EOPLE on on the the Move Move The senior The senior management management team team at at Vaillant Vaillant Group Group h has as been Steve b een strengthened streng t hened with w it h the t he appointment appointment of of S teve Cipriano C ipriano as as iits ts new new C Commercial ommercial D Director irector – K Key ey A Accounts. ccounts.

Steve w will ill b be e rresponsible esponsible ffor or lleading eading tthe he rrelationships elat ionships Steve and and negotiations negot iat ions ffor or a all ll c commercial ommercial activities act iv it ie es with w it h wholesalers. wholesalers. Steve Steve w was as pr previously ev iously M MD Do off V Vokèra okèra and and National Sales Director att IIdeal.

Nat ional S ales D irector a deal.

Redring, the Redring, the manufacturer man nufacturer of of electric electric water water heating heating solutions, solutions, has appointed off Water h as ap ppointed Richard Ricchard Braid Braid d as as Head Head o Water Heating Heating and and Showers, S howers, signalling signalling the the company’s company’s iintent ntent ffor or ssignificant ignificant g rowth. R ichard b rings w ith h im 2 0 y ears o ndustry growth.

Richard brings with him 20 years off iindustry e experience, xperience, with with his his last last position position being being National National Business Business D evelopment M anager a ristan, and and boasts boasts a wealth wealth of of Development Manager att B Bristan, k knowledge nowledge o off tthe he m market arket a and nd d distribution istribution c channels. hannels.

Baxi Heating Baxi Heating has has announced announced the the appointment appointment of of S Steven teven Evans E vans as as the t he new new National Nat ional Sales Sales Manager Manager for for Potterton Pot ter ton Commercial.

Commercial. A As s a former for mer e engineer, ng ineer, m merchant erchant a and nd ssales ales rrepresentative, epresentat ive, S t e v en h as e x per ience o ll a r ea s o Steven has experience off a all areas off tthe he g gas as iindustry ndust r y a and nd h has as a d deep e ep u understanding nder st and ing o off tthe he sspecific pec ific n eeds a nd iissues ssues affecting af fect ing a l l sstages t ages o he needs and all off tthe ssupply upply c chain. ha i n .

Leigh Leigh W Williams illiams h has as jjoined oined IIntergas ntergas He Heating at ing a as s S Sales ales South West and South Wales.

Manager Manager responsible responsible ffor or tthe he S outh W est a nd S outh W ales.

Leigh L eigh comes comes to to the t he role role with w it h a wealth wealt h of of experience, exper ience, having h av ving sspent pent 15 y years ears w with ith V Vaillant, aillant, ffollowed ollowed b by y ffour our w with ith Baxi, B axi, where where he he sspecialised pecialised iin n ssocial o c ia l h housing ousing c contracts. ontracts.

He has has also also held held roles roles at at Stelrad Stelrad and and Uponor, Uponor, w where here he he was Development Manager. w as Specification Specificat ion Business Business D evelopment M anager.

The Brand The Brand Specialists Specialists team team at at Stelrad Stelrad Radiators Radiators has has been been enhanced with addition Chris White, who e nhanced w ith tthe he a ddition of of C hris W hite, w ho will w ill rrepresent epresent the the brand brand at at builders builders and and plumbers plumbers merchant merchant branches. C hr is’s tterritory er r itor y w ill c over tthe he w hole o ast branches.

Chris’s will cover whole off E East Anglia, Anglia, w where here he he w will ill w work ork c closely losely w with ith m merchant erchant sstaff taff a and nd meet a nd ttrain rain installers. installers. He is is a Sports Sports Science Science graduate graduate meet and from from tthe he U University niversit y o off D Derby. erby.

Remeha has Remeha has announced announced n new ew ap appointments ppointments tto o iits ts ssouthern outhern ssales ales tteam. eam. Ricky Ricky Lewis Le ewis iis sn now ow S Sales ales Manager Manager for for tthe he H Home ome C ounties, a nd Lee Lee Atk kinson (pictured) (pictured) is is Area Area Sales Sales Manager Manager Counties, and Atkinson extending Hampshire Surrey.

Finally, for for tthe he rregion egion e xtending ffrom rom H ampshire tto oS urrey. F inally, Essex and Norfolk managed by tthe he East East London, London, E ssex a nd No rfolk region region iis sm anaged b y Paul Paul Stokes.

S to okes. The The new new appointments ap ppointments ffollow ollow tthe he rretirement etirement S Sales ales M Manager anager Mike Mike L Loveluck oveluck a after fter 30 30 years years with with the the company. company.

Flushing F lushing specialist specialist Siamp Siamp has has recruited recruited two two new new members members to to iits ts tteam. eam. Alex Alex H Holcroft olcrof oft ((pictured) pictured) fi fills lls tthe he n newly ewlly c created reatted role role off U o UK K Product Product Manager.

Manager. Alex Alex brings brings a wealth wealth of of experience, experience, having h aving w worked orked iin n tthe he ssanitaryware anitar y ware industry industr y for for more more tthan han 15 years. years. In In addition, addition, S Stuart tuart T Tooley ooley has has jjoined oined a as s Sales S ales Manager Manager in in the the South South East.

East. Stuart Stuart was was formerly formerly a p plumbing lumbing merchant merchant in in North North London.

London.

New to New N to the the sales sales tteam eam at at Sentinel Sentinel Commercial Commercial is is Russ R ss Ru Walliss, W alliss, who who has has taken taken on on the the role role of of Commercial Commercial Sector Sector M Manager anager for for the the South.

South. Russ Russ will w ill be be responsible responsible for for providing pr ov iding e effective ffective ttechnical echnical ssales ales sservices er v ices tto om meet eet tthe he iindividual ndividual n needs eeds o off a range range of of commercial commercial clients clients including including sspecifiers, pecifiers, local local authorities, author ities, healthcare healthcare providers prov iders a and nd d esig n a nd b uild c ontractors. design and build contractors.

Chemical w Chemical water ater ttreatment reatment a and nd fi filter lter m manufacturer anufacturer F Fernox ernox has h as a appointed ppointed Callum Callum u McDonald McDonald d as as A Area rea S Sales ales M Manager anager ffor or L London. ondon. A After fter m more ore tthan han tthree hree y years ears iin n tthe he ttechnical echnical d department epartment at at Fernox, Fernox, Callum’s Callum’s n new ew responsibilities responsibilities w will ill in include clude in increasing creasing a and nd m maintaining aintaining sales sales with with contractors, contractors, h housing ousing associations associations a and nd llocal ocal authorities authorities as as well well as as ssupporting upporting the the local local merchant merchant networks. networks.

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F February 2017

12 YO YOUR OUR Views Views Got a Got an n opinion opinion o or r story s tory you yo ou want want to to share? s hare? W We’d e’d love love to to hear h ear ffrom rom you! yo ou!

Please address Pl ease a ddress your your lletters etters to: to: The Editor, The Editor, P PHAM HAM N News, ew s , 1b 1 b Station Station Square, Square, Flitwick, Flitwick, Bedfordshire, B edfordshire, MK45 MK45 1DP 1DP

or o re email mail tto: o: eeditor@ dittor@ p hamnewsedit.co.uk phamnewsedit.co.uk

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February 2017

ENERGY E NERGY M Matters atters s 15 Barrier-free energy energy storage storage G Barrier-free Gas as grid g id must gr must be be expanded expanded policy policy needed needed for for growth growth The Solar The Solar Trade Trade A Association ssociation calling iiss c alling on on the the Government Government all barriers tto o remove remove a ll b ar r iers tto o energy tthe he deployment deploy ment of of e n rg y ne sstorage. torage. Responding Responding to to Ofgem’s consultation, O fgem’s c onsultat ion, ‘‘A A Smart, S mar t, Flexible Flexible E Energy n rg y ne System’, S ystem’, the t he STA STA says says that t hat tthe he c cost ost of of storage, storage, e especially specially w it h llithium-ion it hium-ion b atter ies, with batteries, has dropped, and h as d ropped, a nd tthe he iindustry ndustr y is is ready ready to to deliver deliver smarter sm ar ter energy energ y ssystem ystem alternatives a lter nat ives tthat hat w will ill sa save ve consumers c onsumers money. money.

Recent R ecent research research conducted conduc u ted b y iindependent ndependent a nalysts by analysts A urora Energy Energ y R e s ea r c h Aurora Research h as sshown how n that t hat batteries batter ies has w ork p ar ticularly w ell w ith work particularly well with v ariable generation, generation, such suc u ha s variable as ssolar. olar. T he rresearch esearch showed showed The tthat hat a high high deployment deploy ment of of ssolar olar iin n tthe he U K’s ffuture ut ure UK’s e nerg y ssystem ystem w ould c ome energy would come w ith only only modest modest integration integration with c osts associated associated with w it h its its costs v ar iable ou t put. variable output.

H owever, tthe he a ddit ion o However, addition off sstorage torage removes removes tthis h is c o st cost a nd in in its its place place delivers delivers a and net economic economic b enefit. T he benefit.

The rresearch esearch ssuggests ug gests tthat hat b y by e nabling the t he provision prov ision of of enabling c heap, clean clean energy energ y for for cheap, llonger onger p er iods o he d ay, periods off tthe day,

tthere here w ould b ed ow nward would be downward pr essure on on pr ices ffor or tthe he pressure prices c onsumer, a nd rreduce educ u e tthe he consumer, and n eed for for other other more more expenexpenneed ssive ive fforms or ms o enerat ion. off g generation.

L eonie G reene, S TA He ad o Leonie Greene, STA Head off Ex ternal A ffairs, comments: comments: External Affairs, ““Solar Solar power power has has turned turned the the g r id o n iits ts h ead; iitt pr rov ides grid on head; provides u nique opportunities oppor t unit ie i s for for unique e nerg y c onsumers o ll energy consumers off a all ttypes y pes to to take take control control of of ttheir heir b ills a nd pr oduc ce ttheir heir bills and produce o w n energy, energ y, ssitting itt ing a he own att tthe h ear t of of a smart, smar t, flexible flexible heart en erg y ssystem. ystem. Storage Storage energy h as a multiplier mult iplier effect effect for for has rrenewable enewab ble e nerg y – whether wh hether energy iit’s t’s h elping a h omeow ner helping homeowner g et the the most most efficient efficient use use of of get ttheir heir solar solar panels, panels, or or a ssolar olar ffarm ar m m atch its its output output w ith match with dem and, sstorage torage will will benefit benefit demand, tthe he w hole ssystem.” ystem.” whole T he S TA iis s a lso calling calling The STA also ffor o r st rronger o n g e r st a n d a rd s standards

tto o suppor s u p p or t c o n s u me r consumer c onfidence a he do d mest ic confidence att tthe domestic le vel. T he organisation organisation says says level.

The iitt iis s e ssent ial tthat hat tthere here essential a re m inimum sstandards tandards are minimum tto o ensure ensure storage storage systems systems a re installed installed with w it h good good are c omponents a nd iin n a w ay components and way tthat hat is is safe safe and and effective. effect ive.

T he STA STA stresses stresses that that action action The m ust be be taken taken as as a matter matter must o rgenc y. off u urgency.

The Energy The Energ y and and n Utilities Utilities Alliance Alliance (EUA) (EUA) has has s unveiled unveiled a plan plan to to tackle tackle fuel fuel poverty povert y in in iits ts llatest atest rreport, eport, ‘‘Fuel Fuel p poverty overt y – a cconnected onnected s solution’. olution’. A According ccording tto oC Chief hief E Executive xecutive Mike nearly M ike Foster, Fosterr, n earlly 140,000 140,000 families families a year year could could be be lifted lifted out out of of fuel fuel poverty povert y simply simply by b y targeting targeting support support to to connect connect fuel fu uel poor poor homes homes to to the the gas gas grid. grid. EUA EUA says says this t h is a pproach rrelies elies o n a re ealignment o xisting p olicies, w ith n oa dditional g overnment approach on realignment off e existing policies, with no additional government expenditure, e xpenditture, and and will will save save families families using using electricity electricity as a their their main main source sourc rce of of heating heating over o ver £900 £9 0 0 a y year ear on on ttheir heir energy energ y bi bills. lls.

Foster. ““Fuel Fuel poverty povert y iis s a rreal, eal, serious serious and and growing growing problem problem in in the the UK,” UK,” says says Mike Mike F oster.. so underground gas network, all ““With With s o many many homes homes cclose lose tto o tthe he u nderground g as n et work, a ll tthat hat iis s rrequired equired iis s an a n alignment alignment of of Government Government policy. policy. No new new money money iis sn needed. eeded. T The he g gas as n networks et work ks want w ant to to do do more, more, but but current current regulations regulations stop stop them. them. Simple Simple changes, changes, better better targeted targete ed support s upport a and nd tthe he d determination etermination o off G Government overnment tto oh help elp ccould ould cchange hange tthe he llives iv ve s o off hundreds h undreds of of thousands thousands of of families families who who today today juggle juggle between bet ween heating heating and and eating.” eating.”

To view visit: http://bit.ly/2jWWDfT T ov iew tthe he ffull ull rreport, eport, v isit: h ttp:// bit.ly y/2jW WDf T

The T he ccase ase ffor or C CHP HP As tthe As he c cost ost of of electricity electr icit y continues c ont inues to to rrise ise ffor or businesses, b usinesses, Remeha Remeha says say ys the the case c ase for for combined combined heat heat and and power p ower (CHP) (CHP) systems systems g grows rows sstronger. tronger. CHP CHP systems systems burn burn n atural gas gas to to generate generatte heat, heat, natural while w hile providing providing electricity electricity to to ssupplement upplement or replace replace tthe he g r id ssupply. upply. R emeha ssays ays grid Remeha tthat hat b yg enerating e lectricity by generating electricity on o n ssite, ite, e energy nerg y b bills i l ls c can an b be e rreduced educed b y a round 2 0% by around 20% co mpared to to conventional convent ional compared power p ower generation. generat ion. ““By By using using a CHP CHP system, system, businesses b usinesses c can an produce produce electricity e lect r icit y a att g gas as pr prices, r ices, which w hich iiss cheaper cheaper than t ha n buying b uy ing it it directly direct ly from from tthe he grid, g r id, as as electricity electr icit y iis s approximately a pproximately 8 pence pence more more expensive e xpensive p per er k kW/h,” W/ h,” ssays ays Gary G ar y Stoddart, Stoddar t, Technical Technical Sales S ales Director Director at at Remeha Remeha CHP. C HP. “Also, “A lso, in in comparison compar ison tto o purchasing purchasing from from the the grid, grid, CHP doesn’t C HP electricity electricity d oesn’t ssuffer uffer llosses osses resulting resulting from from moving moving power p ower over over large la r g e d distances, istances, rresulting esulting in in a more more efficient efficient process. p rocess.

Gary S Gary Stoddart, toddart, R Remeha emeha C CHP HP Technical T echnical S Sales ales D Director irector

““By By generating generat ing heat heat and and power CHP power ssimultaneously, imultaneously, C HP can can rreduce educe carbon carbon emissions emissions by by up up to to 30% 30% compared compared tto o convent met hods. co n v e n t ional iona l m et h ods.

At where At tthe he ssame ame ttime, ime, w here the heat t he ‘waste’ ‘waste’ h eat ffrom rom tthe he generation generat ion process process is is lost lost at gas power at g as p ower stations, stat ions, tthe he heat generated heat g enerated by

by CHP CHP can ca n be heating/ be rreused eused iin n tthe he h eat ing / hot hot water water ssystems. ystems. This This is is especially when especially effective effect ive w hen CHP CHP is is designated desig nated as as the t he lead heat lead he at ssource.” ource.”

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February 2017

GADGETS ADGETS & Tools Tools 16 GA Fluxing lux xing o on n Accurate A ccurate measurement measurement in mega mega pixels pix xels F For For accurate accurate measurement measurem ment data, data, tthe he H Hilti ilti P PD-C D-C L Laser aser range range meter meter incorporates incorporates a built-in built-in 5 mega-pixel mega-pixel camera. camera.

This This handheld handheld device device features features Hilti Hilti PulsePower PulsePower technology techno olog y and and is is rated ratted for for direct direct laser laser measurements with +/-1.0 mm measuremen nts w ith + /-1.0 m m accuracy over working accuracy o ver a w orking rrange ange of 200m. of 0.15 0.15 tto o2 00m.

Designed Designed ffor or iindoor o ndoor o or outdoor use, easy-to-follow outdoor u se, e asy-to-follow graphics graphics on on the the intuitive intuitive touchscreen touchscreen allow allow contraccontractors tors to to navigate navigate the the tool’s tool’s functions.

The feature functions. T he fe ature called called

‘measure picture ‘measure from from tthe he p icture application’ allows users application’ a llows u sers to to estimate object’s dimenestimate tthe he o bject’s d imensions directly sions d irectly from from the the image. image.

Contractors can also Contractors c an a lso sstore tore this this data data to to the the device’s device’s 4GB 4GB of memory and of iinternal nter nal m emor y a nd add comments add c omments tto o tthese hese

digital dig ital images images at at any any point point in in the the process. process. This This project projject data data can can subsequently subsequent ly be be exported smartphone expor ted tto o a sm mar t phone or or PC, PC, either either as as a PDF PDF report report or annotated via or a nnotated JJPG PG iimage mage v ia Bluetooth orr U USB. Bluetoot h o SB. B Described ass tough Descr ibed a tough and and highly Hilti highly rrobust, obust, tthe he H ilti PD-C PD-C Laser Laser range range meter’s meter’s touchscreen touchscreen iiss made made from from scratch scratch resistant resistant Gorilla Gorilla glass glass which can which c an be be operated operated by by contractors wearing gloves. contractors w earing g loves.

PHAM P HAM N NEWS EW S E ENQUIRY NQUIRY N No. o.

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Getting G etting a an n eeasy asy llock ock o on nn nuts uts a and nd b bolts olts The llightweight The ig ghtw weig ght and and robust robust A Alligator llig gator Water W ate er Pump Pump Pliers Pliers from from Knipex Knip pex are are e engineered en gineere ed to o minimise minimise exertion exertion and and prevent p revent painful painful hand hand injuries injuriies while while e still stilll being b eing able able to o grip grip strongly. strongly. The The pliers pliers feature fe ature e a slim slim head head a and n joint nd joint area are ea for for greater g reater rreach each in in confined confined areas, are eas, and and the the box b ox joint joint provides pro ovides e extra xtra stability. stability y.

The surfaces off tthe T he gripping gripping s urfaces o he pliers pliers have h ave specially speciallly hardened hardened teeth teeth to to enable enable e ccontinuously ontiinuously reliable reliable e performance, per e formance, and and tthe he special special self-locking self-lo ocking jaw jaw geometry geometry y is is

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desig designed gned to to grip griip pipes pipes and and nuts, nuts, allowing alllowin ng tthe he user user to to focus focus their theirr energy enerrgy on on rrotating otating piece.

Painful hand tthe he work work kp iece. P ainful h and injuries injurie es are also a re e a lso prevented prevented by by the the anti-pinch anti-pinch design off th the handle area.

They deliver d esign o he h andle ea rea. T hey d eliv ve er a firm, firm, reliable reliable gripping gripping of of flat, flat, round round a nd polygonal polygonal profiles. profiles. and The robust and T he ro obust a nd practical practical adjustment adjustm ment mechanism m echanism means means the the tool tool can can be be a adjusted djuste ed e easily asily tto o tthe he work work p piece iece a and nd allows gripping position. a llo ows a ccomfortable omfo ortable g ripp p ing p osition.

ENQUIRY ENQUIRY No. No. 10 www.knipex.com w ww.knipex.com 106 6

The new The new v version ersion o off E Everflux ver flux c comes omes iin n a handy handy twist-up t w ist-up tube. t ube. Normally Nor mally flux has be applied by brush, but fl ux h as tto ob ea pplied b yab r u sh , b ut with w it h this t his product product all all you you have have to to do do is is ttwist w i st a and nd a apply pply l d directly irect ly tto o tthe he ttube. ube. A WRAS W R AS a approved pprove ed p product, roduct, Everflux Everflux sstick tick iiss suitable suitable for for u se w it h g as a nd w ater use with gas and water applications. a pplicat ions.

Everflux E ver flux Twist Twist stick stick contains contains enough enough flux fl ux for for o over v er 5 50 0 ssolder older jjoints oints a and nd iis s a vailable tthrough hrough p lumbers m erchants. available plumbers merchants.

ENQUIRY E NQUIRY N No. o. www.everflux.com www .everflux.com 105 10 5

Nibbler m Nibbler makes akes tthe he ccuts uts a llot ot easier easier Designed to Designed make m ake ffast, ast, acaccurate c uratte c cuts uts iin na variety v ariety o off m metal etal ssheets, heets, tthe he new new cordless cordless CN18DCN18DSL/JP S L/JP 18V 18V nibbler nibbler er h has as b been een llaunched au unched b by y Hitachi Hitachi Power Power Tools.

T ools. Slicing Slicing through through up up to to 1.8m 1 .8m o off ssteel teel per per minute minute and cutting a nd c utting up up to to 20m 20m per per charge, c harge, the the new new cordless cordless 18V 1 8V nibbler nibbler delivers delivers lo long ng llasting asting power. power.

The T he n nibbler ibbler h has as tthree h re e cutting c utting positions positions and and a

slimline slimline g grip, r ip, m making aking it it c comfortable omfortable ffor or tthe he user a nd e asy tto om ake user and easy make tight tight a and nd p precise recise c cuts. uts.

A handy handy d b battery atter y indiindicator cator llight ight iis s fi fitted tted a as s standard. standard r .

The ttool ool also also comes comes The with w ith two two 5.0Ah 5.0Ah lithlithiium-ion um-ion b batteries atteries with w it h a c charge ha r g e ttime ime o off just just 75 75 minutes. minu n t e s.

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February 2017

18 TRAINING Update Courses focus on Ravenheat dates ventilation hygiene

Good time to invest

in apprenticeships As a CIPHE accredited training provider, Steve Willis Training Centres focus on keeping up to date with the latest industry developments to offer customers exactly what they need to meet any new technical and regulatory requirements.

Suzanne Green, Apprenticeship Manager, comments: “We’re here to help you take advantage of new opportunities, such as the recently announced changes to apprenticeship funding. This could be the

year to think about how an apprentice can help your business to grow, and how you can give a young person the opportunity to start their career with you.

“I have also been involved in a campaign to get more women apprentices into male dominated sectors such as ours. The perfect trainee for your business could be just around the corner in 2017, and they might not look quite how you expect.”

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The need to provide a safe working environment and reduce fire risks in commercial kitchens led to the development of the industry’s primary standard for ventilation hygiene (TR19) some 20 years ago. The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), which launched the standard, has now designed a suite of training courses to support it, soon to be backed by a new accreditation scheme.

It is estimated that around a quarter of the 24,000 accidental fires in UK nondomestic buildings each year are caused by cooking appliances. The need to keep food preparation areas free of contamination is another important issue and depends on air systems being kept clear of airborne contaminants.

“The market is enjoying healthy growth as a result of increased awareness among building owners of the crucial health and safety role played by hygiene specialists,” says BESA’s Technical Director Tim Rook. “However, we also have to guard against the inevitable ‘cowboy’ element, who seek to undercut bona fide firms and fail to invest in the training and equipment needed.

“We are extremely fortunate to be able to draw on the expertise of the dedicated volunteers in our enthusiastic Ventilation Hygiene group. The training courses and subsequent accreditation provided by BESA will allow properly professional ventilation hygiene firms to prove their competence.”

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New training dates for 2017 have been announced by Ravenheat.

The company offers one-day courses free to installers, taking place at its head office in Morley, Leeds. The courses are delivered by in-house experts and are an opportunity to find out more about the technical features of Ravenheat products, including its new HE range of boilers.

“We take you through the thinking and innovation behind our products and why we choose each component or system,” says Training Manager John Wilson. “Our training facilities include working boilers so you can learn about all aspects of installing, commissioning, servicing and diagnostics.”

All the training days are set for a Friday. The first takes place on 24 February. Other dates include 24 March, 28 April, 26 May, 28 July, 25 August, 29 September, 27 October, 24 November and 8 December. To reserve a place, please send an email to: enquiries@ravenheat.co.uk

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February 2017

TRAINING Update 19 Getting on the right course The ‘Ariston Academy’ website has been upgraded with a view to making it easier for installers and engineers to book a place on one of the company’s newly redeveloped training courses.

From searching for training to making online bookings (either by course or by location), the new website is the gateway to a range of courses – such as ‘boiler installation and service including fault finding’,

as well as the company’s new ‘remote diagnostics’ offering, a course introduced to coincide with the launch of the Ariston Net app.

Installers can enrol at any one of the company’s 14 nationwide training venues, including its five key Centres of Excellence in Bristol, Basildon, Barnsley, Glasgow and Milton Keynes.

Courses provide heating installers with an opportunity to benefit from practical, hands-on experience. In

addition to learning about the latest legislation and heating technologies, attendees will also benefit from Ariston’s popular £300 cash back offer.

Steve Long, Training & Service Manager at Ariston, says: “Our courses are designed to provide installers with the skills they need for fast, troublef ree installat ion and servicing. Plus, engineers at tending each course receive comprehensive training packs containing

all the essential information they need to sell and fit our products.”

Installers looking to find or sign up for a training course should visit www. aristonacademy.co.uk

Pathway to moving into biomass HETAS has developed a bespoke changeover course to help gas engineers meet demand for wood burning, biomass and solid fuel appliances from consumers. The three-day course is now available from HETAS training centres across the UK and builds on the existing skill set of gas engineers. It will cover practical considerations for chimney and flue provision, ventilation,

distances to combustible materials, the characteristics of fuels and regulatory requirements.

Also new is a two-day service and maintenance course, designed to ensure engineers are equipped with the knowledge and practical skills to undertake such work.

The course joins other established HETAS courses, such as the H008 pellet stove installation course. The training

is covered in one day and addresses the differences between appliances, chimney requirements, service and maintenance. Installers must have already completed the H003 dry installer competency course before signing up.

Attendees will also be able to learn more about Woodsure, the UK’s quality wood fuel assurance scheme.

For more information, visit the HETAS website: www.hetas.co.uk

Larry Soper, EnviroVent’s Training Manager (right) with the company’s Quality Director Darren Chadwick

NICEIC certified Ventilation systems specialist EnviroVent has announced that the company’s training centre in Harrogate has now become a fully accredited NICEIC Approved Training Centre. The company says it has invested significantly in its training centre to ensure it can provide the best possible courses for ventilation installers.

The centre, which will be audited regularly by NICEIC, now boasts fully operational ventilation units that allow contractors and installers to

work in real life ventilation scenarios, as well as being able to commission and set up ventilation systems.

The two-day NICEIC ventilation course, which is aimed at electricians, plumbers and heating engineers, will be run every month (with extra courses arranged at times of high demand) and EnviroVent expects to train around 200 installers over the course of the year.

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Advertisement Feature

February 2017

BUSINESS Matters

20 PRODUCT Spotlight

How Pro-Fit will make life easier for professionals By picking the right product, replacing an electric shower can be a quick and painless job. Here, a few pros share their thoughts on the installer-friendly solutions Triton has built into its latest shower.

T

aking both new or replacement electric shower installations to the next level, Triton has launched its latest addition to the iconic T80 range – the Pro-Fit. A number of experienced installers were invited to an exclusive preview of the product and were very excited about what they saw.

Two of the attendees, Tom from Leicester and West Midlands-based Sean, who are seasoned professionals, had a lot to say and wanted to share these experiences with their peers.

the set-up on site. Tom can already see how this will benefit him: “The most useful features for me are the dual inlet for the water and also the swivel on the outlet which gives access to the nut on the inlet port, giving you a lot more room to work.”

Proflexible – accessible accessories

The unit is accompanied by a 670mm riser rail to allow for the direct replacement of any standard rail and is adjustable to guarantee even overhang on either side of Proconnect – wall brackets. Tom used to quick connections keep alternatives to hand, The market leading T80 as the ones provided were Pro-Fit offers various fitting often not suitable: options thanks to eight “The new T80 Pro-Fit water and eight electric riser kit will simply fit entry points, making it a real straight onto the wall, dream for installation. Sean without any problems. had previously struggled to With other products the find a shower to cover the accessories tend not to pair footprint of some showers, with the existing holes – and was very enthusiastic now I can complete the job without any problems, about the flexibility: saving time, money and “The choice of connections Tom Walkinshaw from space in my van!” makes everything simple and Leicester These are only a few of the allows a neat finish, which is especially important for homeowners who enhancements – to take a closer look at already have their bathroom walls tiled and the fully featured T80 Pro-Fit, visit www. don’t want extra holes to be drilled.” tritonshowers.co.uk.

With a dual water inlet for easy left or right pipe connection and Triton’s very own Swing-Fit™ terminal block, there are many connection routes, whatever

Find out more For more information on Triton’s range of electric showers, visit the website below. www.tritonshowers.co.uk

Prove you’re a Pro! Have you accepted the Triton ‘Pro-Fit Challenge’ to show off your shower installation skills to win prizes? Challenge your friends and grab your smartphone now to download the Triton app free of charge from the Apple and Android stores. Simply search ‘Pro-Fit Challenge’ and see your name appear on Triton’s leaderboard.

ENQUIRY No.

Following new research conducted by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which reveals that over half (54%) of businesses surveyed are unsure of the law on unfair contract terms, the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) is emphasising the importance of ensuring terms and conditions included in contracts are fair and enforceable.

Ensuring consumers can be held to what they signed in difficult situations – for example a customer cancelling at the last minute – terms and conditions offer businesses an important means of protection. However, in order to be enforceable they must be considered fair. The ability to judge the fairness of contract terms is therefore essential

for businesses, allowing them to save the time and money involved in disputes with customers as well as protecting their company’s reputation.

APHC is reminding industry members that they can strengthen their understanding of all areas of contracts by enrolling on its online course ‘Contracts for Beginners’. It provides essential information on

what T&Cs are, where they should be displayed and their importance, along with other important contract issues.

Tailored specifically for members of the plumbing and heating industry, APHC’s online courses cost £25 + VAT for APHC members and £35 + VAT for non-members.

To enrol, visit the website (https://courses.aphc.co.uk) and register as a new user.

Tricks of the VAT cowboys

Sean Keegan, West Midlands

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Despite growing more wary of cowboy tradesmen, the majority of UK homeowners (79%) do not check their tradesman’s VAT credentials, according to research from Plentific.com.

The HMRC estimates that £3.4 billion is uncollected every year from VAT fraud. Whilst it is legal for a tradesman to not be VAT registered when earning under £83,000 per annum, there are some that claim to be VAT registered so that they can charge customers higher prices.

Although the VAT charge can appear on the bill, if the trade professional is not upfront with their credentials, they can keep the 20% fee. Consequently, the homeowner is overcharged whilst participating in VAT fraud.

The survey found that homeowners aged 1834 are twice as likely (41%) to ask to see their trade professional’s VAT credentials when compared to the UK’s average. Perhaps this generation are more cost-conscious and inclined

to negotiate the final price. Londoners are also cautious, with 37% asking for evidence. This may be a result of the higher prices for London services, causing the homeowners to be wary of additional expenses.

Nottingham, on the other hand, appears to care the least, as only 12% said they would ask to see the VAT credentials.

Plentific.com is a home improvement marketplace designed to connect homeowners with local tradesmen and professionals.

Don’t let calls go unanswered Relying on voicemail can have a detrimental effect on the bottom line of the smallest businesses, new research suggests. Moneypenny, the telephone answering service, says that the majority of callers are unwilling to leave voicemail messages.

In a survey of 300 micro businesses (0-9 employees), which included plumbers and plumbing contractors, and an examination of its own call data from 10,000 businesses, Moneypenny found that a third of the businesses surveyed failed to consistently answer their incoming calls.

In its report, Small Business Call Report 2016, Moneypenny revealed that 69% of the callers who were answered by

voicemail declined to leave a message, and instead hung up.

“A customer getting through to voicemail instead of a person is like tearing up money. It’s akin to walking into a shop with no one at the till. Buyers simply ring the next supplier on the list,” says Ed Reeves, Director at Moneypenny.

“A phone call is the final reassurance prior to a purchase. This results in fewer, yet higher value phone

calls coming from only the most serious of buyers.”

The report states that those who do let their calls go through to voicemail are letting themselves down with their message greetings too.

54% relied on the standard network message. Only 33% of recorded voicemail messages actually referenced the business with a professional greeting, whilst 13% used a personal recorded greeting with no reference of the business.

Moneypenny’s services provide a real person to answer missed mobile calls, specifically designed for small businesses to avoid losing customers. Find out more on the website: www. moneypenny.com/uk

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February 2017

ECOBUILD Preview 23

Renewed focus on regeneration Each year Ecobuild stages the UK’s largest show for sustainable design, construction and the built environment, and this year the emphasis will be on redefining what sustainability means, supported by an extensive manufacturer exhibition and conference programme.

W

ith the theme of ‘Redefining Sustainability’, Ecobuild returns to London’s ExCeL, 7-9 March, with a full conference programme and a wide-ranging list of exhibitors. The exhibition space will be modelled along the lines of a mini-city, complete with a main street, distinct destinations and special feature attractions. Central to the experience will be Regeneration Drive, a boulevard running through the centre of the exhibition floor, linking all aspects of the show for easy navigation of the various attractions. As visitors make their way up Regeneration Drive, they will be introduced to key destinations including The Arena, City Hall and the Performance Lab.

The Arena This area will be home to the Ecobuild Conference where a range of keynote speeches will be staged across the three days. Topics under discussion range from the delivery of high quality, sustainable and affordable homes, to the impacts of Brexit on construction products and construction design and methodology.

seminar programme, key issues covered will include carbon reduction in the built environment, explored in a session by the UK-GBC, as well as possible approaches to deliver a low carbon city or neighbourhood.

Performance Lab

The Arena also sees the live final of Ecobuild’s Big Innovation Pitch with M&S, in which five finalists battle it out for the chance to trial across M&S retail and commercial properties.

The major retailer is seeking commercial engineering and efficiency solutions to reduce their water and energy usage, as part of their Plan A sustainability objectives.

City Hall Sponsored by Saint-Gobain, City Hall will be the show’s sustainability hub and home to the UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC).

As part of the Redefining Sustainability

Performance Lab offers the chance to catch up on the latest technologies and processes that are helping to enhance building performance, versatility and energy efficiency. The area covers the latest approaches in energy efficiency and building performance, presented in association with CIBSE. Across the three days, CIBSE will host a daily session on indoor health and wellbeing, exploring how the WELL Standard relates to existing sustainability standards such as BREEAM and LEED. Visitors will also have the chance to attend a daily session around ‘Modelling for Performance and not Compliance’. This will see a panel of experts look at how best practice guidance and tools can be applied to the design of homes towards energy efficient, healthy and comfortable indoor environments.

District energy Ecobuild will also give visitors the chance to access a showcase on district energy, thanks to a partnership with the UK District Energy Association. Exhibitors in this area will showcase the latest technology and systems, while a dedicated seminar theatre will host 36 informative sessions, where case studies, business models and best practice examples from the UK, Scandinavia and further afield will be shared.

Getting there Ecobuild takes place at London’s ExCeL Exhibition Conference Centre in the Docklands and is accessible by the DLR. Get off at the Prince Regent station. There is also parking for 3700 cars. The show is free to attend, but online registration is recommended (ecobuild.co.uk).

March Opening Times Tuesday 7th 10.00 – 18.00 Wednesday 8th 10.00 – 18.00 Thursday 9th 10.00 – 16.00

See us at Ecobuild on Stand E138

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F February 2017

24 E ECOBUILD COBUILD Preview Preview Exhibitor E xhibit or hi h highlights gh hligh ht s To help To help y you ou m make ake tthe he m most ost of of your your ttime ime at at ExCeL, ExCeL, here here follows follows a listing listing of of s ome of of the the exhibitors exhibitors most most relevant relevant some tto o the the e plumbing plumbing g and and heating heating industry, industry, and an dap preview review o off s some ome o off tthe he p products roducts set be s et tto ob e unveiled unveiled at at the the show. show.

Altecnic A ltecnic ((D138) D138 8) Claiming C laiming to to have have the t he most most advanced advanced heat heat iinterface nterface u nit ((HIU) HIU) o n tthe he m arket, A ltecnic unit on market, Altecnic will w ill b be e sshowing howing off off its its new new SmartSat SmartSat range, range, designed d esig ned tto ok keep eep rrunning unning c costs osts a and nd iinitial nitial capital c apitall expenditure expenditure d down own tto oam minimum. inimum. T The he company c ompany will w ill be be unveiling unveiling a new new piece piece of of help demonstrate ssoftware oftware tto oh elp d emonstratte tthe he ttechnology echnology and a nd w will ill also also showcase showcase its its complete complete range range off c o commercial ommercial b balancing alancing valves, valves, iincluding ncluding PICVs, DPCVs and everything P IC Vs, D PC Vs a nd e ver y t hing rrequired equired tto o sspecify pecify H HIUs IUs iinto nto d district istrict h heating eating n networks. etworks.

Aquabion A quabion ((A172) A172)

Altecnic’s A ltecnic’s S SmartSat martSat H HIU IU

S Stainless tainless ssteel teel ssanitaryware anitaryware ssolutions olutions o on nD Delabie’s elabie’s sstand tand

Delabie D elabie (A205) (A205) Stainless ssteel Stainless teel ssanitaryware anitar y ware ttakes a ke s c centre ent re how sstage tage at at Delabie.

Delabie. Find Find out out h ow tthe he products’ products’ bacteriostatic b ac ter iost at ic properties prop er t ies and and vandalv a n d a lrresistant esistant qualities qualit ies make make them them suitable suitable for for professional pr ofessiona l kitchens k itchens and and secure sec u re sector s e c t or iinstitutions. n s t it u t i o n s . D Delabie elabie a also l so offers of fer s a range r a ng e brings characteristics public tthat hat b r ing s tthese hese c haracter ist ics tto op ublic ssanitary an it a r y ffacilities. a c i l it i e s .

As a sspecialist As pecialist in in water water conditioner conditioner ssystems, ystems, Aquabion using presence A quabion iis su sing iits ts pr esence att the a the show show to to promote promote the the benefits b enefits of of its its solutions. solutions.

Come by find out how C ome b y tto o fi nd o ut h ow iits ts ttechnology echnolog y can can both both remove remove and prevent build-up. a nd p revent llimescale imescalle b uild-up.

The water T he company company ssays ays its its w ater conditioner guaranteed c onditioner iis sg uaranteed tto o build-up rreduce educe limescale limescale b uild-up five years.

Products ffor or fi ve y ears. P roducts are are available both domestic a vailable ffor or b oth do mestic Envirovent’s nv virovent’s energiSava energiSava 200 200 and commercial a nd c ommercial applications. applicat ations. E

EnviroVent E nviroVent (A197) (A197) As a leading As leading ventilation ventilattion ma nufacturer, E nviro oVent manufacturer, EnviroVent w ill b e sshowing howing v isitors a will be visitors new product n ew pr oduct designed designed to to make m ake co commissioning mmissioning simpler simpler ffor or tthe he iinstaller nstaller a and nd o offer ffer g reater control control to to the the end end greater user. u ser. The The new new energiSava ene n rgiSava 200 2 00 will will complement compleme ent the the company’s c ompany’s range range of of p positive ositive iinput nput v ventilation entilation (PIV), (PIV), a as s

well well as as mechanical mechanical v ventilation entilation with with heat rrecovery ecovery ((MVHR) MVHR) ssolutions olutions tto o tthe he heat new new b build uild and and refurbishment refurbishment sectors. sectors.

T The he R R-Volt -Volt P Plus lus ssystem ystem ffrom rrom Go Go Geothermal Geothermal

Go Geothermal Geothermal (C202) (C ( 202)

The County Durha Durham am based heat pumps and rrenewables enewables supplier inviting more is in nviting v installers s to learn mor e Flir F lirr ((C164) C164) about a bout b what the co company ompan n y has to Drop D rop b by y tthis his sstand tand tto o ssee ee tthe he offer.. Go Geothermal offer Geotherm mal specialises applications a pplications ffor o or iinstruments nstr uments in deli delivering vering e everything verything y needed measuring m easuring temperature temper e atture and and studying studying to complete a gr ou und sour ce or ground source tthe he tthermal hermal performance performance of of building building air sour source ce heat pum pump mp installation, sstructures. tr uctures. Thermal Thermal cameras cameras now now including the pipe work, manifold pipework, come c ome iin nv various ar ious sshapes, hapes, sizes sizes and and ancillarry pr o oducts and, of and ancillary products The he F Flir l ir M MR176 R176 c apab bilities to to suit suit every ever y application application T capabilities course, the heatt pump itself. course, moisture isture m metre etre a nd b udget. C ameras a nd tthermal hermal mo and budget.

Cameras and ovides thr ee br ands The firm pr provides three brands c ores are are regularly regularlly y mounted mounted on on drones drones cores of heat pumps – Stie Stiebel bel Eltr Eltron, on, ffor or a erial iinspection, nspection, a nd b uilding engineers engineers V aerial and building Vaillant aillant and the Mitsubishi Ecodan – and a n ow have have the the option option tto oc hoose from from a g rowing also or now choose growing organises ganises the neces necessary ssary tr training aining rrange ange o est a nd me m asurement iinstruments nstruments for installers ne off ttest and measurement w to the te echnology y. The new technology. w ith iimaging maging c apability or or even even smart smart phones phones compan with capability ny will also use Ecobu uild to un nveil its company Ecobuild unveil w ith iintegral nteg ral tthermal hermal iimaging. mag ing. with new ne w R-V R-Volt Volt o Plus system, des designed signed to dr draw aw C ompleting the the exhibit exhibit is is Flir’s Flir’s complete complete heat a Completing way fr om solar panels s whic h can be away from which ra nge o imag in ng instruments, inst r uments, including including stor range off imaging ed and then rreleased eleased int o the home via stored into tthe he new new MR176 MR176 imaging imag ing moisture moist ure meter. meter. a ducting system.

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ECOBUILD Preview 25 Hitachi (E138) As a relatively new player in the UK heat pump market, Hitachi is looking to make a splash at the show with its Yutaki range of products, promoting the longterm benefits of air source heat pumps.

Taking the spotlight will be the YutakiSCombi integrated solution, which has been designed specifically for the UK market. The indoor unit is preplumbed and prewired to make the installation simpler and requiring less internal space.

A new multifunction wired remote control is common to all Yutaki models – meaning a single menu for all Yutaki products, with a dedicated installer view, wizard start-up configuration, and a more intuitive menu for quick and simple commissioning.

All Hitachi’s Yutaki air source heat pumps are MCS approved, eligible for the domestic and non-domestic RHI, and have domestic hot water (DHW) Legionella protection and a five-year warranty as standard.

Intatec will show the Hiper HIU, designed with input from installers

Intatec (A195) The main feature on this stand will be the Hiper HIU, said to have more integrated features than any other unit on the market.

It has been designed in collaboration with installers to ensure that fitting, servicing and maintenance can be done with ease.

Inta will also show its ActivFlo range of maintenance-free water conditioners, designed to prevent damaging limescale from causing issues in heating and hot water systems. Inta’s newly-updated range of underfloor heating products, as well as a commercial pump unit for underfloor, will also be on display.

Nu-Heat (B184) Meet Nu-Heat’s underfloor and renewables experts on the stand, where they will speak to visitors about the varied uses of Nu-Heat products on a wide range of UK projects.

They will highlight the company’s awardwinning underfloor heating systems, as well as its bespoke system design services, including advice on how installers can integrate renewables into their next project.

pipes are low-weight and highly flexible, they can be installed easily and quickly, even over obstacles and round corners.

These pipes can be used for various applications, including secondary district heating networks, residential house connections, bio energy, and district cooling networks.

Windhager (A189) Biomass boilers are the highlight on this stand. Windhager will show off its range of wood pellet, log gasification and wood chip boilers, suitable for both domestic and commercial applications. All its boilers are HETAS and MCS approved and are compliant with government incentives, such as the RHI. Visitors to the stand will be able to learn about the innovative features of the company’s biomass boilers, as well as the opportunities to learn at its fully equipped training centre in South Gloustershire.

Uponor (D169)

Nu-Heat will showcase its range of underfloor heating solutions for new build and retrofit

The Ecoflex range of pre-insulated pipe systems will be a main attraction on Uponor’s stand. The pipes are said to provide a reliable, flexible and cost efficient method for transporting a variety of liquids, both inside and outside of buildings.

The system also comprises a complete range of products for clean tap water supply. Its material properties give long service life and as the

Windhager offers a range of wood pellet, log gassification and wood chip biomass boilers

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PIPES Fittings & Valves 27

Grasp the opportunity to boost productivity Many of us may be guilty of just sticking with the same old practices, without trying new things that could improve output and boost productivity. Antony Corbett, Product Manager for Geberit, looks at how pressing – a trend from the commercial market that is increasingly popular in the domestic sector – can help to boost the bottom line.

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eviewing the way your business operates should be an annual task to ensure you keep up to speed with market trends, while making the most of the latest products or better ways of working in order to get ahead of the competition. Apart from boosting profits, you could also see yourself running a more efficient operation, one that leaves you with more spare time and less stress.

As a plumbing and heating engineer the tools of your trade will have a big impact on customer satisfaction and how easy (or difficult) your job is. Apart from the more visible elements, such as the latest energy efficient boilers, or water saving WCs, the humble pipe can have a big impact on speed and the quality of installations, not to mention job costing.

The majority of installers will have learned their craft using solder and screws, and while these tried and tested methods still have their place, switching to pressing in 2017 could be a simple move that makes a dramatic difference.

Some pressing solutions have been proven to take 30% less time to install than their traditional counterparts, helping reduce the cost of jobs by approximately 27% compared with screwed steel pipework, allowing you to pass on savings to your customers and possibly keep more of them happy by squeezing in more work. Quick to install and the option to fit pipework while the system is still wet, pressing dramatically reduces downtime, improving things for your customers too.

Another feature that will keep customers happy is the fact that un-pressed connections leak purposely during the pressure test. This ensures that any faults are found before the plumber leaves the job. End users will also be grateful for the fact pressing is a far tidier process, with

Quick and easy – pressing solutions have been proven to take 30% less time to install than traditional methods

hardly any flushing required as a consequence of its clean installation.

One of pressing’s biggest bonuses is that no hot works are required, making it far safer and ideal for historic buildings and cramped locations. By removing the flammable element, insurance premiums may be reduced, with no hot works certificates or cooling down periods required.

Pressing is also extremely easy to master, almost anyone can do it with a bit of manufacturer training – so as far as changes go, it’s a pretty simple one to adopt. And from a practical point of view, choosing pressing means you have to carry less equipment around in your bag.

Available in copper, stainless steel, carbon steel, multilayer and CuNiFe, covering a cross-section of diameters, pressing can be used for a wide range of domestic and

commercial applications – water, gas, heating, cooling and compressed air.

Time to change?

The start of a year presents an excellent time to take stock of working practices and review the products you’re using, the way you are working and whether there’s better and more efficient options available.

Trusted manufacturers are here to offer support, via the phone and email, face-to-face through product training or via virtual platforms – we’re active on Facebook and Twitter. After all, we want you to have a good experience of our products. Geberit’s training is free, so there’s no excuse not to try something new! www.geberit.co.uk

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School project for Mapress system Press-fit systems first found popularity in the commercial sector, but the benefits are the same whatever the application. Currently being used at the Weald School in West Sussex as part of considerable expansion, Geberit Mapress in copper and carbon steel has been chosen to ensure the piped services meet the school’s needs, used for heating and hot water throughout the new buildings – a first for West Sussex County Council.

Tim Philips from Tugwell Heating, the installation team in charge of all plumbing and heating works at the school, explains why Geberit Mapress works so well for his business.

“For Tugwell, Mapress is a tried and tested product that proves itself time and

time again. It’s so easy and quick to install and the fact there’s no hot works makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, while improving safety and reducing risk for the buildings we work on and our staff.

“At The Weald School, the refurbishment must be completed on deadline, so anything that assists in this process has got to be

a bonus. With everything new and state of the art, minimising potential damage by removing the need for solder was also a big factor.

“We worked together with Geberit to really bring to life the benefits of Mapress to the Council, explaining that quicker installation times translates into moneysaving long term, a definite bonus for stretched local

authority budgets.

“West Sussex County Council is thrilled with the plumbing and heating works so far, and as a result has put Mapress on the recognised product list for all future school projects.”

The Weald is only in its first phase of redevelopment and Mapress will be used for all heating and hot water works going forward.

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28 PIPES Fittings & Valves

Keeping budgets under control Grooved mechanical piping systems have been in use for more than 85 years, but Victaulic’s development of a method to join thin-wall stainless steel pipe without welding is proving to be a game-changer for HVAC applications. Carol Hitchcock reports.

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ith construction managers under increasing pressure to fast-track work and keep within budgets, Victaulic prides itself on its range of mechanical pipe joining systems that are time efficient, cost effective and safer to use.

The American manufacturer has 85 years of design experience and is well established in its native market as well as across Asia and continental Europe. Victaulic is now looking to make a considerable impact on the UK construction sector.

The launch of its StrengThin 100 range for thin-wall stainless steel pipes may help Victaulic achieve its objectives here.

Claiming an industry first, the company created a grooved mechanical piping system to overcome the challenges of welding stainless steel pipes with low wall thicknesses. It’s described as a simple idea that can help complete a project with less manpower, while coming in under budget and ahead of schedule.

Change of tack The trend towards thin-wall stainless steel, especially for use in cold water supply as well as cooling, potable water and oil-free compressed air systems, has come about because the material is easier to handle and has the potential to reduce installation costs.

Stainless steel has very high tensile strength, which results in high working pressures, and is highly corrosion resistant. For onsite operatives, thin-wall stainless steel is much lighter than other materials, such as carbon steel, so it’s easier to manoeuvre.

However, welding thin-wall stainless steel isn’t without its risks. Overheating the pipe and needing chemicals to pickle and passivate the pipe to restore its corrosion resistance are just two of the challenges associated with the welding process. The StrengThin 100 system is designed to overcome these challenges by eliminating the need for welding and using instead a mechanical joint.

The StrengThin 100 system consists of a galvanized rigid coupling, featuring

the gasket and provide the mechanical strength of the pipe joint.

“Once you close the joint, you get visual inspectability,” says Sebastian. “You can tell it is well installed, and you have a reliable seal that will exist for the lifetime of the installation. This guarantees the quality of work. No flames, no safety risk involved.

You reduce handling, because it’s all in one. And all this is done with thin-wall stainless steel pipe, which is lighter, easier to handle and resistent to corrosion, adding to efficiency on site.”

Good for life Pictures by Tommy C. Olsen, VANytt

Installation-Ready technology creates a reliable joint that takes a matter of seconds to complete

Victaulic’s Installation-Ready technology and comes pre-assembled, with no loose parts. This allows for quick and easy connection of pipes, without having to dismantle the coupling. The coupling is rated up to 16 bar and suitable for temperatures ranging from -34°C to +121°C. The rest of the system includes a full line of stainless steel lightweight fittings and valves. The system also makes use of a new pipe groove profile, which creates coupling engagement without the risk of pipe flare.

Without welding The problems and expense associated with welding represent some of the reasons that mechanical joints are attracting growing industry attention. Victaulic claims that using the StrengThin 100 product can potentially contribute to a 15% savings on total installation costs compared to welding, as Sebastian Matijasevich, Sales Director Europe, explains: “The big challenge for purchasing managers is that they start with large equipment costs. They might get a 5% discount through negotiations in this area. Then for material – such as pipes, flanges, valves, and so on – they might get another 5%. But what do you do with labour? Labour is what is hard to control,

and every increase in labour is a direct increase in the budget.”

Quality control By specifying Victaulic’s mechanical pipe joining system, the cost of using welders is avoided, safety risks are minimised, and the time to install is reduced. It is claimed that the shortened installation time can be three to five times faster to install than welded, flanged or threaded systems, reducing total exposure on the job. Sebastian says that these labour efficiencies can add a further 5% savings to the overall budget.

In addition to the cost savings, StrengThin 100 ensures a better quality finish. Welding is a skilled job, and not all welders are created equal. When it comes to welding, the finish on the inside is important to the quality of the system; plus, welding can cause cracking and corrosion, adding to total cost of ownership.

The mechanical joint in Victaulic’s system is self-contained, with no loose parts to keep track of. Two standard bolts with heavy hex nuts can be fixed using a battery powered impact wrench. Pipes are inserted on either side of the coupling, and the centre leg of the gasket acts as a pipe stop, positioning the coupling keys over the pipe groove.

The coupling housings fully encompass

Once installed, the grooved piping system enables quick and simple routine maintenance, system expansion and retrofits. While a welded joint would need to be cut to provide access to the system, a mechanical joint can be undone by loosening the bolts on the coupling.

Victaulic manufacturers both rigid and flexible pipe joints. Rigid couplings are suitable for applications where movement is not allowed and provide the same immobility as a flanged or welded joint.

Flexible couplings can be specified in applications dealing with thermal expansion and contraction. They also have the ability to attenuate noise and reduce vibration transmission to the pipeline.

Long history Mechanical joining of pipes has been in use since WWI, when the quick deployment of pipes carrying fuel and water to the front was a priority for the Allies. Since then, the technology has been refined and modernised to become an efficient, long-lasting and reliable method of pipe installation.

“The benefits of using thin-wall stainless steel joined with a mechanical coupling are gaining currency in the UK,” concludes Sebastian. “Its ease and speed of installation, reduced risk to workers, and potential to reduce costs all contribute to a competitive advantage for contractors to boost their bottom line.” www.victaulic.com

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Intelligent valves can take the pressure off engineers According to Albion Valves, hydronic balancing is one of the most complicated tasks faced by heating engineers, and a poorly balanced system means a system that is both inefficient and costly to run.

To help take the pressure off engineers, Albion recommends specifying intelligent valves to help strike the perfect balance.

Dynamic valves such as pressure independent control valves (PICVs) and differential pressure control valves (DPCVs) are like pneumatic

mechanisms, but instead of using oil or air they are operated by water pressure.

These valves can adjust as the system changes, allowing them to read the conditions, attune accordingly and help prevent the system overdelivering.

PICVs promote balance and control and they are generally installed at end-

of-line energy sources such as air handling units, fan coil units and chilled beams. By constant ly s e l f regulating to system variances, PICVs ensure pressure influences from the rest of the circuit are avoided, promoting excellent control of the flow required to each unit in accordance with the demand for either heating or cooling.

PICVs can save time and cost for almost the entire building services supply chain. From a designer’s perspective they require less complicated calculations; from an installer’s perspective there are fewer valves to install. For a commissioning engineer they give flow verification, but with no balancing work required.

The DPCV differs from the

PICV in that the differential pressure is controlled at the precise location it is installed, therefore allowing the flexibility of phased commissioning or balancing of each sub-circuit.

DPCVs offer energy savings in ‘real life’ installations by preventing localized over-flows in subcircuits that often occur within poorly balanced and controlled radiator applications.

In a variable volume system when the heating or water flow is not needed in a building, a DPCV has the ability to prevent it from circulating using its integral intelligence to conserve the energy that would be otherwise wasted.

So common inefficiencies, such as water losing energy to its surroundings, heating losing heat, or cooling gaining heat into the pipe distribution system, are avoided.

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Is it time to rethink threading?

Thick walled steel pipework is often the preferred choice for contractors working on commercial heating applications, but traditional connection methods can be time consuming. Scott James, Director at Viega, highlights the advantages of modern press systems.

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n many public sector environments, such as healthcare and e duc at ion a l f ac i l it i e s , heavyweight steel pipe is frequently the preferred material for heating and cooling systems. This is because the robust nature of 3-5mm wall thickness pipe is considered an important benefit. For fire suppression applications, such as sprinkler systems, Scott James, Viega Director thick walled steel pipe is also used to ensure the integrity of the system in the event of a fire.

Until recently, there have been limited options for connecting thick walled steel pipe, with threading being the most common method. However, with the development of press connection fittings suitable for thick walled steel pipe, installers now have a modern alternative that is cleaner, safer and faster to complete.

Pressed for time A key benefit of press connections in general, and for thick walled steel pipe in particular, is this speed of installation.

Minimal preparation is required – installers simply need to cut the pipe to size, deburr the cut surface, slide the press fitting onto the pipe and press the connection.

For example, when using the new Viega Megapress system, connections can be completed in a matter of seconds – helping to achieve up to 60% reduction in installation time when compared to welding or threading.

The equipment required on site is also an important consideration. The lightweight and compact press guns

A cutaway view shows the security of the Megapress fitting

Press fittings can be used even in areas where space is tight

used to press the connections are easy to handle and move around site. This is an important benefit when compared to the heavy machinery needed for other methods such as threading – and offers a further source of time saving.

Furthermore, a high quality press gun will perform over 40,000 pressings before it needs to be serviced.

Safer and cleaner In addition, the use of press fittings can help installers achieve a secure connection even in areas where space is limited, such as plant rooms. The ease of fitting is also an advantage when the location of the pipework makes the installation difficult. For example, due to the size of the machinery required to create a thread, it will often have to be located a distance from the point of installation.

Cleaner and time saving alternative The new Megapress press-in connection from Viega offers a quick, simple and clean method of adding extra sensors, thermometers, drainage valves or pipe connections to thick walled pipe installations.

Additional components often have to be retrofitted into industrial pipework systems. This traditionally means having to retro-weld into the pipe, which can prove time consuming and disruptive to the building occupants, as the system commonly has to be drained while the work is completed.

The Megapress press-in connector provides a faster and cleaner alternative.

The installation can be completed in just two minutes, providing an estimated 80% time saving when compared to welding.

In addition, the compact size of the connector allows

seal is guaranteed by the integrated profile-sealing element. The connection is capable of withstanding even high loads and unlike a welded joint it can be used immediately after the installation is completed.

Less downtime

branches to be added even in hard-to-access locations or where space around the pipework is limited.

Fitting the press-in connector is simple – the drilling guide is secured around the pipe in the correct location. The drill is then used to bore the required hole in the steel pipe while a suction device ensures that no swarf

enters the pipe. Finally, the connector is pressed onto the pipe. A Viega positioning aid prevents slippage during pressing, making it is possible to determine the exact orientation of the branch.

Once pressed, the Megapress press-in branch connector will attach securely to the pipe.

Viega says that a reliable

Scott James, Director at Viega, comments: “For many applications thick walled steel pipe is the preferred material. The Megapress system already provides installers with a reliable alternative to welding or threading when connecting pipe runs. The launch of the press-in connector allows retrofitted additions to be made to the pipework quickly and easily with limited system downtime.”

To find out more about Viega’s full range of product solutions, please visit the wesbite: www.viega.co.uk

In contrast, when utilising modern press connections, everything required can be located where needed.

Furthermore, for applications where installers are working at height, repeatedly climbing up and down can present an increased risk of accidents.

Press fittings also represent a cleaner alternative. Unlike threading, there is no need to use lubricating oil, which means that the pipe and surrounding area will not require cleaning during or after installation.

Press connections also allow thick walled pipe to be used by installers who do not have the specialist skill that operating a threading machine requires. As such, the benefits of thick walled pipe can be applied to a wider range of applications. Also, by removing the need to create a thread on the pipe, the potential risks when operating a threading machine are eliminated.

The traditional alternative to threading is to weld the pipe, however, for a number of applications the hot works can pose an issue. In comparison, as a cold applied system, press connections require no open flame so any fire risks are eliminated, and there is no need for additional permits or insurance.

Secure connection Creating a robust and reliable connection is the deciding factor on the vast majority of projects and an important reason why many installers prefer the tried and tested conventional connection methods. However, modern press connection systems are designed to create a secure seal on a variety of surfaces and, crucially, the fittings do not compromise the integrity of the pipe.

Press connections also offer compatibility with a range of different materials, making it possible to connect seamless, welded, galvanised, industrially varnished, epoxy resincoated and black steel pipes with the same connector.

Our Megapress fittings feature a special profile-sealing element that encompasses the pipe in three places when pressed. This guarantees a leak-proof connection even if the outer surface of the pipe is coarse or uneven. Also, to ensure that the connection can stand the test of time, Megapress fittings are tested in conditions beyond those that the pipe would be exposed to in real world applications.

Visible errors Finally, press connections provide a clear way of displaying unsecure connections. Selecting press fittings that reveal unpressed connections at the point of installation can help to avoid costly remedial work after the project is completed. For example, the SC-Contur technology included in Megapress fittings is proven to deliver a 100% positive leak if the fitting is inadvertently unpressed. Any unpressed connections are clearly visible during dry or wet leakage testing.

When compared to more traditional methods, today’s modern press connections allow a quicker, cleaner, safer and easier installation without the need to move away from trusted thick walled steel pipe. The reduction in installation time allows contractors to complete a project more efficiently and cost effectively. www.viega.co.uk

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32 PIPES Fittings & Valves

Using the right tools for the job The UK fittings market offers an array of potential solutions from press, push, compression, brazing and solder, but which is best for the job in hand? Bill Barlow, Conex Bänninger’s UK Business Unit Director, advises on how to make the most of all the available options.

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ll businesses are striving for brand loyalty. Plumbers and heating installers are as savvy as any other consumer when it comes to aligning themselves to particular products or brands. Ultimately, if the product is good, simple to fit and high quality then it goes a long way to establishing brand loyalty.

But for certain product Bill Barlow, Conex Bänninger categories, developing that brand trust can be harder to achieve, and fittings can be a particularly challenging product group. Push and press fittings are gaining greater market share year-on-year over traditional methods, as are the range of material choices favoured by installers, such as copper, brass, carbon steel and plastic.

There is also a greater need to use product specific fittings to certain applications, particularly when installing in sensitive environments or where flames are prohibited.

As a result, installers are increasingly arming themselves with a varied, high quality fittings toolkit, with the likes of threaded, compression and >B< Oyster being added into the mix of products.

Cold comfort Whilst push and press are gaining an increasing share of the fittings market due to their convenience and speed of installation, certain products naturally lend themselves to particular jobs more than others, particularly where health and safety considerations come into play. The requirement to carry a hot works license is limiting the appeal of brazing and solder fittings and is partly responsible for the rise in cold solutions like push, press and compression.

Push and press also come into their own where space is an issue, as working with a flame in a confined environment is simply ill-advised. For the majority of domestic fitters, working in a small kitchen, under a sink, or in an enclosed space is commonplace, which is why flame-free solutions are popular.

Where the choice of press and push is concerned, preference may come down to whether a fitting is demountable. Push fittings are the only option in this instance. Importantly, if the removal of a push fitting is required, there is no requirement to have a hot works license or to pay for additional work insurances when carrying out jobs.

Where tooling is concerned, it’s fair to say that the most cost effective solution on the market is push fit, which requires no specialist tools for correct fitting. Ease of installation doesn’t automatically equate to popularity though, and many installers prefer compression and press fit variants.

For assembly, compression fittings only require a set of

The >B< Press range uses a three-point press system for extra durability and security

tube cutters, a deburring tool and two flat-faced spanners – items which are always in the toolkit. Alongside press and push fit solutions, compression fittings are especially advantageous for retrofit plumbing jobs, where space is limited, or where the use of heat must be avoided.

With flame fittings on the wane, it’s only natural that the market would witness a rise in new, time efficient cold solutions. Our >B< Oyster fittings are one such solution.

Designed for use with a variety of systems including drinking water and central heating systems, such fittings help create a breakable joint without the cost of a union.

The standout benefit of >B< Oyster fittings is that they are quick, clean, economical and can dramatically reduce installation time. Assembly is straightforward, with stop point marks made on the tubes, and there is no need to use specific tools other than a pair of oyster pliers and a standard open ended or adjustable spanner.

Easy connection Our >B< Oyster fittings feature a terminal connection, designed with a special thread, making it easy to connect tubes to valves and other components within a system that have a female parallel thread to either ISO7, ISO 228 and BS EN 10226-1. There is no need for additional sealants, such as PTFE tape. Sealing is achieved via two EPDM O-rings, one located internally to seal on the tube and the other to make the fitting seal. They are available in yellow brass, red brass, stainless steel and yellow brass with a nickel plated finish.

These fittings are reusable and suitable for multiple applications including drinking water, rainwater and heating systems. They are compatible with copper tube to EN1057 in hard, half hard and soft temper, and stainless steel to EN 10312 series 1 and 2.

Tight spaces

Push-fit fittings are easy to use and are ideal when space is tight

Working in tight spaces, which is often the case for many installers, can limit product choice and preferences. There may also be a risk that a joint cannot be securely made if an installer is unable to rotate the blowtorch all the way around the fitting. In this instance, push-fit or compression fittings may be the only options, as adequate space will be needed when using another solution.

>B< Oyster fittings with pliers

Our range of compression fittings (pictured below) is one of the most trusted in the industry, available in yellow brass, dezincification resistant (DZR) brass, dezincification immune red brass or chrome plated in accordance with BS EN 248. The range is also compatible with copper, low carbon steel, stainless steel and many types of plastic pipe including crossed linked polyethylene (PE-X), medium density polyethylene (MDPE) and polybutylene (PB) with size-compatible outside diameters.

Where push, press or compression fittings are concerned, preference may come down to whether the fitting is demountable.

Importantly, if the removal of a push fitting is required, there is no need for additional material or new pipework – the installer need only remove the existing fitting using a release tool and replace with a new one, providing the pipe is not damaged.

Flexible solution Versatility is a major consideration when choosing the right fitting. It is always worth evaluating a few best practice considerations, for example whether they can be used with a range of materials, applications and adhere to the correct legislative requirements.

Choosing a universal fittings design is an important consideration, so it’s worth checking whether the brand you choose can be used in conjunction with a choice of materials, including copper, PB, PE-X, carbon and stainless steel. Versatility of fittings gives installers the flexibility to connect multiple pipes, which many plastic solutions cannot achieve. It’s also important to note that plastic cannot offer the same antimicrobial qualities as the likes of copper.

Finally, make sure that the products you fit meet the highest quality assurances, with the right national and European certification bodies like WRAS, CSTB, KIWA and DVGW. Cheap, non-branded products might be appealing in the short term, but over the longer term the costs of maintenance and repairs on sub-standard products may be greater than the initial cost saving.

With many installers now enjoying a mixed skills portfolio, the need to carry and fit a range of fittings for domestic and more specialist applications is growing.

As a consequence, the need for a greater knowledge of the range of solutions on the market is likely to grow too as the market continues to move away from more traditional solutions.

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34 PIPES Fittings & Valves

Growth helps to spur innovation A recent pipes and fittings market report from AMA Research highlights improving levels of construction in the commercial sector over the next two years. Amy Sedgwick, Fittings Manager for Pegler Yorkshire, looks at how the industry can help meet increasing demand.

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ith the uncertainty following Brexit and ongoing debates about when article 50 should be evoked, it is pleasing to see positive research suggesting that the UK is continuing to develop and progress, and that construction output is still set to increase over the next two years. In addition, there is also the National Infrastructure Delivery Plan (2016-2020) created by the Infrastructure The XPress range offers a complete system from 12 to 168mm in copper and stainless steel and Projects Authority which focuses on large-scale housing set to increase. So, as an industry it is our responsibility and regeneration projects alongside key social to ensure projects are kept on track and budget despite infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and this shortage in labour.

One particular area that has been identified as a prisons. All this bodes well for a progressive future, but what implications does it have significant skills shortage and which is most prevalent on the HVAC industry? to the HVAC industry is concerns over jointing techniques It has been identified during the installation process. That is why it is essential by the Construction manufacturers such as Pegler Yorkshire continually analyse Industry Training Board market trends both in the UK and worldwide to provide The that the growing labour the most appropriate solutions to keep the UK building. larger gap, which in 2015 sat size XPress On the rise elbow fitting at an estimated 35,000, is We believe that as construction on large scale projects and the rise of multi-storey buildings and the use of plant rooms increases, the more traditional forms of larger sized coupling systems could potentially slow this type of project down.

Traditionally welding or brazing has been the trusted jointing method particularly, on 5 or 6in joints mainly because the technique is tried and tested Valves are a key element cludes the conservation of and produces good results. Additionally, in ensuring any heating energy, are covered within the material cost is relatively effective and ventilation system the Ballorex portfolio.” and it is able to withstand high pressures The Pegler 1260 fixed works to its optimum efand temperatures. However, this method double ficiency. Pegler Yorkshire commissioning requires a skilled welder which, as reports has recently expanded its regulating valves incorposuggest, will eventually become a scarce Static Valve offering which rate a fixed plate orifice for commodity, meaning more expensive labour accurate flow measurement incorporates ultra low costs. With this type of jointing technique there and regulation. The deand medium flow is also an increased health and safety risk which means the sign includes an oblique static products requirement for a hot works permit and enhanced insurance, pattern body and easily to meet the resulting in additional costs and time consuming tasks. accessible test points for needs of all The other most used techniques at this scale is solvent use during commissionflow variwelding or electrofusion. These are perceived as more ing. ables. ‘clean’ methods as the lightweight, flame free systems are Key fea“Standard praclimescale and corrosion resistant and offer a smooth full tures oftice of installed bore. Yet there is still a requirement for cooling time with fered by HVAC systems is electrofusion and the solvents used in the weld process the fixed to ensure minimal are toxic, which make installations dangerous in confined range of loss of hydraulic spaces.

1260, 1200 flow. Therefore, regulat-

Expanded range of static valves

ing flow and keeping pressure loss to a minimum is essential in the optimum efficiency of a system,” explains Sindar Singh, Climate Control Market Manager. “With the expansion of our 1260 static balancing valve range we are confident that all flow requirements and system optimisation, which in-

a n d 1250 DZR brass bodied valves include: PN20 rated, non-rising stem, double regulating feature on spindle, and a hand wheel incorporating position indicate 00-79. All valves are WRAS approved and are available in a variety of end connections including threaded, push-fit, press-fit and union.

Using a press-fitting system helps to save time on site and avoids the need for a hot works permit and extra insurance

are not restricted by the constraints of the more traditional methods but have the flexibility to choose the best fitting for the job.

The larger XPress sizes boast a myriad of advantages as there is no requirement for threading or grooving machinery and the system also negates the need for a hot works permit as no heat or jointing compounds are needed to complete the jointing procedure. The slimline profile also means that the system is quick and easy to insulate.

In addition, XPress benefits from a ‘leak before press’ feature which provides instant identification of joints that have been assembled correctly but mistakenly left unpressed. Most importantly, the XPress system offers the ability to be installed without the need to disrupt the operation of the building and its users.

For use on hot and cold water systems, chilled water services and fire protection, the new additions to the XPress Stainless Steel range are simply compressed onto 316 or 304 tube using the AC0401 press tool and slings. There are also flange adaptors available for Pegler Yorkshire valves to complete the system offering.

Extra large

Critical choices

As a manufacturer of all types of fittings, we have been analysing the current market trends and we predict a shift away from traditional jointing methods for large scale projects. With this in mind, we’ve recently introduced two larger sized fittings to our established Xpress stainless steel range. The new 5 and 6in (140 and 168mm) fittings provide a viable solution for commercial and large scale applications which can help to save time and also reduce labour costs.

The technology and industry knowhow used to develop these advanced fittings mean that contractors and installers

Offering WRAS approval, the uncomplicated two step pressing operation seals the O ring for water tightness and creates a metal to metal seal guaranteeing the joint for up to 16 bar pressure – the same result as traditional methods, yet produced in a much more efficient way. Ultimately, choice is what drives the industry, and by continuing to evolve technologies in order to address changing situations and requirements is how the HVAC industry will step up to the challenge of construction in the UK. www.pegleryorkshire.co.uk

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PIPES Fittings & Valves 35 Press-ďŹ t system for multiple projects The Tigris K1 press-fit plumbing system from Wavin offers a wide range of water and heating pipework solutions, from residential projects to commercial and large scale industrial applications.

Special features include a patented hexagonal nose, which has been designed to reduce push-in force.

Good visual connection and defined-leak window checks also help to give installers the reassurance that every connection is secure.

The multi-layer pipe, which is said to combine the best properties of metal and plastic, enables Tigris K1 to withstand constantly high temperatures, making

it ideal for use in buildings such as hospitals and hotels where hot water is required immediately.

Wavin says that its main advantage over other solutions is the ease and speed of installation and that the pressing jaws must assembly. The same simple be positioned on the inner four-step pipe preparation stop of the press sleeve. and assembly process is PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No. all that is required for any 118 www.wavin.co.uk installation: r 4UFQ POF m DVU UIF QJQF square using a pipe cutter, suitable for 16 to 75mm diameter pipe r 4UFQ UXP m DBMJCSBUJOH Dimensions 16-25mm require an all-round chamfer to a depth of at least 1mm, while dimensions from 32 to 75mm require a depth of at least 2mm. r 4UFQ UISFF m DIFDL UIF fitting and the O ring are clean and that all components are seated in the correct position. Push the pipe into the fitting until it is visible in the window. r 4UFQ GPVS m QSFTTJOH 'JU the correctly-sized press-fit jaws to the press-fit tool. Note

Quick and easy connection In response to demand for a fast, simple and safe connection of water supply pipes to households, Plasson has extended its 10017 push-fit Universal range to now include a Universal connection to 22mm copper/PB/ PEX. Available in three universal sizes as before, this new fitting replaces the 25mm MDPE connection by using the established Plasson pushfit â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Câ&#x20AC;&#x2122; type connection. This ensures any of the three commonly used domestic 22mm plumbing pipes can simply be pushed through the O-ring and multiuse grip ring.

The 10017 range features a robust polypropylene body and the Universal fitting

(14-18mm, 19-22mm and 24-28mm) can connect to MDPE, alkathene, polybutylene, copper, lead, galvanised and PEX. Plasson says that the innovative double O-ring seal will even help compensate for poor pipe quality. www.plasson.co.uk

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System promises an end to leaks

With a 25-year guarantee, Buteline promises users security and peace of mind with its leak free plumbing system. The company says that installers and contractors who use the Buteline system will be able to walk away from a project knowing that they will never have to return.

Having recently used the Buteline system to replace a failed carbon steel press-fit system, Dave Taylor, Senior Contract Manager at REL, had this to say: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our proposal to use Buteline was driven by the need for a versatile product which had a low thermal co-efficiency to overcome an expansion issue, which caused the issue with the previously installed system. The use of Buteline delivered a very successful outcome with no installation issues encountered. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the very concise training carried out by Buteline and the supply of free issue tooling, our engineers found the product versatile and quick to install. We have proposed the Buteline product on one of or other projects and would recommend it in the future.â&#x20AC;? www.buteline.com

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36 PIPES Fittings & Valves

A small yet effective step toward system efficiency With improved energy efficiency and sustainability high on the agenda of most companies, most clients will be interested in any cost-effective method of achieving these objectives. Anthony Barnett, Technical Marketing Manager at Armacell, highlights the benefits of insulated pipe brackets.

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he Energy-related Products (ErP) directive was introduced to improve the energy efficiency and performance standards of any product that consumes energy. The aim was to minimise a product’s environmental impact throughout its life cycle, whilst improving energy efficiency. One of the most visible signs of ErP is the Energy Rating Label on HVAC units.

Since the introduction of ErP, manufacturers have focused on developing more energy efficient boilers, air conditioning and refrigeration units, with the best performing achieving an ‘A+’ rating. However, the fact that you may install or specify an ‘A’ or ‘A+’ rated product does not necessarily create an efficient system.

For instance, pipework is usually insulated as a matter of course, in line with Building Regulations. However, pipe supports are often overlooked and can remain uninsulated or incorrectly insulated. This can result in significant heat losses in a system, with

Armafix X pipe supports with integrated load bearing segments

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Installing Armafix pipe supports

The heat loss from an uninsulated pipe bracket demonstrated by a thermal imaging camera

the consequences being reduced energy efficiency and deterioration of assets due to condensation.

Heat loss The effects of pipe brackets not being insulated can be seen by using a thermal imaging camera (see picture above). The extent of this loss of energy can be significant, with thermal heat flow calculations for a 60°C hot water pipe in continual use showing a heat loss of 0.06 W/k per bracket (on a 26.9mm diameter copper pipe with a 27mm insulation thickness). This can increase total energy costs of running a building, especially where a large number of supports are used. It’s worth bearing in mind that each uninsulated pipe bracket loses around £2 each year in wasted energy and, considering the number of brackets in a system, this can soon add up to a significant amount.

In some systems it is also important to insulate cold water pipes and brackets in order to avoid condensation. This condensation occurs when the pipe is insulated but the bracket isn’t, resulting in

thermal bridging and the risk of corrosion and expensive secondary damage. To prevent thermal bridging, direct contact between the pipe and its bracket should be avoided by using insulated pipe supports.

An increasing number of heating engineers are choosing to use pre-fabricated elastomeric insulation supports such as Armafix X, with self-seal seams for quick fixing the insulation onto the pipe. The low thermal conductivity value and high water vapour resistance provides protection against energy losses and condensation whilst the load-bearing segments prevent the insulation material being compressed.

Material gains When choosing an insulated pipe bracket for both hot and cold applications, closedcell elastomeric nitrile rubber insulation, which has a high resistance to water vapour transmission and low thermal conductivity, is best able to protect against energy losses and condensation. In addition, using the same insulation materials for the pipework and support brackets ensures compatibility

and allows them to be installed and glued to each other along the entire system.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that the BRE (Building Research Establishment) has also just added a category for pipe insulation materials to its Green Guide to Specification, with nitrile rubber insulation products such as our Armaflex flexible elastomeric foams (FEFs), receiving an ‘A’ rating. Achieving an ‘A’ rating in the Green Guide enables building services engineers to specify nitrile rubber insulation materials as a sustainable option. Being an independently verified FEF insulation with the highest water vapour resistance and lowest thermal conductivity ratings ensures that it offers the best longterm solution for ACR applications and a highly efficient option for heating and ventilation services.

Complete picture Achieving an efficient heating system is much more than simply specifying an ‘A+’ rated HVAC unit. Building engineers need to look at the whole system because the boiler, air conditioning unit or other asset does not just sit there in isolation. That’s because connecting it to a distribution system will immediately impact on its stated energy efficiency. True efficiency comes from the whole system and not just the boiler. Thermally isolating the pipe from its fixing and specifying a closed-cell, ‘A’ rated insulation material represents a simple, low cost but very effective method of ensuring optimum thermal performance. www.armacell.co.uk

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PRODUCTS in Action 37 Ventilation system taken into custody Dealing with high demand hot water Decentralised mechanical extract ventilation equipment from Polypipe Ventilation has been used in a new residential conversion from a former police station in Harrogate.

The Old Police Station, which is being marketed by national property agents Carter Jonas, is a development of apartments and houses created within a handsome Grade II listed building dating back to 1927. It has been sympathetically restored

by developers Harrogate Restoration, with carefully retained period features, but with all the benefits

of 21st century living.

As part of the conversion, energy efficient heating and ventilation has been installed

throughout. This includes Silavent Sapphire dMEV centrifugal fans to provide continuous ventilation to bathrooms.

With a low specific fan power (SFP) down to 0.29W/l/s and very quiet operation down to 18dB(A), the Sapphire dMEV was the natural choice for a project where the latest ventilation technology and heritage are paramount.

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Children in Need job Last July, hundreds of tradespeople gave their time, services and materials to transform Blackpool Carers Centre, as part of the ‘DIY SOS Big Build for BBC Children in Need’. This included ATAG Commercial donating two Q60 boilers, which are supplying the building with highly efficient heating and hot water services.

The boilers were specified by Project Manager Dave Hinchcliffe from SC Horsfield. He says: “When we started planning the heating system, ATAG Commercial’s Q boilers were top of the list. Their stainless-steel heat exchangers are pretty much bombproof, while everything on the boiler, from programming through to commissioning and servicing, is really simple. The units really are ‘plug and play’ as far as setup is concerned.

“From a customer service point of view, we also knew we could rely 100% on ATAG Commercial. Their support team was fantastic too.”

www.atagcommercial.co.uk

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Equipment from Rinnai has been specified for a busy Caravan Club site in the Malvern Hills. It will help provide plentiful hot water for visitors on some 210 pitches, with demand for showers before breakfast and dinner.

The decision was taken to install four Rinnai HDC1500i gas fired continuous flow heaters to provide a neverending supply of temperaturesafe hot water for even the busiest of times.

“The job involved the removal of the two storage type water heaters and installation of four new Rinnai water heaters,” says Graham Cox, for contractor Booth and Bomford. “We also needed to reconfigure the hot, cold, LPG gas and return pipework to suit the requirements of the new heaters and insulate all new pipework, put in new vertical flues through the roof and a new water conditioning unit to protect

the water heaters, followed by test and commission.”

Graham Cox says the Caravan Club site now benefits from energy and cost savings because the new heaters are more efficient, providing instantaneous hot water as required rather than having large amounts of stored hot water that is continually reheated and is not required during out-of-peak times.

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38 PRODUCTS in Action

Radiators keep Piping perfection Housing group’s with the aesthetic favourite alarms

MHS Radiators has provided 160 Multisec radiators for 98 two and three bedroom luxury apartments Royal Sutton Place in Sutton Coldfield. The new radiators were fitted as part of an extensive renovation of the building, which was formerly The Royal Hotel, last May. Contractors MVS Mechanical Services Ltd installed the products in line with the specification from project consultants Cundall.

Explaining the reasons for specifying MHS Radiators,

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Stuart Hawkes, Senior Mechanical Engineer at Cundall, says: “Multisec radiators were chosen as they are in keeping with the historic nature of the building, possessing the same style and look as their surroundings.

The project warranted a high quality radiator that blended in with the décor while producing excellent levels of heat. The Multisec was the perfect fit.”

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Insulated pipework from GF Piping Systems has been specified for The Triangle, the new home of Cambridge University’s International Assessment Group. The Cool-Fit 2.0 pipe system, ranging in diameter from 32 to 140mm, will carry chilled or low temperature hot water around the five storey buildings.

The project’s designers were looking for an economic solution for distributing the chilled water and hot water (30ºC) for the space heating around the office spaces as well as ancillary areas to The Triangle. This new solution – suitable for chilled water, glycol, saline or alcohol – features factory insulated polyethylene (PE) pipe in a full range of diameters, which are then encased in HDPE or stainless steel outer pipe to offer long-term protection and rigidity. The integral insulation (GFHE) not only reduces energy losses, but counters the buildup of condensation and mould growth.

The buildings in phase one are due to be handed over in June.

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Aldwyck Housing Group in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, is installing Aico Ei208 Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms in 5200 of its properties, based on the Group’s good relationship with Aico over many years.

Darren Corsby, Asset Manager at Aldwyck, explains: “Rather than use multiple different alarms, we wanted to standardise on one alarm type for uniformity across our housing stock. Aico has been a long standing supplier and Aldwyck has always received very good

service. We have been more than satisfied with the alarms we have installed in the past; they work well.”

Aldwyck Housing Group will be fitting one Ei208 CO alarm per property where there is a gas supply fitted. This will be done at the same time a new boiler is installed or when an existing boiler is serviced. The Ei208 is a lithium battery powered CO alar m desig ned to encourage w idespread adoption of this life saving technology. The use of sealed-in lithium batteries largely overcomes the problem of battery removal by tenants, as not only are they difficult to remove, but they cannot be used to replace batteries in other household devices.

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WATER Saving 39

More UK consumers reducing water use A new report from Ideal Standard and Waterwise suggests that a growing number of consumers are receptive to water saving ideas and appliances, but those with a water meter are more likely to be water savvy than those paying a fixed tariff.

I

n 2015 Waterwise and Ideal Standard launched an annual water-efficiency tracker survey, the aim of which is to collect nationally-representative water efficiency data and observe trends in people’s water efficiency behaviour over time. It is hoped that the data will provide an insight into people’s perception of their water usage in the home, what they do to save water and the devices they use to save water.

The report concludes that there is a lack of understanding with regards to both water usage and wastage, with over 37% of respondents in 2016 (and 50% in 2015) giving the reason of ‘I only use the water I need’ when asked why they don’t take action to try to save water. There also seems to be a lack of understanding and education around people’s daily water consumption, as only 15% estimated that they used a similar amount to the UK average (they estimated they used between 100-200 litres a day so were close to Taking action estimating the UK average daily consumption figure of The latest survey reveals that 14% of adults that pay for approximately 150 litres). Some 22% of respondents believed their water via a fixed rate bill don’t take any actions to they use 50-99 litres a day and 24% estimated they used specifically reduce their water usage. under 50 litres a day.

This reduces to 6% among adults with Those who paid water charges based “88% of people said that a water meter. The results suggest that on a water meter were less likely to they take steps to reduce those with a water meter, who can answer ‘don’t know’ than the general actively see how much water they are population (32% compared to 37%). water wastage” using, are more likely to be water savvy Those that did not know what their than those paying a fixed tariff. 82% water charges were based on (meter of those with a water meter who responded to the survey vs fixed rate vs combined council charge) were the most Designed to help householders to reduce water consumption without compromising on comfort or reliability, Idealrain actively take steps to reduce water usage, compared to likely to answer ‘don’t know’ for how much water they features a precision-designed flow engine to deliver optimal used (54%). Only 12% of this group thought that they used spray performance. An optional removable flow restrictor just 30% of those with a set bill.

When asked if they personally take actions to try to more than 100 litres per day. will reduce water consumption in high-pressure systems from 18.5 litres to just 8 litres. save water, 88% of respondents said that they take action Home ownership (up by 18% compared to the same survey last year), but Ownership of a house appears to make people more Willingness to try any of the water saving devices was 67% of said that they hadn’t received any water saving likely to take water saving actions. In 2015 the most highest in the 18-24 and 35-44 age groups (12% in both of information and/or free water saving devices to their popular water saving actions were turning off the tap these groups said they would not like to try any of the household in the past year. when brushing teeth (75%) and waiting for a full load devices) and lowest in the 55+ age group (18% did not want before using the washing machine (74%). In both 2015 and to try any of the listed devices).

2016, excluding the ‘other’ and ‘don’t know’ options, the In 2015 it was concluded that water-efficient device action that the least respondents said they do is reusing ownership is not as widespread as first thought, but this water – only 14% stated they do this to help save water. may be due to many devices becoming mainstream. In In 2015, respondents gave the 2016 three questions were asked about following reasons for saving water: to water saving devices to determine “Only 14% of respondents avoid waste (61%), to save money (57%), which devices had been heard of, which Ideal Standard has short shower can use as to help the environment (56.9%) and were used in the household and which compiled some top tips little as a third of that said that they save water ‘it just seems like common sense to people would be interested in using to help consumers save amount. But beware, since by reusing it” me’ (53%). Excluding the ‘other’ option, the devices. In 2016, water efficient water in the bathroom and many power showers may the least frequently chosen reason by showers, toilets, taps and washing actually use more than a kitchen: respondents was ‘I am worried about a lack of water’, with machines were the water saving devices that people were bath.

• Turn off the tap while 9% of respondents choosing this option. This is followed most interested in trying.

• Switch to a low flow brushing your teeth – a by ‘To reduce CO2 emissions and prevent climate change’ running tap wastes over aerated showerhead which Money talks which was chosen by 13%. reduces the amount of 6 litres per minute.

In 2016, ‘It seems like common sense to save water’ was Katie Cope, Marketing Director at Ideal Standard, comments: • Purchase a water water used by mixing air the most commonly cited reason by those who said they try “While we all know that saving water is a great way to efficient dual flush toilet, in with water to still give to reduce their water usage, with avoiding waste not being create a more sustainable environment, it’s clear that it which has a split flush the same pressure and feel far behind. Saving money and helping the environment is the personal finance aspect of water saving that really button which gives the as a normal shower. drives UK consumers to consider how to reduce their water scored highly again (52% and 39% respectively).

• Don’t leave the shower user the choice of how usage.

Which devices? much water to use – this running before you get in “Almost a fifth (18%) more of UK consumers are now will be typically 4-6 litres and try to keep track of In 2016 three questions were asked about water saving actively taking action when it comes to cutting back on of water opposed to the old the time you spend in the devices to determine which devices had been heard of, water consumption compared to this time last year – an style flush systems which shower by setting a timer which were used in the household and which people would enormous rise in just 12 months. use a massive 13 litres per alarm on you mobile phone.

“This result suggests the need to effectively manage be interested in using the devices. It appears that the most flush. well-known water saving devices were water butts and a household budget is tying in well with an increased • Take shallower baths – lagging, whilst grey water recycling was little heard of, awareness of the need to take account for how much water • Try to avoid flushing by running a bath by just although there was substantial interest in trying it (20%). we all use on a daily basis.” away cotton ball or make- an inch shorter than usual, Using none of the listed water saving devices was the most up tissues. Simply throwing you can save on average 5 Find out more commonly selected option (38%). them in a bin will cut down litres of water.

Awareness of water saving devices was correlated with For more information about Ideal Standard and its water-saving on the amount of water • You can minimise your age, with 31% of 18-24 year olds having not heard of any bathroom products, please visit the website below or enter the wasted with every flush. water use by reusing your of the listed devices, compared to only 6% of 55 year olds. number on the freepost reader enquiry and registration card • A bath typically uses bathwater to water your Usage followed a similar pattern, although the difference inside this issue. around 80 litres, while a houseplants or garden. www.ideal-standard.co.uk PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No. 130 between age groups was far less.

Saving water in the bathroom

February 2017

40 WATER Saving

Get your supply from the sky!

Rainwater harvesting is growing in popularity, and the industry is producing solutions that will suit a variety of site specifications.

Matthew Rolf, MD of Graf UK, takes a look at the systems and what installers need to know to get involved in this market.

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n the UK, one third of Direct systems all domestic water is This type of system works used for non-potable by collecting water in an purposes such as flushing underground storage tank toilets, watering gardens and and pumping it directly to use in washing machines the point of use. They are – and consequently does the most common RWH not need to be of drinking option for both domestic and quality. With this in mind, commercial applications, rainwater harvesting (RWH) and typically feature a makes both financial and controller, which detects environmental sense, as when water is needed (for it provides an easy and example when taps are efficient way to collect turned on, or when the rainwater for reuse in and valves on washing machines around the home. and toilets are opened). In So it’s really no wonder turn, this triggers the pump that uptake is on the Matthew Rolf, MD of Graf UK to supply water directly to rise, especially in densely populated urban areas with a higher risk the appliance. In some systems, this pump of water shortages (such as London and is submerged in the tank, whereas in others the South East). In these regions, water (e.g. our ECO-Plus system) it is built into companies are actively encouraging the controls unit, usually located inside consumer investment in rainwater the house, garage or plant room – keeping harvesting as a way of reducing pressure the technology dry and shielded from the on the potable mains supply. elements.

The good news is qualified plumbers are naturally placed to reap the commercial Indirect systems benefits of this growth market, as they The indirect variety is popular in domestic already have the skills needed to fit RWH applications, but can also be suitable for systems. But it’s crucial that those adding commercial premises. They collect water this to their offering familiarise themselves in an underground storage tank and pump with the market first – as this is the best it to a header tank (usually situated in a way to ensure they specify the right system property’s roof space or roof plant room). every time. So what are the main domestic Gravity then feeds that water to the points of RWH solutions available today, and what use – meaning indirect systems have much simpler (if any) controls than direct systems. do installers need to know about them?

There are three main types of rainwater Typically, a submersible pump will detect harvesting systems installers need to get to when the valve in the header tank opens, grips with – each with its own set of features, and simply pump water until it closes again. benefits and capabilities. The guide below In an indirect system, valves are usually set gives a quick overview of these options and to open only after three or four flushes of a highlights the applications in which they toilet, for example. The pump is therefore will deliver best results. in use much less frequently than in a direct system. In the event of a power failure, the system will automatically switch to mains water as soon as water levels in the tank fall below a certain threshold.

Above ground Above-ground, gravityfed tanks are the most energy-efficient RWH option. They can range from simple water butts (ideal for small-scale garden watering) to larger, in-roof tanks where water is required for a wider range

An example of an indirect system, where the collected rainwater is pumped to a header tank. Water is then fed to points of use by gravity.

Direct rain water harvesting systems collect the water in an underground storage tank and then pump it directly to the outlets around the home

for, you may also need to factor in a concrete base to aid stability and prevent movement in the groundwater. Building this base can be both costly and time-consuming, so it’s worth looking around for a tank that doesn’t require this. The innovative design of Graf UK’s Platin tanks means they are groundwater-safe, and therefore only need to sit on a gravel bed.

Last but not least, every RWH solution needs a “Plumbers are well Next steps soakaway to manage placed to reap the What are the next steps? overflow. This can be commercial benefits Once you’ve gained a good an attenuation (where understanding of the water is retained and of this market” different RWH options then slowly discharged on offer, bear in mind into the surface water there are several other important aspects drainage system or water courses) or an to consider during the specification, design infiltration system (where water is gradually and installation stages to ensure optimum released back into natural groundwater results. reserves). At Graf UK, we would always For instance, it’s crucial to determine the recommend asking your manufacturer if property type and establish what the water in any doubt as to the best solution for a is going to be used for. Will it just be needed particular soil type. Our team of experts for the garden, or will it be used for toilets are also on hand to offer support when it and washing machines inside the home too? comes to calculating the size of a soakaway.

This will help you calculate the required Opportunity demand – and give you an idea as to how With demand for rainwater harvesting complex the job is likely to be.

The sizing and siting of the tank is also showing no signs of slowing, the opportunity a key part of the equation. Determining for plumbing professionals is obvious. the correct capacity of a RWH tank will Those who garner the right knowledge and depend on the property’s size and the expertise now – and apply this at the vital number of residents. At Graf UK, our specification stage – are setting themselves rainwater harvesting experts are always up to benefit well into the future. happy to assist installers at the sizing stage Find out more if there are any hesitations. When it comes to siting, remember: the closer the tank is For more information on the rainwater to the points of use, the less pipework will harvesting systems from Graf UK, enter be needed – and the more straightforward the number below or visit the website. the job will be.

PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No. 131 www.graf-water.co.uk Depending on what kind of tank you opt

of uses. As significant roof space is a prerequisite for the latter, in-roof tanks are not suitable for all applications and all types of buildings. What’s more, even where this space is available, substantial structural support is often required to bear the weight of the water safely – which can incur extra costs. This is why we at Graf UK recommend using underground tanks wherever possible.

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February 2017

WATER Saving 43

Giving consumers good advice Many of today’s taps and showers are supplied with optional flow regulators to reduce water consumption, but do consumers understand the benefits of opting for them? Chris Taylor from Bristan discusses the role that installers can play in educating consumers.

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n this age of efficiency, where the focus is on lean operations and reducing waste, it is perhaps surprising that influencing consumers to save water hasn’t been the easiest task.

According to WaterWise, every person in the UK uses approximately 150 litres of water a day, a figure that has been growing every year by 1% since 1930. If the additional amount of water we need to produce food and the other products we consume in our day-to-day lives (known as embedded water) is factored in, this figure grows to 3400 litres per person per day.

However, the reality is that this level of consumption simply isn’t sustainable.

With our global supply of fresh water limited and the world population rapidly increasing, we need to adopt a much leaner approach to water use.

the traditional plumber role, as it becomes increasingly important for them to provide customers with informed advice on the latest water-saving products, and to be able to explain the pros and cons.

Meeting demand

Chris Taylor from Bristan

Interestingly, a recent Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) consumer attitudes report found that at least 83% of consumers agree water saving will become more important in the next five years. Even more crucially, 51% of those surveyed stated that they look to plumbing installers for guidance when choosing bathroom fittings.

Cue a distinctive change in

Reducing water in the bathroom

It may sound obvious, but, to begin with, it’s really important for installers to fully understand what it is their customers exactly want from their tap or shower. It can be all too common, for example, for people to opt for the most sustainable type of shower, only to realise that the reduced amount of flow means that they have to spend twice as long in it to effectively get the shampoo out of their hair.

Obviously, this defeats the object completely.

The key then is to balance your customers’ needs in terms of performance and water saving. Here, a good recommendation is a shower or tap with an optional flow regulator, which works by limiting the flow inside the connection.

Typically, for example, most standard showers distribute a shower flow rate of 13.5 litres per minute, while flow regulated showers

can offer a rate of 10 litres per minute respectively.

Equally, a standard basin tap running at mains pressure can easily deliver in excess of twelve litres per minute. In comparison, flow regulated basin taps can limit flow rate to as little as two litres per minute. And although these options can translate to significant water savings over the year, the difference in the product performance is barely noticeable.

Eco-setting Another good option is a product which has an eco-setting, such as with Bristan’s Artisan Evo Digital thermostatic shower. In this way, you can have a choice when it comes to going into water saving mode.

For example the user may choose an eco-setting for a quick shower but a normal mode when washing their hair. Generally, however, when it comes to a basin tap we tend to find consumers opt to use the eco-setting permanently, as most tasks won’t require a high flow.

Finally, although not something that necessarily springs to mind when it comes to water saving, the reality is that the toilet is a huge water waster – in

Bristan’s Artisan Evo Digital thermostatic features an ecosetting to reduce water flow when required

fact, accounting for more than 30% of the water each adult consumes.

As such, advising customers to switch to a modern dual-flush option can make for some serious water savings. Typically, a traditional single flush WC will use a generous 9-12 litres per flush, whereas today’s dual options use a maximum of just 6 litres – with some as low as 4-2 litres – and the impact to the consumer is little to none.

The issue of watersaving is only going to get

bigger which, in turn, will place increased demand on installers to provide their customers with the required advice and support.

However, in order to ensure a satisfied customer, it is vital for installers to take a considered approached, advising them on the pros and cons of each technology and how it may suit their day-to-day lifestyles. In that way, we can help to ensure the transition to watersaving flows smoothly.

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Valve improves combi efficiency levels With roughly a third of a household’s total water consumption taking place in the bathroom, Twyford offers a range of products that could help to reduce water usage without compromising on performance. The Opal bath (pictured above), for example, uses around 35% less water than a standard bath thanks to its 135 litre capacity.

Dual flush WCs can also reduce water usage by up to 40% compared to the single flush variety. Twyford was an early adopter of Flushwise, the dual flush 4/2.6 litre technology for WCs, and this is now available on the majority of the company’s ranges at price points suited to a variety of different applications.

Brassware with built-in water-saving technology also allows the customer to have better control of water consumption. Twyford’s recently introduced X52 tap collection allows the user to moderate flow via the tap’s dual action – delivering 4 litres per minute with one click back and 7 litres per minute with two clicks. www.twyfordbathrooms.com

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Designed to reduce water wastage and improve the efficiency of combi boilers, CombiSave is a thermostatically controlled valve that controls the flow of water during the initial hot water firing process to help accelerate the heat-up time.

When the water reaches the correct temperature (factory set at 45°C but which can be reduced or increased by 5°C as necessary) the valve opens fully, without restriction, and the water flows normally through the system.

As well as reducing the amount of water and gas used, it also takes around

half the time for hot water to flow from the tap.

Independent tests by engineering consultants EA Technology have shown the CombiSave can save up to an average of eight litres of water every time the tap is turned on from cold.

This equates to around 28,000 litres a year for a typical two-person household and £21 a year in energy costs, £70 per year in water and 130kg CO2

emissions each year.

Two rotatable elbows ensure the CombiSave can be used on a range of 15mm pipe configurations, while fitting is simply a case of cutting away part of the existing pipework and attaching the valve.

It is suitable for low pressure areas (from 0.2 bar) and is compatible with most older boilers, with a maximum inlet water temperature of 85°C. Fitting a CombiSave will not affect the boiler warranty and it also works with most pre-heat systems – although to gain maximum efficiency this needs to be turned off.

However, the valve should not be used on boilers that

already incorporate a water saving device or that have an inbuilt thermal store.

Kenneth Maxwell, sales manager at Teddington which manufactures the CombiSave, says: “The CombiSave is very easy to install – taking around 15-20 minutes – and works in the same way as a TMV3 valve.

“We advise all installers to explain that when users turn on the hot tap there will be a short delay before water starts to fully flow. The initial flow rate is relatively slow – increasing as the water temperature warms up.

That’s exactly how the valve should be operating. It’s not because it has affected the performance of the boiler.”

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February 2017

44 WATER Saving

The visual aid to saving water Yvonne Orgill, Director at the European Water Label and voluntary member of the External Affairs Marketing Group at the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), discusses water sustainability and the benefits of a water labelling scheme.

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that industry professionals enjamin Franklin can select products to suit once said that there their client’s brief and are two certainties budget in an informed and in life: “Death and Taxes”, educated way. The associated but there is actually a third.

Water Calculator (www.

This being that our earth’s thewatercalculator.org.uk) resources are finite, and helps both specifier and coupled with the fact that installer conform to the demand is exceeding supply, relevant regulations and is we have to do something now being used for over 7000 about it. projects.

Amongst our biggest EWL has b e c ome challenges is how we plan authoritative, well respected to manage these dwindling and, being entirely voluntary, resources. For the plumbing Yvonne Orgill at the launch of the water label scheme is inexpensive to operate, and heating industry this means there needs to be an increasing emphasis on the simple to administer, flexible and fast-paced to adapt to old saying ‘waste not, want not’. Now more important market changes. than ever, the responsibility to heed its premise and act Energy saving sustainably is the key to securing our future.

At the very top of the sustainability list is water and Although water is the primary metric of the scheme, it energy, the resources which are so important to life itself. is recognised that energy saving is also key to raising However, water supply is under increasing stress due to awareness of the importance of using water wisely. Since wastage and overuse. This is where sustainability initiatives, one quarter of household energy bills are associated with good communication and education is so pivotal – from hot water, it is logical to include energy aspects on the manufacturers and distributors through to the plumbing label. The incorporation of energy consumption data for and heating professionals themselves, who have influence taps and showers was a recent major enhancement. The over the products specified and installed for consumers. next phase will include information such as reparability and durability to provide the consumer with additional Labelling scheme facts to assist the decision making process.

The award winning scheme is now the most important Given that sustainability and continuity of our natural resources is one of the most important issues facing our labelling scheme of its type and a force for good in the world and industry, the independent and entirely voluntary plumbing and heating industry. Bathroom and kitchen European Water Labelling Scheme (EWL) has been developed manufacturers are working conscientiously and in by manufacturers in the UK bathroom industry. It is now competition to develop products which are both water saving and energy efficient, whilst maintaining excellent firmly established across Europe and beyond.

EWL has blossomed into a stand-alone, not-for-profit performance and consumer satisfaction. The good news is scheme, encompassing 121 major bathroom brands and that the latest products show no loss of performance, but supporting a database which exceeds 9500 live and current they do show impressive reductions in water and energy consumption. products across 34 nations.

Those in the know have been worried for some time that The scheme’s database and accompanying product label shows the water-consumption characteristics of bathroom our consumption levels are currently too high and are looking and kitchen products using a quick-to-discover approach so for ways to encourage us to change behaviours towards

Reduce water use and save energy As well as encouraging owners to stop buying bottled water, the Zip HydroTap also has an autosleep mode and air-cooled (rather than water-cooled) technology to help ensure no water is wasted. In addition, Zip’s Power-Pulse technology maintains stored boiling water to within 0.2°C of the set temperature, meaning saving energy and time waiting for it to heat up.

The HydroTap is an advanced instant filtered water tap which is able to deliver boiling, chilled and sparkling water. Claimed to be one of the most energyefficient products of its kind,

the tap eliminates the need for energy-guzzling kettles and offers the user a choice of energy modes to fit in with daily routines.

An integrated timer mode can help to minimise energy consumption by powering down the appliance when it’s not in use, such as overnight or at weekends, and return to normal operation ahead of the next expected demand.

What’s more, following a period of two or four hours of non-use, the HydroTap automatically enters sleep mode. The contents of the boiling tank are then maintained at 68˚C until further draw-off is required.

water and energy usage.

The European Water Label provides just one of the tools to help us to use water and energy wisely, and save money.

Manufact urers, building designers, specifiers, merchants, retailers and installers are all important messengers in ensuring information about products, which help consumers to save energy and reduce water consumption, is discussed. For installers, they are also supported by organisations like the CIPHE, which promotes the best technical expertise and industry information on industry topics, such as water saving and energy efficiency, to support members, advise, and work with customers in a professional way as well as to help make more informed choices.

In summary, today’s savvy consumers are actively seeking this information as they move more towards ‘greener’ ways. Now is the time to actively encourage and promote this through employing benefits of resource such as the European Water Labelling Scheme and upgrading bathrooms to reduce waste and save water and money from the associated energy bills.

Find out more The European Water Label helps to identify water saving products that when installed and used correctly use less water than other products on the market. Using the online database of over 10,000 products, consumers and industry professionals alike can choose bathroom and kitchen products to suit their lifestyle and budget. For further information visit www.europeanwaterlabel.eu.

Infrared mixer powers itself

The WRAS-approved tap also features a ‘Lux Sensor’, which provides additional energy saving options when the unit senses it has become dark in the room.

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Designed to save water and energy, the Powerbox from Grohe converts energy from flowing water into storable electrical energy which can then be used to power a tap’s infrared function. Just 60 seconds of running water will be enough to power the mixer for 24 hours.

Said to be ideal for use in busy public facilities, from airports and hotels to offices and public institutions, the Powerbox also provides a solution for projects where mains electricity is absent or unreliable, and any application where ecoefficiency and sustainability is important.

The system needs very little maintenance and can

be used with three different tap designs – Grohe’s Europlus E, Eurosmart Cosmopolitan E for mixed water, and the Euroeco Cosmopolitan E for cold or pre-blended water.

Raj Mistry, UK Marketing Director, comments: “The

self-sufficient PowerBox is a smart and sustainable choice for projects. The mixer is able to deliver an energy efficient and moneysaving solution for a wide variety of commercial uses.”

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February 2017

WOOD FUELLED Heating 45

The benefits of clean burning appliances Modern clean burning wood appliances can help to reduce carbon emissions and save on energy. Robert Burke, Technical Director at HETAS, explains how installers can help to educate their customers and encourage them to replace open wood fires and old inefficient appliances with cleaner and fuel efficient alternatives.

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he use of modern clean burning and efficient wood burning appliances offers a real opportunity to save money on fuel and to protect the environment. The latest clean burn technology can help to reduce emissions and at the same time cut down on the quantity of fuel being used.

To understand how wood burns we must first look at the composition of Robert Burke, Technical wood, which is made up of Director at HETAS approximately 50% carbon 6% hydrogen and 44% oxygen, none of which is harmful to health. Unfortunately, no fossil fuel burning appliances can claim a 100% full combustion reaction and therefore all gas, oil, solid fuel, wood and biomass appliances have to deal with the fumes they generate effectively.

When wood is heated to around 280ºC it undergoes an exothermic reaction called pyrolysis which releases gases from the wood and leaves behind carbon or charcoal and ash. Up to 60% of the heat energy contained in wood is contained in the organic gases which are initially released as smoke. Within the products of combustion there are many different chemical compounds, all of which in the ideal situation can be burned away leaving only carbon dioxide and water. Though, as stated above, there is never 100% combustion in a real world situation.

For any fossil fuel, we are left with varying volumes of gases including carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas dependent on how good the combustion reaction is. The very best modern wood burning appliances produce much cleaner exhaust gases and fewer particulates, and at the same time burn less fuel for the same heat output.

Better combustion Knowing that wood burns as both a gas (the hydrocarbons produced during pyrolysis) and as a solid (the carbon element left as charcoal), setting up both an efficient and clean combustion environment can be quite a challenge. But it is a challenge being taken on with excellent results by today’s designers of clean burn appliances. To get as close to 100% combustion of wood as is technically possible, a number of elements have to be incorporated into a firebox design. The ideal design should: r TVQQMZ TVGàDJFOU PYZHFO UP TBUJTGZ UIF DPNCVTUJPO reaction, but not too much to cool or carry the hydrocarbon gases away from the firebox before they can burn r BMMPX UIF IZESPDBSCPO HBTFT TVGàDJFOU UJNF JO UIF right conditions so they can burn r HFOFSBUF B IJHI FOPVHI UFNQFSBUVSF TP UIF IZESPDBSCPO gases can ignite r QSPWJEF TVGàDJFOU UVSCVMFODF TP UIF IZESPDBSCPO gases and oxygen can mix together The above conditions are known within the combustion industry as the three T’s: Time, Temperature and Turbulence. Such conditions can only be provided in the

A call to action

Freshly cut wood can contain a substantial amount of water which needs to be dried out of a log before it is used as firewood

well-engineered and controlled environment of a clean burn closed stove. The advantages of a designer aiming to get as close to the 100% complete reaction are more heat output from each kilogram of fuel used and greatly reduced emissions.

Fuel quality Whilst the appliance designer can spend a great deal of effort ensuring the firebox provides for the best possible arrangement of the three T’s, all his efforts can be undermined by poor quality fuel. The biggest influence on fuel quality is the moisture content of the wood which can significantly alter the combustion reaction for the worse.

Wet wood – When a tree is felled, even one that has been dead for several years, the wood will contain a substantial amount of free water. Free water is water that is not chemically combined as part of the woods structure; 50-60% of the weight of the wood can be water. A two kilogram freshly cut log can therefore contain in excess of one litre of water which needs to be dried out of the log before the log can be safely used as firewood. Green wood is usually seasoned or kiln dried to bring the moisture content down to between 15 and 25% dry weight of the wood. If green wood is used the one litre of water in each two litre log will need to be boiled off before the wood will burn effectively. This has the effect of suppressing the temperature in the firebox and stopping the hydrocarbons burning, greatly increasing emissions and significantly reducing the available heat.

Overly dry wood – This presents different problems to the combustion reaction, in as much as the wood will burn quickly and very hot. This rapid pyrolysis of the hydrocarbons can overwhelm the available oxygen being supplied to the firebox, preventing total combustion of the gases. Again if the hydrocarbons aren’t burned they will form smoke and pollution degrading the local air quality.

Keeping it clean Fortunately as an industry our designers have progressed in constantly improving their product, with greater efficiency and substantially reduced emissions. New clean burn appliances offer a significant improvement in their environmental credentials compared to older stoves or open fires. It is reported in America that clean burn appliances have reduced emissions by more than 90% on a similar heat output from an older open appliance.

A vast number of people across the UK and Europe like to sit in front of an open fire for the ambience of the flickering wood flames. Some are dedicated to replacing other fossil fuel use with wood and biomass products. However they are unlikely to know how much they can help themselves and the general environment by getting rid of old open fires and very old appliances in favour of modern, clean burn, efficient stoves and boilers.

As solid fuel installers and service engineers carrying out your normal business, you are in the ideal position to educate the customers. If you see them burning wood inefficiently and polluting the local area, or you see an open fire being used for wood burning, please let the user know the downside of what they are doing. Have a conversation about how they can improve their own lives and benefit the environment by changing to a modern clean burn and efficient appliance. With your help, as the people on the front line, we can over the coming years clean up the name of wood burning in the UK and replace open wood fires and old inefficient appliances with clean burn modern appliances, and at the same time keep our industry buoyant and progressive.

About HETAS HETAS is the Heating Equipment Testing and Approvals Scheme, which is authorised by government to operate approval schemes for installers, chimney sweeps, wood and solid fuel heating equipment, retailers and fuels. www.hetas.co.uk

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Offer the complete range of wood log boilers Two complete ranges Angus Super and Angus Orligno 200 Output range 18kW, 25kW, 40kW, 60kW, 80kW, 96kW and 130kW Products fully MCS certified Grants available under Renewable Heat Incentive 92% Heat Efficiency Significantly reduce heating costs Incorporate into existing heating system

www.ecoangus.co.uk 01934 862642 ENQUIRY

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February 2017

46 WOOD FUELLED Heating

Working to minimise emissions With the introduction of Ecodesign Ready stoves, the industry can make significant progress in reducing the level of emissions from wood burning appliances. Dennis Milligan, Head of Communications at the Stove Industry Alliance, heralds the step forwards.

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ir quality is important to all of us. By making the right choices we can help improve the quality of the air we breathe. Choosing the right quality of logs and burning them in a low emitting stove are the key criteria when it comes to reducing emissions from wood burning.

It has long been accepted that burning logs in a stove is a better way to burn wood than burning it on an open fire. Until now, DEFRA Exempt stoves (introduced to allow wood burning in smoke control areas) have increasingly been the choice of many outside of smoke control areas, because they are cleaner burning. This is changing with the release of Ecodesign Ready stoves.

Ecodesign is the European-wide programme to lower emissions from wood burning stoves. It is due to come into force in the UK in 2022. The main manufacturers in the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA), the trade association for wood burning stoves and allied suppliers, have decided to release stoves that will meet the lower emission limits now, and from 2020 to only manufacture wood-burning stoves that meet the new Ecodesign criteria, two years ahead of schedule.

Reduced emissions Independent research conducted by Kiwa Gastec on behalf of the SIA has shown that Ecodesign Ready stoves will reduce particulate emissions by 90% compared to an open fire and by 84% compared to an old stove. Open fires and oId stoves have increased emissions when turned down, whereas the emissions from Ecodesign stoves reduce when turned down. The 84% reduction in emissions, compared to an older stove, is during the turn down period, when traditionally the possibility of emissions is at its highest.

Ecodesign Ready stoves will meet the Ecodesign limits for emissions when the regulation comes into force. As with HD ready TVs, the Ecodesign Ready label will inform consumers that the stoves will meet the new stringent emission limits. The Ecodesign Ready scheme is supported

by DEFRA as a positive move to reduce emissions. It is administered by HETAS and details of the stoves are on the HETAS website (www.hetas.co.uk).

Burning issue Having chosen the right stove, the next way to reduce emissions is to use dry wood. Freshly cut wood can have a water content as high as 90%. If freshly cut wood is used in a stove, this will amount to burning water, producing steam, smoke and little heat. Freshly cut wood should be left to dry or season for one or two years before being used. Alternatively, seasoned wood can be bought from a wood supplier.

The graph demonstrates how Ecodesign stoves (right) produce far less emissions compared to old stoves and open fires

Kiln dried is the best, with a moisture content of less than 20%. The moisture content of seasoned logs can vary, with average moisture contents between 30% and 50%.

Users need to be taught how to use a moisture meter, but when used correctly, it is a good way to know when wood is ready to be burnt.

By using dry wood the consumer is not only helping to reduce emissions. Dry wood burns better and produces more heat. Burning dry logs means fewer logs are required to produce the desired heat, thereby saving the consumer money.

Woodsure is the UK’s only wood fuel quality assurance scheme. The Woodsure certification scheme comprehensively checks wood fuel producers to ensure that they produce and supply wood fuel to the correct standard. The Woodsure logo gives consumers the confidence that the logs they are buying will have been verified as sustainably sourced and having the desired moisture content for burning.

Lighting up It’s important that stove owners should also understand that using a stove incorrectly can also lead to increased emissions. Lighting a stove is the most crucial phase.

Overloading the stove with logs or using wet wood can generate excessive smoke and emissions.

Lighting the fire is simple, so long as a few basic rules are followed. Start by fully opening the Primary Air and Air Wash controls on the stove and then build the fire slowly. Start with dry kindling and add dry logs as the fire catches. Leave the door open until the fire is established.

Then close the door and the Primary Air Control. Use the Air Wash to regulate the fire. Following these simple rules to light a stove will have a significant impact on the

from a digital touch display.

AP3 has three fans, one in the room and two dedicated to rear ducting, to distribute heat over a distance of up to 28m: 14m for each 8cm diameter duct. www.palazzetti.it

ENQUIRY No.

emissions produced. Most stove manufacturers provide clear guidelines and videos showing how to burn wood in their stoves.

The SIA and the wood supply industry are working together with DEFRA to make people aware of the positive choices they can make by buying a clean burning stove and burning the right quality of wood in the stove. Ecodesign stoves are a significant step forward in reducing emissions from wood burning. When used in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions to burn dry wood they can help with both carbon and emissions reduction. www.stoveindustryalliance.com

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Stove can be fitted closer to the wall

Stoves spread the warmth Available from Italian manufacturer Palazzetti is a range of Ecofire ductable pellet stoves that enable the householder to quickly heat up various adjoining rooms. The company’s Air Pro System features two or three separate fans which can be controlled independently to convey hot air to various rooms.

All new generation 9 and 12kW power Palazzetti stoves come with APS2 (Air Pro System 2) or APS3 respectively. The APS2 system features two fans, one in the room and one dedicated to rear ducting, distributing heat over a distance of up to 14m through an 8cm diameter duct. The power of the rear fan can be adjusted directly

The Purevision 5kW freestanding stove and log store

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Said to combine traditional craftsmanship with the latest stove technology, the DS Cool Wall has been developed by Devon-based stove specialist Dean Forge to save space and ensure the safe installation of a wood-burning stove.

Most stoves take up extra space because they have to be installed with large distances from combustible materials, such as stud, wood

or plasterboard walls, but a stove manufactured from Dean Forge can now be installed only 50mm away from the DS Cool Wall.

Under test conditions, the company says that the DS Cool Wall recorded temperatures of more than 600°C behind the stove, but the rise in room temperature behind the DS Cool Wall was only 4°C.

www.deanforge.co.uk

February 2017

WOOD FUELLED Heating 47

More options widen the market Changes in the design of wood burning stoves have made them more versatile and popular than ever. Here, Niall Deiraniya, UK General Manager for DRU, looks at the variety of stoves on the market and the influence of continental design.

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ood burning stoves have enjoyed fast growth over the last 10 years. This has been fuelled by many factors, including the price of mains gas, the trend for natural heating methods and the introduction of a new generation of super-efficient wood burning products.

Wood stoves are generally associated with traditional cast iron models that either stand alone or are connected to a standard chimney. These typically have a heat output of less than 5 kW and a small viewing window to display the burning logs.

The change began w it h t he int roduct ion of contemporary steelfabricated models from Europe, which offered a greater variety of designs and a bigger range of sizes and capacities. Unlike the traditional cast iron stove, these continental models are equally at home in rural or urban properties and can be located anywhere in the

Steel fabricated stoves (left) and two-sided fire insets (right) are examples in the widening field of wood burning stoves

home, providing the flue can be inserted through the roof or an outside facing wall.

The wood fire insert is also a product that has increased massively in popularity over recent years. Originally, these models were restricted to the standard 22 inch chimney opening and only offered a limited view of the fire bed.

It is now possible to have inserts up to 1m wide, with expansive views of the fire and heat outputs sufficient for large properties.

Inserts are now available in two-sided, three-sided and see-through tunnel models that can be installed into room-dividing walls and other architectural features, widening the scope of wood burning fires.

As far as the technical aspects are concerned, modern wood fires and stoves typically have an energy efficiency rating of 80% or greater. The most efficient models have external air connection, which means that they draw

air totally from outside the building for combustion, rather than from within the room. An added benefit of this is that air vents do not need to be fitted to the property, enhancing further its energy efficiency rating.

Approval is required from DEFRA to install wood stoves or inserts in urban smokeless zones, in which case they must demonstrate a maximum level of carbon and particle emissions.

Installers must be HETAS registered, a code of practice

that mirrors the Gas Safe standard for gas appliances.

Higher standard In 2022, a new set of regulations called Ecodesign will be enforced for all new wood heating appliances across Europe (see story on facing page). Regardless of what is happening with Brexit, the UK is likely to sign up to this as it will improve energy efficiency and air quality all over the country.

In anticipation, this year the Stove Industry Alliance

(SIA) is introducing a scheme called Ecodesign Ready. This will bring forward compliance by five years, and several UK stove manufacturers have already signed up to it and are developing suitable products.

As the market matures, there is a new wave of wood burning products coming in from Europe that have features such as vertically sliding doors, supplementary water heating functions and the ability to pipe warm air to different rooms around the home, further reducing the need for additional central heating and reducing a typical home’s carbon footprint.

The wood stove market still has a great deal of life in it, as it is many people’s preferred choice of heating, being comfortable, efficient and visually emotive. With the advent of new designs and technologies, there is much to look forward to.

PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Coverage to protect Logs fuel the gasification RHI payments As the sole UK distributor of wood burning boilers from Cranp–Kovo, Eco Angus offers a range to provide central heating and domestic hot water for homes and businesses. These boilers are suitable for retrofits or new builds, usually positioned in an outbuilding, and can be linked into an existing heating system.

Eco Angus also supplies t wo ranges of wood

Biomass boiler owners can now protect the income they receive from the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) with a dedicated insurance policy. This product is offered by biomass servicing specialists Myriad Plant Room Services and insurance brokers Aston Scott.

Myriad says that a boiler breakdown could cost a business thousands in lost RHI earnings. Responding to the increasing numbers of biomass boilers that have been installed without a service plan in place, Myriad developed extensive service plans to include the option to insure a biomass boiler and the RHI payments it provides.

Available to all customers that take out a five star service contract, the insurance premium guarantees that businesses continue to receive payments from the RHI following major failure of their biomass boiler due to equipment damage, fault or operator error. myriadservice.co.uk/rhi-protection

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gasification log boilers: the Angus Super (pictured) and the Angus Orligno 200. There are seven kW outputs available in the Angus Super range between 18 and 130kW, and five in the Angus Orligno 200 range between 18 and 80kW. These boilers qualify for both the domestic and non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) grants.

Eco Angus says that in

both instances, the capital investment for the boiler installation can pay for itself in just a few years.

The payments on the non-domestic RHI are paid quarterly over a 20 year period and for the domestic RHI quarterly over a seven year period.

Both ranges are held in stock and are ready for delivery.

PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Pellet boilers over 90kW New products have been added to Innasol’s selection of ETA biomass boilers. The new ETA PE-K wood pellet boiler is aimed at the above 90kW market and is available in a range of outputs from 110 to 220kW. This enables high temperature output with a standard ETA pellet auger system, which Innasol says offers a price advantage as only one fuel store is needed.

Stuart Gibson, Head of Sales at Innasol, says: “We welcome the five new pellet boiler sizes with open arms and anticipate these to be very

well received by the UK market, with many customers keen to install a biomass boiler that runs on wood pellets on a single phase electricity supply and with the flexibility to position the pellet store up to 20m away from the boiler.”

Innasol is based in Wickham Bishops, Essex, and provides a wide range of renewable energy systems, including biomass, heat pumps, combined heat and power, and energy storage technologies.

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February 2017

48 Step by Step

Enclosures in minutes Coram Showers has developed a range of enclosures that are said to boast ease of installation, reliable quality and a stylish finish. Here, we provide a step by step guide to installing the Coram Optima Quad, which the company says can be completed in just 45 minutes.

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s an established UK manufacturer of showering solutions, Coram Showers provides installer-friendly ranges of products, including enclosures, trays and accessories. The Optima Quad enclosure is one of Coramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular models, owing to the many features and benefits offered for the installer.

The Optima range is pre-assembled and has a patented system designed specifically for a one-man-fit, meaning that the Coram Optima Quad can be fully installed by one person in just 45 minutes.

Carefully constructed and stylish, the range comes with preassembled wheels, pre-cut seals, and screws sized for a standard PZ2 screwdriver.

Standing at 1900mm high, Optima enclosures incorporate 6mm toughened safety glass to EN12150 and EN12600 standard. They

come with Stayclean glass, meaning it can be cleaned between 50% and 70% less often. With a choice of white or chrome frames available there is also an option of plain, satin or modesty glass to suit each situation.

Quick release wheels on the bottom of doors facilitate easy cleaning. There are double wheel runners on both the top and bottom of doors and chrome profile cover caps ensure a luxurious appearance. Modern polished stainless steel straight bar handles complete the contemporary look. Bespoke enclosures are also available in any size, shape or configuration for awkward spaces.

What follows is a step by step guide, detailing how to install the Coram Optima Quad.

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2

Once you have fitted the shower tray and ensured that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s level in all directions, fix the wall-channels to the walls and cover over the screws using the chrome caps provided for a neat finish.

Place the bottom rail onto the tray with its end mouldings inserted into the wall-channels, ensuring that there is an equal gap at each end. The fixed panels can then be inserted.

Slide them down to slot into the end mouldings at the bottom rail.

4

3

Position the top rail above the fixedpanels. Check that the door frame is vertical and screw into position ensuring it is centrally positioned between the wallchannels.

Next, position the top rail above the fixed-panels. Check that the door frame is vertical and screw into position, ensuring it is centrally positioned between the wallchannels.

5 The doors can be attached with pre-assembled pushfit rollers. They also have quick-release wheels for easy cleaning and double-wheel runners at top and bottom.

Cam adjusters at the top may need to be altered slightly to enable the magnetic shield to meet evenly when the doors are closed.

6 Attach the polishedsteel straight-bar handles and smart chrome profile cover-caps, then complete the installation by sealing the enclosure.

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February 2017

WHAT’S New For accurate readings The latest entries to Testo’s thermal imaging cameras is a range described as having an unbeatable priceperformance ratio. The Testo 865, 868, 871 and 872 come with a trio of special features designed to help the user get a more accurate reading of the equipment being tested.

The ΍-Assist sets the emissivity and reflected temperature for the user, a time consuming process if done manually. By applying

a special sticker onto the measurement object, the integrated digital camera of the imager recognises it, measures both the emissivity and reflected temperature, and sets both values automatically.

ScaleAssist addresses the issue of temperature scales and the colouring of thermal images. It is useful when looking at the thermal insulation behaviour of a building. This function

Ventilation with the benefits

adjusts the colour d i st r ibut ion of the scale to the interior and exterior temperat ure of the measurement object and the difference between them. This ensures objectively comparable and error-free thermal images.

The third feature, the IFOV-Warning, shows what can be measured accurately, based on a specific distance.

This outlines when a Spatial Resolution is not good enough at a certain distance, meaning certain small details may not be revealed.

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www.kensaheatpumps.com

Designed for the home or office, the DV245 Adroit from Airflow Developments is a Passive House certified unit that offers a whole-house approach to ventilation to ensure a healthy internal environment and maximise energy efficiency. The system is also fitted with the latest smart technology, which makes it possible to control airflow settings from a PC, tablet or smartphone.

The DV245 Adroit is different to traditional extraction fans, as the unit removes stale air from inside the home and recovers 90% of heat from the air that would otherwise be lost as part of the ventilation process through an aluminium heat exchanger.

The recovered heat is used to pre-warm clean, healthy air that is continually brought in from outside and is then

triple filtered via the 2 G4 and F7 filter system and circulated around the home.

The Adroit provides homeowners with realtime monitoring and control of their indoor air environments at home or on the move through the Adroit Cloud. Once registered, the air flow settings of the unit can be controlled via a computer or mobile device.

Further still the DV245 is also able to connect into house automation systems through

the Modbus protocol or via the Adroit digital controller.

The unit can also be programmed to the homeowner’s personal routine, with four operating systems to choose from – Home, Away, Boost or Fireplace. This helps to ensure maximum energy efficiency. For example, when setting the ventilation to ‘away’ during workdays it will ensure low-level ventilation to freshen the air whilst consuming little energy.

All Adroit units come equipped with an automatic, 100% summer bypass facility that prevents overheating within the property during the summer months to maintain a temperate indoor climate. In the colder months there is also the option to have automatic frost protection.

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Quick fit valve for installing without removing cistern

Ground source efficiencies Claimed to deliver significantly improved efficiencies is the new Evo series from Kensa Heat pumps. The ground source heat pumps have been designed specifically for British properties and are manufactured in Cornwall. Offering a 15% gain in efficiency in order to minimise running costs and maximise income via the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive, the Kensa Evo will be available for delivery from Spring in 7, 9, 13 and 15kW single phase models.

The ERP A++ rated Evo delivers heating and hot water efficiencies of SCOPs to 4.2 at 35°C along with significantly reduced noise outputs, packaged in a contemporary contoured gunmetal and gloss-white finish, punctuated by a custom built control panel unique to the Kensa series.

Designed for larger new builds and renovation projects, the Evo will supplement Kensa’s Shoebox 3 and 6kW models which are suited for smaller new builds.

MD Simon Lomax says: “The Kensa Evo represents a significant step forward and is a testimony to the ingenuity of an engineering team which focuses exclusively on ground source heat pumps.”

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The Macdee Quick Fit Flush Valve by Wirquin is a time saving solution when it comes to flush valve repair.

It is designed to be easily installed without the need to remove the cistern (where damage can occur) or having to cut through awkward rusty bolts when replacing the toilet valve. It fits all 2in close coupled cisterns and comes with a 10 year guarantee.

The valve fits directly into the existing installation and is made instantly water tight with a Butyl seal, allowing the cistern to be refilled instantly.

The valve’s telescopic overflow

is height adjustable to suit any cistern and locks in place with a clip for security.

The EasyClip quick release lock for the push button is designed for easy fitting and future maintenance of the

cistern. The chrome button is designed to fit a range of holes in the lid from 14–58mm in diameter, making it suitable for all applications.

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February 2017

50 WHat’s New Flexible siting gas stove Voice controlled thermostats The collection of contemporary freestanding gas stoves from DRU has been enhanced with the addition of the Polo, a 1m high stove with a square design. It features a large glass viewing window and authentic log fire display with realistic flames.

With a choice of interior finishes in black or mirrored Ceraglass, Polo has a heat output of 4.1kW. The balanced flue system means that it can be located anywhere in proximity to an outside facing wall, making it one of the most flexible gas fires in the DRU range.

Versions are available for natural gas or LPG.

www.drufire.com

ENQUIRY No.

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The evohome and Single Zone thermostats from Honeywell are now compatible with the Amazon Echo Home control system. The Echo Hands free speaker allows control of a variety of devices around the home using the Alexa voice control software, providing a single point of remote control for the user. It works with both the Total Connect Comfort app and the Lyric app via smartphone or tablet, allowing the Alexa voice control software to be used to give vocal commands to the Honeywell thermostats.

Quick commands enable people to adjust their heating and hot water by simple voice commands,

such as ‘make my office 2º cooler’ or ‘switch on economy mode’.

Andy Mansfield, Marketing Communications Manager at Honeywell, explains: “Ensuring our smart thermostats work across these new home automation platforms provides installers with further selling messages to use when specifying heating controls, and also futureproofs them for the customer.”

Integration with the Amazon Echo system follows on from the Lyric T6 integration with the Apple HomeKit home automation product set. getconnected.honeywell.com/en

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Solo2 tap Folding bath screen is Control in the pocket has more practical and leak free benefits

With the latest update to the Solo tap range, Bristan says it has improved ease of installation and safety.

The new Solo2 is a DO8 and HTM04-01 compliant thermostatic mixer tap which is designed to ease the complex specification of taps in healthcare and other public sector environments.

The Solo2 has an easy maintenance base which means that filters, NRVs and flow limiters can be cleaned or replaced without having to get below the basin. The tap’s spout features a smooth internal waterway which is fully draining to prevent bacteria build-up and can be removed for easy cleaning. Furthermore, a choice of either open flow outlet or laminar flow straightener offers greater flexibility.

In terms of safety, the new tap offers an automatic thermostatic shut-off in the event of hot or cold water supply failure to prevent the risk of scalding. It is also fitted with a 5 litre/min flow regulator to aid water saving measures in accordance with BREEAM. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Designed to be completely leak-free, Merlyn Showering’s SecureSeal bath screen comes in six combinations. The discreet sealing arm is simply pulled down 90º from its upright storage position and is clipped into place to create a secure and complete seal between the bath and the screen. When not in use, it can be folded away.

The sleek single panel design would work well in a contemporary bathroom, while the four-fold and five-fold doors with coated aluminium joins each create a striking statement. Corner storage, which is shielded behind a fixed panel, is also available on each design.

All products in the SecureSeal range come with 6mm toughened glass in a generous yet practical height of 1500mm, and feature Merlyn’s Mershield Stayclear protective coating. www.merlynshowering.com

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The Megaflo Eco indirect range now incorporates an extra sensor pocket to allow additional control for boilers that use either an energy management system or require a temperature signal to regulate hot water production.

The additional pocket, which can cater for sensors up to 8mm in diameter, makes the Megaflo Eco range more flexible, allowing installers to further manage the relationship between a cylinder and the boiler it is heated by.

The sensors relay information on current hot water temperatures to an independent control system, which in turn opens the valve to turn on the boiler. This, when teamed with the Megaflo Eco cylinder, ensures safe operation and comfort for the homeowner, while also assuring them that their system is working to www.heatraesadia.com maximum efficiency.

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Pumping for non- Heat pump powered by gas gravity drainage Now featuring a completely redesigned tank, the Drain Major from Pump Technology is a fully automatic waste water pumping system for domestic and commercial installations where gravity drainage is not possible. The floormounted waste water and hot water pump system is made from polyethylene and features a sealed lid that can be simply accessed for easy servicing.

It has been specially designed to withstand hot water from combination ovens, washing machines, glass washers, dishwashers or commercial sinks. The interior has been built to take a range of pumps, making it a flexible option for offices, schools, shops, pubs, restaurants, factories, hospitals and warehouses. There is no preformed invert, allowing it to be positioned to suit each particular application.

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Now available from ESS (Environmental Site Supplies) is the Robur K18, an 18kW mini gas-powered heat pump that offers temperatures up to 65ºC for heating and up to 70ºC for domestic hot water.

The K18 is aimed at larger or period domestic properties, and is also suitable for small commercial installations, such as church halls and care homes. A hybrid version, with an integrated boiler offers a 37kW output.

The Robur K18 is a high efficiency boiler replacement said to provide energy and carbon savings of 38% against a modern condensing boiler.

It is a monobloc heat pump that requires no fridge work and simply connects to an existing heating main.

The K18 has fewer

mechanical parts than electric heat pumps and so benefits from low noise levels. It satisfies demand in properties that are too large for electric heat pumps, or where higher water temperatures are required.

Kevin Pacey, MD of ESS, says: “It makes complete sense to use our established gas transmission network

to deliver the energy we need for heating until such time that adequate renewable power becomes available. Gas heat pumps are straightforward for a gas-qualified plumber to fit and plumb, and are similarly priced to an electric heat pump.”

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February 2017

52 WHat’s New Trade taps meet customer expectations Professional way to freeze the pipes

Two contemporary models have been added to Bristan’s range of stylish taps. The Clio and Frenzy are designed to provide an on-trend tap solution which is quick and easy to fit, satisfying the needs of both the installer and the homeowner.

The Clio (pictured left) has a tab style lever and comes with a smooth chrome finish.

It features at the higher end of the market and is suited for customers looking to

inject modernity into their interiors.

For a more contemporary offering, the Frenzy (pictured

right) has a flat top surface that creates a crisp aesthetic whilst its rounded shape provides it with a family-

friendly feel. The Frenzy is able to suit any style that the customer wishes to opt for.

Bristan’s Matt Hicks says: “The Clio and Frenzy ranges are two of our most stylish models created for the trade market, adding to the plethora of options we already offer installers.”

Both models come with a no quibble five year guarantee.

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More from MVHR Blue flame burner ahead of its time

Now available from VentAxia is the Sentinel Kinetic Advance, a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) unit designed for thermally efficient new build residential and light commercial properties. The company says the Advance is the best performing MVHR in its class, and it features timesaving commissioning and control via a web-enabled app.

The Advance features trickle settings of up to 40% that still stay below 20dBA, and has a specific fan power (SFP) as low as 0.38W/l/s – this is combined with 93% heat recovery and high pressure airflow as high as 100 l/s at 150Pa. Maximised airflows and minimised noise and energy are achieved through an EC motor and highly sculpted interiors.

The web-enabled app offers simplified installation and commissioning, improving performance and accuracy.

USB functionality also allows pre-commissioning, thus saving time on developments with same specification builds. Advance also features a programmable 100% summer bypass to ensure year-round thermal comfort.

PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Ahead of new regulations on flue gas emissions which come into force in September 2018, burner manufacturer EOGB Energy Products is set to launch of its first blue flame domestic oil burner, available this spring.

The low NOx burner not only satisfies the required standards set by the Energyrelated Products (ErP) directive, but also meets more stringent requirements due to come into force in 2022 as well. EOGB’s blue flame burner is fully-modulating and can be used with a new boiler product as well as a replacement for existing domestic installations. Additional features include a low voltage flame scanner, flexible fan mounting orientations and low voltage variable speed fans.

“The new burner will provide the perfect future-proof solution for boiler manufacturers who want to meet energy saving targets without the need to redesign the entire boiler,” says EOGB Technical Director Martin Cooke. www.eogb.co.uk/low-nox-burners

ENQUIRY No.

New from Arctic Hayes is its professional Polar Solo kit. The package has all the same capabilities as the Polar Professional kit, other than dual freezing.

This kit will freeze pipes up to 22mm on copper, plastic, lead, and all steel pipework without the need to drain down the system. Draining down can take a long time and in some cases is not an option in a sealed system. The Polar Professional Solo kit can freeze a pipe in less than three minutes, allowing a plumbing and heating engineer to get more jobs done in a day. www.arctic-hayes.com

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Tap goes for gold Brushed Gold is the newest finish available from InSinkErator for its L Shape 3N1 steaming hot water tap.

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The new version follows the launch of the Anthracite and Satin Black finishes and is part of the Showroom Collection.

Marketing Manager Denise Iordache comments: “The addition of the Brushed Gold finish to the iconic L Shape range of 3N1 steaming hot water taps reflects the top trends in today’s interior designs and provides an effortless update that adds not only an aesthetic edge, but provides genuine benefits to busy lifestyles.”

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VRF extends the efficiencies Commercial circulators up the efficiency benefits

The newly launched Multi V from LG Electronics is a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) solution with a host of new technologies. The standout feature is the Dual Sensing Control system, which monitors both temperature and humidity levels, reacting to both sensible and latent heat loads. The range also incorporates LG’s latest compressor and a larger system capacity offering, along with improved seasonal efficiencies.

Dual Sensing Control is said to reduce operating costs and optimise comfort conditions. A typical VRF system operation would fluctuate considerably in order to maintain the required room conditions, normally operating on a thermostat on, thermostat off cycle. The Multi V 5 Dual Sensing Control offers each user a selectable Comfort Cooling option, which maintains supply

air temperatures around the desired room set point, reducing on/off cycling, eliminating draughts and delivering maximum user comfort.

LG’s fifth generation compressor offers a high sided shell and high pressure oil return, and a new polyetheretheketone bearing allows an all inverter, system compressor to operate between 10Hz – 165Hz, increasing partial efficiencies and extending capacity.

“Multi V 5 carries the factors considered at design stage through to real life system regulation.

Considering all areas of system application will allow customers to benefit from the comfort levels and operational savings that are expected from an industry leading solution,” says LG’s Andrew Slater.

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Water technology solutions provider, Xylem, has extended its ecocirc XL and ecocirc XLplus range of commercial wet rotor circulator pumps, enabling increased energy savings for commercial HVAC users. Designed to combine operational simplicity with high efficiency, the expanded range will see the addition of two new product groups for hot and cold H VAC appl ic at ion s.

Enlarging the range with the introduction of 4 and 6m head models, group one, featuring the light commercial models, is now available in cast iron pump housings for heating applications and stainless steel pump housings for domestic hot water systems.

Group two comprises additional twin

circulators in both a threaded and flanged connection with the addition of an 8 and a 10m head model. With a variety of different configurations available, the extended range focuses on greater flexibility and interchangeability with other products on the market, further simplifying replacements and installations.

Other benefits to the newly extended range include an automatic night setback mode, which works to improve performance levels by reducing motor power consumption when the demand is low. This not only generates further energy savings, but also ensures operational costs are kept to a minimum.

ENQUIRY No. 170 www.xyleminc.com

February 2017

Vans & Racking 53

Proace delivers the full package It’s been a while since Toyota had a van with the chops to compete with the big names in the light commercial vehicle market, but with the launch of the updated Proace, the manufacturer has come up with an award-winning contender. Carol Hitchcock reports.

I

f you are something of a badge spotter when you’re out and about on the roads, it’s pretty easy to spot the distinctive Toyota emblem. But how often do you see it on a van?

Toyota lost a good chunk of the LCV market in 2011 when it withdrew its popular Hiace medium van – this was around about the time it would have had to upgrade the range to meet the Euro5 exhaust emissions regulations of the time. The manufacturer decided it would rather incorporate the upgraded engines into a completely new range, and turned its attention to the development of the Proace. Launched in 2012 with little fanfare, its impact on the UK market was slight.

All that changed last year when Toyota unveiled the redesigned and renewed Proace medium-duty van, with a wealth of choice spanning vehicle dimensions, wheelbases, powertrains and equipment specifications.

Toyota believes the new line will present a formidable rival to the likes of Mercedes and Volkswagen and has opened a network of Specialist Business Centres around the country to support sales, servicing and repairs. Its efforts have been rewarded with the accolade of LCV of the Year title in the latest What Van? Awards.

Compact convenience Central to the new range is a Compact model, which Toyota describes as bringing together premium design and optimum packaging to deliver a combination of medium van load space within a compact footprint. The Compact measures 4606mm long and has a 2925mm wheelbase, yet achieves a remarkable ratio between size and spaciousness.

The UK range features 94bhp and 114bhp 1.6-litre diesel engines – the latter with stop and start fuel and emissions-saving technology and a six-speed manual transmission – and a 121bhp 2.0-litre diesel, which also features stop and start.

Specification highlights include three front seats, and the availability of a new Smart Cargo system gives you an opening bulkhead and lifting front passenger seat base. This increases load length capacity by 1.16m, a useful feature when you’re hauling long pipe lengths around. The overall load volume can also be increased by an extra half a cubic metre – that’s enough space for a boiler in its box.

The Proace is available in two equipment grades: Base and Comfort. The Base grade provides central remote locking with

deadlocks, cruise control with speed limiter, fabric seat upholstery, driver and front passenger airbags, tyre pressure monitor, and power windows and door mirrors. The audio system includes a radio, DAB, USB port and Bluetooth.

Extra comfort The Comfort grade adds more sophisticated cabin acoustic treatments for a quieter environment, including an acoustic windscreen, driver’s seat height adjustment, air conditioning, a cooled and illuminated glovebox and additional 12V power outlets in the glovebox and cargo area. This package also provides body colour-matched bumpers and door mirrors, front fog lamps, full wheel covers and a dashboard information display.

A Safety and Security Pack can be specified

Revamped Crafter available for order Prices have been announced for the all-new Volkswagen Crafter, with UK Van Centres able to take orders now ahead of the van’s official launch at the CV Show in April and first customer deliveries in May. It has already been named International Van of the Year for 2017.

Volkswagen says the new version was designed following extensive research to make sure customers can choose the right van for their needs. The wide range of options includes different powertrains, drivetrains and capacities.

The models are powered by a new 2.0-litre TDI (EU6) engine, developed specifically for commercial vehicles, which is available with four power outputs: 102, 122, 140 and 177 PS. The choice of engine depends on which

drive system is selected.

Customers can also choose between front, rear and allwheel drive (4MOTION), as well as between a manual and automatic gearbox.

Up to three different vehicle lengths are available, depending on the model chosen. Panel van variants also come with one of three

different roof heights.

Three trim levels are on offer – Startline, Trendline and Highline – bringing the Crafter into line with Volkswagen’s Caddy and Transporter ranges.

A wide range of options is also available, including a number of driver and safety assistance systems such as

side protection, rear traffic alert, park assist and trailer assist.

Volkswagen backs up the range with aftersales and customer support products and services which are being rolled out throughout the Van Centre network in preparation for launch.

More details will follow, but examples include extended opening hours, telematics systems, preventative maintenance and bespoke service and maintenance plans.

Front-wheel drive manual panel vans are available to order now. Rear-wheel drive, 4MOTION and automatic transmission variants will follow throughout the year, along with open-body models and factory-produced conversions.

PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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that equips Proace with a Toyota Safety Sense package, including a Pre-Collision System with Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Adaptive Cruise Control, together with a head-up display, cornering lights, rainsensing windscreen wipers, dusk-sensing headlights, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and vehicle alarm.

The head-up display (HUD) may make driving on unfamiliar roads a bit less stressful. HUD projects key driving information, such as the vehicle speed and navigation information, discreetly within your line of sight so you can keep your eyes safely on the road while taking in important vehicle information.

A Toyota Pro-Touch touchscreen multimedia system is also available for Comfort grade models as part of a premium option pack that also provides satellite navigation and 17inch alloy wheels. A tailgate can be specified in place of the twin rear doors, though this may not be ideal for installers and engineers.

Value for money If you invest in a Proace, you’ll be covered

by Toyota’s five-year/100,000-mile warranty, with unlimited mileage for the first year, an assurance that may soften the impact of the price you’ll be paying. The Base grade Compact van has a sticker price of £18,660, but Toyota says the low cost of ownership will help make up for any price premium.

Service intervals are a generous 25,000 miles or every other year, dependant on usage. The van is also said to give operators stronger residual values.

ENQUIRY No. www.toyota.co.uk 171

Vehicle downtime a common gripe Almost two-thirds of businesses using LCVs say that controlling the cost of servicing and maintenance is their main concern when choosing vehicles to buy or rent. This is according to a new survey commissioned

by LCV rental company, Northgate.

Nearly half the sample identified service, repair and MOT as a main cause for vehicles being off the road, second only to breakdown (53%), which typically also results in servicing and maintenance.

Some 60% of the sample considered the provision of like-for-like replacement vehicles as a key factor to consider when choosing an acquisition deal.

“Vehicle downtime is a

major headache for any business using an LCV,” says Northgate’s MD Eddie Aston. “Inclusive service and maintenance is now a priority for businesses acquiring new light commercial vehicles.

“Our research shows that vehicles are off the road for an average of 12 days per year and downtime means hassle, expense and, at worst, loss of business. It causes extra paperwork, unplanned expense, loss of productivity and it reduces the opportunity for advertising. Added to that, if a vehicle has been tailored to an individual business’ needs, it will often be difficult to replace.”

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54-55 Pham Feb17 v2:Layout 1 02/02/2017 16:15 Page 54

February 2017

54 DIRECTORY Training

Radiators

Biomass Boilers

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Safety Products

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

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

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Advertiser’s Index

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ACV UK Ltd Alpha Heating Innovation Altecnic Ltd Armacell UK Ltd BES Ltd Bathroom Manufacturers Association Brian Hyde Ltd CMR Controls Ltd Carrara & Matta (EMEA Bemis Ltd) Docherty Group Eco Angus Ltd Esi Controls Ltd Flir Systems Ltd Ford Motor Company Geberit Sales Ltd Go Geothermal Ltd Glow Worm (Vaillant) Grant Engineering (UK) Ltd Hitachi Honeywell Control Systems Ltd Intatec Ltd Kamco Ltd MV Fluids Handling Ltd Pegler Yorkshire Group Ltd Polypipe plc Ravenheat Manufacturing Ltd Redring Xpelair Group Rems GmbH & Co Screwfix Sentinel Performance Solutions Ltd Stiebel Eltron UK Ltd Tacotherm (UK) Ltd Triton plc Viega Ltd Viesmann Westco Wilo (UK) Ltd Wirquin Ltd Wolseley UK Ltd Worcester, Bosch Group

12 6, 37 8 30 36 42 1 49 17 3 45 4 25 56 29 24 9 21 23 14 15 38 27 31 26 22 7 Inserts 2 13 10 35 20 33 19 16 18 11 41 5

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February 2017

INFORMATION Centre 55 Danfoss & Honeywell Book of Wiring

Central Heating combination boilers fault finding & repair

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

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

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The comprehensive fault ďŹ nding logic guides provide professional solutions helping you to achieve professional standards.

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Animation highlights renewable Snickers â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Next Generationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; heating potential product and price A new animation from Mitsubishi Electric is catalogue now available highlighting how commercial premises can benefit

Find the perfect bathroom with the Graham catalogue

from reliable, renewable heating to help reduce energy bills whilst also qualifying for 20 years of Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments.

The short animation focuses on two renewable heat pump products in the market-leading Ecodan range, with the packaged, Monobloc CAHV air source system and the CRHV ground or water-source solution.

Both will connect to radiators or underfloor heating systems and can work independently or in conjunction with other heating systems.

To view the animation visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRyOqlf8hag call 01707 282880 for further information or enter the PHAM No.

Graham Plumbersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Merchant has released its latest bathroom catalogue featuring a comprehensive range of bathroom products including full suites, baths, showers and all modern furnishings required. The extensive catalogue acts as a single source of information for installers and an ideal leave-behind for their customers. The 260-page catalogue contains fittings and furniture from a range of leading manufacturers.

The new Graham bathroom catalogue is available in all branches or can be downloaded at: www.grahamplumbersmerchant.co.uk or enter the PHAM No.

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Training

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Aico is pleased to announce the arrival of new features to the multiple award-winning app, AudioLINK. The data extraction technology is integrated into all Aico Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms and the Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm Ei2110e.

The AudioLINK App update is now available on Android, iOS (iphones and ipads) and Windows devices. The update brings in a number of key enhancements to the Alarm Status Report functionality.

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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

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