June 2016 by PHAM News

Volume 54 | Issue 6 | June 2016

Landlords breaching the rules on gas safety checks

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New research has uncovered a worrying number of landlords who are unaware of their responsibilities to carry out gas safety checks in their properties using a Gas Safe registered engineer. Research carried out by British Gas has revealed that one in five part-time landlords – people whose rental properties are not their main source of income – have either failed to have a gas safety check carried out on their property in the last year, or have used a contractor who was not Gas Safe registered. All landlords, even those providing short term lets, have a legal responsibility to use a Gas Safe registered engineer and for the check to be recorded in detail on a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (CP12). However, 28% of the landlords surveyed were not aware that such checks had to take place once a year, and 35% thought that non-compliance meant a £1000 fine. In reality, it could lead to a criminal record, an unlimited fine or even imprisonment. British Gas says gas safety checks pick up a range of problems, including faulty boilers, and are vital in helping to prevent gas leaks, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. “I’ve visited properties and seen unsafe appliances which either haven’t been serviced

Short term lets at risk of gas safety breaches

in years or have been installed by illegal gas fitters,” comments British Gas engineer Sheena Anker. “Worryingly, tenants are often oblivious to the danger they are in. To stay safe, tenants should ask landlords for a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate following a check from a Gas Safe registered engineer.” The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) has highlighted a recent spike in fines for landlords who breached key rules, saying it’s time for the private rental sector to take gas safety more seriously.

AIIC has identified a number of cases where landlords breached gas safety regulations, including a landlord in Plymouth who was fined over £11,000 for letting a property which had a dangerous gas boiler. The landlord also failed to provide gas safety certificates for his numerous properties on several occasions. In another case, a landlord was handed a suspended six-month prison sentence after he put off gas safety checks at an Accrington house. Tariq Ali will be electronically tagged for 12 months after he failed to carry out the required checks at an Accrington house. Mr Ali, who was sentenced at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, had ignored warnings from the HSE, putting his tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Stuart Kitchingman, HSE inspector, says: “Mr Ali put his tenants’ lives at risk for financial gain by failing to arrange a gas safety check for nearly two years. We gave him several chances to organise an inspection, but he ignored all of these, including a formal improvement notice.”

Free estimate claims may be misleading Companies that offer free estimates but go on to charge customers to identify a problem are likely to have their ads banned, following a recent case investigated by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The decision was reached in a case where the ASA banned an advertisement for Your Local Plumbing Company after the firm offered a free estimate, but then charged a customer an ‘investigation fee’. The company said that estimating the cost of fixing a known problem was free, but requests to identify a problem fell outside the offer. Its offer of a free estimation related to work such as installing a new boiler or bathroom and not for issues related to a faulty

boiler that would require diagnostic work. However, the ASA argued that consumers would expect checking a fault to be part of the diagnostic process required to provide a quote, and should therefore be covered by the free estimate. “Consumers would interpret the claim ‘free estimate’ to mean that the company would offer a quote following an assessment or diagnosis, and customers would be able to decline that work without incurring a cost,” the ASA said. “However, because the estimate was only free in certain situations and there was a charge for any diagnostic work, we concluded that the claim ‘free estimate’ was misleading.”

The ASA ruled that the advert must not appear again in its current form and told Your Local Plumbing Company to ensure that future ads would not claim estimates were free unless consumers are not charged for diagnosing a fault. Peter Knowles, from Your Local Plumbing Company, comments: “The complainant in this case was advised that she was ringing regarding a diagnosis issue and would be charged for this. The ad says call for a free estimate. She called and needed our technical help, which she was advised she would be charged for. We also refunded her. The complainant is not justified. We are going to appeal and hope sense will prevail.”

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June 2016

NEWS Review Inside this issue Smart controls Water Treatment How to maintain system efficiency by preventing the build-up of sludge and other contaminates

Starts page 25

Gas Safety The latest advances in CO alarm technology and a review of current regulations

Starts page 33

Training & Education Views on the latest training and apprenticeship issues, plus a round-up of some of the latest in-work courses

Starts page 39

Ventilation & Heat Recovery Why high quality ducting is essential to the effective running of any ventilation system

Starts page 47

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

Incorporating: Plumbing & Heating News Plumbing & Heating Equipment News

are in demand says new study According to a new survey from the Energy Saving Trust, smart heating systems could unlock a new era for the heating industry, with nearly half of the country’s households saying they’re interested in intelligent thermostats. The EST’s latest UK Pulse survey of consumer habits suggests that the growth in smartphones and app-based technology is creating a new demand for boilers that can be controlled via mobile devices, while others seek systems that offer a greater level of manual control, such as timers, valves and thermostats. “Increasingly, we live in a society where people demand that products and devices fit around their lifestyle, delivering comfort, convenience and control with the minimum of fuss,” says Elaine Berry, EST Client Relationship Manager. However, despite the growing interest in appdriven thermostats, the same survey also reveals that one in five households lack even a basic thermostat or radiator valve, and a fifth of householders admit that their heating system is ‘very

Editor’s Viewpoint by Chris Jones

Making your mind up

difficult’ to control. A further 25% report that their heating system is old and inefficient. “We found that the need for convenience and comfort results in half of the UK’s households leaving the heating on all day, just to make sure they aren’t cold when they get home,” adds Berry. “Clearly, these consumers lack the control of their system to ensure they get the comfort and convenience from their system.” The study also reveals that 25% of householders will invest in a secondary heating system because their existing thermostat is too difficult to understand, and 40% said they are planning to install new heating controls in the long-term.

With acres of newspaper print and hours of broadcasting time devoted to this month’s European Referendum, a few lines in a free plumbing mag is unlikely to provide any further enlightenment, but it would seem strange to produce a June issue without at least some passing reference to the big decision on the 23rd. It’s been called the most important visit to the polling booth since the end of World War II and at least we’ve all been given plenty of time to weigh up the options – even if most of us will ultimately be placing our vote on the basis of conjecture rather than concrete facts. Whichever way the vote goes, it’s clearly one that is likely to have repercussions for generations to come, so it’s a shame that both sides of the debate have resorted to competing over hyperbolic statements and unsubstantiated statistics. It’s not a state of affairs that does much to encourage public engagement. Our leading politicians have fallen over themselves to heighten concerns about the potentially disastrous consequences of putting your cross in the ‘wrong’ box, so it can only be hoped that all the negativity doesn’t dissuade too many voters from making a decision on the day. Amid all the claims and counter claims, there is at least a degree of consensus about the immediate economic impact of Brexit. Markets like predictability and security and, whatever the arguments for severing our political and trade ties with Europe, any change can only lead to more uncertainty and instability – at least in the short-term. But will short-term pain lead to long-term gain? You’ve got a few days before you need to come up with an answer. MV_Fluids_qtr_A3_Aug05 Follow us on

7/19/05

11:06 AM Page 1 @PHAMNews

Barcelona beckons

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© Copyright 2016 | Plumbing, Heating & Air Movement News All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without written consent from the publisher. Attributed articles represent the views of the Author(s) and are not the necessarily those of the Editor. The publishers accept no responsibility for claims made by manufacturers or advertisers. This magazine includes a number of colour editorial photographs paid for by suppliers.

A new ‘spot the ball’ competition has been launched by Vaillant, giving installers the chance to win a luxury trip to Barcelona, complete with Barcelona FC tickets, as well as many other great prizes. For every Vaillant boiler installed and registered using the company’s masterTEC app or through its Advance website by the end of June, installers will have the opportunity to test their skills by studying a picture and guessing where the missing ball might be. The more boilers installed and registered, the more chances there are to win. The competition is open to all Vaillant Advance members (which is free to join) and prizes include footballs, BBQs, tools and merchandise as well as the Barcelona trip. To find out more, visit www.advancewin.co.uk

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June 2016

News Review

Campaign to highlight illegal gas work Take advantage of a partnership package

The Gas Safe Register has launched a campaign to highlight the amount of illegal gas work that is done across the UK and the danger this poses to householders. The organisation has a team which actively searches out rogue fitters and has investigated almost 5000 illegal gas jobs in recent years, finding that three in five were in an unsafe condition. A worrying one in five were deemed to be so dangerous that the appliance had to be disconnected immediately. There were 55 prosecution cases obtained by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 2015 following poor and, in some cases, deadly gas work. The prosecutions resulted in a total of 33 months in jail, 2170 hours of unpaid work or community service orders, and £748,283 in fines.

Rob Denman, Regional Investigations Officer, says: “It never ceases to amaze me the problems we are called out to investigate, where householders have unsuspectingly hired an illegal gas fitter to carry out work and have later encountered faults. These problems can range from boilers not being screwed to the wall correctly to flues not connected to the appliances

Grab yourself a team shirt Installers have an opportunity to show their team colours during this month’s Euro Championship thanks to a new promotion by Potterton Commercial. The company has teamed up with Pipe Center to offer football fans the chance to get their hands on free official football shirts from a choice of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. The promotion, which ends on 30 June, applies when any two Potterton Commercial boilers are purchased through Pipe Center branches across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Any Gas Safe registered contractor can claim shirts, with no limit on the number of claims made. For further information and terms and conditions please visit 12075 Talon Quick Lock ad 110 x 292mm.qxp_Layout 1 www.pottertoncommercial.co.uk

correctly, allowing carbon monoxide to escape into the room, where families are put in danger.”

Show the card As part of the campaign, Gas Safe Register is reminding registered engineers of the importance of ensuring the public know they should always be checking the identification of any gas engineer hired to complete

work in their home. Recent research showed that just under half of respondents are too embarrassed to ask to see an ID card, making them susceptible to illegal gas fitters. Jonathan Samuel, Chief Executive of Gas Safe Register, says: “Far too many people are letting unregistered gas fitters into their home and putting their families at risk. Gas Safe Register is working hard to stamp out illegal gas engineers and I urge all of our registered engineers to play their part in this too. “We need to work together to keep the UK safe while protecting our registered engineers’ livelihoods through uncovering those operating under false pretences. The only way someone can be sure they are hiring a registered engineer is by seeing their ID card.”

Fantasy football With Euro 2016 ready to kick off in France this month, Wavin has launched its Osma Fantasy Football promotion aimed at both merchants and their customers. The highest scoring team at the end of the competition in the installer leagues will win a holiday of their choice up to the value of £3000, with a runners-up prize of an international football shirt in each of the installer leagues. The competition is also broken down into six round competitions. The highest scoring team in each installer league will win an international football shirt and three runners-up will receive a football. 24/05/2016 12:25 Pageeach 1 Wavin Marketing Manager

Installers of wood burning stoves and biomass boilers may be interested in a new initiative from Euroheat. The manufacturer has launched a partnership package that offers technical support, extended guarantees, plus discounts on HETAS training. “We know that the highest quality products and technical support are paramount to help customers grow their business, but flexibility and convenience are also essential,” says Simon Holden, Chairman of Euroheat. “So we have invested

in bringing these together in a new partnership package that delivers a whole range of benefits.” Once registered, installer partners can use a password on the Euroheat website to order online at trade prices. “It really is a ‘one stop shop’ where they can get everything they need in a single online order from a single supplier – whilst still being free to buy elsewhere, with no obligation,” adds Simon. To find out more visit www. euroheat.co.uk

Online purchasing

Donna Rostovsky says: “If you’ve ever been quoted saying you can manage a football team better, then Fantasy Football is your chance to do just that!” For game rules and how to register, go to www. osmafantasyfootball.com

New data from AMA Research shows that the internet is the fastest growing distribution channel for the UK plumbing and heating market, with particularly strong growth in the last five years. In 2015, the internet distribution market for plumbing products increased by 28% on the previous year. Shower controls and bathroom taps represent the largest sector

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of movement of goods, followed by bathroom furniture and accessories, baths and sanitaryware, heating products such as boilers and standard radiators, shower enclosures, and screens and trays. The report concludes that with the steady increase in household internet use, online purchasing of heating and plumbing products is far from mature.

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June 2016

News Review

Awards aim to acknowledge the best Installer’s efforts help cancer charity To highlight the excellent work of young people who have found their vocation in the plumbing and heating sector, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) has launched its own Apprentice Awards for 2016. The three categories that apprentices can enter are: Heating (sponsored by HHIC), Plumbing (sponsored by BMA) and Vulnerability (sponsored by CIPHE). The winners of this new scheme, which is being supported by the Institute’s Industrial Associates, will receive £500 each plus a trophy. The adjudicators for the awards will be Tracey Richardson and Tony Kite, who

are both involved in vocational training and are members of the Institute’s Training & Education Group. They will review photographic evidence and testimonials from lecturers, employers and customers. Winners will be invited to a special Awards Luncheon at the

House of Commons on 17 November, where they will be presented with their prizes. CEO Kevin Wellman says: “The CIPHE has launched its own awards initiative to help raise the profile of apprenticeships by recognising both the technical and ‘soft’ skills of young people starting out in the trade. These awards seek to champion professionalism and best practice at apprentice level and we are appealing to anyone who might be working with an apprentice – from business owners to colleges – to get in touch and enter.” Download an application form from the website (www.ciphe.org.uk).

Air conditioning inspection opportunity Energy performance assessment specialist Elmhurst Energy has launched an air conditioning inspection accreditation scheme, open to trained and qualified air conditioning energy assessors. The scheme allows assessors to lodge air conditioning inspections and provides an opportunity for assessors to develop their career through

quality training and CPD. “Individuals currently assessing non-domestic buildings will find it easy to expand their existing services with the inclusion of air conditioning inspections,” says Martyn Reed, MD of Elmhurst Energy. “Unlike an energy performance certificate, building owners and managers require

frequent air conditioning inspections, which means such inspections can provide more consistent workload for energy assessors.” There are also fines applied to businesses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who do not have a valid Air Conditioning Inspection Report. Moreover if a building owner or manager wants to

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sell the building, not having a report may negatively delay the sale. The Elmhurst Energy air conditioning inspection assessment accreditation scheme also offers a competitive lodgement fee for Air Conditioning Reports and dedicated technical support assistance via phone or email.

Heating engineer Allen Hart lent his professional expertise to a series of installation and maintenance projects in and around Leeds in 2015, but instead of earning money for the jobs, he donated the funds to the children’s cancer charity, Candlelighters. Allen gave up his time to carry out the work across seven projects as a fundraiser for Candlelighters. The Leedsbased charity provides crucial support to families across Yorkshire who have been affected by childhood cancers, as well as supporting vital medical research. A passionate supporter of the charity for 10 years, Allen enlisted the help of fellow installers. Their efforts combined with the generosity of friends and supporters have helped raise £20,000 since the start of 2015. With Allen donating his time to carry out the works, global water treatment and

Installer Allen Hart with Chris Broadbent at Fernox

filter manufacturer Fernox contributed free materials including a TF1 Installer’s Pack, complete with a TF1 Total Filter, Protector F1 Express and Cleaner F5 Express. Find out more about Allen’s fundraising efforts at www. justgiving.com/cchleeds/

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A new survey commissioned by Toolstation has revealed that for homeowners across the country, plumbers are the most difficult tradespeople to find. Over 25% of the 2000 homeowners surveyed said that they found it ‘really difficult’ to find a plumber. In comparison, only 7% struggled to find a qualified tradesperson for tiling, flooring or kitchen fitting. More homeowners are saying they would hire a professional tradesperson for plumbing over any other home improvement task. They like to keep it local too, with 50% saying they’d call a local plumber or heating engineer following a system

breakdown, and only 36% opting to contact a national supplier. Whilst searching for a professional to hire, property owners still very much rely on their own list of tried and trusted tradespeople, with nearly half opting to use someone they had hired previously. When that fails, they choose the next best thing and speak to family, neighbours, colleagues or nearby friends for their recommendations. Interestingly, less than 4% rely on recommended tradespeople websites and prefer instead to use the local paper to help them make their decision.

Time is running out to enter the Plumber of the Year 2016 competition, sponsored by JT, Bristan and Plumb Center. Now in its second year, the contest aims to recognise the high level of talent from plumbers across the UK, with the title and a £10,000 prize fund going to the most impressive applicant. The closing date for entries to the Plumber of the Year 2016 competition is 19th of June. Just go to www. ukplumberof theyear. com to enter yourself or nominate someone you believe to be worthy of the title.

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June 2016

News Review

Weather data for Apprentice meets apprentice In brief building designers The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) has issued a new version of the weather data that is used by building designers in their calculation of heating and cooling requirements for buildings. The datasets provide climate information for building simulation software which is then used to demonstrate compliance to UK Building Regulations. Produced in association with the MET Office, the datasheets are based on historical data collected from 14 sites around the UK since the early 1980s. The latest climate statistics show that eight of warmest years in the UK since 1910 have occurred since the turn of the century. Further information can be found at www.cibse.org.

session for visiting students. Jack Miller has been The competition, organnamed HIP UK Heating ised by Heating Installers Apprentice of the Year, and Plumbers (HIP), is now with BBC ‘Apprentice’ in its eighth year and was winner and owner of hosted by the event’s Impra Gas, Joseph Valente, main sponsor, Adey, at its on hand to present the Training and Conference award. Centre in Cheltenham. A Hull College student, “This is the third year Jack beat competition we’ve been involved from six other regional with the HIP UK Heating finalists in an assignment Apprentice of the Year to install a hot water competition,” said Adey’s cylinder, bar shower, Chairman, Kelvin Stevens, system boiler, radiators, “and it’s now well estabpipework and an Adey lished as an excellent MagnaClean Professional2 filter within the allotted (l-r) Joseph Valente, Jack Miller and platform to showcase talent. The competition is 15 hours. Ewan McGregor Adey Chairman Kelvin Stevens getting tougher and tougher from Chichester College each year so it was a very difficult job for the was chosen as a worthy runner-up. A packed programme of speakers ran judges to pick a winner. We were delighted alongside the main competition, which Joseph was able to join us to announce the included a talk from special guest, Joseph winner. He’s a fantastic role model for the Valente, followed by a question and answer students within our industry.”

Radiator brands in London In a move to strengthen its customer support offering and brand presence in the South East, QRL Radiator Group launched a dedicated product showcase at The Building Centre in London last month. The new QRL stand will provide a permanent space for customers to meet with technical experts and explore the manufacturer’s range of domestic and commercial heating products. As well

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• Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal officially opened Airedale International’s new manufacturing facility in Rawdon, Leeds, during a visit last month. • Shower pump manufacturer Salamander Pumps is now offering a standard five year warranty on its brass range, CT Force. • The British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA), which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, will be hosting a gala dinner at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire this October. • Embrass Peerless, an independent mixed merchant buying group, has recently scooped two Supplier of the Year awards.

as QRL’s flagship hi-lo, Barlo and Warmastyle panel radiators, the stand will display a selection of models from the Design by

Research looks into compliance As part of its ongoing efforts to improve the current state of Building Regulations enforcement in the plumbing and heating industry, the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) is gathering important information on compliance and non-compliance which will allow it to strengthen its case to Government. The research is specifically in relation to combustion appliances and hot and cold water provision. The initial phase involves gathering information from 325 local authorities across England and Wales under the Freedom of Information Act, with the three key questions being posed revolving around numbers

• Hollie Heffer, Gina Mann and Sarah Dengate have joined the ranks of JTL’s Ambassador programme, which aims to raise awareness of opportunities for women in the BSE sector.

of breaches reported, numbers of enforcement actions, and numbers of prosecutions. The second part of the research involves interviews with both members of APHC and non-members, asking for their views on issues of compliance in certification with a view to explaining the current situation to Government. Once the research has been completed, the results will be analysed and pulled together into a single evidence-based document which will be used to provide Government with an overall picture of the enforcement of certification and compliance in the plumbing and heating sector.

QRL portfolio. It will also showcase bespoke heating and cooling solutions from Merriott (part of the QRL Radiator Group).

• Alexander Thomson Plumbing and Heating Engineers has won Best Fife Tradesmen 2016 based on their nomination by the public, customer votes and a mystery shopper test.

Knowledge power Marf low Hydronics, a specialist solution provider for the balancing, controlling and metering of water distribution systems in the HVAC industry, has introduced Milo, a ‘knowledgeable superhero’ to illustrate how the company has been helping its customers to save. Through its range of prefabricated products, control valves, pipeline valves and energy valves, Marf low Hydronics says it has helped customers reduce t ime needed on site, speed up the installation and commissioning processes, cut costs, and improve

energy efficiency in water distribution systems. Chris Forbes, MD, comments: “The savings that our products provide can be quite significant, but we are finding that not all our customers are fully aware of what’s on offer. So we’ve created Milo as our savings champion to help bring forward this important message. Along with our many added value services, we are able to offer great solutions for companies.” To find out more about Milo, download ‘Milo’s Quest’ from the company’s website at www. marflowhydronics. co.uk/milo

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June 2016

10 News Review Continued good news for oil Cash for football acumen New industry figures show that despite a slow increase in heating oil prices since the start of 2016, the average annual cost of heating a home on oil has fallen again. According to the latest quarterly data from the Sutherland Tables, an independent source of comparative UK domestic heating prices, oil remains the cheapest of all major home heating fuels.

The cost of heating an average three bedroom home in Great Britain with an oil condensing boiler is now just £690 per year. That’s 31% less expensive than mains gas, the second cheapest option which costs £1007 per annum; 52% cheaper than an LPG condensing boiler at £1448 per annum; and 56% cheaper than electric storage heaters at £1588 per annum to heat the same average home.

Coinciding with the fall in oil prices has been rising boiler sales, which for January to April this year stands at the highest level since 2007. OFTEC says that although the sustained fall in kerosene prices may be about to end as prices begin to slowly rise, there’s good evidence to suggest the cost of heating oil will remain low for the remainder of 2016 – and quite possibly beyond.

Installers are being invited to put their football knowledge to the test in a new cash winning prize competition by Merlyn. The shower company is using the forthcoming European Championships to help promote its Ionic brand. ‘Shoot to Win with Ionic by Merlyn’ offers the opportunity to predict the outcomes of each match of Euro 2016, with the potential of winning up

to £50,000. Runner-up prizes will also be offered after every stage, and spot prize winners will be chosen throughout the campaign. Installers will also

have the opportunity to earn extra points by registering for the Ionic Trade Club. For more details please visit the website (www. ionicbymerlyn.com).

Encouraging women in trade careers Notch on the belt ‘Women on the Tools’ is the name of a new campaign launched by the charity, Women and Manual Trades, to encourage more women to take up careers in sectors such as plumbing and construction. Currently, around 1% of the 1.5 million people working in the construction-related industries are women, and only 2% are employed in manual trades. The campaign aims to dramatically increase this number to ensure women

make up 50% of all those working in manual trades. Women on the Tools has attracted support from

Pimlico Plumbers boss, Charlie Mullins, who has become a patron of the charity.

“The manual trades offer some fantastic career opportunities with good earning potential, but unfortunately there’s a perception that these jobs are not for women,” says Charlie. “We’re always on the lookout for women tradespeople, but there just aren’t the numbers we want. In my experience, the women we have employed on the tools have been as talented and as committed as their male counterparts.”

Users of Baxi’s Toolbelt app can now access a new zone that includes extra functionality and improved access. The updates mean it includes a Baxi Works area and features include the ability to scan the boiler’s label to register boilers, warranties and Gas Safe notifications on the go. Members of Baxi Works will also be able to check their account statement, exchange hints and tips on a dedicated installer forum and read FAQs. They will also be able to take advantage of the useful tools offered by the app, which include a gas pipe sizing calculator, a multi-drop gas pipe sizing calculator, a gas rate calculator and error code finder. The new Baxi Works area is now live on the Baxi Toolbelt app and will update automatically for existing users. For more information, visit www.baxiworks.co.uk

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All 550mm easy access washbasin with flat design edges and integrated finger grooves on the underside

e100 raised height toilet for comfort and 550mm easy access washbasin

Twyford bathrooms are perfect for everyone - with ranges to answer every need, every age group and every home. All with clever and innovative ideas to make life easier and more convenient, and with inspirational designs to suit every size, shape and style of bathroom (and family!). Long lasting solutions for modern living. For more information call 01926 516 800. For a brochure call 0800 007 5133 Email: twyford@web-response.co.uk or visit: www.twyfordbathrooms.com Transforming bathrooms since 1849 ENQUIRY

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Staying in control just got easier!

PEOPLE on the Move From the beginning of August, Paul Rose (pictured) will take the role of Chief Executive for OFTEC as Jeremy Hawksley retires. Currently Technical Director for OFTEC, Paul has worked in a number of technical roles for the organisation since 2005. He is a member of the Chartered Management Institute and is also a UKAS technical assessor in the area of ‘certification of persons’. Chemical water treatment and filter manufacturer Fernox has appointed Mark Burns as its new Northern Regional Sales Director. Mark’s career has spanned some 35 years in the domestic heating market and he brings with him experience from his time working as a heating engineer, followed by a variety of account manager roles with Vaillant and the job of Sales Director at Glow-worm. Dunham-Bush Ltd, a manufacturer of heat emitters and air conditioning equipment, has appointed Everett Bunt as Regional Sales Manager for its Chiller Division. He will be responsible for developing sales of both air and water cooled, scroll and screw chillers. With his engineering background, Everett brings a wealth of experience to the company. The new Chair of the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) is Andrew Keating, the Marketing Director for boiler manufacturer Baxi. The role will see Andrew preside over key industry meetings and offering impartial, expert guidance on all topical issues. He says: “I look forward to taking up my position as Chair and helping to address the opportunities and challenges faced by plumbing and heating.” JTL has made two new appointments to its executive team. National Delivery Director Judi Cooper joins JTL from the Skills Funding Agency and Commercial Director Liam Sammon (pictured) joins from the awarding organisation OCR. Chief Exec Jon Graham says: “These appointments complete JTL’s new executive team, which will drive forward our continued expansion and improvement.” Two new Sales Support Engineers have joined Ideal Commercial Boilers. Jenny Hawkes (pictured) and Sian Maxwell will be tasked with promoting the brand, product range and support available to Ideal’s customers. Jenny will cover the South East while Sian will look after the Midlands and South West. Both come to the roles with a wealth of experience in sales and the heating industry.

The Vitodens 100/111-W wall mounted gas condensing boilers are controlled by the new, backlit LCD touchscreen, which makes it easy to use and read in dark environments. Easier to use

Steve Willis Training has appointed Michelle Fraser as New Business Development and Recruitment Advisor, covering the Sussex and Hampshire training centres. It is a welcome return for Michelle, who has worked for the company in the past. She will be responsible for sales strategies and recruitment of learners to their work based learning programmes, including gas, plumbing and electrical apprenticeships.

New to the Keston Boilers team is Mark Roberts, who has been appointed Business Development Manager for the South Coast of England. Mark will be responsible for liaising with customers including heating engineers, housing associations and architects to assist them in their selection of the company’s range of boilers. Mark was previously Business Development Manager for Plumbase.

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Large LCD dimmable back lit touchscreen display Available on Vitodens 100/111-W models Extended warranty: 7 or 10 years on Vitodens 100/111-W For more information www.viessmann.co.uk/vitodens100 Scan here to book training

Viessmann Limited • Telford • Telephone 01952 675000

Altecnic has strengthened its team with the appointment of Chris Brass in the role of Technical Manager. After spending time as a gas and electrical apprentice, Chris has provided support services to various companies, including JCB and JD wetherspoon, and will now be looking to enhance the level of customer support from the UK plumbing and heating components supplier.

Simplifies service set up and commissioning

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Heating Systems Industrial Systems Refrigeration Systems

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12 YOUR Views

Sponsored column

KNOW HOW

June 2016

September 2015

with Geberit

The evolution of pressing

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

Victoria Willis, Product Manager for Geberit, looks at the evolution of pressing, which now offers a solution for nearly every application – from everyday plumbing to gas heating and renewable applications.

NAME: Nick Bracey COMPANY: Nick Bracey Plumbing and Heating FROM: Bristol

The devil you know is not always the best solution. When it comes to piping, there is more choice than ever before, with options designed to specifically suit a range of applications, making your job easier and the end result better. As most of us now know, pressing alone saves considerable time (and as a consequence, cost) compared with soldered and screwed joints. Here’s an overview of the latest options designed specifically for the raft of plumbing and heating challenges you may encounter.

At work... At play...

Gas: Gas pipes must be the right diameter to supply the volume of gas required by the appliances without excessive pressure loss. If pipes are under-sized, the pressure at the burner could become so low that incomplete combustion occurs. Pressing systems specifically for gas are available in stainless steel and copper. We identify gas suitable Mapress with a yellow mark and yellow seal ring.

Drinking water: To ensure drinking water is clean and fresh, stainless steel or copper pipe and fittings are the best option, with a Geberit Mapress plug seal preventing contamination and ensuring hygiene.

The Geberit Mapress stainless steel system

installation times, while removing the worry of debris such as flux and solder in the pipeline and the consequent need to flush the system. “Geberit Mapress compared to traditional soldering saves around a day’s installation time. We are then able to pass on these savings to the customer, which is invaluable in order to maintain our competitive prices.” So don’t just reach for the copper and solder – there may be a better alternative out there which will make your job easier and more effective!

In historic buildings extra precaution against fire has to be taken (the same is true when working in tight spaces). In this environment, solder can be very dangerous. Pressing is ideal, with no need for hot works, improving safety, reducing risks and cutting costs thanks to reduced insurance premiums.

David Bales, from Biomass Norfolk, explains why he uses Geberit Mapress for his biomass installations. “The ease of using Geberit Mapress reduces

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How often do you attend training courses? “Other than the mandatory courses that are every five years, I visit Worcester once every few years for training. I was there only a couple of months ago. I think it’s useful to attend training regularly as, with all of the new technology coming out, it helps you keep up to date.”

What is the best country you’ve visited? “I really like Australia. I’ve been there a couple of times to a few different areas, including Brisbane and Sydney. We actually spent last Christmas out there in Melbourne which was great. It was nice to be warm for a change.”

What is the one tool you couldn’t live without? “I don’t think I could get by without my flue gas analyser. With the way modern boilers are designed these days, I don’t think you could live without one. I must use mine every day.”

Renewables:

An installer’s view

If you could do any other job, what would it be? “That’s a tough one. I’ve been doing my job for so long I can’t imagine doing anything else! It would probably be something to do with travelling because I really enjoy getting to see different parts of the world. If I could do that every day as my job, then that’d be great!”

Do you belong to an industry association? “I’m Gas Safe registered, which of course every gas engineer has to be, but I’m also a member of APHC.”

Historic buildings:

Pressing can be used in biomass and solar thermal applications. For solar thermal in particular, the pipes and fittings must be able to transport the liquid solar thermal media and withstand temperatures up to 220°C. Suitable Geberit Mapress, in copper or stainless steel, is supplied with a specific seal ring made of FKM, which ensures superior heat and chemical resistance.

What time do you start work and what does your day usually look like? “I usually start around 7.30 in the morning and, although the majority of my work is local installations and servicing, most of the time I finish around six in the evening – it’s normally quite a long day. But it all depends what I’ve got going on – some days are quieter than others, which means I’ll get home a bit earlier.”

Mapress showing the leak path seal

Free training! Geberit offers free courses across its range of products, designed for any installer keen to get hands on knowledge of its innovative piping and sanitary systems. Piping training modules include an introduction to Geberit Mapress, ideal for installers new to this system. For more information or to book a place, call 01926 516 800 or visit: www.geberit. co.uk/installertraining

Where is your favourite trade counter? “I usually use City Plumbing Supplies in Yate as they’re my local counter. I’ve built up a good relationship with the staff there since I started using them and I know I’ll always get great service when I do go in.” Do you think it’s important to look smart at work? “I think it’s important to a degree. I always make sure to wear branded workwear on the job but, when you’re crawling around on dusty floors trying to fit things, it can be hard to keep tidy. I definitely think you have to look professional – it gives a good impression to your customers.”

How much tea or coffee do you drink a day? “I don’t really drink coffee but I do have a lot of cups of tea, probably too much! It all depends on what the customer’s like and what they offer you, but most of the time I’d say it’s around eight or nine cups a day. I know it can’t be very good for you, but it helps to keep you going throughout the day.” What’s your favourite sport to watch? “I wouldn’t say I watch a lot of sport but, if I had to choose, it would probably be football. I’m a Bristol Rovers supporter, so I always make sure to catch them when they’re playing.” What do you listen to whilst you’re driving? “I usually just listen to the radio rather than choose my own music. Most of the time I leave it on Radio 2. They play a good mix of music that I like, so it’s a safe bet – and you don’t get all the adverts either!”

27/05/2016 15:29

ASK US ABOUT OUR NEW 25 YEAR

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June 2016

22 Products in Action

Piping heat to Portmeirion village Rehau’s Rauthermex preinsulated polymer pipework has been installed as part of a £1m biomass investment at Portmeirion, the Italianate village in Gwynedd. The site had more than 3km of Rauthermex pipework installed as part of a new district heating scheme providing heat and hot water. A total of 29 buildings are part of the scheme, almost 90% of the total, including the famous Castell Deudraeth Hotel and its range of holiday cottages, shops, restaurants and the village swimming pool. Rauthermex single pipe (UNO) was installed in sizes from

Hidden heat for historic hotel

Smith’s Fan Convectors has provided its new Caspian Concealed fan convectors to heat the beautiful former home of Sir William Gilbert, of Gilbert & Sullivan fame, Grim’s Dyke Hotel in Old Redding, Harrow Weald. The listed building was built between 1870-72 and the hotel joined Best Western in 2013. The hotel’s owners were keen to invest in efficient heating that would be in keeping with the listed

building’s aesthetics. Keypark Ltd, the contractors, proposed Smith’s Caspian Universal Concealed fan convectors as the best-fit solution. The Caspian Concealed has been successfully installed in a number of rooms, using its inherent design to conceal the fan convectors, without compromising the internal fabric of the building or the fan convection heating. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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32 to 125mm and double pipe (DUO) in sizes 25 to 63mm. It was specified for the project because of its durability and also because of its very high insulation performance (PU foam with a lambda value of 0.0216W/mK) which means it does not lose much heat on the long runs between buildings. For specialist installers ESP Energy, The Rehau solution helped overcome the challenge of delivering heat over the 40m difference between the Castell at the top and the village and cottages below. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No. www.rehau.co.uk/districtheating 119

Modern solution for septic tanks

Blue flame tech A homeowner in Wales is experiencing fuel savings and lower emissions following the recent installation of a Firebird Enviroblue C20 Slimline Heatpak Condensing Oil Boiler in a heating system refurbishment. Installed by JH Davies & Sons, this boiler was installed externally so that no compromise had to be made on the internal space of the 1960’s detached property. The Firebird Enviroblue C20 Slimline Heatpak delivers an output of 20kW and conforms to the 2018 regulations, with an ErP rating of ‘A’. It encompasses Blue Flame Technology thanks to the Riello RDB Blu Low NOx burner, delivering a clean burn and compact fit. By virtue of Blue Flame, heating oil is atomised at high pressure before being mixed with pre-warmed

air and ignited. Hot combustion gases are then recirculated within the burner blast tube through a specially designed slot, concentrating the burner flame and reducing NOx levels. The result is a blue flame that produces soot free combustion and reduced oil consumption with low emissions. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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A row of four terraced 1940s cottages in Kent has swapped its outdated septic tank with a brand new Klaro E Professional wastewater system from Graf UK – providing residents with a cost-effective, clean and low-maintenance drainage solution fit for the future. Located in the village of Horsmonden near Tunbridge Wells, the homes have no access to mains drainage and had previously been relying on an old brick septic tank. This regularly overloaded, using a gravelfilled soakaway to manage the overflow. This meant the system became odorous, high-maintenance and costly to run – with the tank needing emptying every six to seven weeks. In a bid to find a more effective, odour-free alternative, Bob Sherwood, who

owns one of the four properties, approached Graf UK for a bespoke retrofit solution. Graf specified and designed a wastewater system made up of two 4800L Klaro E Professional tanks – enough to service up to 22 residents – and a soakaway comprising nine underground infiltration tunnels. Infiltration tunnels are not usually permitted in residential projects such as these, as pollutants in the waste from septic tanks need to be spread over a larger area of land. However, because the Klaro E system produces such high levels of water purity, the Graf team was given official approval from the Environment Agency to install the tunnels behind the Horsmonden homes. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Robust boiler specification School gets into hot water Elco has supplied a 53kW Thision S Plus boiler with low loss header to Yeovil Land Rover, Somerset. As one of the first installations of this new boiler in the UK, the unit is supplying highly efficient heating and hot water to the predelivery inspection area adjacent to the main showroom. The boiler has been installed on a new system, as part of ongoing development of the dealership’s buildings. The boiler was specified and installed by Tim Mills of United Mechanical Ltd. The Thision S Plus was chosen due to its design which offers class-leading levels of energy efficiency. Commenting on Elco, Tim says: “We’ve worked with Elco on other projects, so we knew the quality of their product would be high. The service from Elco has been brilliant throughout, with the local sales manager offering plenty of advice and technical backup, which helped make the installation a great success.”

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Equipment from Mikrofill has been specified to upgrade the inefficient heating system at Leasowes High School in Halesowen. Following a dilapidation survey by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, the existing atmospheric heating boilers were replaced with six Ethos 130kW wall hung condensing boilers. The new installation has a total modulation of 60>1 (780>13kW), ensuring the building’s heat load is accurately achieved at all times. The hot water supply requirement for the kitchen and main block area was catered for by the installation

of an Extreme 500 litre loading cylinder. Fed via an indirect primary circuit of 80/50ºC the loading cylinder optimises the boiler’s condensing mode and produces in excess of 2500

litres/hr at 60ºC. In addition a Mikrofill 1200/2 pressurisation package unvented the existing LPHW circuit. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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31/05/2016 11:58

The Push-fit People

High performance engineering Billions of our push-fit fittings are used around the world, as their adaptability, longevity and high performance makes them an integral part of many innovative devices such as computer chip cooling technology, fuel cell systems and water purification.

Trusted by many Speedfit Technology is built into the DNA of all our fittings. The core technology behind a Speedfit plumbing fitting is the same push-fit concept used in all John Guest connections serving the needs of a diverse range of industries.

With you everyday We manufacture more push-fit fittings than anybody else, so when you are taking a shower, driving a car, making a call or enjoying a pint at your local pub, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s likely youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll come into contact with

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In the 1980s, John Guest invented the first fibre optic fitting for BT. Today we sell over 2.5 million a year.

95% of pubs in the UK use our connectors to bring beer from the keg to the beer tap.

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June 2016

WATER Treatment 25

Addressing the issue of energy efficiency Sludge and corrosion have been proven to reduce system efficiency and boiler performance, so isn’t it time to ensure that systems are properly protected and maintained? Dr Neil Watson, Global Technical Director at Adey, puts forward the arguments.

n a typical UK household, more than half the money spent on annual energy bills goes towards heating and hot water, according to the Energy Savings Trust. Boilers account for 83% of household energy consumption and make up 55% of what consumers spend on energy at home. Approximately 60% of carbon emissions are generated by the domestic boilers we rely on to generate the heat to keep us Dr Neil Watson from Adey warm and our showers hot. Given the Office for National Statistics’ figure of 27 million households in the UK, this has to be a primary area of focus if the Government is to achieve its objectives of decarbonising energy systems, improving domestic energy efficiency, and reducing the four million households in fuel poverty. As failures in the Green Deal highlighted, this is a vast and complex challenge. There are no simple solutions when it comes to transforming the performance of what has been identified among the least energy efficient housing stock in Europe. However, a cost-effective and practical measure could deliver significant returns in reducing carbon emissions, domestic heating energy consumption and associated energy bills. This could be achieved through the introduction of regulated best practice central heating system maintenance using effective magnetic filtration for new build and retrofitting existing systems, using premium system inhibitors, and conducting annual water tests. Taking simple steps like installing a magnetic filter and effective chemical water treatment to ensure that boiler efficiency is maintained as part of an ongoing programme could have a significant impact when it comes to reducing energy consumption and saving money on energy and maintenance bills. Black iron oxide sludge is

recognised as the biggest threat to boiler and heating system performance. Untreated, contamination causes noisy boiler operation, radiator cold spots, low heat levels, slow operation, leaking valves, deteriorating performance and ultimately the breakdown of the system. Even if a new ‘A’ rated boiler is fitted to an existing system that hasn’t been cleaned thoroughly and is contaminated with sludge as a result of natural corrosion, its efficiency will quickly deteriorate by as much as 12-15% in a matter of weeks.

Sludge removal According to research, just 5kg of sludge in a system, which is not uncommon, reduces radiator heat output by up to 36%. To recover lost heat, householders turn up the thermostat or use secondary heating sources, resulting in higher energy use to treat the symptom, not the cause. Employing magnetic filtration technology provides a straightforward, cost effective and proven solution to improving domestic energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. Installing an effective filter, which removes virtually 100% of suspended black iron oxide from the system, makes it more efficient. In just one million UK households, that could save in the region of 225,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. That’s equivalent to removing 72,000 cars off the road at a fraction of the cost of the previous boiler scrappage scheme. The most effective filters have been independently proven to save up to 6% on household carbon emissions and energy bills year-on-year. Energy Saving Trust also estimates that using a premium inhibitor can increase boiler efficiency by 3% and prevent up to a 15% reduction in the effectiveness of radiators, bringing further significant contributions. A simple means of ensuring long-term boiler efficiency is to adopt a compulsory annual water test. This would confirm if the inhibitor level in the system is adequate and form part of the overall best practice approach which could contribute to an energy saving of up to 15% a year and help extend the life of a domestic boiler beyond the 12 year life span. Comprehensive tests undertaken in accredited laboratories on a broad range of parameters already determine whether any ongoing corrosion or scale deposition is occurring and that pH is under control, contaminants have been removed, and inhibitor levels are correct.

Water test Landlords already have to conduct a mandatory annual boiler safety check, so an additional water test taking a couple of minutes while on site imposes no additional burden or call-out cost. The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) is considering such a development in conjunction with its existing Benchmark scheme. The simplicity and logic has immediate appeal. Similarly, the UK’s 1.6 million annual new boiler installs could be legislated for in a similar manner through a muchneeded bolstering of Part L of the Building Regulations. To take it a step further, Government funding could be tied to regulation to maintain a constant level of boiler efficiency throughout the lifetime of the system. HHIC is proposing that on installation of a new boiler, installers dose the system appropriately indicating precisely which products have been used. They then test the system water and check it against the calibration chart for known inhibitor concentrations. For each subsequent annual check, the installer would be required to carry out a further system water test to confirm that the inhibitor level remains adequate. If not, a further top-up dose will be required. Every fifth year, the Benchmark form would state that an additional inhibitor dose must be added to the system and that this should be the same product used at the time of installation to avoid incompatibility issues. Every tenth year, there will be a requirement to cleanse the system thoroughly and re-dose with inhibitor. While it won’t deliver the total solution, it addresses the long term efficiency of the boiler and system as a whole, and it does so in a practical and cost effective way. www.adey.com

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The next generation in limescale prevention Aquabion® Conditioners

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An effective filter could help to reduce household carbon emissions

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26 WATER Treatment

Chemicals are only part of the solution With the benefits of dearators and magnetic filters now widely recognised, dosing a system with chemicals should only be considered part of a holistic approach to water treatment and not the complete solution – so argues Kevan Peaker, UK Sales Director for Spirotech.

sing chemical dosing to treat water systems alone is the equivalent of using only engine oil to service your car. Of course oil plays an important role in car maintenance, but if it is not used alongside other essential practices, such as replacing the spark plugs or alternator, you will come unstuck and the car will malfunction. Similarly, the fixation on a ‘chemicals only approach’ can lead Kevan Peaker from Spirotech plumbers to find, at best, short term gains, which are not in the interest of the system’s health in the long run. By only dosing and flushing the system, engineers are guilty of ignoring the root cause of system contamination. It is the air within a water system that causes the metal piping to oxygenate, creating dirt (magnetite), which will then destabilise the overall performance of the boiler and its component parts, increasing the energy usage for the end user and increasing the chance of a boiler malfunction, which could result in a costly call out. One major factor as to why we see an over reliance on chemical treatment within the UK is that it is a legal requirement, and therefore weight is placed behind its importance over other system treatment methods. The

Scale prevention Designed to safely and effectively remove and prevent limescale buildup, the Aquabion range uses zinc sacrificial anodes that release zinc ions into the water which react with the calcium to form aragonite – a non-adhering lime. By essentially changing the form of the lime, Aquabion is able to prevent future build-up. The slimline design allows for neat installation into existing pipework and unlike softeners, Aquabion doesn’t rely on salt – so there’s no need for salt storage. The range offers two domestic and 13 commercial sizes and is suitable for all boilers and appliances. There are no running costs and the system is described as self-sufficient and self-cleaning. They come with a five year warranty and a seven year replacement cycle, plus a money back satisfaction guarantee for one year. www.aquabion-uk.com

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The SpiroPlus pack of system flushing additives

Fitting the Spirotech MB3 magnetic dirt separator

UK boiler market, contrary to its continental European counterparts, regards chemical treatments as a high priority too, with some product warranties specifying that chemical treatments must be undertaken in order to ensure that warranties remain valid.

Maintaining good water quality will result in optimum functionality of a water heating system, as it will allow the expensive system components like the boiler, pump and heat exchanger to work at full capacity. In order to guarantee that this good water quality is achieved for the end user, a three-pronged approach should be applied, which includes tackling the problem of system contamination at its source. This holistic solution will deliver long-term results in maintaining optimum system health and therefore performance.

Appropriate action It is certainly the case that some chemicals are required to perform important system maintenance functions, to kill bacteria for example, and will need to be applied. At Spirotech we recognise the role that additives play as part of a wider strategy, but the decision on which chemicals to apply, and how frequently system f lushing is undertaken, needs to be made in consultation with someone who can provide detailed analysis and has the wherewithal to recommend an appropriate chemical dosing regime. The reason that it is so important to gather an informed opinion before dosing a system is that it can often be at odds with what’s actually right for the system in question. Whilst the right types of chemicals do have an important role to play when used correctly, overdosing systems, or using the wrong type of system fluid, can have an adverse effect, especially when we consider that certain materials, like aluminium, can actually speed up the corrosive process. The validity of chemical applications, or the necessity for dirt separation products to be installed, is a different matter when retrofitting existing systems. If a system has been fitted without dirt separation or a degasser then it will suffer from the affects of dirt, the causes of which have been highlighted above, which is likely to lead to a reduction in heat exchange, reduced pump performance or the appearance of cold spots. In this instance, both a dirt separator and deaerator must be fitted, and system flushing will be necessary in order to clean and add inhibitors into the system to help stop dirt problems worsening. Once corrosion has started, it’s virtually impossible to completely remove it from a heating system.

Three-pronged approach The first component of this three-pronged approach is deaeration. A deaerator (such as the Spirotech RV2 pictured below) should be installed to minimise the amount of air present within the system. Secondly, dirt separation must be undertaken, which can be achieved via the installation of a magnetic dirt separator. The dirt separator will use its magnet to collect the magnetite dirt from the system, which can then be removed at regular intervals. The final aspect of this approach is the dosing of specialist chemical additives, making sure that this is done with the appropriate fluids and at the correct intervals. There is no doubt that chemical treatment and system dosing plays an important role in a water heating system’s maintenance. However, overdosing can lead to severe issues further down the line and therefore the correct regime for each particular system must be rigorously followed with due care and attention. Most importantly, though, is for installers to recognise that chemical dosing and system flushing is just one part of a wider, holistic, system treatment strategy. Incorporating deaeration, dirt separation and chemical treatment is the only way to guarantee a successful system solution that delivers long-term system health and performance for the end user. www.spirotech.co.uk

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June 2016

28 WATER Treatment

Guide to choosing chemicals To achieve the best results for a heating system and the customer, using the right water treatment chemicals is fundamental. Craig Worth, National Sales Manager at BoilerMag, explains what to look for when selecting cleaning chemicals.

he latest update of Part L of the Building Regulations stipulates that heating systems should be thoroughly cleaned before adding inhibitor chemicals. As this is the recognised code of practice for the treatment of water in central heating systems, cleaning and water treatment chemicals are now common practice within the industry. Although inhibitors must meet at least BuildCert standards, the cleaning chemicals themselves are not required to meet any such quality standards. This has led to an abundance of cheap, poor quality cleaning chemicals on the market. Unfortunately, such chemicals are often unsuitable for modern boilers, and fail to remove corrosion and scale on a long term basis. For example, many chemicals are simply not strong enough to remove heavy sludge, resulting in blockages and cold spots, and may have a detrimental effect on

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the effectiveness of the inhibitor used after cleaning. On the other hand, cheaper cleaning chemicals may be highly acidic, and therefore too aggressive, which can actually promote corrosion rather than prevent it.

Sensible steps It is wise to use high quality cleaning chemicals from reputable brands to ensure the removal of limescale deposits, flux residues and ferrous oxides from a heating system. So, what should an installer look for in order to guarantee that they are choosing a good quality, high performance cleaning chemical? First, it should have the ability to disperse iron oxide. This is also measured in parts per million dispersal. To ensure a thoroughly cleaned system, a cleaner would need to disperse around 250 ppm for a 500ml dosage. Very few options in the marketplace can reach these levels of performance.

A good cleaner will also have the ability to disperse scale and iron oxide. Scale is gauged in parts per million based on 500ml of solution in a 100 litre system. Some cheaper options can disperse as low as 20ppm, which effectively means most of the scale remains in the system. However, a leading product like BM3 will disperse up to 150ppm for the same dosage, making it over seven times more effective. Installers should also look out for the Benchmark logo, which is a valuable endorsement of the product and its back-up services. Select a phosphate and borate free formula. Phosphate can block wet bearings of circulator pumps, therefore a formula free from phosphates will effectively protect heating system parts. Borate is a carcinogen. Ensure the cleaner is nontoxic by avoiding products which contain nitrates or EDTA, as these are potentially harmful to the

environment and EDTA can have a corrosive effect on metal parts. Chemicals such as BM3 are free from hazards and safe to discard to the foul sewer or a septic tank. The chemical composition of the chemical can also influence its shelf life. If buying in bulk or storing chemicals, some can be prone to solidification within six months.

Take a dip To make it easier for heating engineers and contractors to assess the heating system water quality and recommend a treatment programme, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;dip testâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; indicator strips can be used to test for cleaner levels in the system, allowing the engineer to check that dosage levels are sufficient for an effective flush, and if the flush has been successful or should be repeated. Similar strips can also be used to check the levels of inhibitor in the system, ensuring that the concentration is optimised at both

pre and post dose stages. For a more detailed report, full laboratory water analysis services are also available, which provide vital information on scale forming capacity, levels of corrosion inhibitor present, contaminants present, and analysis of acidity, alkalinity and conductivity. As valuable data for installers, contractors, and facilities management companies, this information ensures that optimum treatment programs can be implemented, thereby protecting the boiler and enhancing heating system performance.

Find out more For more information on carrying out effective system cleaning and treatment, enter the number below. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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COMING SOON

ENQUIRY

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June 2016

30 WATER Treatment

Maintaining performance levels Water treatment should play a role in the maintenance regime of any commercial water heating system, especially in hard water areas. Chris Meir, Sales Director at Andrews Water Heaters, explains how specifying effective treatment can aid performance and efficiency.

nnovation in the hot harmful scale formation water and heating in as little as three weeks market has seen – resulting in inefficient the emergence of high operation, additional service performance, energy efficient costs and serious frustration products in recent years, for the business owner due largely driven by economic to system downtime. Whilst factors and legislation, this is an extreme example, such as the Energy-related it highlights the importance Products Directive (ErP). of ensuring users incorporate Whilst this is excellent an effective and regular water news for both heating treatment programme as part engineers and building of any maintenance schedule. owners in the commercial Water heaters that sector, in the long run if the incorporate low water content Chris Meir, Sales Director at products are not maintained Andrews Water Heaters heat exchangers can help and treated correctly, the alleviate scale deposits, as it long term productivity and efficiency of a is more difficult for them to form on stainless system can be compromised. steel. In addition, increasing the water flow One of the key problems for any water rate can delay the build-up of deposits, but heating installation is often completely out will never fully resolve the problem. of a building owner’s control – this being Limescale build-up can also be minimised the quality of mains water supplied to the by reducing the temperature in the water premises. heater. However given that hot water must be stored and distributed above 60ºC to Hard water worries guard against Legionella, this approach is Approximately 60% of the UK’s water supply not recommended. can be graded as hard water. This means As standard, referring to Building that the majority of buildings across the Regulation BS 7953, the Domestic Compliance country are exposed to the negative effects Guide states that where the mains total of naturally occurring high levels of calcium water hardness exceeds 200 parts per and magnesium minerals in the water. It is million, provisions should be made to treat these minerals that can cause the build-up the water supply before it gets to the water and formation of deposits, such as limescale, heaters. This can include fitting a basein hot water and heating systems. exchange water softener, scale inhibitor, Hot water cylinders, water heaters continuous dosing or physical water and calorifiers are particularly conditioner. at risk of impaired operation, However, forward thinkas limescale accumulates ing manufacturers like more rapidly in hot Andrews Water Heaters water. Deposits can recommend water treatbegin formation from as ment when the hardness soon as a water heater reaches 150 parts per is first installed and million, or 7-10 by the commissioned. Clark Degrees scale, as When hard water is fed this can really help to to a water heater it will ensure the effectiveness deposit limescale on the heat and lifespan of a water heating exchanger surface, the internal system. Hot surfaces of pipework and other Limescale is much more difficult water must be system components, in exactly stored and distributed and costly to eliminate from the same way as with a household above 60ºC to avoid the water heaters once it has risk of Legionella physically formed, as the deposits kettle, causing blockages in the system and equipment failure. At need to be removed manually or the same time, when it coats the heat by using a chemical de-limer. A smarter exchanger surfaces it effectively insulates approach is to consider installing a suitable them, impairing the efficiency of the heater. WRAS approved water treatment device In fact, according to British Standards, BS that is connected at the point of supply, 8558, tests have shown that scale can reduce preventing the build-up in the first place. the heater efficiency by up to 30%. For a commercial building owner, limescale Electrolytic devices can lead to a number of problems, such One recommendation is to fit an electrolytic as system downtime due to breakdown scale inhibitor, which will ensure an instant and unplanned repair time, additional and constant solution for water treatment. expenditure for the replacement of This device is attached at point of supply to components, and the associated costs of the water heater and typically utilises the ion exchange process where the high levels cleaning the system. In hard water areas, such as London, of calcium and magnesium salts in the water if the water is left untreated it can cause are replaced with sodium salts, softening the

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Ensuring the future performance of water heaters depends on ongoing and effective treatment

in regard to impaired system performance and added maintenance costs. The sludge can be easily removed from the hot water tank through periodic flushing of the system as part of a regular maintenance schedule. But to avoid entrance in the system in the In condition first place, it would be beneficial to fit a Another option is to fit a physical water sediment filter at the point of entrance for conditioner, which works by using a magnetic the incoming water supply. We also suggest that water quality is field to alter the physical characteristics of the minerals in the feed water supply, routinely checked (simple testing kits preventing limescale from forming. This are available from companies such as Sentinel Commercial), particular method has and that it becomes proven to be effective in part of the maintenance reducing limescale build“The ongoing programme. The ongoing up across applications that testing of water can testing of water quality utilise both storage and low highlight any issues can highlight any issues water content water heaters. early on, and will indicate Unlike a scale inhibitor, early on” if treatment has stopped the feed water is not working correctly, helping softened by this treatment, as the calcium and magnesium salts are to save money in the long run. This approach not removed, nor is there any change to is suggested by BSRIA, ICOM and leading the chemical composition of the water commercial water heating manufacturers. itself. The benefits of using a magnetic Getting results device is a chemical-free, low running cost, permanent solution to reduce the hard scale For water heaters, incorporating water treatment from the installation stage is accumulation in the water system. Whichever solution is chosen, it is essential. Not only can effective water important to ensure that the water treatment treatment protect the performance and device specified is compatible with the type lifespan of a water heating system, but it of water heater installed. It is also crucial to can also help reduce the impact of system consider maintenance access, the longevity repairs and downtime, as well as reduce the of the treatment and the impact turbulent cost of replacement products in the long term.

water. For commercial buildings, when fitting this device it is important to remember that a dedicated drinking water supply and a method of disposing of the waste water must be fed to the building separately.

water flow may have on the performance of the device. While limescale is the main factor to consider for a water heating system, silt and sludge can also collect inside a water storage tank and can cause similar problems

Find out more For more information, enter the number below on the reader enquiry and registration card inside this month’s issue. andrewswaterheaters.co.uk

ENQUIRY No.

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June 2016

WATER Treatment 31

Filter fluid provides continuous protection A new dispersant inhibitor has been designed by Fernox to enhance the performance of magnetic filters and provide continuous protection against scale and corrosion. Anna Tarbuck, Product Management Director, provides an insight into its development.

n 1964, German engineer Peter Meutzel first introduced the world to chemical water treatment and its previously unknown capabilities when it came to dealing with dirty, inefficient central heating systems. Since then, many products have followed the first corrosion inhibitor but it was not until the development of filter technology that we saw another such milestone in system protection. Today, Anna Tarbuck from Fernox filtration is widely considered best practice and installers are now spoilt for choice with an array of filter products available on the market. However, there has not been a chemical water treatment capable of tackling contaminated, sluggish heating systems, as well as improving the performance of a system filter. That is until the introduction of the Fernox Filter Fluid+ Protector.

Active dispersant Designed to increase a filter’s effectiveness by aiding the delivery of system debris to the magnet, the Filter Fluid+ Protector is suitable for all types of boilers, radiators, and domestic heating systems including underfloor systems. It can be permanently left in the system and contains a new active dispersant that detects, lifts and delivers system debris to a filter for safe collection and removal. Taking the same formula of the Fernox Protector F1, the product also continuously safeguards central heating systems against the formation of corrosion and scale in mixed metal systems, as well as stopping the frequent venting of radiators and preventing sticking pumps, boiler noise and cold spots in radiators.

How it works All chemical water treatments are created using a chain of carbon atoms, and this product’s development can only be fully appreciated by understanding how it works at a molecular level. The Filter Fluid+ Protector contains a dispersant chemical that has both a hydrophilic (‘water-loving’) and a lipophilic (‘oil-loving’) composition. The lipophilic part of the molecule is able to interact with foreign bodies, such as dirt, sludge and other magnetic and non-magnetic debris, and bind to them. The hydrophilic part keeps the chemical soluble in the system water. The lipophilic binding helps separate any clumping of contaminates and allows the hydrophilic part of the molecule to disperse dirt and sludge amongst the circulating system water. The suspended, solid contaminants are then delivered to an in-line system filter, which allows them to be removed.

Flexibility on site Powerflushing remains the best practice approach to cleaning a dirty heating system, but the UK has some of the oldest housing stock in Europe and in many cases poor system design or low flow rates mean conventional flushing can be difficult to achieve a thorough clean and 100% removal of debris in the system. Additionally, when a system has previously been pre-commissioned correctly but inhibitor levels have not been maintained, repeated powerflushing may not be an option. The Filter Fluid+ Protector can complement a best practice approach and offers installers a practical solution for when powerflushing simply isn’t viable. For example, in the event that a system has not been dosed with a chemical water treatment at the point of installation and commissioning, the product can help restore system efficiency (providing an in-line system filter is fitted).

Powerflusher delivers rapid results A new powerflushing machine has been launched by Sentinel. Described as a high performance, easy to operate, and ergonomically designed machine, the JetFlush Rapid is said to boast a range of innovative features which will help installers save time and hassle on the job, while improving heating system efficiency, minimising the risk of boiler failure, and preparing systems for protective inhibitor. The new powerflush unit delivers a high flow rate of 90 litres per minute (more than twice that of the previous model, the JetFlush4), made possible by a bespoke pump that couples a large, high efficiency impeller with a powerful motor. Instant flow reversal adds extra cleaning power, helping to shift any stubborn dirt by disturbing water flow. To reduce cleaning time, and thus make powerflushing an easier sell for installers, the JetFlush Rapid is

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able to clean 20 to 25 radiators from one location thanks to a 20m head pressure. This means that homes spread over two or three floors can be powerflushed effectively from the ground floor. The unit also features combined isolating and dump valves to

enable fuss-free direct flush to waste. Integrated handles and 75mm wheels mean that the JetFlush Rapid is easy to move and transport, even when the one piece 39 litre tank is full of water. The compact unit is the size of a small suitcase and weighs only 17kg. Sentinel points out that system cleaning should always be undertaken before the installation of a new boiler in accordance with UK Building Services Compliance Guide to Part L. The whole heating system should then be protected from corrosion and limescale build-up with an inhibitor, such as Sentinel X100 and filter, such as the Sentinel Eliminator. To ensure ongoing protection, an X100 Quick Test can be used to check inhibitor levels after inhibitor dosing and as part of a regular maintenance or boiler service package. www.sentinelprotects.com

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For new systems, the Filter Fluid + Protector provides immediate protection against any residual installation debris (solders and fluxes) that may have been left in the system after the commissioning process. Also in cases where pipework has been extended or modified, the product will help to deal with any harmful materials that may have broken off from installation works to an in-line system filter for fast removal.

Complete approach We recommend using Filter Fluid+ Protector as part of a 360˚ approach to system cleaning, which begins with an analysis of the system’s condition. Following the results of the system water test, installers should then flush and clean the system, install an in-line system filter, dose with Filter Fluid+ Protector and then re-test the quality of the system water to complete the process. The product is the result of years of rigorous testing, research and development. Used effectively, it will reduce time spent on-site for installers and ensure a system is fully protected, clean and energy efficient. It also ensures the boiler is protected against harmful circulating debris – reducing the risk of breakdown. www.fernox.com/home

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Pouches protect against limescale The WRAS approved MiniDUE limescale prevention product from Advantay now comes with an extended lifetime warranty option. Designed to provide limescale and corrosion prevention for boilers, appliances or the whole house, the MiniDUE features safe and easy to use refill packs of a liquid polyphosphate which take just seconds to replace. The vacuum packed pouches come in 250 and 1000 gram versions, with the larger pack able to treat up to 44m3 of water. Users will have the option of extending the standard two year warranty to the lifetime warranty by registering their product online (terms and conditions apply). www.advantay.co.uk

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Gas Safety 33

Selecting and fitting reliable CO detection Jeremy Roberts, Sales Director of Sprue Safety Products for the trade-only brand Sona, highlights some of the risks associated with fuel-burning appliances and argues that it is imperative for the industry to move towards low level CO detection.

lthough legislation came into force treatment, but in reality the problem is only in October 2015 requiring private exacerbated. However, unlike flu, carbon landlords to have at least one carbon monoxide poisoning does not cause a high monoxide (CO) alarm in any room containing temperature, so this could be one small a solid fuel-burning appliance, the full extent indicator of potential CO exposure. of the risks associated with CO are still Correct selection not commonly known throughout the UK. With a CO alarm being the only proven Carbon monoxide is an extremely dangerous method of detection, correct selection is gas that results in over 4000 people every important. However, with so many solutions year being admitted to A&E with suspected available in the marketplace, specification CO poisoning. Even with these statistics, can be confusing and difficult. For example, there is a lack of understanding of the risks some detectors will sound an alarm at associated with CO, leaving householders persistent, low levels of CO, while others in potentially grave danger. Jeremy Roberts, Sales Director To help combat this, the Government Sprue Safety Products, Sona will sound an alarm at life-threatening levels only. introduced new regulations for England When installing a CO alarm, it’s important to check in October 2015 with the aim of increasing the safety of private sector tenants by ensuring fully functioning the product complies with British Standard EN 50291 and CO alarms are installed in any room containing a solid carries a British or European approval mark, as this will fuel burning appliance at the beginning of tenancy. The ensure all current legislation and regulations are met. It is highly recommended to utilise an audible CO alarm, regulations are enforced by local authorities who can rather than a ‘colour change’ or ‘black spot’ solution. As impose a fine of up to £5000 in the event of a landlord householders are most at risk from CO poisoning when failing to comply with a remedial notice. asleep, having an audible alarm is far more effective at Widespread ignorance alerting individuals to the dangers of this deadly gas. However, recent research conducted by British Gas revealed We also recommend using CO alarms with a sealedthat almost two thirds of landlords surveyed were not for-life battery as you can simply fit and forget the alarm aware of the new law, which also includes a requirement and trust it’s powered for its entire product life, which for working smoke alarms to be installed on each floor is usually between seven to ten years. in homes they let. One significant development in the specification of CO A survey of 2000 people conducted by CORGI Homeplan alarms is the utilisation of low-level detection technology. in 2015 revealed further alarming results. Although CO For example, our recently launched new Sona CO alarm is undetectable by smell, sight or taste, 28% believed incorporates CO sensor and diagnostic technology that not that you can smell CO, whilst one in 10 people believed only minimises false alarms from household contaminants you can taste it. With deaths caused by suspected CO but also helps to alert occupants to the danger more poisoning as recent as January of this year, it has never quickly. been more important for installers to help householders In addition, the Sona CO alarm has wireless connectivity fully understand the implications of CO and the latest capability as standard, meaning all other safety alarms prevention measures they can utilise. within a property, including smoke and heat, can be One of the biggest issues concerning CO poisoning is networked to sound whenever any single device is activated, that the signs and symptoms of exposure are not always alerting householders to a potential CO incident more obvious, especially in low-level cases, and are often quickly. This is particularly beneficial in properties with confused with other conditions with similar symptoms multiple levels. such as food poisoning or flu. Being unable to distinguish between the symptoms of CO poisoning and the flu, for Correct placement example, means householders often wrap up warm and In addition to correct selection, the placement of a CO turn up the heating within the property as a form of alarm is also just as important. It should be placed in rooms with fuel burning appliances, such as boilers in kitchens and fuel burning fires in the lounge. They can also be placed on a table or shelf. If the alarm is to be fixed to a wall, then ensure it is positioned at head height so it is inline with your breathing level. Portable CO alarms should be placed in the rooms that residents spend the most time in, such as a lounge or bedroom, or transported from room to room. CO alarms should not be installed in cupboards, behind furniture, near an outside door or ventilation (i.e. extractor fans, windows, etc). So do not install them directly next to fuel burning appliances, such as fires or boilers. The alarm should be between 1 to 3m away from these appliances. You should also avoid areas of high condensation and steam, for example, in bathrooms or near kettles. The siting of a CO alarm is vitally important in order to CO alarms should be placed in the rooms used most often

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ensure effective detection in the event of a CO incident. It is the responsibility of the installer to make sure the alarm locations comply with any applicable building regulations, but below is a basic guide to follow. Ceiling mounted (in room with appliance): • Site at least 300mm from walls • Site at least 300mm from any light fittings • Site between 1–3m from a fuel burning appliance • If the room has a partition, site the alarm on the side of the room where the appliance is located Wall mounted – bedroom (in a room with an appliance): • Site at least 150mm from ceiling • Site at least 300mm from a perpendicular wall • Site between 1–3m from a fuel burning appliance Wall mounted (in a room with no appliance): • Site at the breathing height of occupants (bed or seated height)

Education matters Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed in any room at potential risk from CO gas, such as those with a flue hidden in voids. It’s important to remember that deaths have occurred from CO gas leaking in from a neighbouring property. Educating installers of the risks associated with CO poisoning and the simple measures that can be implemented to help minimise them is the only way to resolve this serious issue. At the heart of this is being able to alert people to potential CO incidents as early as possible. It’s vitally important that the utilisation of low-level CO detectors becomes more and more common within the industry, and in doing so, saving many lives.

Additional advice As a general rule, a CO alarm should be installed in every room containing a fuel-burning appliance and in each bedroom, between one and three metres from the potential source of CO. We have also seen cases where CO has leaked from neighbouring properties. However, there are a number of additional steps installers can advise householders to take to improve CO safety: • Every fuel-burning appliance should be regularly checked by a registered engineer and faulty appliances should be replaced as soon as possible • Make sure all rooms are well ventilated and do not block air vents. If the property is double-glazed, it’s still important to ensure enough air is circulating for any heaters that are in the room • Do not burn charcoal, such as an indoor barbecue, in an enclosed space • Install an extractor fan in your kitchen • Do not sleep in a room that has an unflued gas fire or a paraffin heater • Ensure all chimneys and flues are swept regularly by a qualified sweep • Learn to recognise and spot the symptoms of CO poisoning and how they differentiate from other conditions with similar symptoms www.sonasafety.com

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June 2016

34 Gas Safety

Making sense of the new alarm regulations The new requirements for carbon monoxide and smoke alarms in private rented housing can seem contradictory and complex. Here, Rex Taylor, Technical Support Manager of Kidde Safety, takes a look at the requirements and makes a few suggestions for compliance.

ollowing the introduction of new Statutory Guidance in December last year, private rented properties in Scotland now have to have carbon monoxide (CO) alarms wherever there are fixed combustion heating appliances, other than for cooking. Issued by the Scottish Government, it sets out what must be done to meet the Repairing Standard – a legal obligation throughout a tenancy. The guidance is in line with the 2015 Building Regulations Technical Handbooks, already applying to new and replacement combustion appliance installations. A CO alarm is required wherever there is a combustion appliance, including in interconnected spaces such as integral garages. Appliances include a boiler, fire, heater or stove – whether using gas, oil, wood or other fuels – although, unfortunately, it does not cover fittings used solely for cooking, despite recent deaths from misused gas cookers. A CO alarm is also needed where a flue passes through ‘high risk accommodation’ such as a bedroom or main living room. The new rules also require potential risks to and from adjacent properties or shared spaces to be considered, as CO can spread widely.

Instilling confidence These sensible measures are generally in line with the latest British Standard guidance – EN 50292:2013 – and both go much further than recent regulations in England. Here, the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 apply to all private rented premises occupied on or after 1st October last year – but require a CO alarm only in habitable rooms with solid fuel heating appliances, mirroring Building Regulations Part J for new installations. The

Firex smoke and heat alarms are hard-wired and can be interconnected with other alarms

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In Scotland, it is a legal requirement to fit carbon monoxide alarms wherever there are fixed combustion heating appliances

continuing toll of deaths and illness resulting simply call for a smoke alarm on each floor from carbon monoxide incidents from other where there is accommodation and battery fuels and types of combustion appliances, alarms can provide quick, simple protection including cookers, makes a strong case installed by non-electricians – particularly for installers to promote more CO alarms where no alarms are present at all. With being fitted in line with the British Standard this in mind, the latest generation of 10 wherever possible. year guarantee battery smoke alarms can For peace of mind, installers and their also help landlords in England meet their customers need to be confident in the obligations for working alarms. For example, long-term reliability of any CO alarms our 10Y29 optical smoke alarm enjoys a full they install – particularly with the current 10 year guarantee covering both the alarm presence of non-compliant products. and sealed-in lithium battery. Here, an established manufacturer with a reputation for quality, supported by British Standards third party accreditation, is essential. However, landlords might well choose For example, all our CO alarms, whether instead to meet recommendations in the hard-wired or battery, are BSI Kitemarked Code of Practice BS 5839-6:2013. British and comply with the latest Standards take the BS EN 50291:2010. Kidde form of guidance and “Customers need to manufactures its own recommendations, and be confident in the sensors, allowing tighter are not in themselves quality controls to be mandatory, although they long term reliability applied. They use safer, are used as a benchmark of any CO alarm” environmentally friendly in housing standards, legal de-ionised water rather or insurance claims and than acid-based electrolytes as well. other situations. The Code recommends All the Regulations and the British hard-wired, interconnected smoke and Standard are unanimous in allowing heat alarms with back-up power, excluding either mains or battery-only CO alarms. battery-only alarms from all rented homes. Battery-powered alarms should incorporate a battery designed to operate for the Hard-wired working life of the detector. With this It is important to remember that batteryin mind, our self-contained 10LLCO and only smoke alarms are not permitted where 10LLDCO carbon monoxide alarms enjoy Building Regulations apply anywhere in the a full 10 year guarantee covering both the UK, such as new-builds or changes-of-use. alarm and sealed-in lithium battery. This Despite this, the 2015 rental regulations in helps landlords meet their obligations for England do not distinguish between battery working alarms at the start of each tenancy and mains alarms. Increasingly, responsible – a requirement of the Smoke and Carbon landlords are choosing interconnected, Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations hard-wired mains smoke alarms with 2015 – cost-effectively over the longer term. back-up power – and these are already a legal requirement for all rented properties Get a guarantee in Scotland. With hard-wired alarms, there is a The same working alarm requirement applies to smoke alarms under the new growing interest in energy saving, lower English Regulations, although they do costs for landlords and tenants, and longnot specify the type, power source or term performance. For example, the latest other characteristics of the alarms. They generation of Firex optical and ionisation

smoke alarms, and heat alarms offer substantially lower, maximum mains energy consumption of less than 15mA – in the order of just 3.5W. This is less than many household items left on standby and represents a 70% energy saving over previous models, ensuring significantly lower running costs and improving sustainability credentials. Another Firex innovation is the introduction of long-life lithium battery backup options for all three sensing technologies, alongside the usual loose battery and integral rechargeable battery versions. This offers back-up throughout the whole alarm life at a much lower price than rechargeable products, again enabling landlords and their agents to meet requirements for working alarms at the start of every tenancy and avoiding low-battery warnings.

Opportunity Using hard-wired Firex smoke and heat alarms, fitted by qualified installers, is also an opportunity to offer landlords comprehensive protection with the unique Smart Interconnect system. Here, Kidde’s 4MCO and 4MDCO hard-wired CO alarms can not only be interlinked with each other but also with the company’s Firex smoke and heat alarms. Importantly, all the alarms have different, distinct alarm sounder patterns for carbon monoxide or fire, supported by different display messages on the 4MDCO model. So, without the need for any further operation of the system or additional accessories, such as remote switches, Smart Interconnect automatically alerts occupants of the specific hazard that confronts them. It allows them to respond quickly, making the right choice from the very different potential actions for either fire or carbon monoxide.

Find out more For more information on the solutions available from Kidde, enter the number below on the enquiry card inside this issue. www.smoke-alarms.co.uk

ENQUIRY No.

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31/05/2016 09:33

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36 Gas Safety

Guarding against the silent killer Although carbon monoxide alarms are a legal requirement in privately rented homes with solid fuel burning appliances, there are still around 50 deaths a year from this silent killer. Jon Phillips, Head of Product Management at Baxi, says more needs to be done.

afety in the home and financial penalty will be an effective deterrent against the correct specification failing to install a product of equipment that can that costs little and requires detect the presence of CO is minimal effort to fit. serious business – after all, It’s a step in the right it can mean the difference direction and will go some between life and death. But way to reducing the fatalities the unfortunate reality is that and injuries that occur as a adequate protection still isn’t result of this poisonous gas. widely adopted. In fact, the charity Carbon Odourless and colourless, Monoxide Safety predicts the carbon monoxide is known new legislation will cut CO as the ‘silent killer’, claiming Jon Phillips, Head of Product deaths by over a half each year. many lives each year and Management at Baxi However, there is still a long inflicting irreversible illnesses such as brain damage and strokes on way to go to eradicate the problem entirely. hundreds more. According to the Department While the new regulation will help, private of Health, carbon monoxide leaks result in rented accommodation with a solid fuel around 50 deaths, 200 poisonings and 4000 burning appliance installed only accounts for trips to A&E every year – all of which may have 8.2% of the market – meaning we’re missing been avoided had an adequate detector been the opportunity to promote these same high standards and potentially save lives across installed to draw attention to the dangers. millions more properties. Private landlords While CO alarms are not yet a legal Introduced last October, the latest legislation requirement for all properties, they should states that private landlords are now still be recommended and installed for all required to fit a working CO alarm in all applications where a threat is posed. CO rooms which have a solid-fuel burning poisoning poses a risk to all homeowners and appliance installed, and face a fine of up tenants that have a fuel-burning appliance to £5000 if they fail to do so. While no price in their property, and the dangers are even can be put on the cost of lives put at risk by present away from home. not having an alarm, it is hoped that this The media is often full of tragic stories of CO

Meets the highest safety compliance

The X-Series is the name of Honeywell’s range of carbon monoxide alarms, said to deliver Benchmark safety compliance, flexibility and ease of use and installation. Included in the range are the XC70 (with a seven year warranty), XC100 (with a 10 year warranty and alarm messaging function) and XC100D (with a 10 year warranty and multifunction CO level display). The X-Series CO Alarms provide a monitoring solution for professionals dealing with CO protection on behalf of tenants and customers. With the XC100 and XC100D alarms, there is a prominent alarm action message to ensure occupants know exactly what

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to do in critical situations. An LCD display screen is featured on the XC100D unit which includes a low-level monitoring mode and alarm history function. The X-Series CO alarms have official approval to EN50291 – 1:2010 and EN50291 – 2:2010 by BSI (Kitemarked) and Honeywell’s life sensor technology. The range also features a sealed housing to protect from adverse environmental conditions. For increased protection all X-Series devices can be interconnected wirelessly to form an alarm system when using a wireless plugin module. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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poisoning, which act as a dreadful reminder of the need to continue to raise awareness of this deadly gas. While for registered gas engineers carbon monoxide is all too familiar a risk, as industry experts out on the front line they are ideally placed to help hammer the message home and raise awareness and safety standards across the board.

Pass it on There are a number of simple ways you can help to pass this knowledge onto others. Be it a new installation, general call out or an annual service, every job is an opportunity to educate customers on the dangers of CO and the steps that they can take to stay safe. Whether it’s a private homeowner or rented accommodation, if the property doesn’t have a CO detector already it should be the job of the installer to keep their customers safe and teach them the benefits of getting the device installed. Away from home, when holidaymakers have little to no control over the prevention of carbon monoxide leaks, the use of an audible alarm should be recommended. They are easy to carry and, if going abroad, will take up minimal room in a suitcase. For those in charge of a property installed with fuel-burning appliances, as a minimum each floor should be fitted with a carbon monoxide detector and the boiler should be

regularly serviced by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. It might sound simple to those in the industry, but for consumers who are continuing to penny pinch in a still uncertain economy there remains a need to underline the benefits of choosing a Gas Safe Registered engineer versus a non-reputable, but potentially cheaper, alternative. If you are Gas Safe Registered, engineers have the opportunity to stand out from the crowd by talking up the fact that you are the safe choice. Make sure the Gas Safe Register stamp is featured prominently on your website, and add it to email signatures, van livery, any relevant paperwork and social media accounts. If you’ve taken manufacturer training, make a point of telling your customers, who will feel reassured that you have an in-depth understanding of the boiler you are working on. When carrying out repairs always use genuine parts to ensure the quality and durability of the boiler and any warranty remains intact. Ultimately, by reaching out to customers, be it a private homeowner or a landlord, installers are playing a vital role in the battle to make carbon monoxide poisoning a thing of the past. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Real time data extraction technology Described as a quality and costeffective CO alarm, the Ei208 from Aico comes with sealed-in lithium battery that boasts a ten-year life. The alarms benefit from a proven CO sensor which is pre-calibrated and tested to ensure accuracy. This model works with Aico’s AudioLINK, a data extraction technology that enables landlords to more closely monitor CO safety in multi-tenancy housing. AudioLINK allows for real-time data to be extracted via the alarm’s sounder – all that is required is an AudioLINK enabled Aico alarm, a tablet

or smartphone, and the free AudioLINK app which converts the data into an Alarm Status Report. The AudioLINK Alarm Status Report, which is simple to review and store, is created for the life of the alarm and is

colour coded to identify the urgency of any issue. The report displays useful information about the alarm, such as battery life, alarm sensor status, number of times tested and removed, and detection levels of CO, including background CO, with details of when it occurred – all in a simple format. As the information is generated in real time, should there be an issue it can be dealt with there and then. Data can be extracted as many times as required, enabling historic information to be retained. ENQUIRY No. 128 www.aico.co.uk

User friendly alarm to protect homes Building on its expertise in the connected home, Nest offers the Nest Protect Smoke + Carbon Monoxide, a multicriteria detector with CO, heat and smoke sensors that work together to detect danger. If the alarm detects that CO or smoke levels are rising but have not yet reached emergency alarm levels, it provides an early warning to residents. The alarm can be silenced easily

with just a simple wave of the hand. Because this alarm is connected to the internet, residents can get mobile notifications of low battery alerts and alarm alerts. In an emergency, there is a ‘what to do’ feature that provides recommended actions and gives one-button access to an emergency phone number. The alarm itself glows blue to indicate that it is in

good working order. A quick green glow will activate after the lights are turned off to show that the batteries are working, thus preventing low-batter chirps when residents are sleeping. The unit includes LED lights that work as a night light in the home. When it’s dark, Nest Protect will light the way as people walk underneath it. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.nest.com/uk

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38 Gas Safety

New guidelines will help to minimise risks Brought in to better safeguard end users, the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) Edition 7 comes into force at the beginning of July. Mark Krull, Marketing Director for Logic Certification, explains the changes and the drivers behind them.

rom this July, Gas Safe Registered engineers and businesses will be inspected in-line with the new version of the GIUSP. Edition 7 provides guidance to gas installers dealing with unsafe gas situations in domestic and non-domestic premises. The key message for the procedures is: ‘the priority for gas engineers when encountering an unsafe situation is to safeguard life Mark Krull, Logic Certification and property. It is essential that gas engineers are able to identify gas equipment which presents a danger’. Part of the driver behind these amendments is the occurrence of incidents that could have been prevented if clearer labelling had been in place.

Warning label A ‘Danger Do Not Use’ warning label has been introduced which must be attached to any appliance that is ‘At Risk’ (AR) or ‘Immediately Dangerous’ (ID). The new warning label will deliver a single message to the customer, making it clear that any unsafe appliances must remain switched off. The purpose of the ‘Danger Do Not Use’ warning label is to help customers understand the severity of the situation, and to prevent unnecessary incidents occurring, such as the tragic death of Katie Haines, who died from CO poisoning in 2010. Mrs Haines’ case was a key instigator behind this new label and procedure. Her boiler had been checked a few months prior to her death and was classified ‘At Risk’. While the appliance and its flue/ventilation had been correctly labelled, a change in weather conditions caused the situation to become ‘Immediately Dangerous’.

The coroner at the inquest into Mrs Haines death challenged the gas industry to re-examine the categories of risk applied to gas appliances so that consumers would understand more easily the levels of danger they might face. It was decided that ‘At Risk’ does not give a clear enough message to consumers that an appliance is dangerous and should not be used. The new ‘Danger Do Not Use’ label removes any confusion. The action taken in the event of a dangerous appliance remains unchanged, however. In the first instance a gas engineer should seek permission to turn off the appliance. If permission is not given to make the installation safe, in ‘ID’ situations, the Emergency Service Provider (ESP) or gas supplier for LPG must be contacted to use their powers of entry and make the installation safe. There are still occasions when the actions of the gas engineer on site will not improve the safety of an At Risk situation. Examples include a built-over polyethylene gas service pipe. In these situations, there is no safety benefit to turning off the gas, or attaching a ‘Danger Do Not Use’ label. The gas engineer should explain why the installation is At Risk and why turning off the gas supply to the appliance or installation will not reduce the risk. Although a ‘Danger Do Not Use label’ is not attached in this circumstance, a warning notice should be issued, emphasising who the gas user or responsible person should contact to have the situation risk-assessed and, where deemed necessary, rectified.

NCS situations The Not Current Standards (NCS) category has been removed to enable both end users and gas engineers to focus on the key safety message (see ‘Danger do Not Use’). By definition, NCS situations are not unsafe. This decision was taken after consulting with HSE behavioural safety experts. They confirmed that such notifications detracted from, diluted and confused the safety message and often led to situations where no action would be taken by the gas user. As a registered

business, you may still record NCS situations, but this no longer forms part of the official Unsafe Situations Procedure. For example, a gas user is unlikely to move a boiler 50mm to the left so that its flue/chimney termination complies with the latest standard. Gas engineers can inform gas users of situations where improvements can be made using the ‘best advice’ protocol. This guidance should no longer be done as part of any Unsafe Situation warning or notification process, however. In addition, the ‘Concern for Safety’ category used by ESPs when investigating some reports of fumes/CO has been removed from the procedure.

Risk assessment The GIUSP provides extensive guidance on identifying unsafe gas situations, but it is impossible to cover each and every example. Where the situation is not specifically covered in the procedure, a risk classification process should be applied using your own professional judgement to decide on the appropriate category. Keeping your customers safe should be of paramount importance and no one wants to be deemed responsible for an incident occurring. The new labelling and classification should make it clearer for end users that unsafe appliances must not be used. Inform your customers of the changes and make sure your business is using the correct labelling come July 1st. The 7th Edition of the Gas Safety Book provides a guide to unsafe situations alongside essential information to ensure customer safety and compliance with GIUSP. Gas Safe Registered Installers can download a free copy from: www.gassaferegister.co.uk/advice/unsafe_situations All Logic Certification training manuals and Gas ACS courses have been updated in-line with the changes to GIUSP. To find your nearest centre, please visit the wesbite below. www.logiccertification.com

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Petition to improve Ensuring best practice for gas fires diagnosis of CO CORGI HomePlan has launched a government petition aimed at enabling GPs to make a speedier diagnosis of the condition. The provider of boiler insurance, servicing and breakdown cover is calling for the installation of carbon monoxide testing devices in all GP surgeries and is urging everyone connected to the industry to sign and support it. The equipment will provide family doctors with the capability to test for the presence of CO in patients who present with the symptoms of poisoning – such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, weakness and chest pain. Kevin Treanor, Director of CORGI HomePlan, says: “Quick and accurate diagnosis of CO poisoning is massively important and will save lives. By giving GPs the tools to make the right diagnosis, public health will undoubtedly be improved. I would urge everyone in the industry to sign and share this petition.” CORGI HomePlan has until October to gather enough signatures to warrant a House of Commons debate.

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Gas fire manufacturer Valor has pledged its support to the extension of the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council’s (HHIC) Benchmark member scheme to help improve the standard and safety of gas fire installations. Since January this year the scheme now covers the installation of gas fires, and Valor includes a HHIC gas fire commissioning checklist in packaging for all its products. The Benchmark member scheme places responsibilities on both manufacturers and installers to ensure best practice in installation, commissioning and servicing of domestic heating and hot water products in line with Building Regulations.

Tracey Falshaw, Product Marketing Manager for Valor, says: “We support any initiative which can ensure the safe installation of gas fires and we are delighted that the Benchmark scheme has been extended to fires. “We worked closely with the HHIC to compile this

specific checklist for fires and we are proud to say that we are one of the first gas fire manufacturers to get behind the Benchmark initiative. “It will only take five minutes of the installer’s time, but this check list will place gas fires on the same standing as gas boilers, giving

added reassurance that will be welcomed by consumers and professional installers alike.” HHIC director Stewart Clements adds: “Extending the scheme to include gas fires is good for manufacturers, consumers and installers alike. It demonstrates to the manufacturer that their product has been fitted correctly in line with their instructions; it protects the consumer by ensuring that the product is installed safely and, because installers are already familiar with Benchmark from boiler installations, it shows that they have completed the works to the necessary standard.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.valor.co.uk

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TRAINING & Education 39

Teaching plumbers of the future Steve Willis Training, based in Portsmouth and Burgess Hill, is a leading independent training provider for the plumbing and heating industry. We recently spoke to MD and founder Steve Willis about the future of apprenticeships and other training issues. Are the UK’s current training facilities meeting the needs of the heating and plumbing sector? “Some are, but I’m not so sure it’s the same across the board. I often hear of colleges that used to be leading providers scaling down their heating and plumbing departments, so something is going wrong. Is it a lack of funding, poor governance or even mismanagement? Only those close to the affected colleges will know the answer, but the question remains – why has there been a downward trend over the last decade? “Fortunately there are still some excellent heating and plumbing training facilities in both the public and private sectors. But it’s not just the facilities that are important, it’s also the staff. All too often, the senior managers within the college fail to recognise the importance of having good experienced teaching staff in the heating and plumbing trades. “Sadly, there are some publicly funded heating and plumbing training facilities that are at risk of getting left behind. That’s a real shame for the younger generation who live in those localities. As a country, we have to invest in our young people ensuring that they get the best training and education possible – it should not be a ‘lottery’ based upon where they live.” Where could improvements be made? “Training centres must be constantly looking ahead to incorporate the latest technologies, and this is often achieved through forging relationships and direct collaboration with manufacturers. In this industry you cannot afford to stand still or you will almost certainly get left behind.” How important are apprenticeships to the future of the industry? “Apprentices are our employers of the future and there is no substitute for a firm educational grounding complemented by diverse on-the-job experience under the mentorship of a good employer. A worrying trend would be to find those without a good grounding themselves then training others – apprentices are often only as good as the people they learn from. “The soft skills trainees learn as an integral part of an apprenticeship, such as communication skills and dealing with customers, should also not be underestimated.” Could the Government do more to support apprenticeships? “For 16 to 18 year olds I think that they probably do enough in terms of funding support, but more could be done to engage those who are over 18, and particularly those who have been unemployed. Many young people over the age of 18 are overlooked as under the current framework funding rules the employer is required to make a significant financial contribution (about 50%) towards off-job training and assessment costs. “As we move over to Trailblazer standards, the Government must ensure that the funding methods and models implemented do not disengage the SMEs who employ the vast majority of apprentices. We work with a significant number of micro businesses who don’t have a finance or HR department to deal with the new changes. The Government has got this idea that companies will want to administer the scheme themselves, but most companies will be looking for training providers like ourselves to look after things. Either that, or they won’t get involved at all – and that’s the big danger.” Should employers be doing more? “Don’t underestimate the employers’ contribution which is so much more than just financial. I know that employers benefit greatly from the end result, but this does not come without a great deal of support and mentoring. “SMEs are employing around 80-90% of all apprentices and are certainly doing their bit already, so I hope that the

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Steve Willis, founder of the Steve Willis Training Centres

Apprentices test their knowledge at the Burgess Hill facility

levy brings more large employers to the table. Perhaps the Government should also consider making it mandatory that all suppliers bidding for contracts must have a proportion of apprentices in their workforce.”

What are the qualities you look for in a good trainee? “Aptitude and manual dexterity, as well as good English, Maths and ICT. We have some lovely stories of trainees who have overcome considerable difficulties to achieve their qualification aim, but it is a lot easier if trainees start off with the right level of skill. At Steve Willis Training we have a robust initial assessment process because we never want to see a trainee set up to fail. “If there’s a genuine issue with regards to ability, then there has to be a point where you have a chat about their suitability, but we don’t want to write people off too quickly. We do everything we can to support young people through the course. “We try and encourage learners to get some work experience before we sign them up – they can then get a better idea what they’re getting into. Also, if you send a young person on work experience, quite often the employer will recognise the merit in having someone around. We often find that they end up taking that person on.”

What are your views on the Trailblazer scheme? “I’m excited and optimistic, but I also hope that we learn from past mistakes. The existing QCF (Qualifications & Credit Framework) programmes were not well thought through. For example, the electrical content in the current Plumbing scheme is just ridiculous – 102 guided learning hours and with the outcome not even recognised. Those hours could be spent on learning something more useful and relevant to a plumber’s everyday activities. “I like the idea of an end point assessment, which is a throw-back to the old trade tests that used to exist long before I joined the education sector back in 1987. But we need to make sure that the new system isn’t too onerous. We can ill afford to drive even more providers out of the system by introducing a Trailblazer scheme that is too expensive to set up and deliver.” A new Trailblazer gas engineering apprenticeship has recently been developed. Is that likely to prove popular? “That’s an interesting one because a lot of people come to the table thinking they want a plumbing apprenticeship when actually a gas apprenticeship might be more appropriate for them. Because they are heating engineers,they don’t necessarily want to learn about fitting bathrooms and putting soil stacks up. They want to concentrate on heating. The gas apprenticeship for those people is a great solution.” Is there a place for ‘fast-track’ courses in the industry? “Yes, but only if they produce the same quality outcome as that of an apprenticeship. All our short courses are for experienced people. The emphasis should be all about work experience and how blended learning can be incorporated to achieve the best result – a competent engineer. “There is too much emphasis by some unscrupulous providers on making a fast buck rather than providing a quality training solution. There is not enough emphasis by such providers on the on-job training element, with some providers even lowering assessment standards to accommodate this approach. “I’d also recommend that anyone who is looking to buy a fast track scheme to visit the training centre they’re considering before committing to purchase anything. Don’t be taken in by fast-track schemes that don’t specify a good level of on-job experience. You cannot learn to be a plumber or gas engineer at a training centre, no matter how good their training facilities are. On-job experience is the most important ingredient. If a training provider suggests that this is not necessary, proceed with caution!”

What’s the secret to the success of Steve Willis Training? “A diverse offering, a lot of hard work, and an excellent team of dedicated staff. We can make decisions and move quickly to facilitate change and keep our courses fresh and relevant. All of our training delivery staff come from the industry in which they teach, bringing with them a wealth of invaluable experience to pass on to our trainees.” You’re currently operating two centres. Have you got any plans for further expansion? “There’s room for more courses at the current facilities, so we’re not looking at a third centre. We’ve just started electrical apprenticeships for the first time in Portsmouth. We’ve also just started getting into smart metering and we’re looking into the possibility of a smart metering apprenticeship programme. “Our other objective is to continue to maintain the high standards that we’ve set at SWT – perhaps this is as hard as putting them there in the first place, or even harder. We’ll continue to provide a wide range of courses to meet our customer’s needs and implement an accessible and cost effective Trailblazer apprenticeship solution to our local employers that ensures there is no disengagement.”

About Steve Willis: A former plumbing apprentice, Steve Willis had 13 years of teaching experience at Crawley College before establishing his own training facility 16 years ago. The CIPHE approved training provider offers a range of short courses and also works in partnership with local employers to provide apprenticeships for the building services sector. The company currently has around 240 apprentices going through its centres. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No. 133 www.stevewillis.com

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June 2016

40 TRAINING & Education

Upskilling the heating industry The Government and industry are working together to help bridge the skills gap in the plumbing and heating sector. David Knipe, Training Manager at OFTEC, highlights some of the steps being taken and how they could benefit your business.

t’s no secret that the UK is facing its Sector specific biggest skills shortage for a generation, Government has made inroads into with the talent gap particularly acute in overhauling the apprenticeship system and trade sectors. According to the Employers the new Apprenticeship Levy, which comes Skills Survey 2015, vacancies for skilled into force in April next year, should do more workers have grown significantly over the still to encourage businesses to invest in last two years, resulting in a 43% shortfall future talent. However, these apprenticeships of professional tradespeople, particularly need to be created and taken up in sectors amongst heating and plumbing technicians, where there is most need, otherwise the electricians and construction workers. heating industry, along with others trades, As the UK economy begins to pick up, will continue to suffer the same critical the skills shortage is becoming even more recruitment problem. pronounced, with a 2015 report from KPMG Employers, educational establishments and the London Chamber of Commerce and industry need to work together to create David Knipe, OFTEC & Industry (LCCI) suggesting 20% more a first class apprenticeship system which will construction and other trade workers inspire many more youngsters to take the vocational route. will be required over the next four years if the country’s Only then will we be able to attract and retain the highly infrastructure targets are to be met. skilled workforce we urgently need. Recruitment drive To reflect the evolving off grid home market, OFTEC With such a growth in demand, there are plenty of roles has introduced a solid fuel qualification, meaning that to be filled, and at OFTEC we are continuing our campaign technicians can take advantage of the same high quality to recruit more people, especially young school leavers, training and assessment that OFTEC provides for oil. We to begin a career in the heating industry and help bridge have also extended its scope of registrations to cover heat the increasing skills gap. pumps, solar thermal and, most recently, biomass, providing Skilled tradespeople are a vital part of the UK economy a one-stop shop for installers in off grid areas to help them and without their valuable work, productivity will falter. capitalise on every aspect of the market. Too many young people have been put off vocational routes Boosted by the dramatic drop in oil prices we have seen because they are still viewed as ‘second class’, but this in recent times, the oil market is experiencing something couldn’t be further from the truth. Equipping school leavers of a resurgence, and we are now receiving an increasing with professional skills and qualifications provides them number of enquiries from gas technicians looking to expand with a valuable key to a secure and rewarding future. into the oil sector. The good news is that according to latest government Boost for oil statistics, 499,900 apprenticeships were started in England during 2014/15 – that’s 59,500 (14%) more than the previous In the first three months of this year, there was a 14% rise year and the first time since 2011/12 that apprenticeship in the number of technicians undertaking oil assessments numbers have increased. However, as in previous years, in Great Britain compared to the same period in 2015. Our the majority (73%) of these apprenticeships were in the solid fuel registrations have also begun to grow, with wood stoves clearly a very popular choice amongst consumers. service sectors. We anticipate this will be a strong growth market. There is no shortage of work out there and as the home heating market becomes more diverse, those technicians who can demonstrate competence across a range of technologies will be the winners in terms of business growth. One of the key benefits of OFTEC registration is that technicians can self-certify their work to avoid the time and expense of involving local council building inspectors. Technicians can also ensure they are up to speed with vital new legislation through our regular technical updates.

Commercial launch We have also just introduced a new UKAS approved course for the servicing and commissioning of two and three stage pressure-jet burners connected to space and water heating appliances. The OFT10-201 was developed in response to industry requests for training to cover larger multi-stage burners, as fitted in many light and medium commercial appliances, and marks OFTEC’s first step into the commercial sector. With consumers becoming more savvy about the risks of shoddy work, contractors requiring proof of professional standards, and legislation becoming increasingly demanding, it’s more important than ever for technicians to be able to show they have the necessary skills and qualifications OFTEC registration provides. OFTEC is constantly evolving and by continuing to listen and respond to the needs of both heating technicians and end customers, our industry-leading competent persons scheme will remain a recognised quality benchmark for all. www.joinoftec.com ENQUIRY

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Benefits of offering an apprenticeship

Dan North, owner of Dan North Limited in Cirencester, with his OFTEC apprentice, Tia Allen

Tia Allen, aged 19, is working towards an NVQ level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Heating at Brockenhurst College, Hampshire, whilst gaining invaluable on-thejob training and experience as an apprentice, working alongside Dan North, owner of OFTEC registered heating business, Dan North Ltd in Cirencester. “Working in the real world is the best training you can get,” says Tia. “Although classroom theory is important, actually putting what you learn into practice gives you so much more knowledge and experience. My apprenticeship has given me an amazing opportunity to do what I love as my career, and when I finish my studies this summer I will work full time with Dan.” Tia is also proving a great asset to Dan North’s business, which he started in 2009, specialising in oil and gas boiler installation and maintenance for domestic homes, estates and commercial properties.

Business asset Dan says: “I started as an apprentice myself when I left school in 2003 and know what an important opportunity it was for me – as well as the benefits taking on an apprentice can bring to a business. “When I approached Tia through the College, my business was at the stage where I had more than enough work for me to do but not enough to warrant the high cost of employing another full time, qualified engineer. “With an apprentice you can train the person to do the job your way so I’m confident that when I send Tia out, she will complete work in the same way and to the same standard as I would. Apprenticeships are definitely the way to go and it’s proved the prefect recruitment solution for my business.”

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42 TRAINING & Education

How to protect system efficiency If you’re not providing your customers with the option of a powerflushing service, you may be missing a trick. Fernox offers training in powerflushing and system treatment, and Assistant Editor Carol Hitchcock recently dropped in to a course in Walsall to find out more.

orrosion, limescale and sludge – any installer worth his salt will be familiar with the issues these contaminates can cause, everything from system inefficiency and cold spots to premature parts replacement and boiler breakdown. Your average boiler basher won’t take much mind of these problems, but if you’re the sort that understands and appreciates complete system efficiency (and you should be), it might be worth your while to take a day off to attend a course that puts you on the road to providing a powerflushing service to your customers. Fernox offers a one-day water treatment and powerflushing programme that aims to educate installers on good system treatment and cleaning. Last month I sat in on one held in Walsall to find out what you might gain from attending. Joining me were four installers who had recently purchased the latest MKIII machine from Fernox, and they were there to get a deeper understanding of their new kit. The class was led by Dan Osman, an experienced engineer who provides training for installers in the north of England. I asked him what his main message of the day would be. “I want them to fully understand Fernox water A thermal imaging camera quality controls, everything provides evidence of a system from cleaning and disinfecting in need of a flush a system to protecting the new boiler,” says Dan. “The big cost is the boiler, which will probably be around 92% efficient, but the systems they are traditionally put on are very inefficient by comparison. There is no point adding an ‘A’ efficiency boiler to a ‘D’ efficiency system. So a powerflush would enable that system to hopefully deliver an ‘A’ rated system rather than just an ‘A’ rated boiler.”

The morning focuses on the causes of system inefficiency

Carrying out a powerflush on a system with a combi boiler

In the classroom

After lunch, we move into the workshop to see a powerflush carried out. If you are looking for a course that is more hands-on, this one may not be right for you, but if you are interested in seeing a thorough demonstration of the act, Dan gives good value. He takes us through every step, explaining in detail what he’s doing and why it’s important. Several of my fellow students stood by with pad and pen in hand, taking down the salient points. Dan also treats us to a demonstration of a thermal imaging camera, showing us in vivid colour what a radiator looks like before and after a flush. He says that at less than 200 quid, this handy device is a good investment for installers looking to provide evidence to customers that a powerflush is needed, and afterwards, that it has done the job.

The morning session is divided into two parts, with the first half focusing on the chemistry involved in central heating. You might need to dust off the part of your brain that got science education in school, because here we learn about the interaction of metals (the noble ones and the less noble) in a system with hot, flowing water. It’s here you will find out about what causes corrosion, what limescale can do to components, and how the physics of heated circulating water can degrade efficiency. You’ll be asked to recall your knowledge of the periodic chart and come to grips with the interaction of dissimilar metals, as a central heating system can contain everything from copper pipework, aluminium heat engines, steel radiators, and nickel valves. Dan also covers the rules and regulations pertaining to boiler installation and system efficiency. We look at BS7593 and the guidelines contained in Part L of the Building Regs. The morning’s second half is concentrated on the mechanics of powerflushing. You’ll pick up information on operating the machine itself, as well as tips and tricks to make it work at maximum performance. The key message here is that velocity, heat and chemicals are the trifecta of a good powerflush.

Find out more The Fernox course is held around the UK and is free of charge, and lunch and refreshments are provided. Upon completion, there is a selection of complimentary tools you can ask to be sent to you in the post. To sign up, go to the company website (www.fernox.com/home) and click on the training tab. www.fernox.com/home

PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Based in Burnley, Practical R ef r ig e r at ion Tr a i n i ng Centre (PRTC) has been providing hands-on tuition to installers and apprentices for more than 20 years. Since its foundation, PRTC has built a reputation for delivering quality training across a number of sectors, including refrigeration, air conditioning, heating/ ventilation and electrical.

As the name suggests, the emphasis at PRTC is on the practical element of learning, with a broad range of equipment for delegates to work on live systems. Theory is delivered in modern classrooms to give balanced, relevant training. Glen Greenbank, founder of PRTC, is one of a select group of lecturers at the facility, all of whom are time-served

engineers bringing their own expertise to every classroom. Recently, PRTC has seen growing demand for its electrical courses, as Glen explains: “We’ve had a lot of gas engineers come to us because boiler breakdowns are so often linked to an electrical fault. It’s getting to the point where you have to have qualifications in both gas and electrics to do the job right. Multi-tasking is becoming a fact of life and the right qualifications deliver the right skills and knowledge so engineers can work confidently and safely.” Electrical courses include City & Guild’s 17th Edition, Inspection and Testing, and Portable Appliance Testing (PAT). Also on offer is the ‘Skills Essential Electrics’, designed for installers to get a basic

understanding of this subject. With growing demand for its services, PRTC is looking to expand its facilities in the near future, with extra classrooms, meeting rooms and a new canteen to enhance students’ experience. The aim is to give a more modern, dynamic feel to the training centre. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.prtc.co.uk

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Training & Education 43 Boiler competence Digital showers made crystal clear

For nearly 15 years, Mr Combi has been providing installers instruction in how to use a multimeter correctly to test boiler parts and fault find. Led by George Staszak, an experienced gas engineer with over 45 years in the industry, the courses explain diagnostics and sequence of operation in a way any installer, even those new to the industry, can understand. The aim is to provide a stressfree, one day course that is mostly hands-on, practical work. With the support of boiler and controls manufacturers, Mr Combi’s courses benefit

from the latest information and equipment, from Grundfos pumps to Worcester and Vaillant boilers. Danfoss and Honeywell also provide the controls equipment that installers can work on directly. A day’s training will better equip students to select the ideal equipment for their particular project and provide them with the wiring skills needed to carry out a completely independent installation. Mr Combi also provides students with wiring diagrams in full colour. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.mrcombi.com

Regular, free professional installer training courses are offered by Aqualisa throughout the year for digital and thermostatic installs. The one day courses, held at a variety of venues nationwide, aim to provide a thorough understanding of Aqualisa products plus information, tips and advice for installing and servicing. They’re designed for those new to the industry or with a wealth of experience but looking to top up their

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product and installation knowledge. At the end of each session, attendees are offered a ‘Deal of the Day’ discount on an

Aqualisa shower (up to 75% in some cases) and once an installer has completed training, they will be listed on the Aqualisa ‘Find an

Installer’ page on the new, mobile optimised website. Promotions available to installers are also available on a regular basis. To find out more about the available courses, dates and venues, and to book a place, visit the company’s website (w w w.aqualisa. co.uk/training) or enter the number below on the reader enquiry card inside this month’s issue. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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www.aqualisa.co.uk

Portal to expanding your knowledge MyPortal, supported by Wavin, is an interactive online platform that lets installers access a range of tools, from a community forum to eLearning modules, incuding the Hep2O push-fit plumbing system. The course covers the In4Sure joint recognition system and how this product compares to copper piping. Once logged in, users can start, pause and resume their eLearning sessions at their convenience, as well

as keep track of their progress in a personalised dashboard. The courses cater for all levels of competency, from beginners to intermediate and advanced. MyPortal also includes a Community Forum, an area which gives the opportunity for users to share feedback and information about eLearning, as well as engage in general discussion on relevant industry topics and

extend their professional network. Bex Hartlebury, Marketing Communications Manager at Wavin, says: “We’re excited to launch this new platform which places expert knowledge at our customers’ fingertips. MyPortal will be continuously developed to offer users an engaging, rewarding experience.” To enter MyPortal and see the suite of product and industry knowledge courses, visit myportal.wavin.co.uk

THE POWER TO GET TO GRIPS WITH THE CDM REGS ONLINE Our new Construction (Design and Management) Regulations Online course is designed for smaller contractors (sole traders) and will help them to become aware of their responsibilities as part of the entire CDM process. COURSE CONTENT: Brief overview of what the CDM regulations relate to The April 2015 change and its implication on domestic properties The relationship between client, main contractor and sub-contractor The need for production of a safety file What goes into the safety file

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TO BOOK CALL 0843 290 3463 OR E-MAIL TRAININGINFO@NICEIC.COM

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44 Training & Education

Get smart with online training Digital technology has helped to transform the heating controls market and also made it easier to access information. Andy Mansfield, Marketing Manager at Honeywell, recently spoke with two installers to see how online training has helped to benefit their business.

raining is an integral part of every installer’s progression, and is key to staying ahead of market trends. A current example of the need to upskill is smart heating controls – a trend which is changing the face of the industry, but which poses a challenge to installers who aren’t trained in the area. While hands-on experience will always form a cornerstone of any training programme, we’ve seen an increase in HIN (Honeywell Installer Network) members signing up to online training. Designed to help installers get quick and easyto-use information either on the job or in the comfort of their own homes, the online training allows installers to digest information as they see fit. As training can be carried out at any time, it offers more flexibility to busy installers who can plan training around their work schedule rather than committing to a whole day away from the job. The modular element means that training can be completed as and when, enabling businesses to upskill employees while managing workloads and resourcing.

Training Services

Connected Specialist status has enabled installers like David Rees (left) and Mark Cooper to expand their smart controls installation service

Customer request David Rees of OxonGas Ltd took our online training course in 2015 and comments: “I completed the online training for Honeywell evohome as a result of a customer request for a boiler and heating controls upgrade. It was very good, explaining the features and installation requirements in

A friendly and professional service for all your Electrical and Gas Training and Assessment requirements.

We offer short courses in the following

Electrical Part P full scope 17th Edition Pat Testing

Basic electrical safety Essential electrics

ACS for Natural Gas and LPG All Domestic elements All Industrial/Commercial elements Commercial Catering Elements Mobile Catering Commercial Laundry Commercial Meters Emergency Service Providers Flue Gas Analyser

(Initial and Re Assessment) (Initial and Re Assessment) (Initial and Re Assessment) (Initial and Re Assessment) (Initial and Re Assessment) (Initial and Re Assessment) (Initial and Re Assessment) (Initial and Re Assessment)

Other Courses Unvented Hot Water Systems Water Regulations Energy efficiency Plumbing to Gas Engineering

New Entrant Basic Gas Utilization Course For Domestic or Industrial / Commercial Training Needs Analysis Bespoke Training and Assessment courses for Managers/Landlords/Agents

Legionella Water Hygiene Oil Basic Pipe Skills Basic Understanding of Central Heating Systems 1 Day Gas Safety Awareness

For further information on any of our courses please

Phone Email

01322 524 792

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paul.chambers@egtrainingservices.co.uk EG Training Services Ltd - 3 Mulberry Court - Bourne Industrial Park Bourne Road - Crayford - DA1 4BF

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full to ensure a professional install and have the space and need for this high spec equipment and they really reap the energy confidence on handover to the customer. “Completing the course also helped me to saving benefits. “I found the online training course very become a recognised Honeywell Connected Specialist. By gaining that status, I hoped informative about the product itself, but I would gain an advantage in the market, it also helped me explain the control, the which has proved to be true, whilst also system and the benefits to many customers enhancing my relationship with the team who were new to multi-zone technology. at Honeywell. It has also given me the Another added advantage is that by opportunity to offer feedback on products completing the course – which is one of during development stage, which is an the requirements to becoming a Connected Specialist – our details were added to the interesting and rewarding process. “My business now operates more efficiently installer directory on the Honeywell website, as I now concentrate more on connected which has clearly encouraged customers to contact us asking for product installations, a quote. I think having whilst my younger “Completing the our name associated with colleague continues with course has helped such a well-respected the core work of boiler me to become a manufacturer gives installs, during which he customers the confidence can upsell evohome and recognised Honeywell that we have the knowintroduce me into the Connected Specialist” how to specify, install deal. This is an ongoing and set up smart home change, but already I have gained some very niche customers who are systems that will really work. “Getting more established in the smart passing on the good news to their peers. The more affordable Single Zone product market has supported business growth is seen as a very quick and cost effective too, creating some good relationships with upgrade to any home with radiators. I have customers we may not have seen otherwise. even had one customer request Single Zone This in turn encourages customers to as a means to improve the selling price of contact us for other heating and servicing requirements they may have. their home. “Even so, there is still some stigma around “My focus is now on convincing customers to invest in these energy efficient products, the smart controls. I think it’s about education especially if they are having a boiler replaced, – educating the installers, but also educating but also as a general upgrade to any home so the consumers. We still have customers that as to make the control of a heating system are unsure of the benefits, but also installers questioning if this is the way to go. However, via a smartphone or tablet.” momentum is building thanks to the online Better connected training, BTU is in a strong position to help Installer Mark Cooper, who works for the fulfil this demand as it grows.” Guildford based BTU Group, was encouraged Easy access by his boss to take our online course. Mark comments: “I took the online Manufacturers have a duty to provide access training course about six months ago. I to first-class, hands-on training – but we wanted to improve my knowledge of the also have a duty to make expert advice as Honeywell evohome, but we also wanted to accessible as possible. Online training is be recognised as a Connected Specialist in a relevant and viable route to improving order to generate more business in the area. access, enabling installers to upskill in a “The evohome is at the top end of the way that better complements their busy market for homeowners with four plus schedules and capitalise on the opportunities bedrooms, but with BTU being based in that the smart market offers. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No. 139 www.honeywell.com quite an affluent area, a lot of our customers

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Training & Education Boiler boost at Darlington In a move to support the training of the next generation of engineers, Worcester has increased its investment at Darlington College. With a new Gas Training Centre under Worcester’s College Links programme, the manufacturer has added a full range of new condensing oil boilers to enrich the training of local engineers and apprentices. As well as continuing to help local installers and apprentices stay in tune with the latest technology, legislation, fault finding and best practice, the improvements will allow college tutors and Worcester’s Training Engineers to explain the latest generation of technology linking heating systems to mobile devices.

Martyn Bridges, Director of Marketing and Technical Support, says: “Worcester partners with numerous colleges throughout the UK and Darlington College is one of five to be given the College Links Plus status through our affiliation partnership with the Chartered Institute

Baxi Training Free hands-on training, delivered by experts.*

of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE). “This will allow Darlington College tutors and apprentices alike to access the benefits of CIPHE membership at no cost to the college, which I know will be a valued resource.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

worcester-bosch.co.uk

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Covering full HVAC range The fully equipped LG Training Academy in Weybridge, Surrey, has marked six months of operation since it was launched. It offers training on HVAC equipment, including air condit ioning, heating, heat recovery, ventilation and the high-end central controls zone that are permanently sited in the academy. LG says it aims to strike the right balance of theoretical and hands-on practical experience to ensure every participant is fully capable of specifying, commissioning and troubleshooting across all the company’s range of products. Engineers who attend the two day Multi V

VRF will be eligible for enrolment on the ‘Approved Installer Scheme’. For those that attend and pass the course, LG Engineers will support installers throughout their first two VRF projects with on-site commissioning assistance. This includes a pre-commissioning visit to ensure the installation and commissioning process is trouble-free. Mark Richardson, LG Technical Manager, comments: “The Academy really is impressive and showcases LG products extremely well. We will be running CIBSE accredited CPD seminars and other events here as well as the courses.” partner.lge.com/uk

ENQUIRY No.

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New centre in East Midlands Heating engineers in the East Midlands can now access Baxi training at its new base in Nottingham. Opened in partnership with New College Nottingham, the centre will be able to train more than 1500 installers each year. Designed using feedback from its customers, training includes hands-on sessions, insider knowledge, tips from the company’s trainers, and professional advice on products and troubleshooting. Topics covered include installation, servicing, commissioning and fast fault finding. The new centre means that Baxi now has 15 training centres across the UK and Ireland. Steve Owen, National Training Manager, says: “In our fast-paced industry, it can be

Free hands-on product training, including Nest Technical Packs (including fault finding information) Additional Baxi branded items Local training centres across the UK

To sign up to training, visit difficult for heating engineers to keep up to date with the latest products and practices. However, with our free training courses, they can develop the skills needed to ensure trouble-free installation of all Baxi appliances.” Head of Academy for Construction at the college, Trevor Burton, adds: “It’s great that

the college has key industry links with Baxi to ensure that installers remain highly skilled in their roles. Our students will also benefit from the links, as they will be able to train with the latest equipment and gain advice from industry specialists.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.baxi.co.uk

baxi.co.uk/training 0344 848 8281

142 *Free product training is only available to Gas Safe registered engineers. ENQUIRY

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Baxi Works

Training & Education

Your installer loyalty scheme, now with an app.

Continual boiler development Independent boiler manufacturer Ravenheat offers regular training throughout the year, building on its belief that continual development is critical for installers who want to improve their service offering. From technical evenings throughout the country to in-house training days, there are a number of ways to find out more about installing and commissioning Ravenheat boilers. Technical Service and Training Manager John Wilson says: “We offer proper technical courses, not sales pitches. This means many of the guys attend more than once so they can enhance their existing skills and improve what they

can offer their customers.” In-house training facilities provide fully operational boilers so installers can have first-hand experience of installation and commissioning, as well as servicing and diagnostics. Training documents can be found on the company’s website.

Ravenheat’s Benchmark training days are held at the company’s HQ in Morley, Leeds, and are free to attend. Upcoming training dates are: 15 June, 29 July, 26 August, 30 September, 28 October, 25 November and 9 December. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Cross-trade skills HETAS courses on offer

The BPMA is set to run a three day City & Guilds Electrical Competency Course course from 21 to 23 June in West Bromwich to assist non-electrical employees to prepare themselves for cross trade working, and to help companies comply with the requirements of current legislation regarding the use of such people for minor electrical tasks. The course is primarily aimed at mechanical or un-

To make life on the go easier.

skilled tradespersons that are preparing themselves for work upon electrical systems. The course will benefit companies that intend to employ non-electrical personnel to perform routine electrical duties, such as lamp replacement, portable appliance testing and circuit isolation. For further information and a booking form, please contact Steve Smith by email at s.smith@bpma.org.uk.

Gas fires gain a place at college

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Plumbing and heating apprenticeship students at Brockenhurst College in Hampshire will be able to gain practical experience working on a number of gas fires donated by Valor, which have been installed in the new gas training facility at the college. The facility will also welcome existing gas professionals who need to renew their registrations. Valor will also be on hand to provide support and advice to students as part of its links

with the college, including an annual presentation on the benefits of gas fires and how to overcome complications that might occur when on site. Richard Beaman, Commercial Director for Valor, comments: “Our partnership with Brockenhurst College gives us the opportunity to work closely with them to promote the benefits of gas fires and share our own experiences.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.valor.co.uk

144

MCS and HETAS training courses are available from Euroheat to provide accreditation and certification to the solid fuel and biomass industry. One of its upcoming courses is a HETAS Refresher Option 2 H003, to be run 20-21 June. This two day course is for engineers whose H003 registration is reaching its five year limit. Also on offer is a HETAS System Chimneys H006 on 22nd June. This one day course covers the installation of stainless steel twin wall insulated rigid flue systems into residential properties. Finally, the HETAS Approved Retailer course, scheduled for 23rd June, aims to ensure that approved retailers have at least one HETAS trained member of staff on duty in the showroom at all times to advise customers on appliances and a number of key issues including maintenance, carbon monoxide, government regulations and fuels. For more detail on these courses or to apply, visit: training.euroheat.co.uk or enter the number below on the reader enquiry card. PHAM ENQUIRY No.

training.euroheat.co.uk

145

341

*Terms and conditions apply. For full details visit baxiworks.co.uk

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June 2016

VENTILATIon & Heat Recovery 47

Don’t take chances with ducting High quality ducting is essential to the effective running of any ventilation system, but how can you be sure that what you’ve installed is not going to cause problems in the future? We asked EnviroVent to highlight some of the important issues that need to be considered.

hen ducting is selected and installed correctly, it can improve and prolong the efficiency of the whole system, leading to long term low maintenance. On the other hand, a ventilation system that has issues with the ducting, which can range from ‘slump’ of f lexible types, through to inadequate jointing mechanisms, is always going to underperform. Poorly installed ductwork can potentially damage the ventilation unit and the fabric of the building. Indeed, an NHBC (National Housebuilding Council) report from 2013 demonstrated how poorly installed systems have a negative effect on indoor air quality and the effectiveness of MVHR systems. In order to avoid these pitfalls, EnviroVent has put together a checklist of factors that need to be taken into account:

Rigid or flexible? Ducting can be made of rigid materials or from flexible components – many buildings use a combination of types to suit different purposes. Although rigid ducting costs more, it results in reduced maintenance and improved performance of the ventilation system. Many installers also prefer it because it is easier to seal and clean. It is always preferable to use rigid ducting because the flexible variety is prone to ‘slump’ over time. This can lead to pooling of condensation in the section affected, which restricts the flow of air through the system. Flexible ducting should be used as a last resort, as it poses the greater risk of issues developing later on. However, in some spaces, flexible ductwork can be the only choice, for example, when reaching vents in difficult places, such as corners or house eaves. Frequently, installers will choose rigid ducting for the main trunk and more flexible ducting for offshoots.

Future issues Problems with ducting can arise immediately after installation or in years to come, should ducts become broken or torn. Another consideration is leaking ducts, and these can occur for a variety of reason, such as kinks or other mechanical stresses, which can lead up to 20% loss of efficiency of a ventilation system. Issues with ductwork can result in insufficient air flow as a result of a slump in flexible ducting. This can be tested by putting your hand over an intake vent to see if you detect air movement. In this situation, there is likely to be a breach or kink in the duct. Air leakage in ductwork can also cause moisture damage within the building fabric.

Ductwork sizing The sizing of the duct is also important. A duct that is too small for the airflow rate

Best of both Because of the issues that the industry faces and how this impacts on the effectiveness of ventilation systems, we recently introduced two new ductwork systems – airtight and semi-rigid. These types of purposedesigned ventilation ductwork can be installed very Semi-rigid ducting provides the benefits of rigid system with the quickly and easily, felxibility and ease of installation of flexible ducting making it immediwill result in high resistance and noise ately airtight. A major benefit of the semi issues. A reputable manufacturer should rigid option is that it provides the benefits be able to advise on the optimum size for of rigid but with the ease of installation a given system. Correct commissioning of offered by semi-flexible piping. the system is also crucial to ensure that Obviously rigid ductwork is not suitable the correct airflow is delivered and that for every possible situation, which is why the system is properly balanced. we also introduced the semi-rigid range. With systems like Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR), ductwork is vital to its efficiency and to ensure good indoor air quality in the home.

This ductwork is available in various circular and semi-circular dimensions. All ductwork can be connected to one universal distribution box by use of adapters. This eliminates the need to keep stock of numerous box types and limits costs. This semi-rigid duct work is manufactured from plastic, so is extremely lightweight. It achieves airtightness Class C (EN12237) and has an adaptor to step mass f low. This type of ductwork offers post installation access to restrictors, which is ideal for maintenance.

Key to success Getting the ductwork right can be the key to more effective ventilation systems, and use of the new generation of ductwork is also quicker and more straightforward to install. With whole house systems like MVHR, it is essential to install the correct ductwork, with the end result being a more efficient ventilation system and guaranteed installed performance for the long term. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

146

www.envirovent.com

Standard compliance HM Domestic Ventilation Compliance Guide 2.0 (NHBC Standards) states that all duct connections require sealing. The guidance states that where ducts are installed against a solid structure, this can be difficult to achieve – in such locations, pre-assembly of duct sections should be considered. It also says that joints in ductwork, and between ductwork and other system components, should be securely fixed and sealed with purposedesigned connections, in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations. In addition, it requires that all joints should be durable and airtight. Problems arise with ductwork when it results in high pressure drop. This is mainly caused by unsealed connections and this can cause high air leakage, the end result of which is increased energy consumption and noise, due to the units having to work harder to provide adequate ventilation.

Inefficient sealing NHBC guidance recognises that sealing can be an issue with ductwork and it strongly advises against the use of duct tape to achieve connection and sealing. Use of mastic and tape makes it difficult to achieve a consistent quality air tight seal and it can lose its adhesive properties over time and start to leak. Our alternative is rigid airtight mechanical connections which are quick and easy to install and provide a consistent quality air tight seal for the long term.

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away on holiday

June 2016

48 Ventilation & Heat Recovery

How to avoid summer overheating Airtight buildings are helping to improve energy efficiency, but they can take a toll on indoor air quality if an effective ventilation system is not specified. Robert Dennis, Product Marketing Executive at Airflow Developments, takes a closer look at the benefits of MVHR systems.

ith the Government committed by law to reduce the energy consumption of our buildings by 80% by 2020, our industry continues to focus on how we can construct and retrofit properties to ensure they are as energy efficient as possible. This has resulted in an increase in the use of insulation and doubleRobert Dennis, Airflow glazing, and rightly so, as this will maximise the thermal performance of our properties. As such, our homes are becoming increasingly hermetically sealed. This is a positive step for thermal and acoustic performance – but not for indoor air quality. This is because without an effective ventilation system, increased air-tightness will inevitably lead to damp, mould, condensation and the associated effects.

Damp damage Without sufficient extraction of excess moisture and the filtration of clean, healthy air, damp and mould can spread quickly throughout a home. This is a threat especially within areas like bathrooms and kitchens where excessive moisture can occur due to everyday activities such as showering and cooking. If not tackled quickly, this can leave unsightly and unpleasant marks on ceilings and walls – leading to time consuming and costly redecoration work for the homeowner. Even more worrying is the negative effect poor indoor air quality can have on health. It’s a perturbing statistic that over 15.3 million homes in the UK are at risk of Toxic Home Syndrome. This is when a person’s health deteriorates as a result of poor air quality in the home caused by pollutants. Just recently these dangers have been brought to light, with research from The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) suggesting major health conditions such as cancer, asthma, heart disease and obesity are all linked to poor indoor air quality. Cognitive functions were also shown to be negatively affected by dank, stuffy air. Therefore it is logical for professional installers to recommend ventilation systems that are able to extract stale air and filter in clean air, whilst also recovering heat, in order to tackle Toxic Home Syndrome and attain energy efficiency targets.

Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems take damp air from inside a building and extract heat energy from it via a heat exchanger, which then works to pre-warm clean, fresh air that is constantly brought in from outside and circulated within the building. This process recovers heat that would typically be lost as part of the ventilation process and helps heat the property. For example, Airflow’s range of residential MVHR units achieve over 90% heat recovery efficiency, providing unbeatable air quality and energy efficiency levels for homeowners.

Hot topic As we become more proficient at building properties to prevent heat loss in the winter, we may also be creating another issue that has to be addressed – overheating in the summer months. The dangers have been well documented in the news, with pupils at Outwood Academy School in Ripon having recently collapsed due to overheating in classrooms. It is estimated that up to 20% of homes in England may already be overheating, even in cool summers, and it is feared that there will be a steady increase in heat related deaths. Since January this year, under the Eco Directive it is mandatory for MVHR units to utilise a by-pass mechanism so that in the summer, supply air is not warmed unnecessarily. However, choose carefully as not all by-pass mechanisms are equally effective. By utilising a motorised damper, which is triggered by a temperature sensor to automatically activate a flap to seal off the heat exchanger, a 100% effective bypass facility will ensure the MVHR unit can reduce solar gain by guaranteeing that the supply air is not heated by the hot extract air passing through the heat recovery core. A unit with only a 10% by-pass would actually be increasing the temperature of the remaining 90% supply air that passes through the heat recovery core. In these circumstances, the typical heat energy increases to the supply air will be in the region of +0.6kW, which in a highly insulated, sealed property can have a dangerous impact providing the outside air temperature is lower than inside. At Airflow Developments we have designed a range of MVHR units that include a 100% effective by-pass feature. The new internet capable and Passive House approved Adroit range combats overheating and provides an easy to use and understandable whole house ventilation solution that can be controlled at home or on the move. Designed with an intuitive colour display, the control panel is a responsive interface, which gives a step-by-step guide for homeowners on how to successfully manage, monitor and control indoor air environments via a computer or portable device.

The Adroit range incorporates a motorised damper to provide a 100% effective by-pass facility to reduce solar gain

Adjusting performance The units are also designed with four different profiles to choose from – home, away, boost or fireplace. This gives users the ability to programme the units according to their personal routines and preferences – maximising energy efficiency. Furthermore the units extract up to 320m3/hr at 100 Pa and incorporate low energy/noise EC fans to ensure internal comfort levels are maximised. It is important that professional installers work with reputable manufacturers to specify the most effective solution, and importantly, to help homeowners understand that with homes becoming increasingly airtight and well insulated, adequate ventilation is paramount. Energy and heat recovery systems such as our Adroit MVHR range, which utilise a 100% effective by-pass facility, can ensure homeowners continuously benefit from a supply of fresh, healthy air, as well as a stable and comfortable living environment. www.airflow.com

PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

147

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Give the cold shoulder to unhealthy air in your home

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June 2016

50 Ventilation & Heat Recovery

Bringing comfort to airtight homes MEV delivers the indoor air quality

The new ComfoAir Q range of MVHR units from Zehnder Group UK has been launched alongside a series of best practice guides. This product is suitable for modern homes conforming to strict energy efficiency regulations and where a whole house system may be required to deliver fresh air. The unit incorporates a specially designed heat exchanger with an especially

large surface to allow for higher levels of efficiency.

Variable duct heights ensure a constant flow and lower pressure loss. As a result, less energy is required to overcome air resistance. Another benefit is the elimination of nuisance noise – eight ComfoAirQ units emit the same level of sound as one comparable MVHR product from another manufacturer. It is also said to be simple to install – connections can be

changed from left to right, ensuring that everything fits even when the installation situation is modified. Zehnder has also released a series of MVHR educational guides that cover the three key parts of the MVHR process: design and product specification; installation and commissioning; and handover and maintenance. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.zehnder.co.uk

148

Fits neatly in domestic cupboards New from Airflow Developments is the Duplexvent DV72 unit – a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) solution which achieves over 91% thermal efficiency and features a thermal bypass to help avoid overheating in the summer. SAP-Appendix eligible, this compact and lightweight unit is a solution for small to medium sized domestic installations.

Made for residential use, this new model provides heat recovery efficiency reaching in excess of 91% in small to medium sized dwellings up to 125m2. This ensures the ventilation solution is cost efficient with minimal environmental impact. The unit’s automatic summer by-pass is activated by an internal sensor at 25ºC. This limits the heat recovery

by reducing the volume of warmed fresh air supplied into the dwelling. The compact unit can be mounted vertically on a wall, or in a standard kitchen cupboard – while a ceiling suspended version (DV72CS) is also available. For effective control, the DV72 is supplied with a separately mounted commissioning switch. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

www.airflow.com

Z1-KIT Range Z1-KIT Range

To combat the issue of fan noise, Xpelair has developed the Simply Silent range – described as a domestic ventilation solution that delivers near-silent running. These fans use long-life silent running motors and precision engineered components to avoid all mechanical noise, whilst advanced air flow management eliminates irregular air flow paths and turbulence. Additional benefits include a range of smart features for

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hassle-free installation, such as quick-fit clamps which allow the fan to be secured to ceilings and panels. The range now includes the original Contour in both 100 and 150mm variants, the

The inaugural edition of the Eurovent Air Curtains Guidebook has been launched to provide a resource for professionals working with this technology. Dimplex worked with other manufacturers nes and 1, stretching 0.6m horizontally and up to 2.25m d up0to 2.25m and Eurovent, Europe’s des the recessed area of a window with a sill next to the industry association for indoor rical products to have an IPX4 or better. SELV with the climate, process cooling and outside of zones 0,1 & 2 or beyond. food cold chain technologies, TA7 0RYthe guide. Stathe Road, Burrowbridge, Somerset, TA7 0RY Stathe Road, Burrowbridge, Somerset, TA7 0RYStathe Road, Burrowbridge, toSomerset, help produce Tel: 01823 690 290 Fax: 01823 690 291 Tel: 01823 690 290 Fax: 01823 690 291 Email: info@nvagroup.co.uk Tel: 01823 690 290 Fax: 01823 690 291 Email: info@nvagroup.co.uk The guidebook provides Email: info@nvagroup.co.uk @nvagroup.co.uk Somerset, TA7 0RY www.nationalventilation.co.uk Stathe Road, Burrowbridge, www.nationalventilation.co.uk information on how to Tel: 01823 690 290 Fax: 01823 690 291 Email: info@nvagroup.co.uk correctly select, install, www.nationalventilation.co.uk and maintain air curtains. Wednesday 08 July 2015 12:12 It also outlines the various

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continuous running Contour CV for bathroom and kitchen applications, and the DX 100 and 150mm with a classic grille-style fascia. The range also includes the Shower Fan Complete and Illumi Shower Fan Complete (pictured), both designed to extract right at the point of humidity. They come complete with flexible ducting and an external grille. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Guide to good air curtains

ovethe zone 0, limited to a height of 2.25m above the bath or ove bath or ectrical products to have an IPX4 or better. the bath or ty extra low voltage (SELV 12V a.c and 30V d.c) can be must be 2ormer or beyond. If located outside zones 0,1 & 2 or beyond. If a 240V supply ce (RCD) must a 30ma residual current device (RCD) must ect the circuit in this zone.

ENQUIRY

CMX MEV system due to its performance and slimline design. At just 125mm in depth and 3.25kg in weight, the CMX can easily be installed into a central location such as a loft, cupboard space or small ceiling voids. The CMX’s design also means that these units can be installed horizontally or vertically, ensuring ease of installation in limited or awkward spaces. Polypipe Ventilation’s Domus Radial ducting system was chosen to work with the CMX system.

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Polypipe Ventilation’s Silavent CMX Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) units with Domus Radial duct systems have been specified for Keble Court, a new retirement housing development in Fleet, Hampshire. When completed, Keble Court will consist of 72 luxury apartments and one guest suite over three storeys, to include continuous Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) to improve indoor air quality and environmental comfort by reducing humidity. Installation company Heatcare specified the Silavent

technologies on the market, as well as their application and benefits. Ten manufacturers and laboratories from across Europe, including Dimplex, worked in partnership with Eurovent to produce the guide and to develop a testing and efficiency rating

scheme, as well as an indepth market study in cooperation with Eurovent Market Intelligence. Commercial Product Manager Phil Chilton says: “I believe there is huge untapped potential for this proven technology, which can provide a quickfix energy saving solution in commercial environments, with an appealing payback period.” To download the Eurovent Air Curtains Guidebook, visit www.eurovent.eu PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Ventilation & Heat Recovery 51 How to keep the peace in bathrooms Designed to contribute to a tranquil bathroom, the Silent Fan Conceal from Manrose is both visually discreet and quiet to the ear. Featuring a flat, tile-like front cover, the Silent Fan Conceal blends in with bathroom tiles while offering a low sound level of only 16dB(A), claimed to be 75% quieter than typical intermittent bathroom fans. The fan’s compact dimensions measure 159mm in diameter, and at only 41mm

deep the unit sits flatter against the wall, blending in with bathroom tiles. A square

base plate will cover most decoration marks. The Silent Fan Conceal is designed for wall and panel mounting in bathrooms and toilets. The single 100mm axial fan is capable of twospeed operation. Performing at 15/litres/sec on trickle, the fan offers an extraction rate of 75m³/hr, which equates to 21 litres per second on boost. Building Reg ulat ions compliant, the fan comes pre-fitted with a rubber seal

to protect from water ingress. It also features a low energy motor which has a maximum consumption of 7W, offering households energy efficient ventilation. The long-life motor is continuously rated and warranted for a minimum of 30,000 hours or three years. The fan also comes complete with integral backdraught shutters. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Quick and versatile installation kit The new IP45 rated Monsoon Zone 1 Energysaver from National Ventilation is described as a high performance, low noise, low energy fan. It comes as part of a kit which includes the Monsoon Zone 1 Silence Fan, a non-cut semi-rigid wall sleeve, and the independently tested Energysaver Grille. The wall installation kit is said to provide 20% less resistance than standard grilles or cowls.

The fan itself incorporates an aerodynamic mixed-flow impeller. With the benefit of being IP45 rated, the fan can be mounted in zone 1 without a 12V transformer. At full

speed the energy efficient ball bearing motor uses a maximum consumption of just 7.5W, and its casing incorporates anti-vibration mounts with a maximum

fan noise level of only 25 dB(A). The fan has an airflow performance of 97m³/hr (27 litres/sec), which means it has Specific Fan Power of only 0.27 W/litres/sec. Five model options are available, including standard, timer (2-30 minutes overrun), pull cord, PIR triggered and a humidistat controlled version. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Optimum control of classroom air Providing effective, compliant ventilation of multi-occupancy rooms is Gilberts of Blackpool with its Mistrale Fusion (MFS) Terminal. It is said to deliver optimum internal air control for less than £5/room/ annum. The initial singlesided through-structure unit provides a one box, stand-alone solution, requiring no additional ductwork or plant. Installed through the external façade or window, Mistrale MFS mixes internal and external air to ventilate the internal space. A mixing damper modulates airflow to allow the new, fresh air to mix with the warm exhaust air, thus extracting its heat without the need for an exchanger. The integrated low energy fan ensures an even distribution of airflow, with control over temperature and CO2 levels within, and maintenance of a comfortable internal environment. Two Mistrale MFS128 single-sided units will ventilate a standard 32 person classroom, achieving the 8 litres/sec/ person fresh air required by current Department of Education Building Bulletin (BB101) and PBSP guidelines. www.gilbertsblackpool.com

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The perfect solution for convenience and efficiency

WPC (S) – compact in size, BIG on efficiency

Powerful for maximum convenience in the home | As one of the most efficient heat pumps available, the WPC (S) delivers satisfaction not only because of a COP of up to 5, but also because of its compact size and high level of integration. The unit even incorporates a 200l DHW cylinder. › Excellent coefficient of performance (COP) of up to 5.0 › Extremely quiet in operation › The range now includes a powerful 13kW single phase option WPC (S) Brine | water heat pump

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

ENQUIRY

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52 Step by Step

It’s a breeze to fit the VortexBlue With the continuing popularity of oil-fired boilers among householders, it pays to find a model that will be straightforward to fit and will give the customer the results they are looking for. Here, Grant takes us through the steps for installing its VortexBlue.

ven though there is a growing demand for rural homes to be heated by renewable technologies, oil still continues to be a popular choice for properties in off-gas areas, especially with fuel prices currently being so low. With this is mind, Grant’s R&D team continue to focus on improving their oil product offering and stay ahead of the game. The company has been busy developing and trialling a new generation of clean burning, low emission and high efficiency boilers to exceed EU emission changes

planned to come into force in 2018. The all new VortexBlue range of oil fired condensing boilers incorporate the latest Riello blue flame compact burner. With outputs from 21 to 36kW available across a variety of models, this advanced technology is easy to install and set up. Dimensions of the new Blue models are the same as the existing ranges, making replacement of older products very easy. What’s more, the new VortexBlue boilers are compatible with all of Grant’s EZ-Fit flue systems. The company is currently offering a 10 year warranty on the

2 After powerflushing the system and digging the soakaway, the next step is to drill a hole in the brickwork for the condensate pipe.

VortexBlue via its G-One Accredited Installer network, five times longer than standard Grant boiler warranties. By offering a longer warranty period on the new Blue flame oil boiler models, it is hoped that customers will be encouraged to consider a low NOx green alternative to the standard Vortex range. What follows is a summary of the steps involved in fitting the VotexBlue 26kW kitchen/utility boiler. The installers on this project were G-One accredited, Berkshire-based RSK Plumbing & Heating Ltd.

3 A Grant Mag One filter is fitted and a system inhibitor is added.

4 The Grant EZ-Fit low level balanced flue is fitted and insulation is added around it.

1 The new VortexBlue is unpacked, unscrewed from the pallet and placed in position.

7 The RSK team make good, including cementing the flue in before fitting the terminal guard.

5 Plumbing and electrical connections are made and the baffles checked before connecting the oil line.

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6 The boiler is commissioned – the pump pressure is tested, and an analyser is used to check CO2 levels.

8 The VortexBlue is in place and ready to fire! www.grantuk.com

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WHat’s New

Safer heat for the vulnerable

Easy electrical measurement A new range of electrical measuring instruments has been introduced by Testo, designed to cover a wide range of applications and said to offer several user benefits. The product family includes a selection of voltage testers, digital multimeters and clamp meters, all with the emphasis on safety and ease of use. The ‘entry model’ to the range is the 745 non-contact voltage tester with a voltage range of up to 1000V. The

pocket sized instrument (pictured above left) is said to be particularly suitable to fast initial testing of any suspected fault sources. If voltage is detected, the 745 emits a clear visual and acoustic signal. For extra reliability, the voltage tester also has a filter for high-frequency interference signals and is waterproof and dustproof according to IP 67. The Testo 750 voltage tester family (pictured above right) can be used for voltage

testing, continuity testing and rotating magnetic field measurement. They feature an all-round LC display and a flashlight and have a safety specification to CAT IV. Other products in the range include three digital multimeters and three clamp meters. The three clamp meter models come with a fully retractable clamp mechanism to enable cables to be easily grabbed. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Making better use of solar Available from the Electric Heating Company (EHC) is a new range of Solar PV Ready Electric Radiators. The system works with an intelligent controller that will divert energy to either a hot water cylinder or ceramic panel radiators when it is not otherwise needed by the occupant. It is designed primarily for social housing applications and is claimed to ensure that the tenant benefits from every watt of power that their solar panels produce. MD Bill Walters comments: “It will save the tenant money on their gas or other energy costs and make the occupied space a more comfortable place to live.” EHC would welcome an approach from any social landlords who would like to participate in a trial. Those interested are invited to contact the company on 01698 820533 or visit the website below. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Designed to provide safe and efficient heating for vulnerable users, the new LST radiator range from the QRL Radiator Group combines the company’s hi-lo panel radiator range with new NHS-compliant LST casings. Available in three heights (500, 650 and 800mm), the LST casings ensure radiator surface temperatures stay below 43°C, allowing them to be used in a range of healthcare applications, as well as schools, social housing and other public buildings. For easy, lowrisk cleaning and upkeep, the casings also feature a special hinge mechanism which provides quick access to the radiator itself. For a deeper clean, the hinges can be fully retracted to detach the casing from the emitter altogether.

For extra flexibility at the installation stage, QRL is also offering separately packaged casings and emitters – providing the option for the casings to be delivered and fitted at a later date (as part of a second fix). This not only allows for simple retrofitting to existing hi-lo panels, but also means each casing is protected from potential on-site damage from firstfix activities.

The new LST radiators come with all necessary components, including external and internal TRVs and an anti-microbial, MRSAresistant coating. They also feature heavy-duty pencilproof grilles that allow air to circulate effectively, while preventing foreign objects from being dropped into the casing. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Compact height tower offers a flexible platform solution The latest modular MiniMAX system from BoSS Towers has been designed for both indoor or outdoor working environments. Said to be easy to transport and store, it is claimed to be perfect for workers needing a compact tower system suitable for a range of applications. It comes complete with snap click fittings for easy assembly and versatile 0.26m stepping height platform adjustments that allow a maximum platform safe working load of 220kg. When dismantled the system is slim enough to fit through standard doorways

or corridors and the base unit can be safety operated by one person. Product Manager Sophie Ellam comments: “MiniMAX

is the perfect marriage of strength, versatility and convenience.” PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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COMPETITION

WHat’s New

GET A GRIP!

Shower in luxury under halo spray Two new showers featuring Aurajet technology have been added to Methven’s range of Aio premium showers. First is the Aio 220mm Overhead Shower, which is almost 70% larger than a standard handset. It produces a ‘halo’ design for wide coverage of water spray and is designed for mains or high pressures. It is available in all-over chrome and chrome/white options. The other new addition is the dual head Aio Shower System (pictured), which

A tough KNIPEX robust tool case and 3 sets of Cobra 250mm Pliers to be won! We’ve teamed up with plier specialists KNIPEX to offer one lucky reader the chance to win its ultra tough Robust Tool Case, while three lucky runners up have the chance to grab a pair of Cobra 250mm pliers.

PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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control valve

The KNIPEX Robust Tool Case is dustproof, air and watertight for extra protection and is resistant to temperatures from -40°C to +80°C. There is a document compartment for instruction manuals and notes; an incredible 35 pouches which can be filled with tools; and two aluminium dividers so the bottom tray can be customized.

Pliers for pros The teeth on the KNIPEX Cobra pliers have a groundbreaking design and, like the snake which gave the range its name, they pitilessly grab the item being worked upon. The pliers are also specially hardened during manufacture to approximately 61 HRC, so the firm grip is extremely long-lasting. Forged and oil-hardened, the Cobra pliers have all the hallmarks of KNIPEX quality, made in Germany.

How to Enter Entering the competition is easy and doesn’t even cost the price of a stamp. Simply read the question below and then write your answer on the freepost reader enquiry and registration card inside this month’s issue. So, for example, if you think the answer is ‘Snake’, you should write 101 on the card. Only one entry will be allowed per person and the winner will be drawn from all the correct entries received before the closing date of 4th July 2016.

What is the reptilian name of the KNIPEX super strong pliers? Python..........102

Cobra.............103

The EZ-Fit Flue range from Grant Engineering has been enhanced with all of the external parts of the company’s low-level flue system now available in a black finish. This option is designed to provide a more modern, unobtrusive look at no increased cost. The new black low level kits will also be complemented by a black version of the existing plume diverter kit. For no additional cost, installers can offer homeowners the option of either the existing stainless steel finish or the new black style. www.grantuk.com

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The TA-Modulator from IMI Hydronic Engineering offers a solution to problems caused by inaccurate control technology in heating or cooling systems. It is said to eliminate uncomfortable temperature oscillations, noisy systems, and expensive energ y bills. It is a precise pressure independent balancing and control valve that works in conjunction with the the company’s TASlider range of fully digitally configurable actuators. Together, the technology delivers the exact amount of energy to ensure comfort and reduced energy costs. A built-in pressure controller protects the valve against pressure fluctuations in the installation, keeps the temperature control stable, and minimises the number of actuator movements. ENQUIRY No. www.imi-hydronic.com 162

Discreet design in Flatlines Building on its FlatLine range of radiators, Vasco has added two new models. The vertical Flat-V-Line and the Flat-PlinthLine are said to offer the benefit of many connection

options to ease installation. They also have a solid finish using the S600 structural varnish. For installations in bathrooms or kitchens, a towel rail can be added.

The vertical panel radiator with its flat front plate (pictured) provides levels of heat release up to 3251W. It offers six connection points. The Vasco Flat-PlinthLine is the horizontal plinth panel radiator with a flat front panel, side panels and designer line grill. With eight connection points, this variant can be connected universally, regardless of the type and length. Vasco also offers a range of chrome accessories to suit each radiator in the FlatLine collection, including towel rails, chrome supports and designer thermostat heads in a white or chrome finish. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Back to black Intelligent

Top prize

Snake............101

comprises the fully-immersive Overhead Shower and the Shower Handset for a more directed and concentrated spray. The system comes with an integrated diverter to allow for easy switching between the two outlets. The Aio range also includes a handset, a wall shower on a short arm, a hi-rise shower, a hand shower with hose, wall outlet and parking bracket, a rail shower, and a thermostatic cool-to-touch bar shower and kit.

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WHat’s New Taps offer curvaceous appeal The fashionable Araya tap collection from Francis Pegler has been expanded so it can cater for a wider range of applications. It is described as a full bodied pillar tap with curvaceous lines which flow into an easy-to-operate lever handle. The ten-piece collection offers sleek contours and minimalistic styling that will appeal to design conscious consumers. Araya products also function as well as they look with simple and effective single lever operations that keep the user in control with the minimum of effort. All

products are supported by a 10 year guarantee. Designed for washrooms,

bathrooms and kitchens, the range delivers a number of options including deck mounted sink mixer, monobloc mixer, pillar taps and much more. “The extension to our designer Araya tap collection gives consumers and installers real flexibility in choosing design-led products that are competitively priced without compromising on the renowned Francis Pegler quality,” says Washroom Marketing Manager Mike Johnson. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Electronic urinal control Kinetic by Thomas Dudley is an intelligent water-saving all-in-one electronic urinal control, said to offer quick and easy installation. It is stylish and aest het ical ly pleasing to the eye, suitable for any washroom environment, and offers a choice to be installed onto pipework, walls or ceilings. The contemporary urinal flushing valve has been designed to save up to 80% of water in comparison with traditional petcock and automatic cistern installations. This product offers a quick and easy set-up solution with simple

instructions, saving time and guaranteeing accurate water-savings without the constant requirement of refilling and

emptying the cistern. Kinetic is available in both glossy white and grey finishes. It can be powered by mains or battery and is suitable for water pressures of 0.1 – 10 bar.

Dudley also offers a range of concealed solut ions t hat are suitable for bot h domestic bathrooms and commercial washrooms, such as its Vantage and Miniflo concealed cisterns. The products offer 6/4, 5/3 or 4/2.6 litre dual flush to maximise water efficiency and are approved by WRAS and the European Water Label Scheme. The c omp a ny also offers a wide range of water saving taps, push plates, buttons and touchfree sensors. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Finding Eden in a cubicle The range of self-contained Kinedo shower cubicles from Saniflo has been extended with the addition of the Eden. This new cubicle features polished chrome profiles and external glass panels plus internal panels in opaque white glass. As with all Kinedo cubicles they are completely leak-free, with no requirement for silicone or grout. The glass panels are all coated with Cristal Plus, a permanent, anti-limescale coating that minimises the build-up of calcium deposits and dirt and encourages water to run off the glass without leaving ‘hard to clean’ water marks and streaks. The Eden is available in both quadrant and corner versions, with either pivot

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or sliding doors and left and right handed versions. It comes in a full range of sizes, ensuring it is suitable for most bathrooms. The package includes a shower tray that works in harmony with the panels to create a watertight environment, whilst a modern, square design thermostatic valve is supplied as standard and features a built-in shelf for shampoo and shower gels. This combines with a contemporary rainshower head and separate handshower to provide a luxurious showering experience to appeal to housebuilders, domestic customers and hotel or guest house owners. PHAM NEWS ENQUIRY No.

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Tech Talk