Phe may18issuu

08

More NEW member benefits

24

The importance of accurate CPD records

May/June 2018

For plumbing & heating engineering professionals

CPD – Water treatment in commercial heating and hot water systems

Page 20

Assessing the risk of Legionella in domestic dwellings Page 12

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Working for you.

MyCustomers

MySupport

Manage enquiries and store guarantees against customer profiles.

All contact numbers, manuals and documents in one place.

MyCalendar

MyTools

Organise appointments, service reminders and see our latest promotions.

On the job tools including a fault finder and flue calculator tool.

Introducing the NEW

MyWorcester App Our all-inclusive app puts Worcester straight into your pocket and provides a series of tools to help you easily manage your customers on a daily basis.

The MyWorcester app is available to download via the Apple App Store and Google Play. For more information, visit worcester-bosch.co.uk/my.

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CONTENTS 08

More NEW member benefits

24

The importance of accurate CPD records

May/June 2018

CPD – Water treatment in commercial heating and hot water systems

Page 20

For plumbing & heating engineering professionals

04 08 10 11 14 24

Assessing the risk of Legionella in domestic dwellings Page 12

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CIPHE Message from the CEO CIPHE member benefits – make the most of your valuable membership CIPHE National President Professionalism – the criteria for becoming a Fellow Careers − raising the profile of the CIPHE and careers in the profession Learning − the importance of keeping accurate CPD records

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REGULARS 06 12 15 26 27 28 30

News and AGM notice COVER STORY − techtalk − Legionella risk assessments Training Matters – T-Levels Setting the Sunday Times reporters right Branch news CIPHE External Affairs Group update What’s new

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11 FEATURES 16 18 20

Robin Levien, Ideal Standard designer, looks back at the changes in bathroom design The effect of non-compliant products on vulnerable consumers CPD – water treatment in commercial heating and hot water systems

CIPHE technical advice The email address for any technical advice is technical@ciphe.org.uk

ciphe.org.uk PUBLISHER: Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE) 64 Station Lane Hornchurch Essex RM12 6NB T: +44 (0) 1708 472791

PUBLISHING EDITOR: Juliet Loiselle Warners Group Publications T: 01778 391067 E: julietl@warnersgroup.co.uk EDITOR: Nicky Rogers Warners Group Publications T: 01778 391128 E: nickyr@warnersgroup.co.uk MULTIMEDIA ACCOUNT MANAGER: Juliet Loiselle Warners Group Publications T: 01778 391067 E: julietl@warnersgroup.co.uk PRODUCTION: Sue Ward Warners Group Publications T: 01778 392405 E: production@warnersgroup.co.uk DESIGN: Amanda Clare

www.facebook.com/ CIPHE.UK

@CIPHE www.linkedin.com/ groups?home= &gid=7467910

CIPHE_CONTENTS.indd 3

HEAD OFFICE EXECUTIVE TEAM CEO: Kevin Wellman T: +44 (0) 1708 463115 E: kevinw@ciphe.org.uk HEAD OF FINANCE: Natasha Fallows T: +44 (0) 1708 463109 E: natashaf@ciphe.org.uk MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR: Tim Sainty T: +44 (0) 1708 463102 E: tims@ciphe.org.uk LEAD TECHNICAL CONSULTANT: Paul Harmer E: paulh@ciphe.org.uk

Please make sure we have your up-to-date email address. Send your details, including your membership number, to admin@ciphe.org.uk

SUBSCRIPTIONS: p&he is free to members of the CIPHE. Non-members – £120.00 per year (six issues).

Overseas – £145.00 per year READERSHIP: There are over 7,200 members of the CIPHE. The membership is made up of plumbing and heating professionals, specifiers, college lecturers, plumbing designers, manufacturers, engineers and consultants. © 2018 The Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering.

Rights of translation and reproduction are reserved.

Copyright notice No article may be reproduced in full or part without the written permission of the editor. In some instances, there may be a reproduction fee.

Disclaimer Publication of an article or inclusion of an advertisement does not necessarily imply that the Institute is in agreement with the views expressed or represents endorsement of products, materials or techniques, nor does the Institute accept responsibility for errors or omissions.

PRINTED BY WARNERS 01778 395111

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MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

PROMOTING BEST PRACTICE AT ALL TIMES Kevin Wellman, CIPHE CEO, discusses the potential dangers of non-compliant products and an untrained workforce.

Kevin Wellman, CIPHE CEO kevinw@ciphe.org.uk

E

arlier this year, I attended a round table meeting with Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, hosted by the Royal Academy of Engineering.

It was clear that Government has ambitions to improve upon a number of areas such as encouraging manufacturers to increase their Research & Development (R&D) and also to improve standards and outcomes in education. The meeting provided an ideal opportunity for me to advise him that our industry invests huge sums on R&D but this is undermined by non-compliant products entering the UK marketplace. I stressed that industry needs a level playing field and that the Government should act to support its own objectives.

I also advised that 20-30 years ago, UK education was revered worldwide but since then, it has clearly now lost its way. In recognising the good work that Government has done in supporting Trailblazer Apprenticeships we now need backing from Government to promote best practice amongst all engineering apprenticeships and in particular, to focus beyond NVQ Level 2.

Whilst anyone can set up a plumbing/ heating business with or without qualifications or experience, I am concerned that the industry will be further undermined in the years ahead through those who are inadequately trained or mentored. This will inevitably put the safety, health and welfare of the public at risk.

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SPENDING MONEY IN THE RIGHT AREAS

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

In order to put UK investment, education and training policies back on the map, it will take collaboration of Olympic proportion amongst Government, industry and educational establishments alike. It also demands a long-term strategy which Greg Clark claims he is willing to support. On the subject of the Olympics, the 23rd Winter Olympics and Paralympics are now well and truly behind us. While all involved should, of course, be congratulated for their sporting achievements and efforts I do wonder about the cost of success.

It was reported that after the 2014 games, UK Sport announced an increase in their investment, pushing the total this time to over £31m. This is certainly not an inconsiderable amount of money, which no doubt, will be considered to have been well spent by those participating and supporting our Winter Olympians. I can’t help thinking what else could be achieved if support of £30m or so was available. It could go a long way to funding apprentices across the engineering fraternity to complete their Trailblazer Apprenticeship. Indeed, if the NVQ Level 3 equivalent training provision was deemed to be the minimum standard in England and Wales (as it is in Scotland) it could, in time, help Greg Clark’s ambition to provide a technical education system that rivals the best in the world.

According to the Hot Water Burns Like Fire campaigners, each year in the UK, about 2,000 children attend A&E following bath water scalds. Treating these scalding accidents costs the NHS £11m each year.

Taking into account hospital treatment for scalds to everyone, including the elderly and vulnerable, the total cost per annum has in the past, been recorded at being over £60m.

Some incidents would likely to have been prevented through compliant plumbing installations and regular maintenance, which reinforces CIPHE’s long held belief that prevention is better than cure.

The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) estimates that fuel poverty affects 2.5 million households in England (2015). Imagine how many vulnerable people could be helped if more support was given to them. It could actually save some of the 100,000 lives that the National Energy Action (NEA) claim will be lost prematurely over the next 15 years as a result of living in cold homes.

Alternatively, greater consideration could be given to supporting licensing for the plumbing and heating industry. If the Government would recognise the need for such a license to practice, they certainly would deserve a gold medal!

May/June 2018

22/03/2018 17:57

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16/04/2018 16:47:36

NEWS

TheNEWS

ALL THAT’S HAPPENING IN THE PLUMBING & HEATING WORLD

MONARCH WATER CIPHE AND WATERSAFE INSTALLERS CLUB MEMBER, CAPTAIN BACKFLOW, IS THE NEW SUPERHERO ON THE BLOCK Everyone has heard of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Spiderman, but there is now a new superhero on the block now – Captain Backflow.

Captain Backflow, aka 45-year-old plumbing and heating engineer, Paul Daley, downed tools to talk to WaterSafe about his work as a plumber, and his superhero alter ego.

He said: “I created Captain Backflow (me, of course) to help to promote water safety. I wanted to get people thinking about the risks of contamination and thought it would help to get people’s attention and raise awareness if I created a character.”

You can read more about Paul’s superhero alter ego at watersafe.org.uk/blog

Monarch Water has rolled out its ‘installer support’ programme, the Monarch Water Installers Club, for plumbing and heating professionals.

As well as the technical advice line the company plans to offer trade mornings and regular market updates to help installers’ target new sales.

Benefits of the Installers Club include: • exclusive merchant led trade mornings; • priority technical support contact; • new product updates and market news; • dedicated installers club web page with information and guides; and • market leading product and guarantees To join, visit www.monarchwater.co.uk/installersclub/ Or call 01986 784759

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE The Engineering Council is the UK regulatory body for the engineering profession. The CIPHE is licensed to provide Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Engineering Technician (EngTech) registration.

WORLD PLUMBING DAY CELEBRATION

The following members have met the internationally recognised standards of professional competence and are now registered with the Engineering Council.

To mark World Plumbing day (11th March) the Past World Plumbing Council (WPC) Chairman and the current Master of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, Robert Burgon, presented £1,000 bursaries to three students at the plumber’s apprentice statue at Cannon Street Station in London recently. Supporting the students on the day and pictured below, included sponsors and WPC representatives.

EngTech Robert Berridge Hertfordshire Lucy Mawer Norfolk

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS Master Plumber Tyrone Nash London John Hamilton Murray, North Humberside David Gammage Gravesend, Kent

Upgraded to Fellow Tak Shing, Derek Chan Hong Kong Bursary presentations

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NEWS

2018 AGM

Please note that the date and venue for the Institute’s AGM has changed.

The 10th Annual General Meeting will now take place on Friday 29th June at 11.00 a.m. The venue is now United Insurance Brokers Limited, 69 Mansell Street, London E1 8AN. All members can attend the AGM but only fully paid up Voting Members (ACIPHE, MCIPHE or FCIPHE) can vote. Please register your intention to attend by visiting https://www.ciphe.org.uk/2018-agm/ or, alternatively, telephone Lesley on 01708 463115.

We look forward to seeing you there.

REMEDIES FOR RF CONTROLS Martyn Bridges, Director of Marketing and Technical Support at Worcester, Bosch Group explained: “Like many digital devices, communication between the transmitter and receiver of an RF heating control can be affected by a host of aspects – a key one being location within the home. To help resolve issues with this wireless technology, heating engineers should follow these simple steps.”

1. Have you tried turning it off and on again?

We’re all guilty of having overlooked the simplest solution – and this can sometimes be the best one.

Batteries should be checked first. Even a set that is not fully depleted will weaken the signal, and cause a lack of communication between the transmitter and the receiver.

2. A conflict of signals The average household is full of RF devices, meaning there is the potential for the transmitter’s signal to be interrupted by a signal from another RF unit.

If the signal from the transmitter is frequently being interrupted, installers should see whether a pattern can be established. If one doesn’t materialise, then RF readers can provide a clear idea of where a conflicting signal may be coming from.

3. Tough as steel The building itself can also cause disruption, and steel layers within the wall construction, plasterboards with foil linings, and rolled steel joists can all act as a barrier to a radio signal.

Distance also plays a part, and the more walls that a radio signal must pass through, the weaker it will become.

As installers are being asked by their customers about smart technology, such as Radio Frequency (RF) controls, Worcester Bosch is reminding installers of what should be considered during installation to avoid call backs.

4. The right reading?

A final consideration is to analyse the environment in which the transmitter is located, as it may not be representative of the temperature of the house as a whole. If the transmitter is kept in a room where there are additional sources of heat, such as a gas fire or even sunlight, it won’t fire up the boiler even if the rest of the house is cold, making location a crucial consideration for heating engineers during installation.

For more information on Worcester, Bosch Group and its Technical Support department, visit www.worcester-bosch.co.uk, or contact the dedicated Controls & Connectivity team on 0330 123 3366.

EARNINGS FOR TRADE APPRENTICES SET TO SOAR ABOVE NATIONAL AVERAGE Screwfix is calling for the next generation to consider a career in plumbing as new research shows a job in the trade could lead to higher wages than other career choices.

Future plumbers are set to earn at least £2,500 a year more than the national average by 2022.

In addition, apprentices can enter their career free from the debt of university fees, which now average £50,000*. This comes from new research commissioned by Screwfix which examined ONS salary data from 2010-17 to forecast future earnings of apprentices entering a profession.

Graham Bell, Screwfix CEO, said: “The research supports our belief that a trade apprenticeship is a strong career choice for young people in this country. Apprenticeships lead to careers in highly skilled jobs, which are in high demand and therefore attract a healthy, competitive salary.

For young people starting out they offer a great career choice without the burden of large debts from university fees. * ONS' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). The forecasts were produced by calculating the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for each job code for the period 2010-2017 and applying this to the next 5 years.

May/June 2018

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXPENSE CLAIMS 2017 N Gale M Rooze N Jones C Stainer D Brindley T Stevenson E Wilson P Williams TOTAL

2,906.08 697.60 47.20 305.70 371.09 285.70 0.00 228.50 4,841.87

Presidents’ expense claims 2017 G Westall 1,324.16 P Williams 3,613.60 TOTAL 4,937.76 Company Secretary expense claims M Rooze

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MEMBER SERVICES

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP Tim Sainty, CIPHE Membership Director tims@ciphe.org.uk +44 (0) 1708 463102

Make sure that you are making the most of your CIPHE membership. Here, Membership Director, Tim Sainty, shares more good news, including how to qualify for free WaterSafe membership and a brand new fleet vehicle offer.

D

id you know that as a member of CIPHE and if you’re also a member of our Approved Contractor Person (ACP) Scheme, you automatically hit the criteria to join WaterSafe? Our ACP scheme members just need to fill in a form and we will process your WaterSafe application for free.

If you are not yet recognised as an ACP, you must first become a Registered Plumber (RP) and then pass a test of knowledge and competence on the UK Water Regulations, have public liability cover for your work above the value of £2 million and undertake five hours of

Water Regulations-related Continuing Professional Development (CPD) annually.

An application form is available on the CIPHE website at https://www.ciphe.org. uk/professional-members/watersafe/ACP/.

Achieving this status and then joining WaterSafe gives CIPHE members the opportunity to reach more customers online whilst benefiting from a stamp of approval directly from the UK water companies.

The WaterSafe website provides an online search facility for customers looking for a qualified, professional plumbing business anywhere in the UK. Running concurrently with membership of CIPHE, all WaterSafe Approved contractors sign up to a commitment that they will: • Ensure that plumbing work is carried out in accordance with all statutory

requirements, including the Water Regulations and Byelaws; • Ensure that plumbing work is carried out by appropriately qualified individuals who will carry an identity card; • Ensure that all relevant plumbing work is subject to the issue of a completion certificate; and • Have in place appropriate procedures for dealing with customer complaints in a speedy and efficient manner.

It is possible for CIPHE members to register with WaterSafe as an individual or as a business. For more on how WaterSafe membership can boost your professional profile and why CIPHE is proud to provide access to this for our members, visit watersafe.org.uk

BELL PLUMBING SUPPLIES It was a fantastic experience to attend CIPHE Industrial Associate Supporter, Bell Plumbing Supplies’, trade evening at Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club on 22nd March 2018.

I

n addition to CIPHE, a number of manufacturers attended to network with members of the plumbing and heating industry from in and around the Birmingham area.

On the CIPHE stand, we spent a large part of our evening discussing the fast-approaching Boiler Plus Scheme and what it will mean for heating system installers, whilst also taking the opportunity to show an early prototype of an augmented reality education and training aid for how to work with a particular Worcester Bosch model of boiler.

Many familiar faces from CIPHE Industrial Associates were also at the event, helping CIPHE to promote our Proud to be a Professional message. Many thanks go to Bell Plumbing Supplies' organisers, Calvin Pope and Tony Soper.

Thomas Dudley proudly displaying CIPHE Industrial Associate Supporter logo on their stand

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MEMBER SERVICES

INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATE SUPPORTER MEMBERSHIP CIPHE Industrial Associate Supporters are licensed to use the CIPHE logo, promoting their support for the industry’s professional body.

Tangible benefits include: • Partnering with CIPHE in delivering education for members of the industry and receiving CIPHE accreditation for training provision; • Profiles in p&he Journal, including technical articles, editorial and features; • Discounted advertising rates in the p&he Journal and across all CIPHE channels;

• Collaboration with CIPHE’s lobbying and industry representation activities; • Opportunities to develop interactive and engaging content, bringing product purpose and information to life for system installers and maintainers; • Invitations to regularly liaise with other Industrial Associate Supporters and CIPHE Development Group meetings and communications;

• Provide professional advice and guidance for consumers for the benefit of their safety and health; and • Much more!

If you would like to become a CIPHE Industrial Associate Supporter or invite CIPHE to an event you are planning, then please contact me on +44 (0) 1708 463102 or tims@ciphe.org.uk

SG FLEET PLASTIC PIPES INSIDE BUILDINGS CONFERENCE Ever since I have worked for CIPHE, the member benefit I’ve been asked for more than any other is one that provides options for the leasing and purchase of fleet vehicles.

I

am therefore delighted to announce that we have reached an agreement with SG Fleet to provide exactly this. The service will offer all that members would expect, including: • Discounted pricing; • Exceptional customer service and support with CIPHE specific helpline for advice and guidance; • A range of funding options, such as contract hire, hire, contract and outright purchase; and • Extended related services covering security, signwriting, racking and telematics.

High quality and recognised mainstream manufacturers will be offering preferential service for members and I will write more extensively about this in the next issue of the p&he Journal. In the meantime, if you would like to register interest in this service then please contact me directly.

C

IPHE is supporting the Plastic Pipes Inside Buildings 2018 conference, which is being held in Cologne, Germany from 16th – 18th October 2018. Two of our members, Henry Hung and Simon Reddy, will be speaking at the event and all CIPHE members are being offered a huge discount on booking fees.

Including discussions around innovations in applications, product design, materials, machinery, process and installation, and information on developments in regulation and customer requirements in the field, this event provides an opportunity to promote your company, brands and products to a focused audience, network in a relaxed atmosphere with colleagues, customers and suppliers and to assess current and future market trends.

Members can use the code PPIB18CIPHE in the other requirements field of the booking page at www.plastic-pipes.events/register

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NATIONAL PRESIDENT

PRESIDENT’S DIARY

Geoff Westall, CIPHE National President, reports on the recent ‘dinner with the President’, held on 7th March at the Founders Hall, London.

Geoff Westall

T

he dinner was attended by prominent figures from organisations serving the plumbing and heating industry, where collaboration, membership growth, enhanced support and services for members, along with heightened industry profile and engagement, were the running themes of the event. Some 50 guests joined Geoff to celebrate his tenure in the Institute’s most coveted position.

In his address, Geoff spoke of the highlights of his year as CIPHE National President, including the extension of the CIPHE’s license to award Chartered Engineer status to 2021, the growth of Industrial Associate (IA) membership and the continued involvement and support of IAs in innovative new programmes such as techtalk, smarttalk, and the development of revolutionary new virtual and augmented reality training.

He also extended the theme of collaboration through to the work with CIBSE on the first phase of the Luna Report, reviewing loading units and flow rate design, and the progression to the next phase that will improve information and working practices in this area.

Geoff deliberated on the vital aspects of the CIPHE’s work protecting the public health, noting the Institute’s involvement

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in the ongoing inquiry and working groups surrounding the Grenfell tragedy, the role of the CIPHE’s Safe Water Guide in the current climate of the rising number of cases of Legionnaires ’ disease and the campaign against non-compliant products entering the UK. (These topics are covered in more detail on pages 12 and 18 of this issue).

GRENFELL On Grenfell he said, “The CIPHE, through both the construction sector and engineering industry, has provided a lot of support to the ongoing inquiry and working groups.

There is no doubt that lessons will be learnt from this catastrophe, which will benefit the public in the future and the services of the plumbing and heating industry will be key in achieving this.”

Speaking about education, CPD and licensing, he said: “For the Government’s Industrial Strategy to be successful, greater engagement with industry is essential.

There is no doubt that the aspirations to create a world-class education system would be enhanced if the Level 3 NVQ was adopted as a minimum standard for entry into the plumbing and heating industry. Of course, mandatory CPD linked to licensing would also help to raise standards and minimise the shortage of skilled people.”

GUEST SPEAKER Carl Arntzen, Chairman of the Construction Products Association and CEO of Worcester Bosch told guests that: “We are about to enter an industrial revolution, so we should all prepare for major change, especially with the internet of things and a proliferation of connected devices.”

He said that although these changes may be challenging, this is an exciting time for the industry. The biggest challenge is around skills, he said: “We are making ‘smart’ products to allow for updates, but the trouble is – they are installed into ‘dumb’ buildings, and as a sector, we struggle to secure quality workers, partly because of their poor science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills.

He went on to share his worries about confusing qualifications, his said: “We’ve lost sight of clear progression routes, we need to build a clear, vocational training system that works.

“We need to show strong leadership and have pride in quality installations and workmanship.” A sentiment that chimes perfectly with the ethos of the CIPHE.

Guests at the President’s dinner

May/June 2018

25/04/2018 10:16

PROFESSIONALISM

CRITERIA FOR THE CATEGORY OF FELLOW Marie McCaffrey, Membership Manager

The Institute has recently revised the criteria for the category of Fellow.

This may be something you aspire to, or could use as a focus to plan your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as a medium-term goal.

F

ellowship denotes the highest level of individual commitment to the objectives of the CIPHE within the membership structure. It is not considered to be a direct entry grade (except in exceptional circumstances). Applicants will normally be expected to qualify for registration as Chartered Engineer (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Engineering Technician (EngTech) with the Engineering Council.

Attainment of the category of Fellow recognises excellence in the field of plumbing and heating engineering. It is expected that Fellows are those who have fully developed their careers and have several years of senior professional leadership experience.

Applicants will be expected to: • complete an application form; • submit a comprehensive and complete work-related CV; and • demonstrate a commitment to Continuing Professional Development by providing evidence of a post qualification, structured learning plan.

Applicants will also be expected to provide an extended personal roles and

responsibilities summary (500 to 1000 words) covering, but not limited to, a minimum of three of the following areas in order to demonstrate competence and commitment to the plumbing and heating profession: • acting in a professional consultancy capacity or as a technical specialist; • service on CIPHE or industry technical committees; • a sustained commitment to furthering the craft, engineering or standing of plumbing and heating engineering at national or international level in all its varied aspects; • National or international recognition by industry through an industry award or by media profile; • commitment to apprentice employment and/or professional mentoring at a management or leadership level; • raising the profile of the plumbing and heating profession with the general public; • teaching, lecturing or conference speaking; • publication of research, technical papers or articles; • successful creation or development of a business; • experience in senior management and the ability to demonstrate extensive

leadership and management skills, with direct responsibility for or influences over finances and people; and • corporate and/or personal social responsibility involving volunteering, charity work or personal challenges.

APPLICATIONS All applications for the category of Fellow will be assessed by the CIPHE Election and Enrolment Committee, which meets four times a year. The Election and Enrolment Committee may request an interview for any application for the category of Fellow.

Successful candidates will be entitled to use the designatory letters, FCIPHE. Unsuccessful candidates will be given a brief recommendation of areas where their application was not deemed to meet the required criteria and support to attain the recognition in the future.

For more information Email: mariem@ciphe.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1708 463104

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with Paul Harmer Lead Technical Consultant CIPHE CEng MIET

COVER STORY TT-B-008

TT-D-008

Discharge unvented water cylinders plastic pipework.

Th e needfrom to assess thehotrisk of storage Legionella ininto domestic dwellings One of the main purposes of the David Watkins FCIPHE,and FSoPHE, MASHRAE, AffCIBSE, RP is Chairman of the CIPHE's Water Safety Group.

Chartered InstituteIEng, of Plumbing Here, he explains why the CIPHE has formed a technical working group charged to produce a training course Heating Engineering is to protect in Legionella risk assessment. the safety and health of the public by raising standards through There is no legal requirement for owner/occupiers of residential education.

Paul Harmer, Legionella pneumophila was Technical first identified in 1977, following Director of on as a severe form of dwellings to conduct a risk assessment of the domestic water an outbreak of the the CIPHE, diseasecomments (that appeared the latestassociated report issued the services in their own property, but HSG 274 Part 2 requires pneumonia) withby a Philadelphia hotel, which hosted British Plastic Federation (Pipe landlords to comply with the following: an American Legion convention. group) on unvented hot water discharge pipe termination.

Residential accommodation: Landlords Since then, our knowledge of this disease has grown, although “Plumbing and heating installers areintroduced at that many of the recommended precautions regularly faced with the time to domestic water services proved to be ineffective and temptation of terminating the Legionella pneumophila in some cases, made the risk greater. unvented hot water safety discharge was identified as a water-borne disease, and since then, over pipe into a plastic soil stack for ease 50 other species of Legionella have been discovered and from of installation. that 50 species, there are more than 30 sub-species. From these However, the recent tests carried out Legionella groups, hasPipe beenGroup found that they are all similar on behalf of theitBPF in the way that they form, but can have differences in the suggests that only D2 discharge conditions that cause them to become pipes installed using a plastic pipe active.

2.138 Landlords who provide residential accommodation, as the person in control of the premises or responsible for the water systems in their premises, have a legal duty to ensure that the risk of exposure of tenants to legionella is properly assessed and controlled.

The duty extends to residents, guests, tenants and customers.

They can then carry out a risk assessment themselves if they are competent, or employ somebody who is.

2.139 Where a managing (or letting) agent is used, the material compliant with the BS EN management contract should clearly specify who has responsibility Legislation 1451-1:2000 standard can be used. for maintenance and safety checks, including managing the risk This may be achievable in condition a new in all water supplies.

Legionella exists in a dormant build situation whereby the correctthe Scottish Water bylaws from Legionella. Where there is no contract or agreement in place Water Regulations in England & Wales, soil stack or waste pipework material or it does not specify who has responsibility. The duty is placed on and Northern Ireland Water Regulations go some way to address can be verified from the outset, whoever has control of the premises and the water systems in it, and what causes Legionella to become active, but the main guidance could be a risk in most cases, this will be the landlords themselves. thathowever, must be it followed in deemed all parts of the UK is HSE ACoP L8 4th in retrofit applications due to the edition together with the guidance documents HSG 274 Parts 1, lack of knowledge of the existing The purpose of asked this short guide isto For thisthe reason, plumbers have been by landlords installed to safely discharge 2 & 3 and HSG 282. plastic pipe material”. to draw attention to the imporwater in the event of serious undertake risk assessments of their properties, as qualified of good and instalover-heating.

As set out in BS EN plumbers should betance the best placeddesign professional people The HSE Code of Practice and supporting guidance documents Situation lation when discharging into 1490: (Building to valves. conduct this task. This is further supported by the are not mandatory documents themselves, but they2000 are referred pipework comply with the Building and it wouldCombined and statementplastic following made by the WHOsystems. publication ‘Water to inToother legislative documents be foolish totemperature Regulations for England and Wales, pressure relief valves.

Tests and Safety in Buildings’: ignore them. the Water Supply (Water Fittings) requirements), the nominal set The British Plastics Federation (BPF) Regulations and the Scottish Water temperature range at which temperature Pipes Group and its members Byelaws, a hot water system with a and pressure relief valves are set to strongly advise that compliance operate is between 90°C to 95°C. storage vessel must incorporate with the product standards listed in precautions to: (a) prevent the this guide is verified by a third Under these controlled conditions, temperature of the water stored in party certification scheme (for safety relief discharge pipework from the vessel at any time exceeding example, the BSI Kitemark). unvented hot water storage systems up 100°C; and (b) ensure that any to 410 litres (500 litres nominal) discharge from safety devices is Good plumbing design capacity can be drained to plastic safely conveyed to where it is sanitary pipework. Attention needs to visible, but will not cause a danger be paid to the plumbing design.

The configuration of the safety to persons in or about the building. relief discharge pipework, for [Note: Uncontrolled temperature discharge To prevent the temperature of discharge of hot water from a valve such as that from pressure relief valves stored water exceeding 100°C, a through a metal discharge pipe should not be drained through sanitary temperature relief valve or a pipework as temperatures could reach in (D1) of diameter up to DN22 into combined temperature and excess of 100°C but in any case is not plastic sanitary pipework, is shown pressure relief valve needs to be permitted under G3]. in the diagram on page 7.

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ipework is helpful when it is mpractical to route the discharge ipework directly to an external oint in a visible location.

Self-sealing waterless valves hould be used as they prevent oul sewer gases from entering he building. Water traps are not uitable in this situation as they ry out.

1) The use of tested and approved self-sealing waterless valves for connecting to internal sanitary pipework is helpful when it is impractical to route the discharge pipework directly to an external point in a visible location.

2) Self-sealing waterless valves should be used as they prevent foul sewer gases from entering the building. Water traps are not suitable in this situation as they dry out.

A tundish adaptor ensures the 3) A tundish adaptor ensures the minimum 300mm below the minimum 300mm below the 3.2.5 Plumbers For this reason, and further to the CIPHE's publication 'Safe undish before any elbows or tundish before any elbows or ends in the pipework Protection of water quality and proper operation of water systems Water Guide*', the CIPHE has formed a technical working group Additional Installation bendsConsiderations in the pipework ecommended in Approved rely on plumbers. charged to produce an on-line training course to educate Additional Installation Considerations recommended in Approved Additional Installation Considerations ocument1) G can be achieved. plumbers qualifistack ed to NVQ 3 level or higher.

The course will Given the high temperatures Document G can be achieved.

The soil should be vented to 1) Given the high temperatures The soil stack should be vented to 1) Given the high temperatures Plumbers should be appropriately qualified and haveit theis The should be vented to reached during valve operation, conclude with an examinationand that has to soil be stack passed to prove the atmosphere constructed reached during valve reached during valve operation, it is the atmosphere and constructed thepipe atmosphere and constructed also recommended the competence and knowledge tothat design, install andoperation, maintain it is the candidate’s competency. from a suitable plastic (such as also recommended that the 4) The waterlessthat valve needs to be also recommended the The waterless valve needs to be from a suitable plastic pipe (such as from a suitable plastic pipe (such as connection of pipework tointhe soil PVC-U to BS EN 1329-1 or PE to plumbing systems.

Plumbers play ainstalled key role managing risks connection of pipework to the soil vertically, adjacent the PVC-U to BS EN 1329-1 or PE to connection of pipework to the soil stalled vertically, adjacent the PVC-U to BS1519-1).

EN 1329-1 or In PE toaddition, stack is achieved using an BS EN PVC-U by ensuring compliance with applicable standards and be codes.

In storage cylinder; and visible stack is achieved using an orage cylinder; and be visible stackboss is achieved usingfitting, an BS ENyou 1519-1).

In addition, PVC-U BS EN 1519-1). In addition, PVC-U Can help? appropriately sized pipe pipes to BS EN 1453-1 and accessible. appropriately sized boss pipe fitting, addition, plumbers and other plumbing professionals can an pipes to BS EN 1453-1 nd accessible. appropriately sized boss pipeplay fitting, pipes BSSafety EN 1453-1 fixed in place with a bracket.

This The Water comprises a small number Group of fixed intoplace with aGroup bracket.

This BPF manufactured by Pipes manufactured

by BPF Pipes Group important role in water conservation. fixed in place with manufactured by(having BPF Pipes Group arrangement is preferable to strap, arrangement is preferable toa bracket. strap,This (having two solid PVC volunteers drawn from various parts ofmembers our industry and has members two solid PVC arrangement is preferable to(such strap, clip or patch bosses two typically used 5) A suitable plastic pipe members (having solid PVCinPVC layers or two solid PVC layers clip or patch bosses typically used in as layers or two solid layers with a with a also been charged with reviewing the current Domestic Hot Well-designed systems necessary ensure that thein polypropylene with the retro-fit of standard appliances. clip orare patch bossestocomplying typically used A suitable plastic pipe (suchplumbing as non-foamed PVC intermediate layers or two solid PVC layers with a the retro-fit of standard appliances. non-foamed intermediate layer) layer) & Cold Wateralternative Supplies PVC section of the Plumbing Engineering BS EN of 1451-1:2000) An acceptable would be olypropylene with theand retro-fit standard appliances. installations are efficient, safe appropriate for thesupported diffbe erent at may be used for this application. non-foamed PVC intermediate layer) Ancomplying acceptable alternative would may be for this application. maximumalternative 300mm intervals, may to connect to aused soilGuide. pipe manifold.

Services Design S EN 1451-1:2000) supportedthey at serve.

Andesign acceptable would circumstances The of amanifold. good plumbing servicebe may be used for this application. to connect to a soil pipe be used for downstream pipe D2. maximum 300mm intervals, to connect to atechnical soil piperequirements manifold. must be basedmay on an understanding of the Where a waterless valve and plastic is critical thatbesafety devices on Anyone who wishes to contribute to thisItwork would warmly e used forWhere downstream pipe D2. and relevant regulatory restrictions. industry-based a waterless valveWhere and plastic riskpipework (pipe D2) arethat used, thesafetythedevices unvented hot water It is critical on storage welcomed and contact Maxine Rouse Where valve and plastic The have BPF Pipes Group and its they connecting pipework should not be It is critical thatshould safety devices on pipework (pipe D2) area6)waterless used, the management strategies and procedures been established, systemstorage are subject to annual safety the unvented hot water members strongly advise that pipework (pipe D2) are used, the connected to a stack itstorage can be maxiner@ciphe.org.uk the unvented hotunless water checks to prevent any risk of failure connecting pipework should not be should be applied. system are subject to annual safety pipespipework manufactured to BS 7291: demonstrated that the stack is capable The BPF connected Pipes Group and its connecting should not be and potential property damage.

Tel: +44are (0) 1708 463111 system subject to annual safety to a stack unless it can be checks prevent 2006to (Parts 1 tounless 3) are not used of withstandingto temperatures of the any risk of failure members strongly advise that connected a stack it can befor checks to prevent any risk of failure demonstrated that the stack is intact capable the downstream pipe D2. and potential property damage.

Plumbers have to ensure that water systems are and that water discharged. ipes manufactured to BS 7291: demonstrated that the stack is capable and potential property damage. of withstanding temperatures of the microbial chemical contaminants is minimized. *Safe Water Guide: Scald Prevention and Legionella, 006 (Partswater 1 to intrusion 3) aredischarged. notofused for and of withstanding temperatures of the contact info@ciphe.org.uk for prices cross-connections he downstreamUnintended pipe D2. or unprotectedwater discharged. should be prevented, and backflow-prevention devices should be installed where necessary. Only approved materials and devices should be used or installed.

Report supplied by Risk assessment training Report supplied by

Having established that qualified plumbers are the best placed professionals to undertake these risk assessments, the question is that as the in-depth knowledge required is not currently included in the industry’s education system, are plumbers sufficiently qualified to undertake them?

TM

Report supplied by

Proud to be a Professional Proud to be a Professional with knowledge from techtalk with knowledge from techtalk

TM

TM

Image: Legionella pneumophila was first identified in 1977

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CAREERS

RAISING THE PROFILE OF THE CIPHE AND CAREERS IN THE PROFESSION

Marie McCaffrey, Membership Manager

Marie McCaffrey, CIPHE Membership Manager, is delighted to announce that the CIPHE's profile continues to grow.

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ou will have read in the March/April 2018 edition of p&he Journal, of my visits to Approved Training Centres around the UK, to raise the profile of the Institute and to talk to aspiring professionals in the field.

As a result, around 500 new trainees have joined the CIPHE this year and we hope that they will value being part of the only Chartered body for plumbing and heating engineering and, as their careers develop, move onto full membership with the CIPHE.

CIPHE AT EXHIBITIONS Alongside these visits, we have been present at two exhibitions already this year,

with four more to come. PlumbExpo, in its infancy, (part of Hamerville’s Tool Fair) took place at Alexandra Palace at the end of January and more recently, PlumbExpo in Manchester. The forthcoming exhibitions at which CIPHE will have a stand are: • Installer − Coventry: 8th to 10th May; • PHEX – Alexandra Palace: 20th and 21st June; • PHEX – Manchester: 3rd and 4th October; and • PHEX – Chelsea: 14th and 15th November.

Attendance at these events has certainly helped to raise the profile of the Institute and as always, it is good to meet members

CAREER PATHWAYS FOR PLUMBING ENGINEERS

BEng(Hons). MEng

Usually site based

Director or senior manager of team of engineers designing and managing plumbing and public health engineering systems for large projects.

Chartered Engineer CEng

MSc, MEng, Bachelors degree, NVQ Level 6

Incorporated Engineer IEng

Honours degree NVQ Level 5

Senior engineer designing, supervising and managing public health engineering systems for large and small projects. May be senior manager of director level.

NVQ Level 4 (HNC/HND)

Graduate or trainee plumbing engineer designing plumbing and public health engineering systems for various projects and undergoing further training.

Trainee Graduate Engineer

Technician EngTech

Master Plumber

Highly experienced and qualified crafts person – recognised for their skill and expertise.

Fully Qualified Plumber EngTech

NVQ Level 3

Experienced craftsman installing and managing plumbing systems for various projects and training plumbers.

Intermediate Plumber

NVQ Level 2

Site based intermediate plumber working under the supervision of a fully qualified plumber.

Un-Indentured Trainee Career Change

Apprentice Plumber

4 GCSE’s A–D level

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We’ve been expanding our horizons still further with attendance at the Worcestershire Skills Show, a one-day event, which took place in Droitwich Spa in March, targeting young people to give them advice about possible careers, education and training.

More than 3,000 young people attended this event, which ran from 9am to 7pm, meaning it also gave parents the opportunity to join their children later in the day. The event was a huge success and from a CIPHE perspective, certainly helped to raise its profile as a provider of careers advice.

As a result, I would very much like to develop a career profile brochure for young people to support the career pathways flow chart which you may recall appeared on the front of the p&he Journal in September 2017. The brochure will include a range of profiles of members who have pursued a career in our profession. This can include those of you in established careers as well as those of you who may be in the early stages. If you would like to contribute, please contact me as soon as possible.

SHARING CIPHE KNOWLEDGE Finally, if you are aware of any forthcoming careers-related shows or similar events to the Worcestershire Skills Show in your area, where CIPHE might benefit from attending, please let me know. Also, if you would be willing to act as a CIPHE ambassador by attending careers events at schools or careers shows, please drop me a line.

School leaver or career change trainee working with an experienced plumber on site with day release or evening at college.

FOR MORE INFORMATION The Worshipful Company of Plumbers

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CIPHE CAREERS ADVICE

CAREER PROFILE BROCHURE

Specialist in Teaching or Related Plumbing Services

Usually site based

Continuing Professional Development and Commitment to a Code of Professional Standards

Usually office based

and put faces to names. Don’t forget that attendance at exhibitions contributes towards your CPD too!

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Email: mariem@ciphe.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1708 463104

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25/04/2018 10:23

TRAINING MATTERS

TRAINING MATTERS ALL THAT MATTERS IN THE TRAINING WORLD

TECHNICAL TRIUMPH FOR T-LEVELS? Jenni Preston, Editor of CIPHE’s Education and Training Matters (ETM)

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he Department for Education (DfE) has stated that: ‘The ultimate aim of these reforms is to establish a national system of technical education with qualifications that are easy to understand, have credibility with employers and remain stable over time.’

With some 13,000 technical qualifications currently on offer (all of varying quality and use to employers), there has absolutely been a need to reform the current chaotic system. However let’s not sugarcoat some of the facts underlying this educational shake up.

With young people expected to stay in education post-16, it was always unrealistic to think that every individual would thrive while completing academic qualifications.

Additionally, for those who have taken the vocational route, it’s been clear to educators and employers for some time, that the current vocational offering was simply not doing enough to equip new entrants with the skills and knowledge demanded of their relative industries.

VALUE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION Likewise, the Government needed to enhance the standing of technical education, to raise it up against rival academic subjects. Brexit and the Government’s Industrial Strategy demands that more people take up qualifications in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM subjects).

With a fall in young people taking up the subjects that the country needs to survive and thrive, an education overhaul was

With Brexit on the horizon and the UK’s education system teetering on the edge of a technical revolution, are we actually seeing the foundation of an education system that the UK can be proud of?

Or is it all just a bit of good PR spin and business as usual? We take a look at the new T-Level qualifications to find out.

always on the cards. It is hoped that by putting technical and academic qualifications on an equal level, it will encourage more students into vocational education.

WHAT ARE T-LEVELS? In July 2016, the Government published its Post-16 Skills Plan. The plan laid out a new framework for 15 technical routes into skilled employment; 11 classroom/ workshop based programmes called T-Levels, with the remaining four routes reserved for apprenticeships.

Like the new Trailblazer Apprenticeships, T-Level qualifications have been developed as part of a new ‘world-class technical education system.’ T-Levels have been designed to give technical subjects equal status to their academic equivalents. In fact, they will be worth exactly the same UCAS points as A-Levels. This will enable holders to use the T-Level route to go on to university, apprenticeship (at a Level 3 with a shortened duration time) or an apprenticeship at Level 4 and 5 via a Higher or Degree Apprenticeships.

For those leaving education at 18 to enter the world of work, they do so with a recognised and respected qualification under their belt.

Many educational institutions have welcomed the introduction of T-Levels.

The plan is not to create new technical colleges, but to utilise existing educational establishments . Some 13,000 technical qualifications will be replaced with just 15 new T-Level qualifications, and training hours increased by 50 percent. As ever, there are fears over funding, with the Government pledging an extra £500m a year to be spent on T-Levels.

WHEN WILL WE SEE THE FIRST T-LEVELS? The first three T-Levels will be ready (for a small number of institutions) in September 2020, with wave two delivered in September 2021 and all routes available by 2022. Of the first phase, the three subjects available will be construction, digital, education and childcare.

It is envisaged that the construction T-Level will cover the following roles: • bricklayer; • electrician; • building and engineering technician; • carpenter/joiner; and • construction supervisor.

Plumbing and heating is currently off the list. However, if it is to appear in the future, a word of warning should be added that T-Levels cannot replace formal apprenticeships leading to the Trailblazer qualification. Due to the practical nature of plumbing and heating, it is essential for those embarking on a career to attend college and receive the mentoring support on site (for a number of years), before they can work unsupervised or be deemed competent.

WILL T-LEVELS WORK? With some universities already debating whether they will recognise the new qualifications, it may be that T-Levels don’t get the easy ride that the DfE hopes. On the whole, T-Levels seem like an incredibly good idea and a step in the right direction.

However, the practicalities of implementing such a huge overhaul of vocational education could be where the T-Level story hits tragedy, rather than triumph.

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FEATURE

COMMENT ON 32 YEARS OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN Robin Levien, Ideal Standard designer, looks back at the changes in design over recent decades and how trends and consumer interests have influenced the creation of the new Studio Echo collection.

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n the 32 years since 1986 − the year the iconic Studio bathroom range was launched − so much has changed in popular culture, society and, of course, product design. To help you Robin Levien, think back that far, it Ideal Standard was the year that Top designer Gun came to cinema screens and Mr Muscle cleaning products first appeared on supermarket shelves.

“32 years ago bathroom trends were still largely focused on colour and I remember every year, the biggest issue was deciding which shade we were going to use for the bathroom suites. The most popular choices in the 1980s were a range called Whisper,

which had very pale tints of colour.

However, prior to that, customers wanted very strong colours, such as blues, greens, pinks and yellows.”

WHITE BATHROOM SUITES? “When a team of designers and I first approached Ideal Standard with the idea to create a trend-led white collection (which became the well-known Studio range) they weren’t so sure. White used to be associated with cheap and budget bathrooms and so they were resistant to focus on this colour due to the connotations. Obviously now there has been a design revolution and it’s a completely different story, as 99 percent of bathrooms that are designed, sold and fitted are white and neutral shades. Let’s not mention Avocado!

“As well as colour, a lot has changed in terms of shape and style in bathroom

design, and this is influenced by a number of factors, including the economy. In a recession, people tend to look back and reminisce, and in the early 1990s this led to a period when the market was dominated by Victoriana style. During this time, more than half − around 60 percent − of bathrooms sold, were of this traditional Victorian style.

The interesting thing is that these suites were all white, and that’s also when the free-standing bath came into fashion.

Essentially, a combination of consumer nostalgia and designer inspiration changed bathroom products to white over recent decades.”

TV INFLUENCES ON STYLE “Another factor that has had a strong influence on design and consumer preferences is television. With the likes of big designers including Kevin McCloud and

Family bathroom

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FEATURE Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on TV shows since the mid-to-late 90s, the public are having their eyes opened to a whole new world of design, colour and style. Both have had a very big influence on people, leading to consumers changing the way that they make interior design decisions in the home.

Consumers have become more design aware and brave in what is possible to create within different rooms of the home.

“Following this attitude change, we started designing to give the consumer more choice.

We began by creating three different shapes of basin in the Create collection, the customer could pick their preferred style rather than just having one choice, meaning that the home became more personal in style.

“One big change in design that actually goes back a bit further is the number of products in a range. The original Studio collection had 15 items in the range and that was a big story. Between starting and finishing, the Studio collection became a design award winner, and was on the front covers of design magazines. There was a growing awareness of design over this period.”

STUDIO “Back to 2018, we find ourselves revisiting Studio, our design classic and bestselling range, in a world where consumers are once again looking to the past for design inspiration. When the 2008 recession hit, consumers and the public looked back for design inspiration. This time, however, people have gone back to vintage style from the middle of the last century.

“This led us to revisit Studio, and develop Studio Echo. We were originally briefed on Studio back in 1981, 37 years ago. It took us five years to develop and perfect and was launched to the public in 1986. Studio Echo has some of the same DNA as the original Studio collection, it is simple, restrained, and under-styled, but with warmth. If you look through interiors and style magazines, you’ll notice that there is a very strong vintage style running through, and our new Studio Echo range has a touch of that. Further, an important philosophy for me is that a design is easy to live with, not over-stated or over-expressive and easily becomes part of the home. For me it’s a good sign when someone’s buying a flat, they look in the bathroom and they think yes, I can live with that. Studio Echo has been designed to be popular on a mass level; it’s completely refreshed and up-to-date, while echoing the simple curves and tapered lines that made Studio part of our design heritage. What’s

Good design brings the very best qualities of form and function to everyday products interesting now redesigning Studio; is that this time it does have to be more trend-led and make a design statement.

“It is rooted in the beautifully understated shapes of the past, with a friendly, easyto-live-with personality. The design means that it will survive decades of family life and blend in with just about any interior fashion.

It echoes the life we have today and the one we hope to have tomorrow. Studio Echo remains true to the idea that good design is about bringing the very best qualities of form and function to everyday products.”

Ideal Standard is a CIPHE Industrial Associate.

For more information visit www.idealstandard.co.uk

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FEATURE

COMPLIANCE AND THE EFFECT OF NON-COMPLIANT PRODUCTS ON VULNERABLE CONSUMERS We are all used to looking for a CE Mark on toys and electrical appliances, but what about bathroom equipment?

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he UK market is being flooded with products from shower enclosures, trays and screens to ceramic-ware like toilets, bidets and Yvonne Orgill, basins that don’t CEO of Bathroom Manufacturers meet the required Association ‘fit for purpose’ safety and quality standards; yet most bathroom products should, by law, be carrying the CE mark.

Yvonne Orgill, CEO of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, argues that there has never been a better time for the industry to embrace compliance, raise awareness of the effects of non-compliance and protect the consumer.

LESSONS TO LEARN Last year the tragedy of Grenfell Tower highlighted the potential worse-case effects of non-compliance on vulnerable consumers. Tellingly, the cladding on the outside of the doomed building, held to be the root cause of the fire, turned out to be a product that was in itself compliant.

However, it had been wrongly specified and poorly installed, rendering it noncompliant and thus a disaster waiting to happen.

This is a lesson we must learn in our own industry. While organisations such as BMA are pushing for relevant bathroom products to comply with required standards and are calling for robust surveillance to prevent non-compliant goods entering the UK market, achieving true compliance and guaranteeing consumer safety is more complex. A safe bathroom requires the

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installation of equipment to be compliant too. For instance, the wrong load bearing on a CE marked WC may still cause injury as surely as a faulty product can result in a scald – and there are many more ways a non-compliant bathroom can cause damage and harm consumers.

RID OUR INDUSTRY OF NONCOMPLIANT OPERATORS In her interim report, ‘Building a Safer Future’, part of an independent review, commissioned by the Government following the Grenfell Tower fire, Dame Judith Hackitt noted a lack of quality assurance both of materials and people and called for a new intelligent system of regulation and enforcement to 'hold to account those who try to cut corners.'

That’s exactly what we at the BMA are trying to do too. There has got to be change. It’s time to improve awareness amongst consumers not just of the importance of sourcing compliant ‘fit for purpose’ CE marked products, but also to rid our industry of non-compliant operators – it is, after all, in the interest of manufacturers and installers alike to educate consumers and ensure that those who adhere to the highest standards are easily identified and are the natural choice for consumers.

PROFESSIONAL INSTALLERS BMA will be making a lot of noise about compliance this year, working alongside natural partners such as WRAS and NHIC to help take our message to Government on issues such as non-compliant water supply, and CIPHE to promote a professional installer base in the UK. Our message to installers is clear – always use good quality,

Most bathroom products should, by law, carry the CE mark compliant products installed by a fully qualified professional!

In highlighting these issues, we will be pushing on an open door. The Government has already signalled its determination to protect consumers post Grenfell Tower, with the launch of a new Office for Product Safety and Standards in January this year, which it says will give consumers the ‘highest ever levels of protection’.

Meanwhile, across the channel the European Commission is undertaking a review of the Construction Product Regulation (CPR) and market surveillance, creating confidence that consumer and construction products are safe and fit for purpose.

PRODUCT SAFETY Here, the new Office for Product Safety and Standards will enable the UK to meet evolving product safety challenges such as international trade, the growth in online shopping and accelerating product innovation.

The Government has stated it will work with all stakeholders on this, creating an expert panel to bring together trade associations like our own and consumers as well as enforcement representatives, to

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FEATURE

advise on product safety issues and ensure the Office co-ordinates the UK’s product safety regime as effectively as possible.

The remit of the new Office for Product Safety and Standards, whose budget will be around £12million per year, also covers helping manufacturers and retailers to develop product marking and identification, as well as researching consumer behaviour to identify the best way to drive up the number of consumers registering appliances with manufacturers.

DRIVING COMPLIANCE In this new climate, BMA will be bringing forward several key initiatives to drive compliance in our industry. Firstly, we will be strengthening the Association’s code of ethics to ensure manufacturers clearly demonstrate compliance.

There are no fewer than eight separate pieces of legislation that apply to manufacturers, from water regulations and the Consumer Act to Construction Product Regulation (CPR), introduced in 2013, which makes it mandatory for companies to carry the CE mark on all relevant bathroom products, covered by a European harmonised standard.

Our members must show that they adhere to all these legal requirements.

To that end, we are working with Keele University to develop an online tool to support compliance, which we expect to launch later this year. We will also be advising manufacturers, retailers and merchants on how they must meet the laws and regulations.

BMA will also be exhibiting at the flagship CTSI Symposium at East Midlands Conference Centre in June.

BATHROOM CHARTER At the top of our agenda, however, is the roll out of a Bathroom Charter. Our vision is that such a charter will put compliance at the heart of everything we do, allowing consumers to buy with confidence and have complete faith in the quality of their bathroom installation. The Bathroom Charter will mean that installers will use compliant products only, driving low quality, non-compliant manufacturers out of the mainstream marketplace, pushing up industry standards and protecting consumers.

Currently, we are undertaking a major research project on behalf of our members – the most detailed ever undertaken on behalf of the industry – to understand consumer perspectives and to map purchasing processes for bathrooms and bathroom equipment, including the extent to which

compliance is a factor in the selection of product and installation.

Understandably, consumers tend to believe that when they buy from a recognised retailer or merchant, products will be compliant and fit for purpose. For those of us in the industry, however, we know this isn’t necessarily always the case.

EDUCATING CUSTOMERS Our goal for 2018 is to change this. We will be striving to educate consumers to be more robust in checking which products and installers are compliant, highlighting the very real dangers of non-compliant equipment in the bathroom and promoting the products and services of our members, from manufacturers to retailers, merchants and installers, who are doing a great job and getting it right by being compliant.

CIPHE COMMENT CIPHE CEO, Kevin Wellman said: "CIPHE has done much to raise awareness of the problems associated with non-compliant products and I fully support initiatives such as this by the BMA. I have said for many years that we need to have quality products installed by quality people, after all it’s in the public interest to do so."

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CPD

WATER TREATMENT IN COMMERCIAL HEATING AND HOT WATER SYSTEMS Chris Shelton, Sales Director for Sentinel Commercial

Widespread neglect of water treatment in the commercial market is making high efficiency heating and hot water systems vulnerable to corrosion and limescale and putting them at risk of highly destructive problems, such as boiler and component failure, plummeting system efficiency and downtime. This CPD provided by international water treatment specialist, Sentinel Commercial, explains how to prevent corrosion and limescale through the application of best practice water treatment.

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ommercial heating and hot water systems are failing on a significant scale − failing to deliver energy savings, failing to perform adequately and in some cases, failing to operate at all. The problem is not with the systems themselves, however. Modern, high efficiency commercial boilers and hot water heaters are finely engineered, well-constructed, carefully designed into systems and built to last beyond their warranty periods. The problem lies with the poor quality of the circulating water within them and the fact that correct water treatment is absent in many new boiler installations and planned maintenance regimes.

Inferior water treatment will result in corrosion in heating systems and limescale accumulation in hot water systems (primarily). These two phenomena can lead to a plethora of problems, including increased energy consumption and carbon emissions; asset depreciation; loss of boiler warranty; complete boiler failure; environmental penalties, unplanned maintenance; system downtime and disruptions to business continuity, to name just a few.

Industry bodies provide clear support and definite guidelines regarding water treatment. For example, in its ‘Water Treatment for Closed Heating and Cooling Systems’ guide, BSRIA highlights “inappropriate water treatment chemicals” and “poor management or failure of the water treatment regime” as some of the causes of poor water quality.

Meanwhile, ICOM’s ‘Water Treatment and Conditioning of Commercial Heating Systems’ document states the importance of minimising corrosion and mineral scale; “In this way, not only the physical integrity of the system, but its long term efficiency and effectiveness are preserved.” Furthermore, the document stresses the importance of correct application; “If the instructions for the water

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treatment method are not followed in full, interpreted incorrectly and/or if the method is not implemented properly, this may result in health risks, damage to the environment or damage to the heating system.”

CORROSION IN CLOSED HEATING SYSTEMS The corrosion of metals in commercial heating systems is the inevitable consequence of untreated water and occurs when bare metal, water and dissolved oxygen come into contact. The rate of corrosion is significantly increased by excess dissolved oxygen in circulating water.

Within heating systems, corrosion can take a number of forms, including ‘sludge’ (an accumulation of (mostly) system metal oxide particles), tough layers of baked-on deposit and abrasive rust particles (usually from mild steel). Flux residues can also lead to metal corrosion. Consequent issues can include perforation and pitting of metals, extraneous noise, interference with moving parts, poor

water flow or blockage, degradation of boiler efficiency/system effectiveness, cold spots in radiators and loss of system integrity.

As a variety of metals can be found within heating systems, pH must be controlled in order to prevent corrosion of the system as a whole, and not just individual components.

A range of approximately pH 6.5 – 8.5 provides stable pH conditions for all metals likely to be designed within or retrofitted into a heating system. Imbalance in pH can arise with mains water that is too alkaline or acidic, or where flushing of cleaners is insufficient. Poor quality inhibitors can also fail to buffer pH within required levels.

LIMESCALE ACCUMULATION IN HOT WATER SYSTEMS Over 60 percent of England is served by hard mains water, meaning limescale is a significant problem for many commercial facilities. Limescale forms when (mainly) calcium bicarbonate precipitates out of water. This happens at about 35 – 40oC and

Corrosion and fouling of a heating system

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CPD Corrosion of system metals

progressively worsens as temperatures rise. However, scale can also form at low temperatures in the mains water supply, as indicated by a positive or negative value derived from guides such as the Langelier Scale Index (LSI). This is why limescale is most prevalent in ‘once through’ hot water systems, which heat large amounts of water.

In such systems, limescale will deposit on water heaters, appliances and sanitarywares.

It is worth noting, however, that limescale can also deposit on the surfaces of pipes and heat exchangers in closed heating circuits (especially those with leaks) and often forms during the first test firing of a new installation when water velocity is low.

According to British Water, just 1.6mm of scale reduces boiler efficiency by 12 percent.

Sadly, efficiency isn’t the only adverse effect of limescale; impaired operation, increased energy consumption, excessive system noise (kettling), reduced water flow and wear on pumps can also ensue. Not to mention that limescale deposits can accumulate quickly in appliances such as water heaters, immersion heaters, washing machines and sanitary fittings – most of which can be found in large numbers in commercial buildings – potentially leading to downtime, higher capital replacement costs, unplanned maintenance and repairs and inflated cleaning costs.

BEST PRACTICE WATER TREATMENT FOR CLOSED HEATING SYSTEMS Thankfully, lifetime protection of commercial heating systems can be easily and cost-effectively achieved with a best practice water treatment system of ‘clean, protect, maintain’. This approach is supported by industry bodies: BSRIA, ICOM and the Building Services Compliance Guide to Part L agree that system flushing and cleaning and the addition of chemical water treatment, is required to control corrosion and the formation of scale and sludge. The merits of periodic system water checks are also expounded.

Engineer treating a heating system

Both new boiler installations and existing systems should be thoroughly cleaned with a high quality chemical cleaner. This will remove debris and foulants and allow the subsequently dosed inhibitor to function fully. Following cleaning, an inhibitor should be added to system water at manufacturer’s recommended concentration to prevent the buildup of scale, sludge and corrosion.

Regarding product choice, engineers are best advised to heed ICOM’s statement that “Manufacturers’ recommendations and guidelines regarding the choice/use of chemicals and recommended operating parameters should ALWAYS be followed.”

This is because quality varies hugely between products on the market and many are inadequate. For example, cleaners are not subject to any quality standards; consequently many are too acidic or too weak. Similarly, numerous inhibitors fail to offer the correct pH buffer range to fully protect all system metals.

Periodic checks of system water quality using a test kit (both pre-boiler installation and as part of ongoing planned preventative maintenance) concludes the best practice water treatment approach. Such checks – which commonly monitor pH level, turbidity, inhibitor levels, and more – will determine the conditions within a given system and deliver recommendations of the best corrective approach, ensuring continued system protection. System checks will also help to meet installation, commissioning and warranty conditions, and provide an evidential report for customer records.

PREVENTING LIMESCALE

chemical dosing and driven electrolytic scale inhibitor devices (all of which are recommended in the Building Services Compliance Guide to Part L), but in terms of low maintenance and cost effectiveness, the latter is a clear winner.

Electrolytic devices work by delivering low levels of zinc into system water. The zinc holds much of the calcium carbonate in solution, while that which precipitates develops as non-deposit forming aragonite, rather than hard, deposit-forming calcite.

High quality, well-manufactured electrolytic devices should be independently tested and verified, WRAS-approved and be able to treat a whole system for limescale prevention.

DELIVERING LIFETIME BOILER AND COMPONENT PROTECTION An effective water treatment programme will ensure that heating and hot water systems receive lifetime protection from corrosion and limescale, preventing a myriad of potential costly and disruptive problems. Furthermore, those adopting such a programme will be able to enjoy the high efficiencies, low energy costs and reduced carbon emissions offered by the latest commercial systems.

Sentinel Commercial is a CIPHE Industrial Associate.

For more information visit www.sentinelprotects.com

Permanent limescale prevention solutions include ion exchange water softeners,

May/June 2018

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CPD

WATER TREATMENT IN COMMERCIAL HEATING AND HOT WATER SYSTEMS QUESTIONS 1.

What is necessary to prevent corrosion and limescale in commercial heating and hot water systems?

2.

Name five potential problems caused by untreated water.

3.

BSRIA states that ‘inappropriate water treatment chemicals’ can cause poor water quality.

CIPHE members are expected to complete 30 hours of CPD each year. Completion of these assessments can count towards this requirement and CPD.

Which other cause of poor water quality do they highlight?

4.

Complete the following sentence. ‘Corrosion is the … consequence of untreated water’.

5.

1.6mm of limescale reduces boiler efficiency by which percentage (according to

To participate, simply return this assessment using any method you wish, such as fax, scan, email, photocopy, etc, (attach an additional A4 sheet if necessary).

Your name: __________________________________

British Water)?

__________________________________ 6.

What are the three components of a best practice water treatment system?

CIPHE membership number: __________________________________ 7.

Can best practice water treatment deliver lifetime protection from corrosion and limescale?

Email: ___________________________ 8.

Why should engineers follow system manufacturers’ recommendations and guidelines

__________________________________

regarding the choice/use of chemical cleaners and inhibitors?

__________________________________

9.

Name two reasons why periodic checks of system water should be part of ongoing planned preventative maintenance.

Return to: CIPHE, 64 Station Lane, Hornchurch, Essex RM12 6NB Fax to: + 44 (0) 1708 448987 Email: info@ciphe.org.uk or please visit the members only area of the CIPHE website.

10. What limescale prevention solution recommended in the Building Services Compliance Guide to Part L requires the least amount of maintenance?

www.ciphe.org.uk/cpd What’s in it for you?

As part of our work to improve your Journal, the CIPHE Communications Team wants to know how you view our CPDs. Email us with your comments to: kevinw@ciphe.org.uK

May/June 2018

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CPD RECORDING

Marie McCaffrey, Membership Manager

KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR CPD ACTIVITIES Marie McCaffrey, CIPHE Membership Manager, stresses the importance of accurate CPD records.

I

f you are registered with the Engineering Council, some of you will have received notification recently to submit your CPD record for 2017. This is because, as part of our Licence agreement, we are obliged to assess member registrants’ CPD records and submit a sample to the Engineering Council for review.

In turn, it will be mandatory from 2019 for registrants, when called by their Institute, to submit a record of their CPD. Failure to do so, may ultimately result in an individual’s registration being cancelled.

Indeed, all members, whether registrants with the Engineering Council or not, agree to maintain their competence through Continuing Professional Development as part of the Code of Professional Standards.

Engineering Council registration is satisfied by meeting the Competence and Commitment statements as laid out in UK-SPEC which can be found at www.engc.org.uk The Competence and Commitment statements detail the requirements to be met in order to achieve registration in a particular category of registration, ie EngTech, IEng or CEng. There are five broad areas: • A – Knowledge and understanding; • B – Design and development of processes, systems, services and products; • C – Responsibility, management or leadership; • D – Communication and inter-personal skills; and • E – Professional commitment.

These statements can be used to help you organise what types of CPD you might undertake and where you may need to focus your further development. Here are some examples of how you could ensure that you are maintaining your Continuing Professional Development:

• Being on an Institute Group or committee • Organising a technical conference; • Organising a seminar or other technical event; • Applying for a patent; • Contributing to journals; • Researching a technical subject to increase your knowledge; • Reading journals to keep up to date your knowledge; • Writing/publishing technical papers; • Undertaking a placement at work in a different technical area to increase the breadth of technical skills; • Reviewing papers for journals; • Any Institute activities increasing your technical knowledge; • Editing a journal; • Reviewing papers for technical publication; and • Any activities increasing your technical knowledge

Competence B • Attending technical events, evening lectures, seminars, etc; • Writing/publishing technical papers; • Presenting at technical events; • Attending technical events, evening lectures, seminars, etc; • Volunteering at Institute activities; • Presenting at technical events/conferences; • Attending a technical specialist course • Contributing to journals; • Undertaking a technical qualification; • Any CIPHE activities increasing your technical knowledge; and • Any activities increasing your technical knowledge.

Competence C • Chairing an Institute committee; • Taking on a leadership role such as being a local councillor or school governor; • Leading a technical event;

Competence A • Attending specialist Institute technical events; • Attending specialist technical events;

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CPD RECORDING

• Having budget responsibility for a local group, such as treasurer for photographic society; • Attending a leadership/management course; • Any activities within the Institute that give opportunities to develop your commercial and technical leadership; • Supporting course development for educational establishments.

Competence D • Presenting at a seminar or evening event; • Public speaking – through political bodies, speaking organisations such as toastmasters.org etc; • Carrying out Professional Review Interviews; • Committee roles in your community – church, school, subject groups etc; • Being an Industrial or Academic Liaison Officer (ILO/ALO); • Organising local events – such as fetes, carnivals, fundraising events etc; • Any Institute activities where you can develop or demonstrate your interpersonal skills; • Coaching your staff at work; and • Any activities where you can develop or demonstrate your interpersonal skills.

Competence E • STEM ambassador activities (Over 30,000 STEM ambassadors, from 17-70 years old, from over 2,500 different employers, volunteer their time, enthusiasm and experiences to encourage and inspire young people to achieve more and progress further in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)); • Running an after school club; • Professional development mentoring; • Taking on a role as ‘5S Champion’ (System of Lean Manufacturing) or implementing environmental awareness schemes at work or in the community; • Volunteering for professional review interviews; • Supporting The Big Bang events; • Being an Industrial or Academic Liaison Officer (ILO/ALO); • Any community activities contributing to society; • Supporting imagineering events; • Any Institute activities contributing to society; • Mentoring young engineers; and • Discussing ethical issues with colleagues.

Certainly there will no doubt be other ways to maintain your CPD and whilst the above list may prove helpful, these are only examples of activities which you might consider undertaking. In-house courses can also be included.

mycareerpath I would also encourage you to make use of the recording facility via ‘mycareerpath’ which can be found on the CIPHE website.

However, you may submit your record in whatever format suits you. The important thing is to identify the activity, state what the objective is and what the outcome was.

This will help to highlight any areas for further development, if any. A pro-forma is available on the CIPHE website or by contacting me directly. This will help you to review and reflect on the activities you have undertaken.

Finally, thank you to those of you who have contacted me thus far to ask for guidance.

As your Institute, we are here to support you and provide you with support. As always, I am available on mariem@ciphe.org.uk or by phone on +44(0)1708 463104.

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FEATURE

LETTER TO THE SUNDAY TIMES EDITOR The Sunday Times dated 1st April 2018, carried an inaccurate article by Bruce Millar and Jonathan Leake, called ‘Don’t let it go’, which said that ‘plumbers were the main beneficiaries’ when freezing weather in March caused boiler breakdowns because of frozen condensate pipes. This is the response to that article

by Kevin Wellman, CIPHE CEO:

A

s the CEO of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) − a body concerned with protecting the public health, while raising standards within the plumbing and heating industry − I found, while the article raised some valid points around insulating pipework, it also contained glaring inaccuracies and unfair misrepresentation of plumbers, with both journalists having a rather outdated notion of what it is to work in the modern day plumbing industry.

To reiterate, the recent weather conditions have been particularly dire, with freezing temperatures and snow being the worst we have seen in many years. The plummeting temperatures and the length of time the country was in minus figures, is simply not the norm in the UK. Therefore, bodies such as the CIPHE, (along with manufacturers and plumbing professionals themselves) issued lots of guidance before the snow and ice arrived on how to protect properties from issues such as frozen and burst pipes. One of our members appeared on TV to forewarn consumers on how best to minimise the risk of any plumbing and heating system problems occurring. The CIPHE also gave subsequent guidance during the cold snap and the big thaw, so that the public could deal with common problems before calling in the services of a professional plumber.

Hardly the actions of an industry that loves this time of year due to profiteering opportunities it seeks.

I do not see that industry has been embarrassed by the number of frozen condensate pipes. Condensing boilers are extremely energy efficient and have been required for many years to help reduce our carbon footprint. Though there will always be some installations that slip through the net, the overwhelming majority of boilers will have been correctly installed, within the Regulations and to the manufacturers’ recommendations. There is no nationwide

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condensate pipe conspiracy, with plumbers waiting in glee for a ‘cold-snap cash windfall’. To suggest so is irresponsible and potentially downright dangerous if consumers are tempted to try DIY on these systems having been given a false impression of the professionals they should use.

That is why we at the CIPHE contributed to the industry response hosted by the HHIC, and it is why we have pledged to help take forward any ongoing recommendations. In fact the CIPHE would welcome regulatory change to further improve standards and is an advocate of bringing in licensing of industry professionals to help further protect the public.

CIPHE feels strongly that issues such as those recently experienced reinforces the need for an annual boiler and plumbing system ‘compliance’ health check, to ensure all systems are running, efficiently, effectively, safely and within current Regulations/good practice – prevention being more effective than cure and scheduled appropriately rather than in an emergency situation.

Before I sign off, just a word of praise for the many hardworking and talented plumbing and heating engineers out there who went above and beyond during the Beast from the East. The article fails to mention those installers risking their lives in hazardous road conditions to get their customers’ heating systems back up and running. Neither does the article cover the installers who gave their customers free of charge advice over the phone, so they could deal with the problem themselves.

Additionally the article fails to mention that a number of condensate pipes would have been at height, or been in homes with elderly or vulnerable occupants, who would have been unable to thaw the condensate pipes without the help of an installer.

I hope the Sunday Times will use its powerful voice to raise awareness of the real issues facing the plumbing and heating

industry, such as bringing in system ‘compliance’ health checks, licensing, education, regulation and the growing problem of illegal parts and spares. Your publication can do so much to help raise the public’s awareness of the importance of regular system maintenance and on how to find professional, skilled tradespeople, such as the CIPHE members available at www.ciphe.org.uk/find-a-plumber.

The plumbing and heating industry sits at the very heart of the public health. It is populated by thousands upon thousands of talented, dedicated plumbing and heating engineers who have trained for years to be qualified. Yet it is an industry continually vilified in the media, with pieces such as ‘Don’t let it go’ exemplifying the myth of the industry-wide cowboy installer preying on consumers. It really is time this stopped.

Yours truly, Kevin Wellman CEO, The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering

May/June 2018

25/04/2018 10:32

BRANCH NEWS

Branch NEWS SUFFOLK

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENING A professional development evening was arranged at the Leading Lives New Southwest Community Hub in Ipswich recently. Stuart Townsend from Omegaflex Ltd gave a presentation on the use of Tracpipe, a corrugated stainless steel semi rigid gas pipe and this was followed by a Training session.

Edwin Hilman and Jane Cantwell was presented with Jane Cantwell a Bronze award by South East Area Administrator, Edwin Hilman, for her dedication and support of the Suffolk Branch.

At the Suffolk Branch AGM, the Committee and Branch Chairman were all voted on again.

NORFOLK

NORFOLK BRANCH MEMBERS FULL OF ENTHUSIASM The Norfolk Branch had planned a technical tour of a local brewery in January. When 15 people arrived at the brewery on a cold evening only to find that the tour leader hadn’t turned up, members and guests were compensated with a free drink in the neighbouring pub and the promise of a free tour which will take place soon.

The Branch committee meeting in March confirmed the enthusiasm to keep the Branch running. All committee members will stand for re-election at the Branch AGM. Branch President, Bernard Tuttle and Secretary, Pat Beane, attended the South East Regional Meeting at Vokera’s offices in March. At this meeting the Norfolk Branch was awarded the George Nash Trophy for organising outstanding events in 2017.

BRANCH DAY OUT Suffolk Branch members visited the waste processing power station at Great Blakenham last October. They had a very interesting tour around the plant, viewing the various stages of the process and had great fun in the educational room, which is mainly aimed at school children but according to the members, they are “all young at heart!”

Suffolk Branch members at the waste processing power station at Great Blakenham

Suffolk Branch members at Uheat

UNDERFLOOR HEATING Last November, members were invited to Uheat, the underfloor heating supply specialist for a professional development evening. They listened to a very informative presentation and enjoyed a tour of the warehouse.

Norfolk Branch members at the South East Regional Meeting

HERTFORDSHIRE

HERTFORDSHIRE MEMBERS VISIT NLB ENGINEERING Hertfordshire Branch members were given a warm welcome when they visited NLB Engineering.

Founder and Managing Director, John Heffernan gave them a fascinating and enthusiastic talk about the development of Aladdin Autovents − very intricate pieces of sophisticated engineering.

The visitors from the Branch left much wiser and more knowledgeable.

They now appreciated that simple plumbing devices are not always as simple as they seem and that as well as being a CIPHE Hertfordshire Branch members, Industrial Associate, NLB Colin O’Donovan, Martin Daines, Engineering is a leader in John Hart, Brian Wood and Branch Chairman, Mike Pratt engineering innovation.

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EXTERNAL AFFAIRS GROUP

UPDATES FROM THE EXTERNAL AFFAIRS GROUP PROFESSIONALISM ALWAYS MATTERS

Richard Soper, CIPHE Director of Development

Richard Soper, Director of Development at the CIPHE, congratulates members for their continued professionalism and resilience, especially important during the UK’s cold winter months where callouts undoubtedly increased.

N

ow we are heading towards summer, it is a good time to reflect on the hard work of our members over the heating season. I’d like to congratulate everyone who has made a difference to the lives of vulnerable consumers by providing quality, compliant and professional plumbing and heating work. Furthermore, I’d like to point out that going out to homes in the sub-zero conditions we experienced in the UK this year, to restore heating and hot water, could have saved lives, especially where the elderly and children are concerned.

It is clear to see that as an industry we have a lot to be proud of and this is all down to the hardworking professionals who stand-up for what is right – offering services they are qualified to undertake, at a fair price and with the customer always in mind.

In the last issue of the P&HE Journal, I spoke about the need for members to demonstrate this dedication to the profession by showing off and displaying the CIPHE badge with honour. After all, to become a CIPHE member takes effort and no one is allowed to join the Institute without being vetted – so if you are a member and not shouting about it, then this is a lost opportunity.

Unfortunately, fraudulent individuals can and do advertise themselves for work, tricking homeowners to employ them. This was publicised earlier this year when a reporter from the BBC created fake business profiles on two websites ‘Rated People’ and ‘MyBuilder’. Worryingly, vulnerable people in need of professional support turn to sites like these without really knowing who they are employing and if they are qualified. The CIPHE continues to stress the importance of skills and competence to the consumer and that our members are trustworthy and qualified, which in this day and age really stands for something.

We’d like to hear about what makes you ‘Proud to be a Professional’. Please send your stories to Membership Director, Tim Sainty at tims@ciphe.org.uk

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A BADGE OF HONOUR

Paul Massey, Chairman of the Institute’s Industrial Associates (IA) Development Group

Paul Massey, Chairman of the Institute’s Industrial Associates (IA) Development Group, explains why it is just as important for IA members to display the CIPHE logo with pride as it is for plumbing and heating engineers.

A

s 2018 dawned, we entered the third year of the CIPHE’s ‘Proud to be a Professional’ campaign. Since the beginning of this initiative, we have seen membership numbers increase and, very soon after we started the push for pride and professionalism, we began to receive significant levels of support from the wider industry. Happily, this backing has continued to grow, most notably in terms of the number of IA members joining the Institute’s quarterly development group meetings.

The fact that people are voting with their feet and choosing to attend these gatherings − during which we discuss progress being made by the Institute in terms of training and technical support, wider safety issues and joint marketing initiatives − has made all the difference.

As the year continues, as well as maintaining this level of support, we’re keen to cast the net even wider. This means encouraging as many IA members as possible to display the CIPHE badge with pride; whether this involves including the logo prominently within brochures, displaying it on the wall at Approved Training Centre (ATC) locations, showrooms and trade counters or even featuring the badge on service vehicles.

By belonging to a chartered body and agreeing to uphold the CIPHE’s Code of Professional Standards, while displaying and wearing the CIPHE badge, installers are pledging their commitment to stamping out unscrupulous practice and protecting vulnerable consumers.

Explained properly, highlighting CIPHE membership and what this means for the customer is a great selling point. The same applies to the wider industry too, so thank you to all the IA members who are currently displaying the badge with pride.

For those yet to promote this most valuable of emblems, please contact CIPHE Membership Director, Tim Sainty, at tims@ciphe.org.uk to receive either a hard or digital copy of the CIPHE logo.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

May/June 2018

24/04/2018 15:23

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS GROUP

GAS SERVICING AND CO ALARMS In the first of a series of articles on gas safety, Roger Webb, Director of External Affairs at the CIPHE, believes a ‘belt and braces’ approach is needed to keep all household gas appliances in excellent working order and vulnerable consumers protected in their own homes.

T

he message of gas safety and the importance of advocating regular servicing for all domestic gas-fired appliances, is not a new message.

I appreciate that. It is however, one of the single most important messages that Roger Webb, homeowners need to hear, which the CIPHE Director of collective industry − from the CIPHE and External Affairs manufacturers to colleges, merchants and registered engineers − all have a duty to voice.

This year, I’m planning a series of articles dedicated to giving the topic of gas safety greater air time. For starters, I would like to draw attention to the fact that all gas appliances need annual servicing. While homeowners may understand the need to get their boiler checked (some do, some don’t) there is every possibility they might overlook the need to get their gas hob and fire examined as well. Scheduling a complete check-up for all appliances can avoid unnecessary breakdowns and, in the very worst cases, protect against deadly consequences.

Beyond that, there is a need to ensure that gas appliances are being regularly serviced, not only by registered engineers

but engineers who are competent to work on the particular appliance or system they are handling. For example, it’s possible that someone who is highly competent in boiler installations may turn their hand to working on a gas fire or a cooker where actually, additional knowledge is required.

Servicing is vital but secondary to this, the value of installing a carbon monoxide alarm in all domestic properties should not be overlooked either. The word ‘secondary’ is key though.

Monitoring devices should never be viewed as an alternative to servicing gas appliances but seen as a necessity in tandem with annual checks.

Without regular maintenance, appliances have the potential to ‘go out of tune’ after a period of time. In such instances, a CO detector provides valuable back-up, for which there really is no substitute. Every home should have one. Thankfully, the UK’s safety record is good and there has not yet been a fatality linked to gas appliances where a working carbon monoxide sensor was in place.

By taking a belt and braces approach to best practice, long may this record continue.

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WHAT'S NEW

What’sNEW

This guide features the latest product launches and the most recent applications of plumbing and heating technology. To advertise your product or project please contact Jordan Payler on 01778 395029 or email jordan.paylor@warnersgroup.co.uk

‘HEAT FOR GOOD’ INITIATIVE

SAFEGARDE YOUR HEATING

Let’s Play – a charity providing after-school and holiday activities for over 100 disabled children in Oxfordshire – has received a warm boost with the installation of a heating system at its new, larger premises.

‘Heat for Good’ – an open membership charity install programme of industry suppliers and installers, administered by Viessmann – saw eight installers give up their time for free to fit a Viessmann Vitodens 200-W boiler, LPG storage cylinder from Calor, Warmastyle radiators from QRL Radiator Group, various parts from local independent merchant Banbury Heating Supplies and national merchant Plumbase, a Spirocross AX 100 from Spirotech and Maincor items from independent merchant Ebberns.

Advanced Engineering has launched a three-product SafeGarde range, which they say, will revolutionise heating installation and engineering. The SafeGarde SG1 system cleaner and flusher is highly effective at removing debris, sludge and scale, in a typical domestic system it takes less than 60 minutes with or without a powerflush machine. The SafeGarde SG2 multi-metal corrosion inhibitor protects high-value components against limescale and corrosion. Then, designed to break down magnetite sludges, the boiler-noise eliminating SG3 is safe to leave in a system for up to 14 days and because it is so effective at neutralising and removing corrosion deposits – including sludge, flux, debris, oils and grease – it also improves heat transfer.

01952 675000

01256 460300

info-uk@viessmann.com

advancedengineering.co.uk

20 GRAND IN YOUR HAND

NEW DIMPLEX XLE RANGE

What would you buy if you won £20,000? JG Speedfit is launching a new promotional campaign involving its bestselling product, the 15mm Equal Elbow. Each pack will have a unique code, allowing installers to enter the competition, which is being run until September 2018. As well as the £20,000 cash for one lucky winner, installers will also be entered into a monthly Speedfit Tech Bundles draw. Each bundle is worth over £1,000 and gadgets up for grabs include an Apple iPhone 8 (64GB), an LG 49” 4K HDR Smart TV and a PS4 Pro Games Console. Also, as part of its sponsorship with the Kawasaki British Superbike Team, JG Speedfit will also give away VIP tickets for the BSB Championship 2018.

Dimplex has released a new range of XLE slimline electric storage heaters, giving installers advanced, Lot 20-compliant models for storage heating upgrades. With five models of varying size/output, the XLE range is the latest in Dimplex’s programme of product development to meet the requirements of Lot 20 of the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive. Dimplex XLE heaters offer dynamic storage capacity which automatically adjusts according to the user’s requirements.

As a result, they can save energy by smartly calculating storage of off-peak energy and providing users with greater control of output throughout the day. Available in white with anodised grey finish, the XLE range also offers easy-to-use controls, presented via a graphical display with RGB backlight. Models are available from 580mm (0.5kW) to 1,067mm (1.5kW) in width.

www.speedfit-giveaway.co.uk

www.dimplex.co.uk

NEW VERSIONS OF MAKITA 18V LITHIUM-ION BRUSHLESS LXT TOOLS

HOTEL BENEFITS FROM BOILERMAG XL AND WATER TREATMENT

The new Makita DJR188Z 18v Brushless LXT Reciprocating Saw will run up to 3,000spm, and with a maximum stroke of 20mm, provides a cutting capacity of 130mm on pipe.

This new compact and lightweight reciprocating saw (just 2.9 kg) has a tool-less blade clamp, fixed shoe, variable speed trigger, constant speed control dial and LED job light.

Two new versions of the Makita 18v Brushless LXT angle grinders are now available: the 115mm DGA463 and the 125mm DGA513 with slide switch and lock-on function and the 115mm DGA467 and 125mm DGA517 models with paddle switch. These new grinders are available as body only machines, or in Makpac cases with batteries and smart charger. A full range of grinding wheels suitable for a vast array of materials is included in the Makita accessory range.

A hotel and golf club in County Durham has recently been fitted with a new boiler, including a BoilerMag XL magnetic boiler filter by Enright Environmental Ltd. The heating system and boiler circuit was also treated with the BM1 inhibitor chemical to maintain the heating efficiency by preventing scale formulation and metal corrosion. The BM1 chemical inhibitor maintains heating efficiency by preventing scale formulation and metal corrosion, without causing any detrimental effects on the plastic or rubber plumbing components. The BoilerMag XL commercial heating system filter is a cost effective option for heating efficiency and boiler protection in commercial, retail, or large residential properties.

Compatible with 1 1/2” fittings and pressures up to 12 bar, the BoilerMag XL is easy to install and maintain.

www.makitauk.com Twitter @MakitaUK Facebook.com/makitauk and google.com/+makitauk

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CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS YOUR INSTITUTE NEEDS YOU! • Introductory Gas Training Courses (Commercial, Domestic & LPG) • ACS Domestic Core & Appliances and CPA • ACS Non-Domestic Core & Appliances • ACS Commercial Catering, Mobile Catering & Appliances • Swimming Pool Boilers • ACS LPG Core & Appliances (incl Boats, RPH, LAV, PD, Caravans) • LPG Generators • OFTEC Oil Assessment & Training (OFT 50, 101, 102, 201, 105e, 600a) & Solid Fuel • Un-vented & Vented Domestic Hot Water, Legionella and Water Regulations • Gas Supervisor Courses and courses designed for your specific needs • EAL Electrical Courses and Electrical Part P • Fire Alarm BS5839 and Security Lighting BS 5266 • Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Courses (Solar, Photovoltaic) • BESA F Gas Courses SOUTH WEST PENINSULAR TRAINING LTD Westover Trading Estate, Langport, Somerset TA10 9RB Tel: 01458 253493 Fax: 01458 253445 Email:info@swptraining.co.uk www.swptraining.co.uk

The CIPHE appreciates the sterling work done on behalf of the Institute by its volunteers. If you would like to take an active role in one or more of its working groups and committees, we would love to hear from you. Alternatively, you may wish to consider becoming a CIPHE Membership Ambassador – helping to promote the professional Chartered status and the many benefits and services CIPHE membership can provide.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss the requirements further with you. Please contact Marie McCaffrey for details of our current voluntary positions.

Marie McCaffrey, Membership Manager Direct Line Tel: +44 (0) 1708 463104 Email: mariem@ciphe.org.uk

COMBINATION BOILERS-FAULT FINDING & REPAIR John Reginald, author of the highly successful Central Heating - Fault Finding & Repair, has now released Combination Boilers - Fault Finding & Repair. The 150-page, A4 spiral-bound book with laminated front and back cover, is written in an easy-toread, easy-to-understand format, which takes the reader through the background and operation of each major component within combination boilers past and present.

The comprehensive fault-finding logic guides provide professional solutions allowing you to repair and service combi boilers with a greater understanding and with more confidence.

Priced at £26.00, incl. P&P. To order your copy visit any leading online retailer, high street bookshop or order from the publisher at: www.combiboilerrepair.co.uk

CENTRAL HEATING-FAULT FINDING & REPAIR From simple to more complex faults, author John Reginald, takes the reader on a journey through central heating and domestic hot water sysytems. The manual’s aim is to instil a better understanding of the systems to achieve professional solutions to professional standards.

Central Heating-Fault Finding & Repair consists of logical stepby-step guides that take the reader through the fault finding and repair process.

The fault logic guides are easy to read and indicate which section of the manual deals with the background and repair of that fault.

Priced at £26.00, incl. P&P. To order your copy visit any leading online retailer, highstreet bookshop or order from the publisher at: www.centralheatingrepair.co.uk

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EASY TO INSTALL THERMAL STORE Stainless Steel Thermal Store Systems For Use With Gas, Oil, Biomass or Solid Fuel • Low maintenance pre plumbed units • Fitted with hot water control pack • Simple technology - no PCB • Direct version - offers buffering and fast heat up of radiators • Indirect version - for Y plan and sealed system boilers • Mains pressure hot water without relief valves • Safe vented thermal store

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

01543 377723 www.advanceappliances.co.uk p32_phemay18.indd 1

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