October 2020

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 01/10/2020 16:37 Page 1

OCTOBER 2020 | VOLUME 58 | ISSUE 8

phamnews.co.uk

Survey shows that the ‘cowboy’ myth persists in public opinion pāƒ ũāŭāÖũóĞ ĕũŋĿ !ĞāóĴÖŶũÖùā ŭĞŋƒŭ ŶĞÖŶ ĿÖłƘ óŋłŭŽĿāũŭ óķĢłė Ŷŋ ŽłĕÖĢũ ŭŶāũāŋŶƘťāŭ ÖðŋŽŶ ŶũÖùāŭťāŋťķā̇ ùāŭťĢŶā ˡ˞ͮ ŭÖƘĢłė ŶĞāĢũ āƗťāũĢāłóāŭ ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞāĿ ĞÖƑā ðāāł ťŋŭĢŶĢƑā̍

ĞÖƑā Ö ƒŋũĴĿÖłŭĞĢť ŭóŋũā ŋĕ ķāŭŭ ŶĞÖł ˢ̓˚˙ ̞ ŶĞā ŭÖĿā óÖł ðā ŭÖĢù ĕŋũ ũāķĢÖðĢķĢŶƘ̇ ŶĢĿāĴāāťĢłė Öłù ŶĢùĢłāŭŭ̍

Respect campaign

¦Ğā ĕĢłùĢłėŭ ŭĞŋƒāù ŶĞÖŶ ÖķĿŋŭŶ Ŷƒŋ-ŶĞĢũùŭ ̛˟˜̜ͮ ŋĕ ŶĞŋŭā ŨŽāŭŶĢŋłāù Ğŋķù Ö łāėÖŶĢƑā ŋťĢłĢŋł ŋĕ ŶũÖùāŭťāŋťķā̍ zƑāũÖķķ̇ ˝˝% óŋłĕāŭŭ Ŷŋ ðāķĢāƑĢłė ŶĞÖŶ ̨óŋƒðŋƘŭ̪ Öũā óŋĿĿŋłťķÖóā̇ ƒĞĢķā Ŀŋũā ŶĞÖł ŋłā Ģł ˚˙ ̛˚˝̜ͮ ÖùĿĢŶ ŶĞāƘ̪Ƒā ŭŶāũāŋŶƘťāù ŶũÖùāŭťāŋťķā ðÖŭāù ťŽũāķƘ ŋł ŶĞā ťũŋĕāŭŭĢŋł̍ ¦Ğā ĿÖĢł ĿĢŭóŋłóāťŶĢŋłŭ ũāƑāÖķāù Ģł ŶĞā ŭŽũƑāƘ Öũā ŶĞÖŶ ŶũÖùāŭťāŋťķā Öũā Ŷŋŋ āƗťāłŭĢƑā ̛˛ˡ̜ͮ̇ ŽłũāķĢÖðķā ̛˛˜̜ͮ Öłù ŶĞÖŶ ŶĞāƘ̪ũā ̨ũĢť-ŋĕĕ ĿāũóĞÖłŶŭ̪ ̛˚ˢ̜ͮ̇

ƒĞĢķā ŋłā Ģł ˚˙ ̛˚˚̜ͮ Žŭāù ŶĞā ŶāũĿ ̨ŽłŭĴĢķķāù̪ Ŷŋ ùāŭóũĢðā ŶĞāĿ̇ ÖķŋłėŭĢùā ̨ŽłāùŽóÖŶāù̪ ̛˟̜ͮ̍ 'āŭťĢŶā ŭŽóĞ łāėÖŶĢƑā óŋĿĿāłŶŭ̇ Ö ĿÖıŋũĢŶƘ ũāťŋũŶāù ŶĞāƘ ĞÖù ťŋŭĢŶĢƑā ĢłŶāũÖóŶĢŋłŭ ƒĢŶĞ ŶũÖùāŭťāŋťķā̍ mŋũā ŶĞÖł Ö ŨŽÖũŶāũ ̛˛ˢ̜ͮ ĞÖƑā óÖķķāù Žťŋł ŶũÖùāŭťāŋťķā ŋƑāũ ŶĞā ķÖŭŶ ŭĢƗ ĿŋłŶĞŭ̇ Öłù ˡ˞% ÖùĿĢŶŶāù ŶĞÖŶ ĢŶ ƒÖŭ Ö ťŋŭĢŶĢƑā āƗťāũĢāłóā̇ ƒĞĢķā ˚˜ͮ óķÖĢĿāù ŶĞāĢũ āƗťāóŶÖŶĢŋłŭ ĞÖù ðāāł āƗóāāùāù̍ !ĞāóĴÖŶũÖùā ŭÖƘŭ ŶĞÖŶ ĢŶŭ ŋƒł ùÖŶÖ ŭĞŋƒŭ ŶĞÖŶ ŋłķƘ ˛ͮ ŋĕ ŶũÖùāŭ

¦ŋ óŋŽłŶāũÖóŶ ŶĞā ťāũŭĢŭŶāłóā ŋĕ ŽłĕÖĢũ ŭŶāũāŋŶƘťāŭ Ğāķù ðƘ ŶĞā ťŽðķĢó̇ !ĞāóĴÖŶũÖùā ĞÖŭ ķÖŽłóĞāù ŶĞā ̌ āŭťāóŶÈŋŽũ¦ũÖùāŭ óÖĿťÖĢėł̍ RŶ óāłŶũāŭ ŋł Ö ƑĢùāŋ ŭāũĢāŭ óÖķķāù ̨¦ũÖùāŭťāŋťķā āÖù māÖł ¦ƒāāŶŭ̪̇ ŭĞŋƒĢłė ŶĞā ũāÖķ ũāÖóŶĢŋłŭ ĕũŋĿ ĢŶŭ ƑāŶŶāù ĿāĿðāũŭ Ŷŋ ŭŋĿā ŋĕ ŶĞā łāėÖŶĢƑā óŋĿĿāłŶŭ ÖðŋŽŶ ŶũÖùāŭťāŋťķā ĕŋŽłù ŋł ŭŋóĢÖķ ĿāùĢÖ̍ ¦Ğā ÖĢĿ Ģŭ Ŷŋ ðŽŭŶ ŶĞā ĿƘŶĞŭ Öłù ĞĢėĞķĢėĞŶ ŶĞā ėŋŋù ƒŋũĴ ùŋłā ðƘ ŶũÖùāŭ ŭŽóĞ Öŭ ťķŽĿðāũŭ̇ āķāóŶũĢóĢÖłŭ Öłù ðŽĢķùāũŭ̍ `ŽķĢÖł āũũƘĿÖł Öłù !ĞũĢŭ DũāùĢÖłĢ̇ ŶĞā ðŽĢķùāũ Öłù ťķÖŭŶāũāũ ũāėŽķÖũķƘ ĕāÖŶŽũāù ŋł 'RÈ̟ z ̇ ĞÖƑā ŶĞũŋƒł ŶĞāĢũ ŭŽťťŋũŶ ðāĞĢłù ŶĞā !ĞāóĴÖŶũÖùā óÖĿťÖĢėł̆ ̦dĢĴā Öķķ ƒÖķĴŭ ŋĕ ķĢĕā̇ ŶĞāũā̪ŭ łŋ ėāŶŶĢłė ÖũŋŽłù ŶĞā ĕÖóŶ ŶĞÖŶ ŶĞāũā Öũā Ö ĕāƒ ðÖù Öťťķāŭ ŋŽŶ ŶĞāũā̇ ðŽŶ ŶĞÖŶ̪ŭ

Gas subsidy ŋłķƘ ðāłāƩŶŭ the rich, says report

Ŷŋ ðā ͎˛̍˛ðł̇ óŋŽķù ðā Žŭāù Ŷŋ Ğāķť ĕŽłù ƒÖũĿ ĞŋĿāŭ ĕŋũ ťŋŋũāũ ĞŋŽŭāĞŋķùŭ̍ ¦Ğā ĿŋłāƘ óŋŽķù ðā Žŭāù Ŷŋ Ğāķť ŶĞŋŭā ŋł ķŋƒ ĢłóŋĿāŭ Ŷŋ ĢĿťũŋƑā ŶĞā āłāũėƘ āƧóĢāłóƘ ŋĕ ŶĞāĢũ ĞŋĿāŭ Öłù ŭƒĢŶóĞ Ŷŋ ķŋƒ óÖũðŋł ĞāÖŶĢłė Ŷŋ ðũĢłė ŶĞāĢũ ĕŽāķ ðĢķķŭ ùŋƒł̇ Öŭ ƒāķķ Öŭ ðāĢłė ũāùĢŭŶũĢðŽŶāù ŶĞũŋŽėĞ ŶĞā ðāłāƩŶ ŭƘŭŶāĿ Ŷŋ ùĢũāóŶķƘ Ğāķť ŶĞŋŭā ĿŋŭŶ Ģł łāāù Ŷŋ ĞāÖŶ ŶĞāĢũ ĞŋĿāŭ̍ óóŋũùĢłė Ŷŋ ŶĞā ũāŭāÖũóĞ̇ ŶĞā ũĢóĞāŭŶ ˚˙ͮ ŋĕ ­b ĞŋŽŭāĞŋķùŭ Žŭā ŶƒĢóā Öŭ ĿŽóĞ ĞāÖŶĢłė ĕŽāķ Öŭ ŶĞā ťŋŋũāŭŶ ˚˙ͮ̍ RŶ Ģŭ ÖũėŽāù ŶĞÖŶ ŶĞā ėŋƑāũłĿāłŶ̪ŭ ŭŽðŭĢùƘ ŋĕ ĕŋŭŭĢķ ĕŽāķŭ Ģŭ ũāėũāŭŭĢƑā Öłù Ģŭ ĢłóŋĿťÖŶĢðķā ƒĢŶĞ ĢŶŭ ťķāùėā Ŷŋ

óŽŶ óÖũðŋł āĿĢŭŭĢŋłŭ̍ ¦Ğā ũāťŋũŶ ÖŽŶĞŋũŭ Öķŭŋ ŭŽėėāŭŶ ŶĞÖŶ ĢŶ ÖóŶŭ Öŭ Ö ùĢŭĢłóāłŶĢƑā Ŷŋ ũĢóĞāũ ĞŋŽŭāĞŋķùŭ̇ ƒĞŋ ĿĢėĞŶ ŋŶĞāũƒĢŭā ĢłƑāŭŶ Ģł āłāũėƘ āƧóĢāłóƘ ĿāÖŭŽũāŭ̍ dĢððƘ āÖĴā̇ ĞāÖù ŋĕ ũāŭŋŽũóā ťŋķĢóƘ ÖŶ ŶĞā Fũāāł ķķĢÖłóā̇ ŭÖƘŭ̆ ̦Âā łŋƒ ĞÖƑā ŶĞā ťāũĕāóŶ óĞÖłóā Ŷŋ ũāóŋłŭĢùāũ ƒĞÖŶ ŶÖƗāŭ Öũā ĕŋũ̇ ĢłóķŽùĢłė ƒĞÖŶ Ģŭ ŶÖƗāù Öłù ƒĞƘ̍ Dŋũ ŶĞā ėŋƑāũłĿāłŶ Ŷŋ ŭĞŋƒ ĢŶ Ģŭ ŭāũĢŋŽŭ ÖðŋŽŶ ĢŶŭ ťũŋĿĢŭāŭ Ŷŋ ðŋŶĞ ėũāāł ŶĞā āóŋłŋĿƘ Öłù ķāƑāķ Žť ŶĞā óŋŽłŶũƘ̇ ĢŶ ĿŽŭŶ āłù ŶĞĢŭ ĿÖŭŭĢƑā ŭŽðŭĢùƘ Ŷŋ ŶĞā ĕŋŭŭĢķ ĕŽāķ ĢłùŽŭŶũƘ Öłù Žŭā ŶĞā ĕŽłùŭ Ŷŋ āłŭŽũā ŶĞŋŭā ƒĞŋ Öũā ķāŭŭ well-ŋƦ ĞÖƑā ƒÖũĿ ĞŋĿāŭ ŶĞÖŶ Öũā ĢłāƗťāłŭĢƑā Ŷŋ ĞāÖŶ̧̍

łāƒ ũāťŋũŶ ĕũŋĿ Fũāāł ķķĢÖłóā̇ Öł ĢłùāťāłùāłŶ ŶĞĢłĴ ŶÖłĴ ėũŋŽť̇ ŭŽėėāŭŶŭ ŶĞÖŶ ŶĞā Á ¦ ũāùŽóŶĢŋł ŋł ėÖŭ̇ ƒĞĢóĞ óŽũũāłŶķƘ ĢłóŽũŭ Á ¦ ÖŶ ŋłķƘ ˞ͮ̇ ŋłķƘ ðāłāĕĢŶŭ ƒāķķ-off ĞŋŽŭāĞŋķùŭ̍ ¦Ğā ũāťŋũŶ ÖũėŽāŭ ŶĞÖŶ ŶĞā āƗŶũÖ ũāƑāłŽā ėÖĢłāù ĕũŋĿ ĢłóũāÖŭĢłė Á ¦ Ŷŋ ˛˙ͮ̇ āŭŶĢĿÖŶāù

ƒĞƘ ĢŶ̪ŭ ŭŋ ĢĿťŋũŶÖłŶ Ŷŋ ŭŶĢóĴ Ŷŋ ũāťŽŶÖðķā̇ ƑāŶŶāù ŶũÖùāŭťāŋťķā̍ ̦zŽũ ĢłùŽŭŶũƘ ĞÖŭ ðāāł ťķÖėŽāù ðƘ ťũāıŽùĢóāŭ ĕŋũ ùāóÖùāŭ ðŽŶ ŶĞā ŶũÖùāŭ ƒā óŋĿā Öóũŋŭŭ āƑāũƘ ùÖƘ Öũā ĢłóũāùĢðķƘ ĞÖũù ƒŋũĴĢłė̇ ŭĴĢķķāù̇ Öłù óŋĿĿĢŶŶāù Ŷŋ ùŋĢłė Ö ėŋŋù ıŋð̍ ÂĢŶĞ ŭŋ ĿÖłƘ óŽũũāłŶķƘ Ģł ťāŋťķā̪ŭ ĞŋĿāŭ ùŋĢłė ėũāÖŶ ũāťÖĢũ Öłù ũāłŋƑÖŶĢŋł ƒŋũĴ̇ łŋƒ ĕāāķŭ ķĢĴā Ö ėŋŋù ŶĢĿā Ŷŋ ÖŭĴ ťāŋťķā Ŷŋ ũāÖŭŭāŭŭ ŶĞāĢũ ƑÖķŽā̧̍ m Ģ Ĵ ā D Ö Ģ ũ Ŀ Ö ł ̇ ! 1 z ŋ ĕ !ĞāóĴÖŶũÖùā̇ Öùùŭ̆ ̦zŽũ ĿāĿðāũŭ̪ ķĢƑāķĢĞŋŋùŭ ùāťāłù ŋł ŶĞāĢũ ėũāÖŶ ũāťŽŶÖŶĢŋłŭ̍ zƑāũ ŶĞā ķÖŭŶ ĕāƒ ĿŋłŶĞŭ̇ ŶĞāƘ̪Ƒā ðāāł ðŽĢķùĢłė łāƒ ĞŋŭťĢŶÖķŭ̇ ĴāāťĢłė óŋĿĿŽłĢŶĢāŭ óŋłłāóŶāù̇ ŋĕĕāũĢłė ĴāƘƒŋũĴāũ ùĢŭóŋŽłŶŭ̇ Öłù Öũā łŋƒ ĞāķťĢłė ťāŋťķā Žť Öłù ùŋƒł ŶĞā óŋŽłŶũƘ ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞāĢũ ĞŋĿā ĢĿťũŋƑāĿāłŶŭ Öłù ũāťÖĢũŭ̇ ŭŋ ĢŶ̪ŭ ŭÖù Ŷŋ ĞāÖũ ŭŋ ĿÖłƘ Öũā ŭŶĢķķ ŭŶũŽėėķĢłė Ŷŋ ŭĞÖĴā ŋĕĕ ŭŶāũāŋŶƘťāŭ̧̍ ¦ŋ ƑĢāƒ ŶĞā ̌ āŭťāóŶÈŋŽũ¦ũÖùāŭ óÖĿťÖĢėł ƑĢùāŋ̇ Žŭā ŶĞā Öùùũāŭŭ̆ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˙˜

ŭ ƒāķķ Öŭ āłùĢłė ŶĞā ŭŽðŭĢùƘ ŋł ĞŋŽŭāĞŋķù ėÖŭ Öłù ŋŶĞāũ ĞāÖŶĢłė ĕŽāķŭ̇ ŶĞā Fũāāł ķķĢÖłóā ÖũėŽāŭ ŶĞÖŶ Á ¦ ĕŋũ ðŽĢķùĢłė ũāłŋƑÖŶĢŋłŭ ŭĞŋŽķù ðā ơāũŋ-ũÖŶāù̇ Öŭ ƒāķķ Öŭ Á ¦ ŋł ũāťÖĢũ ŭāũƑĢóāŭ̇ Ŷŋ Ğāķť ŭŶĢĿŽķÖŶā ŶĞā ũāťÖĢũ ĢłùŽŭŶũƘ̍ ¦Ğā ŶĞĢłĴ ŶÖłĴ ŭŽėėāŭŶŭ ŶĞÖŶ ŭŽóĞ Ö ĿŋƑā óŋŽķù Ğāķť ŭŽťťŋũŶ ˜˝̇˙˙˙ ıŋðŭ Ģł ŶĞā ũāťÖĢũ ĢłùŽŭŶũƘ̍ RŶ Ģŭ óķÖĢĿāù ŶĞÖŶ ŶĞā ėŋƑāũłĿāłŶ Ģŭ óŽũũāłŶķƘ ùĢŭóŋŽũÖėĢłė ÖóŶĢƑĢŶĢāŭ ŶĞÖŶ ƒŋŽķù ķāÖù Ŷŋ Ŀŋũā ŭāóŽũā ıŋðŭ Öłù Ö ėũāāłāũ̇ ĞāÖķŶĞĢāũ ŭŋóĢāŶƘ̇ ƒĞĢķā ÖŶ ŶĞā ŭÖĿā ŶĢĿā āłóŋŽũÖėĢłė ÖóŶĢƑĢŶĢāŭ ŶĞÖŶ ùÖĿÖėā ŶĞā āłƑĢũŋłĿāłŶ Öłù ŭŽťťũāŭŭ ıŋð óũāÖŶĢŋł̍

Inside this issue Benchmark How a new app will ðāłāƩŶ ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ See page ˛˜

Essential tools ÂĞÖŶ ŭĞŋŽķù ðā Ģł ƘŋŽũ ŶŋŋķðŋƗ̎ See page ˝˚

Spotlight ĢĿťķĢĕƘĢłė ƒŋũĴ Ģł ŶĢėĞŶ ŭťÖóāŭ See page ˝˟

PHAM OCT20 SCREWFIX:Layout 1 29/09/2020 15:47 Page 1

PHAM OCT20 SCREWFIX:Layout 1 29/09/2020 15:47 Page 2

PHAM OCT20 CHECKATRADE:Layout 1 29/09/2020 10:29 Page 1

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 01/10/2020 16:37 Page 5

Inside this issue 5 OCTOBER 2020 VOLUME 58 ISSUE 8

Editor’s Viewpoint

by Chris Jones

Unskilled competition With no end to the coronavirus crisis in sight, and the unavoidable consequences for the global economy, it’s inevitable that a number of companies have looked to reduce their ƒŋũĴĕŋũóā̍ ¦Ğā ­b̪ŭ ŽłāĿťķŋƘĿāłŶ Ʃ ėŽũāŭ Öũā ťũāùĢóŶāù Ŷŋ ũĢŭā ŭĢėłĢƩ óÖłŶķƘ̇ ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞŋŭā ƒĞŋ āÖũł Ö ķĢƑĢłė Ģł ŶĞā ũāŶÖĢķ Öłù hospitality industries particularly vulnerable. Part of the government’s response has been to urge people to retrain and learn new skills. Some of those out of work will seek to access the relatively secure world of IT and computer programming, but many others will try to turn their hands to more practical skills – thus anyone who currently earns a living in the heating and plumbing trade may very soon be having to contend with an increase in local competition.

Earlier this year, the CIPHE issued a warning that the āóŋłŋĿĢó óķĢĿÖŶā ƒÖŭ ũĢťā ĕŋũ Öł Ģłƪ ŽƗ ŋĕ ũŋėŽā ŶũÖĢłāũŭ Öłù rogue training courses, as many of those who have been made redundant will view a building-related trade as an attractive prospect. With no regulations to prevent them from doing ŋŶĞāũƒĢŭā̇ ŶĞāũā ƒĢķķ Öķŭŋ ðā ŶĞŋŭā ƒĞŋ ƒĢķķ ðā ĞÖťťƘ Ŷŋ ŋƦ āũ their ‘general handyman’ services, without necessarily bothering to sign up for any courses.

This month’s cover story highlights that many householders continue to view professional tradespeople as ‘cowboys’, and an increase in the number of unskilled operators is unlikely to change that perception. Checkatrade, the online directory of vetted and recommended tradespeople, has launched a social media campaign to counteract such damaging misconceptions. Âā ƒĢŭĞ ŶĞā óÖĿťÖĢėł ƒāķķ̇ ðŽŶ ŶĞāƘ óŋŽķù ðā Ʃ ėĞŶĢłė Öł ŽťĞĢķķ battle.

Follow us on twitter @PHAMnews

Special Features

23

Gas Boilers

The importance of using genuine spare parts and how installers can address safety concerns

05 Contents 06 News Review

48 Competition

34 Products in Action 46 Product Spotlight

48 Competition

14 Letters

49 Information Centre

16 Point of View

49 Directory

17 CIPHE Infographic

51 Training & Assessments

18 Business Matters 20 Training Update

Annabel Stones

Benchmark

Tools & Workwear

16

23

44

How the launch of a new Benchmark Öťť ƒĢķķ ðāłāƩ Ŷ ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ ðƘ ŭÖƑĢłė time and reducing paperwork.

Why investment in good workwear ƒĢķķ ũāƪ āóŶ ƘŋŽũ ĞĢėĞ ŭŶÖłùÖũùŭ Öłù help to build customer trust.

PUBLISHING TEAM

FREE SUBSCRIPTION

ENQUIRIES: Managing Editor Chris Jones Tel: 01889 577222 Assistant Editor Carol Hitchcock Email: circulation@phamnews.co.uk Publishers Chris Evans / Russ Jackson Southern Advertisement Manager Nathan Wood 29,033 'PEWWMƼ IH 7EPIW Sharon Nutter ABC Audited circulation Administration and Production Helen Green Jan-Dec 2019 Circulation Manager Sue Bethell Design Consultant Tim Plummer )HMXSVMEP 7SYXLIVR 7EPIW 3ƾ GI PHAM News, 1b Station Square, Flitwick, Bedfordshire MK45 1DP Tel: 01525 716143 Editorial Email: editor@phamnewsedit.co.uk Sales Email: nathan@phamnews.co.uk 2SVXLIVR 3ƾ GI PHAM News, Argyle Business Centre, 8 Leicester Street, Southport, Lancashire PR9 0EZ Tel: 01704 501090 Email: russ@phamnews.co.uk

Products which could prove to be a useful addition to any professional installer’s toolbox

13 Horror Show

Billy Wilgar

Published by: Pinede Publishing Ltd 16/18 Hawkesyard Hall, Armitage Park, Rugeley, Staffordshire WS15 1PU Tel: 01889 577222 Email: info@phamnews.co.uk www.phamnews.co.uk

Tools & Workwear

47 Product News

Point of View

Incorporating: Plumbing & Heating News Plumbing & Heating Equipment News

Why electric heating systems are ideal for high rise developments, and the latest advances in technology

41

13 People on the Move

Rod Hickmott

The Essential Magazine for Plumbing, Heating & Air Movement Professionals

Electric Heating

Regulars

Contributors

Can the approval process for products that need to comply with water regulations be improved?

35

ISSN 1368-9061 Printed by: Precision Colour Printing Ltd. Origination by: Design & Media Solutions

© Copyright 2020 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.

Another chance to win Daikin’s prize bundle

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 01/10/2020 16:37 Page 6

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

6

News Review Response to heat pump training consultation

Apprentice does North Wales college proud The ˛˙˛˙ NR ťťũāłŶĢóā ŋĕ ŶĞā ÈāÖũ óŋĿťāŶĢŶĢŋł ĞÖŭ ðāāł ƒŋł ðƘ ¦ĞŋĿÖŭ ` ¦ĞŋĿÖŭ̇ Ö dāƑāķ ˜ Coleg dķÖłùũĢķķŋ ŭŶŽùāłŶ ̛ťĢóŶŽũāù ÖðŋƑā̜̍ ¦ĞŋĿÖŭ ðāÖŶ ŋƦ óŋĿťāŶĢŶĢŋł ĕũŋĿ Ŷƒŋ ŋŶĞāũ ŶÖķāłŶāù ťķŽĿðĢłė Öłù ĞāÖŶĢłė ķāÖũłāũŭ Ģł ŶĞā ƩłÖķ̆ `ŋŭāťĞ ÖũĴĢłŭŋł ĕũŋĿ ­łĢƑāũŭĢŶƘ óÖùāĿƘ NŋķðāÖóĞ Öłù NÖũũƘ āėķāũ ĕũŋĿ F College. ̦RŶ̪ŭ Öł ÖĿÖơĢłė ŶĞĢłė Ŷŋ ťŽŶ ŋł ƘŋŽũ !Á̧̇ ŭÖƘŭ ¦ĞŋĿÖŭ̍ ̦Rĕ R āƑāũ łāāù Ŷŋ ķŋŋĴ ĕŋũ ƒŋũĴ Ģł ĕŽŶŽũā̇ R óÖł ŭÖƘ R̪Ƒā ùŋłā ĢŶ Öłù ĢŶ̪ķķ ėĢƑā Ŀā Ö ŭŶāť Žţ̌̍ 'ŋơāłŭ ŋĕ óŋĿťāŶĢŶŋũŭ ŶŋŋĴ ťÖũŶ Ģł ŭāƑāł ũāėĢŋłÖķ ĞāÖŶŭ ðāŶƒāāł `ÖłŽÖũƘ Öłù mÖũóĞ Öóũŋŭŭ ŶĞā óŋŽłŶũƘ̇ ðāĕŋũā ŶĞā ķŋóĴùŋƒł óÖŽŭāù ŶĞā óŋĿťāŶĢŶĢŋł Ŷŋ ðā ťŋŭŶťŋłāù̍ āƑāł ũāėĢŋłÖķ ƒĢłłāũŭ ŶĞāł óŋĿťķāŶāù Ö ŭĞŋũŶ ŋłķĢłā ŶāŭŶ̇ ðāĕŋũā ŶĞā Ŷŋť ŶĞũāā óŋĿťāŶāù Ģł Ö ŋłā-ùÖƘ ķĢƑā ĕĢłÖķ ƒĞĢóĞ ŶŋŋĴ ťķÖóā ÖŶ ŶĞāĢũ ŋƒł óŋķķāėāŭ ŋł ˛ˢŶĞ āťŶāĿðāũ̍ ķÖŶĢłŽĿ ŭťŋłŭŋũ '1È̪ŭ !ŋķĢł ÈāÖũť̇ ƒĞŋ Ğāķťāù ıŽùėā ŶĞā óŋĿťāŶĢŶĢŋł̇ ŭÖĢù̆ ̦ ķķ ŶĞũāā ƩłÖķĢŭŶŭ ĞÖƑā ðũŋŽėĞŶ ŨŽÖķĢŶƘ Ŷŋ ŶĞā ƒĞŋķā ťũŋóāāùĢłėŭ Öłù ĢŶ̪ŭ ėũāÖŶ Ŷŋ ŭāā ŶĞā łāƗŶ ėāłāũÖŶĢŋł ťāũĕŋũĿĢłė Žłùāũ ťũāŭŭŽũā̧̍

The results of a consultation on ŨŽÖķĢƩóÖŶĢŋł óũĢŶāũĢÖ ĕŋũ ķŋƒ óÖũðŋł heating system training courses has ðāāł ŽłƑāĢķāù ðƘ ŶĞā NāÖŶ ŽĿť ŭŭŋóĢÖŶĢŋł ̛N ̜̇ ŭĞŋƒĢłė ŭŽťťŋũŶ ÖĿŋłė ėÖŭ ðŋĢķāũ Öłù ĞāÖŶ ťŽĿť ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ ĕŋũ ŶĞā N ̪ŭ ¦ũÖĢłĢłė ŶũÖŶāėƘ̍ ¦Ğā ŶũÖŶāėƘ ƒÖŭ ťŽðķĢŭĞāù ÖķŋłėŭĢùā ŶĞā óŋłŭŽķŶÖŶĢŋł̇ ķÖƘĢłė ŋŽŶ Ğŋƒ ŶĞā ĞāÖŶĢłė ĢłùŽŭŶũƘ łāāùŭ Ŷŋ ðā ŶũÖłŭĕŋũĿāù Ŷŋ āłÖðķā ŶĞā ƒĢùāũ ÖùŋťŶĢŋł ŋĕ ĞāÖŶ ťŽĿťŭ ŶĞũŋŽėĞŋŽŶ ŶĞā ­b ðŽĢķùĢłė ŭŶŋóĴ̍ ¦Ğā ŶũÖŶāėƘ óŋłŶÖĢłŭ ĕĢƑā ŭŶāťŭ ĕŋũ Ğŋƒ Ö ťķŽĿðĢłė Öłù ĞāÖŶĢłė āłėĢłāāũ óÖł ðā ŶũÖĢłāù Ŷŋ ĿāāŶ ŶĞā łāƒ óĞÖķķāłėāŭ Ģł ŶũƘĢłė Ŷŋ ÖóĞĢāƑā ŶĞā ­b ėŋÖķ ŋĕ Ö ơāũŋ óÖũðŋł ĕŽŶŽũā̇ ũāùŽóĢłė ÖùĿĢłĢŭŶũÖŶĢŋł óŋŭŶ̇ Öłù

White paper looks into the future of heat ­b ðŋĢķāũ ĿÖłŽĕÖóŶŽũāũ ÂŋũóāŭŶāũ ŋŭóĞ ĞÖŭ ťŽðķĢŭĞāù Ö ƒĞĢŶā ťÖťāũ óÖķķāù ̨DŽāķķĢłė ŶĞā DŽŶŽũā̪̍ ÂŋũĴĢłė ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā ėŋƑāũłĿāłŶ̇ ŶĞā óŋĿťÖłƘ ŭÖƘŭ ŶĞÖŶ ĢŶ Ģŭ ùāŶāũĿĢłāù Ŷŋ óŋłŶĢłŽā ĢŶŭ ĿĢŭŭĢŋł Ŷŋ ùāóÖũðŋłĢŭā ĞŋĿā ĞāÖŶĢłė Ģł ŶĞā ­b ̞ Öłù ŶĞā ùŋóŽĿāłŶ ŭāŶŭ ŋŽŶ ĢŶŭ ƑĢŭĢŋł Ģł ŶĞā óŋĿĢłė ƘāÖũŭ ŋł Ğŋƒ Ŷŋ ÖóĞĢāƑā ŶĞĢŭ̍ ¦Ğā ƒĞĢŶā ťÖťāũ ùĢŭóŽŭŭāŭ Ö łŽĿðāũ ŋĕ ŶĞāĿāŭ ĢłóķŽùĢłė ĞƘùũŋėāł-ũāÖùƘ ðŋĢķāũŭ̇ ĞāÖŶ ťŽĿťŭ Öłù ĞƘðũĢù ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ̇ ŶĞÖŶ ƒĢķķ Öķķ óŋłŶũĢðŽŶā Ŷŋ Ö óķāÖłāũ āłƑĢũŋłĿāłŶ̍ ÂũĢŶĢłė Öł ĢłŶũŋùŽóŶĢŋł Ŷŋ ŶĞā ťÖťāũ̇ !1z !Öũķ ũłŶơāł ŭÖƘŭ̆ ̦Âā ŶĞĢłĴ ĢŶ Ģŭ āŭŭāłŶĢÖķ ŶĞÖŶ Öŭ Öł ĢłùŽŭŶũƘ ƒā łāāù Ŷŋ ũŋķķ Žť ŋŽũ ŭķāāƑāŭ Öłù ŭŶÖũŶ ťŽŶŶĢłė ťķÖłŭ ĢłŶŋ ÖóŶĢŋł̇ ƒĞĢóĞ Ģŭ ƒĞƘ ŋŽũ ŋƒł

ũāóŋĿĿāłùĢłė ŶĞÖŶ ėŋƑāũłĿāłŶ ŭŽťťŋũŶ Ö ŶũÖĢłĢłė ƑŋŽóĞāũ ŭóĞāĿā for the first ˞˙˙˙ installers to go ŶĞũŋŽėĞ ŶĞā łāƒ óŋŽũŭā̍ ¦Ğā ĴāƘ ũāŭŽķŶŭ ĕũŋĿ ŶĞā óŋłŭŽķŶÖŶĢŋł ƒāũā̆ • ˢˡͮ ŋĕ ũāŭťŋłùāłŶŭ ƒāũā ťŋŭĢŶĢƑā ÖðŋŽŶ ŶĞā óŋłŶāłŶ ťũŋťŋŭāù ĕŋũ ŶĞā NāÖŶ ŽĿť DŋŽłùÖŶĢŋłŭ óŋŽũŭā̍ • zƑāũ ˕˕ͮ ŋĕ ũāŭťŋłùāłŶŭ ĢłùĢóÖŶāù ŶĞÖŶ ŶĞāƘ ƒŋŽķù ðā ķĢĴāķƘ ŋũ ƑāũƘ ķĢĴāķƘ Ŷŋ ÖŶŶāłù ŶĞā óŋŽũŭā̍

Fuelling the future Working hand in hand with the government to decarbonise home heating.

āƗťāũŶŭ ĞÖƑā ðāāł ÖťťũÖĢŭĢłė Öķķ ŋĕ ŶĞā ƑÖũĢŋŽŭ ŶāóĞłŋķŋėĢāŭ ŶĞÖŶ óÖł óŋłŶũĢðŽŶā ŶŋƒÖũùŭ Ö łāŶ-zero future. ̦ÂĢŶĞ ŶĞĢŭ ťÖťāũ ƒā ÖĢĿ Ŷŋ ėĢƑā Öł ĞŋłāŭŶ̇ ĢĿťÖũŶĢÖķ Öłù technology-ÖėłŋŭŶĢó ƑĢāƒ ŋł ŶĞā ðāłāƩŶŭ̇ ÖùƑÖłŶÖėāŭ Öłù ŭŽĢŶÖðķā ÖťťķĢóÖŶĢŋłŭ ĕŋũ ŶĞā ­b̪ŭ ĕŽŶŽũā ùŋĿāŭŶĢó ĞāÖŶĢłė ũāŨŽĢũāĿāłŶŭ̧̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˙˝

• The course content for the air ŭŋŽũóā ĞāÖŶ ťŽĿť ̛ N ̜ ŭťāóĢĕĢó óŋŽũŭā ƒÖŭ ƒāķķ-ũÖŶāù ðƘ ˢ˟% of ũāŭťŋłùāłŶŭ̍ ÂĞāł ÖŭĴāù ÖðŋŽŶ ĢŭŭŽāŭ ũāķÖŶāù Ŷŋ ŶÖĴĢłė Ö óŋŽũŭā̇ ĿÖłƘ óĢŶāù óŋŭŶ Öŭ Ö ĴāƘ óŋłŭĢùāũÖŶĢŋł Öłù ŭÖĢù ŶĞÖŶ ŶĞāƘ ƒŋŽķù ĕÖƑŋŽũ Öł ĢłŭŶÖķķāũ ƑŋŽóĞāũ ŭóĞāĿā̓ĢłóāłŶĢƑā Ŷŋ ŽłùāũŶÖĴā ŶĞā ŶũÖĢłĢłė̍ āėŽķÖŶŋũƘ ũāŨŽĢũāĿāłŶ ƒÖŭ ƑĢāƒāù Öŭ Ö ĴāƘ ĿŋŶĢƑÖŶĢŋł Ŷŋ ÖŶŶāłù ŭŽóĞ Ö óŋŽũŭā Ģĕ

ŶĞĢŭ óŋŽũŭā ƒÖŭ ĿÖłùÖŶŋũƘ Ŷŋ Ĵāāť ƒŋũĴĢłė̇ ƒĞĢķā ŋŶĞāũŭ óĢŶāù Öėā Öŭ Ö ũāÖŭŋł ŶĞÖŶ ŶĞāƘ ƒŋŽķù łŋŶ ÖŶŶāłù̍ ˡ˟ͮ ŋĕ ũāŭťŋłùāłŶŭ ƒāũā āĢŶĞāũ Ģł ÖėũāāĿāłŶ ŋũ ŋĕ łŋ ŋťĢłĢŋł ũāėÖũùĢłė ŶĞā ťũŋťŋŭāù ķāłėŶĞ ŋĕ ŶĢĿā ĕŋũ ŶĞā óŋŽũŭā ̛Ŷƒŋ ùÖƘŭ ĕŋũ ŶĞā ĞāÖŶ ťŽĿť ĕŋŽłùÖŶĢŋł óŋŽũŭā̇ ƒĢŶĞ ŋłā ùÖƘ ĕŋũ āÖóĞ ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ̜̇ ƒĞĢķā ŋŶĞāũŭ ŭŽėėāŭŶāù ŶĞÖŶ Öł ŋł-ŭĢŶā ĕŋķķŋƒ-Žť ÖŭŭāŭŭĿāłŶ ÖŶ Ö ķÖŶāũ ùÖŶā ƒŋŽķù ðā łāāùāù Ŷŋ āłŭŽũā ŨŽÖķĢŶƘ̍ FũÖĞÖĿ ÂũĢėĞŶ̇ óĞÖĢũĿÖł ŋĕ ŶĞā N ̇ óŋĿĿāłŶŭ̆ ̦¦Ğā ũāŭŽķŶŭ ŋĕ this consultation are an encourÖėĢłė ĢłùĢóÖŶĢŋł ŶĞÖŶ ŶĞā ĢłŭŶÖķķāũ ðÖŭā Ģŭ Ģł ÖėũāāĿāłŶ ŶĞÖŶ ŭĴĢķķŭ łāāù Ŷŋ ðā ÖŶ ŶĞā ũāŨŽĢũāù ķāƑāķ Ģł ŋũùāũ Ŷŋ āłŭŽũā ŶũÖùĢŶĢŋłÖķ ĿāŶĞŋùŭ ŋĕ ĞāÖŶĢłė Öũā ťĞÖŭāù ŋŽŶ Öłù ķŋƒ óÖũðŋł ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ Öũā āĿðũÖóāù̍ ̦  РĢ ķ ā ƒ ā Ğ Ö Ƒ ā ŭ ā ā ł Ö óŋĿĿĢŶĿāłŶ ĕũŋĿ ėŋƑāũłĿāłŶ ŶŋƒÖũùŭ ķŋƒ óÖũðŋł ĞāÖŶ Ģł ŋũùāũ Ŷŋ ĿāāŶ ŋŽũ łāŶ̟ơāũŋ ŶÖũėāŶŭ̇ ĢŶ Ģŭ Žť Ŷŋ Žŭ Öŭ Öł ĢłùŽŭŶũƘ Ŷŋ óŋĿĿŽłĢóÖŶā ũāėŽķÖũķƘ Öłù ťŽŶ ŶĞā ũĢėĞŶ ŶũÖĢłĢłė Ģł ťķÖóā ŶĞÖŶ ƒĢķķ ĿŋƑā ŋŽũ ĢłùŽŭŶũƘ ĕŋũƒÖũù̧̍

Plumbers pay more but get investments back quicker łāƒ ŭŶŽùƘ ĕũŋĿ RũŋłĿŋłėāũƘ 'ĢũāóŶ ĞÖŭ ŭĞŋƒł ŶĞā ŶƘťĢóÖķ óŋŭŶŭ ĕŋũ ŭāŶŶĢłė Žť Ö łāƒ ðŽŭĢłāŭŭ Ģł ĕŋŽũ ťŋťŽķÖũ ŶũÖùāŭ̇ ƒĢŶĞ ťķŽĿðĢłė óŋĿĢłė Ģł ÖŶ ŶĞā ĿŋŭŶ āƗťāłŭĢƑā̍ NŋƒāƑāũ̇ ùāŭťĢŶā ðāĢłė ŶĞā ĿŋŭŶ āƗťāłŭĢƑā ðŽŭĢłāŭŭ Ŷŋ ŭāŶ Žť̇ ĢŶ Ģŭ ŭÖĢù ŶĞÖŶ ťķŽĿðāũŭ óÖł āƗťāóŶ Ŷŋ āÖũł ðÖóĴ ŶĞāĢũ ĢłƑāŭŶĿāłŶ ŨŽĢóĴāŭŶ̇ Öŭ ŶĞāƘ Öũā Öðķā Ŷŋ óĞÖũėā ŶĞā ĞĢėĞāŭŶ ùÖĢķƘ ũÖŶāŭ̍ ƑāũÖėĢłė nearly £˜˞˙ Ö ùÖƘ̇ ŶĞā ͎ˢ˚˛˝ startŽť óŋŭŶ óŋŽķù ðā ũāťÖĢù ƒĢŶĞĢł ŭĢƗ ƒŋũĴĢłė ƒāāĴŭ̍ ¦Ğā ũāŭāÖũóĞ óŋłŭĢùāũāù āƑāũƘŶĞĢłė ĕũŋĿ ĢłŭŽũÖłóā Ŷŋ ĿÖũĴāŶĢłė ĕŋũ ŶĞā ťķŽĿðĢłė̇ ðŽĢķùĢłė̇ āķāóŶũĢóÖķ Öłù ıŋĢłāũƘ ŶũÖùāŭ̇ Öłù óÖĿā Žť ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā ĕŋķķŋƒĢłė ƩėŽũāŭ̆

ː̜ `ŋĢłāũƘ ̞ ͎˟˟˝˛ ̛ũāťÖĢù Ģł łĢłā ƒāāĴŭ̇ ͎˚˞˙ Ö ùÖƘ̜ ˑ̜ ŽĢķùĢłė ̞ ͎˟ˠˢ˚ ̛łĢłā ƒāāĴŭ̇ £˚˟˙ Ö ùÖƘ̜ ˒̜ 1ķāóŶũĢóÖķ ̞ ͎˟ˡˠ˜ ̛ŭĢƗ ƒāāĴŭ̇ £˛˝˞ Ö ùÖƘ̜ ˓̜ ķŽĿðĢłė ̞ ͎ˢ˚˛˝ ̛ŭĢƗ ƒāāĴŭ̇ £˜˝ˠ Ö ùÖƘ̜ złā ŋĕ ŶĞā ĿŋŭŶ ŭĢėłĢƩóÖłŶ ŋŽŶėŋĢłėŭ Ģŭ ÖóóũāùĢŶÖŶĢŋł̇ Öł ÖũāÖ ƒĞāũā ťķŽĿðĢłė óŋĿťÖłĢāŭ Öũā ķĢÖðķā Ŷŋ ťÖƘ ŶĞā ĿŋŭŶ̍ ŽóĞ óũāùāłŶĢÖķŭ óÖł óŋŭŶ ŋƑāũ ͎˜˙˙˙̇ ƒĞĢóĞ Ģŭ ŭĢėłĢƩóÖłŶķƘ Ŀŋũā ŶĞÖł ŋŶĞāũ ŶũÖùāŭ̍ ŋĿā āƗťāłŭāŭ̇ ĞŋƒāƑāũ̇ Öũā łāóāŭŭÖũƘ Öóũŋŭŭ Öķķ ŭāóŶŋũŭ̇ ŭŽóĞ Öŭ ĢłŭŽũÖłóā̇ ĿÖũĴāŶĢłė̇ óŋĿťÖłƘ ũāėĢŭŶũÖŶĢŋł̇ Öłù ƑÖł ĞĢũā̍

PHAM OCT20 CONTINEL:Layout 1 21/09/2020 10:47 Page 1

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 30/09/2020 14:00 Page 8

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

8

News Review

Demand for trade work on the rise New research from Powered Now has shown post-lockdown growth in productivity for the UK’s trade workforce. Figures for July found that ˝˟% of tradespeople saw their workload increase, and new data suggests that ˚˞% of tradespeople are the busiest they have ever been, with a further ˚˟% saying that the threat of a second wave would not deter them from starting jobs that they had lined up.

The construction sectors have been experiencing a V-shaped recovery, with economic forecasts so far providing a more optimistic outlook. Latest PMI Construction Index figures have shown that construction output in August was ˞˝̍˟%, which, while being a decrease from the ˞ˡ̍˚% recorded Ģł `ŽķƘ̇ ĢŶ ŭŽėėāŭŶŭ ŶĞÖŶ ƩũĿŭ Öũā continuing to grow.

will provide an overview of what direction the heating market is most likely to take in the future in terms of alternative heating technologies and what this will mean for installers regarding developing their skills.

CEO of APHC, John Thompson, comments: “The online workshop

will provide opportunities for installers to share their thoughts, opinions, and views on how the heating market needs to develop in terms of what alternative heat technologies should be at the ĕŋũāĕũŋłŶ ŋĕ ėŋƑāũłĿāłŶ ŭŶũÖŶāėƘ̵̍ “We also want to understand what support installers feel they need from government to help them and the industry move to alternative heating technologies.”

Due to differences with the Welsh and UK Parliaments, there will be separate webinars for each: Wales workshops take place on 6th October (˜̟˝pm) and 8th October (˚˙̟˚˚ am). England workshops are run on ˠth October (˜̟˝pm) and 9th October (˚˙̟˚˚am).

To book your place, send an email to: marketing@aphc.co.uk.

disciplines (electrical, plumbing, heating & ventilating and engineering maintenance).

Jon Graham, chief executive of JTL, says: “This year marks a truly special anniversary for everybody involved with JTL as we celebrate ˜˙ years of training people, and continue our vision of supporting our learners with opportunities to

build futures and change their lives. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported JTL over the years, from apprentices and staff to employers and industry bodies, plus all those working behind the scenes to help establish JTL as the leading training provider it is today.”

Alternative heating at heart of workshops

Ben Dyer, CEO of Powered Now, comments: “The whole industry is still in catch-up mode and the various projects that were delayed by the lockdown are now taking priority. This has helped to spike demand and we expect it to continue in the short term. Our research has entirely confirmed that tradespeople and consumers alike are very much eager to sustain this growth.”

BESA conference plans The annual BESA National Conference and Exhibition will be held online this year on the ˝ and ˞ November, as a consequence of the challenges caused by the ongoing pandemic. The Conference will look to build on the success of BESA’s series of daily webinars that kept the industry updated on commercial, business and health & safety developments throughout the Covid-˚ˢ crisis.

“We are using the extensive digital experience we gained this year to bring the industry two days of top notch technical, industry and business content on a brand new virtual conference platform,” says the Association’s chief executive David Frise.

To register for a place at the conference, use the link below. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˙˞

The APHC and Travis Perkins have teamed up to host four online workshops during Quality Plumber Week (˞-˚˚ October), with an emphasis on the future of heating in the UK. Travis Perkins will provide an insight on current sales trends in England and Wales for alternative heat technologies and their views on how the heating industry is currently developing. The APHC

Celebrating three decades of service to apprentices National training provider JTL is celebrating its ˜˙-year anniversary.

Established in ˚ˢˢ˙, JTL became a registered charity in ˛˙˙˙, and two years later began offering apprenticeships in plumbing, in addition to electrical opportunities, with professional short courses introduced in ˛˙˚˚.

Today, JTL works with over ˜ˡ˙˙ b usi n esses, t r ai ni ng m or e apprentices than anyone else in the building services engineering sector, and supporting ˡ˙˙˙ young people across four apprenticeship

A new customer loyalty programme has been launched by Worcester Bosch, aimed at helping installers to reach their business goals. The Excelerate scheme enables registrants to progress Žť ŶĞā ̨ķŋƘÖķŶƘ ķÖùùāũ̪̇ óŋķķāóŶĢłė Ŀŋũā ðāłāƩŶŭ Öŭ they go. Rewards include discounts on training, product accessories, marketing and business advice, as well as transferring points onto a Worcester Bosch branded credit card.

To celebrate the launch of the new programme, the company is running a number of time-limited promotions, including double points for registering a Greenstar ˡ˙˙˙ Style boiler before ˜˚st December, and double points for all Greenstar oil boiler registrations.

Members of the previous loyalty scheme, Greenstar Rewards, will also have their account and points automatically transferred across to the new scheme.

To learn more about Excelerate, sign up online using the reader link below. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˙˟

PHAM OCT20 DAIKIN:Layout 1 21/09/2020 10:50 Page 1

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 01/10/2020 11:06 Page 10

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

10

News Review Investment expands manufacturing capability

pāƒ ķŋŋĴ ũāƪāóŶŭ ĿĢŭŭĢŋł The Scotland and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) has unveiled a new brand, with an eye-catching new logo designed to depict the organisation’s vision and values as part of its new, wholly interactive, mobile-friendly web presence.

Particular attention has been paid to making the website compatible with mobile devices and increasing ease of navigation, meaning that members will be able to stay in touch and remain up to ùÖŶā ƒĞĢķā ŋł ŭĢŶā ŋũ ŋŽŶ Ģł ŶĞā Ʃāķù̍ Fiona Hodgson, chief executive of SNIPEF, says: “The blue water drop and the green flame illustrate the fundamental basis of the plumbing and heating

profession. We chose a green ƪÖĿā Ŷŋ ũāťũāŭāłŶ ũāłāƒÖðķā Öłù sustainable energy, something which is going to become increasingly important in coming years, given the UK’s and the devolved administrations’ commitment to meeting climate targets.”

The new logo also carries an updated tagline, the shorter and more concise ‘Plumbing and Heating Association’, intended to clarify the organisation’s core competences and to suggest a sense of working together for a common purpose. The website includes a host of new features, including a Members Only section. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˙ˠ

British shower products manufacturer, Kudos, is continuing its ͎˟˞˙̇˙˙˙ investment plan to expand its UK manufacturing capability.

Early this year, Kudos moved its finished goods stock from its manufacturing site in Cumbria to a new warehouse facility in Sandbach, Cheshire. The move places the company’s finished goods stock in a more central UK location with easier access to the motorway network, while also releasing space in the Elmsfield Park, Cumbria facility, enabling the expansion of its manufacturing capability.

In addition to increasing its enclosure output, the extra capacity will see the installation of a new shower tray production facility to supplement the existing tray

manufacturing unit in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, which has seen growth by over ˞˙% in the last three years and is rapidly approaching full capacity.

To help installers pocket some extra money this year, Baxi’s óÖŭĞðÖóĴ ťũŋĿŋŶĢŋł ĞÖŭ ũāŶŽũłāù̇ ŋƦāũĢłė Ö óĞÖłóā Ŷŋ óŋķķāóŶ more rewards. For every three Baxi ˟˙˙̓ˡ˙˙ boiler installations registered on Baxi Works, installers can claim ͎˜˙˙ back.

The uncapped promotion means Baxi installers have unlimited opportunities to earn while the scheme runs until the end of November ˛˙˛˙. New and existing Baxi Works members can take advantage of the promotion.

Dave Cook, residential sales director - UK&I at Baxi, says: “With ͎˜˙˙ cashback for every three installations, that translates to ͎˟˙˙ for six boilers, ͎ˢ˙˙ for nine boilers, ͎˚˛˙˙ for ˚˛ boilers and so on – the more you install, the more you get!”

To qualify, all boilers must be installed and registered on Baxi ÂŋũĴŭ ðāĕŋũā ŶĞā ŭóĞāĿā ƩłĢŭĞāŭ̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˙ˡ

PHAM SEPT20 DRAYTON:Layout 1 21/08/2020 09:53 Page 1

PHAM APR20 PEGLER:Layout 1 20/03/2020 12:08 Page 1

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

People on the Move ONLINE

Karen Boswell OBE has assumed the role of managing director for Baxi Heating UK and Ireland. Karen joins from Hitachi Rail, and with a background across a number of sectors she will bring a strong focus on business improvement and accelerating growth. She takes over from David Pinder, who is retiring from Baxi Heating.

Heating, plumbing and bathroom wholesaler, rimaflow F , has appointed Andrew Ballantine as its new MD. Andrew takes over the role following the acquisition of rimaflow in anuary by ewbury Investments, where he has worked for 22 years, most recently as chief operating officer of the ecco td arm.

Toilet repair brand, Fluidmaster, has named Adrian Hibbert as its commercial and specification manager. Adrian will work with the company’s engineering, design, production and operations departments to oversee client project schedules. He will also focus on the design and development of Fluidmaster products.

For further information about any of the stories featured in this issue, simply enter phamnews. co.uk/820/ followed by the relevant enquiry number.

Installation work that will make you shiver!

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

IRSAP sales director Andy Phillips has been appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Manufacturers’ Association of Radiators and Convectors (MARC). Andy’s appointment follows a four-year membership between IRSAP and the industry body, where he will continue to drive awareness of legislation and properly certified radiators.

Heating controls manufacturer ESi has recruited three new additions to its sales team. oining with immediate effect are Dan Davies, who will cover Wales and the north west, Simon Headlam (pictured) in the south east, and Paul Widger, who will be stepping up representation in the south and south west.

Ridgespear td, a manufacturer of products in the HVAC market, has appointed Brendan Hourican as group sales director. Also serving as MD for the Circoflo arm of the business, Brendan’s additional role as group sales director will see him taking on the responsibility for OM I and Tailored Heat.

Marley Alutec has promoted Jordan Iles to the role of Area Sales Manager for the north Wales and central England territories. ordan has extensive technical knowledge of the company’s product range, having worked for Marley Alutec over the last 12 years, most recently as a Senior Technical Estimator.

Tools specialist Carl Kammerling International has welcomed Mark Raines as head of marketing. Mark joins from Bosch Power Tool Accessories where he was a head of product management at its headquarters in Switzerland, with responsibility for one of the product management teams.

13.indd 1

To join the Gas App community for FREE, simply visit the Apple or Google store and search for Gas App Uk

30/09/2020 10:27

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Your Views Star letter

Share your views and you could win £100 for writing the star letter

The Tweet Spot Recent tweets that caught our attention Follow us on @PHAMnews

Game of grants With reference to the article ‘Green Homes Grant: Top things to know’ in the September issue: So, the latest ‘help’ to the industry from government is the Green Homes Grant, another ill-considered scheme bound to go nowhere and do absolutely nothing for this industry.

I have a lot of gripes about this waste of valuable government time and money, not least of which is the complete absence of funding for people to upgrade their non-condensing boiler to a highefficiency one that meets Boiler lus and r standards. I get it that ‘green’ in the title might suggest to some that fossil fuel appliances are ruled out by definition, but there is no easier, cheaper or attractive way to cut carbon emissions from home heating than running an efficient boiler. eople in their droves would take up an offer for this, and it’s hardly likely they will be beating down doors to get a heat pump at a discount, particularly when Covid is still leaving us all in limbo about what happens next.

A boiler scrappage scheme would deliver far more benefits to far more people than this one. First, customers would understand it for its simplicity, and they would have an incentive to take advantage of it. Second, the huge pool of gas engineers would have an opportunity that may not otherwise exist. And third the path to carbon cutting would be shorter and more direct.

The thing that really floored me about the Green Homes Grant was the claim that it would create thousands of new jobs.

Focusing on the heat pump side of things, how can anyone get trained up to install heat pumps before the scheme runs out in March And that’s assuming you can find an in-person training course right now.

The chaps who are already installing heat pumps as part of their normal business model might get a few extra jobs out of this, but there’s no way gas engineers – the group of people the government says it wants to be the heat pump installers of the future – are going to get trained up and MCS accredited in time to take part in the scheme.

The Green Homes Grant might turn out to be fantastic for heat pump installers over the (mere) six months of the life of this scheme, but what happens after that?

Boom and bust.

D. Freeman Via email

Let us know what you think...

Please address your letters to: The Editor PHAM News 1b Station Square Flitwick, Bedfordshire, MK45 1DP or email to: editor@phamnewsedit.co.uk

14.indd 1

30/09/2020 10:17

PHAM OCT20 MONARCH:Layout 1 29/09/2020 14:17 Page 1

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

16

Point of View

Why we need a more open compliance system

Closed doors

Any product that connects to the UK’s drinking water supplies must comply with water regulations, but could the current approval process be improved? Rod Hickmott argues that a more transparent system, with more input from installers, could help to reduce costs without any compromise on safety.

M

ost plumbing and heating engineers in the UK will enquire whether a pipe system they are proposing to connect to drinking water is WRAS approved. I want to suggest they may be asking the wrong question!

What provokes this article is that this year, WRAS, which some years ago morphed out of the old WRC set up, has been making some important changes to the way it processes approvals. At the same time, the two best known test laboratories based in the UK (NSF and KIWA) – used for compliance testing of pipes and indeed all water products used in connection with drinking water – have themselves been promoting their own alternative regulatory compliance schemes, or REG approvals as they are known.

The editor of PHAM has cautioned me that his readers might not see the process, which largely passes between pipe manufacturers and approval bodies, as the basis of a ‘riveting read’, but I’ll make the case that there is real interest for you here and indeed that you should get your trade bodies involved.

Who’s to blame?

In order to install systems connected to drinking water you have to use products which comply with the water regulations, in particular to Regulation , and you are Maincor produces a range of MLCP plumbing systems for domestic applications

16.indd 1

committing an offence if you do not.

Manufacturers can make pipe which does not comply and the merchant can sell it to you – it’s only an offence when you install it. You are on your own! It seems to me clearly wrong that pipe can be made and marketed for drinking water applications without having a duty to the installer. Like every other reputable pipe manufacturer, Maincor spends a lot of money shouldering that responsibility.

The simplest way to deal with this issue would be for all aboveground plumbing pipes for use in the UK to be required to conform to the regulations and for it to be an offence if they do not.

WRAS approval I return to my opening point – the question as to whether your pipe is WRAS approved. WRAS has become so accepted that many would think that WRAS is the legal requirement when, in

 Rod Hickmott is the chairman of Maincor and a council member of BSRIA. Previously he introduced MLCP into the UK and was the for a multilayer plumbing system integrated to UK standards.

The decisions that shape our industry need to hold water every bit as much as our pipes do

reality, it has only become the most accepted way of proving compliance to the regulations (REG ). The question also implies that WRAS is a standard, and that is not the case.

Plastic pipe manufacturers seek approval for a wide range of temperatures and pressures. If you look at the leading manufacturers’ listings, they range from 3 to 10 bar and 65° to 95° C. They are all WRAS approved, but do they provide the performance you need?

At Maincor our principal pipe systems are approved to 10 bar at 95°C, which pretty much mirrors some of the copper standards.

When Grundfos originally tested MLCP, it reported that it is suitable for all UK design parameters, which means that installers don’t have to vary design from the use of traditional materials. This is generally seen as the premium standard in plastic pipe systems.

To be clear, I’m a supporter of WRAS and, through organisations like BSRIA and CIBSE, have argued for the development of regulation and approvals to reflect developing market conditions but, as the Americans might say, here’s the thing – I don’t think that the installers have a big enough voice. Somehow, if you are responsible for the installation there has to be a transparent mechanism to involve you.

Might it not be possible to have an installer member on the approval panel? User representation could make the approval process more robust and fit for purpose.

Even as a manufacturer, I don’t think that the approval process is transparent enough, or that accessible. Approval is a process conducted behind closed doors, and I can see that confidentiality is important in competition.

However, WRAS and the utilities do not allow a manufacturer to be present at the meeting where its application is being considered.

Such a presence could be useful to explain to the panel any areas of concern it might have. This could actually assist the panel, as they currently have to defer such issues to a subsequent meeting.

At one time the pros and cons of a planning application were presented by an officer of a local council to a planning meeting. This was open to bias and misinterpretation.

Nowadays the applicant can apply for a three minute slot to make his case. Might it mean that if this idea was adopted for manufacturers at the approval meetings, it would be more transparent, less adversarial and provide a better exchange of views between applicant and approval panel?

Too costly WRAS approval, and now the NSF and KIWA REG 4 scheme, all provide the same legal compliance to satisfy the water regulations. They are robust and the essential test criteria is the same, but they take too long and are too expensive.

There is a view in the industry that this is exacerbated by issues of interpretation, which are not clearly intended in the regulations. The regulations only state that pipe systems should not waste, unduly consume nor contaminate the water – put simply, that pipes and fittings should not leak or leech anything toxic into the water.

The UK approval and testing bodies are bringing forward new ways of working and also showing signs that they want more input from installers, which I believe is a good thing.

Plumbing and heating does not stand still and the pace of change is accelerating to respond to climate change.

Paul Taylor, one of the UK’s most experienced certification directors, makes the point that the approval bodies should ensure that policies are current and reflect market practices. To paraphrase one of his favourite sayings, “the decisions that shape our industry need to hold water every bit as much as our pipes do”.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/0

29/09/2020 16:53

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 29/09/2020 16:49 Page 17

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PLUMBING AND HEATING ENGINEERING

We’ve teamed up with the CIPHE to produce a series of infographics that will highlight the core problems facing the industry, particularly from a public health and safety perspective. This month we provide some of the key facts Öłù Ʃ ėŽũāŭ óŋłóāũłĢłė ĕŽāķ Öłù ƒÖŶāũ ťŋƑāũŶƘ̍

Fuel and water poverty

2.5

£

million fuel poor homes

=

+

direct result of fuel poverty

Estimated

10,000

Winter 2018

lives lost

11%

of single parent families

are

25.4%

fuel poor costs the

£1.4

NHS

Fuel poverty

3

million water poor homes

=

billion per year

13.5% of households

Over 663 million globally live without

World Health Organization estimates that

842,000 deaths

safe drinking water attributable to a lack of

sanitation hygiene

per year CIPHE Proud to be a Professional Kevin Wellman, CEO of the CIPHE, comments:

̦¦Ğāŭā ĕÖóŶŭ ŭāũƑā Ŷŋ ŭĞŋƒ ŶĞÖŶ Ö ŭŶÖėėāũĢłė łŽĿðāũ ŋĕ ťāŋťķā Ģł ŶĞā ­b ŭŽƦ āũ Öŭ Ö result of a lack of adequate heating and hot water provision, especially in the winter.

Professionals can help to increase the health and wellbeing of poorer households by ĢłŭŶÖķķĢłė āłāũėƘ āƧ óĢāłŶ ÖťťķĢÖłóāŭ Öłù ĴāāťĢłė Žť to date with the latest legislative ĿāÖŭŽũāŭ ùāŭĢėłāù Ŷŋ ĢłóũāÖŭā āƧ óĢāłóƘ Öłù ķŋƒāũ āłāũėƘ ðĢķķŭ̧̍

For more information about the CIPHE or if you would like to become a member, please contact

Tim Sainty

tims@ciphe.org.uk

or call (the Membership Department)

01708 463 116

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

18

Business Matters ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

arketing support for your business

Card-to-card contact tracing

Installers may once have got blank looks from customers when recommending a particular heating brand, but with manufacturers investing millions in consumer advertising campaigns, installers can now tap into these marketing activities to boost their own businesses. Alice Woolley, marketing director at Vaillant, explains more.

I

n a recent conversation I had with an installer, he told me that in the past, he had to work hard to convince customers to go for what he deemed to be the best boiler.

But these days, they already have a particular brand on their minds before he even walks through the front door. This just proves the power of good advertising, and by harnessing the relationship with manufacturers, installers can benefit from their effective, integrated marketing strategies.

Lead generation

Because manufacturers and installers are dependent on each other to successfully provide heating solutions to consumers, manufacturers such as ourselves, have invested heavily over the years to support installers in their jobs. Apart from developing the means to help heating engineers solve technical problems with products, support has also extended to generating leads for their businesses.

For example, for our latest multimillionpound TV, radio and digital advertising campaign, audiences are directed towards our website to find and contact a local installer. Installers who are registered on our Vaillant Advance loyalty programme then receive these leads via the app and can take the necessary actions to turn those leads into jobs. Also so far in 2020 over 1 ,000 homeowners have contacted their local Vaillant installers directly via the email or mobile phone links we display, so it’s useful for installers to be aware of consumer marketing campaigns being executed by manufacturers, in anticipation of receiving resulting leads.

Seamless process

Once installers receive leads from a manufacturer, it is advisable to ensure that any processes used to follow up and track those leads are slick and ready for action.

Responding quickly (we recommend within the first few hours) will maximise the chance of securing a job, so whether it’s the ability to effortlessly arrange a customer visit, drawing up a quotation, or sending product brochures, don’t let inefficient methods get in the way.

As a manufacturer that fully supports installers, we’ve already got this covered. aillant Advance offers quotation folders and marketing materials that are linked to our adverts, so that quotations are easily recognisable, and customers can make the connection between the installer proposal and what they’ve seen on TV. Product brochures can also be sent to homeowners from Vaillant Advance too, to help in the quotation process.

18.indd 1

To give businesses a way to protect their employees during the pandemic, Contact Harald has launched a proximity tracking card. The Covid-19 card is a contact tracing platform that records card-to-card proximity via Bluetooth, with no phone, WiFi, or set-up required.

Each individual is issued a registered contact card unique to them, and the card records when two or more people are in close proximity to each other. If an employee tests positive, or reports symptoms of Covid-19, proximity data is uploaded from the card and the contacts tracked in close proximity of that worker are immediately notified to get tested and remain isolated until the results come in. This proactive behavior is designed to get everyone back to work faster. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/10

Guide offers lessons from the lockdown Brand messages

Companies spend millions of pounds communicating their brands to consumers. This expenditure is not just placing adverts and printing marketing materials. A significant chunk is also spent on working out what they want to say about their brands and how they want their target audience to view them.

Whilst smaller independent businesses don’t have the same budgets to carry out this kind of ‘brand positioning’ work, there is no reason why installers can’t communicate the same messages to their customers if these align with their service offering.

For our latest homeowner awareness campaign, for example, we are focusing on communicating efficient and sustainable heating solutions that are kinder to the planet, and empowering customers to make a greener choice. With a range of government initiatives supporting homeowners to make energy efficiency improvements to their properties in order to achieve net-zero by 2050, sustainability will continue to be high on society’s agenda for some time to come. So, for installers who want to specify more climate friendly heating products, it may be useful to adopt some of our messages when selling these solutions to customers.

As part of being a Vaillant Advance installer, we provide these marketing materials for our installers to download and use for free from our online Resource Library.

Making connections

Marketing in the 21st century has become far more sophisticated than just good advertising. In our industry, the relationship between product manufacturers, installers and consumers has become much more interconnected, opening up opportunities for installers to piggy-back on manufacturers’ marketing to reach their own customers.

Supporting installers For more information on Vaillant’s Business Clinic webinars and podcasts, visit: www.vaillant.co.uk/for-installers

To help tradespeople adapt in the wake of the pandemic, Scottish training provider Skills TG has launched a free guide giving practical advice and ideas about how to rise to the business challenges presented by Covid-19. ‘Lockdown Lessons for Tradespeople’ contains testimonials from building services companies about how they are diversifying to meet future demands.

The guide contains testimonials from building services companies giving their real-life accounts of life under lockdown and how they are meeting the demands of the future. It is aimed at sole traders and SMEs looking to gain new business streams, fill gaps in the market created by the current economic situation, and future-proof their workforce. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/11

Perk for members Members of the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) can now access a host of discounts and service enhancements via Propeller Workforce Management software.

Propeller provides plumbing and heating contractors with an all-in-one cloud-based workforce management system and app designed to eliminate paper-based processes, reduce administration time, create efficiencies, and improve performance.

The partnership with Propeller allows APHC members to receive a discount on the monthly subscription and other discounts on software integrations and training. The software also enables users to manage their diaries, jobs and engineers in real-time. Another benefit to ropeller is that it is equipped with industry specific certification across gas, commercial gas, oil, renewables, electrical and Legionella, plus it has a form builder to create any digital form that may be required, such as Covid-19 risk assessments. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/12

irm bene ts from eet management Fleet management software from Vimcar is helping Union Plumbing, a West Yorkshire based firm, get back on the road following the easing of lockdown restrictions. The company is using Vimcar Fleet Geo to make customer visits more efficient.

With several engineering teams all on the road at one time, Union lumbing needs a fleet that runs smoothly so clients receive that promised service from engineers in a timely manner. Being able to see where drivers are at all times is helping Union Plumbing to give customers exact ETAs and ensure that someone is at home when the engineer arrives.

Vimcar solutions are developed specially for the needs of small and medium-sized fleets with up to 200 vehicles, and aim to substantially reduce the amount of time, labour, and money needed for SMEs to

manage their fleets. Key functions of Fleet eo includes real-time vehicle tracking, digital theft protection, and geo-fencing.

“Our reputation is incredibly important to us, says Hanna Wise, company administrator at Union Plumbing. “Now, when we knock and nobody is home, we can prove to the customer that we were actually there when we said we would be. What’s really good is being able to give live updates to customers without disturbing engineers on the road. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/13

30/09/2020 14:58

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 29/09/2020 16:49 Page 19

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Business Matters 19

Why you need to be covered in an uncertain world In these parlous times when risk runs higher than previously imagined, it just makes good sense to have comprehensive insurance in place if anything should go wrong – so says Darragh Timlin from Tradesman Saver.

A

s with every aspect of life since the coronavirus pandemic began, everything about working as a tradesperson has been upended in order to accommodate for social distancing measures to control the virus. Now that wider lockdown restrictions are being lifted and more tradesmen are able to return to work, ensuring you, your team, and your clients are as safe as possible remains critical.

That’s why having a solid,

Darragh Timlin Underwriting director at Tradesman Saver

comprehensive insurance policy in place is more essential than ever. After all, working as a tradesman comes with its risks at the best of times, so having traditional forms of cover in place can protect your business from Ʃ łÖłóĢÖķ ĢŭŭŽāŭ ùŽũĢłė Öł ÖķũāÖùƘ unprecedentedly precarious time.

Here are the main forms of cover tradesmen should have in place.

Public liability insurance This is an essential form of cover at the best of times, providing Ʃ łÖłóĢÖķ ťũŋŶāóŶĢŋł Ģł ŶĞā āƑāłŶ that a customer or third party is injured or has their property damaged as a result of the work you complete.

However, in context of Covid˚ˢ̇ ĢŶ̪ŭ ťÖũŶĢóŽķÖũķƘ ðāłāƩ óĢÖķ̍ Considering the short notice given when lockdown measures ƒāũā ĢłŶũŋùŽóāù̇ ÖłƘ ŽłƩ łĢŭĞāù works would have been fraught with sharp surfaces and scattered detritus which could have led to someone being hurt. And even during the sustained period of time where you may have been left unable to do your job, it’s possible that you were forced to abandon a site you were working on. Having this policy in place

ƒŋŽķù ðā āŭťāóĢÖķķƘ ðāłāƩ óĢÖķ if another lockdown - local or łÖŶĢŋłÖķ ̟ óŋĿāŭ ĢłŶŋ āƦ āóŶ̍

Tools and equipment Again, this is an extremely useful policy to have in place when you’re on a regular work schedule, but even if you are weeks away from your next job, or have been furloughed by your company, tools and equipment óŋƑāũ ĞÖŭ ĢŶŭ ðāłāƩ Ŷŭ̍ ¦ĞĢŭ insurance entitles you to a payout in the event that the gear you need to do your job gets damaged, lost, or stolen, and while it may seem less likely if it is securely stored in your home, that isn’t a guarantee.

Similarly, if you are hiring any plant, you probably would have had to leave it on site, providing even more potential for damage or theft. Consequently, you should consider taking out a ŭťāóĢƩ ó ťķÖłŶ ĢłŭŽũÖłóā ťŋķĢóƘ to prevent any risk of having to pay for any problems which may befall the machinery.

Personal accident As we noted earlier, one of the biggest issues facing tradesmen working during the Covid-˚ˢ

pandemic is having to adapt to new ways of working to accommodate social distancing measures. This has forced contractors to reduce the number of people on site at any given time, leading to more potential for trips, slips, and more serious accidents to occur.

Personal accident insurance provides much-łāāùāù Ʃ łÖłóĢÖķ protection in these and other circumstances in which you or your team may sustain an injury on the job. Should somebody get hurt, your insurer will be able to provide you with a payment to cover any earnings you are ĕŋũóāù Ŷŋ ĿĢŭŭ Ģĕ ƘŋŽ ŋũ ƘŋŽũ ŭŶÖƦ are rendered unable to work.

However, you will need to make ŭŽũā ŶĞÖŶ āƑāũƘ ĿāĿðāũ ŋĕ ŭŶÖƦ is individually named on the policy, otherwise they will not be entitled to these payouts in the event of a claim. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˚˝

About the company Tradesman Saver is an insurance company specialising in providing all forms of insurance to British tradesmen for over 30 years

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 29/09/2020 16:49 Page 20

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

20

Training Update

BESA unveils online learning

Ask questions, get video answers

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has opened its new online Academy delivering a comprehensive programme of training courses, assessments and CPD for individuals, employers and training providers in the building services sector.

Individuals will be able to access all of the resources needed to improve their existing skills and learn new ones while also keeping ŶĞāĢũ ŨŽÖķĢƩóÖŶĢŋłŭ Öłù óŋĿťāŶāłóĢāŭ Žť Ŷŋ date. The Academy will also help employers and managers ensure their workforces are ĕŽķķƘ ŨŽÖķĢƩāù Öłù Öðķā Ŷŋ óŋĿťķƘ ƒĢŶĞ legislation and industry standards. ̵RŶ ƒĢķķ Öķŭŋ ÖĢù āĿťķŋƘāũŭ̪ āƦŋũŶŭ Ŷŋ ťķŽė skills gaps by making access to the appropriate ŶũÖĢłĢłė āÖŭĢāũ̇ Ŀŋũā ƪāƗĢðķā Öłù̇ ŶĞāũāĕŋũā̇ more appealing to a wider section of the population. All training modules are accessible from a smartphone, tablet or laptop whether the user is at home, at work or on the move.

Training providers are invited to outsource the online learning elements of their courses to BESA, freeing them up to focus on the ÖŭťāóŶŭ ŶĞÖŶ ũāŨŽĢũā ťĞƘŭĢóÖķ ťÖũŶĢóĢťÖŶĢŋł̵̍ “Online learning really came into its own during the lockdown months,” says BESA president Neil Brackenridge. “It proved the value of being able to access course materials from anywhere and at any time, which is exactly the BESA Academy model.” ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˡ˛˙̓˚˞

Baxi has developed a new way to help installers with boiler queries, by introducing #BaxiCam. Gas Safe engineers can submit their questions on Facebook and receive video responses from the Baxi training experts. #BaxiCam will see the Baxi team use a GoPro camera to show installers the inside of boilers and help explain what ŶĞāƘ Öũā ùŋĢłė̇ ƒĞĢķā ÖłŭƒāũĢłė ŭťāóĢƩó questions. To submit a question, installers simply need to head over to the company’s Facebook page and send the team a message or comment.

Steve Owen, national training manager at Baxi, says: “Following the success of our

Lockdown Learning and Burning Questions video series, we know installers really value seeing helpful video content. #BaxiCam takes this support one step further, by ÖķķŋƒĢłė āłėĢłāāũŭ Ŷŋ ĞÖƑā ŶĞāĢũ ŭťāóĢƩó questions answered in a way that mimics

attending a training course in person. Gas Safe engineers are invited to submit their questions to us and we’ll create a bespoke ̌ ÖƗĢ!ÖĿ ƑĢùāŋ̇ ŶÖĢķŋũāù Ŷŋ ŶĞāĢũ ŭťāóĢƩó query.”

Ask your #BaxiCam questions by visiting www.facebook.com/baxiuk, where you can Öķŭŋ Ʃłù ŶĞā ƩũŭŶ ƑĢùāŋ Ģł ŶĞā ŭāũĢāŭ̍ The company is also supporting installers with the reopening of its Warwick Commercial Training Academy. Following a period of closure due to Covid-˚ˢ̇ the academy is once again providing free in-person single-day courses on Andrews Water Heaters and Potterton Commercial products.

Before reopening, full and detailed risk assessments were carried out. For safety purposes, spaces on each in-person course is limited to three people. ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˡ˛˙̓˚˟

Installer YouTuber joins forces with training provider Viva Training Academy has joined forces with gas installer YouTuber, Allen Hart, to create useful tips and advice videos for would-be and existing heating engineers, as well as a Facebook group where members can ask questions and share experiences.

With nearly ˜˙̇˙˙˙ followers and over ˡˠ ĿĢķķĢŋł ĞĢŶŭ̇ ķķāł ŋƦāũŭ ťũÖóŶĢóÖķ how-to videos and product reviews for gas installers and plumbers throughout the UK. His videos make use of Viva’s centre based in Halifax, and the company’s expert trainers. Allen, who also runs a plumbing and heating business, features Viva trainees in his videos, some of whom are completing work placements with CCH as part of the portfolio element of Viva’s Managed Learning Programme (MLP) for

new entrants to the gas industry.

Allen is determined to raise industry standards, and says his videos are designed to educate householders as well as new gas engineers.“Working with Viva is the icing on the cake for me,” he says.

“I’m delighted to be helping Richard Firth (Viva’s MD) in all he’s doing to support new people coming into the industry. I hope we can continue working together to promote the very highest standards and ensure those coming into the industry are ťũŋťāũķƘ ŶũÖĢłāù Öłù ƩŶ ĕŋũ ťŽũťŋŭā̧̍ ¦ŋ Öóóāŭŭ ķķāł̪ŭ ƑĢùāŋŭ̇ Ʃłù ĞĢŭ YouTube channel by searching for ‘Allen NÖũŶ̪̇ ŋũ ĕŋũ ŶĞā ƑĢùāŋŭ ŭťāóĢƩóÖķķƘ ĿÖùā Ģł collaboration with Viva Training Academy, use the reader link below. ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˡ˛˙̓˚ˠ

Classroom experience from home Expert Academy is the name of Ideal Heating’s new training platform for installers. The courses and content cover the skills and knowledge needed to work with the company’s domestic and commercial product ranges and will be rolled out across its sister brands – Keston

by Ideal Heating, Hamworthy Heating, and ACV – later this year. ¦Ğā ƩũŭŶ ƒÖƑā ŋĕ óŋŽũŭāŭ ƒĢķķ ðā delivered in a digital environment with a choice of two formats, with in-person sessions to follow at a later date.

The on-ùāĿÖłù ŭāũƑĢóā ŋƦāũŭ Ö ũÖłėā of interactive e-learning modules and assessments for installers to complete at their convenience, supported by video content, tips and guides – all of which is mobile-friendly to help with troubleshooting on the job. Anyone with a free Expert Academy account can log in

Get up to speed on RPZ issues Resideo is encouraging companies that undertake work in reduced pressure ơŋłā ̛ Ñ̜ ƑÖķƑā ƩŶŶĢłė̇ ŶāŭŶĢłė̇ commissioning and reporting to ensure that all of their registered RPZ testers are familiar with the new approved installation method – Issue ˛ of AIM ˙ˡ-˙˚ – for Type BA devices.

and access the content they need.

The virtual classroom option is also free to use. Installers will be taught by a live trainer, again supported by a range of multimedia content to bring the sessions to life. Available to book now, there are two free live courses taking place per day, with maximum class sizes of ˚˙ to ˚˛. Use the link below to book onto a course. ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˡ˛˙̓˚ˡ

The publication of AIM ˙ˡ-˙˚ Issue ˛ by the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) marked the start of a transition period which will end on ˠth January ˛˙˛˚, when Issue ˚ will be withdrawn.

Matt Watson, UK commercial and ĢłùŽŭŶũĢÖķ ŭÖķāŭ̵ķāÖùāũ ÖŶ āŭĢùāŋ̇ ŭÖƘŭ̆ “By undertaking the training, testers can work to the highest standards and continue to help their customers comply with their legal requirements.” ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˚ˢ

PHAM OCT20 NAVIEN EYE ad:Layout 1 28/09/2020 08:17 Page 1

PHAM OCT20 WORCESTER:Layout 1 29/09/2020 15:49 Page 1

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Gas Boilers 23

Benchmark app to reduce paperwork

well as offer a friendly reminder when a customer’s service is due, saving engineers the legwork of reaching out.

With this being an important stipulation of a manufacturer warranty, a consumer version of the app is scheduled for release in the coming months. Dubbed the ‘boiler passport’, it will remind homeowners when their annual boiler service is due, and provide access to their own boiler history and engineer details.

With the aim of better equipping consumers with knowledge about their heating system, the app will encourage homeowners to help maintain boiler health, offering a two-entry approach that prompts more services to take place.

Benchmark is unveiling a new app that is set to ease admin around boiler installation and servicing. Billy Wilgar from the Benchmark Steering Group explains how it will work and why it will benefit installers and their customers.

M

ost engineers will be familiar with the Benchmark code of practice, the universal checklist developed to ensure best practice and accountability in the plumbing and heating industry.

Life in lockdown has resulted in an accumulation of routine maintenance jobs and servicing demand, leaving less time than ever to complete the allimportant paperwork. So in a bid to streamline the process and make the lives of busy engineers easier, Benchmark is going digital.

Since its introduction in 1999, the Benchmark checklist has played a critical role in boiler installation, commissioning and servicing, from raising industry standards and enhancing accountability, to offering consumer protection and peace of mind.

Winter is inevitably a busy time for the heating and hot water industry, but this year, engineers are set to be busier than ever. With a backlog of routine maintenance to catch up on as a result of lockdown, and an increase in home heating and hot water use as people continue to spend more time at home, there is a clear need to streamline the installation process, to make it quicker without a drop in standards.

Data delivery Recognising that time pressures and ways of working have evolved since its original launch, the Benchmark app is designed to bring the administration side of boiler maintenance up to date by offering engineers a way to complete and store the paperwork digitally – all at the touch of a button.

Free to download on either a phone or tablet, the app will serve as an information hub for each boiler’s history, allowing unit-specific access

23.indd 1

Billy Wilgar

Deputy chair of the Benchmark Steering Group

APP OBJECTIVES  Remove the need for paperwork by digitising vital information

Act as a data hub by storing unit-specific records available to any engineer working on a boiler 

 Reduce the time engineers spend on filling in the checklist by hand  Create a ‘boiler passport’ for consumers so that they know when their boiler is due for a service

to the records of a heating system, even if the engineer has not previously worked on the appliance.

This means engineers can use the app to get up to speed on a boiler in a matter of minutes before completing a service, and significantly reduce time spent filling in the checklist by hand.

The app can also be used with or without connection to the internet, with data automatically uploading once connection occurs.

As part of its launch, an early version of the digital checklist will be available for engineers to trial and provide feed back, enabling Benchmark to tailor the application to the preferences, The app can facilitate new installation and servicing by recording vital information on a data hub

needs and expectations of industry professionals.

As we move closer to a paperless society, there is a growing acceptance that the plumbing and heating industry must do likewise. After all, it is no stranger to technological advancement, with conversations surrounding the future of heating systems particularly prevalent, and the need to reflect this in everyday plumbing and heating protocols is increasingly apparent.

Revenue opportunity Aside from the more obvious benefits, which include a boost in the efficiency and quality of boiler servicing, the digitisation of Benchmark will also offer engineers an additional opportunity to increase revenue.

The digital checklist will help to generate more registrations, as

ot only will the app benefit the individual engineer, it will also help to raise the profile of the plumbing and heating sector as a trusted agent for industry excellence.

Benchmark was created to raise and maintain a standard of quality within the heating and plumbing sector, and the app only serves to further implement this. By only allowing the submission of a fully completed checklist, which is clearly attributed to a specific engineer, the digital platform further eradicates the issues surrounding incorrect or missing paperwork, while also holding engineers visibly accountable for their work.

The digital leap will also increase awareness and understanding amongst homeowners of the need to maintain a healthy heating system – whether that be for environmental, economic or safety reasons. More ownership will be given to the consumer to maintain their boiler warranty, and increased accessibility to a system’s history means that a safe, well-functioning boiler is likely to play more of a determining factor in the decision to purchase a new home.

Make your mark To celebrate the Benchmark app, a new campaign will be launched to highlight best practice. Users will be encouraged to share a job well done, by registering each installation on the app.

Enhancing consumer trust, the ‘Make your Mark’ initiative will encourage engineers to take pride in their work, promote the Benchmark seal of approval and reduce the possibility of unqualified traders taking advantage of a high demand market. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/20

29/09/2020 10:55

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

24

Gas Boilers

Warranty raises the bar With the launch of an extended 1 -year warranty and a commitment to only sell directly to as Safe registered installers, ATA Heating Technology is confident of growing its share of the UK market. HAM ews talks to sales director avid Stolton to find out more.

F

rom the beginning of this month, the ATAG domestic boiler range is being offered with a 1 -year warranty. All of the company’s boilers come with a 10-year warranty as standard, but to unlock the extended warranty annual servicing must be completed by an ATAG Selected Partner (ASP) and the installation must include the addition of a magnetic filter and controls. As well as helping to raise consumer confidence in the brand, the extended warranty should generate more work for ATA installers, who will also continue to benefit from the company’s direct-supply model, where only as Safe registered installers can order from the company’s website. reviously business development directer at Wolseley, avid Stolton joined ATA in uly this year and was instrumental in the announcement of the new, industry-leading warranty.

The 14-year warranty looks like a bold statement by the company. Was it a difficult decision to make?

DS ot really, because it reflects our mission to only produce technologically advanced heating equipment that’s built to last. Coming out with a 1 -year warranty really repositions the brand and illustrates that we’re happy to put our money where our mouth is.

I wanted to hit the market hard and demonstrate what we can do. We’ve got test cases in Holland where our boilers have been installed for 1 20 years, so we know they can last and that’s why we can do the 1 -year warranty – and possibly longer

So what’s the secret behind the boiler’s longevity?

DS Take the front cover off an ATA boiler – which you can do in a few seconds with an Allen key – and installers will see that it is all stainless steel and brass. It’s very easy to service and maintain, and the stainless steel heat exchanger gives a reassurance of quality. If you open up some of our competition you’ll see there’s a lot of composite plastics. Some boiler manufacturers have value-engineered their products over recent years, so they can’t compete with us on the length of warranty. That’s why you’re now seeing the various cashback offers that are flying about. They’re all trying to buy the market, whereas we’re looking at establishing a reputation for quality.

We are the highest rated boiler manufacturer on Trustpilot, which I would argue is a true reflection of successful installs and consumer perception. And, unlike some other assessment platforms, Trustpilot doesn’t take any money from manufacturers.

The other key differentiator for ATAG is the company’s pledge to only sell directly to Gas Safe registered installers. Would you say that the strategy is proving successful?

DS The cornerstone of only selling to Gas Safe registered installers is paramount to the business and I believe it’s what the whole industry should be doing.

We might receive consumer enquiries on our website, but we would never sell to them, which sets us apart from many other online operations. It’s just not right that a consumer, or an unregistered installer, can order a boiler.

Selling direct has been fantastic for us and has particularly worked well during Covid because installers have still had to meet demand for

24.indd 1

replacement boilers. If the merchants were closed, how else were they going to source the products they needed We have increased sales by 15 to 20% over the first six months of the year, so I think that proves we’re doing something right.

Did the company not announce that it was looking to work with some independent merchants earlier this year?

DS That’s true, but all the issues caused by the coronavirus meant that we had to look again at those plans. I think the pandemic has highlighted the need for a direct model. In these uncertain times, shipping products direct to site makes perfect sense.

It’s a good, efficient process which removes all the interaction of people, so there’s less chance of transferring the virus. There’s less damage, less risk and less handling, which has all got to be better for health and safety.

Having it delivered to the consumer’s property is beneficial for installers as well, saving them having to collect it from a trade counter. They can log onto our system 2 7 and don’t have to wait for a merchant to open. They can order by 3 30pm and get it delivered to their customer’s door the next morning. For the installer, it’s just like going on Ama on – they can choose and pick exactly what they want and then it’s delivered where they want it.

We wouldn’t stop a merchant from buying from us if they agree to abide by our rules, but they can’t expect to have a 1 -year warranty, with all its value and benefits, and also expect to get better terms than our installer customers.

It’s obviously important for the business to expand the number of ATAG Select Partners. What sort of numbers are you selling to currently?

DS The number is commercially sensitive, but we’re being quite selective in who we work with. It’s about getting those installers that recognise the quality of the product and want to install a premium product over and beyond a cheap alternative – a boiler that will last longer for their customer. As well as making sure that they’re able to provide the right level of competence for our brand, we’re also looking to make sure that there’s no other AS s on their doorstep.

We want to recognise those installers who are very loyal. We want to help them grow their businesses and make it a win for both them and us. If they are installing an array of different boilers because their customers are asking for it, then it’s about us helping them to push the ATA brand. And if they become more loyal, or sell more, then we’ll do everything we can to support them. We’ve got some customers who have previously been very loyal to other brands who would now not quote anything else but ATA – and they’re saving hundreds of pounds a year. We’ve helped them to grow their businesses.

What kind of commitment do you require from the ASP and what can they expect in return?

DS We check their credentials, their credit worthiness and we then require them to attend in-depth product training to ensure that they fully understand our products, how they’re installed and how they operate.

In return, we’re enhancing the ability for the installer to make more money. We don’t publicise

 ATAG boilers are manufactured at advanced facilities in the Netherlands

our prices, so it’s up to the installer to mark up accordingly. We want them to be competitive, of course, to secure more business, but we provide them with terms based on their geographical area and knowledge of their local competition.

We have some AS s who just install and others who are service engineers as well. ot all installers want to do both. Some prefer to install, and recognise the margins to be had with either retrofit or a new installation, and some prefer to just maintain and service. The most important thing is that they understand the virtues and values of the product and what we can do for them.

Typically, how long is the training?

DS We tailor it to the individual. They could be up at our unfermline training facility or we can train remotely, but of course most installers are already pretty competent and it’s simply a matter of familiarising them with the components and how they’re put together. We’ve made it all very efficient for them, made it easier than any other boiler manufacturer to install. So, once they’re shown once – they get it.

We’re also able to show installers a working boiler in our demonstration vehicles, which is a great way to show the boiler to installers who might be unfamiliar with the brand. They can see the quality for themselves and they can take the top off our iCon heat exchanger and see just how easy the boiler is going to be to maintain.

What plans have you got in terms of future product development?

DS I can’t say too much, but our product road map includes a number of premium developments and innovations to complement the existing product portfolio. We are developing our own products to suit the UK market.

We’ve just had a new website launched, in line with the 1 -year warranty, so there’s been a complete refresh and restart to the business.

We’re a lot more efficient, more slick. It’s all about efficiency and making the experience really easy and enjoyable for the installers.

I also think it’s important to promote the virtues and benefits of our existing products a lot, lot more.

We’re one of the few manufacturers to be able to offer a boiler with an integral assive Flue as Heat Recovery evice, but perhaps we don’t sell the benefits of that enough. We need to promote the eco credentials more to the consumer and we want to be recognised as being a market leader – not necessarily by si e, but in terms of quality and innovation.

◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/21

29/09/2020 11:08

PHAM SEPT20 VAILLANT:Layout 1 18/08/2020 09:57 Page 1

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

26

Gas Boilers

Marginal gains add up to big steps forward With the colder weather upon us, installers can expect to perform more boiler replacements, so it’s important to know what tech features to consider that will make the job easier. Sean Keleher from Navien UK explains how technology can also deliver benefits to customers looking for greater efficiency in their heating and hot water system.

Sean Keleher

National technical manager from Navien UK

A

fter months of lockdown and economic uncertainty, this year’s heating season is likely to be a busy one, as a backlog of servicing and maintenance combine with a crisp winter to deliver plenty of boiler replacement jobs.

Text data One aspect to consider is whether a new boiler includes a textdriven display. This simple addition has been widely adopted by leading manufacturers and benefits both installers and end users. For engineers, a text display makes commissioning and servicing far simpler, with more information available at their fingertips.

From setting the time/date and gas category, through to the complete setup procedure, the process has become quicker and more intuitive. With Navien’s latest boilers, there are clear instructions throughout setup, to the point that the display states when a unit is ready to start and check combustion – a simple but reassuring addition.

From an end user’s perspective, a clear text-led display provides more information on the boiler itself, eliminating the need to refer to manuals. For example, should a system need topping up, this information can be clearly

26 V2.indd 1

 Navien plans to launch boilers that have an ErP of %, which can be linked with a smart controller to achieve a total system 8%

CUT TO THE CHASE  Text-driven displays make commissioning and servicing easier for installers  Boilers equipped with smart tech allow accurate boiler data to be easily transferred to a smartphone  Weather compensation prepares the heating system for external temperature changes  Combi boilers with a pre-heat function ensure faster delivery of hot water to outlets

allowing them to program or turn on a heating system from anywhere. But what happens when someone forgets? In this scenario, geofencing technology steps in, offering another level of convenience. A feature such as this, which is available on Navien’s range of oil and gas boilers, allows users to set the heating to turn on or off, based on their proximity to their home.

There is also the option of adding multiple users, so everyone in a household benefits.

during its heating cycle, while maximising operating efficiency.

Some boilers, such as Navien’s forthcoming units, have an ErP rating of 9 % which, when linked with a smart controller, provide a total system efficiency of 9 %.

This elevates an installation to an ErP A+ rating.

Hot water

Since the Boiler Plus regulations were introduced in 201 , all new boiler installations are required to have a minimum ErP (Energyrelated roducts) efficiency of 92% and must have time and temperature controls fitted, if they aren’t already present and working correctly.

In addition, combi boilers need to have one of four additional requirements in order to be fitted. Smart control is included among these options, provided it features automation and optimisation functions, one of which is geofencing.

The efficient delivery of hot water is equally important, so making this as user-friendly as possible is key. For combi boiler setups, which account for a significant proportion of installations, a built-in pre-heat function is vital for ensuring taps and shower outlets do not have to wait too long for hot water, while avoiding unnecessary wastage.

Ordinarily, this pre-heat function is timed for set periods of a day, such as early morning or in the evening. However, the latest boilers to hit the market have taken this one step further, making this a learned response to a household’s behaviour on a rolling seven-day learning cycle.

This significantly reduces the likelihood of turning on a tap and having to wait for hot water.

Weather forecast

Guiding role

However, weather compensation is also a possible measure – and one that could be argued is the most effective at ensuring maximum energy efficiency for a heating system; the reason being that it allows a building to heat up slowly in advance of impending weather conditions.

The boiler is able to plan ahead and start to warm up the fabric of the building, preventing peaks and troughs occurring

Incremental improvements in boiler technology are having a positive impact on the industry; they’re improving efficiencies of boiler installations, while also driving usability forward. For homeowners unaware of the potential benefits, an installer is in the perfect position to help guide them on maximising the efficiency of their heating and hot water system. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/22

displayed on the panel, making it easier for an end user to either address the situation themselves, or explain the issue to an installer.

Smart tech This detailed information isn’t restricted to the boiler itself, thanks to the spread of smart technology. Today, high quality boilers are often supplied with smart tech straight out of the box, or can be simply upgraded with a manufacturer’s smart controller. This provides a number of benefits, not least of all the ability to transfer accurate information to a smartphone.

Third party equipment is unable to offer the same levels of convenience, mainly because they do not always ‘speak’ the same ‘language’.

Remote access to a heating and hot water system is the most useful feature for an end user, Text-driven displays facilitate installation and commissioning

01/10/2020 17:21

PHAM OCT20 ATAG:Layout 1 28/09/2020 08:47 Page 1

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

28

Gas Boilers

Sensible steps to take when resuming service Coronavirus has meant that many manufacturers have allowed boiler services to be postponed this year, without invalidating the warranty. This means many installers are only just starting to catch up on annual service bookings. Andy Workman at Baxi explains how to prioritise health and safety when visiting the homes of customers.

 If any boiler components need replacing, then it is always best practice to use manufacturerapproved spare parts

I

t is always recommended that homeowners have their boiler serviced every year in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions by a Gas Safe registered engineer. During the Covid-19 pandemic, however, some homeowners have put off their annual service this year.

To support health and safety and to help engineers better manage their customer bookings during the crisis, Baxi has made the commitment that if a boiler service is delayed due to Covid-19, the warranty will not be affected. This pledge also extends to customers shielding or self-isolating because of another family member with symptoms.

PPE, hand sanitiser, and surface cleansing wipes to take with you.

This will help to protect you and your customer by limiting the potential spread of coronavirus once you are on site.

Spares sense

Andy Workman

Sales director at Baxi

Servicing schedule

Now that lockdown has been eased, installers should encourage customers to book a service as soon as possible. This will ensure that the warranty remains valid. It is also worth mentioning that for Baxi boilers, even though the annual service may have been delayed in 2020 due to coronavirus, the date it is due for service in 2021 won’t change. For example, if a boiler was installed and registered in April 2019, but the 2020 service was delayed until August, the next service will still be due in April 2021, in order to keep all the warranty records straight.

As time goes on, it is expected that many customers will be looking to schedule a service and, as a result, it is important for engineers to be ready and to keep in mind the following considerations.

Prior to arrival

Before you agree to do the service, it is essential that you first determine if the customer and any of the other occupants

28 V2.indd 1

For Baxi boilers, even though the annual service may have been delayed in 2020 due to coronavirus, the date it’s due for service in 2021 won’t change in order to keep all the warranty records straight

 Catching up on servicing backlogs means installers need to show up on site completely prepared

CUT TO THE CHASE  Before visiting a home, discuss with the customer how the visit will be conducted to maintain safe working practices  Find out in advance if there are any issues the customer has noticed with their boiler  Go prepared with all necessary PPE  Make sure you use genuine spare parts if any replacements are required  Take advantage of help and support offered by manufacturers to keep up to date with the latest guidance

have shown any coronavirus symptoms, are self-isolating, or are classed as vulnerable. It is best to do this over the phone or via a video chat rather than in person.

If the occupants are healthy, it’s important to explain that you will still need to maintain a safe distance from them at all times, on arrival, during the work and when leaving. They can prepare for this by staying in another room of the house and leaving all internal doors where you will be working open to minimise contact with door handles.

Use your call with the customer to ask in advance if there are any particular issues with the boiler, such as strange noises, any changes in performance, or visual wear and tear to be aware of. This can help to save time and allow you to address specific concerns more easily.

Finally, don’t forget to pack

During the service, if you identify any boiler components that need replacing, it is best practice to use genuine parts.

This is because genuine, unmodified manufacturerapproved components are subjected to the same strict certification testing as their corresponding boilers. In order to pass the strict British or European standards, rigorous tests are carried out that involve imitating demanding situations such as varying gas pressure and mains voltage, and meeting the standards required demonstrates they are safe for use in a boiler.

Stay safe

Staying safe should be the ultimate concern for installers and their customers. Therefore, it is important to keep up to date with changing government guidelines, including any regional lockdown measures that could impact on whether a service can take place or not.

Baxi has a dedicated support line and website with regularly updated information designed to help installers navigate through the unique circumstances presented by Covid-19. While the future may still be uncertain, what is clear is that by working together with quality boiler manufacturers during this difficult time, installers can help customers reap the benefits of their boiler for many years to come. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/23

01/10/2020 17:20

PHAM OCT20 NAVIEN APP ad:Layout 1 28/09/2020 08:42 Page 1

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 01/10/2020 10:43 Page 30

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

30

Gas Boilers

Peace of mind with spare parts Martyn Bridges, director of technical communications and product management at Worcester Bosch, explores the importance of genuine spare parts and the threats posed from a lack of regulation.

I

t has been written before by myself and others that our industry has seen an increase in mainly online spare parts providers.

Many of these providers are selling either refurbished spare parts or even counterfeit spare ťÖũŶŭ Öłù ťÖŭŭĢłė ŶĞāŭā ŋƦ Öŭ being provided by the original equipment manufacturer.

Whilst it is not illegal to create these products, what is illegal is ÖŶŶāĿťŶĢłė Ŷŋ ťÖŭŭ ŶĞāĿ ŋƦ Öŭ Ö genuine spare part, if this is not

the case. Not only is this illegal, but it’s also extremely dangerous.

I’m sure we have all experienced some disappointment in an alternative version of a product not working as well as intended, or as the genuine product would. Any spare part that ƘŋŽ ƩŶ Ŷŋ Ö ðŋĢķāũ ƒĞĢóĞ ĞÖŭ been approved to the essential requirements of the gas appliance regulations must also meet those requirements. This helps to ensure that the part is safe and does what it is supposed to do.

This is, regrettably, where these components and parts purchased from these providers fall short.

Internet traps To investigate this issue, Trading Standards in a certain part of the North East of the country randomly purchased a number of spare parts online from one particular stockist that had been brought to their attention. One of the items purchased was actually placed on the market for the ƩũŭŶ ŶĢĿā Ģł ˛˙˙˟, and Trading

Standards were able to purchase this ˚˝ years later, described as being a ‘good condition’ spare part by the merchant. It shocked us and seemed ridiculous that something so old could be passed ŋƦ Öŭ łāƒ̇ ŋũ łāÖũķƘ łāƒ̇ ŭŋ many years later. This has added to our worry that some of these components are also available to purchase through online stores like eBay. The problem arises when these parts are deemed safety critical, which some are. Things like printed circuit boards, gas valves and air pressure switches can be

extremely dangerous if they are faulty or not performing to the original design. Also, it is quite possible that there have been upgrades or software changes to items such as PCBs over the years which some of these refurbished components may not have received.

was intended to do is extremely worrying.

This isn’t a problem that can’t be overcome, and thankfully so.

There is a movement afoot to recognise original, genuine spare parts that are placed onto the market by the manufacturer of the appliances.

DÖŽķŶ ƩłùĢłė

ũÖłùāù ťÖũŶŭ

Not only does this pose a danger to the consumer, but this can also shed an unfair negative light on the manufacturer of the product too. The hard work that is undertaken to develop these parts and appliances is besmirched with the ingenuine spare part. We want installers to know that they can trust us and our products – that they will all perform as intended.

What’s worse is where responsibility resides if the worst happens. The responsibility will lie with the individual that has ƩŶŶāù ŶĞā ŭťÖũā ťÖũŶ̍ pŋƒ ŶĞÖŶ isn’t to say that responsibility won’t then shift and the chain of blame be passed down, but initially that lies on the shoulders of the installer. This is unfair, as many heating engineers will buy these spare parts in good ĕÖĢŶĞ Ŷŋ ƩƗ Ö ðũŋĴāł ðŋĢķāũ̇ Öłù Ŷŋ then discover that the spare part is not doing what the original

It is very likely that all spare parts sold directly by the manufacturer will be branded. It is also being proposed that Benchmark would be the brand attached, etched or emblazoned on the spare part – if not directly on to the spare part, then certainly to the packaging as a minimum.

This would allow for full óŋłƩùāłóā ŶĞÖŶ ŶĞā ťĢāóā ðŋŽėĞŶ is genuine and will do what it is supposed to do, helping to keep the heating engineer’s mind at rest. It won’t be something that has been refurbished or simply copied.

Brand recognition may be the only way to ensure safety – that the spare part you are about to purchase is genuinely a good one, that it is brand new, and it has been put on the market by the manufacturer. I think it’s important that this measure is put in place. ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˡ˛˙̓˛˝

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 29/09/2020 16:49 Page 31

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Gas Boilers 31 Boiler and heat pump combined in one unit

Heat-only solution that ticks all the boxes Completing its high-performance ˡ˙˙ range, Baxi has launched the ˡ˙˙ Heat, giving installers an increased range of boiler solutions to suit every house type and budget.

Available in ˚˟̇ ˛˞ and ˜˙kW outputs, the ˡ˙˙ Heat is fully óŋĿťÖŶĢðķā ƒĢŶĞ māėÖƪŋ óƘķĢłùāũŭ Öłù Ģŭ ŭŽĢŶÖðķā ĕŋũ ĕŽķķƘ pumped open vent or sealed systems. Thanks to its compact size and light weight at just ˚ˠ̍˝–˚ˢ̍˞ kg, the boiler can be securely wall mounted inside a ˛ˢ˙mm deep cupboard. The ƪŽā̇ Žť Ŷŋ ˚˛m, can then be positioned either centrally or to ŶĞā ũāÖũ ŋĕ ŶĞā ŭƘŭŶāĿ ĕŋũ Ö ƪāƗĢðķā Öłù łāÖŶ ĢłŭŶÖķķ̍ For added reassurance, the ˡ˙˙ Heat has a ˚˙-year parts and labour warranty, provided the boiler is registered on Baxi Works Loyalty Scheme and receives an annual service.

An ADEY Micro˛ ƩķŶāũ Ģŭ ĢłóķŽùāù ĕŋũ ĢłóũāÖŭāù ťũŋŶāóŶĢŋł against magnetite and other debris. ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˡ˛˙̓˛˞

The SAP-recognised Murelle Revolution ˜˙ hybrid boiler from Sime is a completely integrated boiler and heat pump in a single cased product.

The hybrid uses an ErP A++ ˜˙kW Murelle boiler and completely factory sealed ˝kW output air source heat pump and is installed inside the house and hung on the wall like Ö óŋłƑāłŶĢŋłÖķ ðŋĢķāũ̵̍ The Revolution provides heat and hot water, achieving an average seasonal heating performance of ˚˜˝%, achieving A++ energy āƧóĢāłóƘ̇ Öŭ ĿāÖŭŽũāù ðƘ ŶĞā ErP Ecodesign regulation.

Measuring ˢ˙˙ x ˟˙˙ x ˜ˢ˙mm, the single compact unit can be installed by any Gas Safe registered installer in a single installation process. The fully integrated and factory sealed design means an F-gas óāũŶĢƩāù ĢłŭŶÖķķāũ Ģŭ łŋŶ required for installation or annual servicing.

Saving space and cutting energy bills

Sime product manager Phil Birchenough comments: “The SAP rating achieved by the Revolution is testament to the āłāũėƘ āƧóĢāłóƘ ŋĕ ŶĞĢŭ ťũŋùŽóŶ and supports our view that it is the ideal renewable for new builds Öłù ũāŶũŋƩŶŭ̍ ̦NÖũłāŭŭĢłė ŶĞā ðāłāƩŶŭ ŋĕ Öł ÖĢũ source heat pump and boiler technology in the same casing Öķķŋƒāù Žŭ Ŷŋ ĢłóŋũťŋũÖŶā Ö ƪŽā ėÖŭ heat recovery device as part of the heat pump circuit. This plays a major ũŋķā Ģł ŶĞā āƧóĢāłóƘ ŋĕ ŶĞā appliance, as the products of combustion leaving the Revolution do so at far lower temperatures than a standard condensing boiler.” ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˡ˛˙̓˛˟

Available from Daikin is a range of wall-mounted gas ðŋĢķāũŭ̇ ŭÖĢù Ŷŋ ŋƦāũ Ö óŋĿťÖóŶ Öłù āłāũėƘ ŭÖƑĢłė replacement for existing gas boiler systems.

Featuring a low lift weight (˛ˠkg) and easy connections for simple installation, the Daikin Altherma ˜ C Gas combi boiler (pictured) comes in ˛˝̇ ˛ˡ and ˜˞kW options and saves energy by modulating down to as low as ˛̍ˢkW. For properties with large hot water demand, the boiler can also be connected to a cylinder in S-plan (+) or Y-ťķÖł óŋłƩėŽũÖŶĢŋłŭ̍ Dŋũ ĕŽũŶĞāũ ƪāƗĢðĢķĢŶƘ̇ ŶĞā ėÖŭ ƑÖķƑā óÖł Öķŭŋ ðā ÖùÖťŶāù Ŷŋ work with natural gas or LPG. For ease of maintenance, all components are easily accessible from the front, and side panels are removeable for additional space if required. An OpenTherm control system and a stylish interface enables easy control of heating and hot water, while a smart comfort controller provides the option of remote monitoring from a smart device. ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˡ˛˙̓˛ˠ

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 29/09/2020 16:49 Page 32

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

32

Gas Boilers

Vision delivers on Ŀŋũā āłāũėƘ āƧ óĢāłóƘ The all-new Vision Plus condensing boiler range from Vokèra by Riello includes four combination boilers with outputs of ˛˞-˝˙kW and three system boilers with outputs of ˛˙-˜˙kW, all with a standard seven-year warranty.

As well as a new stainless steel heat exchanger on selected models, they feature a click-Ʃ Ŷ ƪ Žā ŭƘŭŶāĿ ĕŋũ āÖŭƘ installation across the range and a universal pipe connection layout on combination models. They are also set up for use with OpenTherm controls and can boast a Class ‘A’ energy āƧ óĢāłóƘ ũÖŶĢłė Ģł ÖóóŋũùÖłóā ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā 1łāũėƘ-related Products (ErP) directive.

The ˜˞kW and ˝˙kW combi boilers and all three system boilers in the range feature an optimised radial stainless steel heat exchanger, which enables a wide modulation ratio of ˚̆ˡ.

ũĢŶĢŭĞ ĿÖłŽĕÖóŶŽũāù and designed for óŋĿĿāũóĢÖķ ŭāŶŶĢłėŭ

The ˛˞! and ˜˙C combination models use an aluminium heat āƗóĞÖłėāũ̇ ŋƦ āũĢłė ĞĢėĞ ŶĞāũĿÖķ óŋłùŽóŶĢƑĢŶƘ Öłù ŶĞā ðāłāƩ Ŷŭ ŋĕ Ö ķĢėĞŶƒāĢėĞŶ̇ óŋĿťÖóŶ ùāŭĢėł̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˛ˡ

Meet Boiler Plus standards straight out of the box The Alteas ONE Net and Genus ONE Net from Ariston are high-performance gas condensing boilers, featuring built-in WiFi and digital timer programming. ¦Ğā ķŶāÖŭ zp1 pāŶ ðŋÖŭŶŭ Ö ðķÖóĴ Ʃ łĢŭĞ and Ultrasafe glass panel, while both boilers are supplied with the company’s Cube RF control, ready for connection to the Ariston Net app. Using the boilers with the supplied controls also ensures they are ‘A+’ ErP rated. ¦Ğā ðŋĢķāũŭ ðāłāƩ Ŷ ĕũŋĿ ŶĞā ťÖŶāłŶāù stainless steel, continuous coil XtraTech heat exchanger, alongside low NOx

ratings (from ˜˜mg/kWh). In addition, all units are ‘Boiler Plus’-ready straight out of the box, thanks to a number of features including built-in ‘Internet Weather’, ‘Auto’ and ‘Comfort’ functions.

Dŋũ ĕŽķķ ƪ āƗĢðĢķĢŶƘ̇ ðŋŶĞ ķŶāÖŭ zp1 pāŶ and Genus ONE Net have a combustion control system, allowing the boilers to operate from either mains gas or LPG. The boilers are currently supplied with a ˚˛-year manufacturer’s warranty as standard. ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˡ˛˙̓˛ˢ

Designed and manufactured in the UK, the Ethos stainless steel wall mounted boiler range from mĢĴũŋƩ ķķ ĞÖŭ ðāāł ùāƑāķŋťāù Ŷŋ ĿāāŶ ŶĞā requirements of commercial buildings. Units feature a premix burner modulation of ˚˙̆˚, integral shunt pump and ease of installation.

Individual outputs range from ˠ˙-˚˜˙kW and multiple outputs to ˠˡ˙kW, all with onboard boiler cascade control.

Featuring a sealed combustion air system, the boilers can operate up to a delta T of ˜˞ºC. In terms of āƧ óĢāłóƘ̇ ŶĞā ũÖłėā ðŋÖŭŶŭ Ö ŭāÖŭŋłÖķ āƧ óĢāłóƘ Ģł excess of ˢ˟% and a ˚˙̆˚ turndown ratio. NOx levels clock in at ˜˜mg/kWh and it operates quietly at less than ˝ˡdba. The stainless steel heat exchanger comes ƒĢŶĞ Ö Ʃ Ƒā-year warranty. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˜˙

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 29/09/2020 16:49 Page 33

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Gas Boilers 33 Commercial models Powerful boiler is ĢłùāťāłùāłŶ ĿĢłùāù Ʃ Ŷ Ģł ŶĢėĞŶ ŭťÖóāŭ ÂĢŶĞ ŶĞā ķÖŽłóĞ ŋĕ RłùāťāłùāłŶ NāÖŶ̇ RùāÖķ NāÖŶĢłė ŋƦ āũŭ Ö ƒÖķķ ĞŽłė ðŋĢķāũ ĕŋũ ķÖũėā ùŋĿāŭŶĢó̇ ķĢėĞŶ óŋĿĿāũóĢÖķ Öłù óŋĿĿāũóĢÖķ ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋłŭ̍ RłùāťāłùāłŶ NāÖŶ Ģŭ āƗóķŽŭĢƑāķƘ ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā ĕũŋĿ ĢłùāťāłùāłŶ ĿāũóĞÖłŶŭ̇ ŭĢŶŶĢłė ÖķŋłėŭĢùā RùāÖķ̪ŭ RłùāťāłùāłŶ !ŋĿðĢ Öłù ƘŭŶāĿ ùŋĿāŭŶĢó ðŋĢķāũŭ̍ Öŭāù ŋł ŶĞā 1ƑŋĿÖƗ ˛ ðŋĢķāũ̇ ŶĞā RłùāťāłùāłŶ NāÖŶ Ģŭ ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā Ģł ŋŽŶťŽŶŭ ĕũŋĿ ˝˙ Ŷŋ ˚˞˙Ĵ ĕŋũ łÖŶŽũÖķ ėÖŭ Öłù ˝˙ Ŷŋ ˡ˙kW Ģł d F Ŀŋùāķŭ̍ ÂĢŶĞ Ö ũŋðŽŭŶ óÖŭŶ ÖķŽĿĢłĢŽĿ ŭĢķĢóŋł ÖķķŋƘ ĞāÖŶ āƗóĞÖłėāũ̇ Ŀŋùāķŭ Ģł ŶĞā ũÖłėā ùāķĢƑāũ Žť Ŷŋ ˢˢ̍ˠͮ ĕŽķķ ķŋÖù Öłù Žť Ŷŋ ˚˚˙ͮ ťÖũŶ ķŋÖù āƧ óĢāłóƘ̍ ¦ĞāƘ Öũā ĕŽķķƘ óŋĿťÖŶĢðķā ƒĢŶĞ Öķķ 1ƑŋĿÖƗ ˛ ÖóóāŭŭŋũĢāŭ ĢłóķŽùĢłė ĕũÖĿā Öłù ĞāÖùāũ ĴĢŶŭ̇ ðũÖơāù ťķÖŶā ĞāÖŶ āƗóĞÖłėāũŭ̇ óŋłŶũŋķŭ Öłù ƪ Žāŭ̍ ł ĢłŶāũłÖķ ƪ Žā łŋł-ũāŶŽũł ƑÖķƑā Ģŭ ťÖũŶ ŋĕ ŶĞā ŭŽĿŶť ÖŭŭāĿðķƘ̍ ¦ĞāƘ Öũā ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā ƒĢŶĞ Ö Ʃ Ƒā-ƘāÖũ ťÖũŶŭ Öłù ķÖðŋŽũ ƒÖũũÖłŶƘ ŭŽðıāóŶ Ŷŋ ðāĢłė óŋĿĿĢŭŭĢŋłāù ðƘ RùāÖķ NāÖŶĢłė̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˡ˛˙̓˜˚

¦Ğā ũÖłėā ŋĕ ĞĢėĞ āƧ óĢāłóƘ óŋĿĿāũóĢÖķ ėÖŭ ðŋĢķāũŭ ĕũŋĿ 1ķóŋ ĞÖŭ ðāāł āłĞÖłóāù ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā ķÖŽłóĞ ŋĕ ŶĞā łāƒ ƒÖķķ-ĞŽłė ¦ĞĢŭĢŋł d ķŽŭ Öłù ƪ ŋŋũ ŭŶÖłùĢłė ¦ũĢėŋł d ķŽŭ̍ ¦Ğāŭā Öũā ŶĞā łāƗŶ ėāłāũÖŶĢŋł ŋĕ 1ķóŋ ðŋĢķāũŭ̇ ŋƦ āũĢłė ťŋƒāũĕŽķ ťāũĕŋũĿÖłóā ĕŋũ ƪ āƗĢðķā ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋł̍ ¦Ğā łāƒ ðŋĢķāũŭ ĞÖƑā ðāāł ùāŭĢėłāù Ŷŋ óÖŶāũ ĕŋũ Ŀŋùāũł ĞāÖŶĢłė ùāĿÖłùŭ Öłù Öũā ùāŭĢėłāù Ŷŋ ðā Ʃ ŶŶāù Ģł ĿÖłƘ óŋĿĿāũóĢÖķ ÖťťķĢóÖŶĢŋłŭ ̞ āĢŶĞāũ Öŭ ŭĢłėķā ŽłĢŶŭ ŋũ Ģł óÖŭóÖùā̍ ŭ ťķÖłŶ ũŋŋĿŭ ùāóũāÖŭā Ģł ŭĢơā̇ ŶĞā łāƒ ðŋĢķāũŭ ĞÖƑā ĕŋķķŋƒāù ŭŽĢŶ̇ ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞāĢũ ĕŋŋŶťũĢłŶ-Ŷŋ-ťŋƒāũ ũÖŶĢŋ ŋƦ āũĢłė ėũāÖŶāũ ķāƑāķŭ ŋĕ ƪ āƗĢðĢķĢŶƘ Öłù

ÖķķŋƒĢłė ĕŋũ ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋł Ģł ŶĢėĞŶāũ ŭťÖóāŭ̍ ŋŶĞ ŶĞā ¦ĞĢŭĢŋł d ķŽŭ Öłù ¦ũĢėŋł d ķŽŭ ŋƦ āũ ŋŽŶťŽŶŭ of 6˙ Ŷŋ ˛˙˙Ĵ ĕũŋĿ Ö ŭĢłėķā ðŋĢķāũ Öłù Žť Ŷŋ ˚̍˕m Ģł óÖŭóÖùā̇ Öŭ ƒāķķ Öŭ ķŋƒ pzƗ āĿĢŭŭĢŋłŭ (<˛˝Ŀė̓ĴÂĞ̜̍ ¦Ğāũā Öũā ŭāƑāł ƒÖķķ-ĞŽłė Öłù ŭāƑāł ƪ ŋŋũ ŭŶÖłùĢłė Ŀŋùāķŭ ũāŭťāóŶĢƑāķƘ̇ ƒĢŶĞ āÖóĞ ũÖłėā óŋĿťũĢŭĢłė ŶĞũāā ŭĢłėķā ĞāÖŶ āƗóĞÖłėāũ ŽłĢŶŭ Öłù ĕŋŽũ ùŋŽðķā ĞāÖŶ āƗóĞÖłėāũ ðŋĢķāũŭ̍ ÂĞÖŶ ŭāťÖũÖŶāŭ ŶĞāŭā ðŋĢķāũŭ ĕũŋĿ ŋŶĞāũŭ ŋł ŶĞā ĿÖũĴāŶ Ģŭ ŶĞāĢũ ĢłŶāũłÖķ ũāùŽłùÖłóƘ Öŭ Ö ũāŭŽķŶ ŋĕ ŶĞā '1 Ŀŋùāķŭ ĞÖƑĢłė ùŽÖķ ĞāÖŶ āƗóĞÖłėāũŭ ŶĞÖŶ ƒŋũĴ ĢłùāťāłùāłŶķƘ ĕũŋĿ ŋłā ÖłŋŶĞāũ̍ ķķ ðŋĢķāũŭ Ģł ŶĞā Ŷƒŋ ũÖłėāŭ ƒĢķķ ÖóĞĢāƑā Ŷƒŋ 11 m óũāùĢŶŭ Ģł ÖóóŋũùÖłóā ƒĢŶĞ 11 m ­b pāƒ !ŋłŭŶũŽóŶĢŋł ˛˙˚ˡ̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˡ˛˙̓˜˛

ũāĕÖðũĢóÖŶāù ũĢė ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ óÖł ĕÖŭŶ-ŶũÖóĴ ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋł ŋŶŶāũŶŋł !ŋĿĿāũóĢÖķ ĞÖŭ ĢłŶũŋùŽóāù łāƒ ťũāĕÖðũĢóÖŶāù ũĢė ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ ĕŋũ ĢŶŭ ƪ ÖėŭĞĢť ĢũĢŽŭ ŶĞũāā ˢ˙̇ ˚˚˙̇ ˚˜˙ Öłù ˚˞˙ ŭŶÖĢłķāŭŭ ŭŶāāķ ƒÖķķ ĞŽłė óŋłùāłŭĢłė ðŋĢķāũŭ Ŷŋ ťũŋƑĢùā Ö ŭÖĕā̇ ũÖťĢù ŭŋķŽŶĢŋł Ŷŋ ĿŽķŶĢ-ðŋĢķāũ ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋł ƒĢŶĞĢł ĕŋŽũ Ŷŋ Ʃ Ƒā ƒāāĴŭ ŋĕ ŋũùāũ̍ ¦Ğā óŋĿťÖłƘ̪ŭ łāƒ ŶŽũłĴāƘ ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭŋķŽŶĢŋłŭ óŋłŭĢŭŶ ŋĕ ťũā-ÖŭŭāĿðķāù ĢũĢŽŭ ŶĞũāā ÂN ðŋĢķāũ óÖŭóÖùāŭ ŭŽťťķĢāù ŋł Ö ĿŋùŽķÖũ ðŋĢķāũ ĕũÖĿāƒŋũĴ ƒĢŶĞ ĢłŭŽķÖŶāù ťĢťāƒŋũĴ ŭāŶ̇ ťŽĿťŭ̇ Ö ùŋŭĢłė ťŋŶ̇ ťũāŭŭŽũĢŭÖŶĢŋł ŽłĢŶ̇ Öłù óŽŭŶŋĿĢŭāù óŋłŶũŋķŭ Öłù ťÖłāķ̍ ¦Ğāũā Ģŭ ŶĞā ŋťŶĢŋł Ŷŋ ĢłŶāėũÖŶā āĢŶĞāũ Ö ķŋƒ ķŋŭŭ ĞāÖùāũ ŋũ ťķÖŶā ĞāÖŶ āƗóĞÖłėāũ ĢłŶŋ ŶĞā ũĢė̇ āĢŶĞāũ ķāĕŶ ŋũ ũĢėĞŶ-ĞÖłùāù̍ 'Öł mÖũŶĢłùÖķā̇ óŋĿĿāũóĢÖķ ŭÖķāŭ ùĢũāóŶŋũ̇ ŭÖƘŭ̆ ̦zŽũ ĢũĢŽŭ ŶĞũāā ÂN ðŋĢķāũŭ ĞÖƑā ðāāł ùāŭĢėłāù Ŷŋ ŋƦ āũ āƗóāťŶĢŋłÖķ āłƑĢũŋłĿāłŶÖķ Öłù āƧ óĢāłóƘ ðāłāƩ Ŷŭ ƒĢŶĞ ŽķŶũÖ-ķŋƒ pzƗ ķāƑāķŭ ĕũŋĿ ˚ˠĿė̓ĴÂ̇ Ö ĿŋùŽķÖŶĢŋł ũÖŶĢŋ ŋĕ Žť Ŷŋ ˢ̆˚̇ ÖùƑÖłóāù óŋłŶũŋķŭ Öłù ÖðŋƑā ÖƑāũÖėā ŭāÖŭŋłÖķ āƧ óĢāłóĢāŭ ŋĕ ˢˠ̍˜ͮ̍ ÂĢŶĞ ŋŽũ łāƒ ĢũĢŽŭ ŶĞũāā ÂN ũĢė ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ̇ ƒā óÖł ŋƦ āũ ŶĞā ŭÖĿā ðāłāƩ Ŷŭ Ģł Ö ŶŽũłĴāƘ ŭŋķŽŶĢŋł ŶĞÖŶ ũāùŽóāŭ ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋł Öłù óŋĿĿĢŭŭĢŋłĢłė ùŋƒł Ŷŋ ùÖƘŭ̧̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˜˜

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

34

Products in Action

Nightingale facility keeps patients safe and warm

Quiet solution for big government initiative

AIC Heating UK has supplied three stainless steel Nesta 2 0kW boilers to the new ward block at HS ightingale Centre, Whiteabbey Hospital, in County Antrim.

The design of the new ward was delivered by C F uadrant, AIC’s partners in Ireland, and involved a full boiler house replacement. Using three esta lus 2 0kW boilers, they also installed a plate heat exchanger to ensure maximum protection for the boiler installation.

In addition to the high water content (up to 560 litres) promoting operational stability, lower pressure drop and a high efficiency yield (10 %), the esta lus boilers harness one of the highest modulation ranges (up to 10 1) in its product category. avin McKay, sales executive at C F uadrant, says We suggested the AIC esta boiler for its reliability, efficiency, and compact space

codan air source heat pumps have been supplied by Mitsubishi lectric to O O nergy for two government schemes. These aim to develop and showcase technologies that reduce the carbon emissions associated with providing heat and hot water.

The two O O schemes, the ‘ ero Carbon Home roject’ and

Active drainage ventilation saving design, and also because it can cascade through a high kilowatt output.

Stephen Wilson, M at AIC Heating, adds We were delighted to work with C F uadrant on this very important project, from planning stages through to commissioning, and having esta lus boilers installed and operating as they were designed to perform. phamnews.co.uk/820/3

Pressing pipes with greater speed The Megapress and rofipress piping systems from iega have been used on an extensive refurbishment of the Bertrand Russell Tower at the University of ssex’s Colchester Campus. The erman engineered press connections were selected to provide a quick, clean, reliable and durable heating and water supply solution on the first of a series of planned refurbishments for the university’s student accommodation.

The renovation of the 16-storey tower included the complete replacement of all interior elements and building services to modernise and improve the tower for better building performance.

Thick-walled steel tube was specified for the new heating pipework and

34 V2.indd 1

‘ ero Carbon Heating Trial’ are funded by the epartment for Business, nergy and Industrial Strategy (B IS) through its nergy Innovation rogramme.

essica Tan, M of O O Smart Home, says Mitsubishi lectric is a well-established leader and innovator in its sector and its air source heat pumps are no exception. The trials allow us to develop alternatives to gas heating, which is a critical piece to deliver our sustainability vision under our lan ero – which commits to halving customers’ carbon footprints by 2030.

With a sound pressure level of just 5dB(A), Ultra uiet codan provides renewable heating and hot water production for a wide range of installations. Units are available as .5kW and 11.2kW. phamnews.co.uk/820/3

Megapress allows the tube to be cold press connected, offering between a 0% and 0% savings in time. The contractor also chose iega’s rofipress system for the copper water distribution pipework. phamnews.co.uk/820/3

Marley’s H soil system and its Studor ositive Air ressure Attenuation ( A A) system are being installed at a property in hase 2 of the South West ands development located beside the capital’s Wembley football stadium.

The Studor A A offers a solution to the issue of pressure fluctuations compromising traps in high-rise buildings. The combination of the Studor A A, Maxi- ent and Mini-Vent air admittance valves comprise a complete Active rainage entilation system to prevent pressure changes, guaranteeing traps remain full of water. This project involved a number of A A’s, Maxi- ents and Mini- ents being located throughout the building, while the 110mm and 160mm diameter H takes the waste down through the building to connect with the underground drainage. phamnews.co.uk/820/3

MVHR provides warmth and cooling Equipment from Vent-Axia has been specified as part of a luxury 1300m2 new-build family home in Kingswood, Surrey. The property spans four floors, with five ent-Axia Sentinel Kinetic high flow mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (M HR) units providing quiet, energy efficient ventilation for this extensive project.

The ent-Axia M HR system was combined with geothermal intake ducts, which harness ground energy to remove the extremes of outside temperatures. As fresh filtered air is drawn through polymer ducts, renewable geothermal energy is transferred to the intake air, providing natural warmth when very cold outside and natural cooling when it’s hot. phamnews.co.uk/820/38

01/10/2020 15:29

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Electric Heating 35

Why electric boilers are ideal for the high life Replacing outdated electric heating technologies with more efficient electric heating systems is something that many heating engineers are asked about, especially when doing work in high-rise flats. Roy Marsden from Heatrae Sadia discusses how electric boiler technology presents opportunities.

F

or high-rise buildings where electric powered heating is often used, the past reputation and reliability of electric systems, such as storage heaters, hasn’t always been the best. Electric heating, however, has come a long way since the days where it was considered to be a very limited solution.

Advancements in the sector have led to the development of highly efficient electric boilers.

As a result, trade professionals can recommend electric boilers with confidence, especially in developments like high-rise

Roy Marsden

Product Manager at Heatrae Sadia

buildings where gas is not often a viable option.

Just like gas fired boilers, electric boilers can work with conventional wet radiators, as well as underfloor heating (UFH) systems, to provide central heating. Similarly, the units are typically compact, wall hung and efficient, set up to be controlled and operated by a programmer and thermostat.

Some electric boilers, such as the Amptec by Heatrae Sadia, even modulate in the same way as a gas boiler, improving running efficiency.

While electric direct combi boilers can provide enough heating and hot water for most small to medium households, an electric boiler can also be paired with a direct cylinder too. Consumers who enjoy powerful showers or want to be able to quickly run a bath will benefit from a high performance unvented hot water cylinder, fed directly from the cold water mains.

The Megaflo co by Heatrae Sadia, for example, can deliver up to 72 litres per minute of hot water, and another tap or shower being turned on at the same time will not significantly impact this. The performance however will depend on the mains water pressure as well as the flow rate into the property.

Easy install The installation process of an electric boiler is very similar to that of a gas appliance, making it a straightforward process for most heating engineers.

In fact, with the majority of electric boilers coming factory assembled, tested and preplumbed, they are even simpler to install than conventional boilers. On top of this, there is the added bonus of not having to worry about the flue pipe, condensate drainage or other plumbing issues.

One factor to consider before installing is the space available in the home, as customers in Heatrae Sadia’s Electromax system combines an electric boiler with a 180L hot water cylinder to deliver

35.indd 1

CUT TO THE CHASE  Electric boilers can work with conventional radiators as well as under oor heating  Some electric boilers can modulate output in the same way as a gas boiler  Most boilers come factory assembled and pre-plumbed for ease of installation  Their compact size makes them an ideal heating solution for high-rise developments high-rise developments often have less room. As a result, it is important to consider products that are compact. Products such as our Electromax system combine an electric boiler with a hot water cylinder to provide full wet central heating and unvented domestic hot water from one compact unit.

Modern, high quality electric boilers which are installed and maintained correctly have a life-span of around 25 years,

so both the installer and the customer can be assured that the investment is going to last.

Longer life In order to offer even more assurance, we ensure the long operational life of our Amptec boilers by using solid state technology for the switching of the heating elements to achieve a much longer switching life than those using conventional electro-mechanical devices. To further prolong the boiler’s life, the heating elements are copper sheathed to last and run at low Watts density.

While electric boilers have been on the market for some time now, it is possible that not all customers will know about the technology. This is especially true if they have been used to electric heaters. In these scenarios, trade professionals have an opportunity to discuss with customers how a modern electric boiler can replace older technology for a more efficient and well-heated home. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/3

29/09/2020 14:37

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

36

Electric Heating

How computer controlled infrared works

Ambion’s heaters can calculate when the electricity supply to the system can be paused while still achieving the required room temperatures

Time and money savings

CCIR systems also are easier to install, whether they’re being retrofitted into an existing building or installed within a new build, because they simply need wiring into the mains rather than plumbing in. For installers in particular, this saves precious time to be able to get onto the next job as quickly as possible.

Another benefit is reducing the administrative burden of processing warranty claims. For example, unlike air source heat pumps, CCIR has no moving parts and requires no annual maintenance, so it makes an ideal choice for customers – particularly housebuilders – looking to ensure that they have minimum after sales issues and warranty claims.

The government has been pouring money into programmes that promote sustainable heating for homes and buildings, and electric solutions have much to offer in achieving its carbon reduction goals. Here, Oliver Baker of Ambion Heating looks at the advantages of computer controlled infrared heating technology.

O

ver the summer, we saw the government commit £3bn to help fix the UK’s ‘leaky’ homes and make public buildings more energy efficient – a ‘down payment’ with the promise of more sustainability initiatives to come.

The Green Homes Grant is now open to applications, and with other policies and incentives designed to tackle the challenge of decarbonising heat, including the underconsultation Clean Heat Grant, the Heat and Buildings Strategy (due later this year), and the Future Homes Standard (due to be implemented in 2025), sustainability is now a major focus, across the public, commercial, housebuilder and domestic sectors.

Better solutions

However, while any scheme to encourage a move towards more cost effective and low carbon heating is to be welcomed, arguably, the government is in danger of missing a trick by focusing on one or two technologies. It should be looking to broaden its scope to include newer, more innovative heating systems that not only deliver on reducing cost and carbon, but also help futureproof buildings by being a long term, rather than a shorterterm, solution.

One such option is computercontrolled infrared heating (CCIR), which has several benefits over traditional electric heating and low carbon systems such as air source heat pumps.

CCIR’s sensors give it the unique ability to learn about the environment it is operating in and optimise heat settings accordingly, enabling users to benefit from super-efficient, sustainable and cost-effective heating.

Compared to traditional convective systems that heat the air within a room, CCIR consumes half the energy needed to achieve the same levels of comfort by radiating to

36.indd 1

Improved comfort

Many end users opt for infrared heating because the heating experience feels more natural and comfortable. Infrared feels like standing in direct sunlight, and once the fabric of the room is saturated with energy, it emits a comfortable, radiant heat.

Infrared can also reduce and prevent damp and improve the air quality within a building because unlike traditional central heating, it’s not reliant on circulating air, so there’s typically less circulating dust. The natural heat and improved air quality creates a much more comfortable living environment.

Oliver Baker

CEO of Ambion Heating

Computer controlled infrared (CCIR) heating has

Long term solution

traditional electric heating and low carbon systems such as air source heat pumps the floors, walls and surfaces of each room.

What makes it different is that the software within each panel constantly monitors each individual room and learns about the energy storage characteristics within it, adjusting its routine to maintain the ambient temperature within the room, maximising its efficiency and using fewer units of energy than a traditional heating system.

Firstly, CCIR is intrinsically more efficient than traditional central heating, as it heats the material within a room, rather than the

air, which can escape from doors and windows.

We also recently conducted an independent assessment to review the performance of the CCIR technology against both traditional convection heating technologies and air source heat pumps. It calculated a performance ratio for each heating system to accurately assess the efficiency and create a benchmark for comparison. The

higher the performance ratio, the more efficient the system was at supplying the required heat demand.

The results showed that the mean average performance ratio for Ambion’s technology was calculated to be 2.79 against the benchmark of 1 for traditional systems and 2.60 for air source heat pumps. This means it reduces energy use and carbon emissions by over 60%.

With an increased focus on sustainability and the net-zero by 2050 target, it is important to consider the longer term and to future-proof as much as possible – for example, while some heating solutions could seem to be a safe bet right now, it is likely they will be overtaken by newer and more efficient systems in the not-too-distant future. Forward-thinking end users wanting to avoid the pain of further upgrades should look at more cutting-edge technologies like CCIR that will stand the test of time.

Looking ahead

The future of heating is low carbon. Therefore, it is important to take time to understand and investigate all the alternatives to gas central heating – such as CCIR – to ensure that the benefits are not only felt in the short term but are also sustainable solutions for the longer term. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/ 0

29/09/2020 14:48

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 30/09/2020 13:14 Page 37

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Electric Heating 37 ķĢĿķĢłā ĞāÖŶāũ ŋƦāũŭ ĕÖŭŶ ĞāÖŶ-Žť ŶĢĿāŭ ¦Ğā ŋƒāũƪŋƒ ĿÖũŶ Ģŭ Ö łāƒ ŭķĢĿķĢłā āķāóŶũĢó ŭŶŋũÖėā ƒÖŶāũ ĞāÖŶāũ ĕũŋĿ NƘóŋ̍ ƑÖĢķÖðķā Ģł ˜˙, ˞˙, ˡ˙ Öłù ˚˙˙ ķĢŶũā óÖťÖóĢŶĢāŭ̇ ŶĞā ˜˙d Ŀŋùāķ ĞÖŭ Öł 1ũ ũÖŶĢłė ŋĕ ̨ ̪ Öłù ŶĞā ˞˙, ˡ˙ Öłù ˚˙˙d Ŀŋùāķŭ óŋĿā ƒĢŶĞ Ö ̨ ̪ ũÖŶĢłė̍ ˜Ĵ āķāĿāłŶ Ğāķťŭ Ŷŋ ÖóĞĢāƑā ĕÖŭŶ ĞāÖŶ Žť ŶĢĿāŭ̇ ƒĞĢķā ťÖŶāłŶāù ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ āłŭŽũāŭ ĢłóŋĿĢłė óŋķù ƒÖŶāũ ùŋāŭ łŋŶ ĢĿĿāùĢÖŶāķƘ ĿĢƗ ƒĢŶĞ ŭŶŋũāù ĞŋŶ ƒÖŶāũ Ģł ŶĞā ŶÖłĴ̇ ŶĞāũāðƘ ĿÖĴĢłė Ŀŋũā ĞŋŶ ƒÖŶāũ ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā̍ ¦Ğā ŋƒāũƪŋƒ ũÖłėā Ģŭ ŭŽĢŶÖðķā ĕŋũ ĞÖłù ƒÖŭĞĢłė Öłù ùĢŭĞ ƒÖŭĞĢłė̇ ƒĞāũā Ö łŽĿðāũ ŋĕ ðÖŭĢłŭ Öũā ũāŨŽĢũāù̇ Ģł ÖťťķĢóÖŶĢŋłŭ ŭŽóĞ Öŭ ŭóĞŋŋķŭ̇ ũāŭŶÖŽũÖłŶŭ̇ ĞāÖķŶĞóÖũā āłƑĢũŋłĿāłŶŭ Öłù ŋƧóāŭ̍ ¦ĞāƘ Öũā ŭŽťťķĢāù óŋĿťķāŶā ƒĢŶĞ Öł ŽłƑāłŶāù ÖóóāŭŭŋũƘ ĴĢŶ Öłù Ö ˚̍˞Ŀ ťũāƒĢũāù óÖðķā ĕŋũ āÖŭƘ ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋł̍ āóŽũā ðũÖóĴāŶŭ Öũā

Hot water when and where you need it

Choice for every budget

ťũŋƑĢùāù ĕŋũ ƒÖķķ ĿŋŽłŶĢłė̇ ƒĢŶĞ ĢłķāŶ̓ŋŽŶķāŶ óŋłłāóŶĢŋłŭ ÖŶ ŶĞā ðÖŭā Ŷŋ ĕÖóĢķĢŶÖŶā āÖŭƘ Öóóāŭŭ ĕŋũ ĕŽŶŽũā ĿÖĢłŶāłÖłóā̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˝˚

łāƒ ũÖłėā ŋĕ āķāóŶũĢó ĞāÖŶāù Ŷŋƒāķ ũÖĢķŭ ĞÖŭ ðāāł ķÖŽłóĞāù ðƘ ĢŶÖóŭ Žłùāũ ĢŶŭ ­ķŶũÖĞāÖŶ ðũÖłù̍ ¦Ğā łāƒ Ŷŋƒāķ ũÖĢķŭ Öũā ťũā-Ʃķķāù ƒĢŶĞ Öł āƦāóŶĢƑā ĞāÖŶ ŶũÖłŭĕāũ ķĢŨŽĢù Öłù ťũā-ƩŶŶāù ƒĢŶĞ Ö ŨŽÖķĢŶƘ ĞāÖŶĢłė āķāĿāłŶ ̞ ŭŋ Ö ŭŶÖłùÖũù āķāóŶũĢóÖķ ŋŽŶķāŶ Ģŭ Öķķ ŶĞÖŶ̪ŭ ũāŨŽĢũāù̍ ¦Ğā óŋķķāóŶĢŋł ĢłóķŽùāŭ óŋĿťÖóŶ̇ ŭťÖóā-ŭÖƑĢłė Ŷŋƒāķ ƒÖũĿāũŭ ĕŋũ āłŭŽĢŶāŭ Öłù Â!ŭ̇ Öłù Öķŭŋ ķÖũėā̇ ĕāÖŶŽũā ťĢāóāŭ ĕŋũ ĕÖĿĢķƘ ðÖŶĞũŋŋĿŭ ̞ Öķķ ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā ÖŶ Ö ũÖłėā ŋĕ ťũĢóā ťŋĢłŶŭ̍ zƦāũĢłė Ö óŋŭŶ-āƦāóŶĢƑā ŭŋķŽŶĢŋł̇ ­ķŶũÖĞāÖŶ̪ŭ ťŋťŽķÖũ 1óŋ ũÖĢķ Öłù !ĞāķĿŭĕŋũù ĿĢķù ŭŶāāķ ùāŭĢėłŭ ĞÖƑā ðāāł ŶũÖłŭĕŋũĿāù ĢłŶŋ āķāóŶũĢó-ŋłķƘ ƑāũŭĢŋłŭ̍ Dŋũ ŶĞŋŭā óŋłŭŽĿāũŭ ķŋŋĴĢłė Ŷŋ ĿÖĴā Ŀŋũā ŋĕ Ö ŭŶÖŶāĿāłŶ̇ ŶĞāũā̪ŭ Ö łāƒ ũÖłėā ŋĕ ÖŭƘĿĿāŶũĢóÖķ ũÖĢķŭ Ģł Ö ťũāĿĢŽĿ ŭŶÖĢłķāŭŭ ŭŶāāķ ŭāŶ ŋƦ ðƘ Ö ũÖłėā ŋĕ ƩłĢŭĞāŭ̇ ĢłóķŽùĢłė łŶĢŨŽā ũŋłơā ̛ťĢóŶŽũāù̜ Öłù ũŽŭĞāù !ŋťťāũ̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˝˛

1ƗŶāłùĢłė ĢŶŭ ťŋũŶĕŋĢķŋ ŋĕ ŭťÖóā ŭÖƑĢłė ƒÖŶāũ ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭŋķŽŶĢŋłŭ ĕŋũ óŋĿĿāũóĢÖķ āłƑĢũŋłĿāłŶŭ̇ ¦ũĢŶŋł ĞÖŭ ķÖŽłóĞāù ŶĞā RłŭŶÖƪŋƒ Ŷŋũāù ĕŋũ ÖťťķĢóÖŶĢŋłŭ ŶĞÖŶ ĞÖƑā Ö ũāŨŽĢũāĿāłŶ ĕŋũ ĞŋŶ ƒÖŶāũ ðŽŶ łŋ Öóóāŭŭ Ŷŋ ťũāĞāÖŶāù ŭŽťťķĢāŭ̍ ̵ÂĢŶĞ ŶĞũāā óÖťÖóĢŶƘ ŭĢơāŭ Ŷŋ óĞŋŋŭā ĕũŋĿ̇ ĢłóķŽùĢłė ˞̇ ˚˙ or ˚˞ ķĢŶũāŭ̇ ŶĞā ƒÖŶāũ ĞāÖŶāũ Ģŭ ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā Ģł ˚̍˞ Öłù ˛Ĵ ťŋƒāũ ũÖŶĢłėŭ̍ RŶ Öķŭŋ ðāłāƩŶŭ ĕũŋĿ ķŋƒ ŋťāũÖŶĢłė ťũāŭŭŽũāŭ̇ ŋłķƘ ũāŨŽĢũĢłė ˙̍˞ ðÖũ̍ ̵Dŋũ āÖŭā ŋĕ ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋł̇ ŶĞā ķÖŶāŭŶ RłŭŶÖƪŋƒ Ŀŋùāķ ĕāÖŶŽũāŭ Ŷŋť óŋłłāóŶĢŋłŭ Öłù óŋĿāŭ ƒĢŶĞ Ö ƒÖķķĿŋŽłŶāù ðũÖóĴāŶ̇ ťũāŭŭŽũā ũāķĢāĕ ƑÖķƑā Öłù ùĢāķāóŶũĢó ıŽłóŶĢŋłŭ̇ Öķķ ŭŽťťķĢāù Ģł ŶĞā ðŋƗ̍ RŶ óÖł óŋłƑāłĢāłŶķƘ ðā ĞĢùùāł ĕũŋĿ ƑĢāƒ Ģł ŽłùāũŭĢłĴ ķŋóÖŶĢŋłŭ Öłù ƒÖŶāũ ŶāĿťāũÖŶŽũā óÖł ðā ÖùıŽŭŶāù Ŷŋ Ö ĿÖƗĢĿŽĿ ŋĕ ˠ˞΅!̍

̵¦ĢłÖ ĢĿťŭŋł̇ ĿÖũĴāŶĢłė ùĢũāóŶŋũ ÖŶ ¦ũĢŶŋł̇ ŭÖƘŭ̆ ̦¦Ğā ťÖłùāĿĢó ĞÖŭ ĞĢėĞķĢėĞŶāù ŶĞā łāāù ĕŋũ āƑāũƘŋłā Ŷŋ Ĵāāť ŶĞāĢũ ĞÖłùŭ óķāÖł Öłù ŭÖłĢŶĢŭāù ŶĞũŋŽėĞŋŽŶ ŶĞā ùÖƘ̇ āŭťāóĢÖķķƘ Ģł ŶĞā ƒŋũĴ āłƑĢũŋłĿāłŶ̍ ̵̦1Ƒāł ƒĞāũā ŭťÖóā Ģŭ Öł ĢŭŭŽā̇ ŶĞā łāƒ RłŭŶÖƪŋƒ Ŷŋũāù ťũŋƑĢùāŭ ťķāłŶĢĕŽķ ĞŋŶ ƒÖŶāũ ĕŋũ ĞÖłùƒÖŭĞĢłė Öłù ťāũŭŋłÖķ ĞƘėĢāłā ŭŋ ŶĞÖŶ ťāŋťķā Öũā ĕŽķķƘ ťũŋŶāóŶāù ƒĞĢķā ÖŶ ƒŋũĴ̧̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˝˜

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 29/09/2020 16:49 Page 38

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

38

Electric Heating

Keeping net-zero targets on track

W Stiebel Eltron’s CON Premium U wall convector comes with an integral controller and automatically switches ŋƦ Ģĕ Ö ũŋŋĿ Ģŭ ƑāłŶĢķÖŶāù

mÖũĴ mómÖłŽŭ̇ ĿÖłÖėĢłė ùĢũāóŶŋũ ÖŶ ŶĢāðāķ 1ķŶũŋł ­ḃ ùĢŭóŽŭŭāŭ Ğŋƒ ƒā óÖł ĿÖĢłŶÖĢł progress made towards net-zero targets despite Covid-˚ˢ’s transformational impact on the economy and the way we live and work.

P

rior to the Covid pandemic the UK’s city centres were experiencing a boom.

Changing perceptions of urban centres spurred a ťũŋķĢƩó ťāũĢŋù ŋĕ ùāƑāķŋťĿāłŶ̇ and a forest of cranes dotted the skyline of most major cities.

Once viewed as the poor relation Ŷŋ ķāÖĕƘ ŭŽðŽũðŭ̇ ŽũðÖł óāłŶũāŭ were experiencing a renaissance. ŽŶ óĞÖłėāŭ Ŷŋ ŶĞā ƒÖƘ ƒā ķĢƑā̇ ťũāóĢťĢŶÖŶāù ðƘ ŶĞā óŋũŋłÖƑĢũŽŭ̇ could reverse this trend completely.

Lockdown has demonstrated the limitations of smaller urban ťũŋťāũŶĢāŭ̇ ƒĞāũā ťāŋťķā Öũā forced to work from home for āƗŶāłùāù ťāũĢŋùŭ ŋĕ ŶĢĿā̇ ƒĢŶĞ

limited outside space. Cities have also borne the brunt of the virus’ economic and social impact.

Population density accelerates ŶĞā ŭťũāÖù ŋĕ ŶĞā ƑĢũŽŭ̇ ķāÖùĢłė to more invasive lockdown ĿāÖŭŽũāŭ ŶĞÖŶ ŭŶĢƪā ėũŋƒŶĞ Öłù łāėÖŶā ĿÖłƘ ŋĕ ŶĞā ðāłāƩŶŭ ŶĞāŭā ÖũāÖŭ ťũāƑĢŋŽŭķƘ ŋƦāũāù Ģł ŶāũĿŭ of leisure and retail.

Town planning These factors have led some in the property sector to predict that one of the legacies of the pandemic could be a return to suburban living and a fall in demand for city centre living.

But returning demand for suburban development would have a profound impact on the

property sector’s ability to reach sustainability targets. ¦Ğā āłƑĢũŋłĿāłŶÖķ ðāłāƩŶŭ of city living were explained in a report from the Committee on Climate Change in ˛˙˚ˢ̇ ƒĞĢóĞ pushed for the Government to promote high-density housing as a means of minimising car use and improving air quality.

The pre-Covid boom in city centre living also consisted primarily of large-scale and high-density build-to-rent ùāƑāķŋťĿāłŶŭ̇ ŭŽťťķāĿāłŶāù by a burgeoning student accommodation market. These

schemes presented opportunities Ŷŋ ĢĿťķāĿāłŶ ĢłłŋƑÖŶĢƑā̇ łāƒ̇ more sustainable heating systems.

Clean living In electric panel heaters and ĢłŭŶÖłŶÖłāŋŽŭ ƒÖŶāũ ĞāÖŶāũŭ̇ developers found solutions that not only provided excellent óŋĿĕŋũŶ ĕŋũ ũāŭĢùāłŶŭ̇ ðŽŶ Öķŭŋ minimised the environmental impact of the building.

These homes have also been perfect environments for the implementation of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems as well as heat

pumps – both highly sustainable solutions.

A return to urban sprawl would undermine many of the gains that society has made in improving sustainability. And it could also increase demand ĕŋũ ŋķùāũ ťũŋťāũŶĢāŭ̇ ƒĢŶĞ ķāėÖóƘ heating systems that may rely on fossil fuel.

The heating sector now has a ŭĢėłĢƩóÖłŶ ŶÖŭĴ ŋł ĢŶŭ ĞÖłùŭ Ŷŋ promote innovation. This will be crucial at a time when we already ĕÖóā ŭĢėłĢƩóÖłŶ óÖũðŋł ũāùŽóŶĢŋł targets – a ˚˞% reduction in energy used for heating by ˛˙˜˙.

To meet these targets amid a ŭĢėłĢƩóÖłŶ ŭĞĢĕŶĢłė ťũŋťāũŶƘ ķÖłùŭóÖťā̇ ŋŽũ ŭāóŶŋũ łāāùŭ Ŷŋ maintain the market for the latest electrical products through innovation.

Whether the post-Covid future Ģŭ Ö ũāŶŽũł Ŷŋ ŶĞā ŭŽðŽũðŭ̇ ŋũ a renewed approach to city centre living – where green space and working from home is front of mind for developers – sustainability will be key. As a key ťÖũŶ ŋĕ ŶĞā ðŽĢķŶ āłƑĢũŋłĿāłŶ̇ ƒā will need to adapt swiftly. ͻ phamnews.co.uk̓ˡ˛˙̓˝˝

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 30/09/2020 14:00 Page 39

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Electric Heating

Easy plumb boiler solution The ECB ˛˚˙ electric combi boiler from Advance Appliances provides mains pressure hot water, ĕŋũ ĕÖŭŶ ðÖŶĞ ƩķķĢłė Öłù ťŋƒāũ ŭĞŋƒāũĢłė̇ ƒĢŶĞŋŽŶ the need for relief valves, as well as vented central ĞāÖŶĢłė ĕŋũ ĕŋŽũ Ŷŋ ƩƑā ũÖùĢÖŶŋũŭ̍ ¦Ğā 1! Ģŭ ŭāķĕcommissioning and if required can be used on sealed ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā ÖùùĢŶĢŋł ŋĕ Ö ťķÖŶā ĞāÖŶ āƗóĞÖłėāũ and pump. The unit is said to be best suited for use in single bathroom apartments. ¦Ğā óŋĿðĢ óÖł ðāłāƩŶ ĕũŋĿ óĞāÖť āķāóŶũĢóĢŶƘ ŶÖũĢƦ ŭŽťťķĢāŭ ŽŭĢłė ˟kW and ˜kW single phase immersion heaters. An overnight charge from the ˟kW immersion will provide enough hot water for a bath and a shower. The ˜kW heater acts as a hot water ðŋŋŭŶ Ģł óÖŭā ŋĕ āƗŶũÖ ùāĿÖłù̍ The ECB is independently CE marked and is preplumbed and pre-wired. There are high levels of circuit ťũŋŶāóŶĢŋł Ŷŋ ťũāƑāłŶ ŋƑāũĞāÖŶĢłė Öłù Öł ÖķÖũĿ ƩŶŶāù which sounds if this should occur. Store temperature is āÖŭĢķƘ ÖùıŽŭŶāù ŋł Ö ĕÖóŶŋũƘ ƩŶŶāù ŶĞāũĿŋŭŶÖŶ̍ ł ̨ ̪ ũÖŶāù ťŽĿť Ģŭ Öķŭŋ ŭŽťťķĢāù ƩŶŶāù Öłù wired, to plumb straight into the radiator circuit. The stainless steel thermal store comes with a ˚˙-year guarantee and a two-year guarantee on parts. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˝˞

Infrared panels target heat Infrared panel heaters from Tansun are claimed to be highly āƧóĢāłŶ ðāóÖŽŭā ŶĞāƘ ŋłķƘ heat targeted areas instead of a whole room. Infrared heaters also produce immediate heat, therefore consuming less energy than standard heaters that require warm-up time, and are ĿÖłŽĕÖóŶŽũāù Ŷŋ ŋƦāũ ŋťŶĢĿŽĿ ĞāÖŶ performance all year round.

Infrared heaters can be used with Tansun’s energy saving controllers, which include time lag switches/motion detectors and dimmer devices. With zoning Öłù óŋłŶũŋķ̇ āłāũėƘ āƧóĢāłóƘ Ģŭ ŋťŶĢĿĢŭāù̇ and heating bills can be reduced.

The programmable timer is a function that automatically deactivates the product at intervals throughout the day. This is known as a run-back timer.

Tansun has also designed an app for

controlling its heaters. This allows for remote interaction outside the building where the product is installed so that users can control the heating coming on.

Its features include being able to turn ĞāÖŶāũŭ ŋł Öłù ŋƦ̇ óŋłŶũŋķ ŶĞā ťŋƒāũ ķāƑāķ at ˞˙ͮ̇ ˠ˞ͮ or ˚˙˙ͮ Öłù ťŋƒāũ óŋłŶũŋķ of individual heating elements. Users can ŭƒĢŶóĞ ðāŶƒāāł ŭĢƗ óŋłłāóŶāù ĞāÖŶĢłė systems using a single remote, making it hassle free to operate multiple heaters from more than one device. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˝˟

Fully programmable Aztec The Aztec series of electric boilers from Trianco includes models that are WiFi enabled, and they are fully controllable via the supplied digital programmer.

Available in either combi or system ƑāũŭĢŋłŭ̇ ŶĞāƘ ĕāÖŶŽũā ! ŭ ŶĞÖŶ ŋƦāũ ĕŽķķ modulation.

Customers can also choose to pair the Aztec boilers with the Salus i¦˞˙˙ internetenabled thermostat with wireless capabilities.

Designed to operate via WiFi and smartphones, the i¦˞˙˙ ŋƦāũŭ ĞŋĿāŋƒłāũŭ ĕŽķķ ũāĿŋŶā óŋłŶũŋķ Öłù ƪāƗĢðĢķĢŶƘ ŋĕ ŶĞāĢũ ĞŋŶ ƒÖŶāũ Öłù ĞāÖŶĢłė łāāùŭ̍ ¦Ğā Aztec Mini Combi and Mini System units can also be óŋłŶũŋķķāù ðƘ ùĢėĢŶÖķ ĞŋĿā ÖŭŭĢŭŶÖłŶŭ ķĢĴā ķāƗÖ̍ The Mini Combi is available with a ˚˛kW water heater, with optional heating outputs of ˡ, ˚˙ or ˚˛kW. The Mini System has heat outputs of ˡ, ˚˛ or ˚˝kW. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˝ˠ

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 30/09/2020 14:00 Page 40

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

40

Electric Heating

For staycation accommodation Dry towels year round 'āŭĢėłāù Ŷŋ ƒŋũĴ ĢłùāťāłùāłŶķƘ ŋĕ Ö ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭƘŭŶāĿ̇ the range of electric-only towel warmers from Vogue ťũŋƑĢùā āÖŭƘ ƘāÖũ-round heat. For added convenience, the models in the range are available with a remote controlled heat element.

Items in the Electric Collection only require a fused ŭťŽũ óŋłłāóŶĢŋł̍ ¦ĞāũĿÖķ ŶũÖłŭĕāũ ƪŽĢù Ģŭ ĞāÖŶāù ðƘ an electric element within the unit.

Electric Dryline technology is available across ŭāķāóŶāù Ŀŋùāķŭ̍ 'āƩłāù ðƘ ŶĞā Öðŭāłóā ŋĕ ƪŽĢùŭ̇ Dryline allows the towel warmer to be heated by a ŭĢķĢóŋłā ĞāÖŶāũ óÖðķā̇ ƒĞĢóĞ Ģŭ ÖŶŶÖóĞāù Ŷŋ Ö ĕŽŭā ŭťŽũ̍ Some of the models in the Electric Collection ĢłóķŽùā ŶĞā FũÖóā̇ Ö óŋłŶāĿťŋũÖũƘ ķÖùùāũ ũÖĢķ̇ designed with large diameter tubing; the industrialstyle minimalist Serene; Ballerina, a traditional,

Aimed at leisure and holiday accommodation sectors, the Velis Evo electric storage water heaters from Ariston deliver a reliable and āƧóĢāłŶ ŭŋŽũóā ŋĕ ĞŋŶ ƒÖŶāũ ĕŋũ country cottages, mobile homes and cabins.

1ÖóĞ ŽłĢŶ ðāłāƩŶŭ ĕũŋĿ ŭťÖóāsaving twin-tank technology and measures just ˛ˠóĿ ùāāť̍ ¦Ğā ÁāķĢŭ Evo also boasts a best-in-class ErP rating, as well as fast reheat times.

RŶŭ āłāũėƘ āƧóĢāłóƘ óũāùāłŶĢÖķŭ are further enhanced by a low ˚̍˞Ĵ ťŋƒāũ ŭŽťťķƘ̇ ƒĞĢóĞ Ģŭ ĢùāÖķ ƒĞāł ĢłŭŶÖķķĢłė Ģł ķāĢŭŽũā ŋũ ŋƦ-

ŭĢŶā ÖťťķĢóÖŶĢŋłŭ Öŭ Öł ÖķŶāũłÖŶĢƑā to hot water cylinders.

Velis Evo electric storage ƒÖŶāũ ĞāÖŶāũŭ Öũā Öķŭŋ ƩŶŶāù ƒĢŶĞ ũĢŭŶŋł̪ŭ ÖĕāŶƘ ƘŭŶāĿ̍ ¦ĞĢŭ includes ‘anti-ŋƑāũĞāÖŶĢłė̪̇ ̨ÖłŶĢĕũāāơĢłė̪ Öłù ̨ùũƘ ĞāÖŶĢłė ŭāķĕùĢÖėłŋŭĢŭ̪ ĕŽłóŶĢŋłŭ̇ ťũŋŶāóŶĢłė ťũŋùŽóŶŭ Ģł ŶĞā āƑāłŶ ŋĕ āłāũėƘ or water failures. All units have an anti-legionella function that automatically increases the ŶāĿťāũÖŶŽũā ŋĕ ŶĞā ƒÖŶāũ Žť Ŷŋ ˟˞°C once a month to ensure healthier water. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˝ˡ

ťāũĢŋù-ŭŶƘķā ƒÖũĿāũ̒ Öłù DŋóŽŭ ̛ťĢóŶŽũāù̜̇ ÁŋėŽā̪ŭ ƪÖėŭĞĢť Ŀŋùāķ̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˝ˢ

Low surface temperature for vulnerable settings 1óŋķāó ŋƦāũŭ Ö ũÖłėā ŋĕ ķŋƒ ŭŽũĕÖóā ŶāĿťāũÖŶŽũā āķāóŶũĢó ũÖùĢÖłŶ ťÖłāķ ĞāÖŶāũŭ̇ ĢłóķŽùĢłė ĿĢũũŋũāù ŋťŶĢŋłŭ ̛ťĢóŶŽũāù̜̍ ¦ĞāƘ ťũŋƑĢùā óŋłŶũŋķķÖðķā ĞāÖŶ Öłù Öũā ŭŽĢŶÖðķā for bathrooms and toilets. ¦Ğā óŋĿťÖłƘ̪ŭ ũÖłėā ŋĕ ŭķĢĿķĢłā d ¦ ũÖùĢÖŶŋũŭ Öũā ŭŽĢŶÖðķā for care homes, schools, nurseries, and sheltered accommodation under HSE guidelines. Available with either a wireless or mains controller, they are available in white as ŭŶÖłùÖũù̇ ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā ŋťŶĢŋł ŋĕ ˚ˡ ŋŶĞāũ óŋķŋŽũŭ Ģĕ ũāŨŽĢũāù̍ ¦ĞāƘ can be installed vertically or horizontally and are available for m óŋłŶũŋķŭ̇ Ŷŋŋ̍ ¦Ğāŭā āłāũėƘ āƧóĢāłŶ ũÖùĢÖŶŋũŭ ũāŨŽĢũā łŋ ťķŽĿðĢłė̇ łŋ ėŽÖũùŭ Öłù łŋ ťĢťāƒŋũĴ̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˞˙

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 01/10/2020 11:06 Page 41

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Tools & Workwear 41

Toolbox essentials Most installers have a set of tools that they couldn’t do without, but what other products can you add to your armoury that would make your work easier?

Richard Harvey from Wolseley looks at some of the tools that could prove to be a wise investment for industry professionals.

W

hen it comes to tools, every installer has their favourite, but there’s always room in the toolbox for another product that will help get you through the working day. Here are some products which I think should be close to hand.

ðā Žŭāù ŋł āķāóŶũĢóÖķ Ʃ ũāŭ̇ ŭŋķĢùŭ Öłù combustible liquids (RRP £˜˜̍ˢˢ).

Makita DAB job site radio

Headtorch from Raptor When it comes to repairing a kitchen ŭĢłĴ̇ ŋũ Ʃ ƗĢłė Ö ðŋĢķāũ̇ ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ ĿÖƘ struggle to see what they’re doing purely because they’re in a tight space with limited light. That’s why a good light source, like a headtorch for example, is always invaluable when performing engineering work.

Choosing a headtorch instead of a ƪ ÖŭĞķĢėĞŶ ƒĢķķ ŭÖƑā ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ ŶĢĿā ŭŋ they no longer need to manoeuvre a hand torch to see what needs repairing or replacing.

The Vision One hands-free headlamp from Raptor features four light modes so that installers can work in low light areas such as lofts, boiler cupboards and plant rooms (RRP £˚˟̍ˢˢ).

Richard Harvey Commercial director at Wolseley

¦ĞŋũŋŽėĞƪ ŽŭĞ ¦Ğā ĢłłŋƑÖŶĢƑā ¦ĞŋũŋŽėĞƪ ŽŭĞ ĞÖŭ óĞÖłėāù ŶĞā ĿÖĢłŭ ƪ ŽŭĞĢłė ėÖĿā̍ NĢėĞķƘ āƦ āóŶĢƑā Öłù ķāŭŭ Ʃ ùùķƘ ŶĞÖł ťŋƒāũ ƪ ŽŭĞĢłė̇ ŶĞā ¦ĞŋũŋŽėĞƪ ŽŭĞ āłÖðķāŭ ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ Ŷŋ óĞÖłėā ŶĞā ƪ ŋƒ direction, disturbing contamination within heating systems and radiators āƑāł ĕŽũŶĞāũ̇ āłŭŽũĢłė Ö Ŀŋũā āƧ óĢāłŶ ƪ ŽŭĞ ̛ ͎˛ˢ˚̍ˢˢ).

1łùĕāāù Ʃ ŶŶĢłėŭ ŶŽð ĕũŋĿ !āłŶāũ This tub of ˜˚˙ āłùĕāāù Ʃ ŶŶĢłėŭ ėĢƑāŭ installers a cost-āƦ āóŶĢƑā ƒÖƘ ŋĕ ıŋĢłŶĢłė copper tubes in line with EN ˚˙˞ˠ standards. Light and neat, they make the handling and installation process easier. Embellished with smooth lines to ĿĢłĢĿĢŭā ƪ ŋƒ ũāŭŶũĢóŶĢŋłŭ̇ ŶĞā āłù-feed Ʃ ŶŶĢłėŭ ĕũŋĿ !āłŶāũ ťũŋƑĢùā Ö łāÖŶ Öłù āƦ āóŶĢƑā óŋłłāóŶĢŋł ðāŶƒāāł óŋťťāũ tubes by using solder wire to achieve a highly reliable joint (RRP £ˠ˙̍ˢˢ).

Monobloc tap spanner set with backnut from Rothenberger A toolbox staple. This tap spanner set from Rothenberger will come in handy for every installer that regularly installs monobloc taps. Quick and easy to use, the set covers the most commonly used monobloc tap nut sizes and is supplied with a tommy bar for increased torque.

Finished in brushed chrome, this attractive spanner set can also be used in a wide range of other applications (RRP £˟̍ˢˢ).

Gas App pŋŶ Öķķ Ŷŋŋķŭ Ʃ Ŷ Ģł Öł ĢłŭŶÖķķāũ̪ŭ ŶŋŋķðŋƗ̇ and Gas App is one of them. With an array of features, it is designed to help registered gas engineers improve their quality of work whilst saving time and money. The app includes: a library of manufacturer’s manuals and instructions; digital documents such as gas inspection forms; landlord gas safety records and job sheets; as well as monthly competitions and a community for installers to share best practice.

Installers can feel at ease knowing they have access to an endless source of help whenever they need it (free on the App Store and Google Play).

Raptor air temperature probe The Raptor temperature probe can be used to measure temperatures in air and liquids, detergents, semi-solids and non-toxic chemicals. Compliant with both BS EN ˟˙˞ˡ˝̟˚ and BS EN ˟˙˞ˡ˝̟˜ standards, the Raptor air temperature probe is compatible with any K type thermometer or multimeter with a K type input (RRP £˛˞̍ˢˢ).

Fire extinguisher from Regin ÂĞāł ĢŶ óŋĿāŭ Ŷŋ Ʃ ũā̇ ĢŶ ťÖƘŭ Ŷŋ ðā overly cautious. Although every óāũŶĢƩ āù ĢłŭŶÖķķāũ ƒĢķķ ĞÖƑā óŋĿťķāŶāù ŶĞā ðÖŭĢó Ʃ ũā-Ʃ ėĞŶĢłė ŶāóĞłĢŨŽāŭ̇ it’s essential that the right type of extinguisher is used on the job. The Regin ˚Ĵė ťŋƒāũ Ʃ ũā āƗŶĢłėŽĢŭĞāũ Ģŭ a real hero. With the ability to be used ŋł ̇ ͽ ! Ʃ ũāŭ̇ ŶĞĢŭ āƗŶĢłėŽĢŭĞāũ óÖł

For anyone who works on site, jobsite radios are a must. As they operate without a conventional plug, installers can add a spot of entertainment to their day, whenever they are working in silence. When it comes to choosing the right jobsite radio, it’s important that it can withstand harsh conditions. The Makita DAB job site radio has elastomer bumpers for protection against rough handling, and the IP˟˝ stamp of approval for dust and shower-proof construction (RRP £˚˛˞̍ˢˢ).

Find out more

S Toolbox essentials: Handsfree headlamp from Raptor, tap spanners from Rothenberger, Raptor air temperature probe and !āłŶāũ āłùĕāāù ĕĢŶŶĢłėŭ

For more information on must-haves for the toolbox, visit the trade essentials section on the Wolseley website to see a range of high-quality, high-performance tools installers need to get the job done. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˞˚

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 30/09/2020 14:00 Page 42

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

42

Tools & Workwear

Professional kit for better results ¦Ğā ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ Ģł ťũŋĕāŭŭĢŋłÖķ ťŋƒāũ Ŷŋŋķŭ ŭāŶŭ ŶĞāĿ ÖťÖũŶ ĕũŋĿ ŶĞāĢũ 'RÈ óŋŽłŶāũťÖũŶŭ̍ pĢóĴ !ĞÖł ĕũŋĿ NĢbzbR ŋƒāũ ¦ŋŋķŭ āƗťķÖĢłŭ Ğŋƒ ĕāÖŶŽũāŭ ķĢĴā ðũŽŭĞķāŭŭ ĿŋŶŋũŭ Öłù ÖùƑÖłóāù battery tech can help plumbing and heating installers get jobs ùŋłā ĕÖŭŶāũ̇ Ŀŋũā āƧóĢāłŶķƘ Öłù ŭÖĕāķƘ̍

B

brushless motor technology in cordless and ĿÖĢłŭ ťŋƒāũāù Ŷŋŋķŭ ĢĿťũŋƑā āƧóĢāłóƘ̇ ĢłóũāÖŭā ŭÖĕāŶƘ̇ Öłù ťũŋƑĢùā Ö ķŋłėāũ ķĢĕā̍ Dŋũ ĢłŭŶÖłóā̇ Ö ðũŽŭĞķāŭŭ ĿŋŶŋũ óÖł ĢłóũāÖŭā working time by up to ˝˙% when used on ķŋłėāũ̇ ĞĢėĞ-ƑŋķŽĿā ùũĢķķĢłė ıŋðŭ̍ ¦ĞĢŭ Ģŭ ĢĿťŋũŶÖłŶ because power tools are a vital part of any installer’s tool ðÖė̇ Öłù ĢŶ Ģŭ ƒŋũŶĞ ĢłƑāŭŶĢłė Ģł Ö ťũŋĕāŭŭĢŋłÖķ ðũÖłù ŭĢłóā ŶĞā ùĢƦāũāłóāŭ ðāŶƒāāł Ŷŋŋķŭ óÖł ðā ŭŶÖũĴ̍ !ĞāÖťāũ Ŷŋŋķŭ̇ ĕŋũ ĢłŭŶÖłóā̇ ĿÖƘ Žŭā ðũŽŭĞāù ĿŋŶŋũŭ where the carbon brushes are in constant contact with ŶĞā óŋĿĿŽŶÖŶŋũ ùŽũĢłė Žŭā̍ ¦ĞĢŭ ĕũĢóŶĢŋł ƒĢķķ ĿāÖł ŶĞÖŶ the brushes will need to be replaced as they wear out over ŶĢĿā ƒĢŶĞ Žŭā̇ ťŽŶŶĢłė ŶĞā Ŷŋŋķ ŋŽŶ ŋĕ ÖóŶĢŋł ĕŋũ Ö ƒĞĢķā ÖŶ ķāÖŭŶ̍ łù ùŽā Ŷŋ ŶĞā Ŀŋũā óŋĿťÖóŶ ùāŭĢėł óŋĿťÖũāù Ŷŋ ðũŽŭĞāù ĿŋŶŋũŭ̇ ĢłóŋũťŋũÖŶĢłė ŶĞā ðũŽŭĞķāŭŭ ĿŋŶŋũ permits a reduction in size and weight of tools for easier ĞÖłùķĢłė ŭŋ ƘŋŽ óÖł Ĵāāť ėŋĢłė ĕŋũ ķŋłėāũ̍ ¦ĞĢŭ Ģŭ ĢĿťŋũŶÖłŶ ðāóÖŽŭā ťķŽĿðĢłė Öłù ĞāÖŶĢłė āłėĢłāāũŭ ùŋ ŶĞāĢũ ĕÖĢũ ŭĞÖũā ŋĕ ŶŋŽėĞ ıŋðŭ̇ Öłù ĞÖƑĢłė Öł āƧóĢāłŶ ðũŽŭĞķāŭŭ ĿŋŶŋũ̇ óŋĿðĢłāù ƒĢŶĞ ðÖŶŶāũƘ

BY NUMBERS

40% ÖĿŋŽłŶ ðũŽŭĞķāŭŭ ĿŋŶŋũŭ óÖł ĢłóũāÖŭā ƒŋũĴĢłė ŶĢĿā ŋł ĞĢėĞ ƑŋķŽĿā ùũĢķķĢłė ıŋðŭ

Nick Chan

Marketing manager for HiKOKI Power Tools UK

32 ĿĢłŭ ķāłėŶĞ ŋĕ ŶĢĿā ũāŨŽĢũāù Ŷŋ ĕŽķķƘ óĞÖũėā NĢbzbR̪ŭ ˜˟V ðÖŶŶāũƘ ťÖóĴŭ

1500 łŽĿðāũ ŋĕ ŶĢĿāŭ NĢbzbR̪ŭ ðÖŶŶāũƘ ťÖóĴ óÖł ðā óĞÖũėāù ƒĢŶĞŋŽŶ ĢĿťÖóŶĢłė ťāũĕŋũĿÖłóā

204ĿĿ ķāłėŶĞ ŋĕ ŶĞā 'Á˜˟DAX óŋĿðĢ ùũĢķķ

'Žā Ŷŋ Ö Ŀŋũā óŋĿťÖóŶ ùāŭĢėł óŋĿťÖũāù Ŷŋ ðũŽŭĞāù ĿŋŶŋũŭ̇ ŶĞā ðũŽŭĞķāŭŭ ĿŋŶŋũ ťāũĿĢŶŭ Ö ũāùŽóŶĢŋł Ģł ŭĢơā Öłù ƒāĢėĞŶ ŋĕ Ŷŋŋķŭ

ťŋƒāũ Ŷŋ ėāŶ ŶĞũŋŽėĞ ŶĞāŭā āƧóĢāłŶķƘ̇ ĿÖŶŶāũŭ̍ mŋùāũł óŋũùķāŭŭ ðÖŶŶāũƘ ťŋƒāũ ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ ŋƦāũŭ Ŀŋũā ťŋƒāũ Öłù ùŽũÖðĢķĢŶƘ ŶĞÖł āƑāũ ðāĕŋũā̇ ĿāÖłĢłė ŶĞāĢũ performance now often matches that of their corded óŋŽłŶāũťÖũŶŭ̍ ũŋĕāŭŭĢŋłÖķ ėũÖùā óŋũùķāŭŭ Ŷŋŋķŭ ĞÖƑā the added advantage that you can take a cordless tool ÖłƘƒĞāũā̇ ƒĢŶĞ łŋ ķāÖùŭ Ŷŋ ŶũĢť ŋł̇ Öłù ƘŋŽ ùŋł̪Ŷ ĞÖƑā Ŷŋ óÖũũƘ ĞāÖƑƘ ŶũÖłŭĕŋũĿāũŭ ÖũŋŽłù āĢŶĞāũ̍

1ƧóĢāłŶ Žŭā ŋĕ ŶĢĿā ¦ĞĢŭ Öķķ ĿÖĴāŭ ĕŋũ āƧóĢāłŶ ƒŋũĴĢłė̇ Öłù ŶĢĿā Ģł ŶĞā ðÖłĴ ĕŋũ Ŀŋũā ıŋðŭ Ŷŋ ėāŶ ùŋłā̍ ũŋĕāŭŭĢŋłÖķ̇ ĞĢėĞ ťāũĕŋũĿÖłóā ťŋƒāũ Ŷŋŋķŭ óÖł ĢĿťũŋƑā ƘŋŽũ ťũŋƩŶÖðĢķĢŶƘ Ŷŋŋ̇ ŭÖƑĢłė ŶĢĿā̇ ĿŋłāƘ Öłù āłāũėƘ̍ ¦ŋŋķŭ ƒĢŶĞ NĢbzbR̪ŭ mŽķŶĢ ÁŋķŶ dĢ̟Ģŋł ðÖŶŶāũƘ̇ ĕŋũ ĢłŭŶÖłóā̇ ťũŋƑĢùā Žŭāũŭ ƒĢŶĞ ÖƒāŭŋĿā ĿÖĢłŭ̟ķĢĴā ťŋƒāũ̇ ƒĢŶĞ Öķķ ŶĞā freedom and convenience associated with cordless Ŷŋŋķŭ̍ mŽķŶĢ ÁŋķŶ ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ ĿÖĴāŭ ĢŶ ťŋŭŭĢðķā Ŷŋ Žŭā ˜˟Á ðÖŶŶāũƘ ťÖóĴŭ ƒĢŶĞ ˚˗Á ĿÖóĞĢłāŭ̍ RłŶāķķĢėāłŶ connecting technology makes it possible for the battery pack to detect whether it is being used on an ˚˗Á ŋũ Ö ˜˟Á ùāƑĢóā̇ Öłù ÖŽŶŋĿÖŶĢóÖķķƘ ÖùıŽŭŶ ŶĞā ƑŋķŶÖėā̍ Using the UC˚ˡÈ d˜ óĞÖũėāũ̇ ŶĞā ˜˟Á ðÖŶŶāũƘ ťÖóĴŭ can be fully charged in just ˜˛ ĿĢłŽŶāŭ̍ Rł ÖùùĢŶĢŋł̇ the battery packs have a particularly long service ķĢĕā̆ ¦ĞāƘ óÖł ðā óĞÖũėāù Žť Ŷŋ ˚˞˙˙ times without ÖłƘ ÖťťũāóĢÖðķā ĢĿťÖóŶ ŋł ťāũĕŋũĿÖłóā̍ ¦Ğā āłāũėƘ available in the battery pack is displayed on the battery itself through a four-ŭŶÖėā óĞÖũėā ĢłùĢóÖŶŋũ̍ ¦Ğā óũŋŭŭťķÖŶĕŋũĿ ƪāƗĢðĢķĢŶƘ ŋĕ ŶĞā mŽķŶĢ ÁŋķŶ ðÖŶŶāũƘ ĿāÖłŭ ƘŋŽ óÖł Žŭā ŶĞā ŭÖĿā ðÖŶŶāũƘ ŋł Ö ƑÖũĢāŶƘ ŋĕ Ŷŋŋķŭ̇ reducing the number of batteries needed (or needing to be checked that they are charged) and making for Ŀŋũā āƧóĢāłŶ ƒŋũĴƪŋƒ̍

ÖĕāŶƘ ĕāÖŶŽũāŭ Rĕ ƘŋŽ ùŋ ĞÖƑā Ŷŋ óĞĢŭāķ ŋŽŶ ŋķù ðÖŶĞũŋŋĿŭ Öłù ĴĢŶóĞāłŭ̇ a cordless SDS- ķŽŭ NÖĿĿāũ̇ ŭŽóĞ Öŭ ŶĞā 'N˜˟' ̇ óÖł Ğāķť ƘŋŽ ėāŶ ŶĞā ıŋð ùŋłā Ŀŋũā āƧóĢāłŶķƘ̍ RŶ ĞÖŭ Ö ŭĢĿĢķÖũ ťŋƒāũ ŋŽŶťŽŶ Ŷŋ Ö ĿÖĢłŭ ťŋƒāũāù Ŷŋŋķ̇ ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞũāā Ŀŋùā ÖóŶĢŋł ŭāŶŶĢłėŭ̆ ùũĢķķĢłė̇ ĞÖĿĿāũ ùũĢķķĢłė Öłù óĞĢŭāķĢłė̍ RŶ̪ŭ óŋĿťÖóŶ̇ ķĢėĞŶƒāĢėĞŶ Öłù Öķŭŋ ĢłóķŽùāŭ Žŭāũ ŭÖĕāŶƘ ĕāÖŶŽũāŭ̍ Dŋũ ėāłāũÖķ ùũĢķķĢłė ıŋðŭ̇ Ö óŋĿðĢ ùũĢķķ ķĢĴā ŶĞā 'Á˜˟' Ç ĞÖŭ Ö ĞŽėā ĿÖƗĢĿŽĿ ĞÖũù ŶŋũŨŽā ŋĕ ˚˜ˡpĿ̇ with ˛˛ ŶŋũŨŽā ŭāŶŶĢłėŭ Öłù Ö ðŽĢķŶ Ģł d1' ƒŋũĴķĢėĞŶ̍ RŶ Ģŭ also only ˛˙˝ĿĿ ķŋłė̇ ŭŋ ĢŶ̪ŭ ėŋŋù ĕŋũ ŶĞŋŭā ŶĢėĞŶ ŭťÖóāŭ Žłùāũ ŭĢłĴŭ Öłù ÖũŋŽłù ðŋĢķāũ ĢłŭŶÖķķÖŶĢŋłŭ̍ ¦Ğāũā Ģŭ ÖłŋŶĞāũ ĢĿťŋũŶÖłŶ ÖùƑÖłŶÖėā ŋĕ ĞĢėĞ ťāũĕŋũĿÖłóā ťŋƒāũ Ŷŋŋķŭ ̞ Žŭāũ ŭÖĕāŶƘ̍ ¦Ğā ðāŭŶ manufacturers build individual safety features into ùĢƦāũāłŶ ŶƘťāŭ ŋĕ Ŷŋŋķ̇ ķĢĴā ŋŽũ ŭŽťāũ ŭÖĕā łÖĢķāũŭ̇ ùũĢķķŭ̇ ŭÖƒŭ Öłù ðũāÖĴāũŭ̍ ¦ÖĴā NĢbzbR̪ŭ āÖóŶĢƑā Dŋũóā !ŋłŶũŋķ ̛ D!̜ ĕŋũ ĢłŭŶÖłóā̇ ƒĞĢóĞ ŭŶŋťŭ ŶĞā Ŷŋŋķ ŶŋũŨŽāĢłė ƑĢŋķāłŶķƘ Žłùāũ ķŋÖù̇ ťũŋŶāóŶĢłė ŶĞā Žŭāũ̇ ƒĞĢķā ­ŭāũ ÁĢðũÖŶĢŋł ũŋŶāóŶĢŋł ̛­Á ̜ ùÖĿťāłĢłė is built into the tool to reduce the level of vibration ŶũÖłŭĕāũũāù Ŷŋ ŶĞā Žŭāũ̍ mŋũā ėāłāũÖķķƘ̇ Ŷŋŋķŭ ƒĢŶĞ ðũŽŭĞķāŭŭ ĿŋŶŋũŭ ĢłóũāÖŭā ŋťāũÖŶŋũ ŭÖĕāŶƘ Öłù ŋƑāũķŋÖù ťũŋŶāóŶĢŋł̍ ¦ĞāƘ ùŋł̪Ŷ ėāłāũÖŶā ŶĞā ŭÖĿā ĞāÖŶ̇ Öŭ ŶĞāũā Öũā łŋ óÖũðŋł ðũŽŭĞāŭ̇ Öłù óÖł̪Ŷ ðā ðŽũłŶ ŋŽŶ̍ ¦ĞāƘ Öķŭŋ ŋƦāũ ðāŶŶāũ protection on kick-ðÖóĴ óŋłŶũŋķ ƒĞāł ŋťāũÖŶĢłė̍ ŋĿā ĿÖłŽĕÖóŶŽũāũŭ ŭŽóĞ Öŭ NĢbzbR Öķŭŋ ĞÖƑā ťŋƒāũ óŽŶ ŋŽŶ ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ̇ ƒĞĢóĞ Ĵāāťŭ ŶĞā ŋťāũÖŶŋũ ŭÖĕā Ŷŋŋ̍ ͻ ťĞÖĿłāƒŭ̍óŋ̍ŽĴ̓ˡ˛˙̓˞˛

PHAM OCT20 ROBERT BOSCH:Layout 1 28/09/2020 09:33 Page 1

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

44

Tools & Workwear

Workwear that is a cut above the rest The old cliche that looks matter is never more in force than when an installer is interacting with customers, which is why it pays to invest in workwear that reflects the competence and professionalism being brought to the job. Annabel Stones from Scruffs offers some sartorial advice.

C

hoosing professional workwear to reflect your high standards goes a long way towards building trusted and long lasting relationships in the plumbing and heating trade.

First impressions are also all the more important when you’re self-employed, and while casual clothes such as jeans and a t-shirt may tick the comfort box, they won’t send the message of ‘experienced, respected tradesperson’ to your customers.

When it comes to offering plumbers and heating engineers a choice of workwear in terms of style, comfort and affordability, Scruffs has set the benchmark high. Over the past 15 years we

We’ve seen a clear move away from wearing old clothing to buying professional workwear to ensure they look the part Annabel Stones

Category manager at Scruffs Holster Trouser is made from 2-way stretch fabric and Cordura in the knee area

The Trade Bodywarmer keeps the core warm and can be layered for maximum

have grown to become one of the leading workwear brands, offering a head-to-toe range focused on performance clothing and safety footwear at a decent price.

Looking the part

Over the last few years we have seen a clear move away from tradespeople wearing old clothing and sportswear to work and a growing trend towards buying professional workwear, investing in clothing that ensures they look the part.

We’ve put together two examples from our current ranges – one ‘best’ and one ‘good’ – which would both work perfectly for a tradesperson in the plumbing and heating sector.

A cut above

For those looking for a high spec outfit, we’ve put together our ‘best’ options. Starting with our bestselling safety boot, the Switchback.

It’s a great all-rounder – hard wearing, lightweight and providing flexibility and all-day comfort. It looks really smart and comes in three

colours, with tan being most popular amongst plumbers. We’d team these with our slim fit ro Flex Holster Trousers, which are part of our Flex range, made from a 2-way stretch fabric. The knee area is protected from wear and tear with Ballistic Cordura fabric, and they come in three leg lengths, and with a clip belt.

Our Trade Bodywarmer is becoming more and more popular and is great for layering up with our bestselling Trade Hoodie and our Trade Active olo.

Value for money

For those on a budget, we’d recommend our Hatton safety boot, which offers great value without compromising comfort or durability. It’s lightweight and features a composite toe cap and steel midplate for protection.

Our regular fit Worker lus Trousers are made from lightweight and durable fabric and feature knee pad pockets, tuck-away holster pockets and plenty of additional pockets to store your essential tools and accessories. This trouser is also tough, with hard-wearing, abrasion resistant hems and pocket reinforcements for enhanced durability.

The Switchback midankle boot is classic in style and carries a high-spec S3 safety rating

44.indd 1

To ensure this outfit is comfortable both indoors and out, we’d opt for our Worker Softshell, which is made from water resistant fabric. The fleece lining helps to retain body heat while the secure ipped pockets offer storage for accessories.

Feedback on this product has been glowing – particularly from those who need to layer up in colder conditions.

Branding

Our Worker Hoodie is also a firm favourite with plumbers. It’s made from brushed back fleece with ipped pockets and an adjustable hood. The ribbed hem and cuffs ensure a comfortable fit while reinforced elbows offer long lasting durability. This item is ideal for embroidery – so you can add your business’s name to it.

Our customers tell us it’s important to have clothing that looks good when you’re talking to customers, but at the same time works hard and provides excellent performance at the right price.

For anyone who is a selfemployed plumber or engineer, as a professional tradesperson you really are the ‘face’ of your business. Feedback we’ve gathered from Scruffs’ focus groups has helped us design our latest range so that our products make you look the part while feeling comfortable all day long. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/ 3

29/09/2020 16:50

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 01/10/2020 11:06 Page 45

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Tools & Workwear 45 Cordless models up to the same jobs as plug-ins

ũŋŶÖũƘ ŋłķƘ Öłù ĞÖĿĿāũ ŋłķƘ̇ ĿÖĴĢłė ŶĞāĿ ƑāũŭÖŶĢķā Öłù āÖŭƘ Ŷŋ ÖùıŽŭŶ Ŷŋ āÖóĞ ŶÖŭĴ̍ ŋŶĞ ĿÖóĞĢłāŭ ĢłóķŽùā mÖĴĢŶÖ̪ŭ łŶĢÁĢðũÖŶĢŋł ¦āóĞłŋķŋėƘ ̛ Á¦̜ ĕŋũ ĢĿťũŋƑāù ŋťāũÖŶŋũ óŋĿĕŋũŶ Öłù ŭÖĕāŶƘ̍ ¦Ğā !ŋĿðĢ 'ũĢķķ Ģŭ óŋĿťÖóŶ Öłù āÖŭƘ Ŷŋ ĞÖłùķā̍ RŶ ĞÖŭ Ö ƑÖũĢÖðķā ŭťāāù ŶũĢėėāũ Öłù Ŷƒŋ ĿāóĞÖłĢóÖķ ėāÖũŭ ƒĢŶĞ Ö ðũŋÖù ũÖłėā ŋĕ óķŽŶóĞ ŭāŶŶĢłėŭ̍ ¦Ğā N ˙˙˚F ĞÖŭ Ö óÖťÖóĢŶƘ ŋĕ ˛˙ĿĿ Ģł ŭŶāāķ Öłù ĿÖŭŋłũƘ Öłù ˠ˟ĿĿ Ģł ƒŋŋù̍ Rł ĞĢėĞ ėāÖũ ĢŶ ĞÖŭ Ö ŭťāāù ŋĕ ˛˟˙˙ ũťĿ Öłù ùāķĢƑāũŭ Žť Ŷŋ ˜ˢ̇˙˙˙ ðķŋƒŭ ťāũ ĿĢłŽŶā ƒĞāł Ģł ĢĿťÖóŶ ùũĢķķĢłė Ŀŋùā̍ ķŭŋ Öùùāù Ŷŋ ŶĞā mÖĴĢŶÖ ũÖłėā Ģŭ ŶĞā ťŋƒāũĕŽķ ¦'˙˙˚F ũŽŭĞķāŭŭ RĿťÖóŶ 'ũĢƑāũ̍ RŶ ùāķĢƑāũŭ Žť Ŷŋ ˛˛˙ łāƒŶŋł̟ ĿāŶũāŭ ̛pĿ̜ ŋĕ ŶŋũŨŽā ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā óĞŋĢóā ŋĕ ĕŋŽũ ťŋƒāũ Ŀŋùāŭ ̛ĿÖƗ̇ ĞĢ̇ ĿĢù Öłù ķŋ̜̇ ŭāķāóŶāù ŽŭĢłė Ö ŭĢĿťķā ŋłā-ŶŋŽóĞ óŋłŶũŋķ̇ Ģł ÖùùĢŶĢŋł Ŷŋ ŭĢƗ ÖŭŭĢŭŶ Ŀŋùāŭ̍ Rł ŶĞā ĞĢėĞāŭŶ ťŋƒāũ Ŀŋùā̇ ĢŶ ĞÖŭ Ö ĿÖƗĢĿŽĿ ŭťāāù ŋĕ ˜ˠ˙˙ ũťĿ Öłù ùāķĢƑāũŭ Žť Ŷŋ ˝˝˙˙ ĢĿťÖóŶŭ ťāũ ĿĢłŽŶā̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˞˝

¦ƒŋ łāƒ Ŀŋùāķŭ ĞÖƑā ðāāł Öùùāù Ŷŋ mÖĴĢŶÖ̪ŭ ÇF¦ ũÖłėā ŋĕ óŋũùķāŭŭ ˝˙V Max Ŷŋŋķŭ̍ ¦Ğāũā Öũā Ŷƒŋ Ŀŋùāķŭ ŋĕ ũŋŶÖũƘ ĞÖĿĿāũ̇ Ö óŋĿðĢ-ùũĢķķ Öłù Öł ĢĿťÖóŶ ùũĢƑāũ ̞ Öķķ ŭŽĢŶÖðķā ĕŋũ ĞāÖƑƘ ùŽŶƘ ÖťťķĢóÖŶĢŋłŭ ƒĞāũā óŋũùķāŭŭ ĿÖƘ łŋŶ ĞÖƑā ťũāƑĢŋŽŭķƘ óŋťāù̍ ķķ ĕŋŽũ ðāłāƩŶ ĕũŋĿ ðũŽŭĞķāŭŭ ĿŋŶŋũ ŶāóĞłŋķŋėƘ̍ ¦Ğā N ˙˙˜F Öłù N ˙˙˝F ˝˙V Max ũŽŭĞķāŭŭ ŋŶÖũƘ NÖĿĿāũŭ ŋƦāũ ŭťāāùŭ Žť Ŷŋ ˢˡ˙ ũāƑŋķŽŶĢŋłŭ ťāũ ĿĢłŽŶā Öłù Žť Ŷŋ ˞˙˙˙ ðķŋƒŭ ťāũ ĿĢłŽŶā ŋĕ ĞÖĿĿāũ ÖóŶĢŋł̍ ¦ĞāƘ ĕāÖŶŽũā Ö ƑÖũĢÖðķā ŭťāāù ŶũĢėėāũ Öłù ŶĞũāā ĕŽłóŶĢŋł ŋťŶĢŋłŭ̆ ũŋŶÖũƘ ĞÖĿĿāũ̇

Multitool range streamlined for easier selection DāĢł ĞÖŭ ŭĢĿťķĢƩāù ĢŶŭ ťũŋùŽóŶ ũÖłėā̇ ėũŋŽťĢłė ĢŶŭ ĿŽķŶĢŶŋŋķŭ ŶŋėāŶĞāũ Ŷŋ ĕŋũĿ ŋłā łāƒ mŽķŶĢmÖŭŶāũ ĕÖĿĢķƘ̍ ¦Ğā mŽķŶĢmÖŭŶāũ ˜˙˙̇ ˞˙˙ Öłù ˠ˙˙ ŭāũĢāŭ ƒāũā ĕŋũĿāũķƘ Ĵłŋƒł Öŭ ŶĞā mŽķŶĢ¦ÖķāłŶ̇ mŽķŶĢmÖŭŶāũ Öłù Žťāũ!ŽŶ̍ ¦Ğā mŽķŶĢmÖŭŶāũ ĕÖĿĢķƘ Ģŭ óŋĿťÖŶĢðķā ƒĢŶĞ Ö ŶŋŶÖķ ŋĕ ˚ˡ˙ ÖóóāŭŭŋũĢāŭ̇ āłÖðķĢłė Žŭāũŭ Ŷŋ óŋĿťķāŶā Ö ũÖłėā ŋĕ ıŋðŭ ƒĢŶĞ ıŽŭŶ ŋłā Ŷŋŋķ̍ ¦Ğā mŽķŶĢmÖŭŶāũ ˠ˙˙ ŭāũĢāŭ̇ ĕŋũĿāũķƘ Žťāũ!ŽŶ̇ ĞÖŭ ŶĞā ÖðĢķĢŶƘ Ŷŋ ŭÖƒ ƒŋŋù̇ ĿāŶÖķ Öłù ťķÖŭŶĢóŭ̇ ƒĞĢķā Öķŭŋ óŽŶŶĢłė ŋŽŶ ŶĢķāŭ Öłù ŭĢķĢóŋłā ıŋĢłŶŭ̍ ¦Ğā mŽķŶĢmÖŭŶāũ ˞˙˙ ŭāũĢāŭ̇ ĕŋũĿāũķƘ Ĵłŋƒł Öŭ mŽķŶĢmÖŭŶāũ̇ óÖł ðā ÖùÖťŶāù Ŷŋ óŋĿťķāŶā Ö ũÖłėā ŋĕ ĢłŶāũĢŋũ ıŋðŭ ŭŽóĞ Öŭ ŭÖƒĢłė ƒŋŋù Öłù ĿāŶÖķ̇ Öŭ ƒāķķ Öŭ ŭÖłùĢłė Öłù ũāĿŋƑĢłė ŶĢķāŭ̇ Öłù Ģŭ ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā ƒĢŶĞ ùĢƦāũāłŶ ťÖóĴÖėāŭ ĢłóķŽùĢłė̇ ŶĞā mm ˞˙˙ ķŽŭ ¦z ƒĢŶĞ Ŀŋũā ŶĞÖł ˜˙ ÖóóāŭŭŋũĢāŭ̍ ¦Ğā

mŽķŶĢmÖŭŶāũ ˜˙˙ ŭāũĢāŭ̇ ťũāƑĢŋŽŭķƘ Ĵłŋƒł Öŭ mŽķŶĢ¦ÖķāłŶ̇ Ģŭ ùāŭĢėłāù ĕŋũ ŭÖƒĢłė ƒŋŋù̇ ĿāŶÖķ̇ ťķÖŭŶāũðŋÖũù Öłù ťķÖŭŶĢóŭ Öłù óÖł ðā ťŽũóĞÖŭāù ƒĢŶĞ Ö ƑÖũĢāŶƘ ŋĕ ðÖŭĢó ÖóóāŭŭŋũĢāŭ̍ ŋŶĞ mŽķŶĢmÖŭŶāũ ˜˙˙ Öłù ˞˙˙ ŭāũĢāŭ ĿŽķŶĢŶŋŋķŭ Öũā óŋĿťÖŶĢðķā ƒĢŶĞ ŶÖũķŋóĴ Öłù ŶÖũķŋóĴ ķŽŭ ÖóóāŭŭŋũĢāŭ̍

Designed with plumbers in mind

¦Ğā łāƒ ŶŋŶā ĕũŋĿ pāũũÖù ¦ŋŋķŭ ĞÖŭ ðāāł ŭťāóĢƩóÖķķƘ ùāŭĢėłāù ĕŋũ ťķŽĿðāũŭ̍ ¦Ğā ðÖė ðŋÖŭŶŭ ˜˛ ťŋóĴāŶŭ̇ Ö ķÖũėā ŋťāł óāłŶũÖķ ÖũāÖ ĕŋũ ķÖũėāũ Ŷŋŋķŭ̇ Öłù Ö ŭŶŋũÖėā ŭŋķŽŶĢŋł ĕŋũ Ö ŶŋũóĞ Öłù ėÖŭ óÖłĢŭŶāũ̍ ¦Ğā ˟˙˙-ùāłĢāũ ťŋķƘāŭŶāũ Ģŭ ũāŭĢŭŶÖłŶ Ŷŋ ŶāÖũŭ Öłù ŭŶÖĢłĢłė Öłù ŶĞā ũŽððāũ ðÖŭā Ģŭ ƒÖŶāũťũŋŋĕ Öłù ŭĞÖŶŶāũťũŋŋĕ̇ āƑāł ÖŶ ķŋƒāũ ŶāĿťāũÖŶŽũāŭ̇ ťāũĕāóŶ ĕŋũ ŶĞā ƒāŶŶāũ óŋłùĢŶĢŋłŭ ťķŽĿðāũŭ Ŷāłù Ŷŋ āłóŋŽłŶāũ̍ pāũũÖù ŭÖƘŭ ĢŶ ŭÖƒ Öł ĢĿťũāŭŭĢƑā ıŽĿť Ģł ŭÖķāŭ ĕŋũ `Žłā Öłù `ŽķƘ ĕŋķķŋƒĢłė ŶĞā ŭķŋƒùŋƒł óÖŽŭāù ðƘ ŶĞā ťÖłùāĿĢó̇ ƒĢŶĞ Öł ˗˙ͮ ĢłóũāÖŭā ŋƑāũ ŶĞā ŭÖĿā ťāũĢŋù ķÖŭŶ ƘāÖũ̍ ¦Ğā ũāƑāłŽā ÖóĞĢāƑāù Ģł ŶĞÖŶ ťāũĢŋù ũāťũāŭāłŶŭ Ö ũāóŋũù ĞĢėĞ ĕŋũ ŶĞā óŋĿťÖłƘ̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˞ˠ

DāĢł Ģŭ ŋƦāũĢłė Žť Ŷŋ ͎˚˙˙ Ģł ĿÖơŋł ƑŋŽóĞāũŭ Ŷŋ óŽŭŶŋĿāũŭ ŶũÖùĢłė Ģł ŶĞāĢũ ŋķù łŋł- ŶÖũķŋóĴ DāĢł Ŷŋŋķŭ ĕŋũ ŶĞā łāƒ mŽķŶĢmÖŭŶāũ ˜˙˙̇ ˞˙˙ Öłù ˠ˙˙ ŭāũĢāŭ̇ ƒĞāł ŶĞāƘ ũāėĢŭŶāũ ĕŋũ ŶĞā ŶĞũāā-ƘāÖũ DāĢł ķŽŭ ƒÖũũÖłŶƘ̍ ¦Ğā ŋƦāũ ũŽłŭ ŽłŶĢķ ˚˞ŶĞ 'āóāĿðāũ̵̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˞˞

Quick cutter goes through cables with ease

¦Ğā łāƒ błĢťāƗ Ŷāť!ŽŶ !Öðķā ĞāÖũŭ āłŭŽũāŭ ĢŶ ŶÖĴāŭ ŭĢėłĢƩóÖłŶķƘ ķāŭŭ āƦŋũŶ ƒĞāł óŽŶŶĢłė óÖðķāŭ̍ ÂĢũāŭ ŋũ ŭŶũÖłùŭ óÖł ðā óŽŶ ŋłā ÖĕŶāũ ŶĞā ŋŶĞāũ ƒĢŶĞ ŶĞā ŭŶāťťāù ðķÖùāŭ̍ ¦ĞāƘ ĿÖĴā ĢŶ āÖŭĢāũ Ŷŋ óŽŶ ŭĢłėķā Öłù ĿŽķŶĢ-óŋłùŽóŶŋũ óÖðķāŭ ĿÖùā ŋĕ óŋťťāũ Öłù ÖķŽĿĢłĢŽĿ Žť Ŷŋ Ö ùĢÖĿāŶāũ ŋĕ ˚˞mm (˞˙ĿĿ˵̜̍ ŋķĢù pÈm óÖðķāŭ óÖł ðā óŽŶ āÖŭĢķƘ Öłù ťũāóĢŭāķƘ Žť Ŷŋ Ö ĿÖƗĢĿŽĿ ŋĕ ˞ x ˝ĿĿ˵̍ ¦Ğā ŭŶāťťāù ðķÖùāŭ̇ ƒĢŶĞ Ö ĿĢķķāù ŭāũũÖŶāù āùėā ŋł ŶĞā ĕũŋłŶ Öłù Ö ƪÖŶ āùėā ŋł ŶĞā ðÖóĴ̇ ĞÖƑā ðāāł ÖùùĢŶĢŋłÖķķƘ ĢłùŽóŶĢŋł̟ ĞÖũùāłāù̍ ¦Ğā ŭĞāÖũŭ óÖł óŽŶ ƒĢũāŭ Öłù ŭŶũÖłùŭ ŋłā ÖĕŶāũ ŶĞā ŋŶĞāũ̇ ŶĞŽŭ ũāùŽóĢłė ŶĞā āƦŋũŶ ũāŨŽĢũāù ðƘ Žť Ŷŋ ˝˙ͮ̍ ¦Ğā ŭŶāť óŽŶŶĢłė Öķķŋƒŭ ĕŋũ Ö óķāÖł óŽŶ ƒĢŶĞŋŽŶ ŶĞā óÖðķāŭ ðāĢłė óũŽŭĞāù Ģł ŶĞā óŽŶŶĢłė ťũŋóāŭŭ̍ ¦Ğā āũėŋłŋĿĢó ùāŭĢėł ŋĕ ŶĞā ĞÖłùķāŭ āłÖðķāŭ Öł ŋťŶĢĿŽĿ óŽŶŶĢłė ĕāāķ āƑāł ƒĢŶĞ ķÖũėāũ ùĢÖĿāŶāũŭ̍ ťĢłóĞ ėŽÖũù Öķŭŋ ťũāƑāłŶŭ ĢłıŽũĢāŭ Öłù ŶĞā ðŋķŶāù ıŋĢłŶ ĿÖĴāŭ ŶĞā óÖðķā ŭĞāÖũŭ ťũāóĢŭā Öłù ŭĿŋŋŶĞ-ũŽłłĢłė̍ ¦Ğā Ŷāť!ŽŶ Ģŭ łŋŶ ŭŽĢŶÖðķā ĕŋũ ŭŶāāķ ƒĢũā Öłù ĞÖũù-ùũÖƒł óŋťťāũ óŋłùŽóŶŋũŭ̍ ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˞˟

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

46

Product Spotlight

How to simplify the pipe mesh under the sink

these jobs fast and easy.

These 2-in-1 appliance taps and valves are specially designed to simplify the second fi x kitchen installations. They feature a built-in water isolation function and remove the need to install a separate isolation valve and connector for appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines. These fittings can directly connect to appliances from one end and the feeding pipework from the push-fit end.

Modern day consumers and housing developers want more and more out of their kitchens, which means extra strain on plumbing installers. But there are ways to simplify these installations in tight spaces under the sink and behind cabinets and appliances, as igel Sanger from RWC explains.

I

t’s no secret that plumbing and heating installers have been hit hard by Covid-19. While many are now back to working full time on housing developments and domestic projects, there are numerous challenges that still need to be tackled.

Time is money. While this phrase is hardly new, the current economic climate means plumbers need to complete more jobs in less time to realise greater profits.

And kitchen plumbing is one such area that can add to the job complexity as so much pipework gets routed from here to connect various appliances and fi xtures. ishwashers. Washing machines. American fridge freezers with water coolers.

Boiling instant hot water taps.

Water filtration systems. Sinks, taps and boilers. That’s just to name a few.

That sinking feeling

This means the space under the sink can quickly become a mesh of pipework, with no room to manoeuvre. Soldered and compression fittings are particularly hard to install in these confined spaces, given that plumbers need to use

1

Nigel Sanger

Divisional director technical support at

spaces need to adopt smarter, timeproducts to complete the job faster

The Speedfit 2

isolation of appliances simply push on to the pipe, and thread the appliance hose

JG Speedfit’s 1 mm push-fit appliance tap the isolation of appliances such as

46.indd 1

additional tools for installation, and visibility can be low in these areas.

Using copper pipes and soldering to connect appliances and fi xtures can even increase the risk of fire due to the proximity of naked flames to wooden kitchen cabinets.

Any approach that allows for pipework to be assembled without a blowtorch offers a real advantage in terms of safety and in this regard, push-fit fittings and flexible pipework are worth their weight in gold.

Push-fit fittings and flexible ayflat pipe from our Speedfit brand are the ideal fit for kitchen installations. Pipe connections can be completed by simply pushing the pipe into the fitting, without the need for tools. And our ayflat pipe, available in long length coils, can bend and flex behind the cabinets to enable a fast and easy connection to appliances.

From check valves and elbows, to tees and flexi hoses and more, we offer a range of push-fit products to help simplify installations under the kitchen sink.

Double duty

One of the trickiest areas of kitchen installation is second-

fi x plumbing. very appliance and fi xture needs an individual water connection and service valve for future repair and maintenance jobs.

Installers often find themselves struggling in tight spaces while installing all the various components. This is where push-fit combination valves can offer a helping hand.

Our market leading Speedfit brand offers a range of 2-in-1 appliance taps and valves with push-fit connections that makes

CUT TO THE CHASE  Use of a variety of kitchen appliances and fi tures o ten leads to a mesh of pipework in confined spaces  ush-fit fittings and e ible pipe ork are real proble solvers under the kitchen sink  -in- valves ith push-fit connections can make second fi plu bing uicker and easier  ouble check valves should be installed ith outlets that pose a greater risk o backsiphonage  orking in confined spaces forces the need to work smarter

To comply with water regulations, appropriate backflow prevention valves need to be fitted to the mains water supply in the kitchen.

This is because several appliances and fi xtures can cause backflow – these range from external hosepipes, washing machines and dishwashers, to kitchen sink taps. Waste water from these areas can carry anything, from stagnant water from garden pools to cleaning chemicals, all of which can present a serious health hazard if they enter the mains water supply.

To ensure adequate protection from backflow, a double check valve should be installed with outlets that pose a greater risk of backsiphonage. This type of valve allows the water to flow in only one direction and features two internal valves to provide additional safety. If one fails, the other can still prevent backflow and contamination of the mains water supply.

To enable faster installation of backflow prevention valves, we offer brass and plastic pushfit double check valves from our Speedfit and SharkBite brands. These compact and lightweight valves are quick and easy to install, as no tools are required. We also offer a push-fit double check service valve that features a builtin water isolation function, making it a 2-in-1 valve that brings additional benefits while carrying out repair and maintenance work.

Installers working in small, confined spaces need to adopt smarter, time-saving and reliable products to complete jobs faster. Moving away from techniques such as soldering, and opting for smarter methods like push-fit fittings and valves, and flexible pipes can enable quicker and easier installations.

At RWC, we can help you select a range of time saving and reliable plastic and metal push-fit products from our Speedfit and SharkBite brands.

So, get in touch with our team of experts who can simplify your next kitchen plumbing project. ◼ /820/ 8

01/10/2020 14:08

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Product News 47 Remote monitoring for heating networks escribed as the first of its kind, a new intelligent heating network system has been launched by Altecnic which enables remote commissioning, network interrogation and fault diagnosis.

The uru Integrate SATK32 is the result of a partnership between Altecnic and uru Systems, experts in hardware and data analytics. It combines Altecnic’s heat interface unit, the SATK32 Indirect eHIU, with uru’s Hub III Core hardware, which is able to capture detailed data for both metering and billing purposes, as well as enabling advanced heat network performance management.

Faster and more reliable commissioning is possible through remote configuration, reducing the amount of time and resource required on site and the need for engineers to perform

ONLINE For further information about any of the products featured on this page, simply visit phamnews. co.uk/820/ followed by the relevant enquiry number.

regular remedial work.

Over time, the uru Integrate SATK32 also supports the decarbonisation of networks by allowing operators to reduce heat network temperature and adjust the HIU parameters accordingly. ary erry, M at Altecnic, comments We have worked with uru several times over the years

and now we’ve joined up to deliver this innovative new product, combining two leading-edge products to deliver the best in heat network efficiency. The benefits to developers, landlords and end users that this intelligent heat interface unit brings are gamechanging. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/

New gas pipe solution for unvented voids xtending its range of corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST), astite UK has introduced Gastite P2. eveloped as a solution for installing gas piping in unvented voids, which can often be difficult to access and timeconsuming, astite 2 comes complete with an outer, secondary jacket – thereby avoiding any need for additional sleeving.

Compatible with the company’s range of R2 fittings, which eliminate exposed steel beyond the nut, astite 2 features a ridged underside on the external jacket which creates space between the outer jacket and the inner pipe to ensure that any gas can ventilate.

Commenting on the new product, sales director Andy Carpenter says astite 2 is the perfect complement to the rest of our product range. Thanks to our innovative manufacturing techniques, we have ensured that the outer, secondary jacket is thin enough to offer excellent flexibility, while still being robust enough to protect the inner CSST pipe.

Available exclusively through merchants,

astite includes the company’s original CSST which is BS 15266 approved and is available in a range of si es from 15 to 50 ◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/ 0

One bottle tackles the dirtiest system

The Fernox ower Cleaner F is a citric acid-based cleaner designed to remove corrosion, scale and other debris in heavily contaminated, sludged heating systems. This new formulation, heavy-duty, fastacting cleaner includes a high concentration of key active ingredients, meaning just one 500ml bottle can tackle the dirtiest central heating systems.

Said to be ideal for existing systems and boiler replacements, ower Cleaner F can accelerate the cleaning process and is suitable for use with manual, magnetic or powerflushing devices alike. The high strength cleaner is non-foaming, which means installers require significantly less time on site to remove residual cleaner from the system, while its pH neutral formulation means that no follow up neutraliser product is required.

One 500ml bottle will treat systems up to 130 litres (16 single radiators) – or 250m2 of an underfloor heating system – and the non-toxic formula is compatible with all metals and materials commonly used in central heating systems.

Richard Crisp, head of chemistry at Fernox, says This pH neutral cleaner is a powerful and fast-acting chemical solution due to the inclusion of a neutralised citric acid in the formulation, which can be used on older, problem systems. ower Cleaner F sits alongside the universal Fernox Cleaner F3 (available in 265ml, 500ml and xpress versions) for new and lightly sludged systems and S 0 escaler and Cleaner, which is ideal for use against limescaled systems that require an acid based cleaner and neutraliser to restore efficiency. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/ 1

Stylish control is easy to set up and run A new wireless programmable room thermostat range is now available from Ideal Heating.

Said to combine stylish design and ease of use with a straightforward installation process, the Halo Combi RF and Halo Combi Wi Fi thermostats are compatible with the company’s ogic and ogue combi boilers and are designed to be set up and running in a matter of minutes.

The system includes a Halo unit and the Smart Interface it communicates with, which slots into the aperture on the front of the boiler with no need for wiring. The Halo Combi Wi Fi connects easily to the home Wi Fi network through the Halo

47.indd 1

app, with no need for an additional gateway.

Both the Halo Combi RF and Halo Combi Wi Fi provide time and temperature control, and enhanced load compensation as standard – an easy way to comply with Boiler lus when installing a replacement combi boiler. The Halo combi Wi Fi also fulfils the criteria for a smart control with automation and optimisation.

The thermostat features a large, clear colour screen that displays the actual and target temperatures, either side of a coloured temperature gauge. Any boiler faults are also reported on the screen, and the user is given clear information in plain nglish.

Up to six heating periods can

be programmed throughout the day, and users can vary the schedule from one day to the next. Additional features include child lock, holiday mode and frost protection.

i ie Wilkinson, head of domestic product management, explains After a simple ‘plug, pair and play’ install sequence, households can enjoy more flexibility and control over their heating. We’ve also carried out user testing on the interface and screen, to ensure the Halo is as easy as possible for consumers to use.

The Halo Combi Wi Fi also comes with internet connectivity

and app-controlled heating, enabling users to control their heating via their oogle Home or Ama on Alexa smart home assistant, or simply by their whereabouts, via the eolocation feature on the Halo app. eolocation uses the location of users’ mobile phones to

determine whether anyone from the household is inside a pre set ‘home’ boundary, and automatically turns the heating off to save energy when everyone is out – as well as turning it on when they’re on their way back home. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/ 2

29/09/2020 17:17

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

COMPETITION

Bathroom surfaces resist spread of contagion

Win af trio os! prize

We’ve teamed up with Daikin to offer you the chance to win an exciting prize bundle featuring a DeWALT combi drill, DeWALT ToughSystem Sound Centre Radio and Daikin’s own Streamer Technology Air Purifier. We are running the competition over six issues – so there’s six chances to be a winner!

Daikin

is celebrating the launch of its Sustainable Home Network – a scheme designed to provide both heating installers and ACR engineers with the support needed to take advantage of the growing renewable heat pump market, creating a network of well-trained heat pump installers and local support centres.

Daikin is offering one lucky reader the chance to win an exciting prize bundle in each issue, featuring a DeWALT combi drill, DeWALT ToughSystem Sound Centre Radio and Daikin’s o n trea er echnolog ir urifier A great addition or upgrade if your favourite drill is getting a bit old and tired, the DeWALT 18V cordless combi-drill is a fantastic tool to

have in your line-up. The compact drill uses a combination of a brushless motor and high capacity batteries to deliver longer run-times between charges and comes with a carry case and two 4.0Ah Li-ion batteries included in the kit.

For those who enjoy adding some entertainment to work, the DeWALT ToughSystem Sound Centre provides great sound quality, DAB+, FM and Bluetooth connectivity, while also being robust enough to withstand any dust or bumps on site.

Finally, Daikin’s powerful Streamer Technology Air Purifier is an ideal addition to any home, using streamer technology to capture and break down any dust particles, bacteria, odours or allergens present, providing you and your family with cleaner, purer air.

With the new stylish and compact design and its whisper-quiet operation, you can achieve improved indoor air quality without compromise.

The Prize: One winner gets all three!

1

With heightened awareness of safety and hygiene in mind, RAK Ceramics has developed the RAK-Sanit programme. It offers a wide range of solutions for floors, surfaces and sanitary fittings, all produced with gla es that reduce the possibility of contagion and therefore contribute to creating safer environments, both in residential and commercial projects.

The RAK-Sanit bactericide action is permanent, guaranteeing built-in protection throughout the entire expected product lifetime, thanks to its constant action against microbial colonisation. This technology is claimed to have proved its capacity to reduce or eliminate the quantity of bacteria up to 99.99%, including MRSA, . Coli, Salmonella and egionella, actively preventing the growth of microorganisms 2 hours a day.

Solutions for sanitaryware (WC, bidets, washbasins, toilet seats and lids, rinsing

systems) are treated with RAK- roTeK gla e fired at high temperatures onto the ceramic to guarantee a smoother antibacterial surface, unlike standard ceramic material with its rougher surface.

Solutions for floor and wall coverings are treated with an incorporated glaze that is 99.9% effective in just eight hours. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/ 3

Adhesive allows for extra time The CF-2 Flexible Tile Adhesive from Dunlop is a new slow-set tile adhesive with reduced slip and extended open time for those difficult tiling jobs, or when tiling in hot or humid conditions.

Available in grey or white, this product has a pot life of five hours and an open time of 30 minutes on the wall or floor. It is suitable for grouting in 2 hours. Water resistant, it can be used internally or externally in dry or wet areas (tank with an appropriate waterproofing system). Because it is flexible, it is suitable for use with underfloor or undertile heating systems where they are encased with an appropriate levelling compound, such as Dunlop LX-360 Fibre Leveller. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/

DeWalt ToughSystem Sound Centre Radio

2 DeWalt Combi Drill

3

HOW TO ENTER

Daikin's own Streamer echnolog ir urifier

The picture below appears elsewhere in this edition of PHAM News. To be in with a chance of winning the prize bundle, simply tell us on what page you found it and email your answer with ‘Daikin’ in the subject line to: editor@phamnewsedit.co.uk

Please make sure you include the following: • Your name • Your company’s name • Contact telephone number • Please type ‘YES’ in the body of your email if you are happy to receive email offers from Daikin All correct answers received before the closing date of 9th November 2020 will be entered into the prize draw. Only one entry per person allowed.

www.daikin.co.uk/en_gb/energy-for-change

48.indd 1

Product News

Water heaters for demanding circumstances

Commercial hot water and heating specialist Adveco has unveiled the AD range, a new generation of modulating commercial floor-standing gas condensing water heaters, designed to be used with a buffer for high demand semi-instantaneous hot water applications such as in sports and leisure centres, hotels, schools, and large commercial buildings.

With each water heater composed of one to four 70kW heat exchangers, the A range offers appliances from 70kW up to 2 0kW. This approach optimises the supplied output (up to 160 litres/ min) for efficiency when providing DHW. Models with multiple integrated heat exchangers offer load balancing for optimal long-life operation and inbuilt redundancy.

AD water heaters are all equipped with premix burners, making it more costeffective, plus it reduces Ox and CO emissions. The heat exchangers will also work in direct contact with chlorinated mains water.

The water heaters can be configured to operate in a cascade of up to eight water heaters, while the controller is able to provide full temperature control and self-check maintenance functions. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/820/

30/09/2020 15:10

PHAM OCT20:Layout 1 30/09/2020 16:32 Page 49

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Product News 49 Designed for air source heat pumps, Telford Copper & Stainless Steel Cylinders ŋƦ āũŭ Ö óƘķĢłùāũ ũÖłėā that maximises system performance.

Units in the range feature a purpose-designed coil with a ˜̍˜m² surface area to allow maximum heat transfer of renewable energy into the stored water. Available as standard or time-saving pre-plumbed options (which include an integrated ˛˞ or ˞˙ ķĢŶũā ðŽƦ āũ ŭŶŋũā̜̇ Öķķ óƘķĢłùāũŭ are supplied with a ˜kW immersion heater to provide back-up heat.

To make the installation process even simpler, Telford ŋƦ āũŭ Ö óŋĿťÖóŶ ÖĢũ ŭŋŽũóā heat pump, heating and domestic hot water package, with pre-plumbed, indirect, unvented stainless steel hot water storage cylinder. The air-to-water air source heat pump package incorporates an external LG Therma V monobloc unit which is available in single phase outputs from ˞ to ˚6kW. As specialists in the design and manufacture of hot water storage cylinders, Telford says it has developed a range of approved cylinder options for the leading air source heat pump manufacturers. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˟˟

Perfectly paired with air source heat pumps

Filter makes it easy to comply with regs

ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ ĿŽŭŶ Ʃ Ŷ ŶĞā Ʃ ķŶāũ Öłù ðŋĢķāũ on the same date and in line with the manufacturer’s instructions, and both warranties must be registered with RłŶāũėÖŭ ÖŶ ŶĞā ŭÖĿā ŶĢĿā̍ ¦Ğā RłŶāũėÖŭ ƘŭŶāĿ DĢķŶāũ ĢłóķŽùāŭ a ˛˛mm spigot isolation valve (for ŶĞā ðŋŶŶŋĿ óŋłłāóŶĢŋł̜ Öłù DāũłŋƗ̪ŭ Hydronic Particle Separation with ĿÖėłāŶĢó Ʃ ķŶũÖŶĢŋł̇ ƒĞĢóĞ ũāĿŋƑāŭ magnetic and non-magnetic system debris. The TF˚ zĿāėÖ ƪ ŽŭĞĢłė adapter, which is available separately, ĿÖĴāŭ ĢŶ āÖŭĢāũ Ŷŋ ƪ ŽŭĞ Öłù óķāÖł ŶĞā āłŶĢũā ŭƘŭŶāĿ ĕũŋĿ ŶĞā Ʃ ķŶāũ ťŋĢłŶ ÖŶ ĕŽķķ ƪ ŋƒ ũÖŶā̍ ¦Ğā ŭƘŭŶāĿ Ʃ ķŶāũ Ģŭ ĞÖŭŭķā-free to install on horizontal or vertical pipework and comes with a 15-year ƒÖũũÖłŶƘ̍ RŶ̪ŭ Öķŭŋ ˚˙˙% recyclable. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˟ˠ

¦Ğā łāƒ ŭƘŭŶāĿ Ʃ ķŶāũ ĕũŋĿ RłŶāũėÖŭ was created in collaboration with Fernox and is made from nickel-plated ðũÖŭŭ ƒĢŶĞ ŭŶÖĢłķāŭŭ ŭŶāāķ ťÖũŶĢóķā Ʃ ķŶāũ̍ RŶ Ģŭ ùāŭĢėłāù Ŷŋ ŋťŶĢĿĢŭā ŶĞā āłāũėƘ āƧ óĢāłóƘ Öłù ķŋłėāƑĢŶƘ ŋĕ ŶĞā óāłŶũÖķ heating system, and will also make it easier to comply with BS ˠ˞ˢ˜̆˛˙˚ˢ and Part L of the Building Regulations.

Dŋũ ĢłŭŶÖķķāũŭ ŋĕ RłŶāũėÖŭ ðŋĢķāũŭ ŶĞāũā̪ŭ Öł ÖùùĢŶĢŋłÖķ ðāłāƩ Ŷ̆ Ŷƒŋ ƘāÖũŭ will be added to the boiler’s warranty ̛óŋłŶũÖóŶŭ āƗóķŽùāù̜̍ ¦ŋ ðā āķĢėĢðķā̇

ĢĿťķā ŭŋķŽŶĢŋł Ŷŋ Ʃ ėĞŶĢłė ķĢĿāŭóÖķā lasts three months, making it suitable for all water ŭƘŭŶāĿŭ̇ ĢłóķŽùĢłė ŶĞŋŭā ƒĢŶĞ ŭŶŋũāù ƒÖŶāũ̍ RŶ Öķŭŋ means that it cannot accumulate on surfaces to form limescale, as it ŭĢĿťķƘ ƪ ŋƒŭ ŶĞũŋŽėĞ ŶĞā ŭƘŭŶāĿ and down the drain.

Water treated with Scaleout LPD will, over a period of a few months, also remove existing limescale deposits within the ŭƘŭŶāĿ̍ RłĢŶĢÖķķƘ ÖƑÖĢķÖðķā Ģł ˚˞, ˛˛ and ˛8mm applications, they are manufactured in a solid stainless steel housing that can easily be installed into all common plumbing. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/ˡ˛˙̓˟ˡ

¦Ğā óÖķāŋŽŶ d ' ĕũŋĿ mŋłÖũóĞ ŋƦ āũŭ ƒĞŋķā ĞŋŽŭā protection against limescale, using a food-grade catalytic treatment method. This in-line inhibitor prevents calcium forming into limescale, protecting heating elements in household equipment such as boilers, showers, hot water tanks, and dishwashers.

An alloy core treats water as it circulates, altering the composition of the calcium carbonate, converting it from scale causing particles into a non-scale forming insoluble microscopic crystal. The change in its composition

Information Centre Stay Safe with Snickers

Snickers Workwear NEW POLARTEC® POWER STRETCH® Jackets and Fleeces

New Hi-Vis collection and ProtecWork Range of Protective wear solutions for Men and Women working in hazardous environments and inclement weather.

There’s a comprehensive selection of ergonomically designed Base-, Mid- and Top-layer clothes, certi ed as appropriate for di erent risks at work to ensure comfort, health and workforce-wellbeing all day, every day.

The new range also includes waterproof and windproof AllroundWork Hi-Vis Jackets that provide protection in low-light, high-risk environments.

Checkout the website and download a digital catalogue at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or enter the code shown below.

Sharp, stylish looks and market-leading recycled POLARTEC® fabric technology make these a must for the autumn on site or outdoor leisurewear. There’s also long johns to match for full body insulation.

Made from 80% recycled polyester they keep your body warm or comfortably cool and combine practicality with street-smart looks and the right kind of sustainable choice.

Visit www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or enter the code shown below.

phamnews.co.uk/820/150

phamnews.co.uk/820/151

phamnews.co.uk/820/152

Directory Income & Health Protected Insurance

Income & Health Protection Insurance Tradesman Insurance Income Protection Private Medical Insurance Life Insurance Critical Illness Insurance

Corporate/Company Insurance Keyman Protection Company Medical Insurance Cash Plans Business Protection & Death In Service

Website: www.protectinsuranceltd.com www.protectinsurance.ltd

Free No Obligation Quote

Email: info@protectinsuranceltd.com protectinsltd@outlook.com

Ring James on 01452 312690 or 07801 495171 phamnews.co.uk/820/101

49-50-51 Pham OCT20:Layout 1 30/09/2020 12:38 Page 50

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

50

Directory Boilers

Radiators

Radiators

INDUSTRIAL BOILER SPECIALISTS The UK’s largest supplier of industrial steam & hot water boilers and plantrooms

LOAD DOWN AL A DIGIT OUR OF COPY HURE BROC

LATEST STOCKS include these HOT WATER PLANTROOMS...

The perfect solution for housing, care home and other property services projects – fast and cost effective!

2 X 30 x 8 x 8 Containerised Plantrooms containing ICI Caldaie ASX1000 1.1Mw 12 bar gas fired boilers, pressurisation units, pumps, water softeners.

1 x 40 x 8 x 8 Containerised Plantroom containing ICI Caldaie 2.0Mw 12 bar gas fired boiler, pressurisation unit, pumps, water softener.

CALL US NOW FOR FULL DETAILS

SALES • HIRE • EXPORT +44 (0)1992 451629 www.kingsboilerhire.com

Follow us

phamnews.co.uk/820/102

phamnews.co.uk/820/105

Controls

Why not order your radiators online today phamnews.co.uk/820/107

Temperature Sensors

phamnews.co.uk/820/103

Heating Controls Next day delivery available on 100s of controls

phamnews.co.uk/820/108

Water Heaters

www.heatingcontrolsonline.co.uk phamnews.co.uk/820/104

phamnews.co.uk/820/106

phamnews.co.uk/820/109

Plumbpal Products

phamnews.co.uk/820/110

49-50-51 Pham OCT20:Layout 1 30/09/2020 16:27 Page 51

PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2020

Directory

Training & Assessments 51

Kneepads

phamnews.co.uk/820/111

Safety Products

phamnews.co.uk/820/115

phamnews.co.uk/820/117

phamnews.co.uk/820/112

MIDLANDS GAS ASSESSMENTS

Training & Assessments

Unit 1, Mainstream Way, Nechells, BIRMINGHAM B7 4SN email: mgabrum@tiscali.co.uk www.mgabrum.co.uk Domestic Natural Gas & LPG Changeover, Energy EfďŹ ciency and Water Regulations.

Un-vented, Part P Electrics, Training & Assessments.

0121 333 3903

phamnews.co.uk/820/118

phamnews.co.uk/820/113

Approved Training Courses in Gas, Electric, Plumbing & Heating & Renewable Energy Established in 1997 Basildon, Essex SS13 1EU

Small relaxed and friendly classes

For more information visit www.gas-training-and-assessment.co.uk Telephone 01268 727797 or Email gastraining@btconnect.com phamnews.co.uk/820/114

phamnews.co.uk/820/116

phamnews.co.uk/820/119

phamnews.co.uk/820/120

PHAM OCT20 IDEAL HEATING:Layout 1 01/10/2020 12:03 Page 1